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Home My WebLink About2024.12.19 PC Meeting MinutesCI of PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES `,7 City Hall - Council Chambers f co 525 North Third Avenue Pasco, Washington THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2024 6.30 PM CALL TO ORDER City of Pasco Planning Commission meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m., by Chair Jerry Cochran. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Chair Cochran led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL Commissioners Present: Pat Jones, Abel Campos, Dana Crutchfield, Jay Hendler and Jerry Cochran, a quorum was declared. Commissioners Excused: Rosa Torres, Rachel Teel, and Kim Lehrman Staff Present: Deputy City Manager & Interim Community & Economic Development Director Richa Sigel, Community & Economic Development Deputy Director Craig Raymond, Land Use & Planning Advisor Jacob Gonzalez, and Administrative Assistant II Carmen Patrick DECLARATIONS Chair Cochran asked if there were any Planning Commission members who have a declaration at this time regarding any of the items on the agenda. ❖ No declarations were heard. Chair Cochran asked if anyone in the audience objected to any Planning Commission member hearing any of the items on the agenda. •'• No declarations were heard. Chair Cochran stated the Planning Commission needed and valued public input explaining it helped the Commission understand the issues more clearly and allowed for better recommendations to City Council. Furthermore, in many cases, this could be the only forum for the public to get facts and opinions placed into the official record and City Council will use to make the Commission's decision. He encouraged those present to take full advantage of this opportunity. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Hendler approve the Planning Commission meeting minutes of November 21, 2024, Commissioner Jones seconded, and the motion carried unanimously with the updated year of 2025 for the June meeting. OLD BUSINESS None PUBLIC HEARINGS None WORSHOP • Ben Franklin Transit Long Range Plan Presented by Gabe Martin, TP Manager Gabe Martin addressed the Commission and lead a PowerPoint presentation outlining: • Current and planned BFT services. • Assessed mid and long-range transportation needs and BFT's organizational needs. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 3 December 19, 2024 • Strategies to address the identified gaps. • Priorities for implementation. Comments/Questions from Commissioners Commissioner Jones asked what the funding sources are for BFT, cost for ridership service and then from a percentage wise. Is there any school funding. Mr. Martin stated that transit funding primarily comes from a voter -approved 0.6% sales tax within the Public Transit Benefit Area (PTBA), contributing approximately 60% of funding. The remaining funds are sourced from federal subsidies, including international and interstate fuel taxes, as well as state grants. Cost for ridership service is fairly low, we receive funding for our Youth Ride Free program, which is about 45% of our ridership. It's not designed to make money; it's subsidized so it can be open to the public. Will get back to you with what the gap from ridership and sources that make it work. The school no longer helps with funding. Commissioner Campos asked for a breakdown of age groups, which was unavailable, however, Mr. Martin answered he would get him those numbers. Commissioner Crutchfield asked for explanation of the differences in their services. It there was another facility, how would it be funded. Mr. Martin explained there are four service, Fixed bus route service, which are the big buses. ADA Paratransit. Vanpool, which is shared ride and Demand Response which is a dollar ride service. Regarding funding for another facility, he added it is through Regional Mobility Grant and other grants as well. • Major Plans Updated for 2025-2026 Presented by Jacob Gonzalez, City of Pasco Jacob Gonzalez addressed Commission and gave the following updates: 2045 Pasco Comprehensive Plan: Addresses housing, transportation, land -use, parks and recreation, economic development, and climate resilience. Consultant selection underway, project to begin in early 2025, with completion by June 2026. Fully funded with Periodic Update and Climate Planning Grants from WA Dept of Commerce. Transportation System Master Plan Update: Focus on enhancing transportation system for all users. Address safety, access, and future needs. Consultant to start in 2025; completion by Dec 2025. Fully funded with Climate Planning Grant from WA Dept of Commerce. Regional Approach to Climate Planning: Regional framework in collaboration with City of Kennewick, Richland, West Richland, Benton County. Strategies to address climate resilience, emissions, and vehicle miles travelled reduction. Work is in - progress, less by Cascadia Consulting and BERK. Estimated completion June 2025. Fully funded with Climate Planning Grant from WA Dept of Commerce. Energy Resilience Study: Strengthen energy infrastructure and resilience, future needs. Collaboration with Franklin PUD, Big Bend Eclectic Cooperative, and Port of Pasco. Anticipated completion December 2025. Fully funded with Climate Planning Grant from WA Dept of Commerce. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 3 December 19, 2024 Next Steps: These initiatives provide a strategic opportunity to prepare Pasco for future growth, address environmental challenges, and promote community well-being. The Planning Commission's involvement will be key to ensuring outcomes align with city priorities and values. Staff will continue providing regular updates throughout the process. Comments/Ouestions from Commissioners Commissioner Cochran asked if the city would hire a consultant to partner with you and Franklin PUD, Big Bend Electric Cooperative, and the Port of Pasco. Also, if any other city was working on energy resilience. Jacob answered yes with hopes of having one by mid to late January and that we are the only city at this time. Commissioner Jones asked if City of Kennewick, Richland, West Richland, Benton County also received the same climate planning grant, He also asked if they have requirements to follow or if the city will have its own. Jacob answered yes, but in different amounts; and stated that there are requirements that must be met. Commissioner Crutchfield asked regarding water rights. Deputy City Manager & Interim CED Director Richa Sigel responded that she is leading the city to have a comprehensive water rights strategy and it's an area we are behind on, having to make up a lot ofground, but issues have been identified. Currently, we are working on a short, medium, and long-term strategy on how we serve the growth in the community. OTHER BUSINESS Rebecca Francik with Basin Disposal spoke with the Commission regarding their Transportation Master Plan for Pasco in 2025. She discussed road standards, plat layouts and commercial garbage collection standards. Commissioner Cochran thanked her for being present and suggested that they would like a more formal presentation to be brought back in early 2025 and asked staff to coordinate with Ms. Francis and schedule that and get that in front of the commission for a review. ADJOURNMENT Chair Cochran stated with no other business, I recommend a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Jones made the motion to adjourn the meeting, it was seconded by Commissioner Campos, motion passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 7:56 pm. YouTube link to watch full meeting: https://youtu.be/Yi2uyE7xwGk ectfully subs ' ted, Carn i Patrick, Administrative Assistant II Community & Economic Development Department Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 3 December 19, 2024