HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025.02.20 PC Meeting PacketAGENDA
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
City Hall - Council Chambers
525 North Third Avenue
Pasco, Washington
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2025
6:30 PM
This meeting is broadcast live on PSC-TV Channel 191 on Charter Cable and streamed at www.pasco-wa.com/psctvlive.
Audio equipment available for the hearing impaired; contact staff for assistance.
Please silence your cell phones. Thank you.
I. CALL TO ORDER
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGENCE
III. ROLL CALL: Declaration of Quorum
IV. WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
• Meeting Minutes of December 19, 2024 and January 16, 2025
VI. OLD BUSINESS
2025-2029 Tri-Cities Consolidated Plan and 2025 Action Plan
Cities receiving Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment
Partnerships (HOME) funds are required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development (HUD) to prepare a five-year Consolidated Plan. This plan assesses community
needs, prioritizes goals, examines market conditions, and defines strategies for allocating funds
to meet those needs.
VII. PUBLIC HEARINGS
None
VIII. WORKSHOP
None
IX. OTHER BUSINESS
None
X. AJOURNMENT
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
City Hall - Council Chambers
525 North Third Avenue
Pasco, Washington
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2024
6:30 PM
Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 3 December 19, 2024
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 2 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 3 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/Questions 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 of ground,
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
Respectfully submitted,
Carmen Patrick, Administrative Assistant II
Community & Economic Development Department
REPORT TO PLANNING COMMISSION
City Hall – 525 North Third Avenue
February 20, 2025
6:30 PM
______________________________________________________
To: Planning Commission
From: Kristin Webb, Block Grant Administrator
Subject: 2025-2029 TRI-CITIES CONSOLIDATED PLAN AND 2025 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN
(MF#BGAP2024-005)
Synopsis of the 2025–2029 Tri-Cities Consolidated Plan Presentation
In January, I presented the background and purpose of the 2025–2029 Tri-Cities Consolidated
Plan, which is required by HUD for cities receiving CDBG and HOME funds. This plan assesses
community needs, prioritizes goals, and defines strategies for allocating approximately $4
million in federal funds to Pasco over the next five years.
The plan is being developed in collaboration with the Cities of Kennewick and Richland through
the Tri-Cities HOME Consortium, with assistance from The Cloudburst Group who is a
consulting group, that works extensively with HUD as well as local and state governments. It
will guide how CDBG and HOME funds are used to support housing, economic development,
and public services for low- and moderate-income communities.
Community input was gathered through surveys and stakeholder meetings in September 2024,
focusing on affordable housing, economic development, and public services. The priorities
identified will shape the Strategic Action Plan, ensuring all funded activities align with
community needs and HUD’s requirements.
In January, a public hearing was held, but due to a lack of Planning Commission quorum, no
official action could be taken to officially recommend approval or denial of the plan to the City
Council. Staff is requesting that the Planning Commission consider the information provided,
which includes collaboration with our partner communities, public input and discuss the
proposed plan further and officially recommend approval to the City Council.
Recommendation
Staff requests that the Planning Commission forwards the 2025-2029 Tri-Cities Consolidated
Plan and 2025 Annual Action Plan to City Council for approval as submitted.
Motion
I move that the Planning Commission recommends that the City Council approve the 2025-2029
Tri-Cities Consolidated Plan and 2025 Annual Action Plan.