Pasco planning commission unanimously recommends City Council approve updated Tri‑Cities HOME Consortium citizen participation plan

Kristen Webb presented the proposed updates to the Tri‑Cities HOME Consortium Citizen Participation Plan and told the commission the revisions restore standard public‑notice procedures and add digital outreach and federal conflict‑of‑interest provisions.

The planning commission voted unanimously to recommend City Council approve the updated plan. Commissioner Waits moved the recommendation and Commissioner Jones seconded; no public comments were received during the hearing.

Why it matters: jurisdictions that receive HUD funding must maintain a citizen participation plan that governs public input on federally funded housing and community development programs (including the consolidated plan, annual action plans and the CAPER). Webb said the proposed changes remove outdated COVID waivers, clarify adoption and amendment procedures and broaden notification methods to include social media and other digital tools.

Webb said, “Federal regulations require jurisdictions receiving HUD funding to maintain a citizen participation plan,” and noted the posted comment period closed with no mailed comments.

The commission’s vote sends a recommendation to the City Council for final approval; staff noted the plan is foundational to administering CDBG and other HUD‑funded programs and that council will see the item at its next meeting.

The commission took no further action on the item and moved on to its workshop agenda.