Pierce County Council's community plan for 2025

The Pierce County Council’s Community Development and Environment Committee (CDEC) and Health and Human Services Committee (HHS) convened on Monday, Feb. 3, and Tuesday, Feb. 4, marking the first time this year that a committee other than the Rules and Operations Committee has convened.

Both CDEC and HHS members spent time discussing their committee work plans for the year, with the CDEC focusing its early efforts on program updates, amendments to development regulations, and early planning efforts for sustainability and land conservation. 

In addition, there are several legislative actions anticipated in the CDEC this year, which include the Commute Trip Reduction plan, an update to the Transfer of Development Rights code, regulations addressing Agricultural Tourism, and a section on Conservation Futures properties. 

CDEC’s workplan includes monitoring the Sustainability 2030 Plan; expanding urban tree canopy coverage and enhancing carbon credit opportunities; and overseeing parks capital improvement projects, land acquisitions, and property maintenance initiatives.

For HHS, the committee conducted a public hearing on Resolution No. R2024-253, the Affordable Rental Housing Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) Funding Recommendations. Following deliberation, the measure received a Do Pass recommendation, advancing it to the full Council for consideration on February 11.

The work committee members will focus on in the near-term include a review of affordable rental housing programs, HIV testing, homelessness services and funding, and aging and developmental disability services.

More discussion is needed to finalize the committee’s work plan to update the Comprehensive Plan to End Homelessness (CPEH), rental assistance programs, and supportive housing initiatives; to review aging and disability services, HIV services and testing, and updates from the Washington State Public Health Advisory Board (PHAB); and to review workforce challenges, opioid treatment options, mental health services, and crisis response coordination with 988/911. 

Virtually all legislation that comes before the Council goes through one of the Council’s standing committees for review, amendments, a public hearing, and a recommendation before the Council will consider it.