Pasco's reluctance to join a multi-agency effort to determine the best place to put another bridge over the Columbia River "is throwing a curve ball" into a proposal to pay for the bridge siting study.
Members of the Benton-Franklin County of Governments were not happy Friday that the Pasco City Council and City Manager Gary Crutchfield haven't freely signed on with other cities, ports and counties to sponsor the $250,000 study.
Half the cost would come from the state Department of Transportation, while Pasco, Kennewick and Richland each would put in $18,750. Other agencies, including Benton and Franklin counties and four port districts, would share the remaining costs.
Pasco's council is willing to pay a share, but with conditions that could limit the study's scope.
The Washington Legislature approved money this year for the study as requested by the council of governments. Up to 10 locations would be looked at, with specific recommendations and data on five of them.
"Pasco is throwing a curve ball. It's a way for them to get out if Gary Crutchfield doesn't like it," said Dave Rose, Richland City Council member.
The conditional yes from Pasco includes demands that Kennewick and Richland participate, that the greatest emphasis of the study be on relief of urban traffic congestion and that every participating government agency share the costs equally.
The equal sharing of costs is the sticking point.
As proposed, participating agencies are supposed to contribute from $18,750 to $3,100 each for the study, said Mark Kushner, transportation director for the council of governments.
Kushner said Benton County is offering $10,000 instead of the requested $12,500, and Walla Walla County officials said they wouldn't be contributing the requested $3,100. The ports of Kennewick, Benton and Pasco would provide $6,200 each and the Port of Walla Walla $3,100.
Council members mused for nearly an hour about what to do about Pasco's position.
The council had intended to vote to inform the state it wants to go ahead with the study, but Pasco's conditions stalled a vote.
Pasco Councilman Tom Larsen had no explanation for his city council's position.
"It's what Crutchfield wants. He runs the city and he runs the council," said Larsen, who was representing his city at the Friday council of governments meeting in West Richland.
The Herald couldn't reach Crutchfield at his office Friday afternoon for a comment. An employee said he was gone for the day.
"I'm tired of Pasco playing games. They are a major player," Rose said.
"If Pasco won't participate if there's a chance they won't get the option they want, then why have an objective third-party study?" said Franklin County Commissioner Brad Peck.
The council agreed to send several members to meet privately with Crutchfield and if needed with the Pasco council members to try to resolve the issue.
Kushner told the Herald later Friday that he and Benton County Commissioner Jim Beaver had talked with Crutchfield that afternoon, but nothing definite was achieved.
-- John Trumbo: 582-1529; jtrumbo@tricityherald.com
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The Benton-Franklin Council of Governments is holding a public meeting today in Richland and Thursday in Walla Walla to collect public comment on the 2011-2030 regional transportation plan for Benton, Franklin and Walla Walla counties.
The 20-year plan, which is revised every five years, acts as a guideline for cities and counties to build projects and allows the governments to compete for state and federal funding for the projects listed in the plan, said Mark Kushner, council of governments transportation director.
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Mid-Columbia officials have made their list of transportation project wants, and now they are asking the public to check it before the proposal becomes a plan.
The Benton-Franklin Council of Governments is holding a public meeting today in Richland and Thursday in Walla Walla to collect public comment on the 2011-2030 regional transportation plan for Benton, Franklin and Walla Walla counties.
The 20-year plan, which is revised every five years, acts as a guideline for cities and counties to build projects and allows the governments to compete for state and federal funding for the projects listed in the plan, said Mark Kushner, council of governments transportation director.
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The Pasco City Council unanimously agreed Tuesday to urge Kennewick, Richland, Benton County and Franklin County to join the city in forming a regional emergency communications system during 2012.
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Voices of Pasco police officers barely were discernible from the static on the first recorded radio conversation.
On the second, it sounded like the officers were talking within Pasco City Council chambers.
Pasco Police Chief Bob Metzger played the two taped radio conversations Monday for the Pasco City Council to illustrate why the city needs to consider switching to a 800 megahertz radio system and forming a regional emergency communications system soon.
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