Planning Commission asks staff to review MOUs, elects officers and receives staffing updates

At the Feb. 18 meeting the Thurston County Planning Commission voted to ask staff to review the three existing MOUs with Lacey, Olympia and Tumwater and to fold that review into the current joint-plan/code docket. The motion was moved, seconded and approved on a voice vote; staff said they would incorporate the recommendation into presentation notes for later consideration by the Board of County Commissioners.

Officer elections: With the agenda amended to include officer elections (item 4.5), commissioners nominated and confirmed a 2026 slate by voice vote: Eric Casino as chair and Sandy Kiser as vice chair. The commission conducted nominations and a voice vote; there was no roll-call tally recorded in the transcript.

Staff updates: CPED staff provided personnel and project updates. Recruitments are underway for an associate planner and other roles; Tim Rupert, the building services supervisor, recently retired after more than 35 years and staff said an internal candidate has been offered his replacement. Staff also said five new hires will join soon and that the department is preparing bids for an integrated water project and grant-funded work on critical-areas updates using state Department of Commerce and EPA-related Clean Water Act funds.

Next calendar items: The commission confirmed its next meetings for March 4 and March 18 and staff announced an upcoming March 4 docket briefing with the parkland board. The meeting adjourned with no further business.