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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-02-09-cds-study-session-supporting-documents KITTITAS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS CDS Study Session Regular Meeting Monday February 9, 2026 - 2:30 PM BoCC Auditorium 205 West 5th Room 109- Ellensburg 1. Call to Order 2. Citizen Comments (1 min.time limit) 3. Request to Approve a Resolution to amend Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. Professional Services Agreement for Planning Support Services to include the scope of work and budget for the Clean Energy Siting and Permitting (CESP) Grant task order, scope of work, and budget. 4. Other Business - No Action to be taken 5. Concluded Created on 2/6/2026 8:40:43 AM KITTITAS COUNTY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SERVICES STUDY STAFF REPORT STUDY SESSION DATE: February 9, 2026 ACTION REQUESTED: Request to Approve a Resolution to amend Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. Professional Services Agreement for Planning Support Services to include the scope of work and budget for the Clean Energy Siting and Permitting (CESP)Grant task order, scope of work, and budget. BACKGROUND: Community Development Services(CDS) selected Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. as Kittitas County's On- Call Planning Service consultant in May of 2024,via Resolution 2024-071. KCCDS has been awarded the CESP grant in the amount of 790,000.00 dollars by the WA ST Dept. of Commerce. This grant allows Kittitas County to prepare for clean energy development while ensuring environmental protection aligning with the state climate and energy goals. This amendment authorizes the CDS Director to move forward with the Clean Energy Siting and Permitting (CESP) Grant funding and administer payments for work related to the CESP Grant. INTERACTION: Kittitas County Community Development Services Department. RECOMMENDATION: Approve the Resolution to amend the Kimley-Hom and Associates, Inc. Professional Services Agreement to include the Clean Energy Siting and Permitting(CESP) Grant task order, scope of work, and budget. HANDLING: Return one original to Community Development Services. ATTACHMENTS: Resolution, and Kimley Horn and Associates, Inc./CESP Grant Scope of Work Attachments (A). LEAD STAFF: Chad Bala, Director. BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COUNTY OF KITTITAS STATE OF WASHINGTON RESOLUTION NO.2026- AUTHORIZING AN AMENDMENT TO THE KIMLEY-HORN AND ASSOCIATES, INC. PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT FOR PLANNING SUPPORT SERVICES TO INCLUDE THE SCOPE OF WORK AND BUDGET FOR CLEAN ENERGY SITING& PERMITTING (CESP) GRANT AS AWARDED BY THE WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE WHEREAS: The County approved Resolution No.2024-071 to authorize the Community Development Services Director to negotiate and sign the Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc, Professional Services Agreement (PSA)effective May 24,2024,for On-Call Environmental Planning, Long Range Planning,Current Planning and Washington State Growth Management Compliance Support;and WHEREAS: The County seeks to amend the PSA to include the scope of work and budget amendment for the Clean Energy Siting&Permitting(CESP)Grant awarded to Kittitas County;and WHEREAS: The Kimley-Horn and Associates,Inc.PSA shall remain in effect through June 301,2027, and WHEREAS: The County understands that the Clean Energy Siting& Permitting(CESP)Grant monies are administered on a fiscal year process with the CESP grant ending June 30',2027. NOW THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of County Commissioners of Kittitas County, Washington, in the best interest of the public, does hereby approve to amend the Kimley-Horn and Associates,Inc. Professional Services Agreement(PSA) for On-Call Environmental Planning, Long Range Planning,Current Planning and to include the scope of work and budget for the Clean Energy Siting& Permitting(CESP)Grant and authorize the Community Services Director to amend the professional services agreement. DATED this 9th day of February 2026,at Ellensburg,Washington. BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS KITTITAS COUNTY,WASHINGTON Cory Wright, Chairman Attest: ❑ Clerk of the Board-Julie Kjorsvik Brett Wachsmith,Vice-Chairman ❑Deputy Clerk of the Board-Mandy Buchholz Laura Osiadacz,Commissioner Exhibit A—Scope of Work- Kittitas County Clean Energy Siting and Permitting Programmatic EIS and code development project. Kittitas County proposes a programmatic EIS to evaluate county-wide zoning for clean energy(solar,wind)and battery storage, identifying suitable sites, environmental impacts, and streamlined permitting pathways to accelerate deployment while protecting resources. Project will also include study of how the county can mitigate and minimize project impacts and ensure construction follows that plan by including requirements within the permit application process. As part of the project, Kittitas County will engage the community, impacted communities, and Tribes through development and implementation of a community engagement plan. Kimley-Horn has been engaged to assist Kittitas County on this projects as follows: Task 1 —Project kickoff and development of project charter and engagement plan Under this Task, Kimley-Horn will facilitate an initial project kickoff meeting and develop a project charter and community engagement plan. The charter confirms the project goals, approach, schedule, project risks/mitigation, team members, and project requirements. In addition, it identifies the project team with roles and communication protocols. The community engagement plan will consist of a menu of engagement strategies and measures to occur to engage the community upfront about project goals, development of EIS scoping and Draft EIS, and through the development regulation update process.The community engagement plan will specifically identify measures to connect with impacted communities and Tribes. Deliverables: • Kickoff meeting agenda and summary o Final project charter • Final community engagement plan Project schedule (included in project charter) Assumptions: Kickoff meeting agenda prepared in coordination with the County Kickoff meeting maybe in person for some Consultant team members.A virtual option will be provided for those not attending in person 1 We anticipated one round of Client review and addressing reasonable comments for the project charter and community engagement plan Includes one round of changes to the project charter and community engagement plan after presenting each of these documents to the Board of County Commissioners for review and comments ® Project charter and community engagement plan will each be 15 pages or less in length ® Countywill assist in providing critical information for charter, project schedule, and community engagement plan development,where necessary Task 2-Community Engagement and Project Coordination Utilizing the community engagement plan from Task 1, community engagement will include development of a project website, open houses, development of project materials to aid the community in participating in the SEPA EIS and code development process, one on one and small group meetings, and engagement with impacted communities throughout the project process. Engagement will include translation of important project materials and specific outreach to communities which could be impacted by future projects. Consultation with Tribes will continue through the project. In addition,this task will include engagement as part of SEPA EIS scoping, issuance of the DEIS, and meetings and hearings as part of the code development process. Deliverables: Development of content for project website to outline the project objectives, timeline, how to get involved, opportunities to engage, and project steps and parameters • Development of memorandums and presentation materials for Planning Commission and Board of County Commissioner briefings and hearings • Development of materials for EIS scoping meeting • Development of materials and attendance at in person DEIS open house • Development of materials and attendance at engagement events including engaging impacted communities,Tribes, open houses, development of project materials to aid the community in participating in the SEPA EIS and code development process, and one on one and small group meetings. Assumptions: Average of two half-hour project coordination meetings per month with Kittitas County with three Consultant team members in attendance through June 30,2027 2 • if EIS scoping meeting is held, it will be a virtual meeting or in person if held in conjunction with another engagement meeting included within the community engagement plan under Task 1 • DEIS open house will include preparation of up to 8 project boards. Consultant will prepare meeting materials and bring items including easels, project boards, pens, sticky notes, comment cards, and other materials to facilitate meeting(s). • Attendance at up to eight public meetings/hearings with Board of County Commissioners. Assumes average of 1.5 consultant team members at each meeting • Project website to be managed by Kittitas County Stakeholders and communities to engage and specific engagement options will be identified in Task 1 and agreed to by the Consultant and Kittitas County. Task 1 will tie engagement to the project schedule and identify the role of the Consultant and Kittitas County. Task 3: Draft EIS scoping and selection of EIS alternatives Task will consist of preparation of a Determination of Significance and Scoping Notice, together with a supporting fact sheet indicating which topics are identified for inclusion in the scoping process. Scoping Notice will be issued to the public for a 30-day comment period in accordance with RCW 43.21 C,WAC 197-11, and Kittitas County Code.Task will also include preparation of materials virtual scoping meeting, if requested,which may be paired with project open house.This will include preparation of meeting materials and providing a forum for attendees to provide scoping comments. Task will also include the development of three (3)SEPA alternatives, one of which will be a no-action alternative, review of scoping comments received and preparation of document to synthesize comments, and selection of alternatives for DEIS. Deliverables: • Preparation of a Determination of Significance and Scoping Notice,together with a fact sheet indicatingwhich topics are identified for inclusion in the scoping process. Drafts will be provided to Kittitas County for issuance to the public in accordance with RCW 43.21 C,WAC 197-11, and Kittitas County Code • Scoping meeting summary(if one is held) • Assist with the development of three (3) SEPA alternatives, one of which will be a no- action alternative • Review of scoping comments received and preparation of document to synthesize comments 3 e Selection of alternatives for DEIS Assumptions: • 30-45 day scoping comment period. C Final determination of alternatives and scope of Draft EIS will be made by Kittitas County.This includes presenting to Board of County Commissioners under Task 2 to receive direction on alternative to be included in DEIS. Kittitas County will provide scoping comments received to Kimley-Horn. Budget assumes up to 60 unique comments. • Alternatives will not be modified after selection • Community engagement, meetings, and coordination included in Task 2 Task 4: Draft EIS preparation and issuance Task will consist of preparation of a Draft EIS and include preparation of a Draft notice of availability for issuance to the public in accordance with RCW 43.21 C,WAC 197-11, and Kittitas County Code. In addition to the No Action Alternative,the DEIS will study alternatives for siting clean energy projects in the County and mitigation for projects which can ultimately be utilized for the preparation of development regulations. Deliverables: ■ Preparation of a Draft EIS outline for Kittitas County review. • Preparation for a Preliminary Draft EIS for county review and preparation of revisions based upon Kittitas County comments • Preparation of Draft EIS for issuance • Prepare a Draft notice of availability for county finalization and issuance to the public in accordance with RCW 43.21 C,WAC 197-11, and Kittitas County code Assumptions: ■ Assumes two rounds of review for the Draft EIS outline and Preliminary Draft EIS before issuance. • 30-45-day comment period on Draft EIS. ■ DEIS notice to be issued by Kittitas County • Kittitas County will secure meeting location if an open house is held in person. • This is a non-project EIS. Draft EIS will utilize existing information and studies. If updates to existing studies, new studies or additional data are required,this will be scoped separately. 4 ■ Community engagement, meetings, and coordination included in Task 2 Task 5: Final EIS preparation and issuance Task will consist of preparation of a Final EIS to include a fact sheet,table of contents, Draft EIS analysis and corrections to Draft EIS, description of the Preferred Alternative (if a preferred alternative is selected), and response to comments received during the 30-45 day DEIS comment period. Deliverables: ■ Preparation of response to comments. • Preparation of a Preliminary Final EIS for Kittitas County review and comment. • Preparation of the notice of availability for publication by Kittitas County. ■ Preparation of Final EIS to include: o Fact sheet o Table of contents o Draft EIS analysis and corrections to Draft EIS, as necessary o Description of the Preferred Alternative (if a preferred alternative is selected) o Response to comments Assumptions: ■ Responses to up to 80 unique comments on the Draft EIS. • Kittitas County will select a preferred alternative if a preferred alternative is selected. ■ Budget assumes up to two rounds of review by Kittitas County on the Final EIS. ■ This task does not include attendance at meetings or preparation of materials for a SEPA appeal if that occurs. ■ This is a non-project EIS.The Final EIS will utilize readily and available existing information and studies. If updates to existing studies, new studies or additional data are required,this will be scoped separately. ■ FEIS will be issued after the DEIS is concluded. If new DEIS is required, additional scope will be required. Community engagement, meetings, and coordination included in Task 2 5 Task 6: Development code updates Under this Task, Kimley-Horn will prepare comprehensive plan policy and/or development code changes to create permitting processes for clean energy projects as defined by Kittitas County. It is anticipated that the code updates would identify where uses would be permitted and would include special development standards for each clean energy use to identify permit conditions, permit processes, and required application materials. Special development standards will create an efficient permit process where upfront reports and mitigation are identified for permit applicants. This taskwill include development of draft and final code, engagement with the community and meetings and hearings with the Kittitas County Planning Commission and Board of County Commissioners. Deliverables: • Summary outline of proposed code changes • Draft development code changes • Final development code changes Assumptions: • Community engagement, meetings/hearings, and coordination included in Task 2 • One rounds of review for the summary of proposed code changes • Two rounds of review for the draft and final code changes • Limited to code changes focused on permitting new clean energy uses, development standards for those uses, and updating permit process procedures Project budget Project tasks Task total Fee type Task 1 - Project kickoff, project charter development, and $30,000 Lump sum engagement plan Task 2-Community engagement and project f $160,000 Lump sum coordination l Task 3- EIS scoping and selection of alternatives $82,000 Lump sum Task 4- Draft EIS preparation $145,000 Lump sum Task 5- Final EIS preparation $65,000 Lump sum Task 6-Development code changes $40,000 Lump sum 6 Printing/Travel/expenses $18,000 Based on actual expenses Totals $540,000 7 KITTITAS COUNTY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SERVICES 411 N.1Ruhy St.,suite 2,Bllassburg,WA 98926 . , cns@00.KrrnTA5.ww-us office(509)962-7506 r —Build*gg ParmerslnpS—$1 WW Communities" February 4, 2026 Kinley-Horn and Associates, L.L.C. Attn. Clay White,Project Manager 2828 Colby Avenue, Suite 200 Everett,WA 98201 RE: Contract Amendment Mr.White: Kittitas County Community Development Services Department is expecting to receive the Clean Energy Siting&Permitting(CESP) contract for County signature in the next two weeks,if not sooner. This contract once signed by Kittitas County grants approval by the WA ST Dept. of Commerce to move forward with CESP Grant.As part of this contractual approval, scope of work,tasks,and budget exhibits were included within the Commerce Contracts,which you and I collaborated on. Pursuant to our Professional Services Consultant Agreement with Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. (master contract)Kittitas County would like to amend the contract to include the CESP scope of work and budget items for the Clean Energy Siting&Permitting(CESP)Grant. Please review the scope of work and budget exhibits and sign the amendment form as attached, with the knowledge that these WA ST Dept. of Commerce grants and associated contracts operate on a fiscal year process. Kittitas County truly appreciates the expressed interest by your firm in assisting our team and looks forward to working together in the future. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at 509-962-7506 or chad.bala@co.kittitas.wa.us Respectfully, Chad Bala Director IN WITNESS WHEREOF,the parties have agreed to an amendment of the original executed agreement dated May 24,2024,to include Exhibit A on this `1"day of Februpa 2026. APPROVED: Project Manager Kittitas County Community Kimley-Horn and Associates,Inc. Development Services Signature of Signatory Signature of Signatory Date Z Date 02/04/2026 �- 2� Z Brad Lincoln -Associate print Name of Signatory Print Name of Signatory County's Address: Consultant Address: 411 North Ruby Street, Suite 2 2828 Colby Avenue, Suite 200 Ellensburg,WA 98926 Everett,WA 98201 Project Contact: Project Contact: Chad Bala Clay White CDs Director Amendment to Professional Services Agreement—Kimley Horn Docusign Envelope ID:90312F34-6C05-4327-87A9-D6957184C877 ti�F�fA c STATE OF WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 1011 Plum Street SE•PO Box 42525•Olympia, Washington 98504-2525•(360)725-4000 www.commerce.wa.gov November 20, 2025 Chad Bala chad.bala@co.kittitas.wa.us 411 N Ruby St Ste 2 Ellensburg,WA 98926 Re: Contingent award of the CESP-CLEANENERGY25 RFA program Dear Chad Bala, Congratulationsl The Department of Commerce is conditionally awarding Kittitas County Community Devefopment Services under the Clean Energy Siting and Permitting program. The award amount is not to exceed $790,000, This award is made with state operating funds through the Climate Commitment Act. We ask that you please keep your award selection private and do not share this information outside of your organization until after we notify you otherwise. Kittitas County Community Development Services, including its directors, employees, and agents, agrees to make no public statements regarding this award until a contract is executed unless Commerce provides prior consent. The award is contingent upon no successful protests of the award decision. We will outline details such as obligations for deliverables, schedules and reporting during contract negotiations. Matching funds are not required as part of this award. In light of this award's contingent nature,we need a counter-signature below from an authorized official. Next Steps: • Please sign the award letter by December 16, 2025. If you cannot return it by this date, please contact us as soon as possible. • This letter is not your contract. Please remember all funding is on a reimbursement basis and no costs chargeable to the award may be incurred before executing a contract. Esther Nielsen will be your contract manager. Please contact her at esther.nielsen@commerce.wa.gov with any questions- We look forward to partnering with you and your team! Sincerely, Accepted on behalf of: Kittitas County Community Development Services $lgmd by. pocuS10 nlyd by: Signature: awratnaa �'auV�S Signature: Amanda Rains Chad Bala Managing Director, Energy Programs in Communities CDS Director Date: 11/26/2025 1 1:57 PM PST Date: 12/1/2025 1 10:09 AM PST