HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-04-30 8:30 AM - Conference of Governments - Minutes KITTITAS COUNTY
CONFERENCE OF GOVERNMENTS MINUTES
CITY OF ELLENSBURG - CITY HALL
501 North Anderson Street - Ellensburg
Special Meeting
5:30 PM APRIL 30, 2026
THURSDAY
Committee Members Present: Bryan Elliott, Nancy Goodloe, Rich Elliott, Jim DeVere,
Dave Allenbaugh, Matthew Lundh, Steven Cook, Tom Uren, Jeff Adams, Richard Hink,
Sean Crabb
Committee Members Absent: None
Others:
Josh Fredrickson and Candie Leader - Kittitas County Public Works
Jeanne Killgore - Kittitas County Human Resources
Chad Bala - Kittitas County Community Development Services
Kelle Vandenberg and Heidi Behrends Cerniwey - City of Ellensburg
Rob Ogburn - Central Washington University
Rich Coleman
Pat Kelleher
Commissioner Cory Wright
Two (2) Members of the Public
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m.
CITIZEN COMMENTS (3 MIN. TIME LIMIT)
Kelle Vandenberg thanked COG and the hiring committee for organizing the
stakeholder meeting the previous evening and added that whatever decision is made
she discourages an eighteen (18) month onboarding process.
Rob Ogburn with Central Washington University thanked everyone for allowing him to
be involved in the process of recruitment of the KCEDP Executive Director and
reflected on the support of this position for the last five (5) years and how it
supports the community. Rob Ogburn mentioned the strategies available from across
the nation and opportunities this can bring to the area. Rob Ogburn stated from
the research done by CWU regarding economic development that rural communities
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which do not invest in economic growth do not see growth. Rob Ogburn continued
about funding available to support growth and that if there is no external funding
there cannot be rural growth and encouraged everyone to move forward and support
the decision making to be had.
Pat Kelleher shared that he would like to see the minutes from the April 22°d
meeting and referenced written comment submitted for tonight' s meeting. Pat
Kelleher stated that he doesn't believe that COG has the authority to hire a
position and that authority is not reflected in the bylaws nor are there operating
rules referenced. Pat Kelleher added that he did not find the notice for
tonight' s meeting on the website but did see the posting for the 8:30am meeting.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: RCW 42.30.110(g) To evaluate the qualifications of an applicant
for public employment or to review the performance of a public employee. However,
subject to employment to be generally applied within the agency shall occur in a
meeting open to the public, and when a governing body elects to take final action
hiring, setting the salary of an individual employee or class of employees, or
discharging or disciplining an employee, that action shall be taken in a meeting
open to the public.
Members present: Bryan Elliott, Nancy Goodloe, Rich Elliott, Jim DeVere, Dave
Allenbaugh, Matthew Lundh, Steven Cook, Tom Uren, Jeff Adams, Richard Hink, Sean
Crabb
Guests: Jeanne Killgore
COG members recessed to Executive Session at 5:35 p.m. for 30 minutes.
COG members reconvened out of Executive Session at 6: 05 p.m.
DISCUSSION/DECISION: CONSIDER APPLICANTS FOR POSITION OF KCEDP EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR:
CORY WRIGHT, KELLY COUGHLIN, PETER NOVAK, STEVE DAMM
Bryan Elliott inquired about a motion or discussion. Richard Hink made a motion
to move forward with offering the position of KCEDP Executive Director to Cory
Wright and Jim DeVere seconded the motion. Nancy Goodloe stated that she can
support the motion, however, she does have some concerns but feels these can be
discussed with Cory Wright. Nancy Goodloe continued that COG is united with a
vision and whole plan that she wants to see move forward, not just certain aspects
of the plan. Dave Allenbaugh agreed that everyone has concerns, as this is a new
position, however, hiring someone with knowledge, comfort with the group, and
knowing where COG is going can be beneficial. Bryan Elliott added that this has
been a multi-year effort and COG would rally around and support whomever was
chosen for this position. Motion passed.
OTHER BUSINESS
No other business.
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Meeting was concluded at 6:09 p.m.
KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Candie Leade C erk Bryan Elliott, Chairman
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