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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-06-08-cds-study-session-supporting-documents KITTITAS COUNTY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SERVICES STUDY SESSION STAFF REPORT STUDY SESSION DATE: June 8a', 2026 ACTION REQUESTED: Request to approve a Resolution to approve the Public Lands Advisory Committee Bylaw Amendments BACKGROUND: Public Lands Advisory Committee (PLAC) bylaws have not been amended for several years. As part of a continued improvement process, the committee has voted unanimously for the amended changes to the bylaws as described below: 1. Mission Statement: the percentage of public lands countywide has significantly increased since the previous version of the bylaws. 2. Section 1.02: Redlined sections moved to Section 1.03 for clarity. 3. Section 1.03: Moved from Section 1.02 4. Section 1.04 (New Section): To ensure continued strong committee member participation and opportunities for other potential new members, sitting members shall have the opportunity to reapply for a second term and then be subject to approval by a majority of the committee for recommendation to be reappointed by the BOCC for all subsequent terms. 5. Section 2.03 (New language): This clarifies the expectations of the Chair to not vote, if possible, as this Committee acts in an advisory role to the BOCC. At present, under Robert's Rules of Order a tie vote would result in a proposed action not being moved forward to the BOCC. 6. Section 3.05 (New Section): This clarifies Committee member attendance expectations and provides a replacement process, if necessary. INTERACTION: Community Development Services,Public Lands Advisory Committee(PLAC) RECOMMENDATION: Approve the Resolution amending the PLAC Bylaws. HANDLING: Return one original to Community Development Services. ATTACHMENTS: Resolution,Bylaws,Redlined amendments November 2025 LEAD STAFF: Chad Bala,Director BY-LAWS OF THE PUBLIC LANDS ADVISORY COMMITTEE Vision Public lands are a vital community resource. The vision of the Public Lands Advisory Committee is to create cooperative relationships with public lands managers to ensure that public lands in Kittitas County provide access for the public and are sustainably managed for multiple uses while providing opportunities for outdoor recreation and economic benefit to County residents. Mission Given that 80 %of the total land area of Kittitas County is managed by one or more government agencies,the mission of the Kittitas County Public Lands Advisory Committee is to support the Kittitas County Board of Commissioners in meeting its responsibility to County residents to ensure that those lands are managed for the economic and recreational benefit of the public. The committee will communicate concerns and make recommendations for action to the Board of County Commissioners to help ensure that public land managers consider and are responsive to the needs and interests of County citizens-those most directly affected. ARTICLE I Committee Section 1.01. Composition of the Committee. The Committee shall consist of six to twelve voting members, and one member of the Board of County Commissioners. Section 1.02. Committee Appointments. The committee will be appointed by the Board of county Commissioners, and the Chair will be a member of the Board of County Commissioners. Section 1.03. Committee Member Terms.To ensure continuity,members shall be appointed for terms of three years in such a manner that the terms of one-third of the directors shall expire each year.For the purpose of determining Committee composition,the anniversary of a term shall be the Hirst of January each year. Section 1.04. Committee Member Reappointment. Upon completion of two consecutive terms, members shall be required to be approved by a majority of committee membership for recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners for reappointment. Reappointment matters, if required, shall be taken up by the Committee annually at their November meeting. ARTICLE II Officers and Committees Section 2.01. Officers Designated. The officers of the Committee shall be a Chair and Vice Chair, and excepting the Chair, shall be elected by the Committee, Such other officers and assistant officers as may be deemed necessary may be elected or appointed by the Committee. In addition to the powers and duties specified below,the officers shall have such powers and perform such duties as the Committee may prescribe. Section 2.02. Election and Term of Office. The Chair shall be a member of the Board of County Commissioners and shall be the permanent officer. The Vice Chair shall be elected by the Committee from among its members. The officers shall be elected by the Committee at the first regular meeting after the term of new or reappointed Committee members commences each year, for a one-year term,and each officer shall hold office during said one-year term and until his/her successor is elected. Section 2.03. Powers and Duties. a. Chair. The Chair shall preside at all meetings the Committee. The Chair may sign and execute, in the name of the Committee, all resolutions duly authorized by the Committee,and generally shall perform all duties incident to the office of Chair and such other duties as may from time to 1 time be assigned to such office by the Committee.Except to break a tie vote,the Chair shall abstain from voting. b. Vice-Chair. At the request of the Chair,or in case of his/her absence or disability,the Vice- Chair shall perform all duties of the Chair and,when so acting, shall have all the powers of, and be subject to all restrictions upon the Chair. In addition,the Vice-Chair shall perform such other duties as may from time to time be assigned to that office by the Committee or the Chair. Section 2.04. Vacancies. The Committee shall make recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners to fill any committee position which becomes vacant with a successor who shall hold office for the unexpired term and until his/her successor shall have been duly appointed and qualified. Section 2.05. Establishment of Sub-Committees. The Committee may designate from among its members one or more sub-committees to advise or perform other duties on behalf of the Committee,provided any final action shall require approval of the Committee.The designation of any such sub-committee and the delegation thereto of authority shall not operate to relieve any member of the Committee of any responsibility imposed by the Board of Commissioners.Nan-Committee members may be appointed to a sub-committee with consent from the Committee. Sub-committees will only report to the full committee with specific response to the issue that it has been delegated by the full committee ARTICLE III Meetings Section 3.01. Regular Committee Meetings. Regular meetings of the Public Lands Advisory Committee shall be held monthly(twelve meetings per year)provided however that the Committee may alter such regular meeting time and place. Section 3.02. Special Committee Meetings. Special meetings of the Committee may be held at any place at any time whenever called by the Chair or a majority of the members of the Committee. Section 3.03.It is the intent that the Committee will work to make recommendations to the Board of Commissioners based on consensus of its members whenever possible. Section 3.04. Parliamentary Authority.The rules of Robert's Rules of Order(revised)shall govern the Authority in all cases to which they are applicable,where they are not inconsistent with the Charter or with the special rules of order of the Authority set forth in the By-laws. Section 3.05. Meeting Attendance--A Committee member failing to attend three(3)or more consecutive meetings due to unexcused absences may be removed from the Committee by the Board of County Commissioners,and a replacement member shall be appointed per Section 2.04 of these By-laws.Any absence of which the Clerk or Chair has not been notified prior to the meeting shall be considered unexcused. ARTICLE IV Amendments to By-laws Section 4.01. Proposals to Amend By-laws. 1. Proposals to amend the By-laws shall be presented in a format which strikes over material to be deleted and underlines new material. 2. Any Committee member may introduce a proposed amendment to the By-laws(which may consist of new By-laws)at any regular meeting or at any special meeting of which fifteen(15) day's advance notice has been given. Section 4.02. Committee Consideration of Proposed Amendments. If notice of a proposed amendment to the Bylaws,and information including the text of the proposed amendment and a statement of its purpose and effect,is provided to members of the Committee fifteen(15)days prior to any regular Committee meeting or any special meeting,then the Committee may vote on the proposed amendment at the same meeting as the one at which the amendment is introduced. If such notice and information is not so provided, the Committee may not vote on the proposed amendment until the next regular Committee meeting or special 2 meeting of which fifteen(15)days advance notice has been given.Germane amendments to the proposed amending within the scope of the original amendment will be permitted at the meeting at which the vote is taken as provided in the Charter. Section 4.03. Vote Required for Amendments to By-laws. Resolutions of the Committee approving proposed amendments to the By-laws require an affirmative vote of a 2/3 majority of the Committee members then in office. Section 4.04. Effective Bate. Amendments to the By-laws are effective ten days after filing of same with the Board of County Commissioners,unless such amendment(s)shall have been passed by unanimous vote of the Committee and an earlier effective date been set. ARTICLE V Administrative Provisions Section 5.01. Indemnification of Committee Members. The Board of County Commissioners elects to defend and indemnify its present and former Committee members and officers and their successors, spouses and marital communities to the full extent authorized by law and the Charter. In addition,the right of indemnification shall inure to each Committee member or officer and his/her spouses and marital communities upon his/her appointment to the Committee and the event of his/her death shall extend to his/her heirs,legal representatives and estate. Each person who shall act as Committee member or officer of the Authority shall be deemed to do so in reliance upon such indemnification and such rights shall not be exclusive of any other right which he/she may have. 3 BY-LAWS OF THE PUBLIC LANDS ADVISORY COMMITTEE Revised November 2025 Vision Public lands are a vital community resource.The vision of the Public Lands Advisory Committee is to create cooperative relationships with public lands managers to ensure that public lands in Kittitas County provide access for the public and are susiainably managed for multiple uses while providing opportunities for outdoor recreation and economic benefit to County residents. Mission Given that WHO_%of the total land area of Kittilas County is managed by one or more government agencies, the mission of the Kittitas County Public Lands Advisory Committee is to support the Kiflitas County Board of Commissioners in meeting its responsibility to County residents to ensure that those lands are managed for the economic and recreational benefit of the public.The committee will communicate concerns and make recommendations for action to the Board of County Commissioners to help ensure that public land managers consider and are responsive to Ote needs and interests of County citizens-those most directly affected, ARTICLE I Committee Section 1.01. Composition of the Committee. The Committee shall consist of six to twelve voting members,and one member of the Board of County Commissioners. Section 1.02, Committee Appointments-itiWfer-n15. Tlrecommittee will be appointed by the Board of County Commissione".and the Cbair wi[1 be a member of the Board of County Commissioners.�1 a enyw a t.�t++i+laity-+��sarber:.wh�ainEed-ft+f-te+�+�-nN-t#+reN-yea+r:�+rvaei►-a-r++�Fe�a��•....- ;x E1}r�ii+tluk> halI-"rive e•aeh yea l3esil+er+�l�,,,.. ecrirr-Si'tmai-oc t*1C i'iF.+�Bf-J++Hnar3`'eaulwear .. ..-..-- .- -- - ..- Cotnmentad[Cw=]t Moved to Secdon 1.03 -- Section 1.03. Committer Alember Terms_To ensure continuity,mcmbcrs shall be spiwinted for teints of three year'in such a manner that the terms of one-third of the direct rs shall ex ire each YM--i•or the limos@ ofdetcnm ingrCammittee�om +'1'rp he anniv ofa lertn shall be Are First of Janus eachyeu. Seetion I.Od. Committee Member Reanpaintmeal. lJ n corn d 11 of two conseeuliv• ierins snunbcrs_$lia]!be r d to be a lived a orhy of coininittee membershi Pfor rcc;�mmetl tiny n to the Board of County(;amttLssioncrs f4rxca n ri t. t a '1 Imetr m t a►lri- if reut+ired.shall be taken up by the Co mitt•c ann at their November mceti ARTICLE H Officers and Committees Section 2.01. Officers Designated. The officers of the Committee shall be a Chair and Vice Chair,and excepting the Chair,shall be elected by the C umniittee. Such other officers and assistant officers as may be deemed necessary maybe elected or sppoi utul by the Committee. In addition to the powers and duties specified below,the officers shall have such powers and perform such duties as the Committee may prescribe. Section 2.02. Election and Term of Office. The Chair shall be a member of the Board of County Commissioners and shall be the permanent officer. The Vice Chair shall be elected by the Committee from among its members. The officers shall be elected by the Committee at the fast regular meeting after the term of t new or reappointed Committee members commences each year,for a one-year term,and each officer shall hold office during said one-year term and until his/her successor is elected. Section 2.03. Powers and Duties. a. Chair. The Chair shall preside at all meetings the Committee The Chair may sign and execute, in the name of the Committee,all resolutions duly authorized by the Committee,and generally shall perform all duties incident to the office of Chair and such other duties as may from time to [ time be assigned to such office by the Committee.I x• cent to eak a tic vote the/'hair-%14pII ah5 ails(RA )Ttin b. Vice-Chair. At the request of the Chair,or in case of his/her absence or disability,the Vice- Chair shall perform all duties of the Chair and,when so acting,shall bave all the powers of,and be subject to all restrictions upon the Chair. In addition,the Vice-Chair shall perform such other duties as may from time to time be assigned to that office by the Committee or the Chair. section 2.04. Vacancies. The Committee shall make recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners to fill any eommittce position which becomes vacant with a successor who shall hold office for the unexpired term and until his/her successor shall have been duly appointed and qua lifted. Section 2.05. Establishment of Sub-Committees, The Committee may designate from among its members one or more sub•commiItea to advise or perform other duties on behalf of the Committee,provided any final action shalt require approval of the Committee.The designation of any such sub-committee and the delegation thereto of authority shall not operate to relieve any member of the Committee of any responsibility imposed by the Board of Commissioners.Rion-Committee members may be appointed to a sub-committee with consent from the Committee:.Sub committees will only reporl to the full committee with specific response to the issue that it has been delegated by the full committee ARTICLE III Meetings Section 3.01. Regular Committee Meetings. Regular meetings of the Public Lands Advisory Committee shall be held monthly(twelve meetings per year)provided however that the Committee may alter such regular meeting time and plate. Section 3.02. Special Committee Meetings. Special meetings of the Committee maybe held at any place at any time whenever called by the Chair or a majority of the membet5 of the Committee. Section 3.03.It is the intent that the Committee will work to make recommendations to the Board of Commissioners based on consensus of its members whenever possible. Section 3.04. Parliamentary Authority.The rules of Robert's Rules of Order(revised)shall govern the Authority in all cases to which they are applicable,where they are not inconsistent with the Charter or with the special rulers of ender of the Authority set forth in the By-laws. Section 3.05. Meeting Altcaddner—A Committee member failing to attend three(3)or mere consecutive meetingsduetoueEul n c �ay.be removed from the Committee by the Board ofCotmt Commis i ners and a re lacement member sha I a in r.rx in 2 0 fthur B -laws. a once of w�tieEl_Ihe C=lerF�xt_(' it has nnt—[ i1p ifcd I?rior tofhe mctin mnsid xuxee cnced. ARTICLE IV Amendments to By-laws Section 4.01. Proposals to Amend By-laws. 1. Proposals to amend the By-laws shall be presented in a format which strikes over material to be deleted and underlines new material. 2. Any Committee member may introduce a proposed amendment to the By-laws(which may consist of new By-laws)at any regular meeting or at any special meeting of which fifteen(15) day's advance notice has been given. 2 Section 4.02. Committee Consideration of Proposed Amendments. If notice ofa proposed amendment to the Bylaws,and information including the text of the proposed amendment and a statement of its purpose and effect,is provided to members of the Committee fifteen(15)days prior to any regular Committee meeting or any special meeting,then the Committee may vote on the proposed amendment at the same meeting as the one at which the amendment is introduced. If such notice and information is not so provided,the Committee may not vote on the proposed amendment until the next regular Committee meeting or special meeting of which fifteen(15)days advance notice has been given.Germane amendments to the proposed amending within the scope of the original amendment will be permitted at the meeting at which the vote is taken as provided in the Charter. Section 4.03. Vote Required for Amendments to By-laws. Resolutions of the Committee approving proposed amendments to the By-laws require an affirmative vote of a 2/3 majority of the Committee members then in office. Section 4.04. Effective Date. Amendments to the By-laws are effective ten days after filing of same with the Board of County Commissioners,unless such amendment(s)shall have been passed by unanimous vote of the Committee and an earlier effective date been set. ARTICLE V Administrative Provisions Section 5.01. Indemnification of Committee Members. The Board of County Commissioners elects to defend and indemnify its present and former Committee members and officers and their successors,spouses and marital communities to the full extent authorized by law and the Charter. In addition,the right of indemnification shalt inure to each Committee member or officer and hisler spouses and marital communities upon his/her appointment to the Committee and the event of his/her death shall extend to his/her heirs,legal representatives and estate. Each person who shall act as Committee member or officer of the Authority shalt be deemed to do so in reliance upon such indemnification and such rights shall not be exclusive of any other right which he/she may have. 3 KITTITAS COUNTY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SERVICES STUDY STAFF REPORT STUDY SESSION DATE: June 8th, 2026 ACTION REQUESTED: Request to Approve a Resolution placing a six(6)month Emergency Moratorium on Transfer of Development Rights proposals/applications within Kittitas County. BACKGROUND: During the 2024 Annual Comprehensive Plan Docket Cycle the WA ST Dept. of Commerce briefly brought to KCCDS attention regarding the TDR amendments that occurred in 2022, specifically that Commerce was not notified nor had the opportunity to review that specific development regulation update. Since that time there has been an increase in TDR applications. The intent of the Transfer of Development Rights program is to direct growth towards urban areas while limiting rural development densities while protecting natural resource lands and rural character. KCCDS has been in the process of completing its 2026- 2045 Comprehensive plan periodic update and development regulations and WA ST Dept of Commerce submitted comments directed towards the current TDR program. INTERACTION: Kittitas County Community Development Services Department. RECOMMENDATION: Approve the Resolution to establish an emergency six (6) month moratorium with a Hearing to be held within sixty (60) days of enactment. HANDLING: Return one original to Community Development Services. ATTACHMENTS: Resolution LEAD STAFF: Chad Bala, Director. BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COUNTY OF KITTITAS STATE OF WASHINGTON RESOLUTION NO.2026- A RESOLUTION ENACTING AN EMERGENCY MORATORIUM ON ACCEPTING ANY TRANSFER OF DEVELPOMENT RIGHTS APPLICATIONS WITHIN KITTITAS COUNTY WHEREAS: Kittitas County is in the process of conducting its Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update and Development Regulations;and WHEREAS: Strong interest has developed in the use of the Transfer of Development Rights program within Kittitas County;and WHEREAS: Concerns have been expressed from the Washington State Department of Commerce urging Kittitas County to revise Kittitas County's Code 17.13;and WHEREAS: The Washington State Department of Commerce urges Kittitas County to ensure policies and regulations under the Kittitas County Code 17.13 effectively concentrate growth where urban levels of development already exist and clarify implementation procedures protecting natural resource lands and rural character;and WHEREAS: The Washington State Department of Commerce advises Kittitas County that the following options are available;take legislation to rescind and/or amend the TDR program OR consider adopting a moratorium as allowed under RCW 36.70A.390 to offer time to update the TDR development regulations;and WHEREAS: The update of the 2026-2046 Comprehensive Plan Periodic update and Development Regulations is expected to occur June 2026;and WHEREAS: RCW 36.70A.390 allows for the adoption of a moratorium on land use activities for sixty(60)days without holding a public hearing;and WHEREAS: A Public hearing must be held within sixty(60)days of the moratorium's enactment and findings of fact must be made to support the actions. A moratorium may last six(6)months and be extended for up to one(1)year when accompanied by a work plan for moratorium research;and WHEREAS: The Kittitas County Board of County Commissioners find the need for such moratorium on Kittitas County's Transfer of Development Rights program and applications;and NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED AND IT IS HEREBY ORDERED,all new transfer of development rights applications will not be accepted for at least six(6)months from June 811,2026. DATED this 8th day of June 2026,in 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