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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08.10.2026 PW SS Briefing KITTITAS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS PUBLIC WORKS—BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS STUDY SESSION STAFF REPORT STUDY SESSION DATE: August 10, 2026 TOPIC: Interim Acting County Engineer ACTION REQUESTED: Request to Approve a Resolution Extending the Public Works Director as Interim Acting County Engineer for an Additional Six Months LEAD STAFF: Josh Fredrickson RECOMMENDATION: Recommend approval of a resolution extending the Public Works Director as Interim Acting County Engineer for an additional six months through February 28, 2027. BRIEFING SUMMARY: • RCW 36.80.010 identifies the Board of County Commissioners as having the authority and requirement to employ a County Engineer • Recruitment for the vacant County Engineer position is ongoing • An extension to the current designation is needed along with notice to the County Road Administration Board BACKGROUND: Kittitas County Resolution 2025-148 designated the Public Works Director as Interim Acting County Engineer for a period of six months. An extension to the designation was approved by Resolution 2026-036. Recruitment efforts continue for a full-time County Engineer. The County Road Administration Board(CRAB)has been made aware of ongoing recruitment efforts towards securing a full-time County Engineer. DISCUSSION: The Board of County Commissioners has the authority and requirement to employ a County Engineer(RCW 36.80.010). Public Works, with the assistance of Human Resources, has been performing recruitment efforts to fill the County Engineer position. To avoid any lapse in having an identified County Engineer, an interim county engineer may be appointed. Public Works Director previously filled the role. Notice is to be provided to the County Road Administration Board of any changes to the County Engineer position. FISCAL IMPACT: County Engineer is a budgeted position within the Public Works budget ATTACHMENTS: Resolution; Letter to CRAB BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COUNTY OF KITTITAS STATE OF WASHINGTON RESOLUTION NO. 2026 - EXTENDING THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR AS INTERIM ACTING COUNTY ENGINEER FOR AN ADDITIONAL SIX MONTHS WHEREAS: The County legislative authority of each county is required to employ a county road engineer(RCW 36.80.010); and WHEREAS: The Board of County Commissioners appointed the Public Works Director as Interim County Engineer pursuant to Resolution 2025-148 and extended pursuant to Resolution 2026-036; and WHEREAS: The County has continued with the solicitation process for hiring a County Engineer; and WHEREAS: The continued hiring process will exceed the extension date of August 31,2026 established by the Board with Resolution 2026-036 for hiring a full time County Engineer. NOW,THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of County Commissioners, in the best interest of the public,does hereby extend the Public Works Director as Interim Acting County Engineer for an additional period of six months,through February 28,2027. DATED this 10th day of August 2026, at Ellensburg,Washington. BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS KITTITAS COUNTY,WASHINGTON Brett Wachsmith, Chairman Attest: ❑ Clerk of the Board-Julie Kjorsvik Laura Osiadacz,Vice-Chairman ❑ Deputy Clerk of the Board-Mandy Buchholz Commissioner S���PSCPOES,..TD Ty C o� G� Kittitas County, Washington 4BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS District One District Two District Three KITTITAS COCK"1-� Vacant Laura Osiadacz Brett Wachsmith August 10, 2026 Jane Wall, Executive Director Washington State County Road Administration Board Sent via electronic mail to: 2404 Chandler Ct SW, Suite 240 Jane.Wall&crab.wa.g Olympia, WA 98502-6067 RE: Notice of Kittitas County Engineer Dear Ms. Wall: In compliance with WAC 136-12-020, this is to notify the County Road Administration Board (CRAB) of the efforts Kittitas County has made to its County Engineer. The County has reviewed the requirements within Chapter 136-12 WAC. Kittitas County experienced a change in August 2025 to the County Engineer position. By Resolution No. 2025-148, the Board of County Commissioners appointed Josh Fredrickson, PE, as interim County Engineer and extended the appointment by Resolution No. 2026-036. Recruitment efforts have been ongoing to fill the County Engineer position. Resolution 2026- (copy attached) extends the Public Works Director, Josh Fredrickson, as acting interim County Engineer for an additional six months. We continue to actively recruit for the position of County Engineer. Sincerely, Brett Wachsmith Chair, Kittitas County Board of County Commissioners cc Drew Woods, PE, Deputy Director—Drew.Woods(acrab.wa.gov Derek Pohle, PE, Support, Training and Compliance Manager—Derek.Pohle&crab.wa.gov Kittitas County Courthouse• 205 West 5'Avenue,STE 108 •Ellensburg,WA 98926 (509)962-7508 -FAX(509)962-7679 www.co.kittitas.wa.us KITTITAS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS PUBLIC WORKS—BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS STUDY SESSION STAFF REPORT STUDY SESSION DATE: August 10, 2026 TOPIC: Bowers Field Property Exchange ACTION REQUESTED: Approve a Resolution authorizing Chair Signature on Bills of Sale for the property exchange between the City of Ellensburg, Central Washington University and County LEAD STAFF: Josh Fredrickson RECOMMENDATION: Approve a Resolution authorizing Chair signature on Bills of Sale for the property exchange between the City of Ellensburg, Central Washinton University and County BRIEFING SUMMARY: • County Resolution 2024-170 authorized an interlocal agreement between Kittitas County and the City of Ellensburg and Central Washington University for real property exchange. • County Resolution 2026-068 authorized a real property exchange agreement between Kittitas County and the City of Ellensburg and Central Washington University. • Documents for closing real property exchange includes a Bill of Sale for the buildings and a Quit Claim Deed for a parcel BACKGROUND: Kittitas County, the City of Ellensburg and Central Washington University have been working together towards the exchange of real property. The exchange of property was determined to be a mutually beneficial exchange between all parties. A 2024 resolution initially authorized an interlocal agreement for the real property exchange. This was followed by a 2026 resolution entering into an agreement for the exchange of the real property. Final documents to execute the exchange have been drafted. DISCUSSION: Property includes the transfer of the County owned airport hangar at Bowers Field, located on parcel no. 955337 (Lot H-21); transfer of a parcel at Helena and 18th; and ownership transfer of the business incubator building on Parcel No. 955272. This exchange of real property benefits long-term local and regional public interests of all parties. The interlocal agreement identified each agency's responsibilities to coordinate on the property transfer. Documents have been prepared to execute the property exchange, including a Bill of Sale for the airport hangar, a Bill of Sale for the building on parcel no. 955272 and a Quit Claim Deed for the parcel at Helena and 18th. A title company is being used for closing on the property exchange. FISCAL IMPACT: Staff time for property exchange documents in the approved budget. ATTACHMENTS: Resolution Exhibit 1: Draft Bill of Sale—Building from City to County Exhibit 2: Draft Bill of Sale—Building from County to CWU Exhibit 3: Draft Quit Claim Deed—Property from CWU to City BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COUNTY OF KITTITAS STATE OF WASHINGTON RESOLUTION NO. 2026 - AUTHORIZING CHAIR SIGNATURE ON BILLS OF SALE TO EXCHANGE PROPERTY WITH CITY OF ELLENSBURG AND CENTRAL WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY WHEREAS: Kittitas County, City of Ellensburg and Central Washington University entered into an Interlocal Agreement(Resolution 2024-170)related to the real property exchange of certain property; and WHEREAS: Kittitas County, City of Ellensburg and Central Washington University entered into a real property exchange agreement(Resolution 2026-068)related to the real property; and WHEREAS: Real property includes the County owned airport hangar at Bowers Field located on Lot H-21;the building at Bowers Field located on Lot C-IA; Parcel 374034 near 18th and Helena in the City of Ellensburg; and WHEREAS: Kittitas County surpluses the building on Lot H-21; City surpluses the building on Lot C- IA and Central Washington University surpluses parcel 374034; and WHEREAS: Upon completion of the property exchange,Kittitas County becomes the owner of the building on lot C-IA; City of Ellensburg becomes the owner of parcel 374034; Central Washington University becomes the owner of the building on Lot H-21. NOW,THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of County Commissioners, in the best interest of the public,does hereby authorize the Chair of the Board of County Commissioners to sign the Bill of Sale document to accept the building from the City of Ellensburg and the Bill of Sale document to exchange the main hangar building at Bowers Field to Central Washington University. DATED this 10th day of August 2026, at Ellensburg,Washington. BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS KITTITAS COUNTY,WASHINGTON Brett Wachsmith, Chairman Attest: ❑ Clerk of the Board-Julie Kjorsvik Laura Osiadacz,Vice-Chairman ❑ Deputy Clerk of the Board-Mandy Buchholz Commissioner Exhibit 1: Draft Bill of Sale—Building from City to County BILL OF SALE TRANSFEROR, the City of Ellensburg, a Washington municipal corporation(the "City"), for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, hereby conveys, quitclaims, and delivers to Transferee, Kittitas County, a Washington municipal corporation(the "County"), all of the City's right, title, and interest to any building, structure, fixture, and other improvements (the "Improvements"), including as known as the CenterFuse Economic Development Building, located at 3110 Airport Road in the City of Ellensburg, County of Kittitas, State of Washington, legally described as follows: That portion of Lot C-lA of"Bowers Field Airport Binding Site Plan 2nd Amendment,"recorded in Book 45 of Surveys at Pages 80-83, under Kittitas County Auditor's File No. 202301190002, in the NW Quarter of the NW Quarter of Section 25, Township 18 North, Range 18 East, Willamette Principal Meridian, Kittitas County, Washington, described as follows: Beginning at the Southwest corner of said Lot, thence N88°12'30"E along the south line, a distance of 302.17 feet; thence N53°52'09W, a distance of 122.67 feet to the true point of beginning; thence S88°08'17"W, a distance of 137.38 feet; thence NO1°51'43"W, a distance of 55.13 feet; thence S88°08'17"W, a distance of 15.11 feet; thence NO1°51'43"W, a distance of 15.41 feet; thence N88°08'17"E a distance of 167.60 feet; thence SO1°51'43"E, a distance of 15.41 feet; thence S88°08'17"W, a distance of 15.11 feet; thence S01°51'43"E, a distance of 55.13 feet to the true point of beginning. TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the Improvements unto the County and its successors and assigns forever, together with such other rights, causes of action, and remedies as may arise by operation of law or equity in connection with any of the Improvements. The County takes the Improvements "as is, where is"without any representations or warranties from the City. DATED this day of August, 2026. CITY OF ELLENSBURG By: , City of Ellensburg SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this day of August, 2026, by NOTARY PUBLIC in and for the State of Washington, residing at My Commission expires: DATED this day of August, 2026. KITTITAS COUNTY By: , Kittitas County SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this day of August, 2026,by NOTARY PUBLIC in and for the State of Washington, residing at My Commission expires: Exhibit 2: Draft Bill of Sale—Building from County to CWU BILL OF SALE TRANSFEROR, the County of Kittitas, a Washington municipal corporation (the "County"), for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, hereby conveys, quitclaims, and delivers to Transferee, Central Washington University, a Washington municipal corporation("CWU"), all of the County's right, title, and interest to any building, structure, fixture, and other improvements (the "Improvements"), including as known as the Main Hangar building, located at 1101 E Bowers Road(Parcel No. 955337), County of Kittitas, State of Washington, legally described as follows: That portion of Lot H-21 of"Bowers Field Airport Binding Site Plan 2nd Amendment", recorded in Book 45 of Surveys at Pages 80-83, under Auditor's File No.:202301190002, records of Kittitas County, Washington, described as follows: Beginning at the Northeast corner of said lot, thence S88°12'30"W, along the North line, a distance of 517.78 feet; thence S46°00'02"E, a distance of 126.46 to the true point of beginning; thence N87°54'52"E, a distance of 200.11 feet; thence S02°05'08"E, a distance of 100.21 feet; thence S87°54'52"W, a distance of 200.11 feet; thence NO2°05'08"W, a distance of 100.21 feet to the true point of beginning. TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the Improvements unto CWU and its successors and assigns forever, together with such other rights, causes of action, and remedies as may arise by operation of law or equity in connection with any of the Improvements. CWU takes the Improvements "as is, where is"without any representations or warranties from the County. DATED this day of August, 2026. KITTITAS COUNTY By: , Kittitas County SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this day of August, 2026,by NOTARY PUBLIC in and for the State of Washington, residing at My Commission expires: DATED this day of August, 2026. CENTRAL WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY By: CWU SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this day of August, 2026,by NOTARY PUBLIC in and for the State of Washington, residing at My Commission expires: Exhibit 3: Draft Quit Claim Deed—Property from CWU to City When recorded, return to: Christopher Horner,City Attorney City of Ellensburg 501 N.Anderson St. Ellensburg,WA 98926 QUITCLAIM DEED Reference nos. of docts. assigned or released: n/a Grantor: STATE OF WASHINGTON, CENTRAL WASHINGTON STATE COLLEGE Grantee: CITY OF ELLENSBURG Legal description: See below Assessor's Parcel No.: 374034 THE GRANTOR, STATE OF WASHINGTON, CENTRAL WASHINGTON STATE COLLEGE, for valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, conveys and quitclaims to the CITY OF ELLENSBURG, a Washington municipal corporation, the following described real estate, situate in the County of Kittitas, State of Washington, together with all after acquired title of the Grantor therein: Lot A-1 of record of survey recorded in Book 47 of surveys, at Page 8 under Recording Number 202505190028, in Kittitas County, Washington, being a portion of Block 9, COLLEGE ADDITION, according to the plat thereof recording in Volume 7 of Plats, Pages 1, 2 and 3, records of Kittitas County, Washington. DATED this day of August, 2026. STATE OF WASHINGTON, CENTRAL WASHINGTON STATE COLLEGE By: Its: STATE OF WASHINGTON ) ss. County of ) I certify that I know or have satisfactory evidence that is the person who appeared before me, and said person acknowledged that (he/she) signed this instrument, on oath stated that (he/she) was authorized to execute the instrument and acknowledged it as the (type of authority) of State of Washington, Central Washington State College, to be the free and voluntary act of such party for the uses and purposes mentioned in the instrument. Dated this day of August, 2026. Notary Public in and for the State of Washington, residing at My Commission Expires: