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08/22/2017 MINUTES 1 <br />COMMISSIONERS' MINUTES <br />KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON <br />COMMISSIONERS AUDITORIUM <br />SPECIAL MEETING <br /> <br />TUESDAY 1:30 P.M. AUGUST 22, 2017 <br /> <br />Board members present: Chairman Paul Jewell; Vice-Chairman Laura <br />Osiadacz; and Commissioner Obie O’Brien. <br /> <br />Others: Julie Kjorsvik, Clerk of the Board; Mark Cook, Public Works <br />Director; Lucas Huck, Engineer; Clayton Myers, Undersheriff; Brian <br />White, Department of Transportation; Mark Larson, Public Health <br />Official; Todd Trepanier, Department of Transportation; and <br />approximately 15 members of the public. <br /> <br />SPECIAL MEETING NELSON SIDING ROAD PUBLIC WORKS <br /> <br />At 1:30 p.m. CHAIRMAN JEWELL opened a Special Meeting to discuss the <br />Nelson Siding Road Traffic/Update Exit 70 Truck Traffic Planning <br />Efforts. <br /> <br />MARK COOK, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR reviewed several options they had <br />come up with that could possibly assist with traffic during peak <br />periods on Interstate 90 near Exists 74 & 78. The options included: <br />Closing the Department of Transportation Ramps at Exit 74 and Exit <br />78; Variable Message Sign Weekend Notice to Remain on I-90; <br />Barricades at Saint Andrews and Oakmont; Barricades at Old Cedars <br />Road and Type II Removable Barricades at Nelson Siding and Westside <br />Road. He also provided discussion points on each of the options. <br /> <br />MR. TREPANIER said they could look at different options but they <br />need to find out what way it would be best managed. CHAIRMAN JEWELL <br />said their hope was to help stop the traffic that bypasses I-90 <br />during the peak times. COMMISSIONER OSIADACZ felt the most important <br />closure would be going westbound, and not necessarily eastbound. <br />CLAY MYERS, UNDERSHERIFF said it was a very large and complex issue <br />and unfortunately it could not be completely resolved in one <br />meeting. He noted how any changes could affect other businesses in <br />the area besides the golf course and they should be notified as well <br />so they can plan accordingly. He also said they don’t have the <br />manpower to monitor closures and determine who gets into the area. <br />An alternate route sign on the freeway may help get some of the <br />traffic to continue rather than get off on the exit. <br /> <br />MR. TREPANIER said the Department of Transportation has never <br />experienced an issue such as this one. He indicated that all of the <br />State grids continue to experience extremely high volumes of summer <br />traffic due to various types of activities and travelers. He noted <br />how any changes need to have an overall information campaign in