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KITTITAS COUNTY <br />DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS <br />PUBLIC WORKS — BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS <br />STUDY SESSION STAFF REPORT <br />STUDY SESSION DATE: January 14, 2019 <br />TOPIC: Paths and Trails Funding <br />ACTION REQUESTED: Direct Staff Evaluate Third Party Access Easements <br />LEAD STAFF: <br />Mark R. Cook <br />RECOMMENDATION: <br />Direct the County Surveyor to evaluate the specifics associated with receiving third party <br />access easements supporting the "Towns to Teanaway" initiative. <br />BRIEFING SUMMARY: <br />• Recently, representatives from the "Towns to Teanaway" group visited the Board <br />of County Commissioners presenting an easement proposal to the Board <br />• Public Works (PW) was requested to investigate "Paths and Trails" funding <br />options and to report back to the Board <br />BACKGROUND: <br />The outcome of the recent presentation from "Towns to Teanaway" is an appeal to the <br />County to accept and hold easements of access across several private property owners in <br />Upper County. While it appears that the County is not precluded from accepting the <br />identified easements, several questions remain — specifically the County's ability to <br />expense road funds in the effort. On 01/04/2019, PW sent the Board the complete <br />Revised Code of Washington Chapter 47.30 for review. <br />DISCUSSION: <br />Based on RC W 47.30, our 2019 budget; it appears that our minimum required <br />expenditure (Paths and Trails) is approximately $9,000. A quick read of 47.30 suggests <br />to staff there is likely no funding limitation imposed on Paths and Trails expenditures — <br />other than 2019 budget restrictions. During the presentation on 01/04/2019; PW staff <br />erroneously suggested that additional reporting requirements are tied to Paths and Trails <br />expenditures. This appears to be inaccurate and current required reporting through the <br />County Road Administration Board is sufficient relative to Paths and Trails reporting. <br />It now seems prudent to request the County Surveyor contact representatives from <br />"Towns to Teanaway" discussing specific easement details. Once PW defines the <br />specific easement requirements supporting the request, we will return to the Board <br />discussing implementation potential and process. <br />Page 1 of 3 <br />PUBLIC WORKS BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WORK SESSION STAFF REPORT <br />