2019-02-19-minutes-200pm-public-hearing

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02/19/2019 MINUTES 2 PUBLIC HEARING SPEED LIMIT – UMPTANUM ROAD PUBLIC WORKS At 2:25 p.m. CHAIRMAN WRIGHT opened a Public Hearing to consider a Potential Speed Limit reduction on Umptanum Road and to Amend Sections 10.08.020 and 10.08.030 of the Kittitas County Code. MARK COOK, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR/INTERIM ENGINEER provided a Staff Report and said they received a request to reduce the speed limit on Umptanum Road from MP 0.75 to MP 2.68, due to safety concerns resulting from increased traffic. He reviewed the results of a speed study which was conducted in the late fall of 2018. THOSE PRESENT & TESTIFYING: TOM CHINEY agreed with the Public Works Department but said there were some conflicting usage and that 35 mph maybe a little too low of a speed limit. He questioned if there was possibly another alternative. ROB ACHESON spoke in favor of the speed reduction and urged the Board to support the request due to excessive speed and additional traffic in the area. SUSAN ACHESON felt there were a lot of circumstances that support lowering the speed limit including more pedestrian and bike use on River Bottom Road near Dammon School. PHYLLIS WEDDINGTON said there has been significant change in the area over the years and with the increased traffic 50 mph is now too fast for vehicles. ED DIDIER felt the 50 mile per hour speed limit was excessive for the amount of traffic – he said there were a lot of deer in the area too. STEVE HATFIELD said they have a sight problem when coming out of their driveway and recommended approving a speed limit of 35 mph to where Umptanum road crosses the west side ditch. THERE BEING NO OTHERS REQUESTING TO TESTIFY, THE PUBLIC PORTION OF THE HEARING WAS CLOSED. CHAIRMAN WRIGHT moved to leave the speed limit as is and to table the issue until alternative solutions have been explored on how the road is to be used based on the Engineers recommendation and public testimony shared at the Public Hearing. COMMISSIONER OSAIDACZ seconded. COMMISSIONER OSIADACZ felt it can be difficult to enforce speed limits but wants to ensure safe traveling for the various uses. She said she was not opposed to reducing the speed limit, but wanted to make sure people would be adhering to it and would like to help find a solution. CHAIRMAN WRIGHT said he understands the concerns but without the Engineer’s support right now it maybe a little premature without further study and community input. The Board said they’d be interested in creating a task force to look into similar roads. Motion carried 2-0.