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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: February 25, 2019 <br />TOPIC: 2019 Road Weight Restrictions <br />ACTION REQUESTED: Direct Staff Prepare Enabling Legislation <br />LEAD STAFF: <br />Mark R. Cook <br />RECOMMENDATION: <br />Direct that staff prepare enabling legislation and docket for Board of County Commissioner <br />(BOCC) action. <br />BRIEFING SUMMARY: <br />• The BOCC has authority (Revised Code of Washington 36.75.270) to impose weight <br />restrictions on County roads <br />• Public Works (PW) implements weight restrictions during periods of thaw on gravel <br />roads subject to seasonal damage <br />• PW has confirmed with the Prosecuting Attorney's Office that the Department cannot <br />impose weight restrictions on select roadways on behalf of the BOCC <br />• PW proposes drafting enabling legislation imposing seasonal weight restrictions on <br />known problem roadways; directing PW to post roadways as appropriate given field <br />thaw conditions <br />BACKGROUND: <br />RCW 36.75.270 provides BOCC authority that cannot be transferred to PW. All gravel roads <br />in the County are subject to potential damage during winter thaw from heavy vehicle traffic. <br />Not all roads require restrictions given individual winter conditions throughout the County. <br />Weight restrictions require posting and publishing and can manifest themselves on short <br />timelines. <br />DISCUSSION: <br />Given restraints in state law, PW proposes having the BOCC authorize weight restrictions on <br />all gravel roads in the County prior to spring thaw. PW will monitor roadways and then <br />publish and post those reflecting concern ahead of damage from heavy vehicle traffic. PW <br />suggests having this proposal reviewed by the Board's attorney for compliance with state law <br />prior to bringing enabling legislation. <br />FISCAL IMPACTS: <br />The proposed activity is budgeted in PW road maintenance 2019 budget. <br />ATTACHMENTS: <br />Exhibit 1: RCW 36.75.270 <br />Pagel of2 <br />PUBLIC WORKS BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WORK SESSION STAFF REPORT <br />