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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: July 13, 2020 <br />TOPIC: Hansen Pond Public Access <br />ACTION REQUESTED: Direct Staff <br />LEAD STAFF: <br />Mark R. Cook <br />RECOMMENDATION: <br />Direct staff maintain "No Trespassing" signs at Hansen Ponds. <br />BRIEFING SUMMARY <br />• Currently, Public Works has posted Hansen Ponds as "No Trespassing" <br />• Previous Boards have directed removal of the signage <br />• Ongoing public trespass creates liability for injury <br />• The recreational fishing community is adamantly opposed to the posting <br />• Burlington Northern Santa Fe does not recognize the current crossing as <br />an approved public access. Public Works presumes there is increased <br />liability for the County in the absence of the "No Trespassing" posting <br />providing someone is injured on the unauthorized rail crossing. Public <br />Works has a limited crossing permit from BNSF. <br />BACKGROUND: <br />Ongoing public access to Hansen Ponds has been an issue for Public Works (PW) for the <br />past five years. Parents walking kids complain of decaying deer dumped by PW crews, <br />recreationalist complain of downed trees impeding access around the ponds and the pubic <br />continues dumping garbage inside the locked gate. <br />DISCUSSION: <br />Several attempts by PW limiting public access to Hansen Pond have not been supported <br />by past administrations. PW is constantly responding public requests to improve public <br />access around the ponds. Increasingly, we are experiencing garbage dumping and <br />unauthorized camping at the site. <br />FISCAL IMPACTS: <br />The cost of posting signage is estimated at $500 annually (vandalism and sign <br />replacement). <br />ATTACHMENTS: <br />None. <br />Page 1 of 1 <br />PUBLIC WORKS BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WORK SESSION STAFF REPORT <br />