2021-09-13-minutes-public-works-study-session

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KITTITAS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS PUBLIC WORKS — BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS STUDY SESSION STAFF REPORT STUDY SESSION DATE: September 13, 2021 TOPIC: Tax Title Property in Currier Creek Estates ACTION REQUESTED: Direct Staff LEAD STAFF: Mark R. Cook RECOMMENDATION: Contact City of Ellensburg Utility staff discussing transfer of Tract C and associated stormwater detention tract. BRIEFING SUMMARY: • An individual is expressing interest in acquiring tax title property in Currier Creek Estates (Tract Q. • The City of Ellensburg has annexed Currier Creek Estates. • Public Works has no interest in maintaining Tract C nor the associated stormwater Tract I Division 1 associated with Tract C. • Public Works recommends selling Tract C and the associated stormwater detention tract to the interested party in the absence of City of Ellensburg interest. BACKGROUND: The City of Ellensburg did not petition for Tract C from the County when they annexed Currier Creek Estates. Given the tract is reserved for utilities, the County has no interest in maintaining the property. DISCUSSION: Selling the tax title property to a private individual will put the property onto the tax role. While beneficial to the County, it seems prudent to first offer the tract to the City of Ellensburg supporting the utilities that they annexed with the subdivision. If the City has no interest in acquisition, removing the burden of land maintenance from the County appears desirable from a cost saving perspective. Any resulting adverse impacts from plat stormwater runoff can then be managed by the homeowner's association. Public Works recommends a similar strategy be pursued with all tax title property in the Ellensburg UGA. FISCAL IMPACTS: Reduced Road Fund maintenance costs. ATTACHMENTS: Exhibit 1: Currier Creek Estates Tract C map Page 1 of 2 Public Works "Work Session Staff Report", 2021