2020-12-15-minutes-200pm-public-hearing

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12/15/2020 MINUTES 2 THERE BEING NO ONE REQUESTING TO TESTIFY, THE PUBLIC PORTION OF THE HEARING WAS CLOSED. RESOLUTION 2020-212 BLAZING TREE CATTLE COMPANY AIRPORT VICE-CHAIRMAN OSIADACZ moved to approve Resolution No. 2020-212, Amending the Blazing Tree Cattle Company Grazing Lease, and to authorize the Chairman to sign the Lease Amendment. COMMISSIONER WRIGHT seconded. Motion carried 3-0. PUBLIC HEARING STRAND AG LEASE AIRPORT At 2:13 p.m. CHAIRMAN WACHSMITH opened a Public Hearing to consider amending the Victor Strand Agriculture Lease. KEN GRANNAN, AIRPORT COORDINATOR provided a Staff Report and details of a proposed Amendment to an Agriculture Lease between Kittitas County and Victor Strand, for a 1-year extension from December 1, 2020 through November 30, 2021. He provided information on a water right that runs inside the aeronautical fence that provides water to the land currently leased by the Strands and access. THOSE PRESENT & TESTIFYING: JOHN REEVES said he appreciated the County taking the opportunity to work on better usage of water. VICTOR STRAND said they have been leasing from the airport for over 35 years and how he had some issues relating to the proposed language in the lease. He said the current cattle market is under problems and the 3% increase will hurt them. He commented on the issues relating water and irrigation issues, as well as how the value of acreage needs to be considered. LINDA STRAND said there needs to be a difference between scheduled butchering and emergency kills and they are not able to give 48-hour notice at time. During calving season, they try to get them the farthest away from the airfield as possible. She said there was no risk for fire with the cattle on the land. THERE BEING NO OTHERS REQUESTING TO TESTIFY, THE PUBLIC PORTION OF THE HEARING WAS CLOSED. MR. GRANNAN said by taking cattle off the land it does not change the water flow and it will continue to transition to the property as it currently does. He met with the Strands and he understands they cannot give 48-hour notice of emergency kill’s, and the County is just asking them to act in best course action possible. He explained how their intent is to mitigate water. The Board had additional questions relating to the Kittitas Reclamation District and water and indicated their desire to continue the Public Hearing for another 2 weeks before making a decision.