2022-01-06-minutes-emergency (2)

Home Browse Search

01/06/2022 MINUTES 1 COMMISSIONERS' MINUTES KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON WEBEX EMERGENCY SPECIAL MEETING THURSDAY 7:30 A.M. JANUARY 6, 2022 Board members present via Webex: Chairman Laura Osiadacz; Vice- Chairman Cory Wright; and Commissioner Brett Wachsmith. Others via Webex: Julie Kjorsvik, Clerk of the Board; Taylor Crouch, Administrative Assistant; Candie Leader, Administrative Supervisor; Tristen Lamb, Public Health Administrator; Darren Higashiyama, Chief Deputy; Chris Whitsett, Inspector; Elisha Harvill, Chief Administrator; Sarah Keith, Superior Court Administrator; Carly Brettmann, Communications Director; Greg Zempel, Prosecutor; Jerimiah Crombie, Staff Planner; Val Barschaw, Clerk; Katrina Mankus, Juvenile Court Administrator; and 1 member of the public. EMERGENCY SPECIAL OFFICE CLOSURES–INCLEMENT WEATHER COMMISSIONERS At 7:35 a.m. Chairman Osiadacz opened an Emergency Special Meeting to discuss concerns relating to the inclement weather and whether County offices should close. She said she received information from Patti Stacey, Solid Waste Director/Interim Maintenance Director/Project Manager, requesting a 2-hour delay in opening County facilities/offices to allow for the Maintenance Department to try and get parking lots and sidewalks cleared from the overnight heavy snowfall. Sarah Keith, Superior Court Administrator, said Judge Sparks had closed Superior Court for the day and they have already notified all parties, including the jurors who are part of a trial. She noted Judge Ellis had made the same decision for Upper District Court, and was waiting to hear from Lower District Court. Chris Whitsett, Inspector, said he would support closing the County facilities due to the immediate risks associated with the inclement weather. Following a discussion by the Board of County Commissioners and the concerns expressed from the inclement weather, it was determined to close all offices for the entire day in the Upper and Lower County. Vice-Chairman Wright felt the concerns were not only for plowing, but for the ability to mobilize the significant snowfall being able to put it somewhere. The Board agreed for County employees to be compensated at their regular pay for the closure and not having to use leave from their leave banks. Greg Zempel, Prosecutor, said either way the Board decided to go, it would be legally justified.