2023-02-27-minutes-public-works-study-session

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KITTITAS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS PUBLIC WORKS — BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS 2023 STUDY SESSION STAFF REPORT STUDY SESSION DATE: February 27, 2023 TOPIC: Tax Parcel No. 11251 to Surplus ACTION REQUESTED: Direct Staff LEAD STAFF: Mark R. Cook RECOMMENDATION: Direct staff prepare enabling documents. BRIEFING SUMMARY: • Public Works (PW) owns tax parcel no. 11251 (Reecer Creek and Dry Creek intersection). • The parcel has experienced trespass the past several years requiring abatement. • Recently, the abandoned Reecer Creek right of way was acquired by Stockyard Development Group LLC (EXHIBIT A). • City of Ellensburg staff have determined the parcel to be unbuildable (EXHIBIT B). • PW desires conveying the surplus land to Stockyard Development Group (adjoining landowner). BACKGROUND: During the past several years, PW has managed the property against trespass. Homeless individuals are using the property repeatedly requiring ongoing enforcement action by PW with assistance from the Sheriff s Office. Recently, the abandoned right of way between PW and Stockyard Development Group was acquired by Stockyard Development Group. PW desires declaring the land surplus to Stockyard Development Group. DISCUSSION: Several years ago, PW explored the possibility of declaring tax parcel no. 11251 surplus to county need. At that time, a private individual held title to abandoned right of way between PW and Stockyard Development Group. The recent acquisition of the abandoned right of way now allows for contiguous ownership of all lands south of the Reecer Creek and Dry Creek intersection. A recent determination of "unbuildable" status from the city of Ellensburg is expected to allow for a reasonable surplus value making acquisition of the property attractive to the adjoining landowner Stockyard Development Group. Page 1 of 4 Public Works "Work Session Staff Report", 2023