2023-07-24-minutes-public-works-study-session

Home Browse Search

KITTITAS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS PUBLIC WORKS — BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS 2023 STUDY SESSION STAFF REPORT STUDY SESSION DATE: July 24, 2023 TOPIC: Search and Rescue Facility Update ACTION REQUESTED: Direct Staff LEAD STAFF: Mark R. Cook RECOMMENDATION: Continue site development. BRIEFING SUMMARY: • The $1.2 million dollar grant (Homeland Security) is complete. • Engineering is moving forward with environmental review by federal agencies. • Design completion is anticipated by 10/31/2023. • The requested $2 million earmark from Senator Murry is dead (was not appropriated). • Site clearing in 2023 is dependent on final environmental decision (looking for Finding of no significant impact — FONSI). • Anticipate spending approximately $250,000 in 2023 on engineering and permitting and $310,000 on design. BACKGROUND: Kittitas County received a Congressionally Directed Spending Request (earmark) from Representative Schrier in 2022. Public Works (PW) has moved ahead of final grant award allowing us to "jump start" the environmental process. Design of the facility is expected by the end of October 2023. DISCUSSION: Environmental review is well underway with the Washington State Military Department (Emergency Management Division). By moving ahead of final grant award, we have been able to keep the project moving in the first half of 2023. It may be possible to clear the site this fall, providing we can obtain a FONSI early fall 2023. PW submitted an earmark request for $2 million that would have allowed buildout of the emergency operations center (EOC) side of the facility. Senator Murry was unsuccessful in obtaining the appropriation and buildout of the EOC will now require other financing. 2024 construction will now be limited to site development and erecting the metal building. Termination of the City of Cle Elum lease is anticipated by 12/31/2024. Page 1 of 3 Public Works "Work Session Staff Report", 2023