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KITTITAS COUNTY <br />DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS <br />PUBLIC WORKS — BOARD OF COUNTY CONLMISSIONERS <br />2023 STUDY SESSION STAFF REPORT <br />STUDY SESSION DATE: November 13, 2023 <br />TOPIC: Thorp Mill Survey <br />ACTION REQUESTED: Direct Staff <br />LEAD STAFF: <br />Mark R. Cook <br />RECOMMENDATION: <br />Direct staff perform necessary survey actions supporting the acquisition of the Thorp Mill <br />by the Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce. <br />BRIEFING SUMMARY: <br />• Pursuant to Board of County Commissioner (BoCC) direction, Public Works <br />(PW) has been working with the Thorp Mill volunteer group developing a long- <br />term operational model for the Mill. <br />• Feasibility work affirms there is an issue on property title that requires significant <br />survey work resolving identified issues prior to any acquisition of Mill property. <br />• Working with Chamber of Commerce staff, it appears there is interest on the part <br />of the Chamber in acquiring the Mill and managing the site promoting county <br />tourism efforts. <br />• Working in partnership with the Chamber, PW proposes conducting the necessary <br />survey work bolstering property title. <br />• Ongoing support of Chamber tourism activities is consistent with the adopted <br />tourism and recreation plan for the county. <br />BACKGROUND: <br />During 2023, PW conducted feasibility studies evaluating a public restroom in the current <br />Mill parking lot. That work identified numerous issues with the Mill's property title and <br />suggests to us that a larger effort resolving outstanding survey issues is required <br />supporting Mill acquisition by the Chamber. <br />DISCUSSION: <br />The level of survey effort is anticipated to be in the 60-to-90-hour range for County <br />Surveyor Turnbull. The survey issues require research similar to that recently conducted <br />at the fairgrounds on behalf of the Prosecutors Office. Once the work is complete and <br />actions taken in support of clear title, the Chamber will be in position to acquire the Mill <br />site and begin management activities allowing the volunteers to support as needed rather <br />than having to continue leading tourism efforts on their own. The County Surveyor's <br />winter work program allows for the additional work element. <br />Page 1 of 3 <br />Public Works "Work Session Staff Report", 2023 <br />