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KITTITAS COUNTY <br /> DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS <br /> PUBLIC WORKS—BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS <br /> 2024 STUDY SESSION STAFF REPORT <br /> STUDY SESSION DATE: January 8,2024 <br /> TOPIC: Lick Creek Private Bridges <br /> ACTION REQUESTED: Direct Staff <br /> LEAD STAFF: <br /> Mark R. Cook <br /> RECOMMENDATION: <br /> Direct staff cease permitting efforts. <br /> BRIEFING SUMMARY: <br /> • Public Works (PW) continues to expend resources towards permitting two private <br /> bridges at Lick Creek. <br /> • One of the private private owners is refusing to fully fund acquisition of one of <br /> the private bridges. <br /> • Title research has verified replacement of one of the bridges requires <br /> authorization of both owners. <br /> • Public Works has insisted on a"Hold Harmless and Indemnification"release for <br /> using county provided abutment designs and permits. <br /> r <br /> BACKGROUND: <br /> During construction of the Lick Creek Bridge project,two neighboring property owners <br /> threatened to sue the county for perceived increased flood risk. Proposing a resolution to <br /> the conflict, the Board of County Commissioners directed PW work with the property <br /> owners to develop a solution. The property owners agreed to pay for two private bridges <br /> and PW agreed to design bridge abutments and obtain project permits. The abutment <br /> designs are complete and permitting efforts are ongoing. <br /> i <br /> DISCUSSION: <br /> PW continues paying for project permitting while one of the property owners has stated <br /> that he will not pay the full cost of the bridge acquisition. He has also stated that he will <br /> not sign any release of liability allowing the neighbor to use their shared driveway <br /> supporting one of the bridge locations. It appears that we are at a standstill. Our options <br /> appear to be to continue spending money on permits that we may not be able to use or <br /> suspend permitting efforts. <br /> There are no adverse impacts,thus far, resulting from the project. The risk associated <br /> with contentious land cover loss from fires (five years ago) is reducing with time as we <br /> get farther from the fire event. The forest is revegetating. <br /> Page 1 of 6 <br /> Public Works"Work Session Staff Report", 2024 <br />