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tKITTITAS COUNTY <br />CDS STUDY SESSION MINUTES <br />COMMISSIONERS' AUDITORIUM, 205 WEST 5th ROOM 109 <br />Special Meeting <br />MONDAY 10:00 AM May 29, 2025 <br />Board members present: Chair Laura Osiadacz, Vice -Chair Cory Wright and <br />Commissioner Brett Wachsmith. <br />Others: Chad Bala, Laura Kukes and Shannon Johnson, Community Development <br />Services; Stephanie Hartung, Prosecuting Attorney's Office, and one (1) <br />member of the public. <br />At 10:00 am Chair Osiadacz opened the Community Development Services Study <br />Session. <br />CITIZEN COMMENTS <br />Pat Kelleher, 6530 Wilson Creek Road, Ellensburg, WA, introduced himself at <br />the podium and spoke against the hiring/creating of the new position, and <br />discussed his concerns about county budget, and lack of cost information for <br />the position. <br />LAND USE & RECREATION PLANNER POSITION <br />CDS Director Chad Bala presented his staff report and provided background <br />history. He had previously presented the position to the Board at the CDS <br />Study Session on April 14th, 2025. At the conclusion of the discussion, <br />Director Bala offered to continue working with DPW and HR on the details of <br />this position, and Commissioners proposed that he continue to refine the <br />scope, responsibilities and funding, then bring back at a May 2025 CDS Study <br />session. Director Bala noted that he and DPW Director Josh Fredrickson had <br />continued to work together to refine the details of the position and had come <br />to an agreement. He explained further the need for the position and that both <br />he and Director Fredrickson are in favor of moving forward with the position. <br />He welcomed Commissioner feedback and questions. Chair Osiadacz discussed <br />Lodging Tax funding options, and asked questions concerning essential job <br />duties for the position. Director Bala asked for clarification from the Board <br />to ensure that the direction is to move forward with the next steps including <br />ER and the Auditor's Office. Vice -Chair Wright discussed his support for this <br />position and clarified how various funding scenarios could work for this <br />role. He noted the way we've tailored this position; it can fulfill both land <br />use and recreation duties. Commissioner Wachsmith was in support and <br />confident in finding funding sources. Chair Osiadacz confirmed the direction <br />to move forward. <br />2025 YEAR TO DATE CODE ENFORCEMENT UPDATE <br />CDS Director Chad Bala opened the discussion to bring the Board an update on <br />code enforcement and provided some background information on the hard work <br />2025-05-29-25 MINUTES <br />