2025-11-24-minutes-public-works-study-session

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KITTITAS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS PUBLIC WORKS — BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS STUDY SESSION STAFF REPORT STUDY SESSION DATE: November 24, 2025 TOPIC: Yakima Basin Fish and Wildlife Recovery Board Representation ACTION REQUESTED: Direction to Staff LEAD STAFF: Arden Thomas RECOMMENDATION: Consider other options for Kittitas County's alternate representative on the Yakima Basin Recovery Board. BRIEFING SUMMARY: • In 2006, Kittitas County entered into an Interlocal Agreement authorizing the County's membership as an Initiating Party of the Yakima Basin Fish and Wildlife Recovery Board (YBFWRB). • Since 2019, Kittitas County Public Works staff have served as the County's alternate representative on the YBFWRB. • Each year, the YBFWRB asks Kittitas County to identify its representative and alternate representative. • Capacity constraints within Public Works are limiting our ability to effectively serve in this role. BACKGROUND: The Yakima Basin Fish and Wildlife Recovery Board (YBFWRB) works to restore sustainable and harvestable fish populations —including salmon, steelhead, and bull trout —through collaborative, cost-effective efforts across the Yakima Basin. The Board is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit led by a 10-member Board of Directors representing 23 governments: three counties, the Yakima Nation, and 19 cities. Resolution 2006-026 authorized Kittitas County to join the YBFWRB as an Initiating Party and to participate in deliberations and decision -making. Each year, the Board of Commissioners selects a Commissioner to serve as the County representative. Since 2019, Kittitas County Public Works staff have served as the County's alternate representative. Current capacity limitations within Public Works are restricting our ability to continue serving effectively in this role. Page 1 of 3 PUBLIC WORKS BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WORK SESSION STAFF REPORT