2026-01-26-minutes-public-works-study-session

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DSDpDF.S ...'fp �yF CO1G�e Q� 9 I ITTUAS COUNTY January 26, 2026 xiTrzTAs coviv� DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS Board of County Commissioners Kittitas County Re: Bowers Field Annual Report - 2025 Board of County Commissioners: In accordance with the Bowers Field Airport Advisory Committee (AAC) amended charter as approved December 21, 2020, the Airport Manager and Committee Chair have prepared an annual report outlining long-range goals for Airport development along with accomplishments achieved during the preceding year. During 2025 the AAC continued its work on developing plans and recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners for improvements to airport operations and development of economic potential. The focus remains on those areas identified in the Airport Strategic Business Plan adopted in March 2022. This includes available lots within the aeronautical fenced properties which are currently open for development as well as the business park area outside the fence. In addition to the Airport Strategic Business Plan, an economic report by J-U-B Engineers was developed in 2024 and 2025. The AAC reviewed the draft report and provided input to help guide future economic development and use of airport facilities. In addition to the strategic business plan report, this economic report will help guide future economic growth. Throughout the year Airport staff have provided updates to the AAC on the status of capital projects. This included the finalization of the wetland mitigation project, the parallel taxiway project and the hangar taxilane project. The parallel taxilane project continues to be a primary goal of the County and AAC. Coordination with the FAA for funding and development of the project is ongoing. Long Range Goals for Airport Development: The AAC and airport staff continue to work towards a collaborative effort to accomplish the goals above. This was primarily accomplished through the economic report work done by J-U-B Engineers. Safety has also been a focus by working through expanded mowing and weed abatement schedule and the finalization of the Wildlife Hazard Evaluation and Management Plan. A Wildlife Hazard Evaluation and Management Plan for Bowers Field began development in 2021. In 2024 this effort was reinitialized, culminating with the completion of the report at the end of 2024, the review of the report by the AAC in 2025 with final adoption of the plan also occurring in 2025. The County obtained a CERB loan in 2021 to expand electrical service to available lots near Taxiway B. This effort was finalized in 2025 by County staff and PSE. This allows future hangars to obtain electrical service without the need to trench across the taxilane. As a result, interest in the lots has grown and an additional hangar lease is being considered. 411 N. Ruby St., Suite #1 TEL (509) 962-7523 Ellensburg, WA 98926 FAX (509) 962-7663