2026-09-14-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: September 14, 2026 TOPIC: Bowers Field Airport Update ACTION REQUESTED: Information Only LEAD STAFF: Josh Fredrickson RECOMMENDATION: Informational briefing — no action required by the Board BRIEFING SUMMARY: • Bowers Field is a County owned public use airport • Capital projects are underway and proposed for the airport • Funding to the airport includes grants, lease payments and County General Fund transfers BACKGROUND: Bowers Field (ELN) is a County -owned public -use airport serving Kittitas County, Central Washington University, local businesses, emergency -service operations, recreational aviation, and the broader regional transportation system. Public Works is responsible for airport administration including lease administration, regulatory compliance, and coordination with Federal and State aviation agencies and supporting the County Airport Advisory Committee (AAC). Public Works has been coordinating several projects and lease updates, an update to the Board of County Commissioners is being presented. DISCUSSION: Kittitas County entered an interlocal agreement on September 17, 2024 with City of Ellensburg and Central Washington University for the exchange of real property. The exchange includes a hangar owned by the County, a building at the airport owned by the City and a parcel near Helena and 181h St. The exchange of real property benefits long- term local and regional public interests of all parties. Documentation has been prepared and closing on the exchange is anticipated mid -September. Capital projects are funded primarily through funding allocated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The current project is the construction of a hangar taxilane project