2026-09-14-minutes-public-works-study-session

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Currently, there is no legal public access to the county -owned floodplain for passive recreation. Meanwhile, the unauthorized crossing at Hanson Pits creates an attractive nuisance and a potential public -safety concern. The elevated -roadway project should include: • Gating and permanently closing the unauthorized crossing. • A designated vehicle entrance from Stone Road. • A safe, appropriately sized parking area. • A marked trail connecting the parking area to Hanson Pits. • Legal public access to the county -owned floodplain for walking, wildlife viewing, fishing, and other passive recreation. This approach would replace unsafe, unauthorized access with a controlled public -access point that protects the floodplain while allowing the public to enjoy county -owned land RIB FlNG L INI.� RY, Kittitas County b&s r��viou �i been awarded mo projeci for �A dr� vela nim • edt*ra funding through the Broadband Lquity Access and DeP1oN-,n1cnt (13 warn Is being nude avaliiab to .ittitaN `aunt . or broadband ex a'r�si��t • Kittitas County is- being avvardcd. seven project areas for broadband eNpansll through the BLAD pr grarti and State funding match he County uses private broadband. partners to build, operate and maintaln t # 11w Countyalso received ong-teen public in structary � alue, Kittitas County should never have entered the broadband business. Public utility districts are specifically authorized to provide broadband infrastructure, and private companies are available to deliver broadband service. The County's role in applying for and administering state and federal broadband grants risks becoming a "leaking bucket" —absorbing staff time and public resources without those costs being clearly identified. In the age of Starlink and other rapidly evolving technologies, publicly funded broadband infrastructure may no longer be competitive or cost- effective under the traditional state and federal grant model. Please provide a complete accounting of all direct and indirect costs currently incurred by Kittitas County in support of the broadband program, including: • County employee salaries and benefits attributable to the program • Staff hours spent on grant applications, administration, reporting, contracting and oversight • Legal, engineering and consulting expenses • Travel, equipment, supplies and other administrative costs • County funds advanced while awaiting grant reimbursement • Required local matching funds • Ongoing maintenance, operating or financial obligations • Any County -owned infrastructure or property committed to the program • Any grant expenses that have been disallowed or are not reimbursable These costs should be reported separately from grant -funded construction expenditures so the public can clearly understand how much County money and staff capacity are being used to support this program. Number 6 Road Public comment received during the solicitation period included requests for improvements at the intersection of Kittitas Highway and No. 6 Road; pavement improvement on Passmore Road; and a request for no roundabouts on County