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12/30/2019 MINUTES 1 <br /> <br /> <br /> COMMISSIONERS' MINUTES KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON COMMISSIONER’S AUDITORIUM SPECIAL MEETING MONDAY 11:00 A.M. DECEMBER 30, 2019 <br />Board members present: Chairman Cory Wright; Vice-Chairman Brett <br />Wachsmith and Commissioner Laura Osiadacz. <br /> <br />Others: Julie Kjorsvik, Clerk of the Board; Gary Berndt, Department of <br />Natural Resources; John Sinclair, Kittitas Valley Fire & Rescue Chief; <br />Darcy Batura, The Nature Conservancy; Reese Lolley, The Nature <br />Conservancy; and a Representative from the U.S. Forest Service. <br /> SPECIAL MEETING DEDICATED FOREST HEALTH FUNDING BILL COMMISSIONERS <br /> <br />At 11:00 a.m. Chairman Wright opened a Special Meeting to receive an <br />update on the Dedicated Forest Health Funding Bill. <br /> <br />Commissioner Osiadacz explained how the language in the proposed Bill <br />had been changed since last year and it is to be considered during this <br />upcoming Legislative Session. <br /> <br />Darcy Batura, The Nature Conservancy, said fire suppression is no longer <br />included in the proposed Bill and explained how the language is now more <br />flexible in order to meet the needs of communities and agencies; has <br />science/fire background support; and the 20-Year Forest Health Strategic <br />Plan. Chief Sinclair explained how he is very concerned of a potential <br />wildfire which could completely devastate the Upper County. He expressed <br />concerns relating to not having enough volunteer firefighters in the <br />area if a significant fire were to break out; lack of egress/ingress in <br />various areas; mounting fuel and increased growth; and a high potential <br />for fast moving/wind driven fires. Gary Berndt, Department of Natural <br />Resources provided information to the Board on the proposed Bill and <br />said although they cannot fully prevent all fires, they can make it less <br />impactful. There was information provided on the benefits of the Good <br />Neighbor Authority. <br /> <br />The current draft of the Bill is available online, but it will not be <br />official until it gets closer to the beginning of the Legislative <br />Session. If the Bill passed, the funding would be from a surcharge on <br />insurance. Chairman Wright said he would like to support the Bill but <br />needs to see the plan and where the investments are being placed before <br />he’d take official action. The Board agreed to wait and review the Bill <br />and all the details before considering an official action of support. <br />Once the Bill has been submitted, a follow up meeting would be scheduled