2016-10-20-minutes-mt.-daniels-drive-discussion

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2016-10-20 MINUTES 1 COMMISSIONERS' MINUTES KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON COMMISSIONERS CONFERENCE ROOM SPECIAL MEETING THURSDAY 1:00 P.M. OCTOBER 20, 2016 Board members present: Chairman Obie O’Brien; Vice-Chairman Paul Jewell; Commissioner Laura Osiadacz. Others: Mandy Buchholz, Deputy Clerk of the Board; Mark Cook, Public Works Director; Lucas Huck, County Engineer. SPECIAL MEETING MT. DANIELS DRIVE UPDATE PUBLIC WORKS At 1:00 p.m. Chairman O’Brien opened a Special to receive an update regarding Mt. Daniels Drive project update. Mark Cook, Public Works Director explained the location of Mt. Daniels Drive and the problem they are trying to find a solution for. He explained that they opted to do the project and build the road in-house as it would save money and be a great learning/training opportunity and experience for Staff. He provided and update, discussed concerns and the potential problems they are preparing for. He stated that he felt it was important to communicate with the residents because they are in support of the project and they have an expectation that the project will be done. Commissioner Jewell expressed his support in delaying the project and to allow the resident’s time to make their decision with regard to the tree removal, noting it would be at their expense. He felt giving them a March 1, 2017 date was more than fair. He expressed his support for Public Works being able to begin construction one way or the other by 3/1/2017. He felt doing a contract with the residents would be crucial to protecting the County and the resident. Chairman O’Brien echoed Commissioner Jewell’s statements. He encouraged the contact being done as well. Commissioner Osiadacz explained that fairly often she tries to put herself in the shoes of the constituents facing problems in order to make a decision she can respect and support. She stated that she is not supportive of delaying the project, and explained why. She explained that asking the County to do that is not even a reasonable request especially when the tree isn’t on their property, noting that it will delay work that all the neighbors are anticipating. She stated that this is not something she would ever consider asking for.