HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-04-08-minutes-planning-update-covid-1904/08/2020 MINUTES 1
COMMISSIONERS' MINUTES KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON COMMISSIONERS CONFERENCE ROOM SPECIAL MEETING WEDNESDAY 11:00 A.M. APRIL 8, 2020
Board members present: Vice-Chairman Laura Osiadacz (via phone) and
Commissioner Cory Wright (via phone).
Excused: Chairman Brett Wachsmith.
Others: Taylor Crouch, Deputy Clerk of the Board I; Greg Zempel,
Prosecutor; Julie Kjorsvik, Clerk of the Board (via phone); Amy
Cziske, Treasurer (via phone); Dan Carlson, CDS Director (via
phone); Mike Flory, Building Official (via phone); and Neil Calkins,
Chief Civil Deputy (via phone).
SPECIAL MEETING PLANNING UPDATE/COVID-19 COMMISSIONERS
At 11:00 a.m. Vice-Chair Osiadacz opened a Special Meeting for
the Board to provide planning updates relating to COVID-19.
Commissioner Wright stated he was working on a PSA with the Ferguson
Group and is working with the Prosecutor’s Office. He said he was
also working through a process to get Maintenance employees to help
with the Airport.
Commissioner Osiadacz stated there had been additional phone calls
she was receiving and the need to manage the public expectation and
enforcement of the Health Order. The process for violations was
discussed, and they said violations should be turned over to the
State for investigation.
Amy Cziske, Treasurer updated the Board on Property Tax Collection
for the County. The Treasurer's Office is updating information on
County website and Facebook and will be creating a press release.
They are not doing an overall extension but are going to be working
with taxpayers on a case by case basis. Payment plans will be an
option for some, and there will be no refunds for second half taxes.
This approach was modeled after counties that are like Kittitas
County and it has all been approved by the Prosecutor's Office. This
plan is beneficial for both the County and the taxpayers.
There was discussion on CDS and continuity of critical government
operations. There was discussion of different points in a project
that would be considered exploitation. Dan Carlson, CDS Director
stated construction is non-essential currently and that all people
working in the field must be essential. Mr. Carlson asks for legal
and policy direction. There was discussion on what inspections would
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be considered essential. There was discussion on the definition of
exploitation.
Greg Zempel, Prosecutor asked the Board to give his Office a few
days to work with CDS and bring forward policy guidance back for
their consideration.
CDS has been receiving complaints that businesses are still working.
The Board stated to handle it through the State, and to provide them
the State website where they can file the complaint themselves. Code
enforcement is non-essential, legal council is welcomed to interpret
the policy, and check with other Counties about their code
enforcement offices.
Meeting adjourned at 11:55 a.m.
KITTITAS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS DEPUTY CLERK OF THE BOARD I KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON Taylor Crouch Brett Wachsmith, Chairman