HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-09-16-minutes-briefing-from-the-flood-control-zone-advisory- 09/16/2019 MINUTES 1
COMMISSIONERS' MINUTES KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON COMMISSIONER’S AUDITORIUM SPECIAL MEETING MONDAY 1:00 P.M. SEPTEMBER 16, 2019
Board members present: Chairman Cory Wright; Vice-Chairman Brett
Wachsmith & Commissioner Laura Osiadacz.
Others: Julie Kjorsvik, Clerk of the Board; Mark Cook, Public Works
Director/Interim Engineer; Arden Thomas WRP Manager; Flood Control Zone
District Advisory Committee members Jerry Martens, Ryan Lyyski, Scott
Nicolai; and 2 members of the public.
SPECIAL MEETING FLOOD CONTROL ZONE DISTRICT PUBLIC WORKS
At 1:00 p.m. Chairman Wright opened a Special Meeting to discuss the
proposed Flood Control Zone District Capital Improvement Plan and Levy
Rate discussion as proposed by the Flood Control Zone District Advisory
Committee.
Arden Thomas, WRP Manager provided a power-point presentation including
the background of the Advisory Committee; Flood Control Zone District
Milestones; and the 2020-2025 Six Year Capital Improvement Plan. She
explained that if the current levy rate of $0.07 per $1,000 of assessed
value is maintained, implementation of the proposed capital plan would
create an annual deficit and the District would run out of funding in
2022, in the absence of additional levy rate. The committee is also
aware of the floods in the Upper County and they have been awarded
$130,000.00 from FEMA for flood assessments in that area. FEMA is
contributing $100,000.00 and the Flood Control Zone District will fund
the remaining $30,000.00.
Ryan Lyyski, City of Ellensburg, provided a report on some of the
projects they have been working on as well as future projects and their
planning efforts.
Jerry Martens provided written information on the history, perspectives,
committee thoughts, budget and the committee Chair recommendations. He
felt Staff should be commended for their hard work. He personally
suggested funding be increased to .21/$1,000.00 over a 3 year period to
allow the County to react to the immediate issues and assess needed
work. It would also allow for the County to react to the new FEMA charts
and recommendations which on the surface will impact various areas of
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the County. Ms. Thomas noted Mr. Marten’s recommended increase was not
of the committees but rather his own.
Scott Nicolai, Habitat Biologist for the Yakama Nation, said he
applauded the efforts and hard work of the committee. He said the
information allows for planning and leveraging larger pots of money to
assist with projects. The work will assist in reducing the impacts for
future floods.
Mark Cook, Public Works Director/Interim Engineer reviewed the upcoming
Public Hearing process and how the Board’s tasked with setting the Levy
rates, and the current one will sunset on December 31, 2019. He
indicated they could work with the Assessor’s office to see what a Levy
rate would be to fund the proposed projects. The Board agreed to let
Staff work with the Assessor’s office to obtain information on Levy
rates. The Board also thanked the committee and Staff members for their
hard work.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:03 p.m.
KITTITAS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS CLERK OF THE BOARD KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON Julie Kjorsvik Cory Wright, Chairman