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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-06-14-minutes-meet-new-cle-elum-forest-ranger 06/14/2016 MINUTES 1 COMMISSIONERS' MINUTES KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON COMMISSIONERS CONFERENCE ROOM SPECIAL MEETING TUESDAY 9:00 A.M. JUNE 14, 2016 Board members present: Chairman Obie O’Brien; Vice-Chairman Paul Jewell; Commissioner Laura Osiadacz. Others: Mandy Buchholz, Deputy Clerk of the Board; Michelle Capp, District Ranger United States Forest Service. SPECIAL MEETING MEETING WITH USFS COMMISSIONERS At 9:10 a.m. Chairman O’Brien opened a special meeting to meet Michelle Capp the new US Forest Service (USFS) Ranger. Ms. Capp gave an overview of her career and explained that a large part of her career was at the BLM. She explained that from what she has gathered, the past practices and goals are not similar to hers. She explained that she is very interested in creating more community dialogue, as she feels that is an area that was lacking in the past. She explained that she would like to hear from the Board and see what they would like out of the relationship with the USFS; what they want the USFS to include and, or involve the County in; and what are the County’s areas of interest. Commissioner Jewell expressed his frustrations with past relations with the USFS. He felt that the County would like to see active forest management among other things. Ms. Capp provided & reviewed handouts on what the Cle Elum Ranger District has to offer; a fact sheet for motorized travel management as well as a briefing paper that outlines the Travel Management, Subpart B: background, current process/approach, current EA and alternatives, open house information/timeline. Ms. Capp also provided a “questions & answers” handout regarding motorized travel management and reviewed two maps which were provided that was of the Wild Blew vegetation management project and the Wild Blew analysis area. There was discussion on ATV’s & ORV’s. Commissioner Jewell asked if there was anything that the USFS was looking for help about from the County. Ms. Capp stated that she 06/14/2016 MINUTES 2 would like to have a discussion with the transfer station being open on Sundays and Mondays as it would help with all the trash they end up picking up. She explained that because the transfer station is closed when recreationists are heading back home from a weekend trip, they leave their trash and it is becoming a large problem for the USFS. The Board offered to assist Ms. Capp with setting up a meeting with the County Solid Waste Director to discuss the potential of a Sunday/Monday staffed transfer station. She also explained that she would like to find funding to staff the front desk during the summer at the Information Center on Saturdays and Sundays. Commissioner Jewell questioned what she thought it would cost and Ms. Capp indicated it would be approximately $12,000.00. Commissioner Jewell stated that he would be happy to work with the USFS on seeking funding possibilities for the seasonal position. Ms. Capp questioned how often the BoCC would like to meet for updates. The Board felt meeting as needed would be great and at least twice a year. She asked that a meeting be set up prior to fire season to discuss with the County Emergency Management Team options and strategies. OTHER BUSINESS Chairman O’Brien presented the Board with a proposed Amendment to the Rodeo Contract for review. He stated it was just for them to review and no action was requested. Meeting adjourned at 10:00 a.m. KITTITAS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS DEPUTY CLERK OF THE BOARD KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON Mandy Buchholz Obie O’Brien, Chairman