HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-02-07-minutes-petition-for-creation-of-a-countywide-port-district-02/07/2018 MINUTES 1
COMMISSIONERS' MINUTES
KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
KITTITAS VALLEY EVENT CENTER - ARMORY HALL
901 EAST 7TH AVENUE
ELLENSBURG, WA
SPECIAL MEETING
WEDNESDAY 6:00 P.M. FEBRUARY 7, 2018
Board members present: Chairman Laura Osiadacz; Vice-Chairman Obie
O’Brien; and Commissioner Paul Jewell.
Others: Julie Kjorsvik, Clerk of the Board; Neil Caulkins, Deputy
Prosecutor; Jerry Pettit, Auditor and approximately 25 members of
the public.
SPECIAL MEETING CREATION OF PORT DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS
At 6:00 p.m. CHAIRMAN OSIADACZ opened a Public Hearing to consider a
Petition for the creation of a less than Countywide Port District,
to include all areas defined by the boundaries of Kittitas County
with the exception of that area encompassed by the Naches School
District, and placement on an April 24, 2018 ballot.
JERRY PETTIT, AUDITOR provided a report on a Petition they received
to create a less than Countywide Port District.
JIM ARMSTRONG, KITTITAS COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND ANN ANDERSON
REPRESENTING THE PORT DISTRICT COALITION provided information on and
the benefits of Port Districts and urged the Board to authorize the
creation of a less than Countywide Port District in Kittitas County
and requested that the Board allow it to be placed on a ballot for
consideration by the voters in April 2018.
THOSE PRESENT & TESTIFYING: JOY POTTER, PRESIDENT OF THE KITTITAS
COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE expressed their support of a Port
District and encouraged the Board to place the issue on a ballot.
RON CRIDLEBAUGH said he supported establishing a Port District in
Kittitas County. LINDA SCHANTZ said she supported a Port District
and felt it would be a way to allow for more of a diverse array of
jobs for young people. RORY TURNER said he’s a Project Manager of
the Elks building in Ellensburg and is a Port Commissioner in
Chelan. He provided benefits and the strengths of Port Districts.
DAVID DOUGLAS said he teaches at Central Washington University and
although there are a lot of students who don’t want to stay in
Ellensburg after they graduate, there are those who want to but
realize there are no job opportunities. He felt a Port District
would help bring many living wage jobs into the area. LACI HARRISON
said she has an IT degree from CWU and there are not many job
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opportunities in Kittitas County and that a Port District could help
bring those into the area. RANCE DEWITT felt that fish farming would
be something that could be done in Kittitas County and he has a
video that could be used to try and sell the idea. VIRGIL THOVSON
explained how he has a private hangar at the airport and questioned
if the Board would be interested in transferring the airport to the
Port District if it’s approved by the voters. THERE BEING NO OTHERS
REQUESTING TO TESTIFY, THE PUBLIC PORTION OF THE HEARING WAS CLOSED.
RESOLUTION 2018-023 BALLOT TITLE PORT DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS
COMMISSIONER O’BRIEN moved to approve Resolution No. 2018-023,
Authorizing Ballot Title for the Formation of a Port District, to be
on a special election on April 24, 2018. COMMISSIONER JEWELL
seconded. Motion carried 3-0.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:05 p.m.
KITTITAS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
CLERK OF THE BOARD KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Julie Kjorsvik Laura Osiadacz, Chairman