HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-08-23-minutes-emergency-air-quality-2018-08-23 MINUTES 1
COMMISSIONERS' MINUTES
KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
COMMISSIONER’S AUDITORIUM
EMERGENCY SPECIAL MEETING
THURSDAY 4:00 P.M AUGUST 23, 2018
Board members present: Laura Osiadacz, Chairman; Vice-Chairman,
Obie O’Brien; Commissioner Cory Wright.
Others: Julie Kjorsvik, Clerk of the Board; Darren Higashiyama,
Operations Commander; Clay Myers, Undersheriff/Fair Board Member;
Heather Harrell, Fair Board Member; Stephanie Hartung, Deputy
Prosecutor; Lisa Young, Human Resource Director/Interim Event Center
Director; Jerry Lael, Fair Board Member; Tristen Lamb, Environmental
Health Supervisor/Interim Public Health Administrator; Mark Larson,
Public Health Official.
SPECIAL MEETING EMERGENCY MEETING SHERIFF
At 4:00 p.m. Chairman Osiadacz opened an Emergency Meeting at the
request of the Kittitas County Sheriff’s Department.
Clay Myers, Undersheriff representing Emergency Management informed
the Board of County Commissioners that they are beginning to work on
a plan in case of poor air quality next week during the Fair & Rodeo
and if the Public Health Officer determines it necessary to close
any portion of the event. He said Dr. Larson has the authority to
close it if the air quality reaches a point in which it affects the
public’s health and safety. He said they are working with everyone
to identify potential issues and to create an overall plan including
establishing trigger points; having daily meetings to make any
determinations and how to notify the public; how to implement the
closures; identify ways of clearing the grounds; and how to rotate
people through to ensure the livestock on the Fairgrounds are being
taken care. He said if they were to close and the air quality
dropped back down, they would also need to plan on how to re-open
the doors to the public and get proper notification out to everyone.
If the criteria were met and the Public Health Official determines
it necessary to close the Fair & Rodeo it would allow for a
Declaration of Emergency to be issued for the utilization of
resources.
Discussions were held on possibly having masks available for the
public and use it as an opportunity to educate the public. Stephanie
Hartung, Deputy Prosecutor suggested having people sign a waiver if
they issued masks, noting there would be no guarantee of their
safety.
2018-08-23 MINUTES 2
Dr. Larson reviewed the State requirements relating to air quality
levels and how there are ways to mitigate some things, but once the
levels reach “hazardous” there is no mitigation strategies.
Information was provided by Dr. Larson and he said nothing relating
to the issue is being taken lightly and everyone is hoping for no
issues relating to poor air quality next week. There were also
concerns expressed relating to logistics and the financial loss if
the event were to be closed down. Undersheriff Myers said they hoped
to have more information at the beginning of next week after
speaking with other key groups.
The Board directed Staff to continue working on preparing a plan
along with assistance from the Prosecutors office, Auditor, Human
Resources/Risk Management, and Public Health.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:45 p.m.
KITTITAS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
CLERK OF THE BOARD KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Julie Kjorsvik Laura Osiadacz, Chairman