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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-10-08-minutes-public-works-study-sessionKITTITAS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Public Works Study Session Regular Meeting Monday October 8, 2018 - 1:30 PM Commissioners' Auditorium 205 West 5th Room 109 - Ellensburg 1. Call to Order 2. Request to Approve a Resolution Correcting Resolution 2018-151 Adopting Meadow Way onto the County Road System. 3. Request to Authorize Chair's Signature on the United States Forest Service Grant Application Letter of Support. 4. Grant County PUD No. 2 FERC Discussion. 5. Draft Resolution of Intent to Formulate Road Improvement District No. 2018-01 Wiehl Road. 6. 2018-2037 Kittitas County Transportation Plan Discussion. 7. Other business 8. Adjourn Created on 10/5/2018 8:55:23 AM KITTITAS COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS STUDY SESSION MINUTES COMMISSIONERS' AUDITORIUM, 205 WEST 5TH ROOM 109 - ELLENSBURG Regular Meeting MONDAY 1:30 PM October 8. 2018 Board members present: Chairman Laura Osiadacz; Vice -Chairman Obie O'Brien; Commissioner Cory Wright Others: Mark Cook, Candie Leader, Public Works; Dan Carlson, Lindsey Ozbolt, Calvana Carper, Community Development Services; Kayla Bonar, Daily Record; Shannon Lowry, Grant County Public Utility District At 1:34 pm Chairman Osiadacz opened the Public Works Study Session. No additional agenda items were added. REQUEST TO APPROVE A RESOLUTION CORRECTING RESOLUTION 2018-151 ADOPTING MEADOW WAY ONTO THE COUNTY ROAD SYSTEM Mark Cook presented a Resolution to correct Resolution 2018-151 that adopted Meadow Way onto the County Road System. Mark Cook stated that Resolution 2018-151 incorrectly identified Meadow Way as Marian Way within the body of the Resolution. Discussion was held. Vice -Chairman O'Brien made a motion to approve Resolution 2018-161 Correcting Resolution 2018-151 Adopting Meadow Way onto the County Road System. Commissioner Wright seconded the motion. Motion passed 3-0. REQUEST TO AUTHORIZE CHAIR'S SIGNATURE ON THE UNITED STATES FOREST SERVICE GRANT APPLICATION LETTER OF SUPPORT Mark Cook stated that the Forest Service is applying for grant funds through the Recreation and Conservation Office to support winter and summer recreational activities in Kittitas County. Mark Cook added that staff drafted a letter of support for Board approval to be included in the grant package. Discussion was held. Vice -Chairman O'Brien made a motion to Authorize Chair's Signature on the United States Forest Service Grant Application Letter of Support. Commissioner Wright seconded the motion. Chairman Osiadacz stated that the County has a good partnership with the Forest Service and thanked staff for their efforts. Motion passed 3-0. 2018-10-08 MINUTES GRANT COUNTY PUD NO. 2 FERC DISCUSSION Mark Cook introduced Shannon Lowry from Grant County PUD and stated that she requested to meet with the Board to discuss the issues surrounding the Vantage Boat Launch area. Shannon Lowry presented an area map showing the ownership at the boat launch and explained the project boundaries. Shannon Lowry then gave a brief history of the boat launch and the restrooms that are currently owned by the County but are on Grant County PUD property. Shannon Lowry stated that those restrooms were vandalized and in the spring a meeting between herself, Mark Cook and Vice -Chairman O'Brien was held to discuss a path forward. Shannon Lowry continued that in July she reached out to Mark Cook to request a copy of the RCO Grant that is related to the restroom facility. Shannon Lowry stated that Mark Cook informed her that staff was applying for Public Facility funds to repair the restrooms but that the funding wasn't guaranteed. Shannon Lowry added that she was surprised when she received notice of the comments sent to FERC and that Grant County PUD wants to continue a partnership with Kittitas County. Shannon Lowry mentioned that the overflow parking at the boat launch and stated that the area in question is outside the project area. Shannon Lowry stated that there is no obligation by Grant County PUD on the parking and at the height of events that parking lot is full. Shannon Lowry added that she would like to leave today's meeting with a renewed commitment by PUD and they want to be a good partner. Vice -Chairman O'Brien stated that the Conference of Government scores various applications for funding award and that funding for the restrooms was not awarded for the repairs. Vice - Chairman O'Brien continued that Public Works does not have a stream of funding for the repairs and stated that the County has supported Grant County PUD in numerous ways during their projects at Vantage. Vice -Chairman O'Brien inquired about the gate that was put up on County property without notice or permission and Shannon Lowry stated that the gate was in the original design for the project and can provide keys to the County for it. Shannon Lowry added that she is committed to working with Mark Cook on a solution and they need a path forward in writing. Commissioner Wright stated that there is an expectation of service for the facility and that the County pays for costs and is burdened with servicing an area that is an attractive nuisance being that the facility is free to use by the public. Commissioner Wright added that the Board needs more from Grant County PUD than "they will do better". Chairman Osiadacz inquired as to where the PUD Commissioners are to discuss this issue and is concerned that conversations being had regarding these issues are not being taken seriously. Shannon Lowry replied that she is considered the decision maker since she is the Lands Recreation Manager but can put the Board of County Commissioners on the agenda of an upcoming meeting of the Grant County PUD Commissioners for further discussion. Chairman Osiadacz stated 2018-10-08 MINUTES that they will not be going to a meeting or cater to their agenda. Chairman Osiadacz added that it is the Commissioners responsibility to spend tax dollars wisely and she believes it is unwise to invest in a facility that is on someone else's property. Shannon Lowry commented that she understands that recreation isn't a high priority for the County and under previous management at Public Works; staff was very engaged in the plan and had conversations on a path to working together. Chairman Osiadacz stated that recreation is very important to the County and that currently there is an unequal partnership between the County and Grant County PUD. Shannon Lowry asked if the lack of grants funds means that the restrooms won't be getting repaired. Vice -Chairman O'Brien replied that currently no funding has been found for the repairs and funding for the facility is a challenge for the County. Vice - Chairman O'Brien continued that the County and Grant County PUD need to work together to get them fixed and would be open to meeting with the PUD Commissioners. Vice -Chairman O'Brien added that the restroom facility could be repaired to previous levels but upgrading to vandal proof facilities should be jointly funded. Chairman Osiadacz agreed with Vice -Chairman O'Brien that Kittitas County should not fully fund the upgrade and that the costs for vandal proof facilities should be a partnership. Mark Cook thanked the Board for having a conversation with Shannon Lowry and will update the Board if he hears anything further from FERC regarding the comments that were submitted. DRAFT RESOLUTION OF INTENT TO FORMULATE ROAD IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT NO. 2018-01 WIEHL ROAD Mark Cook stated that the last study session he committed to bringing forward a draft resolution for Board review and added that the Board may want legal review on the document. Mark Cook then went through the steps after the resolution is approved including notice in the newspaper of record and letters being sent out to property owners. Mark Cook added that he would like to get this item placed on the October 16, 2018 agenda session. Vice -Chairman O'Brien stated that he will send the resolution over to legal for review. 2018-2037 KITTITAS COUNTY TRANSPORTATION PLAN DISCUSSION Mark Cook gave background on the project and stated that prior to the departure of Paul Jewell he gave comments on the draft plan that was presented to the Board for review. Mark Cook continued that those comments have been added to the plan. Mark Cook added that one element that was to be revised, connection of roadways for emergency purposes, staff declined to update. Mark Cook stated that the previous Commissioner thought it was an expensive project and had funding challenges but after hearing further conversations 2018-10-08 MINUTES from the Board he elected to keep the Chairman Osiadacz commented that the is necessary. Discussion was held. the revised plan for adoption on the session. Meeting adjourned at 2:46 pm. 2018-10-08 MINUTES project in the plan. need for roadway connections Staff was directed to place October 16, 2018 BOCC agenda KITTITAS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON Laura Osiadacz, Chairman BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONE] COUNTY OF KITTITAS STATE OF WASHINGTON RESOLUTION NO. 2018 - 161 AMENDING RESOLUTION 2018-151 ADOPTING MEADOW WAY ONTO THE KITTITAS COUNTY ROAD SYSTEM WHEREAS: The Easton Flats Short Plat (Auditors number 200501240029) dedicated a 60 foot roadway tract to Kittitas County located in portions of Sections 1 and 12, Township 20 N Range 13 E, W.M.; and WHEREAS: A road meeting public standards was accepted as constructed by Public Works; and WHEREAS: The current short plat owner desires establishing the roadway now known as Meadow Way onto the County Public Road system; and WHEREAS: Public Works has required an additional easement from the landowner accessing a temporary turn -around at the end of the road; and WHEREAS: Meadow Way is intended to be the access roadway for Marian Meadows Long Plat(LPT-17-000001); and WHEREAS: The Board of County Commission has granted approval to Marian Meadows Planned Unit Development (PD -17-00001), Conditional Use Permit (CU -17- 00001) and Plat (LPT- 17-0000 1) pursuant to Ordinance 2018-006; and NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED That the Board of County Commissioners, in the best interest of the public, does hereby adopt all of Meadow Way (Milepost 0.0 to Milepost 0.17) onto the Kittitas County Road System. DATED on this 8th day of October, 2018, at Ellensburg, Washington. ' iI 0",�ATY CO �� %. G0... • .M?9js \ :m= Ai o;�A6the Board- Julie Kjorsvik giqm i iWn"� Clerk of tt),e Board- Mandy Buchholz BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS TY, WASHINGTON aur Os adac Xhairman Obie O'Brien, Vice -Chairman o�Commissioner EPSCPOES._TO THF E �♦f OfL' d 4p 99 All l'IT\V 0111.\1'\ October 8, 2018 Kittitas County, Washington BOARD OFCOUNTY COMMISSIONERS District One District Two District Three Cory Wright Laura Osiadacz Obie O'Brien Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office P.O. Box 40917 Olympia, WA 98504-0917 To Whom It May Concern: Kittitas County Public Works strongly supports the U.S. Forest Service Cle Elum Ranger District's applications for Recreation and Conservation Office NOVA and RTP (winter and summer) grants. These grants will improve winter recreation, keep trails open, maintain campgrounds, protect natural resources, and educate recreationists to improve overall recreational experience in Forest Service lands within Kittitas County. Tourism and outdoor recreation are key components to the economy of Kittitas County. Kittitas County's public lands, managed by the U.S. Forest Service, are considered destination hotspots state and even country wide. Tourists visit year-round to explore the County's lakes and many trails, supporting our local businesses. This funding is essential to the conservation of our County's natural resources and education of our residents. We pride ourselves on our recreational areas and depend on funding like this to keep our trails, campgrounds, and road access available for use. Please let me know if you have any questions or need further information. Sincere Ms. La sia carr Kittitas County Board of County Commissioners Kittitas County Courthouse 205 West 5" Avenue, STE 108 Ellensburg, WA 98926 (509) 962-7508 -FAX(509)962-7679 ff rl i r* ID w KITTITAS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS STUDY SESSION STAFF REPORT STUDY SESSION DATE: October 8, 2018 ACTION REQUESTED: Approve a Resolution Correcting Resolution No. 2018-151 that incorrectly named the roadway being established onto the County Road System. BACKGROUND: In late September 2018, Public Works requested the Board of County Commissioners establish Meadow Way onto the public road system. The second and fifth "WHEREAS" clauses erroneously identify "Marian Way" rather than Meadow Way. The error also appears in the "NOW, THEREFORE." section. Public Works is providing a revised resolution correcting our errors and consistently referencing "Meadow Way" for establishment. INTERACTION: Public Works RECOMMENDATION: Adopt the amending resolution establishing Meadow Way onto the public road system. HANDLING: Return one original to Public Works ATTACHMENTS: Resolution Amending 2018-151 LEAD STAFF: Mark R. Cook, Director BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COUNTY OF HITTITAS STATE OF WASHINGTON RESOLUTION NO. 2018 - AMENDING RESOLUTION 2018-151 ADOPTING MEADOW WAY ONTO THE HITTITAS COUNTY ROAD SYSTEM WHEREAS: The Easton Flats Short Plat (Auditors number 200501240029) dedicated a 60 foot roadway tract to Kittitas County located in portions of Sections 1 and 12, Township 20 N Range 13 E, W.M.; and WHEREAS: A road meeting public standards was accepted as constructed by Public Works; and WHEREAS: The current short plat owner desires establishing the roadway now known as Meadow Way onto the County Public Road system; and WHEREAS: Public Works has required an additional easement from the land owner accessing a temporary turn -around at the end of the road; and WHEREAS: Meadow Way is intended to be the access roadway for Marian Meadows Long Plat (LPT-17-000001); and WHEREAS: The Board of County Commission has granted approval to Marian Meadows Planned Unit Development (PD -17-00001), Conditional Use Permit (CU -17- 00001) and Plat (LPT-17-00001) pursuant to Ordinance 2018-006; and NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED That the Board of County Commissioners, in the best interest of the public, does hereby adopt all of Meadow Way (Milepost 0.0 to Milepost 0.17) onto the Kittitas County Road System. DATED on this 8th day of October, 2018, at Ellensburg, Washington. BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON Laura Osiadacz, Chairman Attest: ❑ Clerk of the Board- Julie Kjorsvik Obie O'Brien, Vice -Chairman ❑ Deputy Clerk of the Board- Mandy Buchholz Cory Wright, Commissioner KITTITAS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS STUDY SESSION STAFF REPORT STUDY SESSION DATE: October 8, 2018 ACTION REQUESTED: Authorize the Chair's Signature on the United States Forest Service Grant Application Letter of Support BACKGROUND: The Cle Elum Ranger District is seeking grant funding from the Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) supporting winter and summer recreational activities. The USFS is seeking funding for: trail maintenance, campground maintenance, protecting natural resources and educating recreationists. Outdoor recreation is a key component to the economy of Kittitas County. Public Works routinely partners with the Cle Elum District in matters of road maintenance and recreation access. INTERACTION: Public Works RECOMMENDATION: Authorize the Chair's signature on a letter of support for USFS grant applications to WA RCO. HANDLING: Return one original to Public Works ATTACHMENTS: Letter of Support LEAD STAFF: Mark R. Cook. Director October 8. 2018 Kittitas County, Washington BOARD oFCOUNTY COMMISSIONERS District One District Two Disirict Three Cory Wright Laura Osiadaez Obie O'Brien Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office P.O. Box 40917 Olympia, WA 98504-0917 To Whom It May Concern: Kittitas County Public Works strongly supports the U.S. Forest Service Cie Clum Ranger Districts applications for Recreation and Conservation Office NOVA and RTP (winter and summer) grants. These grants will improve winter recreation, keep trails open, maintain campgrounds, protect natural resources, and educate recreationists to improve overall recreational experience in Forest Service lands within Kittitas County. Tourism and outdoor recreation are key components to the economy of Kittitas County. Kittitas County's public lands, managed by the U.S. Forest Service, are considered destination hotspots state and even country wide. Tourists visit year-round to explore the County's lakesand many trails, supporting our local businesses. This funding is essential to the conservation of our County's natural resources and education of our residents. We pride ourselves on our recreational areas and depend on funding like this to keep our trails, campgrounds, and road access available for use. Please let me know if you have any questions or need further information. Sincerely, Ms. Laura Osiadacz, Chair Kittitas County Board of County Commissioners Kinnas County Counkuse 205 %ol ? Avenue, S I r 108 - 9llenshurg, WA 98926 ( 509) 962-7508 F AN (109) 962-0679 KITTITAS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS PUBLIC WORKS — BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS STUDY SESSION STAFF REPORT STUDY SESSION DATE: October 02, 2018 TOPIC: Grant County PUD No. 2 FERC Discussion ACTION REQUESTED: No Action Requested LEAD STAFF: Mark R. Cook RECOMMENDATION: None. BRIEFING SUMMARY: • Recently, the Board of County Commissioners requested Public Works send comments to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) regarding Grant County PUD No. 2's recreational plan update. • PUD staff desire having a discussion with the Board regarding the Board's decision. BACKGROUND: Several weeks ago, the Board of County Commissioners directed Public Works to file comments with FERC regarding Grant PUD's pending recreation plan. PW submitted the comments to FERC on September 12, 2018. DISCUSSION: Grant County PUD staff desires a discussion with the Board of County Commissioners regarding the restroom at Vantage Boat Ramp and other issues raised with FERC. FISCAL IMPACTS: The Public Facilities grant application from Public Works is not being recommended for funding by the Council of Government. ATTACHMENTS: Exhibit 1: FERC comments on PUD No. 2's proposed recreation plan. Page 1 of 2 PUBLIC WORKS BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WORK SESSION STAFF REPORT EXHIBIT 1: FERC COMMENTS ON PUD NO. 2'S PROPOSED RECREATION PLAN Page 2 of 2 PUBLIC WORKS BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WORK SESSION STAFF REPORT September 11, 2018 Kittitas County Comments on Priest Rapids Hydroelectric Project FERC Project No. 2114, Recreation Resources Management Plan, April 2017. We note with concern that there is no consideration of current enhancement requirements for the Vantage Boat Ramp. The ramp is identified in the report as being the second highest utilized recreational facility managed by Public Utility District No. 2 of Grant County, Ephrata, Washington. Insufficient parking availability and use stress on the restroom facility plague the Vantage Boat Ramp. 2. We note with concern that there are no proposed operations and maintenance improvements at Vantage Boat Ramp specific to increasing maintenance demands at the restroom facility and parking area. 3. We note with concern that there is no requested amendment to License Article 418 regarding necessary improvements to the Vantage Boat Ramp facility. 4. It is common for weekend Seattle recreational users to inundate the Vantage Boat Ramp during the summer months. The available parking is soon exceeded and the County road network is overwhelmed with roadside parking. Ramp users park on undeveloped County land bordering the ramp on dry grasses. Increasingly, the County is engaged in fire -fighting activities in and around the unincorporated area of Vantage. Parking on high fire risk areas greatly concerns or fire/life/safety service providers. Repeatedly, when the County discusses the topic with PUD No. 2 the response is: "It is not in the project area". The attractive nuisance created by the ramp is overwhelming the County's law enforcement resources attempting to manage illegal area parking. The area is posted "no parking" but pressure is such that users routinely disregard the postings. While the County originally built the restroom facility — owing to a lack of PUD No. 2 effort, increasing demands on the restrooms is causing a funding crisis for the County relative to ongoing maintenance and operations. In spring of this year, vandalism to all of the restroom plumbing caused the County to close the facility. Repairs are anticipated to reach $30,000. Funding for repairs is uncertain. Replacement with stainless steel vandal proof fixtures appears to be our new reality. We appeal to FERC for assistance managing increasing demands on the Vantage Boat Ramp from PUD No. 2's successful implementation of its recreational plan. The County is not resourced in meeting the increasing demands placed on the restroom facility and area parking. KITTITAS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS PUBLIC WORKS — BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS STUDY SESSION STAFF REPORT STUDY SESSION DATE: October 8th, 2018 TOPIC: Draft Resolution of Intent to Formulate Road Improvement District No. 2018-01 Wiehl Road ACTION REQUESTED: Issue the "Notice of Intent to Formulate Road Improvement District No. 2018-01 Wiehl Road" and Schedule the Public Hearing for 2:00 PM Local Time, November 20, 2018 in the Commissioners Auditorium LEAD STAFF: Mark R. Cook RECOMMENDATION: Issue the "Notice of Intent to Formulate Road Improvement District No. 2018-01 Wiehl Road" and schedule the public hearing for 2:00 PM local time, November 201h, 2018 in the Commissioners auditorium. BRIEFING SUMMARY: • RID formulation begins with the resolution stating the Board's intent to formulate (EXHIBIT 1) • Specific language and exhibits are required to accompany the resolution • Formulation is pursuant to an Ordinance following a public hearing • Legal notice is required and the resolution must be published in the County's paper of record for a minimum of two consecutive issues at least fifteen days before the fixed date of the hearing • The Ordinance has required and optional language as prescribed in Revised Code of Washington 35.43. BACKGROUND: For the past several years, Public Works has been working towards formulating the Wiehl Road Improvement District. Recent outreach to benefited property owners affirms a minority of opposition (4 of 66). DISCUSSION: The resolution has specific requirements in law for inclusion. Public Works has attempted to ensure compliance with state law requirements. It might be beneficial to have the Board's attorney review our work prior to Board action. Page 1 of 3 PUBLIC WORKS BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WORK SESSION STAFF REPORT FISCAL IMPACTS: Current engineer's estimate for construction is $874,269.81. The Board has stated willingness to cover $273,656.16; leaving $600,614 to be borne by benefited property owners in the district. ATTACHMENTS: Exhibit 1: Draft Resolution Page 2 of 3 PUBLIC WORKS BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WORK SESSION STAFF REPORT EXHIBIT 1: DRAFT RESOLUTION Page 3 of 3 PUBLIC WORKS BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WORK SESSION STAFF REPORT BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COUNTY OF KITTITAS STATE OF WASHINGTON RESOLUTION NO. 2018 - NOTICE OF INTENT TO FORMULATE KITTITAS ROAD IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT 2018-01— CREATING ROAD IMPROVEMENTS TO A SECTION OF WIEHL ROAD FROM MP 0.00 TO MP 0.27 WHEREAS: Residents utilizing an unimproved section of Wiehl Road to access residential areas have previously submitted a petition to Kittitas County Public Works requesting the formation of a road improvement district (RID); and WHEREAS: The submitted petition failed to consider the required public roadway construction requirement in state law; and WHEREAS: The Kittitas Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) has directed Public Works to finalize public road improvement design; and WHEREAS: The roadway design is sufficiently complete to notice benefitted property owners of RID estimated costs and said costs have been preliminarily presented to said property owners; and WHEREAS: The BOCC desires conducting a public hearing considering the merits of formulating Road Improvement District 2018-01 Wiehl Road; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of County Commissioners, in the best interest of the public, does hereby declare its intention to order the improvement to Wiehl Road, setting forth the nature (EXHIBIT 1) and territorial extent of the improvement (EXHIBIT 2); and does now state that actual assessments may vary from assessment estimates so long as they do not exceed a figure equal to the increased true and fair value of the improvement adds to the property and notifies all persons who may desire to object thereto to appear and present their objections at 2:00 PM local time on November 20, 2018 at Room 109, 205 West Fifth Street, Ellensburg, WA. DATED this 16th day of October, 2018, at Ellensburg, Washington. Attest: ❑ Clerk of the Board- Julie Kjorsvik ❑ Deputy Clerk of the Board- Mandy Buchholz BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON Laura Osiadacz, Chairman Obie O'Brien, Vice -Chairman Cory Wright, Commissioner EXHIBIT 1 NATURE OF IMPROVEMENT Weihl Road Improvements, MP 0.0 to MP 0.27 Nature of the improvement: The grade of the roadway is adjusted to meet a maximum of twelve (12) percent grade. The roadway is widened to a paved hot mix asphalt width of 24 feet. Drainage improvements are constructed along the inside slope of the roadway along with retaining walls on the outside of the roadway. Guardrail is placed at areas of high risk on the outside edge of the roadway. A paved turnaround is constructed at the end of the improvement at intersection with Loping Lane. EXHIBIT 2 TERRITORIAL EXTENT OF IMPROVEMENT Legal Description for Wiehl Road A 60 foot wide county right of way described as Labusky Road as shown upon that certain survey recorded in Book 11 of Surveys, Page 59, under Auditor's File No. 467553, records of Kittitas County, Washington. 60 NAaw�4 L ldtwtww Os� /J 1 Sit+„"w:W�la.1� 6�1-�z'IP•w-s�.w� 1 LM r 114, p,%;s al! -Ir NL" 41 -La. &N .4 % iff S'aIaS2"12:• W-1'5.46 a 0 9 IX 0 0 a. or J 39 1J S49 -4&S 6I: E -l2. to i TZ.'SGS`14 3I'4f--11,W Fm Road KITTITAS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS PUBLIC WORKS — BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS STUDY SESSION STAFF REPORT STUDY SESSION DATE: October 8, 2018 TOPIC: Adoption of the 2018-2037 Kittitas County Transportation Plan ACTION REQUESTED: Direct Staff Prepare Enabling Documents for Plan Adoption LEAD STAFF: Mark R. Cook RECOMMENDATION: Direct that staff prepare enabling documents supporting adoption of the "2018-2037 Kittitas County Transportation Plan". BRIEFING SUMMARY: • Prior to the departure of Commissioner Jewell, Public Works presented the final draft 2018-2037 Transportation Plan • Commissioner comments are now incorporated into the final plan • The plan is now ready for adoption by the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) BACKGROUND: During 2017 and early months of 2018, Public Works worked towards updating the 2008 Twenty Year Transportation Plan. The plan was presented to the BOCC in late May 2018. Several items were identified for modification and those changes are now incorporated into the final document with one exception. DISCUSSION: The updated plan embraces a streamlined policy section and incorporates a funding plan supporting full implementation. At the Board's direction, priority is given to road improvement projects that provide alternate escapes routes to fire prone dead-end roadways. The funding plan incorporates a new road exiting the Teanaway toward Salmon Le Sac. The cost is significant. One commissioner requested removal of the project from the funding list. Staff has not removed the project and it remains in the plan for adoption. FISCAL IMPACTS: Numerous funding actions are required to implement projects and actions identified in the plan. ATTACHMENTS: Exhibit 1: Requested changes made on May 31, 2018. Page 1 of 2 PUBLIC WORKS BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WORK SESSION STAFF REPORT EXHIBIT 1: MAY 31, 2018 REQUESTED CHANGES Page 2 of 2 PUBLIC WORKS BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WORK SESSION STAFF REPORT Kittitas County Transportation Element 2oi8 Kittitas County is an area rich in history and a premier destination for outdoor adventure. It is home to the five cities of Ellensburg, Cie Elum, South Cie Elum, Roslyn, and Kittitas, each with their own amenities and charm. This Transportation Element aims to provide a 20 - year vision for the County's transportation system, which respects the character of each of its regions, supports anticipated growth, and builds on Kittitas County's development as an attractive place to live, work, and play by supporting safe and comfortable travel by all modes through 2037. 1.1 PURPOSE The overall vision for Kittitas County's Transportation Element is to provide a safe, balanced, and efficient multi -modal transportation system that serves anticipated local and regional growth. Guidance from County staff and the Policy Working Group helped identify five goals, which serve as the foundation for this element: • Safe — Create a transportation network that can be shared safely by all users and provides sufficient access for emergency response and designated evacuation routes. • Efficient and Accommodates Growth, but Respects Rural Character — Provide a transportation system that works hand-in- hand with existing and planned land uses, supports farm -to -market and recreational tourism needs, but respects the rural character and wildlife that residents cherish. • Complete, Multimodal, and Accommodates Outdoor Recreation — Fill gaps in the system to accommodate safe and enjoyable travel by those choosing to walk, bike, or use transit, including recreational users. • Leveraged by Active Partnerships— Coordinate with a broad range of groups (including local, state, and regional agencies, airports, businesses, and the public) to develop and operate the transportation system. Sustainably Funded and Maintains What We Have — Plan for a financially -viable system that considers the full lifecycle costs of infrastructure and leverages outside funds, while maintaining existing transportation facilities in a state -of -good - repair to ensure their continued function. The Transportation Element sets a framework for creating a transportation network that will help Kittitas County achieve its vision. 1.2 PLANNING CONTEXT Kittitas County's geography plays a role in the demands put on its transportation system. The County is located in central Washington, with major highway connections, railroad lines, and river crossings. Kittitas County is bisected by 1-90, which also. connects to 1-82 and US 97. These are important connections for freight and passenger travel across the state as well as into Oregon, Idaho, and Canada. Travelers from all regions come to Kittitas County looking for a variety of activities, including patronizing the highway -oriented services for a quick stop or visiting the lakes and mountains for recreation. These routes also serve the Yakima Training Center operated by the US Army. 1-90 is a major freight corridor for trucks and the parallel privately owned Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway (BNSF) rail corridor moves more than five million tons of goods each year. This is an important aspect of Kittitas County's economic vitality, but also poses transportation challenges. The County must coordinate its transportation planning with a variety of jurisdictions and agencies, including the city governments, QUADCO Regional Planning Organization, US Forest Service, FHWA, US Army, and the State of Washington. Figure 1 shows the location of Kittitas County in this regional setting. 3 1 P a g e Kittitas County Transportation Element 2oi8 OTHERPLANS As part of this planning process, several local, regional, and state plans and documents that influence transportation planning in Kittitas County were reviewed. This section summarizes some of those key plans. KITTITAS COUNTY 2008 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN The County's last major Comprehensive Plan update occurred in 2008 and has guided decisions on land use, transportation, economic development, and public infrastructure. It was written to address both short and long-term needs and laid out a future vision for the region. The overarching goal of the Transportation Element was to provide a safe and integrated transportation system that maintains and preserves the existing facilities, while supporting land use development and economic vitality. The previous iteration of this Plan identifies 52 goals for transportation in the region focusing on: 1. Multi -Modal Transportation System, Arterial System, and System Maintenance 2. Land Use, Environment and Economic Development 3. Level of Service (LOS) and Concurrency 4. Financing Transportation Improvements 5. Intergovernmental Coordination and Public Participation This plan was reviewed and key projects that were not yet completed, but still considered viable, are included in the 20 -year project list for this Transportation Element. KITTITAS COUNTY LONG RANGE TRANSPORTATION PLAN Kittitas County also developed a Long Range Transportation Plan in 2008 to guide the County's planning for roads, public transportation, air, rail, bicycle/pedestrian facilities, and recreation. The overarching goal of this plan was to "Provide a balanced and well-maintained transportation system for the safe and efficient movement of people, goods and services."' ' Kittitas County Long Range Transportation Plan - 2008 The Plan identified 11 key goals for transportation in the County: 1. Preserve and maintain Kittitas County's 565 miles of arterial roads and bridges. 2. Improve roads that do not meet design standards according to the County's priority system and as funds become available. 3. Improve roads with high accident rates and target road deficiencies that affect safety according to the County's priority system and as funds become available. 4. Preserve right of way for additional routes to establish a better grid system of roads, especially in areas that have only one way in and one way out and in areas experiencing a large amount of new development. 5. Maintain roadway capacity at an acceptable level of service by monitoring and forecasting development growth and identifying infrastructure improvements needed to address expected growth in the next 20 years. 6. Continue supporting programs that provide essential public transportation services for the county's senior, disabled and low- income population. 7. Implement strategies as funding becomes available to encourage people to travel in carpools, vanpools, or buses such as establishing park and ride lots or expanding existing shuttle services to nearby county residents. 8. Program improvements needed to connect travelers and freight to airports and rail services. 9. Include construction of pedestrian paths and bike routes with major reconstruction projects when they are within the non - motorized system plan and develop inter- agency partnerships to seek grants for paths and bike routes. 10. Coordinate with US Forest Service and Washington State Parks and Recreation to establish off-road parking facilities to 5 1 P a 9 e Kittitas County Transportation Element 2oi8 provide access to the over 500 miles of snowmobile and dirt bike trails in the county. 11. Identify roads that are needed to access the county's recreational lands and develop partnerships with other jurisdictional agencies to seek funding to improve or construct these roads. KITTITAS COUNTY ROAD SAFETY PLAN The 2017 Kittitas County Road Safety Plan aims to reduce serious injury and fatal accidents throughout the County road network. The plan catalogues areas with roadside hazards, clear zone inventory, bridge rail deficiencies, and corridor/intersection improvements. It ranks projects to identify the highest priority improvements with the greatest benefits. Relevant components of the Safety Plan were included in this Transportation Element. ELLENSBURG COMPREHENSIVE PLAN As a part of its recent Comprehensive Plan update, the City of Ellensburg completed a transportation assessment. This plan identified key transportation goals and improvement projects for a 20 -year planning horizon. Some of these projects will affect travel outside of the city, including bike and pedestrian connections to regional trails, expanded transit service, and roadway projects along University Way. QUADCO REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLAN QUADCO is the regional planning organization consisting of Adams, Grant, Lincoln, and Kittitas Counties. The QUADCO Regional Transportation Plan establishes a regional method of decision making that is also consistent with statewide goals. It identifies six major goals for the region: 1. Safety - Protect the safety of our community. 2. Preservation - Preserve and extend the life and utility of prior transportation system investments. 3. Economic Vitality- Enhance our region's economic vitality by promoting and developing transportation systems that stimulate, support, and enhance the movement of people and goods. 4. Mobility - Enhance the mobility of people and goods throughout the region by providing an interconnected transportation system and opportunities for choosing different transportation modes. 5. Environment - Protect our region's environment and high quality of life through transportation investments that promote energy conservation, enhance healthy communities, and protect the environment. 6. Stewardship - Improve the quality, effectiveness, and efficiency of our region's transportation system and growing communities with cost effective investments that have public support. KITTITAS COUNTY PARK, RECREATION & OPEN SPACE(PROS)PLAN The 2016 Park, Recreation & Open Space (PROS) Plan inventories Kittitas County's current open space, park, and trail facilities. It also outlines future demand and the preferred actions for the expansion and management of these spaces. It identifies 12 goals; the three that are most relevant to this effort are included here: • Strategic Role - Undertake a strategic approach to open space, trail, park, and recreation facilities and recreation services where Kittitas County assumes responsibility for functions of countywide interest where there are no other viable sponsors, and helps coordinate or support functions and activities that have other viable sponsors. Trail Systems - Facilitate the planning, development, and operation of a variety of countywide trails including winter, water, horse, off-road hike and bike, off-road vehicle and all -terrain vehicle trails, on -road bicycle touring routes and scenic drives that are directly related to environmental resources that are of most interest to Kittitas County residents and tourists. Design Standards - Develop and maintain design guidelines to ensure facilities are 6 1 P a g e Kittitas County Transportation Element 2oi8 accessible, safe, and easy to maintain, with life cycle features that account for long- term costs and benefits. WASHINGTON STATE FREIGHT MOBILITY PLAN Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) created the Freight Mobility Plan in 2014 to ensure the enhancement of trade flows and associated economic growth throughout the state. It conforms to federal freight goals and the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP -21) objectives for each state to create a Freight Mobility Framework. The plan was developed with three objectives: • Developing an urban goods movement system that supports jobs, the economy, and clean air for all; and provides goods delivery to residents and businesses. • Maintaining Washington's competitive position as a global gateway to the nation with intermodal freight corridors serving trade and international and interstate commerce, and the state and national Export Initiatives. Supporting rural economies' farm -to - market, manufacturing, and resource industry sectors. 1 -go SNOQUALMIE PASS EAST PROJECT The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and WSDOT are making improvements to a 15 -mile section of 1-90 east of Snoqualmie Pass. The corridor project will widen the freeway, build and replace bridges, minimize closures due to avalanches and rockslides, and address wildlife connectivity. Phase 1 addresses the first five miles of the corridor and will be completed in 2018. Phase 2 improves the next two miles and will be completed in 2019, and funding has been secured for the remaining eight - mile section. Completion of the project will result in a six -lane freeway with less avalanche closures, increased safety, and new pavement. The improved corridor will increase traffic capacity coming to and from Kittitas County along 1-90. GMA The State's Growth Management Act of 1990 requires communities to prepare a transportation plan that ties directly to the County's land use decisions and financial planning. This Transportation Element Update fulfills the mandate. 7 1 P a g e Kittitas County Transportation Element 2oi8 2.1 EXISTING CONDITIONS This chapter describes how people use Kittitas County's transportation network today, as well as how that may change over the next 20 years as the region grows. The way people travel is greatly influenced by the built environment, which includes land use and travel corridors, as well as the key destinations where people live, work, shop, and recreate. This chapter also describes trends in how people are traveling based on anticipated development patterns and travel mode data. LAND USES AND KEY DESTINATIONS The places where people live, work, and play are impacted by how a county and its communities guide development. The Land Use Element of this Comprehensive Plan provides this guidance. The Kittitas County zoning map regulates the types of uses that are allowed in specific areas of the region. This zoning map leads to clustering of like uses, for example shopping and other commercial destinations in downtown and along major roadway corridors, with other areas limited to primarily residential development or agriculture. Changes to zoning can affect not only the land use, but also use of the surrounding transportation network. The current zoning map for Kittitas County is shown in Figure 2. Key destinations in the county are mapped in Figure 3 and described below. The incorporated cities in Kittitas County are Ellensburg, Cie Elum, South Cie Elum, Roslyn, and Kittitas. Ellensburg is the county seat and the largest of these cities, a hub of commercial and recreational activity. The cities of Roslyn and Cie Elum are both centers of recreational tourism. Even within these incorporated communities, the majority of housing is detached single family with an owner occupied housing rate of 58 percent'. More than half of the county is forested, with 30 percent pasture and only two percent urban land. Agricultural developments are located throughout Kittitas County, with lower, more level expanses located in the central and southeast regions. The County is known for its high quality Timothy Hay that is shipped all over the world. Timber is another 2 ACS 2011-2015 major economic commodity for County residents. The export of forest and agricultural products lead to a lot of farm and heavy vehicles traveling on low volume County roads. This can lead to disproportionately high levels of pavement damage and safety concerns. Large swaths of the northwest portions of the county are highly mountainous, with the Okanogan - Wenatchee National Forest, four lakes that the US Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) operates as part of the Yakima Project, and Lake Easton State Park comprising large areas of public land. Recreation opportunities draw crowds to the sno-parks, lakes, and trails. Sixty four percent of Kittitas County land is managed by state or federal agencies so interagency cooperation is crucial. It is important to consider that areas of commercial, industrial, and dense residential land use tend to have more concentrated trips and can be supportive of alternative modes of travel such as transit, whereas areas of low density residential and agricultural use tend to have dispersed trip patterns more conducive to trips made by personal vehicle. Recreational destinations are also subject to seasonal trip fluctuations, which can stress local roadway networks. 9 1 P a g e Kittitas County Transportation Element 2018 Ellensburg Ellensburg, the county seat of Kittitas County, is a city rich in history, and home to Central Washington University. Ellensburg has continued to grow since it was incorporated in 1883, and is projected to grow at a fast pace over the next twenty years. Currently over half of county residents live in Ellensburg. The main commercial areas in Ellensburg are the Central Commercial zones, the Commercial Highway zones, and the Commercial Tourist zones. The Central Commercial zone is generally comprised of older historic buildings in the historic downtown core that was rebuilt after the fire of 1889 and that was revitalized beginning in the late 1970s. Outside of the Central Commercial zone, areas of commercial development are largely auto -oriented with larger buildings and ample off-street parking lots. The Central Commercial II zone includes newer developments, like the Fred Meyer shopping center. Newer developments are also located in pockets of Commercial Highway zones, mostly centered on Canyon Road near 1-90, West University Way, and Vantage Highway. Tourist services such as restaurants, coffee shops, and gas stations are clustered in the Commercial Tourist zones around the two interstate interchanges in Ellensburg. As the largest urban center in the county, Ellensburg provides many essential services. The Ellensburg School District serves almost 3,300 students as of May 20163 and operates five K-12 schools that serve the community. Kittitas Valley Healthcare Hospital serves Ellensburg and the surrounding areas. The hospital is a 25 -bed inpatient facility, although outpatients make up 85 percent of the total usage. The hospital employs approximately 600 people in addition to other medical clinics on the same campus. Ellensburg also has a number of retirement communities and medical facilities. ADA accessible pedestrian infrastructure surrounding retirement communities and medical communities should be in place for those that wish to walk. ' Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. 2016. "Washington State Report Card, Ellensburg School District" http://reportcard.ospi.kl2.wa.us/summary.aspx?groupLevel=Dist rict&sch ool Id=127&reportLeve I=D ist rict&orgLi nkl d=127&yrs=201 5-16&year=2015-16 4 Central Washington University. 2016. "Quick Facts" https://www.cwu.edu/about/quick-facts Central Washington University Central Washington University (CWU) is a major destination and economic driver in the County. The 380 -acre campus is located northeast of historic downtown Ellensburg. The University had almost 11,000 students enrolled in the 2015-2016 academic year, of which over 3,000 live on campus4. In addition to students, there are about 1,500 faculty and staff memberss. The large concentration of students, faculty, and staff leads to university - specific transportation issues, such as clustering of arrivals and departures around class schedules, parking availability and pricing concerns, and how to accommodate students without access to personal vehicles. The University has plans for continued growth in enrollment and campus facilities, particularly on the relatively undeveloped areas on the north end of campus. Growth at CWU was considered in future conditions analysis. Bowers Field Airport Bowers Field is the largest airport in Kittitas County and is located just north of Ellensburg. Home to the Central Washington University Flight School it provides regional connections for tourism, emergency medical services, and firefighting operations. In 2012, it supported 129 jobs and $11.8 million in regional economic activity6. Kittitas Valley Event Center The Kittitas Valley Event Center, also known as the fair and rodeo grounds, are located in Central Ellensburg. They are a major draw on Labor Day weekend coinciding with the Kittitas County Fair and Rodeo, but are used intermittently throughout the year for equestrian and 4-H related activities. In 2016, the County adopted a Master Plan for the grounds —this element considers consistency with potential improvements at the event center. The Composite Long Range Plan for the Event Center is shown in Figure 4. Central Washington University. 2014. "Economic Impact" http://www.cwu,edu/president/sites/cts.cwu.edu.president/files/ documents/economic%20impact%20brochu re%20fi nal2. pdf °WSDOT. 2012. "Airport Economic Profile". https://www.wsdot.wa.gov/N R/rdonlyres/A3 DF6FC9-CB27-4C BD- BAA4-31F26BC08896/0/2012BowersField.pdf 121Page Kittitas County Transportation Element 2018 TRANSPORTATION NETWORK OVERVIEW Kittitas County possesses a rich and diverse mix of land uses and destinations that require a specialized transportation plan to ensure efficient mobility and accessibility throughout the County. The transportation network accommodates many modes of travel, including walking, bicycling, public transit, and driving. Vehicular travel is still the primary mode for most travelers in and around the County. Rural roads and highways form the foundation of the transportation framework with roadways connecting the many communities in Kittitas County. Additionally, transit is available within the city of Ellensburg. The incorporated cities have relatively well-connected street grids, while rural roadways with more limited pedestrian amenities characterize the remaining areas of the County. The majority of land in the County is owned by Federal and State entities, including the Department of Natural Resources and State Park Service (see Figure 5). The United States Forest Service (USFS) maintains certain roadways within Kittitas County, which are known as "Schedule A" roads. As County residents use roadways on Federal and State land, coordination between all parties is important to properly maintain these roadways. This plan classifies Kittitas County's roadways into interstates, principal and minor arterials, major and minor collectors, and local streets, as shown in Table 1, and Figures 6 to 8. 151Page Kittitas County Transportation Element 2oi8 Auto Network With many Kittitas County residents and employees relying on vehicles as their primary mode of transportation, the County's roadway network is critical to the transportation system. Growth within the region has increased the strain on the roadway network, both in terms of traffic congestion and wear and tear. Most of the congestion in Kittitas County occurs in the urban areas or at certain times of the year— near ski resorts in winter or routes accessing the lakes in the summer. Analysis was conducted on 45 segments of interstate, arterial, and collector roadways throughout the County. Roadway segment operations were evaluated and assigned a level of service (LOS) grade based on their operations in terms of a ratio of PM peak hour traffic volumes to the roadway segment's capacity. This analysis was performed for multiple times of the year to capture seasonal shifts in traffic volumes. Appendix A describes the Level of Service definitions from the Florida Department of Transportation, which is a standard methodology for measuring the performance of roadway corridors. In Kittitas County, the standard for a roadway to be considered "acceptable" is LOS C for rural roads and LOS D for roads within urban growth boundaries. Based on this analysis only one segment is expected to exceed LOS standards during the 20 -year planning horizon —Bowers Road located just to the north of Ellensburg is projected to be at LOS E by 2037. This section is within the UGA boundary in an area of rapid development. A future planned project to connect Bowers Road to Look Road would bring this section back into compliance with the County's LOS standards. Reecer Creek Road from Bowers Road to Old Highway 10 also sees increased volumes, which will increase LOS to D by 2037. However, because this plan reclassifies this section of Reecer Creek to an urban arterial, this is considered within the County's LOS standard. Figure 13, Figure 14, and Table 3 show the LOS segment maps and LOS analysis summary. A secondary analysis was performed to capture possible traffic increases from high growth at the Suncadia Resort. The LOS results were found to be very similar to the scenario without additional growth in Suncadia. Detailed LOS results can be found in Appendix B. Based on the regional demand and the forecasted traffic volume, all other County roadways should be able to accommodate anticipated local and regional growth over the next 20 years. Nevertheless, the County should monitor key segments especially near freeway interchanges, proposed new commercial and residential developments, and potential bottleneck locations to maintain an efficient roadway network. SAFETY The County undertook a detailed safety analysis along the roadway network that was compiled in the 2017 Road Safety Plan. The Plan aims to reduce fatalities and severe injury accidents across the County's road network by analyzing crash data and ranking roadway improvement projects based on effectiveness. Between 2011 and 2015, about one third of collisions in the County resulted in injury. Nineteen percent of those injuries were fatal and 81 percent were serious injuries. Of these, the most common collision types were hitting a fixed object and overturning. Higher speeds and lack of lighting were also major contributing factors. Knowing the contributing factors to these collisions, the County scored the safety projects on the presence of potential hazards, inclusion in previous plans, road curvature, adequate clear zone, and instances of severe collisions. The final project list contains 39 items with eight priority levels. This allows the County to focus its resources on the most crucial projects that will make the greatest safety improvement for the cost. 281Page Table 4. Historical Programmatic Expenditures, 2007-2017 >ource: nimvas wunry rum¢ woms, tuai 371P a 9 Network: 2g. Provide a transportation system with a hierarchy of roads, with distinct purposes, forming a complete network. 21h. Encourage a grid system in the Urban Growth Areas (UGAs) where practical. 2i. Evaluate and plan for regional facility improvements that may impact the County road system. Land use: 2j. Evaluate the merits of a proposed land use action against the potential impacts on the transportation system by reviewing development proposals for potential impacts to the transportation system and requiring developments to identify and mitigate their transportation impacts through SEPA or other local regulatory reviews and county permits or actions. 2k. Provide a transportation system that corresponds to and is consistent with patterns of land development and which provides access to and from population centers identified in the comprehensive plans in accordance with adopted land use plans. 21. Encourage land use development patterns and investments which reduce the demands on the roadway network. Farm to Market: 2m. Encourage opportunities for the county to explore rail transportation. 2n. Identify, designate, and protect agriculture transportation corridors that facilitate farm use. Wildlife: 20. Consider refinements to roadway plans and design standards to minimize impacts to wildlife. 2p. Where appropriate, new roadways should consider incorporating wildlife friendly design features. GOAL 3— COMPLETE, MULTIMODAL, AND ACCOMMODAI ES OUTDOOR RECREATION Fill gaps in the system to accommodate safe and enjoyable travel by those choosing to walk, bike, or use transit, including recreational users. 3a. Consider alternative modes when reviewing development applications, incorporate multiple modes into transportation improvement projects, and establish development standards to support the use of alternative transportation modes. 31b. Develop a variety of performance measurements to evaluate the multi -modal transportation system and prioritize improvements. 3c. Work with WSDOT, transit, and local agencies to develop park-and-ride, park - and -pool, and express transit service where the need for such facilities has been identified. Non -motorized: 3d. Identify high priority non -motorized corridors and evaluate the highest priority improvements. 3e. Encourage the expansion and use of non - motorized transportation by constructing and maintaining safe, efficient, and pleasant streets for pedestrian and bicycle use. Recreation: 3f. Promote and support recreational activities throughout the County by providing adequate access. 3g. Coordinate with other entities to identify viable options and projects for connection to the John Wayne Pioneer Trail within Kittitas County and to adjacent counties. 421Page 3h. Support the construction of parking facilities at identified locations known for recreational and multi -modal use. Transit: 3i. Support efforts to provide public transportation services to the general population. 3j. Work with local transit operators to maintain existing transit services. Where appropriate, support service expansion. For the purposes of measuring Level of Service for transit routes in Kittitas County, the following table summarizes this Plan's standard: Work with transit to accommodate access to transit service expansion. Work with transit to maintain *..- existing transit service. Removal of access to transit. GOAL 4— LEVERAGED BY ACTIVE PARTNERSHIPS Coordinate with a broad range of groups (including local, state, and regional agencies, airports, businesses, and the public) to develop and operate the transportation system. County/Agency planning: 4a. Identify, review, and resolve interjurisdictional transportation concerns within or affecting Kittitas County. 4b. Work with WSDOT, QuadCo RTPO, cities and neighboring counties to develop and maintain a system of arterials, collectors and local access roads. 4c. Coordinate transportation planning, construction and maintenance efforts with all affected agencies by developing joint transportation standards for UGAs between the County and the adjoining city or town. 4d. Seek partnerships with other public or private agents when mutual benefits and significant cost savings are anticipated as a result of a coordinated transportation improvement project to maximize benefits while minimizing costs. 4e. Actively participate on selected state, regional and local transportation committees. 4f. Ensure County plans and policies are consistent with other plans and policies within the region. 4g. Identify stakeholders and include them in the decision-making process, and jointly develop a process for resolving conflicts between jurisdictions. 41h. Promote public information and communication with businesses, organizations, and individual citizens as part of the transportation planning and decision- making process. Airports/Airfields: 4i. Protect Kittitas County Airport (Bowers Field), Cle Elum Municipal, DeVere Field and Easton State airports from adjacent incompatible land uses and/or activities that could impact the present or future use of these or other public use airports as essential public facilities. 4j. Recognize air transport and airports as an important mode of the transportation system and coordinate with FAA and WSDOT Aviation Division. 4k. Maintain up-to-date maps of airport overlays and make available to the general public. 431Page GOAL 5 — SUSTAINABLY FUNDED AND MAINTAINS WHAT WE HAVE Plan for a financially -viable system that considers the full lifecycle costs of infrastructure and leverages outside funds, while maintaining existing transportation facilities in a state -of -good -repair to ensure their continued function. Funding/Costs: 5a. Improve the sustainability of the county's funding for maintenance, operations, and capital improvements. Periodically review funding status and consider either increasing revenues generated by existing sources or establishing new funding sources for transportation. 5b. Maximize local funds by pursuing outside funding sources for all transportation improvement projects. 5c. Consider all funding options for financing transportation improvements by evaluating the potential funds, including taxes, grants, fees, etc., and securing funds from all available sources. 5d. Encourage efforts to reduce the costs associated with administration of transportation improvement projects by identifying opportunities to consolidate or coordinate administration responsibilities. Se. Ensure the transportation system can support new development and that new development funds all new construction and improvements that might be necessary to maintain adopted level of service standards. Project Choice/Prioritization 5f. Prioritize projects and expenditures of transportation funds that have multiple benefits. 5g. Prioritize arterial improvements and maintenance activities based on traffic volumes and identified safety concerns. 5h. Establish appropriate performance measures by maintaining the Pavement Management System (PMS) to measure pavement conditions and to prioritize maintenance or improvement projects, and the Hazard Elimination Safety Program to identify potentially hazardous locations and to prioritize mitigation measures. 5i. Maintain an arterial system that can accommodate legal weights year-round by developing a program for identifying and prioritizing maintenance and reconstruction projects for roads that are used primarily for freight and goods movement. Maintenance: 5j. Provide scheduled preservation and maintenance of valuable roadway assets. 5k. Consider the traffic volumes, type of use, adjacent land uses, and maintenance costs before approving any new county - maintained gravel roads. 51. Maintain and operate transportation infrastructure according to industry standards. Sm. Encourage and initiate Road Improvement Districts to bring all roads up to County standards. 5n. Protect at -risk roads by imposing seasonal weight restrictions as appropriate. 441Page Table 11. Twenty Year Project List Roadway Investments Cost Score 1 Bender Road - Widening and Pedestrian Improvements $3,300,000 22 2 Manastash Road Creek Bank Stabilization and Snow Park Improvements $2,400,000 18 5 Ellensburg Greenway John Wayne Trail Reconnection Milepost 10.65 to 11.01 14 6 River to Rodeo Trail 3 Fairview Road Widening & Coleman Creek Structures, Brick Mill Road to Rader Road $2,250,000 17 8 Reecer Creek Trail Milepost 5.03-6.05 9 City Parks Trail 14 4 Manastash Road Bridge $2,500,000 16 Milepost 10.567 - 10.633 (State Funding Secured) 5 Reecer Creek Road - advanced warning signs $20,000 16 Milepost 0.26 - 0.312 6 Reecer Creek Road - curves that need advanced warning signs, chevrons $20,000 16 Milepost 4.80-6.68 7 Denmark Road Safety Improvements - railing Milepost 0.50-3.08, countermeasures $385,684 16 Milepost 3.08-4.35 8 Brick Mill Road Bridge over Naneum Creek $1,500,000 15 Milepost 0.10 East Naneum Road 9 Fairview Road Bridge over Coleman Creek $2,500,000 1s Milepost 0.23 North of Brickmill Road 10 Bowers Road Extension $1,675,000 13 11 Bender Road to Dry Creek Road Connector $1,500,000 10 12 Brick Mill Road & Wilson Creek Road - four way stop controlled intersection $20,500 2 13 Kittitas Highway & Number 6 Road - four way stop controlled intersection $750,000 2 14 Vantage Highway & Number 6 Road - four way stop controlled intersection $750,000 2 Total: $19,571,184 Nonmotorized Projects 1 Canyon Road on road bike trail -City Limits to SR 821 (No Widening) Cost $500,000 Score 17 2 Reecer Creek Road on road bike trail - University Way to Bowers Road (No Widening) $125,000 17 3 Hansen Pits Park Master Plan - West of Tjossem Road / Canyon Road intersection $25,000 14 4 Cie Elum Pedestrian Bridge - S. Cie Elum Bridge Vicinity $1;250;000 14 5 Ellensburg Greenway John Wayne Trail Reconnection $1,000,000 14 6 River to Rodeo Trail $2,000,000 14 7 McCabe Ringer Loop 14 8 Reecer Creek Trail 14 9 City Parks Trail 14 10 Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) Trail 14 11 Spray Fields Trail 14 So1Page 6.1 REGIONAL COLLABORATION As stated earlier, the County's priority in this plan is to coordinate with a broad range of groups to develop and operate the transportation system. A key element of this will be partnering with the city governments, WSDOT, and USFS to ensure regional travel patterns do not impact quality of life in Kittitas County. CITIES There are city projects outside of Kittitas County's purview that will affect travel in and around the County. Ellensburg recently updated their comprehensive plan and identified transportation projects within the city limits that are needed to accommodate future growth. Coordination with Ellensburg as well as the other cities within the County will be necessary to determine the best allocation of resources for transportation improvements. TRANSIT FACILITIES On the transit side, Ellensburg is working to improve Central Transit service and facilities within the City that will connect with regional transit options. Envisioned improvements include: • Adding a northeast route stretching east to Pfenning Road and north to Bender Road • Adding a west route traveling out to Dolarway Road and University Way • Development of a transit center Greater Kittitas County currently only has on demand transit service within the region but a more integrated Central Transit network would support the County transit and any future expansions. Increased Central Transit service will also connect residents to the intercity Yakima Commuter route that travels between Ellensburg and Yakima during the week. IWSDOT WSDOT supports multimodal integration into projects and planning multi -agency and community network interconnectivity. The state system provides access to key destinations within the County, so WSDOT will partner with Kittitas County to ensure that both agencies' needs and concerns are addressed. One of the biggest projects that will impact travel in the region is the WSDOT 1-90 Snoqualmie Pass East widening. The first two phases of the project will complete widening, paving, and safety improvements along seven miles of 1-90 and are projected to be finished in 2019. Completion of this roadway is expected to improve safety and mobility within Kittitas County. U.S. FOREST SERVICE The USFS owns and maintains roads throughout Okanogan -Wenatchee National Forest, which covers a large portion of Kittitas County. Maintenance and repairs are necessary to provide access to popular recreation destinations. Collaboration with the USFS is necessary to ensure these facilities are maintained and accessible to Kittitas County residents and visitors. FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) partners with local agencies to oversee maintenance, capital projects, and preservation of the country's roads and bridges. It regulates road operations, provides research and guidance on transportation best practices, and is a potential source of funds for improvement projects throughout the County. 531Page This chapter considers Kittitas County's funding picture over the next 20 years and provides strategies to support implementation of the recommendations made as part of this Transportation Element. Any funding strategy must balance stated goals against developing sustainable revenue sources that are feasible for the County to implement. This is even more pressing given the limited means counties have at their disposal for raising revenue. Washington's counties are different from cities and special service districts in fundamental ways. These differences are brought into stark relief by considering the interplay of four factors: • Counties face strict limits ontheirtaxing authority. • Counties are heavily reliant on property taxes. Counties face a long list of regional service obligations that are mandated by the state. Counties have a complex set of relationships with multiple constituencies: o They collect regional taxes and provide regional services for all constituents in the county. o They collect local taxes and provide local services to unincorporated areas. Kittitas County has a long list of service obligations with few options for securing new revenue streams. As they look to the future, Kittitas County faces a fundamental, structural challenge—and this larger systemic issue must be considered as part of their long-term transportation funding strategy. 7.1 BALANCING FINANCIAL CAPACITY WITH FUTURE FUNDING NEEDS When comparing total available revenues for transportation with expected costs over the 20 -year planning horizon, revenues are sufficient to cover the capital project list but fall short of paying for the current estimated operating costs. Is See Appendix E for a detailed description for how each project was evaluated and scored relative to the transportation goals using a scoring matrix. Operating and state of repair expenditures total an estimated $178.2 million for the 20 -year planning horizon while revenues total $148 million, a gap of $30.2 million. Revenues for capital projects are an estimated $117.1 million, which would be sufficient to complete the $102.6 million in projects on the capital projects list. Detailed revenue and expenditure calculations can be found in Appendix E. Two main strategies can be used to balance this implementation plan: 1. Decrease expenses by decreasing level -of - service or further prioritizing capital projects. 2. Increase revenue, through increases in existing funding tools or implementation of new funding or financing tools. Funding and financing strategies should fund capital investments that are currently needed, as well as help the County sustainably fund future capital needs. DECREASEEXPENSES Prioritization Project prioritization is needed to help identify when best to fund and implement the projects since funding is limited. Criteria were established to help prioritize the projects and implementation 13 Using these criteria, the recommended projects were evaluated and ranked based on how well each could meet the criteria. High priority projects for Kittitas County are those that meet multiple criteria in terms of effectiveness, benefit to the community, and ability to be implemented. While the current 20 - year project list is not expected to exceed the County's revenue, these prioritization criteria can be used to evaluate future projects. Level of Service maintenance Current operating expenditures incorporate additional costs needed to bring locations failing LOS standards back into compliance. Going forward, 541Page expenditures will maintain existing levels of service, which may not be as capital intensive. FUTURE FUNDING STRATEGIES The following is a list of options for balancing future funding needs: • Increase Revenues through Existing Funding Tools: o County Admissions Tax o County Roads Levy (Property Taxes) o General Fund Appropriations o Sale of Existing Capital Assets o Real Estate Excise Tax 1 • Increase Revenues through New Funding Tools: o. $20 Vehicle Licensing Fee levied via a Transportation Benefit District 0 0.2% Sales and Use Tax levied via a Transportation Benefit District o Levy Lid Lift o Transportation Impact Fees o Road Improvement District (RID) o Local Option Fuel Tax o Real Estate Excise Tax 2 • Increase Revenues through New Financing Tools: o Limited Tax General Obligation (LTGO) Bonds o Unlimited Tax General Obligation (UTGO) Bond Table 12 summarizes the potential revenue that can be generated by these tools, explained in detail below. FUNDING TOOLS To following are potential options to address the $30.2 million funding gap in operating revenues over the 20 -year planning period. Each of these options has its own challenges, and there is no easy solution to balancing revenues and needs. Transportation Benefit District— Vehicle Licensing Fee (Non -Voted) Independent taxing districts created through ordinance can impose a vehicle fee on vehicles under 6,000 pounds, without voter approval, of up to $20. If a $20 fee has been in effect for at least 24 months, then a vehicle fee up to $40 can be imposed; if a $40 fee has been effect for at least 24 months, then a $50 vehicle fee can be imposed. Vehicle license fees can be as much as $100 with voter approval. Two ordinances are required to establish a Vehicle Licensing Fee, first a Transportation Benefit District (TBD) and then a Vehicle Licensing Lee itself. Currently, over 100 cities have established TBDs; the City of Kittitas is a Transportation Benefit District with a $20 Vehicle Licensing Fee. Kittitas County could potentially set a fee aligned with the City of Kittitas. Five counties have established a TBD: King, Pierce, Points Roberts (formed by Whatcom County), Snohomish, and Thurston County. According to Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) data, there are 27,549 vehicles registered in unincorporated Kittitas County. The DOL collects 1% of revenue generated from a Vehicle Licensing Fee. The fee can be collected six months after it is approved, and the County must notify DOL once the fee has been approved so that the fee can be included in vehicle renewal notices. Assuming a constant rate of registered vehicles to population, and projecting forward using population estimates, a $20 Vehicle Licensing Fee would bring in estimated annual additional revenues of $545,470 (after deducting 1% for DOL). This could be a phased approach, where the County implements a $20 fee for two years, then a $40 for two years, then a $50 fee for the remaining period. This could bring an estimated additional $557,054 during the first year and $31.6 million over the 20 -year period. This is sufficient to cover the $30.2 million operating deficit. Transportation Benefit District — Sales and Use Tax (Voted) Independent taxing districts created through ordinance can impose an additional sales and use tax of up to 0.2%. This would apply to unincorporated areas and could be aligned to sales and use taxes in cities. Currently, the City of Ellensburg is a TBD with a 0.2% sales tax. The tax must be reauthorized by voters after ten years. A Sales and Use Tax levied through a TBD could bring in approximately $718,636 annually, based on Unincorporated Kittitas County's 2016 taxable retail sales data from Washington State's Department of 551Page Revenue. Based on population projections, this is approximately $18.2 million over the 20 -year period. Property Tax Levy Lid Lift—County Road Fund Levy (Voted) Levy lid lifts can be permanent or temporary. If permanent, the revenue collected during the lid lift is used as the base to calculate the revenue limit for future levies. If temporary, the revenue limit for future collections is calculated as if the lid lift had not occurred. Counties can levy either a single -year or multi-year levy lid lift to increase county road property taxes in taxing districts without banked capacity beyond the 1% limit. With a permanent single -year lid lift, the County can increase the county road fund property taxes beyond the 1% limit in the first year, and then that amount is used to calculate all future 1% levy limitations. The measure never expires, and the levy lid never reverts. Single -year lid lifts may be submitted to voters at any special, primary, or general election. With a permanent multi-year lid lift, the County can increase the county road fund property taxes beyond the 1% limit (up to a limit factor specified in the ballot measure), for six consecutive years up to a rate equal to or less than the statutory maximum, which is $2.25 per $1000 of assessed value. After the six years, the total levy can increase by up to 1% annually. Multi-year lid lifts must be submitted at the primary or general election. Kittitas County is currently levying a County Road Fund Levy of only $0.97, but could bring this up to $1.75 per $1000 AV. With a permanent single -year lid lift by setting the 2019 levy rate at $1.75 per $1000 AV, the County Road Fund Levy could bring in an additional $3.6 million during the first year, or $62.3 million over 20 years, beyond what is currently being collected. This is based on projected valuations of property and new construction in unincorporated Kittitas County. Local Option Fuel Tax (Voted) Counties may levy a gas tax for local transportation purposes. The maximum rate is 10% of the state gas tax rate (the state rate is currently 49.4 cents per gallon, so the maximum Local Option Fuel Tax rate is 4.94 cents per gallon). Counties in a Regional Transportation Improvement District (RTID) may not levy the tax if the RTID is already levying a local option fuel tax. Revenues are distributed to the county and cities within the county on a per capita basis: 1.5 for the population in the unincorporated area and 1.0 for city populations. No counties in Washington have enacted this tax. The Washington State Joint Transportation Committee produced revenue estimates for a Local Option Motor Vehicle in their January 2017 Transportation Resource Manual. Fuel tax collections are estimated from the County's share as a percentage of total state fuel gallons taxed at 4.94 cents per gallon. The state total is based on actual fuel gallons consumed in FY 2016 and uses the November 2016 forecast for FY 2017 and 2018. The county's share is based on the Office of Financial Management's April 1 population estimates. This report estimates that a Local Option Fuel Tax could bring in $797,632 annually for Kittitas County. Over 20 years, using population projections, this could generate approximately $19.8 million over 20 years. Table 12 details the potential revenue from these funding strategies over the 20 -year planning horizon. s6IPage