HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-02-21-minutes-fish-food-bank-proposal
02/21/2019 MINUTES 1
COMMISSIONERS' MINUTES
KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
901 EAST 7TH AVE – ARMORY A
SPECIAL MEETING
THURSDAY 9:00 A.M. FEBRUARY 21, 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; Peggy L. Morache, Executive Director of FISH
Community Food Bank; and 5 members of the public.
SPECIAL MEETING FISH COMMUNITY FOOD BANK COMMISSIONERS
At 9:00 a.m. Chairman Wright opened a Special Meeting to consider a
proposal from the FISH Community Food Bank.
Peggy Morache, Executive Director of the FISH Community Food Bank,
explained how there was an urgent need for them to find a new location
for their meal services including Senior Nutrition, dining area and
administrative offices by June 2019. They have reached out to another
church that is looking at the possibility of allowing them to
temporarily relocate so those services are not interrupted. She noted
they have a very good relationship with Mercer Creek Church and there is
no animosity between the two of them, but both organizations have
reached a point of outgrowing their needs. The remaining Food Bank and
Food Pantry must be off of the Mercer Creek Church campus by January
2020. She said they were requesting assistance from Kittitas County
including the use of the building adjacent to the airport that is
currently used by Elmview, or approximately 2.5 acres of land where they
could construct a new building including a commercial kitchen; space for
social service agencies for one-on-one meetings to assist FISH clients;
a permanent location for Ellensburg Cold Weather Shelter that would
provide shower and laundry space for guests; as well as education
programs on topics related to cultivating better eating habits, healthy
life styles, budgeting and other quality of life issues. They are
anticipating mobile pantries to serve the Upper County and Kittitas
areas, as well as a site on the Central Washington University campus.
Chairman Wright said he understood the value of the services FISH
provides to Kittitas County but explained the reasons why he would not
be in favor of relocating out at the airport area. He said when the area
of the airport is built, it would be industrial and the FISH Food Bank
02/21/2019 MINUTES 2
didn’t seem to be a good fit in that area. He offered to look at other
potential options for the short term. Commissioner Wachsmith expressed
his support of allowing FISH Food Bank to relocate to the Elmview
building. He felt they have always been good neighbors and well
respected in the community. Commissioner Osiadacz supported their
request to relocate to the Elmview building and felt it made sense for
them to utilize the space.
Ms. Morache reviewed the plans they’d like to see in a future building
of approximately 14,500 square feet, which would make it both
comfortable and appealing to the community.
The Board expressed their support of relocating FISH Community Food Bank
to the Elmview building and directed Mr. Cook to put together a
Resolution for the Board’s consideration at a later date.
Mark Cook, Public Works Director/Interim Engineer explained the
logistics and process that FISH would need to go through including a
lease model and offered assistance. The Board of County Commissioners
expressed their support of Mr. Cook providing assistance to FISH.
Chairman Wright said although he didn’t necessarily support the idea of
relocating FISH out to the airport area because of the possible future
plans, the other two Commissioners were in favor of the request and
therefore he would support their efforts as they are a valuable asset to
our community. He offered to draft a letter of support for the Boards
consideration to assist them with possible future funding options, etc.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 a.m.
KITTITAS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
CLERK OF THE BOARD KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Julie Kjorsvik Cory Wright, Chairman