HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-03-19-minutes-200pm-public-hearing03/19/2019 MINUTES 1
COMMISSIONERS' MINUTES
KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
COMMISSIONERS AUDITORIUM
SPECIAL MEETING
TUESDAY 2:00 P.M. MARCH 19, 2019
Board members present: Vice-Chairman Brett Wachsmith and
Commissioner Laura Osiadacz. Excused: Chairman Cory Wright.
Others: Mandy Buchholz, Deputy Clerk of the Board II; Kady
Porterfield, Event Center Director; Mark Cook, Public Works
Director/Interim County Engineer; and 11 members of the public.
PUBLIC HEARING EVENT CENTER RATES EVENT CENTER
At 2:04 p.m. VICE-CHAIRMAN WACHSMITH opened a Public Hearing to
consider adopting amendments to Fees of the Kittitas Valley Event
Center Rental & Use Fee Schedule.
KADY PORTERFIELD, EVENT CENTER DIRECTOR reviewed a Staff Report and
explained that the proposed rental rates reflect changes based on
community & customer concerns with the “all-inclusive” rate of the
Rodeo Arena set in 2018. She explained that many customers do not
use the additional facilities bundled in the “all-inclusive” rate
and solely want to use the Rodeo Arena. The “all-inclusive” bundle
caused the rate for the Rodeo Arena to increase by over 28.5% and
the 2018 rates have prevented new customers from using the Arena
because of the cost and long-time customers are having to look
elsewhere to hold their events as they can no longer afford the
facility.
THOSE PRESENT & TESTIFYING: TOM LUFT, RESIDENT expressed his
support for the proposed rental rate changes and questioned whats
included in the rate. GEMMA WOLFENBARGER, RESIDENT questioned if the
High School Rodeo Club would qualify for the 20% discounted rate for
non-profits. JACK WALLACE, RESIDENT spoke in favor of the proposed
rate changes and stated that the County needs to work on getting
folks back here because we are centrally located. LORAINE VARRIANO,
CASCADE COW CUTTERS encouraged the County to keep rates low. DAVE
HUBER, CASCADE COW CUTTERS stated that they don’t feel welcome and
when they come for their events they get shuffled around a lot.
JANIE LARSON, CASCADE COW CUTTERS stated that they spend a lot of
money when they come to the County for events and since it’s a
central location people want to be here but they don’t feel like
it’s inviting. SAMANTHA ROBBINS, RESIDENT stated that because of the
central location the County needs to make folks want to be here. She
stated that she grew up here and was never able to use the
facilities for the events she participated in because the groups
couldn’t afford the facility. She stated that she understands the
03/19/2019 MINUTES 2
facility has maintenance needs but they also need to keep rates low
for users to afford them. She thanked Ms. Porterfield for her
efforts so far. THERE BEING NO OTHERS REQUESTING TO TESTIFY, THE
PUBLIC PORTION OF THE HEARING WAS CLOSED
RESOLUTION 2019-053 EVENT CENTER RATES-AMENDED EVENT CENTER
COMMISSIONER OSIADACZ moved to approve Resolution No. 2019-053, To
Adopt Amendments to Fees of the Kittitas Valley Event Center Rental
& Use Fee Schedule. VICE-CHAIRMAN WACHSMITH seconded. The Board
thanked everyone for coming in and sharing their concerns and
thanked Staff for their work on the issue. Motion carried 2-0.
PUBLIC HEARING STOP SIGNS – KCC 10.12.010 PUBLIC WORKS
At 2:15 p.m. VICE-CHAIRMAN WACHSMITH opened a Public Hearing to
consider placement of a four way stop at the intersection of
Umptanum Road, Manastash Road and Riverbottom Road and to amend KCC
Section 10.12.010 Stops and Yields Streets.
MARK COOK, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR/INTERIM ENGINEER provided a Staff
Report. He stated that two residents requested placement of
additional stop signs on Umptanum Road in October 2018. He stated
that Public Works conducted a speed study in late fall of 2018 and
recently produced results of the study for evaluation. He stated
that the Board conducted a Public Hearing on 2/19/19 to consider a
speed reduction for Umptanum Road. The Board elected to not move
forward with the requested speed reduction. He stated that at that
time Public Works notified the Board that they had failed to
advertise the requested stop sign request with the speed reduction
and is now formally addressing the stop sign request. Director Cook
stated that they received two letters for the record one from Erva
Hatfield and one from Brenda & Bryan Nass both not in support of the
request.
THOSE PRESENT & TESTIFYING: LOREN WILHITE, RESIDENT stated he was
not in support of the proposal and feels there isn’t anything wrong
in the area. RICK COLE, RESIDENT stated that he is opposed to the
proposal as are most of his neighbors. THERE BEING NO OTHERS
REQUESTING TO TESTIFY, THE PUBLIC PORTION OF THE HEARING WAS CLOSED.
COMMISSIONER OSIADACZ moved to take no action on the proposed
Ordinance or the request. VICE-CHAIRMAN WACHSMITH seconded. The
Board thanked Staff for putting in the time to bring forward the
proposal. VICE-CHAIRMAN WACHSMITH stated that he had spoken with
the Sheriff’s Office and they will have more of a presence in the
area. Motion carried 2-0.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:42 p.m.
03/19/2019 MINUTES 3
KITTITAS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
DEPUTY CLERK OF THE BOARD KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Mandy Buchholz Brett Wachsmith, Vice-Chairman