HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-04-10-minutes-planning-update-covid-1904/10/2020 MINUTES 1
COMMISSIONERS' MINUTES KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON COMMISSIONERS CONFERENCE ROOM SPECIAL MEETING
FRIDAY 2:00 P.M. APRIL 10, 2020
Board members present: Chairman Brett Wachsmith; Via Phone: Vice-
Chairman Laura Osiadacz and Commissioner Cory Wright.
Others: Julie Kjorsvik, Clerk of the Board; Lisa Young, Human
Resource Director; Patti Johnson, Solid Waste Director/Interim
Maintenance Director/Project Manager. Via phone: Kady Porterfield,
Event Center Director; Greg Zempel, Prosecutor; and Deputy
Prosecutor Neil Caulkins.
SPECIAL MEETING PLANNING UPDATE/COVID-19 COMMISSIONERS
At 2:00 p.m. Chairman Wachsmith opened a Special Meeting.
TEMP. EMPLOYEE MAINT. TECH 1 AT AIRPORT MAINTENANCE
Patti Johnson, Solid Waste Director/Interim Maintenance
Director/Project Engineer, discussed having a Maintenance person
temporarily reassigned to work out at the airport. She said the
revenue was uncertain at this time and before the Board were to make
their decision, she would like to see where the Airport Director
could possibly find some savings to ensure they could take it on.
PLANNING UPDATES COVID-19 COMMISSIONERS
Lisa Young, Human Resources Director, explained how the Stay Home
Order was still in effect until May 4, 2020 and there are some who
will have exhausted their leave banks. There was discussion on non-
essential versus essential employees and she reviewed options for
the Boards consideration. She mentioned there was a layoff provision
within the Union Contracts. The Board was anticipating employees
being able to go back to work on May 5, 2020. They directed Staff
to set up a meeting with Judy Pless, Budget & Finance Manager, to
discuss any loss of revenue and projection on taxes with the
Treasurer. They would also like to solicit input from Department
Heads and Elected Officials on the options proposed by Ms. Young.
Commissioner Wright said he would be in favor of Option 3 and to
extend employees benefits despite if they are out of leave since
they’ve already been budgeted for. Commissioner Osiadacz said she
wanted to do what’s right for the employees, but they also need to
be sure of what the financial situation is at this time.
04/10/2020 MINUTES 2
Patti Johnson, Solid Waste Director/Interim Maintenance
Director/Project Manager, said they’ve been working on marking
floors and putting up protective barriers for long term measures so
they are prepared for when employees and public are allowed to go
back into the County facilities once it’s allowed. She said she
will be meeting with each department to determine any protective
measures they might need and how they’ve been working with Dr.
Larson for his guidance as well.
Commissioner Wright said the Professional Services Agreement with
the Ferguson Group is currently being reviewed by the Prosecutors
office.
Commissioner Osiadacz reviewed Public Lands and Forest Service land
closures which has been causing some confusion with the public. She
offered to draft a letter for the Boards consideration to assist the
public in what lands can or cannot be accessed and said she would
obtain approval first from Hilary Franz, Public Lands Commissioner
and Dr. Larson, Public Health Official to be sure there are no
conflicting messages.
Chairman Wachsmith said he has been having conversations with State
and local entities regarding infrastructure packages. They have
asked cities, CWU and the County for “shovel ready” projects. He
reviewed other available grants for local applicants.
Meeting adjourned at 3:03 p.m.
KITTITAS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS CLERK OF THE BOARD KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON Julie Kjorsvik Brett Wachsmith, Chairman