HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-08-11-minutes-public-hearing08/11/2020 MINUTES 1
COMMISSIONERS' MINUTES KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON WEBEX SPECIAL MEETING
TUESDAY 9:00 A.M. AUGUST 11, 2020
Board members present via WebEx: Chairman Brett Wachsmith; Vice-
Chairman Laura Osiadacz; and Commissioner Cory Wright.
Others via WebEx: Julie Kjorsvik, Clerk of the Board; Mandy
Buchholz, Deputy Clerk of the Board II; Taylor Crouch, Deputy Clerk
of the Board I; Mark Cook, Public Works Director/Interim Engineer;
Benjamin West, Director of Airport Operations; Neil Caulkins, Deputy
Prosecutor; and 17 members of the public.
PUBLIC HEARING FISH - LEASE BOWERS FIELD PUBLIC WORKS
At 9:00 a.m. Chairman Wachsmith opened a Public Hearing to consider
a proposed Land Lease with FISH Community Food Bank.
MARK COOK, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR/INTERIM ENGINEER provided a Staff
Report and reviewed a proposed 30-year land Lease with FISH
Community Food Bank. He recommended approval of the Lease for Lot C-
30 of the Bowers Field binding site plan (BS-18-0001). COMMISSIONER WRIGHT asked questions of Staff including the right of first
refusal. NEIL CAULKINS, DEPUTY PROSECUTOR and BENJAMIN WEST, DIRECTOR OF AIRPORT OPERATIONS answered questions and provided
clarification on the appraisals. PEGGY MORACHE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF FISH reviewed their intentions on the space as well as the
services they provide to the community. CHARISSA JOHNSTON, REPRESENTING FISH reviewed a provision to address wrongful
termination term.
THOSE PROVIDING PUBLIC TESTIMONY: DIANE BRIGGS, FISH BOARD OF DIRECTORS spoke of the value of a long-term lease to the community. MARCUS BOWMAN, CHAIRMAN OF THE FISH BOARD thanked the Commissioners
for working with FISH in establishing a permanent home. MICHAEL WILSON provided information on the funding plan. PHIL BACKLUND, FISH BOARD OF DIRECTORS spoke in favor of the lease and felt it
would be extremely beneficial to their clients and community. STEVE LATHROP questioned the provisions of the Lease and the difference in
opinions. He urged the Board to take the time to get it right before
approving it and that as it currently reads it is not a benefit to
Kittitas County. PEGGY MORACHE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF FISH thanked
everyone for their input and was in favor of redefining the document
to ensure it is fair and equitable for everyone involved. THERE BEING NO OTHERS REQUESTING TO TESTIFY, THE PUBLIC PORTION OF THE HEARING WAS CLOSED.
08/11/2020 MINUTES 2
COMMISSIONER WRIGHT moved to continue the Public Hearing to August
18, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. to allow for additional time to redefine the
terms of the lease. COMMISSIONER OSIADACZ seconded.
COMMISSIONER WRIGHT thanked everyone involved for their work. He
explained retaining light industrial out at the Airport, and that
the investment by FISH would be significant and he believes they
will be a good, long term tenant. COMMISSIONER OSIADACZ said she’s
observed a lot of support for FISH and it’s proposed location. She
said she will be ready to move forward with the proposed Lease at
the continued Public Hearing. CHAIRMAN WACHSMITH said he was a
proponent of FISH and felt they were a good fit out in the area.
Motion carried 3-0.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:38 a.m. KITTITAS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS CLERK OF THE BOARD KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Julie Kjorsvik Brett Wachsmith, Chairman