HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-09-01-minutes-200pm-public-hearing09/01/2020 MINUTES 1
COMMISSIONERS' MINUTES KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON WEBEX SPECIAL MEETING
TUESDAY 2:00 P.M. SEPTEMBER 1, 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;
Judy Pless, Budget & Finance Manager; Neil Caulkins, Deputy
Prosecutor and 12 members of the public.
PUBLIC HEARING PHEASANT LANE – PUBLIC ROAD NETWORK PUBLIC WORKS
At 2:00 p.m. CHAIRMAN WACHSMITH opened a Public Hearing continued
from August 18, 2020 to consider the establishment of an opened
County Right-of-Way known as Pheasant Lane onto the Public Road
Network. He noted the record was closed.
MARK COOK, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR/INTERIM ENGINEER reviewed a Staff
Report and said that following many comments from agitated residents
and a law firm against the request, he recommended denying the
proposal at this time, remanding it back to Staff to allow
discussions with the Department of Natural Resources and other
interested parties. He also suggested bringing it back to the Board
for consideration before the end of the year.
COMMISSIONER WRIGHT moved to deny the request to establish an opened
County Right-of-Way known as Pheasant Lane onto the Public Road
Network; remand it back to Staff for further discussions with
interested parties; and to bring it back before the Board by the end
of 2020. CHAIRMAN WACHSMITH seconded.
COMMISSIONER OSIADACZ acknowledged she briefed the Board during the
August 31, 2020 Office Administration Meeting, following meeting
with property owners in the Pheasant Lane area. COMMISSIONER WRIGHT
said he appreciated Director Cooks recommendation. He felt it would
provide a good opportunity for the Public Lands Advisory Committee
to work with the Department of Natural Resources. Motion carried 3-
0.
PUBLIC HEARING CDBG - COVID-19 COMMISSIONERS
At 2:07 p.m. CHAIRMAN WACHSMITH opened a Public Hearing to review
community development and housing needs, inform citizens of the
availability of funds and eligible uses of the State Community
09/01/2020 MINUTES 2
Development Block Grant (CDBG) and receive comments on proposed
activities, particularly from lower income persons residing in the
Kittitas County area.
CATHY BAMBRICK, INFUSE STRATEGY, LLC reviewed a proposed grant
application to obtain funds for the Community Development Block
Grant. She indicated there was up to $292,365.00 is available to
Kittitas County as a consortium with all cities applying to fund
CDBG public services and local microenterprise assistance programs;
rental and mortgage assistance and daycare expenses for people who
have lost income due to COVID-19 impacts. All CDBG funded
activities must benefit low-and moderate-income persons or meet the
CDBG urgent need national objective criteria.
THERE BEING NO ONE REQUESTING TO TESTIFY, THE PUBLIC PORTION OF THE HEARING WAS CLOSED. CHAIRMAN WACHSMITH moved to approve and authorize the joint
Community Development Block Grant application, in the amount of
$292,365.00. COMMISSIONER OSIADACZ seconded. Motion carried 3-0.
RESOLUTION 2020-149 CERTIFICATION OF COMPLIANCE COMMISSIONERS COMMISSIONER OSIADACZ moved to approve Resolution No. 2020-149,
Certification of Compliance (for CDBG Public Services Grant). CHAIRMAN WACHSMITH seconded. Motion carried 3-0.
OTHER BUSINESS: COMMISSIONER WRIGHT mentioned the need for a Public Information
officer. He felt there was a need to hire one as soon as possible. CHAIRMAN WACHSMITH felt recent events have highlighted the need for
a PIO. COMMISSIONER OSIADACZ felt having a PIO was important to
ensure there are no discrepancies in messaging. She referred to a
Press Release submitted by the Health Department and the Boards
letter to the Kittitas School District and how there it created a
lot of concern from community members as well as the news outlets.
The Board felt they could pay for the position with CARES funding
for September and October. The Board agreed to follow up with the
Human Resource Director in relation to the position.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:20 p.m. KITTITAS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS CLERK OF THE BOARD KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Julie Kjorsvik Brett Wachsmith, Chairman