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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution_PF Agreement 2021_City of EllensburgKITTITAS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AGENDA STAFF REPORT AGENDA DATE: July 6, 2021 ACTION REQUESTED: Request to Approve a Resolution for the 2021 Distressed County Sales and Use Tax Infrastructure Improvement Program Agreement with the City of Ellensburg BACKGROUND: Kittitas County Conference of Governments (COG) met on April 21, 2021 to review the submitted applications. COG recommended awarding $283,868 to the City of Ellensburg. This Agreement is the final step in the award process. INTERACTION: Public Works; City of Ellensburg RECOMMENDATION: Approve & Sign the Resolution and the 2021 Distressed County Sales and Use Tax Infrastructure Improvement Program Agreement. HANDLING: Return one (1) original to Public Works ATTACHMENTS: Resolution; 2021 Distressed County Sales and Use Tax Infrastructure Improvement Program Agreement LEAD STAFF: Mark Cook Director of Public Works BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COUNTY OF IQTTITAS STATE OF WASHINGTON RESOLUTION NO: 2021 - APPROVING THE 2021 DISTRESSED COUNTY SALES AND USE TAX INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF ELLENSBURG WHEREAS: The 1999 Legislature did pass RCW 82.14.370 Sales and Use Tax for Public Facilities in rural counties; and WHEREAS: These funds may only be used to finance public facilities serving economic development purposes in rural counties and finance personnel in economic development offices in the State of Washington; and WHEREAS: The 2021 Distressed County Sales and Use Tax Infrastructure Improvement Program Agreement with the City of Ellensburg has been executed by said entity with funding available January 1, 2021; and NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: The Kittitas County Board of County Commissioners hereby approves the attached 2021 Distressed County Sales and Use Tax Infrastructure Improvement Program Agreement with the City of Ellensburg. ADOPTED this 6th day of July 2021. Attest: ❑ Clerk of the Board- Julie Kjorsvik BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON Brett Wachsmith, Chairman Laura Osiadacz, Vice -Chairman ❑ Deputy Clerk of the Board- Mandy Buchholz Cory Wright, Commissioner 2021 DISTRESSED COUNTY SALES AND USE TAX INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM AGREEMENT BETWEEN KITTITAS COUNTY AND CITY OF ELLENSBURG This Contract, dated 2021 is made and entered into by and between KITTITAS COUNTY ("County"), a subdivision of the State of Washington, and CITY OF ELLENSBURG ("Funding Recipient'). WHEREAS, the purpose of this Agreement is to provide for public facility construction and foster economic development opportunities within Kittitas County; NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the terms and conditions contained herein, or attached and incorporated and made a part hereof, the County and the Funding Recipient mutually agree as follows: Section 1. Scope of Work. a. Funding Recipient shall provide the services and staff described in its Application for Funds submitted to the Council of Governments, as Exhibit "A" which is attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference. b. Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement, Funding Recipient shall furnish the following as required to perform the services, described in Paragraph (a) above, in accordance with this Agreement: Personnel, labor and supervision; technical, professional and other services. All such services, property and other items furnished or required to be furnished, together with all other obligations performed, or required to be performed, by Funding Recipient under this Agreement are collectively referred to herein as "Services." Section 2. Payment. a. As full compensation for satisfactory performance of the Funding Recipient Services, the County agrees to pay Funding Recipient the sum of two hundred eighty-three thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight dollars ($283,868.00). b. Additional payment terms: The County will make payment to the Funding Recipient only on a reimbursement basis, as receipts for any items including marketing and/or advertising are submitted to the County. c. Requests for reimbursements must be submitted to: Kittitas County Public Works Attn: Joyce White 411 North Ruby, — Suite 1 Ellensburg, WA 98926 ioyice.white(d)co.kittitas.wa. us Distressed County Sales and Use Tax infrastructure Improvement Program Funding Agreement Page 1 d. Timely and accurate financial reporting is required for fund management by Kittitas County Department of Public Works. Financial reporting requirements for all grant awards are listed below: Using Kittitas County Department of Public Works reporting forms, applicants will submit project status reporting forms within fourteen (14) calendar days from the end of the reporting quarter as specified below: • Quarter 1 ending date: March 3161 • Quarter 2 ending date: June 30th • Quarter 3 ending date: September 30th • Quarter 4 ending date: December 318t Recipients may submit reimbursement requests on a monthly basis on Kittitas County Department of Public Works reporting forms. 2. Grant recipients who fail in meeting required reporting requirements are subject to having funding withheld on the fifteenth (15th) day following the end of the reporting quarter. Failure in submitting the required project status reports (two consecutive reporting cycles) may result in award cancellation upon COG review. 3. Financial reporting forms shall be signed by the identified grant official or designee. Section 3. Performance by Funding Recipient. a. Funding Recipient shall not (by contract, operation of law or otherwise) delegate or subcontract performance of any Services to any other person or entity without the prior written consent of the County. Any such delegation or subcontracting without the County's prior written consent shall be voidable at the County's option. b. Funding Recipient shall at all times be an independent Funding Recipient and not an agent or representative of the County with regard to performing the Services. Funding Recipient shall not represent that it is, or hold itself out as, an agent or representative of the County. In no event shall Funding Recipient be authorized to enter into any Agreement or undertaking for or on behalf of the County. It is understood that the Funding Recipient and the Funding Recipient's staff and employees are not employees of the County and are not, therefore, entitled to any benefits provided employees of the County. c. Funding Recipient shall comply with all applicable laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, orders, licenses, permits, and other requirements, now or hereafter in effect, of any governmental authority (including, but not limited to, such requirements as may be imposed upon the County and applicable to Services). Funding Recipient shall furnish such documents as may be required to effect or evidence such compliance. All laws, ordinances, rules, and orders required to be incorporated into agreements of this character are incorporated into this Agreement by this reference. Funding Recipient agrees to obtain all required licenses and permits, and further agrees to keep them in full force and effect during the term of this Agreement. Distressed County Sales and Use Tax Infrastructure Improvement Program Funding Agreement Page 2 d. The County and the Funding Recipient agree that in fulfilling the terms and conditions of this Agreement neither shall discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, marital status, or the presence of a physical, sensory, or mental handicap. e. The Services shall at all times be subject to inspection by and approval of the County, but the County's making (or failure or delay in making) such inspection or approval shall not relieve Funding Recipient of its responsibility to perform the Services in accord with this Agreement, notwithstanding the County's knowledge of defective or non -complying performance, or the substantiality or ease of discovering the same. Funding Recipient shall provide the County with sufficient, safe, and proper facilities and equipment for such inspection and free access to such facilities. This contract is subject to review by any Federal or State auditor. Funding Recipient shall promptly furnish the County or its designee, or such Federal or State auditor with such information related to the Services as may be requested by the applicable governmental entity. Funding Recipient shall preserve and maintain all financial records and records relating to performance of Services under this Agreement for six (6) years after contract termination. For such duration after the County makes final payment of compensation due hereunder, Funding Recipient shall provide the County access to (and the County shall have the right to examine, audit and copy, with or without notice) all of Funding Recipient's books, documents, papers and records related to the Services or this Agreement. g. Funding Recipient understands and acknowledges that Funding Recipient is solely responsible for its own reporting and accounting of all state, federal, social security, and local taxes, of every nature, arising from Funding Recipient's performance of this Agreement. All compensation received by the Funding Recipient will be reported to the Internal Revenue Service at the end of the calendar year in accord with the applicable IRS regulations. The grantee shall obligate funding towards construction of the project no later than six months from the time of grant execution (providing the grantee has not submitted the project as being "banked" — COG Policy 2018-05). Obligation is expected to take two forms: consultant contracting or contractor award. Presuming the COG recommends a design only phase of a proposed Public Facility grant, obligation requirements are met on the date of grantee signature on consultant design contract(s). COG recommended construction awards will complete obligation requirements on the date of grantee signature on construction contracts. Failure in obligating grant awards within the prescribed timeframe results in the grant award being remanded back to COG for recommended re -purposing by the Board of County Commissioners. i. The grantee is obligated to follow Public Facility Fund COG policies in effect at the time of grant award as reflected in the Resolution signature date authorizing recipient contracting. COG policies may be obtained from the Department of Public Works (509) 962-7523. Distressed County Sales and Use Tax Infrastructure Improvement Program Funding Agreement Page Section 4. Release. Indemnity. and Hold Harmless. The County assumes no liability for the Funding Recipient's actions under this Agreement. Funding Recipient releases and shall defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the County, its officers and employees, agents, representatives, attorneys and/or volunteers, from and against all claims, costs, liabilities, damages, and expenses, (including, but not limited to, reasonable attorney fees) which arise or may arise or be alleged to arise out of or by reason of this Agreement including: • Any fault, negligence, strict liability or product liability of Funding Recipient in connection with the Services for this Agreement; • Any lien asserted upon any property of the County in connection with the Services for this Agreement; • Any failure of Funding Recipient, or of the Services, to comply with any applicable law, ordinance, rule, regulation, order, license, permit and other requirement, now or hereafter in effect, of any governmental authority; or • Any breach of or default under this Agreement by Funding Recipient. Section 5. Compliance with Public Records Law. a. In compliance with Washington's public records law, the County will retain copies of any documents associated with this Agreement, which may be required by law unless legally exempt from such retention, for any applicable legally required retention period. b. In the event a public records request is made to the County for documents created in relation to this Agreement, should legal uncertainty arise regarding the disclosability of any documents under federal or state public records laws, the County shall provide notice to Funding Recipient pursuant to Washington's public records act, chapter 42.56 RCW, to allow Funding Recipient to seek a court injunction. c. The County specifically shall not be liable to Funding Recipient for the County's release under public records laws of any documents not protected by trademark, copyright or other law. Section 6. Industrial Insurance Waiver. With respect to performance of this Agreement and as to any claims against the County, its Additional Insureds, officers, agents and employees, the Funding Recipient expressly waives its immunity under Title 51 of the Revised Code of Washington, the Industrial Insurance Act, for injuries to Funding Recipient's employees and agrees that the obligations to indemnify, defend and hold harmless provided in this Agreement extend to any claim brought by or on behalf of any employee of the Funding Recipient. This waiver is mutually negotiated by the parties to this Agreement. Distressed County Sales and Use Tax Infrastructure Improvement Program Funding Agreement Page 4 Section 7. Insurance and Endorsements. a. The County may require through a request in writing that the Funding Recipient provide the County with a certificate, binder, or policy of liability insurance, acceptable to the County in an amount specified by the County. Such liability insurance shall be such as will protect Funding Recipient, its employees, agents and representatives, from all claims, losses, harm, costs, liabilities, damages and expenses arising out of personal injury (including death) or property damage that may result from performance of the Services or this Agreement, whether such performance is by Funding Recipient or any of its employees, agents or representatives. c. Should the County require such liability insurance, the Funding Recipient agrees to provide proof of insurance prior to commencing performance of this Agreement. d. Copies of the County's written request and the insurance documents provided by Funding Recipient shall be attached to this Agreement and by this reference will be made part hereof. e. Where insurance is requested by the County, all liability insurance policies shall be endorsed to include the County as an Additional Insured and shall stipulate that the insurance afforded by the policies shall be primary insurance, and that any insurance, self-insured retention, deductibles, or risk retention trusts maintained or participated in by the Parties shall be excess and not contributory to any other insurance maintained by the County. Funding Recipient shall furnish the County a certificate of insurance with Endorsement as evidence that the required policies are in full force and effect. Section 8. Termination. The County may, by written notice thereof to Funding Recipient, terminate this Agreement as to all or any portion of the Services not yet performed, whether or not Funding Recipient is in breach or default. Upon receiving such notice of termination, Funding Recipient shall, except as otherwise directed by the County, immediately stop performing the Services to the extent specified in the notice. In the event the County terminates the Funding Recipient's Services, the Funding Recipient is obligated and hereby agrees to refund to the County all monies paid for Services not yet rendered by the Funding Recipient, if any, as of the date of the notice of termination. Section 9. Miscellaneous. a. Funding Recipient shall not (by contract, operation of law or otherwise) assign this Agreement or any right or interest in this Agreement without the County's prior written consent. b. This Agreement embodies the entire Agreement between the County and Funding Recipient, and supersedes any and all prior oral or written communications, proposals, conditions, promises, representations, or understandings regarding the Services. No change, amendment or modification of any provision of this Agreement shall be valid Distressed County Sales and Use Tax Infrastructure Improvement Program Funding Agreement Page 5 unless set forth in a written amendment to the Agreement signed by both parties. c. Notice for any purpose under this Agreement, except service of process, shall be given by the Funding Recipient to the Kittitas County Commissioners and the Kittitas County Public Works Director, 411 North Ruby, Suite 1, Ellensburg, WA 98926. For all purposes under this Agreement, any notice by the County to the Funding Recipient shall be given to the Funding Recipient's address provided on the signature page. Notice may be given by delivery or by depositing in the U.S. Mail, first class, postage prepaid, certified mail, return receipt requested. d. The section and paragraph headings of this Agreement are for reference convenience only and are not intended to restrict, affect or be of any weight in interpreting or construing the provisions of such sections or paragraphs. e. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts and by facsimile, each of which will be deemed an original, but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument. Funding Recipient warrants to the County that the individual signing on Funding Recipient's behalf has the requisite power and authority to enter into and to perform Funding Recipient's obligations under this Agreement. Funding Recipient further warrants to the County that Funding Recipient has made no misrepresentation or misleading statement in connection with this Agreement, and is not in violation of any applicable law, ordinance, or regulation the consequence of which will or may materially affect Funding Recipient's ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement. g. If any term or condition of this Agreement or the application thereof to any person(s) or circumstances is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect the other terms, conditions or applications which can be given effect without the invalid term, condition or application. To this end, the terms and conditions of this Agreement are declared severable. h. The exclusive venue for any action brought to enforce this Agreement or any of its terms shall be in Kittitas County, State of Washington. Distressed County Sales and Use Tax Infrastructure Improvement Program Funding Agreement Page 6 KITTITAS COUNTY CITY OFLLENSBURG BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS 1 Brett Wachsmith, Chair Laura Osiadacz, Vice- Chair Cory Wright, Commissioner Dated: Attest: ❑ Clerk of the Board- Julie Kjorsvik ❑ Deputy Clerk of the Board- Mandy Buchholz APPROVED AS TO FORM: Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Address 509 -cfi62--7221 Telephone us Email Dated: Distressed County Sales and Use Tax Infrastructure Improvement Program Funding Agreement Page 7 Kittitas County Department of Public Works DISTRESSED COUNTY SALES AND USE TAX INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM APPLICATION The Distressed County Sales and Use Tax Infrastructure Improvement Program supports improvements to infrastructure systems that foster economic development in Kittitas County. The goal is to create economic opportunity through Infrastructure investment. APPLICANT INFORMATION Applicant: City of Ellensburg Contact Name: Ben Faubion Address: 501 N Anderson St City: Ellensburg Telephone: 509-925-8612 E-mail Address: faubionbCci.ellensburg.wa.us Office Location: Ellensburg WA Jurisdiction: City of Ellensburg Funds Request: $283,868 WA Zip: 98926 FAX: 509-925-8662 APPLICATION THRESHOLDS Applicant Requirement: Check -off: 21 1. The project Is improvement to an infrastructure system(s) linked to economic development. ❑x 2. A detailed 8 % X 11" vicinity map that clearly shows the project is included In the application package. ❑O 3. Distressed County funds are not being substituted for other funds that are already secured. Ox 4. The project involves traditional improvements, instead of "nondraditional" improvements eligible for "Enhancement' funding O 5. Applicant has submitted only one application this round. ❑x 6. The locallregional economic development organization has been informed of the project. M � N c m lL (n I O a) M ° a ~ M N N H M C a (A to fA f9 H> 16 IA e - C �Q1 O V d m OD m Z q GGo oho cd O 0D N N U tq K> K> u> u> to v). o w O 0> TN C °7 L � t a � C to v> v> v> v> 40 m O O d N C C M a d 00 N M L C a w v> v> 0% U9. N u> w v> o � N c m lL (n I ° Y a �Q1 N � d C C � C a a c c a LL LL r C M ro C u O kA O a U 4i m U c a y p a W NOD E64 ffl H y CD r 0 M 07 C! D A 0 N sO O ,�_, d N N '-' dl r O O F °. N o to O LL w -i N PROJECT NARRATIVE 1. Project Description: Describe the scope of work. Indicate the major work involved, including a brief comparison of existing and proposed conditions. The proposed project would provide fiber connectivity to three geographic locations within the City of Ellensburg, as well as provide a connection to the wastewater treatment plant and a future traffic signal located at the intersection of University and Reecer Creek. This will require the installation of both above and below ground fiber, vaults, cabinets, and splice cases. There is currently no existing fiber telecommunications infrastructure to these geographic areas. Once infrastructure is complete these locations will be a more attractive option for businesses. 2. Explain how the infrastructure project will help meet the economic development goals of your community and/or region. If this project is not done, will the anticipated private development still take place? As demonstrated by the recent and ongoing pandemic, businesses are more and more dependent on technology and the internet for their day to day operations. Point of sale systems at local merchants are the norm as well as online commerce. By having safe, reliable Gigabit telecommunications, companies that are looking for remote office locations would look to Ellensburg for its great quality of life for their employees. By extending our network, we would be introducing Internet services into these neighborhoods that are not only significantly faster than DSL and cable, but more reliable. With more reliable fiber connections, businesses and individuals are far less likely to experience temporary blackouts that can halt productivity in vexing and expensive ways. This would give the city a favorable position in attracting businesses, who in turn would benefit from fast, reliable access to the internet, making them more productive. The vacant land within the proposed build areas would be more enticing to prospective developers and businesses with fiber connectivity right to their lots. 3. Indicate if the project is consistent with the following applicable state, regional and local plans and prioritization processes: El Overall Economic Development Plan - Officially Adopted: December 18, 2017 O Comprehensive Land Use Plan - Officially Adopted: December 18 2017 O Capital Facility Plan — Officially Adopted: December 18. 2017 ❑ Community Action Plan (or other community-based plan) — Officially O Six -Year Transportation Improvement Plan — Officially Adopted: June 15. 2020 ❑ Site-specific development plans; e.g., Community Master Plan — Officially Adopted 0 Other: 2018 EBDA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN / EBDA Broadband Studv 4. Public Benefit: Please describe the public benefit derived from project completion. Being centrally located in the state, Ellensburg has the potential to become an economic player. It just needs investment in infrastructure that is enticing to tech workers and businesses around the state. By having Gigabit connectivity we are telling commerce that we are open for business. We are able to provide the infrastructure needed to companies that want a satellite office or have telecommuters, who would enjoy our quality of life. The proposal will greatly enhance these locations and should help entice economic growth to the area. Without these improvements we may remain a freeway stop farming town on the way to somewhere else. The city has experienced great benefits from the existing City owned fiber optic system in place which provides redundant and resilient fiber network connections for the NG911 Primary Access Point, Private networking and resilient gigabit internet for local Emergency Operations Centers, increasing public safety capabilities in our community, and redundant high capacity higher learning solution to Central Washington University. This grant would enhance these systems as well as the economic vitality to our community with the opportunity to further expand our broadband capabilities, and potentially improve the quality of life for our residents. Ellensburg was recently prioritized by the governor for economic development through the Opportunity Zones election process. Our proximity to the technology industry clusters in the Puget Sound area affords us a unique opportunity to grow this sector of our local economy. Robust broadband infrastructure along with Opportunity Zone benefits are critical to these efforts. 5. Define the total number of project partners demonstrating project support. Our efforts are supported by Central Washington University, a community partner which has a vested interest in high speed internet access for their students, faculty and employees. The Ellensburg Chamber of Commerce, The Ellensburg Downtown Association, Ellensburg Rotary, and other organizations, business and individuals who support economic development in our town all understand the importance of internet access for economic growth and for future opportunities in our community. 6. Explain how construction ready this infrastructure project is relative to design completeness and the permitting process. Gateway 1 is currently at 90% design. Bull Road Extension is at 90% design with permits secured from WSDOT for passing under 190. Gateway 2 is in the early design and planning stages but will be very similar to the Gateway 1 design. 7. Indicate the Estimated Number of Short Term and/or Permanent Jobs Created/Retained by the Project. 550 Currently there is approximately 330 acres of undeveloped land along the project areas. the 330 acres of undeveloped land can support 110 new businesses, assuming 3 acre lots. If these businesses employed an average of 5 employees each, the proposed project can support and serve approximately 550 employees. Submit the original application to: Kittitas County Department of Public Works 411 N. Ruby, Suite #1 Ellensburg, WA 98926 Applicant Certification Certification is hereby given that the information provided is accurate and the applicable attachments are complete and included as part of the application package. I certify that application thresholds are met at the time of application. Signature of Official Representative Sponsoring Agency (If Applicable) Signature of Agency Representative Typed or Printed Name Z//7/z( Date Date Date Associate Economic Development Organization Notification The organization listed below has received notification of this application as demonstrated by the signature of the organization's representative. 96f a . okt� e�c� Nam of Organization tea Signature of RdpiieseniratiVe Date a//7/ar:3/ Kittitas County Department of Public Works Receipt of Application Signature of Kittitas County DPW Representative Typed or Printed Name Date KITTITAS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS DISTRESSED COUNTY INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM APPLICATION DUE DATES FY 2021 Distressed County Infrastructure Improvement Program, applications are initially due to Kittitas County Department of Public Works for conceptual approval of the infrastructure project. Distressed County Infrastructure Improvement Program applicants are invited to appear at the COG meeting when the project's criterion is reviewed. APPLICATIONS DUE COG MEETING DATES 2021 Application due Date Presentations during COG Meetings February 17, 2021 ........................................ Mareb 2021 COG Meeting "Funding available January 1, 2021 Future Traffic W HELENA AVE Signal Location GATEWAY 1 PROJECT W 15TH AVE W DOLARWAY RD Connect to Existing City Fiber in Existing Fiber Cabinet E HELENA AVE N j H GATEWAY 2 PROJECT w N � W z r~il ECAPITOL AVE Z a z o'E�o Z Connect to Existing r0 14TH AVE N E DEAN NICHOLSON BLVD Connect to Existing w y City Fiber in Existing 3 a V Splice Case z *P8 z y�<t E UNIV�' • VANTAGE HWY 14, ...... W ........ i W 5TH AVE G vW CAPITOL o AVE C � J_ a NA z h = pAli E DUttTA1N rc NM \ z a W UMPTANUM Jill� RD J City of Ellensburg Vicinity Map 6 V � ECmLLwq Q ti s ' �o p 90 `. E 5TH AVE N j H GATEWAY 2 PROJECT W x v z r~il ECAPITOL AVE Z J Connect to Existing a City Fiber in New EMANITOBAAVE Splice Case E MOUNTAIN VIEW AVE Wastewater Treatment Plant 0 0.25 0.5 1 Miles KITTITAS HWY BULL RD UTILITY EXTENSION PROJECT Legend ❑ Existing Fiber Cabinet H Existing Splice Case 10-/ New Splice Case — New Aerial Fiber New Underground Fiber .F f In'Me ; J4ti5�. �� - TT 5r 4 Ltl .. Y _,_. '^`'t'�"v' t-iN::}[t' Jt �kr:I�;, recognized by the American Public Gas Association for its commitment to safety for many years. The natural gas utility issues safety-related information throughout the year for the general public. The natural gas utility offers a variety of services to the public, including assistance with applying for a service, with altering a service, or for developers so that they know what information is required when applying for a natural gas system for a subdivision or plat. In an effort to mitigate higher wholesale electricity rates, the natural gas utility provides many incentives for adding gas service lines and switching to natural gas appliances for both homeowners and developers. The 6 -year Natural Gas System Plan (2015-2020) estimated that the current contractual natural gas supply limit of the natural gas distribution system was such that the City would increase existing peak loads by 20%. Although there is a relationship between population growth and peak loads, the increase to peak load will depend on the future natural gas appliances that are installed (e.g. water heaters and stoves/ranges that have daily loads, compared to furnaces and fireplaces that contribute to peak loads). The City anticipates that incorporating the 2.0% population growth and projected Ellensburg population of 32,540 by 2037 into its next system model to be completed in 2021 will result in the current contractual natural gas supply limit could be reached within the next 20 years. The City will seek additional pipeline capacity as the natural gas utility approaches the current contractual natural gas supply limit. The Capital Improvement Plan for the natural gas utility is anticipated to be primarily funded through a combination of ending fund balance, revenue generated through rates and revenue bonds. Grants are not typically available for natural gas utility capital improvements. At the end of 2016 the ending fund balance for the natural gas capital improvement plan was approximately $2.3 million. The debt to total assets ratio can be used to assess the utility's leverage for bonding. At the end of 2016, debt as a percentage of total assets for the natural gas utility was 26.3%. Based on industry standards and accepted debt ratios in the current market, the natural gas utility indicates sufficient leverage to bond for capital improvement projects that will accommodate the projected 20 year growth. Telecommunications The City of Ellensburg is the most recent municipality in Washington State to have a City -owned telecommunications system, which was constructed in 2015. The City created a telecommunications utility in 2014 that currently services 50 locations with over 25 miles of overhead fiber optic cable and two miles of underground fiber optic cable. There is currently excess capacity in the telecommunications system, and if all fiber optic strands are eventually utilized the city would be able to replace the network hardware as necessary to gain additional capacity. The City lights the network with City -owned equipment. Operation and management CITY OF ELLENSBURG COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 9 CAPITAL FACILITIES AND UTILITIES c PAGE 102 ;rr��v��:yc�rryn�s��l of the network has been ongoing since 1999 under prior lease arrangements. In 2016 the City began to contract with Northwest Open Access Network for wholesale telecommunications services. The City provides telecommunications services to customers, the municipality, public agencies, and telecommunications service companies. The City provides network services, internet access services, dark fiber services, and others Unlike other City owned and operated utilities that serve residents and businesses, the telecommunications utility has no obligation to serve all City customers. The 3 -year Telecommunications Strategic Plan (2015-2017) evaluated the costs, benefits, competitive risks, and community support to expand the City's 27 mile fiber optic network to reach all residents and businesses. Based on the outcome of the strategic plan and to minimize competitive risks, City Council decided to extend the network to reach customers that are willing to pay for their costs for service extensions. The City Council considered, but did not choose to proceed with a citywide fiber to the premise project due to the projected $22 million capital investment, unrealistic high customer rates that would need to be achieved to remain solvent, competitive risks with other service providers, and a lack of community support at that time. The Capital Improvement Plan for the telecommunications utility is anticipated to be primarily funded through a combination of revenue generated through rates, grants, and revenue bonds. Typically the telecommunications utility has been successful at receiving grants for telecommunications utility capital improvements that focus on economic development. The 2016 grant revenue for the telecommunications facility was approximately $343,000. As a relatively new utility the City has used general obligation funds to bond telecommunication capital improvements. Library The City of Ellensburg operates a public library, founded in 1907 in partnership with Andrew Carnegie by the Women's Municipal Movement Society of Ellensburg. The Society donated two lots on the corner of 3'd Avenue and Ruby Street and opened the library in 1910. The library has maintained a historically and socially important location in Ellensburg's downtown core, and continues to serve as the heart of the city, providing services to residents throughout the region. CITY OF ELLENSBURG COMPREHENSIVE PLAN e CAPITAL FACILITIES AND UTILITIES • PAGE 103 Goal CFU -4 Support the use of data and technology to meet residents' needs and improve efficiency of services. Policy A Support information and communication technology that allows city officials to interact directly with the community and the city's Infrastructure. Program 1 Consider metering technology migration from the City's legacy automatic meter reading (AMR) to advance metering infrastructure (AMI) for electric, natural gas, and water utilities. Program 2 Use information and communication technology to monitor Infrastructure and efficiency of services. Policy B Encourage new and cost-effective information and telecommunications technologies that would benefit residents and improve services. Program 1 Facilitate communication technology deployments for next generation wireless services, such as the use of City utility poles, streetlight poles, traffic signals, and other City assets for small cell deployment. Program 1 Encourage public-private partnerships to take advantage of the city's fiber optic network to facilitate innovation, and expand service delivery. Goal CFU -5 Maintain consistent countywide planning policies for siting of essential public facilities. Policy A Continue to support and work with the Kittitas County Conference of Governments (COG) to establish a process for siting essential public facilities that are of a countywide or statewide nature as set forth in the countywide planning policies. Program 1 Maintain an inventory of existing essential public facilities in the City of Ellensburg and its UGA. Program 2 Apply the siting process outlined by the Kittitas County Countywide Planning Policies to all essential public facilities identified by the City, the County, regional agreement, or by State or federal government when such facilities are proposed within the City or the UGA. Program 3 Maintain regulations that ensure essential public facility siting is consistent with all adopted City ordinances and the adopted City comprehensive plan. CITY OF ELLENSBURG COMPREHENSIVE PLAN o CAPITAL FACILITIES AND UTILITIES e PAGE 113 �'��iR"'7���4r�i'�I,A���1Y � FlWAi�. _ �,�, .�; -R"-�+ -"�i'• ; J T%�" `.,,>�' Program 4 Coordinate with Kittitas County and other public entities to establish an official map identifying precise arterial corridors, public parks and open spaces, and other public facility locations for current and future dedication and/or acquisition. Program 5 Assist in coordinating the construction of a public safety broadband network, utilizing City telecommunications utility assets if necessary and appropriate. Goal CFU -6 Provide quality library materials and services to fulfill the current and projected educational, information, cultural, and recreational needs of the entire community in a location and environment that is welcoming and accessible. Policy A Maintain and enhance the library collection to meet the lifelong learning needs and recreational interests of the entire community. Policy B Seek funding to meet and maintain the Level of Service Standards for our growing population. Policy C Maintain sufficient facilities to provide a range of library services that meet current and projected community needs. Policy D Maintain current programming and community space at the Hal Holmes Center for Library and community use. Goal CFU -7 Uphold law and order while maintaining peace and safety for citizens and police officers by providing the best in public safety services. Policy A Maintain accreditation through the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs. Policy B Maintain sufficient facilities to provide public safety services that meet current and projected community needs. Policy C Continue to seek and provide innovative training opportunities for staff and volunteers. Policy D Use social networking and other data sharing opportunities, as appropriate, to provide information and education to create better citizen understanding of Ellensburg Police Department services. Policy E Continue to provide citizen engagement opportunities and events that enable community interaction with the Ellensburg Police Department. CITY OF ELLENSBURG COMPREHENSIVE PLAN e CAPITAL FACILITIES AND UTILITIES e PAGE 114 ;;�i`T y �"1`• t� N;'r„ �a =rr-�: :ti. ^:si'� "u 7" M=i. '�®I�`'li9F� P: ©���tW�� The Central Washington University Strategic Plan calls for continued public service and community engagement, with emphasis on the level of collaboration between the University and local communities to contribute to the education, social, and economic progress of Washington communities. Tourism Ellensburg is home of the Kittitas County Event Center which hosts the Kittitas County Fair and Ellensburg Rodeo. The Fair and Rodeo is held each Labor Day weekend and records between 65,000 and 70,000 visitors each year. The event is continuously ranked in the top 10 rodeos in the nation. The Event Center is located on 21 acres and is valued at about $8.2 million. The Event Center hosts more than 1,500 events throughout the year providing service to community organizations, trade shows, expositions, equestrian and livestock events, and other special events. The Center includes conference and event spaces, an indoor arena, stock pens, barns, RV hookups, and on-site parking. With some structures built over 90 years ago, the Kittitas Valley Event Center is listed on both the Washington State and National Register of Historic Places, offering both cultural and economic opportunities for Ellensburg and the surrounding region. Technology sector While the technology sector is not a significant portion of Ellensburg's current economy there is potential to grow this sector of Ellensburg's economy. The technology sector tends to offer well -paying jobs and is attracted to good schools, high quality of life, and recreational amenities. Due to Ellensburg embodying these characteristics as well as the City of Ellensburg's telecommunications utility (see Capital Facilities and Utilities chapter) the technology industry may be an area of focus for future economic development. Arts and Culture The arts play an important role in the economy in Ellensburg; home to many artists, designers, creative entrepreneurs, and art nonprofits that often get classified under other sectors of income. The creative sector includes nonprofit arts organizations such as Laughing Horse Foundation who serves as a fiscal sponsor for seven performing arts related organizations such as Jazz in the Valley and the Ellensburg Film Festival. With over 12 participating businesses and year round monthly events, the First Friday Art Walk serves as a regular economic contribution to Ellensburg's economy. CITY OF ELLENSBURG COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 9 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT . PAGE 125 ACTION ITEMS Airport master plan implementation Collaborate with Kittitas County to ensure the implementation of the airport's master plan contributes to the overall economic growth in the region, and that Ellensburg's land use plans are compatible with continuing airport and airport -related uses. Economic development vision and strategic plan Collaborate with local economic development organizations to prepare an economic development vision and strategy for Ellensburg, which identifies the types of land use designations and the relative priorities of capital investment necessary to foster economic development and promote living wage jobs in Ellensburg. Increase usable industrially -zoned property Review the industrial land inventory and identify and implement steps within the City's control to make more light industrial land available in less constrained areas. Kittitas Valley Event Center Master Plan Encourage an updated long-term plan for the Kittitas Valley Event Center in order to facilitate long-term growth and best land use. Collaborate with the Kittitas Valley Event Center as a major cultural site and economic generator in Ellensburg. Streamline/automate permitting process Review land use permitting processes and make adjustments as necessary to streamline approval processes while still ensuring projects enhance Ellensburg's economic vitality and community character. POLICY CONNECTIONS Policies and programs that address energy efficiencies and renewable energy are addressed in the Capital Facilities and Utilities and Environment chapter. The Transportation and Capital Facilities and Utilities chapters address policies and programs regarding the development of infrastructure for economic development including roadways, transit facilities, and telecommunications. Goals, policies, and programs that address commercial and industrial land use designations are addressed in the Land Use chapter. Policies and programs that address affordable and diverse housing options are in the Housing chapter. CITY OF ELLENSBURG COMPREHENSIVE PLAN e ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT m PAGE 133 RESOLUTION NO. 2020- A RESOLUTION adopting the City of Ellensburg r s Six -Year Transportation Improvement (STIP) Plan for the years 2021 to 2026, inclusive, as recommended to the City Council by the Public Works and Utilities Department. WHEREAS, a public hearing on the Plan was held before the Ellensburg City Council on June 15, 2020 in the manner required by RCW 35.77.010; WHEREAS, the STIP has been updated for 2021-2026 in accordance with the State requirements; NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council for the City of Ellensburg, Washington as follows: Section 1. That the Six -Year Transportation Improvement Plan, attached hereto, for street and arterial street improvements for the years 2021 to 2026, inclusive, as now filed with the City Council of the City of Ellensburg, be and the same is hereby approved and adopted. ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Ellensburg this 15th day of June, 2020. ATTEST: 148 EXHIBIT A •CumN yYW p.leds gWWn l accoemo1p wm".. •RIP MW eells lar re a AdoninoA q . p*ds to be Mee d hom Sales Tax Poserve, W repla. Me Fedem15TP W ding y lcn Is now Hawn for Petaneal wMelt "allay lundln5. (Avempe aewal need W o eday Ue aeeflal e1rml VAWm m 0 15 year cytle h In cxreae of SaOO M Per year.) DDxcacccc Foss Dccp Cccpcc For CenterFuse Ellensburg, Washington 33 ,�1- 21 CCC r-inc ENGINEERING INTEGRITY INTO EVERYTHING s L Consuffing CenterFuse Broadband Feasibility Report RECOMMENDATIONS Following is a list of ideas about how CenterFuse might be able to play a role in improving broadband reliability, quality and security in the greater Ellensburg community. Before discussing individual recommendations, it is important to discuss what advocacy might mean for CenterFuse. As the Ellensburg Business Development Authority (EBDA), CenterFuse has a wide range of latitude in responding to the following recommendations. Advocacy could mean something as simple as trying to persuade ISPs or the city to change practices which would improve broadband. For example, CenterFuse could lobby the ISPs to improve networks and provide better broadband and could be successful in bringing about needed improvements. But as the EBDA, CenterFuse could do a lot more. As an example, the first suggestion just below is to push to get fiber to all businesses. There arc a number of ways this could be made to happen, such as the following: • Encourage Consolidated, Charter, and City Fiber to build more fiber. • Pursue grants that would help one of the three existing ISPs to expand fiber. • Partner with one of these entities to build more fiber. • Attract an additional ISP to the market to construct a new network to compete with the other providers. This paper does not recommend the specific way that CenterFuse should advocate for better broadband for businesses because this project was aimed at identifying the broadband issues in the market. CenterFuse does not have enough facts to consider some of the above solutions, so the first step needed if CenterFuse wants to take an active role in solving this issue would be to undertake more research needed. As an example, CenterFuse can't contemplate funding fiber until you've quantified the cost of building fiber. CenterFuse has a wide range of approaches for addressing most of the issues idcntified in this report. To the extent that CenterFuse chooses to tackle any of these issues, your response could range from pure advocacy to building the needed infrastructure and providing the needed solution. CCG Consulting has worked with a number of economic development agencies that have been able to build when nobody else was willing to do it. Advocate for Better Business Broadband 1. Expand Fiber Networ The fact that many businesses in downtown Ellensburg have the option to buy fiber broadband from more than one ISP means that the business broadband environment is better than most other cities for at least some part of your market. Consolidated claims it is willing to bring fiber to businesses in most parts of the city. But the fact remains that most of the businesses outside of downtown don't yet have fiber broadband. Page 11 CenterFuse Broadband Feasibility Report CenterFuse can help to get better broadband for businesses in a number of different ways as was described in the on the prior page. 2. Consider Providing Technical Assistance for Small Businesses Several businesses expressed the need for help with deploying broadband more effectively inside their buildings. This issue was raised by several downtown businesses located in older buildings where WiFi won't carry through older, thicker walls. But this could easily apply to businesses anywhere in the city. Businesses often don't for help with broadband questions and end relying on whatever ISPs tell them. CenterFuse may be able businesses with this and other technical issues. This might include hiring consultants to help businesses or providing small grants for businesses to find solutions. This solution also likely would lead to a training component so that businesses can learn the basics of how to best use broadband. 3. Create Diverse Routing to Ensure Emereencv Resilient As noted in the findings, the city is vulnerable to a major fiber cut since almost all Internet traffic to and from the city passes to the west to Seattle. Currently, City Fiber is the only ISP in the community with diverse routing to the Internet — City Fiber connects both through the east to Seattle, and to the south along US 97 to Portland. The danger of the current routing is that a catastrophic event along the fiber path to the west could cut off Internet access for everybody not .served by City Fiber. Only the handful of customers served by City Fiber would remain in service after a catastrophic event to the west, while all residential customers and most businesses served by Charter and Consolidated could face a prolonged broadband outage. This is an issue shared by many cities in the US and this same situation is likely true for many other cities in the region. The incumbent providers could take advantage of diverse routing — in this case Charter and Consolidated could choose to also route to Portland — but they are electing to not spend the extra money. CenterFuse can lead the charge to implement diverse Internet routing. This might happen in several ways. The simplest situation would be to convince the current ISPs to use a second diverse route. A second Internet path from the city could either follow the path used by City Fiber to Portland or could go east to Spokane. If Charter and Consolidated continue to ignore diverse routing, then CenterFuse can push for other solutions. Most such solutions would mean migrating businesses and residents to an ISP and network that values diverse routing. There are probably a dozen different ways to do this that would include such options as having City Fiber expand its network to more businesses and to serve residences, partnering with a new ISP to build fiber everywhere, or even having CenterFuse fund a fiber network. All of these options warrant additional study beyond the scope of this project. 4. Imnrove Residential Broadba While the project focused on business broadband, it revealed key gaps in the residential broadband environment in Ellensburg that impact business vitality and opportunity. Unlike business broadband, which in some ways is better than many other communities, the residential broadband in Ellensburg is not as good as in other competing markets in the state. For example, the nearby cities of Wenatchee, Moses Lake, and Ephrata and surrounding rural areas have fiber broadband available to all residents and Page 12 CenterFuse Broadband Feasibility Report businesses due to fiber expansion undertaken by the local municipal PUD electric companies. Looking to the west, the broadband in Seattle and surrounding communities is faster, with ISPs like Comcast offering faster residential broadband than is provided by Charter in Ellensburg. Businesses that will consider relocating will care about the overall broadband environment and not just the broadband that is available to businesses. Employers want to have the option for employees to work from home. They care that employees and their family can enjoy the educational and other important benefits of good broadband. Businesses considering Ellensburg might be scared off by residential broadband that is not as good as in other markets. As mentioned earlier, there are numerous ways that CenterFuse could advocate for better residential broadband. Following are some of the ways CenterFuse could help promote better residential broadband: A. Enhance Residential Fiber Networks Bother Charter and Consolidated could do better. There are a number of ways that each ISP could improve broadband in Ellensburg, and CenterFuse encourage the incumbents to do better: • The speed test results and surveys indicate that there are likely physical or electronics impediments in the Charter network that are creating pockets of the town where broadband is not as good as elsewhere. CenterFuse could lobby directly, or join with others in the community to push Charter to fix network problems. You might undertake gathering more speed tests to document the problem. However, it's likely that Charter knows about its network problems and weaknesses. • Today, Consolidated still holds a significant market share in the city even with DSL technology. In most cities the cable company has gotten a much larger share of the market than Charter has achieved in Ellensburg. There is no realistic way to make Consolidated DSL much better. There are newer DSL technologies that could improve DSL broadband speeds to as much as 80 Mbps. But such upgrades are expensive and telephone copper is a dying technology. Consolidated is already serving businesses with fiber close to a number of residential neighborhoods. Even today the company will provide fiber to a residence, but only at the same high rates charged to businesses. Consolidated could reach a number of residences without a costly construction program. Interestingly, Consolidated is building fiber to serve residential customers in many other communities around the country. But the corporation doesn't have the financial ability to build fiber everywhere. Consolidated is like all ISPs and will pay the most attention to communities that can convince it that building fiber is in its best interest. CenterFuse could work with Consolidated to help it find ways to justify expanding fiber in Ellensburg. B. Consider a Public -Private Partnership with Consolidated Consolidated is new to Ellensburg, having acquired the market from FairPoint in 2017. Since the purchase, Consolidated is reported as doing a great job of bringing better broadband to the Page 13 CenterFuse Broadband Feasibility Report business community. A more powerful way to work with Consolidated would be through the creation of a public / private partnership between the company with CenterFuse. Consolidated is interested in such partnerships because they have joined partnerships elsewhere. Consider the following example: In 2019, the New Hampshire legislature passed bill SBI 70 that allows municipalities to bond for a broadband network as long as the town doesn't have existing broadband speeds of at least 25/3 Mbps. Several small towns in the state took advantage of the new legislation and entered into a partnership with Consolidated, the new incumbent telephone company serving much of the state. Consolidated entered the New Hampshire market when it acquired FairPoint in 2017. One example is Dublin, a town of a little more than 1,500 residents. This town was not served by Consolidated and had no available DSL broadband — meaning satellite or cellular broadband was the only choice for residents. In the announced partnership, the town of Dublin is financing a $1.3 million bond to build fiber to every resident and business in the town. The voters passed the bond by a vote of 223 to 5. The town will own the network and has partnered with Consolidated to operate the business. Consolidated will make the bond payments, so the town is not on the hook for covering the bond. However, the residents of the town are the ones really making the payments. Consolidated plans to add a surcharge to each broadband bill of $11.50 per month until the bonds are retired. Residents are not required to subscribe to broadband and won't pay the surcharge unless they are a Consolidated broadband customer. This partnership benefits everybody. Homeowners get great broadband on fiber, a huge step up in technology. Consolidated gets new customers that are assumably profitable. The town benefits from having given everybody the opportunity to have much faster broadband. The New Hampshire towns were not in the same situation as Ellensburg since there was no existing broadband. But the partnership demonstrates that Consolidated is willing to pursue a reasonable partnership. If Ellensburg wants better broadband, then a conversation with Consolidated would be an important early step. It's likely that Consolidated would want a local contribution of some sort, but since Consolidated already has a 35% market share in Ellensburg a partnership would likely be quite a bit different than the New Hampshire example. C. Establish a New Fiber Network in the Community. There are a dozen different possible business plans for bringing a new fiber network to Ellensburg. For example, City Fiber could build broadband to every resident. A new ISP could come to the city and build a fiber network. CenterFuse has bonding capability and you could raise the money to build a new fiber network that could be staffed as a new business, operated with a partner, or used to provide open access to multiple ISPs. To contemplate such expansion of fiber would generally warrant a full fiber feasibility study that studies the cost of building fiber and that creates various business models that look at a myriad of operating models. Page 14 CenterFuse Broadband Feasibility Report 3. Improve Residential Broadband in the Surrounding Rural Areas The most difficult challenge to solve by the community is improving broadband in the areas surrounding Ellensburg. Any prospective employers are going to consider broadband in the area, not just broadband available in the city or broadband available to businesses. There is no easy way to solve the rural broadband gaps discussed in this report. But it can be done. As an example, nearby Chelan and Grant PUDs have undertaken the construction of rural fiber by the Public Utility Districts in those counties. Those particular counties have an easier way to finance fiber than most counties since both counties own and operate large hydroelectric dams. But there are many PUDs in Washington without that financial advantage that are finding rural broadband solutions. There are rural counties all across the country that are finding rural broadband solutions. There are a number of steps that other rural counties have taken to find broadband solutions. Some ideas to improve broadband around Ellensburg include: Some communities have kick-started better broadband by funding a broadband feasibility study for rural areas. The most important aspect of such a study is to engage with engineers to identify the local issues with expanding broadband networks and to estimate the cost of building new broadband infrastructure. It's a lot easier to have the conversations with ISPs about better broadband if the community is armed with the facts and knows the costs of building better broadband. Not knowing the facts is always a showstopper, but we've seen that understanding dollars makes for a different conversation than plain advocacy. • Work with the Kittitas PUD to understand their plans, if any, to pursue broadband. If they have no such plans, ask that they consider it. If they have broadband plans develop a propose strategies that improve service to Ellensburg. • Work with existing ISPs. There might be a good business case that can be made for Charter to extend its network for a few more miles outside of the city. Charter has undertaken similar expansion plans around existing markets all over the country in the last few years. CenterFuse might need to paint a picture of why such expansion can be a success for Charter. • There are also several wireless ISPs operating outside the city. Most of these WISPS are offering slow broadband speeds due to not having fiber to their towers. It might be possible to work with the WISPS to increase broadband speeds around the city to speeds of 50 Mbps — 100 Mbps. Page 15 Business looking to place a facility Ellensburg view the strong workforce and being a university as a plus. Strong Workforce EBDA's Competitive Position Advance EBDA's Position B Highly educated, youthful, ready- Identify opportunities to connect intellectual to -get -the -job -done workforce, power of faculty and students to prospective business needs. A regional university with the Identity which industry certifications are capacity and desire to create valuable, and partner with CWU to customized degree or certificate develop/deliver them. programs to meet current and future workforce needs. 'College town' feel with low taxes, Develop a workforce strategy that aligns good schools, intellectual and economic development and workforce goals. cultural opportunities, and an Include in the strategy incentives for unparalleled quality of life, workforce education. Proximity to the Puget Sound Actively seek out public-private partnerships to region, Washington's major urban further investment in business attraction. area. Address infrastructure shortcomings (e.g. broadband). For a business to site in Ellensburg the necessary infrastructure must be currently available or easy to acquire. For the purposes here, infrastructure refers to roads, rail, airport, telecommunications, transit, utilities, and any capital assets that a business might look for in its evaluation of siting a new facility. Within EBDA's area of influence, but outside its span of control, lies the rail and interstate road system, and a key potential regional economic asset, Bowers Field Airport. Location on two major interstate Prepare and maintain a searchable database c freeways, I-82 and I-90. properties available or potentially available for lease or purchase. Be positioned to, at a moment's notice, respond to siting requests from businesses/business representatives. Infrastructure EBDA's Competitive Position Advance EBDA's Position B Single -point utilities for gas, Convene expertise in dark fiber and broadband electric, water, and sewer. For as it relates to economic development, and high-volume electrical users, explore creating a self-sustaining fiber optic single -user load rates available. model. Fiber optic network system Fully understand and utilize the capabilities of including 14 miles of fiber EBDA's Public Development Authority and infrastructure used to transmit big future any designations. data and provide wi-fi Internet delivery. Fare -free public transit system Fully understand, keep abreast of and actively supported by voter passage of a pursue economic development tools available 2/10"' sales tax increase. such as the Opportunity Zones. Vacant land for build -to -suit, and Facilitate future focused improvement or responsive city permitting process. enhancement opportunities for the Kittitas County Airport (Bowers Field). Rail network with private and public spurs available. Support new construction by connecting to resources such as New Markets Tax Credit. Housing infrastructure funding approved November 2017. SUMMARY Needs to be developed Posture I Recommendation rise in undergraduate students selecting CWU as their learninq place, Find ways to redevelop the Ellensburg ELLENSBURG'S ECONOMIC WEAKNESSES There is a lack of recent experience with strategic economic development. As opportunities present themselves, the community attempts to respond. Ellensburg lacks a mature strategic economic development infrastructure — the people, funding, and policies that shape long-term growth and development. The recovery of Ellensburg's downtown core since the Great Recession demonstrates the will of the city officials and local business leaders to set the priorities and do the work associated with strategic economic development. • Comprehensive transportation network. Ellensburg's strength is its position at the crossroads of two major interstate roads, I-90 and I-82. However, Ellensburg is described as a'sleeper'town in terms of rail traffic (291 railcars between December 2015 and December 2017) with limited rail sidings and few, poorly maintained shared rail spurs. The Kittitas County Airport lacks regular maintenance, resulting in the closure of a runway. Posture Recommendation The Kittitas County Airport, formerly a Find ways to redevelop the Ellensburg military installation, has been Airport, making it an economic asset neglected for decades. for our community and our region. Attract a master plan developer for aerospace and aviation. Support ongoing legislative efforts aimed at maintaining the region's existing airport infrastructure. Identify land and land use adjacent to rail service. • Broadband/wifi. The City of Ellensburg operates a Telecommunications Utility which provides low cost, reliable long haul fiber optic and intemet service to businesses in Ellensburg. Business can subscribe to a 300 mps shared service, a 1,000 mps shared service, or a custom dedicated fiber optic service for fast, secure data transfer. 14 miles fiber infrastructure; dark Establish an EBDA sub -committee fiber available. Fiber may be used to comprised of EBDA board members transmit big data, and the city has and area experts to explore a self- sustaining model to provide fiber optic Posture Recommendation capacity to also provide wifi internet and wife services as a means to service. promote economic development. land and space for businesses. Increase understanding and impact of Property owners list their property for smart city infrastructure and the rent or sale on CraigsList, etc. or internet of thinas iot . Developable land, available space. Even though our community is experiencing higher than average population growth, a business can still find vacant land zoned to suit the building a new facility. An inventory of existing commercial locations for rent, lease or sale is needed, and is under development. Posture Recommendation Ellensburg lacks comprehensive, up- Prepare and maintain a searchable to -date information about available database of properties available or land and space for businesses. potentially available for lease or Property owners list their property for purchase. rent or sale on CraigsList, etc. or and pursue best options. simply post a sign while others employ the services of a real estate professional. • Lack of revenue diversity. As the economic development entity of Ellensburg, the EBDA lacks a diversified, sustainable revenue stream so the organization can support economic development. Posture Recommendation EBDA's only revenue source is rental Talk to other Washington State Public income from the City's Incubator Development Authority's about their Building and the EBDA Airport revenue streams. Identify Building, opportunities to diversify revenues, and pursue best options. Retail activity. Ellensburg's downtown core has grown in strength and vitality since the Great Recession. Exports, including timothy hay, continue to be one of Washington's top exports by volume. However, while small retail businesses continue to do well and grow, our community still exhibits high retail leakage. Posture Recommendation Good recovery from the Great Push the market to Ellensburg — Recession, but Ellensburg still spends without gas sales, retail leakage is millions on retail activity in lar er around 20%. Identify and pursue