HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes-2021-115BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
COUNTY OF KITTITAS
STATE OF WASHINGTON
RESOLUTION No: 20n-X5
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 82.14.310 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 2021Distressed County Sales and Use Tax Infrastructure Improvement
Program Agreement with the City of Ellensburg.
\\\\\lllllll'/i/,/
y 2021.
f, Clerk of the Board- Julie Kjorsvik
Clerk of the Board- Mandy Buchholz
$roUat
BOARD OF COI.INTY COMMISSIONERS
KITTITAS CO
Vice-Chairman
ABSENT
Cory Wright, Commissioner
Attest:.///,l i1,as
lllll\\
2021 DISTRESSED COUNTY SALES AND USE TAX INFRASTRUCTURE
IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM AGREEMENT
BETWEEN KITTITAS COUNTY AND CITY OF ELLENSBURG
This Contract,dated 9,a I , 2021 is made and entered i nto by and
between KITTITAS GOUNTY ("County";, a su
CITY OF ELLENSBURG ("Funding Recipient").
bdivision of the State of Washington, and
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 othenrise 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. Pavment.
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 ($283,863.00).
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.
Requests for reimbursements must be submitted to:
Kittitas County Public Works
Attn: Joyce White
411 North Ruby, - Suite 1
Ellensburg, WA 98926
iovce.wh ite@co. kittitas.wa. us
a
b
c.
Distressed County Sales and Use Tax Inlrastructure Improvement Program Funding Agr""nFEEL t
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:
1. 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. Quarter 2 ending date. Quarter 3 ending date. Quarter 4 ending date
March 31st
June 30th
September 30th
December 31"t
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
subjoct to having fundins withheld on the fifteenth (15th) dav followinq
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 bv 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. ln no event shall Funding Recipient be authorized to
enter into any Agredment or undertaking for or on behalf of the County, lt 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 dnd Use Tax lnfrdstructure lmprovement Program Funding OIr""TE1;L ,
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.
f. 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 compensatjon 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 reporled to the
lnternal Revenue Service at the end of the calendar year in accord with the applicable
IRS regulations,
h. 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
(50e) e62-7523.
Distressed County Sales and lJse Tdx lnfrastructure Improvement Program Funding Agr""TEE"
A
Section 4. Release. lndemnitv. 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 requiremeni,'now or
hereafter in effect, of any governmental authority; or
. Any breach of or default under this Agreement by Funding Recipient,
Section 5. Gompliance with Public RecordE Law.
a. ln 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. ln 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 disclosabilityof any documents under federal or state public records laws, the County shail
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. lndustrial lnsurance Waiver.
WiJh .respect to peformance of this Agreement and as to any claims against the County, its
Additional lnsureds,_officers, agents and employees, the Funding Reciplent expressly wiives
its immunity under Title 51 of the Revised Code of Washington, the lndustrial insurance Act,
for injuries to Funding Recipient's employees and agrees itrat the obligations to indemnify,
defend and hold harmless provided in this Agreement extend to any cliim brought by or on
behalf of any employee of the Funding Recipient. This waiver is muiually negotiated by theparties to this Agreement,
Distressed County Sales and llse Tax tnfrastructure Improvement Program Funding Onn"nFEEL
n
Section 7.. lnsurance 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.
b. 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 lnsured 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 fullforce 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. ln 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.
Funding Recipient shall not (by contract, operation of law or othenrvise) 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
a
Distressed County Sales and Use Tax Infrastructure Improvement Program Funding Onrt"TEEL ,
unless set forth in a written amendment to the Agreement signed by both parties.
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.
f. 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. lf 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.
c
Distressed County Sales and Use Tax lnlrdstructure Improvement Program Funding Onr""TE1;ru
U
KITTITAS COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY
B hair
M ERS
CITY OF LENSBURG
Addresss, Vice- Chair
ABSENT Eoq -4szqTLl
Cory Wright, Commissioner
Dated 1 Q
Telephone
Email
cl t/s
Dated b-22 - 202
3,ni*6..o,,.Julie Kjorsvik
---\ i rn
7:A'..
of the Board- Mand y Buchholz
r olAtt
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney
Distressed County Sales and llse Tsx lnfrastructure lmprovement Program Funding AgretrFE1;L,
Kittitas Gounty
Department of Public Works
DrcrnnssnD CouNry Salns AND Usn TAx,,
IMPROVEMENT PNOCN,q.M APPLICATION
i{, r :
InrrnnsrRUCTURE
The Distressed Gounty Sales and Use Tax lnfrastructure lmprovement Program supports
improvements to infrastructure systems that foster economlc developmeni in Kittitas Gounty. Thegoal is to create economic opportunity through lnfrastructure investment.
APPLICANT INFORMATION
I
I
l
i
I
I
I
j
i
Applicant:
Gontact Name:
Address:
Gity:
reiepr,one:
E+nall Address:
Office Location:
Jurlsdlctlon:
Funds Request:
City of Ellensburg
Ben Faubion
501 N Anderson St
Ellensburg
sog-sii-tiktz
faubionb@ci.ellensburg.wa. us
Ellensburg WA
City of Ellensburg
$283,868
't' -"
lWAZlp:..i.
I FAX:s09-925-8662
98926
I
I
.:
APPLICATION TIIRESHOLDS
Appllcant Requlrement:
Check-off:
El 1. The proJect ls improvement to an infrastructure system(s) linked to economlc development.
2. A detalled 81/2X 11" viclnity map that clearly shows the project ls lncluded ln the
appllcatlon package.
3. Dlstressed County funds are not being substltuted for other funds that are already secured.
4. The project involves traditional lmprovements, lnstead of "non-traditional" improvements
eliglble for "Enhancsment" funding
5. Applicant has submitted only one appllcatlon thls round.
6. The local/regional economlc development organlzation has been lnformed of the proJect.
E]
E]
E
PROJECT BUDGETFundingSourcesDistressed County Funds Requested: _$283.868OtherFederalState:$LocalGovernment$ ze,386.soProject Total:Distressed Gounty Fund Matching Ratio:*Please explain other type ofFunding:PreliminaryEngineeringPhase$ zrJso.so $$ 28,386.80 $Right ofwayPhaseConstructionPhasels FundingSecured - Yor N?ProjectTotal$$$ 283,868 $ 283,868$ 283,868 $ nz,zsa.to1Oa/o$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ot,oo/oYo2
PROJECT NARRATIVE
1. Project Description: Describe the scope of work. lndicate 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 communlty
and/or region. lf 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 lnternet 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. lndicate if the project is consistent with the following applicable state, regional and local plans and
prioritization processes:
tr Overall Economic Development Plan - Officlally Adopted: December 18,2017
B Gomprehenslve Land Use Plan - Officially Adopted: December|8. 2017
Capital Facllity Plan - Officially Adoptedr December 18, 2017
communltyActlonPlan{orothercommunlty.basedplan)-officiallyAdopted-
Slx.Year Transportatlon lmprovement Plan - Officially Adopted: June 15. 2020
Site.e peclfic development plans; e.9,, Gommunity Master Plan - Officially Adopted-
E
tr
E
tr
tr
3
4. Public Benefit:
Please describe the public benefit derived from project completion.
Being centrally located in the state, Ellensburg has the potentialto become an economic
player. lt 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 thal
want a satellite office or have telecommuters, who would enjoy our qualily 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 sysiem in place which provides redundant and resilient fiber network connections for the
NGg11 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 CentralWashington 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 demonstratlng 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 ihis infrastructure project is relative to design completeness and the
permltting procoss.
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. lndicate 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. lf
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 Certifi cation
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 certifu that application thresholds are met at the time of application.
Z
Signature of Oflicial Representative
Sponsorlng Agency
(If Applicable)
Slgnature of Agency Representative Date
Typed or Printed Name Date
Associate Economlc Development Organization Notification
The organlzation listed below has recelved notification of this application as demonstrated by the
signature of the organizationts representative.
/r*fu
/ara . C/tornb€r f 6rttt-rq-
Z
Date
N
Signature of
Organizatlon
a. I rr /;uDa t
Dete
Kittitas County Department of Public Works Receipt of Application
Signature of Kittitas County DPW Representative Date
Typed or Printed Name
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 furvited to appear at the COG meeting when the
project's criterion is reviewed,
APPLICATIONS DUE COG MEETING DATES
2021 App-lication due Date Presentations during COG Meetings
March 202ICOG MeetingFebruary 17,2021
**Funding available January 1,2021
6
Future Traffic WHELENAAVE E HELENAAVE
ton F
al,c,IuoJ,,
z'
i
i
:
o
='ZlJ:
-(:5
Zi
l
GATEWAY 1 PROJECT eocW IsTHAVE
gt4TH AvE
FouuI
k
=z
E DEAN NICHOLSON BLVD Gonnect to Existing
City Flber in Existing
Splice Case
I
i
:
.$ts1
uNN6d'VANTAGE HWY
5TH AVE
CAPITOLAVE
{
Emn Connect to Existing
City Fiber in Newr Splice CaseE MANITOBAAVE
E MOUNTAIN VIEWAV*E .lllrilTArs tll,vY.
BULL RD UTILITY
EXTENSION PROJECT
WDOLARWAYRD
Connect to Existing
City Fiber in Existing
Fiber Cabinet
Ur.
74 ll
Clty of Ellensburg Vicinity Map
N
A
E
V
A Eld&uro
Wastewater
Treatment Plant
0
Legend
n Existing Fiber Cabinet
)x( existing Splice Case
X ruew Splice Case
r fil6vvf,erial Fiber
:r.-r fls111 Underground Fiber0.25 0.5 1 Miles
CIIY O[ TLLENSBLjRC COMF'REITFNSIVI PIAN
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,
ln 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 bV 2O%, 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.9. 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
modelto be completed in 2021 will result in the current contractual naturalgas 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 lmprovement Plan for the natural gas utility is anticipated to be primarily funded
through a comblnation 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 $Z.g 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 naturalgas utility
indicates sufficient leverage to bond for capital improvement projects that will accommodate
the projected 20 year growth.
Telecommunlcatlons
The Clty of Ellensburg ls the most recent munlcipallty in Washington State to have a Clty-owned
telecommunlcations system, which was constructed ln 2015. The Clty created a
telecommunicatlons utility in 2014 that currently servlces 50 locatlons wlth over 25 mlles of
overhead fiber optic cable and two miles of underground fiber optic cable. There ls currently
excess capacity ln the telecommunlcations system, and lf all flber optlc strands are eventually
utlllzed the city would be able to replace the network hardware as necessary to gain addltlonal
capacity. The Clty lights the network wlth City-owned equlpment. Operation and managernent
CITY OF ELLENSBURG COMPREHENSIVE PLAN e CAPITAL FACILITIES AND UTILITIES r PAGE 102
CAFIIAt I'i\i iL ll ltS ANl.t l.]TlLllitli
of the network has been ongoing since 1999 under prior lease arrangements. ln 2016 the City
began to contract wlth Northwest Open Access Network for wholesale telecommunications
services.
The City provides telecommunications services to customers, the municipality, public agencies,
and telecommunicatlons service companles. The City provides network services, lnternet access
services, dark fiber services, and others.
Unlike other City owned and operated utlllties that serve resldents and businesses, the
telecommunicatlons utility has no obligation to serve all Clty customers. The 3-year
Telecommunications Strateglc Plan (2015-2017) evaluated the costs, benefits, competltlve rlsk,
and community support to expand the Clty's 27 mlle flber optlc network to reach all residents
and businesses. Based on the outcome of the strategic plan and to mlnlmize competitive risks,
City Councll declded to extend the network to reach customers that are willing to pay for thelr
costs for servlce extenslons. The City Councll considered, but dld not choose to proceed wlth a
citywide flber to the premlse prolect due to the projected $22 mllllon capital investment,
unrealistic high customer rates that would need to be achleved to remain solvent, competitlve
rlsks wlth other servlce provlders, and a lack of communlty support at that tlme.
The Capital lmprovement Plan forthe telecommunicatlons utillty is antlclpated to be prlmarlly
funded through a combinatlon of revenue generated through rates, grants, and revenue bonds.
Typically the telecommunlcatlons utllity has been successful at receiving grants for
telecommunlcatlons utility capltal lmprovements that focus on economlc development. The
2015 grant revenue for the telecommunlcatlons facllity was approxlmately $343,fl)0. As a
relatively new utllltythe City has used general obligatlon funds to bond telecommunlcatlon
capltal lmprovements.
[ibrary
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 3rd 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 o CAPITAL FACILITIES AND UTILITIES o PAGE 103
CAPITAL FACILITIES AND LJTIIITIES
Goal CFU-4 Support the use of dato and technology to meet resldents' needs
and lmprove efficiency of seruices.
Policy A Support informatlon and communlcation technology that allows clty
officials to interact directly with the community and the cltfs
infrastructure.
Progrom I Consider metering technology migration from the City's legacy automatic
meter reading (AMR)to advance metering infrastructure (AMl) for
electric, natural gas, and water utilities.
Program 2 Use lnformatlon end communication technology to monitor
lnfrastructure and efficiency of services.
Pollcy B Encourage new and cost-effective lnformatlon and telecommunlcatlons
technologles that would beneflt resldents and lmprove servlces.
Program I Facllitate communication technology deployments for next generation
wireless services, such as the use of City utility poles, streetlight poles,
traffic signals, and other Clty assets for small cell deployment.
Progrom 2 Encourage publlc-private partnerships to take advantage of the clty's
fiber optic network to facilitate innovatlon, and expand service delivery.
6oal CFU-S Malntaln conslstent countywlde plannlng policles lor sltlng ol
essentlol publlc facllltles,
Pollcy A Contlnue to support and work wlth the Klttitas County Conference of
Governments {COGI to establlsh a process for sltlng essentlal publlc
facllltles that are of a countyurlde or statewlde nature as s€t forth ln the
countyurlde plannlnt pollcles.
Program I 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 r CAPITAL FACILITIES AND UTILIIIES r PAGE 113
Cl-iY OF IL LtNSBURt-, (-t.ilt4pFr[ ]'lIlii5lVI Pl Ai\
Progrom 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 coordinatlng the construction of a public safety broadband
network, utllizlng City telecommunicatlons utillty assets lf necessary and
appropriate.
Goal CFll-O Provide quolity library materiols snd seruices to futliil the current
and projected educational, information, cultural, and reueational
needs of the entire communlty in a location dnd environmentthat is
welcoming and accessible,
Poticy A Maintain and enhance the library collection to meet the lifelong learning
needs and recreational interests of the entire community.
Pollcy B Seek funding to meet and maintain the Level of Service Standards for our
growing population.
Policy C Maintaln sufficlent 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.
Goat CFll-7 ttphold law and order whtle maintaining peace ond safety for
citlzens and police officers by providing the best in public safety
seruices.
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 opportunltles 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 r CAPITAL FACILITIES AND UTILITIES r PAGE 114
F CONOMIC DEVELOPME f.'JT
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 S8.2 million. The
Event Center hosts more than 1,500
events throughout the year providing
service to community organizations, trade sho6 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 sectar
Whlle the technology sector is not a signlficant portlon of Ellensburg's current economy there ls
potential to grow thls sector of Ellensburg's economy. The technology sector tends to offer
well-paylng Jobs and is attracted to good schools, high quality of life, and recreatlonal
emenitles. Due to Ellensburg embodylng these chCracterlstlcs ss well as the City of Ellensburg's
telecommunlcatlons utllity (see Capltal Facllities and l,ftilities chapterl the technology industry
may be an ar€a of focus for future economlc development,
Arts ond 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 r ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT r PAGE 125
ECC NO ttzll C Di:Vt"i-OFl"1E tJT
ACTION ITEMS
Ai rport ma ste r pla n i mple mentati on
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.
lncreose usqble 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.
Kiftltos 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,
Streamli ne/automote permlttl ng 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 Utllities and Environment chapter.
The Transportatlon and Cepltcl Fac'llltles and Utllltles chapters address pollcles and programs
regarding the development of lnfrastructure for economic development lncluding roadways,
transit facilitie+ and telecommunicatlons.
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 optlons are in the Housing
chapter.
CITY OF ELLENSBURG COMPREHENSIVE PLAN r ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT r PAGE 133
RESOLUTTON NO. 2O2O.w
A RESOLUTION adopting the City of Ellensburg's Six-Year Transportation
lmprovement (STIP) Plan forthe years 2021 to2026, inclusive, as recommended
to the City Council by the Public Works and Utlllties 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 lT RESOLVED, by the City Councilfor the City of
Ellensburg, Washington as follows:
Sectlon 1. That the Six-Year Transportation lmprovement Plan, attached
hereto, for street and arterial street improvements for the years 2A21 b 2026,
lncluslve, as now filed with the City Council of the City of Ellensburg, be and the
same is hereby approved and adopted.
ADOPTE
June,2A20.
D by the City Council of the City of Ellensburg this l5th day of
ATTEST:
148
EXHIBIT A
ctw oF PUBLIC HEARIIaG DAr€r
AOOPTON OAIEI6.YEAR IRANSFORTATION IMPROVEMENT PLAN
2021 fO 2026
REVENUE AY YEAR
SOURCE
MTERIAL STREET
!ilAt Fnn
FS TAX RESERVE o 7 ,12 5t5 4t1
tT SAFEW PROGRAM I n a
RFSSFN N()IINTY SALES'USE TAX oo 1
I'4 CEITIT REAL ESTA1E O(GISE TN(
o
FS(:]AT YEIR WATER OTJALITY GRAiIT a.
W I rINGING TAX GRANT
OCAi, LODCFIG TAX FUNIIS
t?RFFT
IHER AGENCY 476
RAFFIC IMPACT FEES a-m
FTlltlNFf'
TOTAL REVETIUE FJ lta
TOTATStn
fErrcriirho ?nrlr
lsl6nd futlnl2alld l7
I i lcdr strst curb,sldMll - l50l Avrnsc io Prloura b Carcldo3 aPTC! Ttl o
'|lHalanr Av3. Con9ble stlstr sktmlk tnprow'lllnk . wa]rt 51, !o wdrul
lltlhtwlbut.Sldlrchenoaliflld
lfnnrll CrDll.l lnDtoverstlr (Mltc)
lMdh St- C6rrtdot hlan6c0m Enhmffit3 t.
lH.l.nr Am O{.ilrv - Wstr; Et, to Altoo.l Rod o
s
Il athrAlder.Sldndrlllrmrchenml o o 0 o 7
I lnffilFran
' lArdd srsldowrlh.O^c Sld6-CrollolAvc to4lh Av6
2ao
lwrlrr St. .lu.rlrv - l.rnlvortllv Wav lo Mtnllobr- l]lanitoDr lrm W{ar lo MN d t
a
r lunlv.nirv wrv sldNtlkr . Brlch Rd. io vlrts Rd.00 o
t llndurldrl Wav tnorovs'llnlr - LID o I
lrrnlb ndJildh Sl- Omrlrv. U|DL'm lo Mln View- 3r.l Ave io Untueitlv
I i
I
o I o 97
rldiiLAia,tlonlrlirlnrthr.' -
' lEdcltlodSllL5lEdmdor
t lflFF;f,n.9ni-iiilunlnrdon Recltehn.l
2)
I
t t lwrt;iha d* slanrt lllMlnrtlon
TOTAL EXPENOITURE u TE D!Z
BI
lt5 t15 t
ARIERIiAL STREET FUND EiOING BALANCE
rcunanl yoBt lroiadt thon'n tor accoun[ng pwpolet.
(Avsrag€ Ennual nrad lo ovdley iho fiodal El]l€l systom on I 15 ysar rycto 13 ln srcess ol 1E00.000 pd t!3r.)
Broadband Feasibility
Report
For GenterFuse
Ellensburg, Wash ington
February 5, 2021
f=lnt :
CCG CONSULTING ENGINEERING
INTEORITY INTO EVERYTHING
CCG Consulting
Finley Engineering
CenterFuse Broadband Feasibility Report
RpcoiUUENDATIONS
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 exampleo 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 are a number of ways this could be made to happen, such as the
following:r Encourage Consolidated, Chatrtsr, and City Fiber to build morc fiber.
o Pursue grants that would help one of the tbree existing lSPs to expand fiber.
o Partner with one of these entities to build more fiber.
o 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 identified in this report. To
the extent that CenterFuse chooses to tackle any ofthese issues, your response could range from pure
advocacy to building the needed infrasffucture 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
l. Expand Fiber Networks
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 tlreir
btrildings. 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 Emergency Resiliency
As noted in the findings, the city is vulnerable to a major fiber cut since almost all Intemet traffic to and
from the city passes to the west to Seattle. Currently, City Fiber is the only ISP in the community wittr
diverse routing to the Internet - City Fiber connects both ffu16rrgh the east to Seattle, and to the south
along US 97 to Portland. The danger ofthe current routing is that a catastrophic event along theJiber
path to the west could cut off Internet access for everybody not served hy City Fiber. Only the handful of
customers served by City Fiber would remain in service after a catashophic 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 sifuation 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.
CentcrFuse 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. Improve Residential Broadband
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 cornpanies. Looking
to the west, the broadband in Seattle and surrounding communities is f'aster, with lSPs 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 ernployees and their family can enjoy tlre 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 FiberNetworls
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:
o The speed test results and surveys indicate that there are likely physical or electronics
impedirnents 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.
o 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 justi$ 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 greatjob ofbringing better broadband to the
Page l3
CenterFuse Broadband Feasibility Report
business comrnunity. 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 suclt partnerships because they have joined partnerships elsewhere. Consider the
following example:
In 2019, the New Hampshire legislature passed bill SB I 70 that allows municipalities to bond for
a broadband network as long as the town doesn't have existing broadband speeds of at least 2513
Mbps. Several small towns in the state took advantage of the new legislation and entered into a
parfnership with Consolidated, the new incumbent telephone compaily serving much of the state.
Consolidated entered the New Hampshire market when it acquired FairPoint in20l7.
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 witlr 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 w€re not in the same sitrnation 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 impoftant early step. It's likely that Consolidated would want a local
contribution of some sort, but since Consolidated already has a35o/o 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 tbe 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 thg Surounding 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 hydroelechic dams. But there are many
PUDs in Washington without that financial advantage that are finding rural broadband solutions. There
are rual 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 Bllensburg 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 identi$
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 befter
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.
a
a
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. Ifthey have broadband plans develop a propose
shategies 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
Strong Workforce
EBDA's Competitive Position Advance EBDA's Position By
Highly educated, youthful, ready-
to-get-the-job-done workforce.
Identifu oppoftunities to connect intellectual
power of faculty and students to prospective
business needs.
A regional university with the
capacity and desire to create
customized degree or certificate
programs to meet current and
future workforce needs.
Identity which industry certifications are
valuable, and partner with CWU to
develop/deliver them.
'College town'feel with low taxes,
good schools, intellectual and
cultural opportunities, and an
unparalleled quality of life.
Develop a workforce strategy that aligns
economic development and workforce goals.
Include in the strategy incentives for
workforce education.
Proximity to the Puget Sound
region, Washington's major urban
area.
Actively seek out public-private partnerships to
fufther investment in business attraction,
Address infrastructure shortcomings (e.9.
broadband).
Business looking to place a facility Ellensburg view the strong workforce and being a
university as a plus.
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.
Infrastructure
EBDA's Competitive Position Advance EBDA's Position By
Location on two major interstate
freeways, I-82 and I-90.
Prepare and maintain a searchable database of
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 By
Single-point utilities for gas,
electric, water, and sewer. For
high-volume electrical users,
single-user load rates available.
C.onvene expeftise in dark fiber and broadband
as it relates to eonomic development, and
explore creating a self*ustaining fiber optic
model.
Fiber optic network system
lncluding 14 miles of fiber
infrastructure used to transmit big
data and provide wi-fi Internet
delivery.
Fully understand and utilize the capabilities of
EBDA's Public Development Authority and
future any designations.
Fare-free public transit system
suppofted by voter passage of a
2/10ut sales tax increase.
Fully understand, keep abreast of and actively
pursue economic development tools available
such as the Opporfunity Zones.
Vacant land for build-to-suit, and
responsive city permitting process.
Facilitate future focused improvement or
enhancement oppoftunities for the Kittitas
County Airport (Bowers Field).
Rail network with private and
public spurs available.
Support new conshuction by
connecting to resources such as
New Markets Tax Credit.
Housing infrastructure funding
approved November 20t7 .
SUMMARY
Needs to be developed
Posture Recommendation
rise in undergraduate students
selecting CWU as their learninq place.
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.
r Comprehensive transpoftation 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 20L7) with limited rail sidings and few, poorly
maintained shared rail spurs. The Kittitas County Airpoft lacks regular
maintenance, resulting in the closure of a runway.
Posture Recommendation
The Kittitas County Airport, formerly a
military installation, has been
neglected for decades.
Find ways to redevelop the Ellensburg
Airport, making it an economic asset
for our community and our region.
Attract a master plan developer for
aerospace and aviation. Support
ongoing legislative efforts aimed at
maintaining Ure region's existing
airpoft infrastructure. Identiff land
and land use adiacent to rail seruice.
Broadband/wifi. The City of Ellensburg operates a Telecommunicatlons Utility
which provides low cost, reliable long haul fiber opfic and lntemet service to
businesses in Ellensburg. Business can subscribe to a 300 mps shared service, a
1,000 mps shared seruice, or a custom dedicated flber optic seMce for fast,
secure data transfer,
a
Posture RecommendaUon
14 miles flber lnftastructure; dark .
fiber available. Fiber may be used b
Sansmit big data, and the city has
Establish an EBDA sub-committee
comprised of EBDA board members
and area experts to explore a self-
sustalnlng model to provlde fiber optic
Posture Recommendation
capacity to also provide wifi internet
service.
and wlfl seMces as a means b
promote economic development.
Increase understanding and lmpact of
smart clty lnfrastructure and the
internet of things (iot).
. Developable land, available space. Even though our community is experiencing
higher than average population growth, a business can stillfind 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.
Poshrre Recommendation
Ellensburg lack comprehensive, up-
to-date information about available
land and space for businesses.
Property owners list their propefi for
rent or sale on Craigsllst, etc. or
simply post a sign while others
employ the seruices of a real estate
professional.
Prepare and maintain a searchable
database of propefties available or
potentially available for lease or
purchase.
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.
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
Washlngton's top exports by volume. However, while small retail businesses
continue to do well and grow, our community still exhibib high retail leakage.
a
a
Posture Recommendation
EBDA'S only revenue source is rental
income from the City's Incubator
Building and the EBDA Airport
Building.
Talk to other Washington State Public
Development AuthoriVs about their
revenue streams. Identiff
opportunities to diversify revenues,
and pursue best options.
Posture Recommendation
Good recovery from the Great
Recession, but Ellensburg still spends
millions on retail activity in larqer
Push the market to Ellensburg -
without gas sales, retail leakage is
around 20olo. Identifv and Durcue