HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-08-17-minutes-200pm-public-hearing08/17/2021 MINUTES 1
COMMISSIONERS' MINUTES KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON AUDITORIUM/WEBEX SPECIAL MEETING
TUESDAY 2:00 P.M. AUGUST 17, 2021
Board members present: Chairman Brett Wachsmith and Commissioner
Cory Wright. Excused: Vice-Chairman Laura Osiadacz.
Others: Julie Kjorsvik, Clerk of the Board; David Welz, Ken Grannan,
Josh Fredrickson, Engineer; Carly Brettmann, Communications
Director; Mandy Buchholz, Administrative Supervisor; Mark Cook,
Public Works Director; Arden Thomas, WRP Manager; Samantha Cox,
Water Resources Specialist; and 8 members of the public.
Per Governor Inslee’s Proclamation 20-28 et seq., the public was
encouraged to join the meeting virtually or in person.
PUBLIC HEARING REVISE GRAZING LEASES AIRPORT
At 2:00 p.m. CHAIRMAN WACHSMITH opened a Public Hearing continued
from August 3, 2021, to consider revised Grazing Leases at Bowers
Field. He noted the record was open.
KEN GRANNAN, AIRPORT DIRECTOR reviewed the history and discussions
that have taken place since the previous hearing on August 4, 2021.
He said due to state of concern and confusion he would like the
Board to continue the public hearing until September 7, 2021, to
allow an emergency meeting with the Airport Advisory Committee.
THOSE PRESENT & TESTIFYING: STEVE WILLARD provided history on the
Agricultural Leases and explained how he was on the former Airport
Advisory Committee for over 25 years as well as had a grazing lease
for almost 3 decades. He said he is very familiar with the
landscape. He felt there’s been very little continuity in the past,
so he’s happy to see an Airport Director now, but thought it will
take a little seasoning on how to address agency comments and be
able to strike a balance. MILT JOHNSON, AIRPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
said he had a background with grazing leases. He addressed
rotational grazing, keep livestock feeding segregated, and
incorporate riparian standards. He commended the Airport Director’s
work and recommended getting advice from the WSU Range Management or
DNR Range Management. MIKE LUNDEN said he’s looked around other
airports and whether they’ve planned ahead or not. He’s been happy
to see the planning that’s been done in the past couple of years. TERESA SLOAN provided information about grazing and large birds. She
said as a Safety Officer at the University, students and herself
have had to take evasive action at times. She does understand how
Agriculture Leases bring in the most money at the airport but isn’t
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sure what the right answer is. VICTOR STRAND questioned the lease
relating to calving and payment to the KRD. He said there were
things that have not been addressed and they need to know where they
stand with the Lease so they can either walk away or move forward
with it.
COMMISSIONER WRIGHT moved to continue the Public Hearing to
September 7, 2021, noting the record was open. CHAIRMAN WACHSMITH
seconded. Motion carried 2-0. PUBLIC HEARING REVISE TITLE 19 AIRPORT
At approximately 2:22 p.m. CHAIRMAN WACHSMITH opened the Public
Hearing continued from August 3, 2021, to consider revising Title 19
of Kittitas County Code Amending Minimum Standards, Rules and
Regulations and Design Standards. He noted the record was open.
KEN GRANNAN, AIRPORT DIRECTOR explained there needed to be a
proposed Ordinance drafted instead of a Resolution, when changing
County Code. He recommended continuing the Public Hearing to October
19, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. He said they’ve provided information to the
Airport Advisory Committee and has continued to receive other
concerns regarding the legality of language and discrepancies. He
requested permission for the Airport to seek either 3rd party legal
advice either through a consultant with Prosecutor Zempel’s and ask
the Board to seek that permission to create solid foundation with
future leases.
COMMISSIONER WRIGHT moved to remand the amendments relating to
Minimum Standards, Rules and Regulations and Design Standards back
to Staff. CHAIRMAN WACHSMITH seconded. Motion carried 2-0. PUBLIC HEARING MICHELETTO ROAD PUBLIC WORKS
At approximately 2:25 p.m. CHAIRMAN WACHSMITH opened a Public
Hearing to consider the establishment of Micheletto Road onto the
Public Road Network.
JOSH FREDRICKSON, ENGINEER reviewed a Staff Report and provided the
background of the request, discussion, and financial impacts to
establish a County right-of-way for Micheletto Road, which is
approximately 0.245 miles.
THERE BEING NO ONE REQUESTING TO TESTIFY, THE PUBLIC PORTION OF THE HEARING WAS CLOSED. RESOLUTION 2021-131 MICHELETTO ROAD PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSIONER WRIGHT moved to approve Resolution No. 2021-131,
Establishing County Right-of-Way for Micheletto Road, Approximately
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0.234 miles, and to direct the Engineer to amend the County Road Log
and notice appropriate State agencies of the road establishment. CHAIRMAN WACHSMITH seconded. Motion carried 2-0. PUBLIC HEARING FLOOD DAMAGE PREVENTION PUBLIC WORKS
At 2:29 p.m. CHAIRMAN WACHSMITH opened a Public Hearing to consider
Amending Kittitas County Code Chapter 14.08 – Flood Damage
Prevention.
ARDEN THOMAS, WRP MANAGER reviewed a Staff Report and said the
National Flood Insurance Program benefits County residents by
enabling them with homes at flood risk, to receive a federally
backed mortgage and receive disaster assistance. The program
participation also makes federal flood insurance available in
Kittitas County, however we mut have a floodplain management
Ordinance that meets the minimum federal and state criteria and must
adopt and utilize floodplain hazard maps provided by FEMA. She
answered questions from the Board.
THOSE PRESENT & TESTIFYING: JAMES RIVARD appreciated the analysis
on flood mapping and felt it was a good step but thought there were
still infrastructure improvements to be done near the west
interchange. Free up some land for development. THERE BEING NO OTHERS REQUESTING TO TESTIFY, THE PUBLIC PORTION OF THE HEARING WAS CLOSED.
MARK COOK, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR provided information for the Board
and noted in this case he was also the Flood Control District
Administrator per State law instead of the County Engineer.
ORDINANCE 2021-010 AMEND COUNTY CODE 14.08 PUBLIC WORKS
COMMISSIONER WRIGHT moved to approve Ordinance No. 2021-010,
Amending County Code Chapter 14.08, and to amend Section 14.08.140
amend the language to include “whenever a watercourse is to be
altered or relocated, the Floodplain Administrator shall” and
Section 14.08.150, amend the language to read “the Floodplain
Administrator shall make interpretations where needed, etc.”. CHAIRMAN Wachsmith seconded. Motion carried 2-0.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:59 p.m.
KITTITAS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS CLERK OF THE BOARD KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Julie Kjorsvik Brett Wachsmith, Chairman