HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-11-03-minutes-sheriffs-study-sessionKITTITAS COUNTY
SHERIFF'S STUDY SESSION MINUTES
BOCC CONFERENCE ROOM/WEBEX, 205 WEST 5TH ROOM 108 - ELLENSBURG
Regular Meeting
WEDNESDAY 1 8:00 AM November 3, 2021
Board members present: Chairman Brett Wachsmith, Commissioner Cory Wright
Others: Sheriff Clay Myers, Inspector Chris Whitsett, Chief Deputy Ben Kokjer, and
Public Works Director Mark Cook
Discussion on Upper County Shop/SAR: Sheriff Myers mentioned the Search and Rescue needs space in Upper
County to reduce response time. A couple options were discussed: (1) the original idea was the County owned
building (2) City of Cle Elum owned building on Main Street in middle of town; Sheriff Myers relayed it would
be beneficial for SAR to have entire building and can't transfer them into 1600 sq. ft. since it just splits the
department; Sheriff prefers the original agreement with City agreeing to the entire city shop because half of the
building is not enough space. Director Cook indicated he is going to go back to City for SAR to rent the entire
3200 sq. ft. and full yard.
Update on Needs Assessment on Upper County Congestion: Chief Kokjer stated the extra patrols are doing
good job, and Sheriff Myers indicated that extra patrols are not a long-term solution. Sheriff also communicated
the deputy assigned as the one traffic enforcement officer is working on purchasing the scales and attending
classes, and that the Upper County will benefit from having this CVO -Commercial Vehicle Officer.
Commissioner Wright mentioned there needs to be a transportation planning effort and to have it be a holistic
improvement plan. Therefore, the Board will continue to work with the State to widen I-90 to alleviate
congestion on county roads.
Update on Winter Parking West County to Summit: Sheriff Myers provided an update on the winter traffic
issues which is affecting parking flow, which then affects Emergency Response primarily Snoqualmie, but also
surrounding areas. He also shared we need to make a viable solution for long-term regarding the parking flow.
Director Cook shared the Professional Services Agreement with Diamond Parking where they commissioned
twice as many no parking and no loading signs. The group then discussed long-term proposals; such as possible
private ownership, securing a lot that was planned on Forest Service land and maybe lease, County to buy land,
shuttling citizens to and from parking areas, have an impound yard location with the area serviced by a towing
company, a permit system in order to pass through a gate, and/or could funds come from Lodging & Recreation
to build a building & facilitate parking issue. Sheriff Myers went on to say there would need to be properly
posted towing ordinance and have it visible to the public. He also stated having a plan will have an impact, but
it won't solve the problem for a couple of years; fines over time will have an impact.
OTHER BUSINESS: No other business.
Meeting adjourned at 8:45am
Anita Mishina
KITTITAS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Brett Wachsmith, Chairman