HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-06-21-minutes-200pm-public-hearing06/21/2022 MINUTES 1
COMMISSIONERS' MINUTES
KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
AUDITORIUM/WEBEX
SPECIAL MEETING
TUESDAY 2:00 P.M. JUNE 21, 2022
Board members present: Chairman Laura Osiadacz (Webex) and
Commissioner Brett Wachsmith. Excused: Vice-Chairman Cory Wright.
Others: Julie Kjorsvik, Clerk of the Board; Mandy Buchholz,
Administrative Supervisor; Codi Fortier, Administrative Assistant;
Mark Cook, Public Works Director; Emily Smith, Administrative
Assistant; Josh Fredrickson, Engineer; Neil Caulkins, Deputy
Prosecutor; and 4 members of the public.
PUBLIC HEARING HOLIDAY AVENUE PUBLIC WORKS
At 2:00 p.m. COMMISSIONER WACHSMITH opened a Public Hearing
continued from May 17, 2022, to consider the Vacation of Holiday
Avenue from the intersection with Boat Ramp Road to the end (Mile
Post 0.110) and provide an access and utility easement to Water
District No. 6 to District facilities. He noted the record was open.
MARK COOK, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR said at the previous Public Hearing
they had been trying to resolve an issue relating to the bridge
ownership, but in the meantime another issue has risen, and
requested additional time for review. He requested the Public
Hearing be continued to Tuesday July 19, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. in the
Commissioners Auditorium.
THERE WAS NO PUBLIC REQUESTING TO TESTIFY.
COMMISSIONER WACHSMITH moved to continue the Public Hearing to
Tuesday July 19, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. in the Commissioners Auditorium,
noting the record is to remain open. CHAIRMAN OSIADACZ seconded.
Motion carried 2-0.
PUBLIC HEARING SILVERTON ROAD PUBLIC WORKS
At 2:01 p.m. COMMISSIONER WACHSMITH opened a Public Hearing to
consider the Vacation of a portion of Silverton Road.
JOSH FREDRICKSON, ENGINEER, reviewed a Staff Report and Engineer’s
Report. He said that upon the County Engineer and Surveyor’s
research pursuant to the request, they found no reason to deny the
request. He indicated that once it’s vacated, the land will become
attached to the adjoining properties and add to the taxable land
mass to the County.
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THERE BEING NO ONE REQUESTING TO TESTIFY, THE PUBLIC PORTION OF THE
HEARING WAS CLOSED.
RESOLUTION 2022-133 SILVERTON ROAD PUBLIC WORKS
COMMISSIONER WACHSMITH moved to approve Resolution No. 2022-133,
Vacating a Portion of Silverton Road. CHAIRMAN OSIADACZ seconded.
Motion carried 2-0.
PUBLIC HEARING AIRPORT HOLDINGS, LLC AIRPORT
At 2:08 p.m. COMMISSIONER WACHSMITH opened a Public Hearing to
consider a Lease Agreement between the Kittitas County Airport and
Airport Holdings LLC and Leaseback a portion of a completed building
from Airport Holding LLC.
CODI FORTIER, ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT, presented a Staff Report and
reviewed a proposed Lease Agreement with Airport Holdings LLC and a
Leaseback for a completed building.
THOSE PRESENT & TESTIFYING: TERRY LaRUE commented on how nice it
was to see development at the Airport along with anticipated
revenue. He said it was a common goal for everyone to have a self-
sufficient airport out at Bowers Field. He noted there was no
Exhibit D attached to the document online. THERE BEING NO OTHERS
REQUESTING TO TESTFIY, THE PUBLIC PORTION OF THE HEARING WAS CLOSED.
COMMISSIONER WACHSMITH moved to approve the proposed Lease Agreement
with Exhibit D, between the Kittitas County Airport (Bowers Field)
and Airport Holding LLC; and a Leaseback document for a completed
building with Airport Holding, LLC. CHAIRMAN OSIADACZ seconded.
Motion carried 2-0.
PUBLIC HEARING REAL PROPERTY LEASES AIRPORT
At 2:16 p.m. COMMISSIONER WACHSMITH opened a Public Hearing to
consider Amending Kittitas County Code Chapter 2.81.070, Real
Property Leases.
CODI FORTIER, ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT, reviewed a Staff Report and
explained the proposed amendment would clarify those aeronautical
leases which qualify for a 75-year term as designated.
COMMISSIONER WACHSMITH questioned why the County would want to limit
a 75-year lease, specific to the commercial aeronautical use,
providing service to the public. He said if the County was looking
at the airport as an economic driver in our community and trying to
attract as many tenants as possible and potential uses out there, it
seems limiting. BRIAN McELROY, AIRPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBER
explained how one of the issues with 75-year lease was due to FAA
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regulations as described by the prior Director, and the 50-year
limit had been advised legally.
THOSE REQUESTING TO TESTIFY: STEVE LATHROP didn’t feel any amendment
was required. He didn’t know why the Board would want to limit any
opportunity out at the airport including their flexibility and
discretion. TERRY LaRUE commented on the proposed amendment and the
language relating to major airport purposes. He there was already
one 75-year Lease out at the airport for a business and the proposed
language was contradictory to what we already have out there. NANCY
LILLQUIST, AIRPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBER commented on the case
by case basis relating to the 75-year lease and how it can help
provide guidance.
COMMISSIONER WACHSMITH moved to deny the Amendments to Kittitas
County Code Chapter 2.81.070, Real Property Leases. CHAIRMAN
OSIADACZ seconded. CHAIRMAN OSIADACZ said she was in support of
giving more time to reassess the information based on what’s been
provided. COMMISSIONER WACHSMITH expressed his support of the AAC’s
work. Motion carried 2-0.
PUBLIC HEARING BOWERS FIELD OPERATIONAL DOCUMENTS AIRPORT
At 2:27 p.m. COMMISSIONER WACHSMITH opened a Public Hearing to
consider approving the Bowers Field operational documents.
CODI FORTIER, ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT, reviewed a Staff Report,
stating that the decision to separate each document into different
parts referenced in Title 19 helped create a better flow and
understanding of what areas were managed by each document. The
documents had been presented to the Airport Advisory Committee, put
out for public comment, and have been revised accordingly.
THOSE REQUESTING TO TESTIFY: TERRY LaRUE commented on the purpose
of Title 19 which was to statutorily codify minimum standards, etc.
He commented on language relating to interpreting, administering and
enforcing, and recommended several amendments to the proposed
language. THERE BEING NO ADDITIONAL TESTIMONY, THE PUBLIC PORTION OF
THE HEARING WAS CLOSED.
COMMISSIONER WACHSMITH moved to approve the Bowers Field Operational
Documents, as presented. CHAIRMAN OSIADACZ seconded. Motion carried
2-0.
PUBLIC HEARING BOWERS FIELD LEASE POLICY AIRPORT
At 2:33 p.m. COMMISSIONER WACHSMITH opened a Public Hearing to
consider the Bowers Field Lease Policy.
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CODI FORTIER, ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT reviewed a Staff Report. She
said the Airport Advisory Committee, Prosecutor’s office and other
interested parties had developed the new lease policy incorporating
airside and landside leases providing the foundation for future
lease agreements.
THOSE PRESENT & TESTIFYING: STEVE LATHROP said he was confused with
what he thought was going to be a simple lease policy, and how it
turned into a multipage document with a lot of specifics, and the
lease of terms were confusing. He recommended remanding it back to
the Airport Advisory Committee with direction to cut the policies
down for legitimate business points. TERRY LaRUE said he hoped the
item would be pulled, as there had not been any public discussion on
the lease policies by the Airport Advisory Committee, nor has the
airport solicited lease holders for edits. BRIAN McELROY, AIRPORT
ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBER said they had reviewed and discussed the
documents. He noted they had received public comments during the
public meetings of the AAC. He stated the documents had also been
vetted through the Prosecutors office, even if the public may not
agree with them. NANCY LILLQUIST, MEMBER OF THE AIRPORT ADVISORY
COMMITTEE said the Airport Staff had looked at information and
policies from a lot of different airports and thought at least 50%
of them were consistent. THERE BEING NO OTHERS REQUESTING TO
TESTFIY, THE PUBLIC PORTION OF THE HEARING WAS CLOSED.
COMMISSIONER WACHSMITH moved to remand the Bowers Field Lease Policy
back to the Airport Advisory Committee for further consideration and
make corrections as referenced, and to bring it back to the Board of
County Commissioners at a later date. CHAIRMAN OSIADACZ seconded.
Motion carried 2-0.
PUBLIC HEARING DEPT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AIRPORT
At 2:46 p.m. COMMISSIONER WACHSMITH opened a Public Hearing to
consider the Department of Natural Resources updated Lease
Agreement.
CODI FORTIER, ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT, explained how she was unable
to locate the documentation for the Public Hearing and requested the
Board continue it to Tuesday July 19, 2022, at 2:00 p.m.
THERE WAS NO ONE REQUESTING TO PROVIDE PUBLIC TESTIMONY.
COMMISSIONER WACHSMITH moved to continue the Public Hearing to
Tuesday July 19, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. in the Commissioners Auditorium,
noting the record was to remain open. CHAIRMAN OSIADACZ seconded.
Motion carried 2-0.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:48 p.m.
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KITTITAS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
CLERK OF THE BOARD KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Julie Kjorsvik Laura Osiadacz, Chairman