HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-08-02-minutes-200pm-public-hearing08/02/2022 MINUTES 1
COMMISSIONERS' MINUTES
KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
AUDITORIUM/WEBEX
SPECIAL MEETING
TUESDAY 2:00 P.M. AUGUST 2, 2022
Board members present: Chairman Laura Osiadacz; Vice-Chairman Cory
Wright and Commissioner Brett Wachsmith.
Others: Julie Kjorsvik, Clerk of the Board; Mandy Buchholz,
Administrative Supervisor; Mark Cook, Public Works Director; Josh
Fredrickson, Engineer; Kylee Wuesthoff, Finance Officer; Neil
Caulkins, Deputy Prosecutor; Mike Hougardy, Assessor; Emily Smith,
Administrative Assistant; and 1 member of the public.
PUBLIC HEARING REAL ESTATE EXCISE TAX PUBLIC WORKS
At 2:00 p.m. CHAIRMAN OSIADACZ opened a Public Hearing to consider
amending Kittitas County Code Chapter 3.09 Real Estate Excise Tax.
MARK COOK, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR reviewed a Staff Report which
included a 2023 financial forecast from the Treasurer’s Office for
REET 1 revenue which was approximately $1,685,933.00. He indicated
the additional one quarter of one percent is expected to double the
2023 local REET revenue forecast to approximately $3.4 million. The
additional revenue would significantly assist the County in
implementing the 2023 capital facility plans. He said the
Prosecutors office has reviewed the information and determined the
Board could take action on it if they chose to do so.
THERE BEING NO ONE REQUESTING TO TESTIFY, THE PUBLIC PORTION OF THE
HEARING WAS CLOSED.
ORDINANCE 2022-008 REAL ESTATE EXCISE TAX PUBLIC WORKS
VICE-CHAIRMAN WRIGHT moved to approve Ordinance No 2022-008,
Amending Section 3.09.020 of the Kittitas County Code Real Estate
Excise Tax. COMMISSIONER WACHSMITH seconded. CHAIRMAN OSIADACZ said
she couldn’t argue that the County wouldn’t benefit from the tax,
but she could not approve it without letting the public decide on it
before and would be voting against the motion. Motion carried 2-1
(Chairman Osiadacz opposed the motion).
PUBLIC HEARING STRANDE ROAD RIGHT-OF-WAY PUBLIC WORKS
At approximately 2:18 p.m. CHAIRMAN OSIADACZ opened a Public Hearing
continued from July 5, 2022, to consider the Vacation of a Public
Right-of-Way for a portion of Strande Road from Mile Post 2.66 to
the end of the County Road. She noted the record was open.
08/02/2022 MINUTES 2
JOSH FREDRICKSON, ENGINEER, provided a Staff Report and said the
Public Works Department, Department of Natural Resources, and the
property owner had met to discuss an Easement allowing continued
access for the property owner. He indicated at this time an Easement
with acceptable terms between DNR and the property owner had not
been obtained. He provided options for the Boards consideration
including the private property owner petitioning the Court to grant
an easement. NEIL CAULKINS, DEPUTY PROSECUTOR explained how the
matter was between two parties neither of which is the County, and
their ability or inability to come to an agreement is their issue
and is not really the County’s problem. He said if the property
owner suddenly doesn’t have access, it’s a private issue and they
would bring action in court, which is a private way of condemnation
as a matter of right. JEFF SLOTHOWER, ATTORNEY REPRESENTING MR.
BLAND felt Mr. Caulkins was not correct with his advice. He said it
is not the way to treat their citizens of Kittitas County by telling
them to go sue the State. He requested the Board to not take action
and continue the Public Hearing to allow additional time for further
discussion with the Department of Natural Resources. MARK COOK,
PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR provided further information and possible
options. MR. SLOTHOWER asked if Mr. Bland was going to maintain it,
could he gate it, as there’s always an ability to take a step that
maybe has never been done before.
THERE BEING NO OTHERS REQUESTING TO TESTIFY, THE PUBLIC PORTION OF
THE HEARING WAS CLOSED.
COMMISSIONER WRIGHT moved to continue the Public Hearing to Tuesday
September 20, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. in the Commissioner’s Auditorium,
noting the record was to remain open. COMMISSIONER WACHSMITH
seconded. Motion carried 3-0.
PUBLIC HEARING VANDERBILT ROAD SPEED LIMIT PUBLIC WORKS
At approximately 2:40 p.m. CHAIRMAN OSIADACZ opened a Public Hearing
to consider a Speed Reduction on Vanderbilt Road and to Amend
Kittitas County Code Chapter 10.08.020 Speed Limits.
JOSH FREDRICKSON, ENGINEER, reviewed a Staff Report and included the
background and fiscal impacts. He recommended approving the request
to reduce the speed limit on Vanderbilt Road and to amend Kittitas
County Code Chapter 10.08.020.
THERE BEING NO ONE REQUESTING TO TESTIFY, THE PUBLIC PORTION OF THE
HEARING WAS CLOSED.
08/02/2022 MINUTES 3
ORDINANCE 2022-009 VANDERBILT ROAD SPEED LIMIT PUBLIC WORKS
VICE-CHAIRMAN WRIGHT moved to approve Ordinance No. 2022-009,
Establishing a Speed Zone and the Placement of Speed Limit Signs on
Vanderbilt Road and Amending Section 10.080.020 Speed Limits of the
Kittitas County Code. COMMISSIONER WACHSMITH seconded. Motion
carried 3-0.
The meeting was concluded at 2:48 p.m.
KITTITAS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
CLERK OF THE BOARD KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Julie Kjorsvik Chairman Laura Osiadacz