HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-03-07-minutes-broadband2023-03-07 MINUTES 1
COMMISSIONERS' MINUTES
KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
CONFERENCE ROOM
SPECIAL MEETING
TUESDAY 1:00 P.M. MARCH 7, 2023
Board members present: Chairman Cory Wright; Vice-Chairman Brett
Wachsmith; and Commissioner Laura Osiadacz.
Others: Mandy Buchholz, Office Administrator and Joe Poire, JRP
Integrated Solutions (via Webex); Mark Cook, Public Works Director;
Doug Fessler, IT Director.
SPECIAL MEETING BROADBAND COMMISSIONERS
At 1:00 p.m. Chairman Wright opened a Special Meeting to discuss
Broadband Construction and Management of Operation.
Joe Poire, JRP Integrated Solutions, reviewed the background on the
Broadband project dating back to the pandemic and how that period
has impacted everyone with a need for higher demand for internet
stability for everyone’s livelihood with millions working, going to
school and staying home, which has not declined after the pandemic
the need is still just as high.
He reviewed what metrics are looked at for the grant application for
best scoring; as well as what projects were awarded previously
through the Public Works Board 2021 grant award cycle. He stressed
the importance of affordable broadband and that it was a consistent
takeaway throughout the previous Broadband Action Team (B.A.T)
Meetings.
The Board discussed the different processes they could take through
the RFP process and whether the County would want to own the
facility and or run it or not or what their preferred route was
while also considering the risks of each.
The Board chose to go with the Public Works RFP for Design and
Construction Procurement Process. The Board directed Staff to set up
a follow up meeting the following week to allow further discussion
due to the tight timeline they were up against. Director Cook stated
he would finish the RFP in time for that meeting.
Commissioner Osiadacz expressed her frustration with regard to the
process and feeling like they were left with no choice due to the
timeline and stressed that future projects will not be handled this
way.
2023-03-07 MINUTES 2
The meeting was concluded at 2:06 p.m.
KITTITAS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Mandy Buchholz Cory Wright, Chairman