Letter to Mayor McGowan with CC's

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Kittitas County, Washington BOARD oe COUNTY COMMISSIONERS District One Cory Wright District Two Laura Osiadacz District Three Brett Wachsmith May 2,2023 The Honorable Jay McGowan, Mayor City of Cle Elum L19 West First Street Cle Elum, WA98922 Dear Mayor McGowan, For many years, governments in our county have operated in a siloed fashion. Cooperation did occur, but it was not the accustomed way of doing business. As a result, we are now trying to unravel some of the decisions of the past to form a better future that works in the interests of all county citizens, both inside and outside our municipalities. We, the Board of County Commissioners, have actively tried to change this history by holding joint meetings with three city councils so far and plan to complete meetings with all councils by the end of this year. All these meetings have shown signs of promise that issues of the past could be discussed and framed for better outcomes as we struggle with unprecedented growth. On fanuary 30th of this year, we held a joint meeting with you and your council to discuss issues of mutual concern regarding the impacts of population growth and tourism in our region' From that discussion, both the City of Cle EIum and Kittitas County have now passed resolutions to discuss joint planning. This is the first step towards building a cooperative and transparent relationship that will enable our region to tackle the endemic issues around growth that we now face. Last year, Kittitas County Public Works Director Mark Cook sent an informal email to your staff requesting an amendment to the Transportation Element of your Comprehensive plan be added for consideration during the 2022 review cycle. This amendment would require analysis and mitigation of weekend traffic impacts for potential projects within your jurisdiction. Currently this is not required. When this email went unanswered, this Board sent a letter to you as Mayor, with a copy to your council, requesting these same proposed amendments be added for consideration duringyour upcoming 2022 Comprehensive Plan review. Neither Mr. Cook's email nor our letter ever received a response. On March 16th of this year, we received an email from City of Cle Elum Permit/Office Technician Virgil Amick containing a public notice of the 2022 Annual Comprehensive plan Kittitas County Courthouse . 205 West 5ftAvenue, STE 108 . Ellensburg,WA9g926 (509) 962_7sO8 .FAX (s09) 962_7679 /,t i,.Ijt