HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-08-15-minutes-200pm-public-hearing08/15/2023 MINUTES 1
COMMISSIONERS' MINUTES
KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
AUDITORIUM
SPECIAL MEETING
TUESDAY 2:00 P.M. AUGUST 15, 2023
Board members present: Chairman Cory Wright & Vice-Chairman Brett
Wachsmith. Excused: Commissioner Laura Osiadacz.
Others: Julie Kjorsvik, Clerk of the Board; Mandy Buchholz, Office
Administrator; Mark Cook, Public Works/CDS Director; Josh
Fredrickson, Engineer; Arden Thomas, Water Resource Program Manager;
Brian Carlson, Budget & Finance Manager; Zack DeHaven, Accountant
II; and 4 members of the public.
PUBLIC HEARING SPEED LIMIT WILSON CREEK ROAD PUBLIC WORKS
At 2:00 p.m. CHAIRMAN WRIGHT opened a Public Hearing to consider a
Speed Increase on Wilson Creek Road and to Amend the Kittitas County
Code Chapter 10.08.020, Speed Limits.
JOSH FREDRICKSON, ENGINEER, reviewed a Staff Report including the
background of a request they received to increase the speed limit
from 35 mph to 50 mph on Wilson Creek Road. He reviewed the speed
data collected, safety standards, history of vehicle crashes, and
direct access along the section. He mentioned the public comments
that had been received.
THOSE PRESENT & TESTIFYING: DIRK JOHNSON said he owns a home off
Wilson Creek Road, and they’ve counted 17 families who access the
road from their home. He said it’s elevated out of most driveways
and does not feel the reward is worth the risk to increase the speed
limit. CHERYL JOHNSON said there were a lot of families who walk,
ride bikes, including the cross-country team that runs that road,
and with no shoulders on the road, it’s a risk in itself. She didn’t
see what would be gained by increasing the speed limit. PAT KELLEHER
said 85% of the traffic is already going above the posted speed and
believed it’s a compliance issue. He said law enforcement should
either be ticketing people for speeding, or the County should
increase the speed limit. He felt the speed study should have been
conducted at the mid-point of the road and not near Judge Ronald
Road to get better accuracy. THERE BEING NO OTHERS REQUESTING TO
TESTIFY, THE PUBLIC PORTION OF THE HEARING WAS CLOSED.
CHAIRMAN WRIGHT moved to deny the request to increase speed limit on
Wilson Creek Road. VICE-CHAIRMAN WACHSMITH seconded. VICE-CHAIRMAN
WACHSMITH said he drives that road frequently and there’s a lot of
driveways in the area, and if the speed was increased it would only
encourage people to drive faster. CHAIRMAN WRIGHT explained how
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there’s a separation of powers and enforcing the speed limit laws
are not in the Commissioners jurisdiction. He encouraged people to
talk to the Sheriff about enforcement if they have concerns. He
felt there will continue to be requests to reduce speed limits as
the County grows. Motion carried 2-0.
PUBLIC HEARING AMEND 2023 BUDGET AUDITOR
At 2:18 p.m. CHAIRMAN WRIGHT opened a Public Hearing to consider
amending the 2023 Budget.
BRIAN CARLSON, BUDGET & FINANCE DIRECTOR, reviewed proposed
amendments to the 2023 budget, in the amount of $2,618,172. He said
he planned on preparing one or two more amendments by the end of the
year.
THERE BEING NO ONE REQUESTING TO TESTIFY, THE PUBLIC PORTION OF THE
HEARING WAS CLOSED.
RESOLUTION 2023-133 AMEND 2023 BUDGET AUDITOR
VICE-CHAIRMAN WACHSMITH moved to approve Resolution No, 2023-133,
Amending the 2023 County Budget. CHAIRMAN WRIGHT seconded. Motion
carried 2-0.
PUBLIC HEARING LEASE OF WATER PUBLIC WORKS
At 2:27 p.m. CHAIRMAN WRIGHT opened a Public Hearing to consider
Leasing Water to Successful Bidders Addressing the 2023 Drought
Water Demand, and to Set an Auction Date for September 5, 2023.
ARDEN THOMAS, WATER RESOURCE PROGRAM MANAGER, reviewed a Staff
Report and recommended Board approval for Short Term Leases of
Certain County-Owned Water, minimum bid of $285.00 per acre-foot of
consumptive water, and to authorize the Treasurer to sign the leases
as the lessor.
THOSE PRESENT & TESTIFYING: ROBBIE SOLTZ, WATER CONSERVANCY BOARD,
asked if the leases were going to be limited for uses within
Kittitas County. CHAIRMAN WRIGHT affirmed they would be for uses
within Kittitas County.
RESOLUTION 2023-134 LEASE OF WATER PUBLIC WORKS
VICE-CHAIRMAN WACHSMITH moved to approve Resolution No. 2023-134,
Authorizing Short Term Leases of Certain County-Owned Water.
CHAIRMAN WRIGHT seconded.
VICE-CHAIRMAN WACHSMITH said he was very proud of the program and
the benefits for Kittitas County. CHAIRMAN WRIGHT said the water
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staying in Kittitas County was a critical part of the Short-Term
Leases. He noted you have to have a well and they were not for new
use. Motion carried 2-0.
The meeting concluded at 2:37 p.m.
KITTITAS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
CLERK OF THE BOARD KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Julie Kjorsvik Chairman Cory Wright