HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-10-17-minutes-200pm-public-hearing10/17/2023 MINUTES 1
COMMISSIONERS' MINUTES
KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
AUDITORIUM
SPECIAL MEETING
TUESDAY 2:00 P.M. OCTOBER 17, 2023
Board members present: Chairman Cory Wright and Vice-Chairman Brett
Wachsmith, Commissioner Laura Osiadacz.
Others: Julie Kjorsvik, Clerk of the Board; Kate Jimenez,
Administrative Assistant; Mandy Buchholz, Office Administrator; Mark
Cook, Public Works/CDS Director; Stephanie Hartung; Civil Chief
Deputy, Jesse Eldred, Deputy Prosecutor II, and 2 members of the
public.
PUBLIC HEARING AMENDING ORDINANCE 2022-017 PUBLIC WORKS
At 2:00 p.m. CHAIRMAN WRIGHT opened a Public Hearing to consider
Rescinding Item 22-25 in Ordinance 2022-017.
MARK COOK, PUBLIC WORKS/CDS DIRECTOR, reviewed the Mardee Lake non-
project rezone (RZ 22-00005 and CP 22-00005) Item 22-25 within
Ordinance 2022-017. Director Cook stated that the recent Invalidity
Order from the Growth Hearings Management Board requires the County
to rescind the non-project rezone prior to removing the Invalidity
Order.
THERE BEING NO ONE REQUESTING TO TESTIFY, THE PUBLIC PORTION OF THE
HEARING WAS CLOSED.
ORDINACNE 2023-007 AMENDING ORDINANCE 2022-017 PUBLIC WORKS
VICE-CHAIRMAN WACHSMITH moved to approve Ordinance No. 2023-007, to
rescind Item 22-25 in Ordinance 2022-017. COMMISSIONER OSIADACZ
seconded. Motion carried 3-0.
PUBLIC HEARING CREATING A PUBLIC SERVICES DEPT PUBLIC WORKS
At 2:05 p.m. CHAIRMAN WRIGHT opened a Public Hearing to consider
amending Kittitas County Code to reflect the formation of a Public
Services Department.
MARK COOK, PUBLIC WORKS/CDS DIRECTOR, reviewed a Staff Report
recommending the consolidation of Public Works and Community
Development Services, as an opportunity to improve operational
efficiencies. Director Cook stated with the recent dissolution of
the Airport Department and the management being moved back to Public
Works, there is a need to improve operational efficiencies and
streamline processes such as Agenda and Study Sessions.
10/17/2023 MINUTES 2
THOSE PRESENT & TESTIFYING: PAT DENEEN said he’s in support of
putting the two departments together. He stated there has been a
100% turnaround in the departments with the new Staff in the County
and that the combining of the departments has been simpler and
easier to navigate. He stated with less than 38 weeks left of
Director Mark Cook being here, the County should not wait to put
this into action. ANDY SCHMIDT said he is a fan of consolidating the
2 departments. He feels the supervision of one Director helps to
avoid discrepancies.
VICE-CHAIRMAN WACHSMITH moved to continue the Public Hearing to
consider amending Kittitas County Code to reflect the formation of a
Public Services Department to November 7th, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. in the
Commissioner’s Auditorium, noting the record is open. COMMISSIONER
OSIADACZ seconded. Motion carried 3-0.
The meeting was concluded at 2:21 p.m.
KITTITAS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSITANT KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
KATE JIMENEZ Chairman Cory Wright