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11/07/2023 MINUTES 1 <br />COMMISSIONERS' MINUTES <br />KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON <br />AUDITORIUM <br />SPECIAL MEETING <br /> <br />TUESDAY 2:00 P.M. NOVEMBER 7, 2023 <br /> <br />Board members present: Chairman Cory Wright and Vice-Chairman Brett <br />Wachsmith, Commissioner Laura Osiadacz. <br /> <br />Others: Julie Kjorsvik, Clerk of the Board; Mandy Buchholz, Office <br />Administrator; Mark Cook, Public Works/CDS Director; Brian Carlson, <br />Budget & Finance Director; and 6 members of the public. <br /> <br />PUBLIC HEARING CREATING A PUBLIC SERVICES DEPT PUBLIC WORKS <br /> <br />At 2:00 p.m. CHAIRMAN WRIGHT opened a Public Hearing continued from <br />October 17, 2023, to consider amending Kittitas County Code to <br />reflect the formation of a Public Services Department. He noted the <br />record was open. <br /> <br />MARK COOK, PUBLIC WORKS/CDS DIRECTOR, reviewed a Staff Report and <br />said the red-lined version of the Code was uploaded onto the County <br />website following the October 17th Public Hearing. <br /> <br />THOSE PRESENT & TESTIFYING: EMILY SMITH testified against the <br />proposal, stating that it would be an unreasonable task for one <br />person to effectively run the Public Works Department, Community <br />Development Services, and Airport. She felt the merger would <br />eventually result in separating the divisions when the current <br />Director retires. PAT DENEEN disagreed and said he'd been dealing <br />with the Public Works Department and Community Development Services <br />when working on projects, and it’s always difficult to coordinate <br />between the two. They have similar goals and by having one person <br />would cut down on both indecisions and timing. TERRY LaRUE felt that <br />by consolidating the three positions it would dilute control of one <br />person. He said there was no mention of the Airport Director and yet <br />the current posting and job description, 9 of the 25 items relate to <br />the Airport. He said there was no public visibility when the Airport <br />Department was abolished, and urged the Board to sit down with the <br />taxpayers and put together what their need is because most people do <br />not understand what they are trying to accomplish. THERE BEING NO <br />OTHERS REQUESTING TO TESTIFY, THE PUBLIC PORTION OF THE HEARING WAS <br />CLOSED. <br /> <br />VICE-CHAIRMAN WACHSMITH moved to deny the request, as presented. <br />COMMISSIONER OSIADACZ seconded. <br /> <br />VICE-CHAIRMAN WACHSMITH felt things have been working well, and <br />there was no need to change the County Code at this time, and