HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-11-07-minutes-2pm-public-hearingCOMMISSIONERS' MTNUTES
KITTITAS COT NTY, T{IASHINGTON
AT'DITORIT'M
SPECIAI, MEETING
TUESDAY 2:OO P-M NOVEMBER 7, 2023
Board members present: Chairman Cory Wrlght and Vice-Chairman Brett
Wachsmith, Commissioner Laura Osiadacz.
others: Julie Kjorsvik, clerk of the Board; Mandy Buchholz, officeAdministrator; Mark Cook, Public Works/CnS Director; Brian Carlson,
Budget & Finance Director; and 6 members of the public.
PT'BLIC HE.JARING CREATING A PI'BLIC SERVTCES DEPT PT'BLIC WORKS
At 2200 p.m. CHAIRIIA\T WRIGHT opened a Public Hearing continued from
October IJ, 2023, to consider amending Kittitas County Code to
reflect the formation of a Pubfic Services Department. He noted the
record was open.
I4ARK COOK, PIIBLIC WORKS/CDS DIRECTOR, reviewed a Staff Report and
said the red-l-ined version of the Code was uploaded onto the County
website following the October 17th Public Hearing.
THosE PRESENT e rEsrrFYrNc: EMrLY sMrrH testified against theproposal, stating that it would be an unreasonable task for one
person to effectively run the Public Works Department, Community
Development Services, and Airport. She feft the merger woufd
eventually result in separatlng the divisions when the currentDirector retlres. PAT DENEEN disagreed and said he'd been dealingwith the Public Works Department and Community Development Services
when working on pro;ects, and it's always difficult to coordinate
between the two. They have slmilar goals and by having one person
would cut down on both indecisions and tlming. TERRY LaRIIE felt that
by consolidating the three positions it woul-d dilute control of oneperson. He said there was no mention of the Airport Director and yet
the current posting and job descrJ-ption, 9 of the 25 items relate tothe Airport. He said there was no public visibility when the Airport
Department was abofished, and urged the Board to sit down with the
taxpayers and put together what their need is because most people donot understand what they are trying to accomplish. THERE BEING NO
oTHERS REQI'ESTTNG TO TESTTFY, THE pt BLrC PORTTON OF THE HEjARTNG lrAS
CLOSED.
VICE-CIIAfRIIAIMACHSMfTH moved to deny the request,
COMMISSIONER OSIADACZ seconded.
AS presented.
VICE-CIIAIRIIAII IIACHSMITH fel_t things have been
there was no need to change the County Code at
LL/07/2023 MTNUTES I
working wef l-, and
this time, and
, ,:i
ll'zt-2623
continue on the path with the hiring process for Director Cook's
replacement. COMMISSIONER OSIADACZ said Director Cook has been
working very well between the Public Works Department and Community
Development services, but feared not everyone was going to be able
to continue what he's been doing. She felt there needed to be more
discussion from her standpoint.
Director cook said if there was interest in separating out thepositions, the upcoming holidays may be difficuft to attract
candidates, and recommended suspending advertising and do it again
after the New Year.
CHAIRIIAI{ WRIGHT
and recommended
said the Board didn't have
remanding it back to Staff.
to solve everything today
VICE-CHAfR!4AN WACHSI4TIH moved to amend the motion to remand it back
to Staff. COMMISSIONER OSIADACZ seconded. Motion carried 3-0.
Amended motion to deny the request and remand it back to Staff was
approved 3-0.
The meeting concluded at 2:LB p.m
KITTITAS COI'NTY COMMISSIONERS
CLERK OF THE BOARD KITTI HINGTON
t-e s Cory Wright
2LL/01/2023 MINUTES