HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-06-22KITTITAS COUNTY
CDS STUDY SESSION MINUTES
COMMISSIONERS' AUDITORIUM, 205 WEST 5th ROOM 109
Regular Meeting
MONDAY 2:30 PM June 22, 2026
Board members present: Chairman Cory Wright, Vice -Chairman Brett
Wachsmith, and Commissioner Laura Osiadacz.
Others: Chad Bala, Ellie Myers, Jessica Miller, Community
Development Services, Stephanie Hartung, Chief Civil Deputy, and
(0) members of the public.
At 2:30 pm Chairman Wright opened the Community Development
Services Study Session.
CITIZEN COMMENTS
There were no citizen comments.
RESOLUTION TO APPROVE A RESOLUTION TO EXTEND KIMLEY-HORN AND
ASSOCIATES, LLC. PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT FOR PLANNING
SUPPORT SERVICES EXTENDING TWO YEARS UNTIL MAY 24TH, 2028
CDS Director Chad Bala presented the request to approve a
resolution to extend our on -call services with Kimley-Horn for
two years. Their master contract is up this month. During the
two year update process, staff has added additional tasks and
they are doing the Clean Energy Siting Permitting project.
Vice -Chairman Wachsmith moved to approve the resolution
authorizing the extension of Kimley-Horn consultant's contract
for on -call environmental planning, long range planning, current
planning and support for a two-year period.
Commissioner Osiadacz seconded. Discussion - none. Motion passed
all in favor.
KITTITAS COUNTY 2026 CLEAN ENERGY SITING PERMITTING (CESP)
UPDATE
2026-6-22
MINUTES 1
CDS Director Bala introduced Planner Ellie Myer to present the
CESP staff report and update.
Planner Ellie Myers stated that staff and Kimley-Horn are moving
forward with the CESP project. The goal of the project is to
determine which clean energy types are most suitable and
appropriate for siting and permitting. Three alternatives have
been identified and they are outlined in the memo attached.
Planner Myers stated the environmental impact study (EIS)
scoping comment period ran from April 16 through May 18 and
staff received a total of 17 comments. Staff held three EIS
scoping events, two were held on May 2nd, one in upper county and
one in lower county, which had approximately 80 attendees. The
third one was held in Easton and had an additional 20 attendees.
Staff has completed the draft EIS outline and the framing
questions. The next steps are to conduct a stakeholder and
tribal meeting for summer 2026, continue working on the draft
EIS this fall, issue the draft EIS this fall, and hold
additional public comment periods and open houses.
Commissioner Wright asked if there had been any feedback from
the participants. Planner Myers stated participants commented on
the energies they want staff to focus on, updating the overlay
areas for solar and wind, concerns over siting in Ag land or
open range, and support for geothermal energy. At the events
there was a lot positive interactions towards the small scale
nuclear, but the comments we received did not reflect that.
OTHER BUSINESS
CDS Director Bala stated that Washington State Department of
Commerce asked our office if there was a want for extra money,
they are looking at around $100,000-$150,000. Staff is waiting
to hear back on the timeline of receiving the funds. Staff is
thinking about using it for some feasibility analysis regarding
building or tagging it along with our MID code that we recently
adopted.
Meeting concluded at 2:35 p.m.
2026-6-22
MINUTES 2
KITTITAS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Jessica Miller, Office Cory Wright, Chairman
Administator
2026-6-22
MINUTES