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KITTITAS COUNTY <br />PUBLIC WORKS STUDY SESSION MINUTES <br />COMMISSIONERS' AUDITORIUM, 205 WEST 5TH ROOM 109 <br />MONDAY 1:30 PM SEPTEMBER 14, 2026 <br />Board members present: Chairman Brett Wachsmith, Vice -Chairman Laura <br />Osiadacz and Commissioner Jeff Leichleiter. <br />Others: Joshua Fredrickson, Arden Thomas, Lisa Godden, Kittitas <br />County Public Works; James McCubbin, Kittitas County Prosecutor's <br />Office; Darren Higashiyama, Kittitas County Sheriff's Office; Cory <br />Wright, Kittitas County Conference of Governments; Kristi More and <br />Christopher Griffin, The Ferguson Group (virtual), no members of the <br />public. <br />At 1:30 PM Chairman Brett Wachsmith opened the Public Works Study <br />Session. <br />NO CITIZEN COMMENTS <br />YAKIMA RIVER AT EASTON FLOOD RISK CATEGORIES <br />Arden Thomas briefed the Board of County Commissioners on the need to <br />establish additional flood risk categories for the Yakima River at <br />Easton following the December 2025 flood event. Arden Thomas <br />explained that the existing National Weather Service forecast <br />information identifies only an action stage and minor flooding, <br />limiting the ability to communicate the potential severity of larger <br />flood events to the public. Staff requested direction to coordinate <br />with the National Weather Service to develop and publish additional <br />flood impact categories using available hydraulic modeling. The Board <br />supported staff proceeding with this coordination and public <br />outreach. Arden Thomas noted that the categories would be reviewed <br />and adjusted as conditions warrant. <br />OTHER BUSINESS - NO ACTION TO BE TAKEN <br />Joshua Fredrickson introduced Cory Wright and Kristi More regarding <br />the proposed regional federal advocacy and grant -services arrangement <br />through the Kittitas County Council of Governments and The Ferguson <br />Group. Cory Wright stated that the County's annual contribution would <br />remain at $7,000 and that the arrangement is anticipated to begin <br />October 1, 2026. Kristi More described expanded services, including a <br />County -specific strategic funding plan, identification of federal, <br />state, foundation, and private funding opportunities, regional <br />advocacy, and continued support for County -specific federal <br />priorities. No action was taken. <br />2026-09-14 MINUTES <br />