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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-10-26-minutes-public-works-study-sessionPUBLIC COMMISSIONERS' MONDAY Board members Osiadacz and Others: Works; Ki'ttitc- present Q KITTITAS COUNTY WORKS STUDY SESSION MINUTES AUDITORIUM, 205 WEST 5TH ROOM Chairman Commissioner Jeff Joshua Fredrickson, Chad Bala, Community 1:30 PM Brett Wachsmith, Leichleiter . Lisa Godden, Development County Chamber of Commerce; No Kittitas Services members 109 OCTOBER 261 2026 Vice -Chairman Laura County Public Amy of the McGuf f in, public. At 1:31 PM Chairman Brett Wachsmith opened the Public Works Study Session. NO CITIZEN COMMENTS DIRECT STAFF REGARDING COAL MINES TRAIL ONGOING MAINTENANCE OF SIGNS PROPOSED ON THE Joshua Fredrickson briefed the Board of County Commissioners regarding proposed interpretive sl'gnage for the Coal Mines Trail. The proposal includes replacement of deteriorated signs, additional wayside signage,' and two kiosks, including a kiosk proposed within a County trail segment near Ronald. Grant and partner funding will cover installation costs. Discussion addressed the existing I'nterlocal agreement among Kitti'tas County, the City of Cle Elum, and the City of Roslyn; the County's annual contribution toward trail maintenance; responsibility for future maintenance and repair; and use of available trail funds and reimbursement procedures. The Board directed Public Works to continue coordinating with the Coal Mines Trail Commission regarding maintenance of the proposed signage and to seek reimbursement, as appropriate. DIRECT STAFF TO PREPARE ENABLING DOCUMENTS TO SOLICIT APPLICATIONS FOR THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO THE PUBLIC FACILITIES DISTRICT Joshua Fredrickson briefed the Board of County Commissioners regarding the process to solicit applications for the Kittitas County Public Facilities District Board of Directors, established by Resolution No. 2026-125. The Board discussed use of a review panel to screen applications and recommend candidates for the Board's appointments, while retaining final appointment authority. The Board directed staff to proceed with the proposed review -panel process, use the County's standard boards, committees, and 2026-10-26 MINUTES a I commissions application authorize solicitation will a commissioner, a representative, representative. include OTHER BUSINESS 11 and a Kittitas - NO ACTION Joshua Fredrickson and Commissioners on staff Community Development future ordinance and the meeting schedule. development of the Meeting Lisa concluded Godden Administrative Ass 2026-10-26 MINUTES form, and return with a formal agenda item of applications. The proposed review panel Community Development Services County Chamber of Commerce TO BE TAKEN Chad Bala briefed the discussions to combine Services study sessions formal agenda item would The Board proposal. No at 1:54 PM istant expressed action was Board of County the Public Works and . Staff indicated that be required to amend support taken. KITTITAS KITTITAS for further COUNTY COUNTY, 1907 COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON Brett Wachsmith, Chairman MW KITTITAS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS PUBLIC WORKS – BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS STUDY SESSION STAFF REPORT STUDY SESSION DATE: October 26, 2026 TOPIC: Coal Mines Trail Signs ACTION REQUESTED: Direct Staff Regarding Ongoing Maintenance of Signs Proposed on the Coal Mines Trail LEAD STAFF: Josh Fredrickson RECOMMENDATION: Direct staff regarding ongoing maintenance of proposed interpretive signs on the Coal Mines Trial BRIEFING SUMMARY: • A 1994 interlocal agreement between the City of Cle Elum, Roslyn and Kittitas County helps to coordinate the ownership and maintenance of the Coal Mines Trail section between Cle Elum and Roslyn • Trail facilities continue north from Roslyn and are the ownership of Kittitas County • Trail interpretive signs and kiosks along the trail from Cle Elum to Ronald have been proposed • Grant funding was secured by several groups for the initial installation of the signs BACKGROUND: The Coal Mines Trail extends from the City of Cle Elum to Ronald, with specific ownership of sections of the trail shared between Cle Elum, Roslyn and Kittitas County. An interlocal commencing on December 1, 1994, identifies the agreement to coordinate underground utilities and recreational area of the Coal Mines Trail. A group has secured funding to construct interpretive signs along the trail as well as a kiosk at either end of the trail. DISCUSSION: Coal Mines Trail Commission has secured funding to add interpretive signs along the trail. There will be (17) wayside panels measuring 12-inches by 10-inches and (3) wayside panels measuring 36-inches by 24-inches. In addition to these 20 interpretive signs, two kiosks will be constructed. The kiosks are approximately 10-feet in height and 10-12 feet in width. Kittitas County owns the property at the Ronald end of the trail. The County also has the section between Ronald and Roslyn along with a section between Roslyn and Cle Elum. Maintenance of the signs may be needed as they age. FISCAL IMPACT: Initial cost for sign establishment is carried by the group. Ongoing maintenance costs could be attributed to the Parks Fund (Fund 113). ATTACHMENTS: Exhibit 1: Coal Mines Trail Updating Interpretive Signage Exhibit 1: Coal Mines Trail Updating Interpretive Signage (17) small signs 12"x10"with Plant Stand Base direct embed into 3' deep concrete Specificati ons: 6" wide x 47"long aluminum flatbar 1/4" thick, with two b ends. Includes VHB mount i ng tape for sign ins tallation. Powde r coated textured black Specificati ons: Frame Width: 36.00. Frame Height: 24.0 0. Powdercoa t Black Texture (3) signs 36"x24"with Cantilevered Base embedded in 3' deep concrete Coal Mines Trail Updating of Interpretive Signage Project includes the following signs and bases (as noted): (3) sets of three identical signs ~4'2"x3' (trapezoid shape) These will replace existing signs at trailheads and will either be mounted on the existing “Tipple” structure at the Cle Elum Trailhead and on the two new kiosks located at the Ronald Trailhead & Roslyn” s Runje Field Trailhead. KITTITAS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS PUBLIC WORKS – BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS STUDY SESSION STAFF REPORT STUDY SESSION DATE: October 26, 2026 TOPIC: Public Facilities District Board of Directors ACTION REQUESTED: Direct Staff to Prepare Enabling Documents to Solicit Applications for the Board of Directors to the Public Facilities District LEAD STAFF: Josh Fredrickson RECOMMENDATION: Direct staff to prepare enabling documents to solicit applications for the Board of Directors to the Public Facilities District BRIEFING SUMMARY: • Resolution 2026-125 established a countywide Public Facilities District (PFD) • A PFD is a municipal corporation with independent taxing authority able to operate facilities and generate revenue • The PFD is to be governed by a five-member Board of Directors • Establishment of a process to solicit and select the Board of Directors to the newly established PFD BACKGROUND: Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 36.100 authorizes counties to develop a Public Facilities District (PFD). In coordination with the Washington State Department of Commerce, an independent financial feasibility review was performed prior to the establishment of a PFD. The independent financial feasibility review found a new PFD to be feasible. The countywide PFD was established by resolution 2026-125. Governance of the PFD is performed through a five-member Board of Directors (BOD). The Board of Directors consists of two members appointed by the Board of County Commissioners; Two members appointed by the Ellensburg City Council and one member selected by the other four members. DISCUSSION: With the Public Facilities District established, the next step is to establish a Board of Directors. Kittitas County is to appoint two members to the Board. A draft membership process has been prepared (Exhibit 1) for consideration. This process includes the solicitation of applications and review of the applications by a subcommittee. The subcommittee would then make a recommendation for consideration by the BOCC. FISCAL IMPACT: Initial establishment of the Board of Directors is anticipated to require the staff time to solicit and establish the BOD. ATTACHMENTS: Exhibit 1: Draft PFD Board of Directors Membership Process DRAFT – PFD Board of Directors Process Background: Establishment of Public Facilities District (PFD) is authorized by RCW 36.100. On July 21, 2026, the Kittitas County Board of County Commissioners approved Resolution 2026-125 establishing the Kittitas County Public Facilities District. The PFD is to be governed by a Five-Member Board of Directors. RCW 36.100.020(1)(b) identifies the appointment of the Five-Member Board of Directors shall be as follows: - Two members appointed by the Board of County Commissioners - Two members appointed by the Ellensburg City Council - One member will be selected by the other four members The sections below identify the process to solicit and appoint members of Kittitas County to the two appointed County positions. Section 1 – Appointment 1.1 The Kittitas County Board of County Commissioners will appoint two members, as volunteers, to the Kittitas County Public Facilities District Board of Directors (BOD). Appointment of members to the BOD will be made by resolution of the Board. Section 2 – Review Panel 2.1 The review panel will be tasked with review of each application submitted to fill the initial or vacant spot on the Board of Directors. The panel may determine whether to interview applicants as applicable. The review panel will make recommendations for appointments to the Board of County Commissioners. 2.2 A four-person review panel comprised of County Elected officials and County staff as identified below. 1. County Commissioner – to be selected by the Board of County Commissioners 2. The Kittitas County Community Development Services Director, or assigned 3. Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce CEO, or assigned Section 3 – Recruitment 3.1 For the initial appointment upon creation of the PFD, and whenever there is a vacancy in the County appointed PFD membership, the Board of County Commissioners will direct the solicitation for applicants. Content of an application will be established and approved by the Board of County Commissioners for use by applicants. 3.2 Recruitment for initial appointments, and whenever there is a vacancy in the County appointed PDF membership, public notice of the vacancy shall be made noticing of the vacant position to be filled. Solicitation for membership shall occur as timely as possible. Section 4 – Term 4.1 County appointees to the PFD Board of Directors will serve four-year staggered terms. 4.2 The initial appointees to the PFD Board of Directors may have irregular term lengths to establish staggering of terms. Initial term lengths will be established in consultation and coordination with the City of Ellensburg. 4.3 County appointees to the PFD Board of Directors may be removed at will by the Board of County Commissioners, and a new member may be appointed by the Board of County Commissioners to fill the unexpired term. 4.4 In the event a County appointee to the PFD Board of Directors does not complete the full appointed term, the Boad of County Commissioners may appoint a new member following the process identified above to complete the remaining term duration. Upon expiration of the term, the Board of County Commissioners will follow the process for appointments.