[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",5982744,"mediaKeyId","5842304-8be97a467a133fd0f9efcbadf02ba979","parentId",5842304,"title","Kittitas leaders propose countywide economic development partnership with executive director","audioSeconds",1581,"startMs",123000,"endMs",1704000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5842304-8be97a467a133fd0f9efcbadf02ba979&start=123&end=1704","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5842304-8be97a467a133fd0f9efcbadf02ba979/thumbnail_123000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5982744/Ellensburg-City/Kittitas-County/Washington/Kittitas-leaders-propose-countywide-economic-development-partnership-with-executive-director","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5982744-0640fee53ecc919fbb0a1d55fcaca95f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771042453&Signature=Y1V5Lkpk0gJPpnB3IF9gGmfQlacx6eLDTXkFXhA5pyGWTrNGyFaLXHd5r50LcZqEo07VZY5lrSURnsuiAowfFpcgmDEvOj-1gMjETTHjYg-~QSQGvx18~q1GHiTJ-0KYwetwkNWHN3iX7qMDYMtRAaallb9BsH0bBGPB~9lSMCU1MaL7FPngcyxQBfChky-d7Ok1SJMzvDwWtMmadqpTi5nkSz6Q0Lu3r5-VR2Gw4yFrgRFomCzLKeiQu1s~g77fXGh0QzkfrCyaXoMNoL0soWztX-EMJGhOalQs8EtzXaCR1m74fkuJr0k6HwY5xSLR0uLEuqdE8duEwU~gYu-jHw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Ellensburg City, WA","date","2025-09-16T15:56:40Z","article","Ellensburg city officials and county partners on Sept. 15 proposed forming a countywide economic development partnership overseen by the Kittitas Conference of Governments that would hire an executive director and create an action committee to coordinate business attraction, workforce development and regional projects.

The partnership concept, presented to the Ellensburg City Council by City Manager Heidi Baron Sternaway and leaders from the county and Central Washington University, would keep the Conference of Governments as the formal overseer while creating a separate action committee of “doers” — chamber staff, downtown association representatives, municipal staff and other practitioners — plus ad hoc committees for subject-matter work. County Auditor Brian O’Leary said the model is intended to “pull all the people together in our community that have different areas of subject matter expertise” and to avoid “another group of elected officials” doing the implementation work.

Proponents said the county faces a long-term earnings gap and needs a coordinated, proactive effort. Rob Augburn, associate vice president for federal relations and executive director of Business and Community Services at Central Washington University, showed data projecting slower wage growth in Kittitas County relative to King County and said the county must add roughly 300 high-skilled jobs a year, at an average wage of $100,000, to keep up with inflation. “We’re losing altitude,” Augburn said. “How do we fill this gap?”

Why it matters: speakers framed the proposal as an effort to retain local residents, expand family-wage jobs and stabilize the county tax base. Advocates said a central coordinator would connect university programs, industry needs and training partners so employers can find qualified local workers.

What the proposal would do: the Conference of Governments would remain the accountable body for funding and legitimacy; an action committee of economic-development practitioners would run implementation; ad hoc groups would assemble around issues such as workforce training or tourism; and an executive director — a new, funded position supervised by COG — would coordinate activities, hold partners accountable and run hiring and outreach. County Auditor Brian O’Leary said the role would be similar to existing regional managers who are accountable to advisory boards.

Timing and next steps: staff said they are drafting a memorandum of understanding and an interlocal agreement to formalize terms and to allow non-governmental partners to participate. A draft job description for an executive director exists; presenters said a formal hiring process would begin after the legal framework is in place and that an ideal target for placing the executive director would be around the second quarter of next year, subject to funding and partner input. City Manager Heidi Baron Sternaway said the documents will be circulated to jurisdictions for review and that some details remain to be resolved with the county commissioners.

Public reaction and concerns: speakers from the Chamber of Commerce and Central Washington University urged a proactive approach rather than reactive responses to business closures. At least one member of the public and a member of the county public questioned whether existing entities (for example, a port district or a public utility district) or improvements to COG governance might instead handle this work; Pat Geller told the council “You need to get back to your knitting” and expressed skepticism about forming a new structure without clearer accountability. Heidi Baron Sternaway and participants responded that the MOU/ILA would specify roles and that the proposed structure is intended to be complementary to existing municipal responsibilities.

What was not decided: the council did not vote on any ordinance or funding at the meeting. Presenters requested feedback and community input; staff were directed to continue drafting the MOU/ILA, refine the executive director job description with partners, and return with documents and a timeline for potential approval. No financial commitments or hiring decisions were made at this meeting.

Speakers quoted in this article are participants or staff who presented the plan and are identified in the council record. All quotations are taken from the council meeting transcript.

Ending: Staff said they will take the next several weeks to circulate draft legal terms to participating jurisdictions and partners, gather feedback and prepare for a formal decision point once the governance documents and funding plan are more fully developed.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting September 15, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Ellensburg city officials and county partners on Sept. 15 proposed forming a countywide economic development partnership overseen by the Kittitas Conference of Governments that would hire an executive director and create an action committee to coordinate business attraction, workforce development and regional projects.","taxTitle","Ellensburg City, Kittitas County, Washington","taxId",52274,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5982730,"Council approves RFQ for Ellensburg Fieldhouse developer, seeking public-private delivery under RCW 35.42",740,4974000,5714000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5842304-8be97a467a133fd0f9efcbadf02ba979&start=4974&end=5714","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5842304-8be97a467a133fd0f9efcbadf02ba979/thumbnail_4974000.jpg","/articles/5982730/Ellensburg-City/Kittitas-County/Washington/Council-approves-RFQ-for-Ellensburg-Fieldhouse-developer-seeking-public-private-delivery-under-RCW-3542","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5982730-fee5aecc5d454f672467083905daeb65/orig.mp4?Expires=1771042453&Signature=XefciETwx1PWpvN6DwcYVotlDKtqlnZBQ~1AIC0XlNFK8fLECEw2Bmk2d-91-VPotQEssVavi1xll2GvwHypISnbgKO8ifvvRG8uYmwDR1Ll7K87dbZ-eXzqamsQ4lDqDVDX-83loMyWp0QIR4VuGUr~5qtCK8nf~-EMO4cKz9M3GSXN5sbGT4RijCM7tSxQH3V2I-ZdDri5BRRnQ7afNnaGi034KEnibdLLDMSmHG7pLKgblv8YZWWG3eYS85hCTUz06Ub4F1H8-aqsgUdJKeBiOmKdoVK7bo2L82j7hU9h7umn569L~ZMvohCUi-QrtnWZBdmN0cMEQwhAj7ex3w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Ellensburg City Council on Sept. 15 approved publication of a request for qualifications for a developer to deliver a proposed Ellensburg Fieldhouse using a public-private delivery model authorized by state law.

City Manager Heidi Baron Sternaway told the council the city previously explored traditional design-bid-build alternatives after the loss of a prior recreation facility and that staff now believe a public-private, lease/leaseback approach under RCW 35.42 offers a path to build a multiuse fieldhouse affordably. “This is a model where the developer takes on design and the development risk and the city may lease the facility with potential purchase options,” Baron Sternaway said.

What the RFQ seeks: staff described an early program that would fit roughly 50,000 to 60,000 square feet and include five basketball courts, synthetic turf roughly the size of two full fields, multipurpose courts (volleyball, pickleball), batting/pitching cages and support spaces for storage and offices. Staff estimated, under the RFQ model, a developer could deliver a 50–60k sq ft facility for about $15–16 million, subject to design validation and guaranteed maximum price negotiations.

Timing and financing: managers said the RFQ would be open for a six‑to‑eight week proposal period; responses would return to council for concept review. Staff emphasized that the project will require additional funding (the city currently has roughly half of the estimated total purchase cost) and that off-ramps are built into the process: if the city is not prepared to meet a guaranteed maximum price or to secure debt service, the council can decline to proceed. Councilors asked about aligning the guaranteed maximum price milestone with any secondary funding strategy such as bonds or a public facilities district; staff agreed a deliberate alignment would be required.

Facilities and amenities: Parks staff said the RFQ lists key building components but that full locker-room build-out was not currently mandated; restroom and limited shower support were described as required, and staff noted the fieldhouse would prioritize courts, turf and storage. Parks Director Brad Case said the design work would refine those choices.

Vote and next steps: Council approved publication of the RFQ in “substantially similar form.” If proposals proceed through selection and validation phases, the city would need to resolve funding (bond, public facilities district or other revenue) before a purchase or long-term lease is executed.

Ending: Staff said the RFQ and subsequent developer validation phase include contractual protections and off-ramps; no commitment to construction or financing was made at this meeting.","The council authorized publication of a request for qualifications (RFQ) for a developer to build an Ellensburg Fieldhouse using a public-private model; staff estimated a 50,000–60,000 sq ft facility and a developer-delivered build cost near $15–16 million under the proposed lease/leaseback model, with off-ramps if funding is not secured.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5982735,"City adopts ADU changes: curb-frontage exemptions and 50% traffic impact fee for ADUs",118,2932000,3050000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5842304-8be97a467a133fd0f9efcbadf02ba979&start=2932&end=3050","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5842304-8be97a467a133fd0f9efcbadf02ba979/thumbnail_2932000.jpg","/articles/5982735/Ellensburg-City/Kittitas-County/Washington/City-adopts-ADU-changes-curb-frontage-exemptions-and-50-traffic-impact-fee-for-ADUs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5982735-e6a9a17ac3497e7a4fea0c8f48f90122/orig.mp4?Expires=1771042453&Signature=OUwwEC4EEIgRiCJIOuKnGK3a0sIdXEeNkMsGVAkINLKIzZ6WKCaTEaK2k6lyTKOIlNDz16TEurkwdJztlU~KI~YZ0tWzhbQuMX7ILnEBKqC9980y6HIZdhggPMzHDkyy-YF0N8LDKlRZxTfz~3~EkwjKqQ86KkCUfhtbMOU7HNwWKPUTX8t3Ibau6QUB73wx~4HSJjpDsMnNwS7PejGzL3Xpla0yPu9QxJbinaZX7Ns2GJm8PrzRJOvtZPyPOqLjtckbC8ZjcW5ibUnJCQtnb2D-cDba8Vhz9BwatDDPNVENOu6aEEXyDOdEiK6u8KKd0-UCy7JwcrjtGg0Q69ZCMg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Ellensburg City Council on Sept. 15 adopted Ordinance 4971 to amend city code so accessory dwelling units (ADUs) are exempt from curb, gutter and sidewalk frontage-improvement requirements and so traffic impact fees for ADUs are set at 50 percent of the single-family-residence rate.

Lily Fry, the city’s housing program manager, said the ordinance implements two final elements required by House Bill 137 (the ADU statute cited by staff) and its enabling code. “The exemption of curb, gutter and sidewalk or frontage improvement requirements for ADU building permits is specifically required by this legislation,” Fry said. She added that the city must make these changes by 2026 and that there were no changes to the ordinance since the Sept. 2 first reading.

Why it matters: The council’s action puts the city into compliance with the state law’s ADU provisions ahead of the 2026 deadline. The curb-frontage exemption reduces initial construction costs for ADU applicants; the 50 percent traffic-impact fee reduces proportional fees charged for additional units on a lot.

What passed: The council conducted a second reading and adopted the ordinance amending sections of the Ellensburg City Code (sections referenced in the ordinance language included code sections tied to ADUs and impact fees). The ordinance text in the record amends sections 4.6 0.60 and 14.4 0.170 of the Ellensburg City Code, per the clerk’s reading.

Public comment and council action: Staff answered questions from council and there were no public commenters on the ordinance at second reading. A councilmember moved and a second was recorded; the clerk called the roll and the ordinance was adopted by roll call.

What this did not do: The adoption does not change other local ADU standards beyond the two changes required to comply with state law, nor did it alter land-use permissions beyond the stated exemptions and fee adjustments.

Ending: City staff said they will implement code changes and update permit workflows to reflect the curb-frontage exemption and the ADU traffic-impact fee at 50 percent before the state’s compliance deadline in 2026.","The council adopted Ordinance 4971 to implement two provisions required by state law: exempting accessory dwelling units from curb/gutter/sidewalk frontage improvement requirements and charging ADUs 50% of the single-family residence traffic impact fee; the changes must be in place before the state's 2026 compliance deadline.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5982739,"Ellensburg police report lowest NIBRS crime rate on record but note rising mental-health calls",1559,2066000,3625000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5842304-8be97a467a133fd0f9efcbadf02ba979&start=2066&end=3625","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5842304-8be97a467a133fd0f9efcbadf02ba979/thumbnail_2066000.jpg","/articles/5982739/Ellensburg-City/Kittitas-County/Washington/Ellensburg-police-report-lowest-NIBRS-crime-rate-on-record-but-note-rising-mental-health-calls","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5982739-2303a03be04d75bb9cc9e5361b217b47/orig.mp4?Expires=1771042453&Signature=JvHGzxx2PLSoqSZNBDXNxf27e8HGQ9JSy2cLaFkycEnlpLrD84fnbVSHmtsWVAZuRvLzgP8KI9rI8SsDZVEQG91v1vdnSBbhL0M8pOwDKd1cFlNhnSpugYs~pQgvU6FIJbLAmw6zY4rydYJsdMp8ZAMQ2~7HPN-y-UGBq5ydozhgaPvgvEc7a~tv93A3EGH2wtxo7GHcvuUnf1cYPF0mVQU64Z1IOLj7Yc4KUZPX2h2iSDSn~d0PqUrbv1n2d5v64TmTVTfU86Mjjc0lWISWApre1rASCg03QGp~UyvKVhXnDmKZldgj4H4~9abFDTthCIUAxFUsMF4IHEqnSfkn8Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ellensburg Police Chief Ken Wade told the City Council on Sept. 15 that the department’s 2024 crime report shows an overall decline in reported crime under the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS), but that calls related to mental health continue to grow and remain a major operational concern.

“In 2024 we handled 16,018 calls and reported 1,183 NIBRS-related offenses,” Chief Wade said. “We made 447 group A NIBRS arrests, a decrease of 12 percent, and our NIBRS data has shown us 56.4 percent — an 11 percent decrease compared to 2023.” He said that since the department implemented an evidence-based policing model in mid-2022, the city’s crime rate measured by these data has dropped about 28 percent.

Why it matters: City leaders and the public use NIBRS and other locally collected metrics to judge public safety and staffing needs. Chief Wade framed the trends as a success for targeted, data-driven enforcement while identifying mental-health crises as an unresolved driver of calls for service.

Key findings reported by Chief Wade:
- Total calls: 16,018 in 2024 (about 5 percent fewer than 2023).
- NIBRS offenses: 1,183 (an 11 percent decrease from 2023).
- Group A NIBRS arrests: 447 (down 12 percent).
- Juvenile arrests: 74 in 2024, down from 92 in 2023 (about a 20 percent reduction).
- Motor vehicle thefts: fell from 48 in 2023 to 14 in 2024 (about a 70 percent reduction).
- Domestic violence-related offenses: 176 in 2024, down from 206 in 2023.

Chief Wade also presented program-level work: the department’s “Handle With Care” program reported 286 children under 18 identified as having experienced an adverse exposure event (data snapshot to July 2, 2025). He said the department has increased referrals to behavioral-health partners, and that year-to-date 2025 mental-health calls were down about 30 percent compared with an earlier peak, though Chief Wade cautioned that overall mental-health contacts remain well above historic levels.

Community engagement and prevention: Chief Wade described multiple prevention efforts, including juvenile education, a graffiti abatement partnership with parks and utilities, a high-density residential project with an apartment manager to reduce calls, and an alarm-reduction outreach that led to fewer false alarms. He said the department’s “precision policing” uses data to target a small number of people and places that account for a disproportionate share of calls.

Public questions and council discussion: Councilmembers asked whether statewide decreases mirrored the city’s trends. Chief Wade said the statewide crime decrease was modest (0.8 percent) while Ellensburg’s drop was larger, and he said that difference suggests local programs contributed to the city’s results. When a resident asked how parents can reduce juvenile involvement with police, Chief Wade described work with schools, the Department of Children, Youth & Families and local health partners to expand parenting supports, first-time-parent education and referrals to counseling.

What this did not change: No new ordinances, budget allocations or staffing commitments were made during the presentation. Chief Wade asked council to continue supporting cross-sector partners and training programs to address mental-health needs.

Ending: Chief Wade closed by thanking officers and partners and asking the community to continue reporting issues that can be addressed through prevention and targeted enforcement.","Police Chief Ken Wade told the council that overall NIBRS-reported crime and several key categories fell in 2024, with large reductions in motor vehicle thefts and juvenile arrests, but that mental-health related calls have grown and remain a focus; Chief Wade credited an evidence-based policing model implemented in 2022.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Kittitas leaders propose countywide economic development partnership with executive director

Council approves RFQ for Ellensburg Fieldhouse developer, seeking public-private delivery under RCW 35.42

City adopts ADU changes: curb-frontage exemptions and 50% traffic impact fee for ADUs

Ellensburg police report lowest NIBRS crime rate on record but note rising mental-health calls