Ellensburg City Council Regular Meeting - September 8, 2026

The Ellensburg City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, September 8, 2026 at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers at 501 N Anderson Street, Ellensburg, and remotely via Zoom. Mayor Rich Elliott presided, with Councilmembers Sarah Beauchamp, Nancy Goodloe, Nancy Lillquist (joining at 7:03 PM), David Miller, Delano Palmer, and Joshua Thompson present. City Manager Heidi Behrends Cerniwey, City Attorney Chris Horner, City Clerk Beth Leader, and other staff were also present. The meeting included a consent agenda, a public hearing, adoption of several ordinances and resolutions, discussion of the Comprehensive Plan Environmental Impact Statement and a countywide federal legislative advocacy proposal, and reports from the city manager and councilmembers. All votes were unanimous 7-0. The meeting adjourned at 8:20 PM following a brief executive session.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes of August 17, 2026 regular meeting and acknowledged minutes of boards and commissions.
• Awarded Bid Call 2026-17 for sewer line replacement between Manhole 56-184 and Manhole 56-183.
• Approved Esri Sole Source Resolution and SGEA Purchase.
• Approved the September 8, 2026 voucher listing.

Public Comments & Testimony

• William Coleman, a resident of Kittitas County, spoke during public comment on non-agenda items. He expressed strong opposition to what he characterized as the continued influence of former Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) advocates within the newly formed Access and Engagement Commission. Coleman stated that some commissioners are "continuing to push your socio-political agenda, worming thinly veiled DEI language back into the comprehensive plan where it does not belong." He argued that Chapter 2 of the comprehensive plan has nothing to do with the Growth Management Act and called for the removal of commissioners who push such language, stating "I call for your positions." He urged the council to take responsibility.

Discussion Items

Closed Record Hearing: Sanders Mill Phase 9 & 10 Subdivision and Departure Request

• This was a quasi-judicial closed record hearing to consider adoption of Resolution 2026-21, approving the Sanders Mill Phase 9 and 10 Departure Request (P25-122) and Preliminary Long Subdivision (P26-006). Associate Planner Chase Pedersen presented the staff report, summarizing the application's history, public notice, critical area review, and the hearing examiner's recommendation. The proposal would create 25 buildable lots and a future development tract, with requested departures from street design standards to maintain continuity with earlier phases. No public testimony was offered. Council approved the resolution (7-0) as recommended by the hearing examiner.

Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinances and Resolutions

• Ordinance 4993 (Change Funds): Sarah Thorson presented the ordinance to update city code on change funds. It repeals two unused change funds (Animal Shelter and Racquet & Recreation Center) and reduces the Library change fund from $300 to $238, reflecting the 2024 return of $62 from Hal Holmes Center. Council adopted the ordinance (7-0).
• Ordinance 4995 (Traffic Code Revisions): City Engineer Derek Mayo presented the second reading of traffic code revisions. The ordinance converts the intersection of 5th and Chestnut from a two-way stop to an all-way stop, formalizing a temporary four-way stop from the rodeo, and corrects the code for 3rd and Chestnut to reflect its existing four-way stop. Council adopted the ordinance (7-0).
• Resolution 2026-20 (Kittitas County Public Facilities Board Appointments): City Attorney Chris Horner explained that the County created a countywide Public Facilities District. Because Ellensburg's population exceeds 40% of the county, the City Council appoints two members to the board. The resolution establishes a process: an interview panel (Mayor, City Manager, and one councilmember selected by council) will interview candidates and recommend appointments to the full council. Terms are four years; councilmembers and staff are prohibited from serving. Council approved the resolution (7-0).

Comprehensive Plan Final Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)

• Community Development Director Dan Carlson introduced the item, noting that the Comprehensive Plan update requires a new EIS under the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA). Spencer Easton of SCJ Alliance, the environmental planner who drafted the EIS, presented a detailed overview. He explained the three alternatives considered:
  • No Action: Failing to adopt an updated plan, which would result in non-compliance with the Growth Management Act.
  • Action Alternative 1 (Preferred): Adoption of the comprehensive plan with limited zoning changes (combining Residential Suburban and Residential Low zones).
  • Action Alternative 2: Adoption with more extensive zoning changes (including rezonings along West University Way, East Umtanum Road, and other areas).
• Key findings included that the No Action alternative would have significant unavoidable adverse land use impacts and that, under Alternatives 1 and 2, the city could lack housing capacity for lower-income households over the 20-year planning period. The EIS also identified three intersections that could fail level-of-service standards, but mitigation measures are included in the Transportation Improvement Plan. Two comment letters (from Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and a member of the public) and four written comments from an open house were received. The final EIS is scheduled for publication in October 2026. Councilmembers asked questions about zoning changes, density, and stormwater impacts. No action was taken; the item was informational only.

Discussion of Kittitas County Conference of Governments (COG) Proposal for Joint Countywide Federal Legislative Advocacy

• City Manager Heidi Behrends Cerniwey introduced the topic. Cory Wright, Executive Director of Kittitas County Economic Development Partnership, explained that the COG has been exploring a regional federal advocacy partnership for about 18 months. Kristi More of The Ferguson Group, the proposed lobbying firm, presented via video. The proposal includes a countywide advocacy platform and a grant/funding coordination program, with an interlocal agreement (ILA) currently under legal review. The partnership would include Kittitas County, cities, and Central Washington University. Benefits cited include a tenfold return on investment seen by the county alone, enhanced competitiveness for federal earmarks, and reduced competition among local entities. Councilmembers asked about how the platform would be set and how priorities are determined. No decision was made; the item will return for action at a future meeting.

Manager's Report and Council Reports

• City Manager Behrends Cerniwey reported on upcoming community sessions (heat pump workshop, stormwater standards update), a pilot program for downtown wayfinding decals ahead of the Places Conference, and the draft Urban Forest Management Plan open for comment through mid-September. She also previewed that the next council agenda would include a review of Chapter 2 of the Comprehensive Plan and noted two openings on the Access and Engagement Commission, proposing a temporary appointment of a councilmember to aid the commission's reset. Councilmembers gave individual reports covering attendance at various commission meetings, the Employee Appreciation BBQ, an ADU panel on affordable housing, a discussion on FLOCK cameras with the police chief, and updates on the fair/rodeo, EMS licensing issues, and a statewide burn ban.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda approved 7-0.
• Resolution 2026-21 adopted 7-0, approving Sanders Mill Phase 9 & 10 departure request and subdivision.
• Ordinance 4993 adopted 7-0, amending change funds.
• Ordinance 4995 adopted 7-0, revising traffic codes.
• Resolution 2026-20 adopted 7-0, establishing the appointment process for the Kittitas County Public Facilities Board.
• No action taken on the Comprehensive Plan EIS or COG proposal; both are scheduled for future council consideration.
• An executive session for potential litigation lasted approximately 10 minutes (8:15 PM – 8:20 PM), after which the meeting adjourned.