The Ellensburg City Council conducted first reading Aug. 4 of Ordinance 49‑68, proposed revisions to Title 8 (the city’s traffic code) that respond to requests from the Ellensburg School District and city staff to improve student drop‑off, bus access and to align code with existing signage.

Josh Mattson, assistant city engineer, described the school district’s request to relocate a school bus parking restricted area from Walnut Street to Sampson Street at Lincoln Elementary and to remove a disabled parking stall on Walnut Street that was replaced by two accessible stalls in the school’s new lot. Mattson said the changes would provide "improved access to the school's main door on Sampson Street" and add on‑street bus parking capacity.

Staff also proposed removing an abandoned loading‑zone entry on First Avenue adjacent to Morgan Middle School and adjusting no‑parking restrictions on Third Avenue near Valley View Elementary so the code matches existing signage.

"Staff recommends that council consider first reading of the proposed ordinance revising portions of the traffic code," Mattson said.

Councilmembers asked how members of the public can request future traffic‑code changes; Mattson directed residents to contact the Public Works Department (509‑962‑7230) and said staff consult adjoining property owners for parking changes.

A motion to conduct the first reading of Ordinance 49‑68 passed on a voice vote. Because this was a first reading, the code revisions will return for further readings and formal adoption before taking effect.