The Ellensburg City Council took several formal actions at its July 21 regular meeting, adopting two telecommunications franchise ordinances, rejecting four bids on a tree trimming contract and approving multiple facility and process items.

Telecommunications franchises: On second reading council adopted two 10‑year, non‑exclusive telecommunications franchise ordinances. Ordinance 4965 grants a franchise to Zipley Fiber Pacific LLC and ordinance 4966 grants a franchise to Wholesale Networks LLC. City staff provided organizational materials and corporate disclosures at council’s request. Both ordinances passed on roll call.

Tree‑trimming contract: The City Light Department asked the council to reject four bids on a routine tree‑trimming contract for the electric distribution system and publicly rebid after clarifying bid requirements for safety qualifications and required insulated tools for working near conductors. Staff said the rejection will allow improved bid language to ensure qualification and production standards; council adopted Resolution 2025‑19 to reject the bids and instructed staff to rebid.

LTAC downtown trash cans: The Lodging Tax Advisory Committee and city staff recommended replacing worn downtown receptacles. Council authorized the city manager to purchase new downtown garbage‑can receptacles and approve any needed budget adjustments, using up to $60,000 of lodging‑tax funds for the purchase and installation; staff and council discussed refurbishment of some existing artistic cans as a parallel option.

Cold weather shelter: Council authorized the city manager to sign a lease with Grace Church for year‑round access to roughly 2,600 square feet (two classrooms, a kitchen and restrooms) to host the cold weather shelter during the November–March season. The two‑year lease runs through July 2026; the estimated lease cost is approximately $73,000 over two years and staff said the city will fund the lease from affordable housing sales tax funds while the county seeks an operator and pays the operating contract.

Hospital levy support: Council adopted Resolution 2025‑20 formally supporting Kittitas Valley Hospital District No. 1’s proposed levy lid lift to fund health care services, including labor and delivery. Several council members spoke in favor, one council member said they supported the proposition but would abstain from the vote because it is on the ballot; the resolution passed with a majority vote.

Pro and con committee for a transit ballot measure: Following the council’s decision to place a public‑transit funding proposition on the November ballot, council appointed three volunteers to the pro committee — Jeff Watson, Robert Messinger and Jim Herson — and three to the con committee — Logan Cook, Jessica Carriker and Jennifer Pattison — to prepare statements for the voter pamphlet. City staff reported statements must be submitted to the county auditor by Aug. 16.

Other items: Council approved the second reading and adoption of the two telecommunications franchises (Ordinances 4965 and 4966) and approved rebidding the tree‑trimming contract. Each of these required a formal roll call or resolution vote; staff will return with contract documents and the rebid schedule.

Votes at a glance

- Ordinance 4965 (Zipley Fiber Pacific LLC — 10‑year telecommunications franchise): Adopted on second reading (roll call passed).
- Ordinance 4966 (Wholesale Networks LLC — 10‑year telecommunications franchise): Adopted on second reading (roll call passed).
- Resolution 2025‑19 (reject bids for Bid Call 2025‑08 — tree trimming, electric distribution): Adopted; staff to rebid with clarified requirements.
- Authorization to purchase downtown garbage receptacles using up to $60,000 lodging tax funds: Approved.
- Cold weather shelter lease with Grace Church (two‑year lease, funded from affordable housing sales tax): Authorized; estimated lease $73,000 over two years.
- Resolution 2025‑20 (support Kittitas Valley Hospital District No. 1 levy lid lift): Adopted; one council member abstained from the vote (name not specified on the public roll call record in the transcript).
- Appointments to pro and con committees for transit ballot proposition: Pro — Jeff Watson, Robert Messinger, Jim Herson. Con — Logan Cook, Jessica Carriker, Jennifer Pattison. Statements due Aug. 16 to Kittitas County auditor.

Council directed staff to rebid the tree‑trimming contract with clarified safety and equipment language, to coordinate the shelter lease with the county’s operator selection process, and to return contract documents and timelines on the telecom franchises and rebid schedule to council.