Ellensburg council adopts transportation plan updates, approves parks appointments and ERP contract; conducts first readings on three ordinances

Ellensburg City Council voted to amend its six-year transportation improvement program and took several administrative and legislative steps on items ranging from parks commission appointments to a contract for enterprise resource planning software.

In a divided but passing vote, the council adopted Resolution 2025-02 to amend the 2025–2036 Transportation Improvement Plan to add two federally funded pedestrian projects: the Vantage Highway shared-use pathway (federal grant $1,900,000 with $440,000 local match) and the Third Avenue paver-stone pathway and historic lighting project (federal grant $432,000 with $433,000 local match). The projects are slated to enter design soon and aim for construction in 2026. “The resolution before you tonight will amend the plan to reflect 2 new Federal grants awarded for the Vantage Highway shared use pathway project and the Third Avenue Paverstone pathway and historic lighting project,” said Josh Mattson, Public Works and Utilities.

Council also approved three temporary appointments to the Parks and Recreation Commission through May 2025: Devin Shea, Charlie Smith and an applicant identified in the record as Laura (last name recorded inconsistently in the transcript). The council moved to appoint all three to allow the commission to meet and participate in near-term work on fees and the park master plan; those appointments will be revisited in May.

On consent of the council, staff was authorized to proceed with selection and contracting for enterprise resource planning (ERP) project management services. The council voted to award the ERP project management contract to Soft Resources LLC and authorized the city manager to execute the professional services agreement. Council discussion acknowledged ERP as a multi-year, citywide undertaking intended to replace legacy financial software.

The council conducted first readings — and approved moving forward with first-readings — on three ordinances with minimal debate: - Ordinance 4954: would allow waiver of sewer plant impact, water plant impact and meter fees for qualifying affordable housing projects, using RCW authority and replacement funds from CHIP grants or affordable-housing sales tax as available. Lily Fry, Housing and Grants Administrator, described the ordinance and noted the waiver process would rely on RCW 35.92.385 definitions and on reimbursement mechanisms. - Ordinance 4955: would reorganize the city’s Public Works & Utilities department into separate Public Works and Energy Services departments and rename positions accordingly; the council conducted first reading. - Ordinance 4956: would amend utility billing policies and procedures to lengthen billing and notice timelines and allow fixed billing dates for customers; staff said the changes aim to reduce late fees and administrative burden.

What this means: The transportation plan changes lock in federal grant funding for two pedestrian projects and update the TIP budget and project names. The parks appointments restore quorum capacity for a commission with several upcoming items on fees and the park master plan. The ERP award launches an expected two-plus year citywide implementation. The ordinances proceed through the council’s normal first-reading process and will return for second reading and final action later.

Votes at a glance - Resolution 2025-02 (TIP amendment: Vantage Highway shared-use pathway; Third Avenue paver-stone pathway and historic lighting): Adopted (vote recorded in meeting). Funding added: $1,900,000 federal + $440,000 local match for Vantage; $432,000 federal + $433,000 local match for Third Avenue. Design planned to begin soon; construction planned in 2026. (Staff: Josh Mattson.) - Parks & Recreation Commission appointments (temporary through May 2025): Devin Shea — appointed; Charlie Smith — appointed; Laura (last name inconsistent in record) — appointed. Council to revisit in May. (Mover/second recorded in meeting.) - ERP project management services: Awarded to Soft Resources LLC; city manager authorized to execute contract and payment. (Mover/second recorded in meeting.) - Ordinance 4954 (utility connection fee waivers for qualifying affordable housing; first reading): Conducted first reading; moved forward for second reading. (Staff: Lily Fry.) - Ordinance 4955 (reorganization of Public Works & Utilities into Public Works and Energy Services; first reading): Conducted first reading; moved forward. (Staff: Heidi Baron Stornoway, City Manager.) - Ordinance 4956 (utility billing policies and procedures; first reading): Conducted first reading; moved forward.

Next steps and scheduling - Projects added to the TIP will proceed into design with construction targeting 2026. Grant paperwork authorization was delegated to the mayor and staff as part of the TIP action. - The three ordinances will return for second readings at future meetings. The temporary parks appointments will be revisited in May 2025.

Ending: The council covered a mix of capital, administrative and policy items in a single meeting session. Staff will return with second readings on the ordinances and with design steps and grant paperwork for the TIP projects.