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Ellensburg council approves annexation first reading, adopts commission changes and signs off on gas-system study
Summary
At its meeting, the Ellensburg City Council approved a first reading to annex an 8-acre parcel for light-industrial use, adopted code changes renaming the city’s DEI commission, authorized a six‑year natural gas system study, and conducted first reading of proposed electric rate adjustments.
The Ellensburg City Council on April 8 moved forward on several agenda items affecting land use, municipal utilities and internal staffing.
Council conducted a public hearing and performed first reading of Ordinance 4985 to annex parcel 631033 (an ~8-acre site at 1830 Highway 97) submitted under the 60% petition method; planning staff recommended annexation and concurrent Light Industrial zoning after the planning commission’s recommendation. No public testimony was offered during the hearing and council approved the motion to proceed with first reading.
On a separate item, council adopted Ordinance 4982 on second reading to rename and revise the city code chapter 1.88 governing the city’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion commission; the ordinance changes its name to the Access, Advocacy, Equity and Engagement Commission and makes clarifying edits to duties and purpose language. The change followed public comment critical of the commission’s scope and legal standing; council members debated the length and phrasing of the new title before voting to adopt the ordinance.
Council also approved a professional services agreement with Kimley‑Horn to produce a six‑year natural gas system plan (2027–2032) to model system pressures, capacity and a prioritized capital improvement program. Staff framed the contract as an engineering ‘if‑then’ planning exercise — describing what would be required if specific load growth occurred — while some public commenters urged the council to await a separate decarbonization plan before funding analysis that models expansion. Staff said the study itself does not mandate system expansion.
The council conducted the first reading of Ordinance 4983 based on a presentation from consultant FCS Group and staff proposing an annual, across‑the‑board 3.75% rate strategy for 2026–2028 to address rising wholesale power costs. The consultant said the city is heavily dependent on wholesale purchases and projected a need for modest, recurring adjustments to protect reserves and debt coverage; council approved first reading to continue the ordinance process.
Other actions included approval of Resolution 20267 (amending 2026 pay scales for two non‑represented positions and several reclassifications), and authorization for the mayor to execute a multi‑party property‑exchange agreement with Kittitas County and Central Washington University that transfers a hangar to CWU for its aviation program and reallocates other parcels for local development. One councilmember abstained on the property‑exchange vote.
What happens next: the annexation ordinance will return for additional readings per state law and local procedure; the gas‑system study will begin under contract and the electric‑rate ordinance advance to its next reading where council will consider adoption timing and detailed rate tables.
