On the agenda: Ellensburg City Council Meeting — Data Center (Oct 5)

CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
October 5, 2026

Ellensburg City Council welcomes and encourages public participation in their public
meetings. Meetings are broadcast on Charter/Spectrum Channel 191 and available to
livestream on Ellensburg Community Television at ectv2.com or on YouTube at ECTV
Ellensburg. Members of the public may attend City Council meetings either in person in the
City Council Chambers, 501 N Anderson Street, Ellensburg, WA 98926 or by registering to
attend remotely via video conference.
The 6 p.m. Study Session will take place in the City Council Chambers, 501 N Anderson
Street, Ellensburg, WA 98926. No public comment will be accepted. The meeting is available
to livestream on YouTube at ECTV Ellensburg: ECTV Ellensburg - YouTube
To attend the City Council meeting virtually register here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_VRaaVt0HQeWeCGWsCFzGlQ
Accessibility
The City of Ellensburg strives to make our services, programs, and activities readily
accessible.
• Closed Captioning is available to Zoom viewers. To enable closed captioning, you will
need to click on the “CC” button at the bottom of your Zoom screen and then select
either “Show Subtitle” or “View Full Transcript."
• Members of the public who do not speak English or who have limited proficiency may
request an interpreter if they wish to participate in public meetings.
• The City will provide reasonable accommodation for members of the public with
disabilities.
The City of Ellensburg strives to make our services, programs, and activities readily
accessible and usable by individuals with disabilities. Reasonable accommodations will be
made upon request. Please furnish the ADA Coordinator with your request in sufficient time
for the City to provide a reasonable accommodation. A Request for Accommodation form
may be obtained on the first floor of City Hall or by calling the City of Ellensburg ADA
Coordinator at (509) 962-7222 or email [email protected]

COUNCIL MEETING
GUIDELINES FOR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
All City Council meetings are broadcast on Charter/Spectrum Channel 191 and available to livestream
on Ellensburg Community Television at www.ectv2.com or on YouTube at ECTV Ellensburg. You may
also attend by phone, only, and listen to the meeting by following the registration instructions under
“Procedure for Remote Participation During Meeting” below. Once you register, you will be sent a
meeting invitation with a phone number for the meeting.
Public comment on Non-Agenda Issues (Item No. 7) is limited to a combined total of thirty (30) minutes
unless Council votes to extend the time. Testimony or comments will be accepted in the following
manner:
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1.

2.
3.
4.
5.

SUBMISSION OF WRITTEN COMMENTS
Written comments submitted in advance of meeting
Submit written comments by mail to Beth Leader, City Clerk, Ellensburg City Hall, 501 N.
Anderson St., Ellensburg, WA 98926, or via email to: [email protected]. Comments
received by 5 p.m. on the meeting date will be compiled, sent to the City Council and entered
into the record.
Comments for public hearings
Written comments must be received by the City Clerk by 5 p.m. on the meeting date. Comments
can either be mailed to Beth Leader, City Clerk, Ellensburg City Hall, 501 N. Anderson St.,
Ellensburg, WA 98926, or sent via email to: [email protected]. Comments received
by 5 p.m. on the meeting date will be compiled, sent to the City Council and entered into the
record.
PROCEDURE FOR REMOTE PARTICIPATION DURING MEETING
Advance registration is required to provide public comment or hearing testimony via
remote meeting attendance. Once registered, you will receive an email with the meeting
link and phone number (for those who wish to call into the meeting).
a) Anyone wishing to provide public comment on Non-Agenda Issues (Item No. 7 on the
Agenda) must: 1. Register via the Zoom link by no later than 24 hours prior to the meeting;
and 2. Provide a description in the Zoom registration form of the topic upon which they wish
to speak with sufficient detail to allow the Mayor to determine whether it pertains to City
business or a matter over which Council has control.
b) Anyone wishing to speak on all other Agenda items where it specifically states “Public
Comment Opportunity” must register prior to 7 p.m. the day of the meeting.
Join the meeting early, as you may need to download the app in advance to participate. Once
you’ve joined the meeting, your camera and microphone will be muted until you are recognized
by the Mayor to speak.
Please note that there may be several items on the City Council Agenda that will precede the
agenda item you wish to address.
The Mayor will identify the agenda item and ask if anyone wishes to speak on the matter.
If you wish to speak on an agenda item, you must:
a) Wait to be called upon by the Mayor using your name, e-mail, or phone number used to log
in to the teleconference.
b) Raise your “virtual hand” in the corner of Zoom application on the computer screen or press
*9 on your phone. Raising your hand signals the moderator that you wish to speak.

6. Please state your name, whether you live in the City of Ellensburg, Kittitas County or elsewhere,
and whether you are representing only yourself or others.
PROCEDURE FOR IN-PERSON PARTICIPATION (COUNCIL CHAMBERS)
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When recognized, approach the microphone provided on the right side of the room.
Please state your name, whether you live in the City of Ellensburg, Kittitas County or elsewhere, and
whether you are representing only yourself or others.
Each speaker’s comments are to be limited to 3 MINUTES.
Submit any written comments to the City Clerk.
Speakers may not identify themselves as candidates for elective public office or make any statements
which assist or discuss the campaign of a candidate for elective office or discuss or campaign for or
against a ballot proposition (unless the ballot proposition is being considered as part of the City
Council agenda item).
PUBLIC COMMENT RULES FOR ALL MEETING PARTICIPANTS
1. Each speaker’s comments are to be limited to 3 MINUTES.
2. Speakers are cautioned not to engage in conduct that disrupts, disturbs or otherwise impedes the
orderly conduct of the Council meeting.
3. Speakers may not identify themselves as candidates for elective public office or make any statements
which assist or discuss the campaign of a candidate for elective office or discuss or campaign for or
against a ballot proposition (unless the ballot proposition is being considered as part of the City
Council agenda item).
4. Speakers providing comments on Item 7, Non-Agenda Issues, may only address the Council on
matters which concern the City’s business or over which the Council has control, and must announce
the topic upon which they wish to speak before making their comments.

Please note: City Council Rules provide that no action will be taken by the Council at the meeting at which a
subject is first introduced during the citizen comment period (Item 7 on the Agenda). Council may consider an
item at a future meeting, thus you may wish to concisely state your concern and request placement of your
matter on a future agenda. Staff will follow up with speakers as necessary.
CONSENT AGENDA
Members of the audience may request items be removed from the consent agenda by asking for recognition
and making the request during Agenda Approval. Items will not be removed from the consent agenda unless
your request is confirmed by a councilmember.
AGENDA ITEMS
If you wish to have an item placed on a Council agenda, a written request should be delivered to the City
Manager’s Office prior to noon on the Monday preceding the Council meeting. Assistance will be provided in
preparing a request if you wish to contact the City Clerk at (509) 925-8614.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
City Council accepts testimony or comments in person or via remote testimony on a particular subject
schedule for Public Hearing. Council will consider all testimony, respond to any questions, and take action
after the public hearing is closed. Testimony or comments will be accepted in the following manner:
1. When recognized,
If attending in the Council Chambers, approach the microphone provided on the right side of the
room.
If attending remotely, raise your “virtual hand” in the corner of Zoom application on the computer
screen or press *9 on your phone.
2. Please state your name, address, and whether you are representing only yourself or others.
3. Please limit your comments to 5 MINUTES.
4. Submit written comments to the City Clerk.

CITY OF ELLENSBURG
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
Council Chambers
501 North Anderson Street
Ellensburg, WA 98926
And remotely via Zoom
Monday, October 5, 2026
6:00 PM – Study Session
7:00 PM - Regular Meeting
Study Session
A

Budget Workshop - Overview and General Governmental Revenues

6

Pledge of Allegiance
1.

Call to Order and Roll Call

2.

Proclamations (No Public Comment)
2.A

Public Natural Gas & Power Week

26

2.B

National Disability Employment Awareness Month

27

3.

Awards and Recognitions

4.

Approval of Agenda (No Public Comment)

5.

Consent Agenda (No Public Comment)
Items listed below have been distributed to Councilmembers in advance for study
and will be enacted by one motion. If separate discussion is desired on an item, that
item may be removed from the Consent Agenda and placed on the Regular Agenda
at the request of a Councilmember or at the request of a member of the public with
concurrence of a Councilmember. Requests to remove items should be made under
Item 4 Approval of Agenda.
5.A

Approve Minutes of September 21, 2026 Regular Meeting

28

5.B

Acknowledge Minutes of Boards and Commissions

33

5.C Affordable Housing Commission Resignation - Sarah Syverson

48

5.D Historic Preservation Grant Extension Request

49

5.E

Amendment #3 to WSP Pole Loading Consultant Agreement

55

5.F

Approve October 5, 2026 Voucher Listing

59

6.

Petitions, Protests, and Communications

7.

Public Comment on Non-agenda Items

8.

Business Requiring Public Hearings

8.A

9.

Public Hearing (Legislative) to Consider Annexation of Parcels 066733,
056733, 916733, 636733, 626733, and 936733 with a Residential Medium (RM) Zoning Designation and Parcel 326733 with a Residential Suburban (R-S)
Zoning Designation and First Reading of Ordinance 4998 (Public Comment
Opportunity).
60

Introduction and Adoption of Ordinances and Resolutions
9.A

Ordinance 4996 (Second Reading) - Amending the 2025/2026 Biennial Budget
(Public Comment Opportunity)
160

9.B

First Reading of Ordinance 4997 Amending Chapter 6.46 - Taxicabs (Public
Comment Opportunity)
177

9.C Resolution 2026-25 Placing a Six Month Emergency Moratorium on
Acceptance of Data Center Building Permit and Land Use Applications (Public
Comment Opportunity)
191
9.D Resolution 2026-26 - Adult Activity Center donation from Wicked Twisted
(Public Comment Opportunity)
197
10.

Unfinished Business

11.

New Business
11.A Acceptance of the City of Ellensburg Urban Forest Management Plan (Public
Comment Opportunity)
199
11.B Comprehensive Plan- Final Draft of Climate and Environment Chapter (Public
Comment Opportunity)
284
11.C Comprehensive Plan- Final Draft of Historic Preservation Chapter (Public
Comment Opportunity)
313
11.D Comprehensive Plan- Final Draft of Our Community: Access, Engagement, and
Belonging Chapter (Public Comment Opportunity)
321

12.

Miscellaneous
12.A Manager's Report (No Public Comment)

338

12.B Councilmembers' Reports (No Public Comment)
13.

Executive Session
13.A Per RCW 42.30.110(1)(F) To receive and evaluate complaints or charges
brought against a public officer or employee. However, upon the request of
such officer or employee, a public hearing or a meeting open to the public shall
be conducted upon such complaint or charge

14.

Adjournment