Submitted Questions

How can seniors or people with disabilities get help with shoveling snow from sidewalks?
The Ellensburg Morning Rotary Club (EMRC) has people willing to help. Contact EMRC at ellensburgmorningrotary@gmail.com. 

Does the city have any incentive programs or system requirements for us to use plug-in solar power? The City does not have an incentive program for this. Regarding system requirements, the City would require the devices to comply with the UL (Underwriter’s Laboratory) standards and national electrical code.

What is the City of Ellensburg minimum general reserve fund balance. Where it this figure codified?
The City of Ellensburg mitigates risks of revenue shortfalls and unanticipated expenditures and promotes stability and certainty for residents and taxpayers by budgeting to maintain no less than 15% of annual operating expenditures as minimum “unreserved” fund balance in the General Fund. This reserve balance target is established in the City’s financial management policies and effectuated by City Council with adoption of each Biennial Budget and supplemental budget.

The fund balance policy threshold is a target, rather than a bright line. During times of economic stress, or unexpected expenditures, the prudent decision can be to adopt a budget that does not meet the unreserved fund balance policy target rather than increase taxes or cut services. In these circumstances the variance between budgeted expected ending fund balance is negative, the proposed budget includes a plan to recover, or attain, the target fund balance.

Similarly, reserve balances that exceed the policy threshold do not automatically result in additional services or lower taxes or fees. Fund balance targets are just one pillar of financial and service level sustainability across the funds of the City of Ellensburg and is proactively managed by professional staff advising City Council.

These policies and practices align with recommendations by the Government Finance Officers Association(GFOA) and Washington State Municipal Research and Services Center (MRSC).

How is the Unity Park water feature water treated?
Water enters the drain system within the feature and goes straight to the sewer to be treated at the City’s Wastewater Treatment Plant. The City can set up times that the water feature is operable. The system is activated by foot pad, so it is not something that continuously runs. The City can also set the length of how long it runs after someone activates it. As City parks will be winterized Nov. 1, the water feature will not be available until the 2026 season.

What is happening with the old bowling alley?
A private local developer has been restoring it for the last few years, and it will reopen as Strike Central. Search for Strike Central on Facebook to learn more.

Is the pool closing?
There is no intent to close the City pool. Learn more about what's happening with the Kittitas Valley Memorial Pool. 

Has the City hired Lightcurve to install fiber optics all over town?
Lightcurve and Zipley are two private companies. Zipley is new in town and has submitted plans to install fiber around town. This is a private venture, not a city-sponsored activity. 

What is the basis for the garbage service increases by Waste Management?
Waste Management operates under a contract with the City of Ellensburg. Waste Management renegotiated a 5-year contract extension in 2024 that became effective on October 1, 2024. The contract extension ties annual rate adjustments to CPI (Consumer Price Index). The new contract is designed to limit cost increases to October 1 of each year, although certain outside factors can affect this. If you ever have questions about your bill, Waste Management can be reached at 877-466-4668 or pnwrsservices@wm.com.

Is it true that WM (Waste Management) has directed garbage users to put glass containers in the regular garbage cans and NOT in the recycle bins?
Waste Management does not accept glass containers as part of its Ellensburg curbside recycling program. Waste Management stopped accepting glass containers as recycling in October 2019. Kittitas County also does not accept glass as recyclable at the local transfer stations. Glass containers should be placed in the regular garbage bins. The Ellensburg Glass Recycling Cooperative is a local glass recycling option that crushes clean glass into sand.

Is it true that you don't allow dogs in the grass at Irene Rinehart Riverfront Park?
Per City Code 2.34.160.H: "Pets shall be on a leash and pet owners shall be required to clean up after their pets. With the exception of service animals, pets shall not be allowed in the developed grass areas of Irene Rinehart Riverfront Park or designated city athletic fields."

How do I request to attend a City Council meeting so I can address the Council about a very important issue?
Per City Council rules: 9.3.a. Ordinances, resolutions, and other matters or subjects requiring action by the Council must be introduced and sponsored by a member of the Council; provided, however, such items may be presented to the Council by the City Manager or City Attorney, or such City staff as may be designated by the City Manager. Any Councilmember may assume sponsorship of an item of business submitted by the City Manager or City Attorney by moving that it be introduced; otherwise, the item shall not be considered. You may reach out to the City Manager with the topic you are proposing at: citymanager@ellensburgwa.gov or you may reach out to the City Council at citycouncil@ellensburgwa.gov.

Is the City still pursuing a year-round Sleep Center?
No. At the May 19, 2025 City Council meeting, the Council voted to discontinue siting of a year-round emergency sleep center and to focus efforts on establishing a seasonal cold weather shelter site and services.

Why are there no squirrels in Ellensburg?
According to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), the Western Gray Squirrel is listed as a state-threatened species in Washington. This species is quite habitat-specific, generally relying on oak woodlands and conifer forests with minimal development. In our region, their range is limited to parts of southern Yakima and Klickitat Counties, and they’re very sensitive to habitat fragmentation and urbanization—so they don’t tend to persist in developed areas like Ellensburg. Other native squirrels, like the Douglas Squirrel and the Northern Flying Squirrel, are also more commonly found in mature conifer forests and are less likely to be seen in open or urbanized landscapes. The flying squirrel is nocturnal and elusive, while the Douglas Squirrel tends to stick to dense forest habitats with fir, pine, and cedar.

Interestingly, the most commonly seen squirrels in Washington cities are actually non-native species—the Eastern Gray Squirrel and the Eastern Fox Squirrel—which were introduced to urban areas in the early 1900s. These species are common in places like Seattle, Spokane, and some parklands, but haven’t become established everywhere.

The likely reason you don’t see many squirrels in Ellensburg is that the landscape and level of development don’t offer the continuous forest cover, tree species, or nesting resources that our native squirrels require—and the non-native ones haven’t fully taken hold in the area either.

You can find more info on Washington’s squirrels and their habitats on WDFW's website.

Submitted Questions About WinCo Foods Distribution Center

What is the big construction project along the freeway just west of town?
A WinCo Foods Distribution Center is being constructed west of Anderson Road. The proposed project includes construction of a 655,501-square foot grocery and cold storage building, a 42,390-square foot truck return center building, a 1,231-square foot fire pump house building, a 325-square foot driver check-in building, and an 800-square foot driver’s waiting building. The project also includes construction of required parking and landscaping. The project has received all necessary permits for construction. The site work (grading, clearing, etc.) was originally approved under a site development permit, but Community Development issued building permits for all five of the proposed buildings on May 19, 2025. 

How many new jobs are anticipated at WinCo for this site?
The startup is estimated at around 240 jobs and full operation (2031) at around 330 jobs, including production, maintenance, administration, operations, and distribution drivers.

What will WinCo bring into the community financially?
So far, one-time construction and equipment sales tax; ongoing utility and property tax revenue can be expected from the facility.

How many trucks are expected per day?
Phase 1 (which is being constructed) estimates 163 truck trips per day which will use alternating routes to minimize disruptions to traffic.

Has a new interstate ramp been considered near the WinCo project?
WSDOT declines adding new ramps to rural stretches of interstate – as the community grows, we may have a stronger case.

Regarding the WinCo distribution center, if no freeway access is planned, what is the traffic mitigation plan? 
Based on the Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA) prepared by the applicant’s engineer, the project is expected to generate 234 daily truck trips (once fully built out). According to the TIA, all the studied intersections would operate at an acceptable level of service with or without the project, so no intersection mitigation improvements are proposed. 

Why is WinCo not providing a retail outlet? 
The reason that WinCo is not providing a retail outlet, is simply that they are not proposing one. The City has several zoning districts that would allow retail grocery stores, but the City doesn’t control which businesses come to town. It is up to developers to propose developments, and the City reviews those proposals for compliance with applicable regulations. 

Who granted the WinCo height restriction variance and why?
City Hearing Examiner Andrew Kottkamp approved the height variance on May 15, 2023, finding that the proposal is in compliance with the variance criteria contained in Ellensburg City Code 15.250.050. Those criteria are:

1. The variance is necessary because of the unique size, shape, topography, or location of the subject property;
2. The strict enforcement of the provisions of this title creates an unnecessary hardship to the property owner;
3. The subject property is deprived, by provisions of this title, of rights and privileges enjoyed by other properties in the vicinity and under an identical zone; however, the existence of similar nonconforming uses of neighboring lands, structures, or buildings in the same zone shall not be considered grounds for the issuance of a variance;
4. The need for the variance is not the result of deliberate actions of the applicant or property owner, including any past owner of the same property;
5. The variance is compatible with the comprehensive plan;
6. The variance does not create a health or safety hazard;
7. The granting of the variance will not be materially detrimental to the public welfare or injurious to:
   a. The property or improvements in the vicinity; or
   b. The zone in which the subject property is located.
8. The variance does not relieve an applicant from:
   a. Any of the procedural or administrative provisions of this title;
   b. Any standard or provision that specifically states that no variance from such standard or provision is permitted;
   c. Use or building restrictions; or
   d. Any provisions of the critical areas development standards except as provided in division VI.
9. The variance from setback or height requirements does not infringe upon or interfere with easement or covenant rights or responsibilities;
10. The variance does not allow the establishment of a use that is not otherwise permitted in the zone in which the proposal is located; and
11. The variance is the minimum necessary to grant relief to the applicant. The reasons that the Hearings Examiner found those criteria are met are included on pages 4-9 of the Hearing Examiner decision. 

How is/was community input sought?
Community input opportunities were provided through the variance application and associated State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) application. SEPA notice was provided to landowners within 300 feet of the property and published in the Daily Record on February 9, 2023. A sign providing notice of the SEPA application was posted on the site on February 8, 2023. Notice of the variance application and public hearing was mailed to property owners within 300 feet of the site on April 19, 2023. Notice of the public hearing was published in the Daily Record on April 20, 2023, and the site was posted with a land use application sign on April 26, 2023. The public hearing was held on May 11, 2023.  

Has the City considered working with WinCo to find an alternative to heating their warehouse with natural gas such as geothermal heat pumps and solar panels?
Due to the cost of meeting the 2021 WSEC requirements, WinCo decided not to use natural gas. They are following the 2021 Washington State Energy Code for Commercial buildings and using electric heating systems. They will also be installing electric vehicle chargers as required by the code for passenger vehicles. They are also meeting the Solar readiness requirement in the 2021 WSEC for commercial buildings by designating a *solar zone on the roof and identified in the plans for future installation of solar panels. *Solar Zone: Areas reserved solely for future installation of photovoltaic or solar hot water systems.