February 2022

Welcome to Ellensburg Insider, the City of Ellensburg's monthly e-newsletter.

Council Corner

A new Mayor and City Council have been seated for 2022. Council Members Nancy Goodloe, Nancy Lillquist, and Adam Winn were sworn in at the first meeting in January.

Council member Monica Miller was appointed on January 24 to fill the vacant Council seat previously occupied by Tristen Lamb.

Meet your City Council.

We Want To Hear From You!

The time is right for us to look at reimagining the Ellensburg Animal Shelter. This means evaluating services and how they are being provided. Current services offered include dog and cat licensing within city limits, education, referrals, sheltering services, and animal control services within city limits.

Please take this brief survey to provide feedback on services provided by the Animal Shelter. This survey will help determine what shelter services are the highest priority for the members of the Ellensburg community. Our goal is to better understand these needs and how best to provide for them.

The survey closes at 5 p.m. February 11, 2022.

Take The Survey

Winter Reminders

Winter isn't over so it's a good time to share some reminders before the next storm hits.

Shovel your sidewalks. Ellensburg residents need to be able to safely use public sidewalks. Owners or occupants of every parcel are responsible to clear all sidewalks and/or walking paths in front of their home or property. City codes require snow and ice must be removed by 9 a.m. daily after a snowfall.

Remove snow and icicles from your natural gas meter, and from the roof above. The meters have a regulator that needs to be able to vent and if covered can impede proper operation. Also, if clearing a gas meter please use a broom or do it by hand to avoid damaging or disturbing the meter.

Clear snow around your trash can, mailbox, or fire hydrant on your property.

Prevent frozen pipes. Cold weather can freeze pipes leading to bursts that can cost thousands of dollars in damage. Keep the heat set to at least 55 degrees. Close windows, but keep doors open to rooms that contain plumbing. Know where the water shutoff valve is located. If you have a water emergency, call Public Works & Utilities at 509-962-7230.

Follow us for alerts. Sign up for emergency notifications to receive updates related to snow/ice and more. Please note emergency notifications can happen any time of the day or night. Snow/ice removal questions? Call Public Works & Utilities at 509-962-7230.

Save The Date

EthicsLab – The Good Life Project 2/1

February 1, 2022 at 6 p.m. at Hal Holmes Community Center

A new monthly program, that gives Ellensburg community members the opportunity to explore what it means to live well. Each meeting will feature several brief presentations before group discussion and dialogue. Brought to you by the CWU EthicsLab, the Ellensburg Public Library, and the Hal Holmes Community Center.

Utility Counter Closed 2/9

The utility customer service counter will be closed all day on Wednesday, February 9, 2022 for a staff training. Other departments at City Hall will remain open.

Poet Laureate Applications Due 2/15

The Ellensburg Arts Commission is accepting proposals from individuals to serve as the Poet Laureate. Eligible applicants will possess public presentation skills, have evidence of poetic achievement, be committed to awareness-raising of poetry, be at least 18 years old, and a Kittitas County resident. Apply by midnight February 15, 2022. Review the application online.

Presidents Day Closure 2/21

City Hall and other City facilities will be closed on Monday, February 21, 2022 in observance of Presidents Day.

Police, fire, and emergency medical response services will be available as usual. Emergency? Call 9-1-1.