by Richard Uhlhorn
Mike Cushman from Cascadia made a presentation to City Council at its April 23rd Council meeting regarding Cascadia’s collaboration with the City for the upcoming Brush Disposal Days between 10 a.m. And 5 p.m. on May 3 & 4 and May 10 & 11 at the Chelan Transfer Station.
Trees and brush up to 12 inches in diameter and eight feet long will be accepted. Not accepted is rock, plastic, grass, root wads, weeds or construction materials.
Cushman also stated that Cascadia will send a chipper to outside locations, but those requesting that service need to sign up on Cascadia’s website (www.cascadiacd.org
So far Cascadia has helped 22 landowners on 21 acres of land.
Also, if you are concerned about how safe your home is from Wildfire, Cascadia and Chelan Fire & Rescue will assess your property and give recommendations.
For more information property owners can call Cushman at 509.436.1601 or by Email at mike@cascadiacd.org.
Will Kirby from Gray & Osborne gave a short presentation on the mandated City’s Water Use Efficiency Goals.
Will Kirby – Gray & Osborne
Councilman Ray Dobbs said, “It talks about educating customers once a year. Do we have a plan?”
Public Works Directo Jake Youngren replied, “If we don’t, we will.”
Dobbs replied that if he could see what his water use was last April and could compare it with this April,he would know he was on track at being efficient.
Councilmember Ray Dobbs
Mayor Cooney asked Youngren what the City is doing? Youngren replied, “We are constantly tracking water and replacing (old) lines.” He stated that the crews are replacing old galvanized steel lines and other old infrastructure as the Public Works Department comes across it. “New infrastructure impacts our water efficiency.”
Mayoral candidate Stan Morse brought up some water related history from 2004 and 2005 when Chelan was 10,000 gallons short. “Is there an update from Ecology,” asked Morse? He asked if developers were paying a fee and whether or not G & O has assessed an increase or decrease in water usage including untreated water for recreational uses.
Kirby replied that G & O has met with the Plaaning Department and Public Works and have estimated usage based on projected population growth through the year of 2020 when allowable connections go down.
The Planning Department is going through its Small Cell Code Revisions based on one letter from the Federal Communications Commission that will allow 5 G buildout. There is an obvious health concern over 5G cell towers… So much concern that the Bay Area has blocked 5G deployment over cancer concerns from electromagnetic fields. “We can’t regulate for health effects,” said Craig Gildroy, Planning Director. “We have to allow it. We are just revising our code for the small wireless (small cell).” Gildroy also said the city can only charge reasonable $250 fees for each cell site.
Councilwoman Kelley Allen
Councilwoman Kelley Allen stated that the FCC Order is taking a lot of the City’s authority away. “We don’t know how it’s going to shake out.” With an April 29 deadline, the council was forced to act on the issue. “The Planning Commission has recommended approval,” said Gildroy. The downtown area on Woodin Avenue has to go through the HDCA for new pole locations,
Jason Verduzco -Verizon
Jason Verduzco from Verizon Wireless said there is a lot going on within Verizon on 5G. “I’m here as a resource,” he said. Mayor Cooney asked him if he got the difficulty of putting small cell towers on poles? “I get it,” he replied.”Each carrier have their own network. Putting carriers on one pole… Many don’t want to do that.”
Allen said her concern was health. “Is there any way to limit the number of poles in the community?”
Councilman Tim Hollingsworth said that despite the health concerns, if the City doesn’t pass the ordinance the City is giving up whatever control they do have.
Councilman Tim Hollingsworth
The council voted 5-1 with Councilwoman Wendy Isenhart voting No. Erin McCardle was absent from the meeting.
City Council unanimously gave Lakerider Sports a three-year agreement to continue to operate at Don Morse Park as a concession but didn’t agree to give him additional storage space. They effectively reduced the amount of money he pays the City each year because of the smoke-filled season last year that negatively impacted the bottom line of the business. Lakerider rents paddle boards and kayaks.
City Council and the City were hit with new legislation on prevailing wages. The change will impact the City to a tune of $57,413.44 or a 300 percent increase in wages being paid to workers on the Lakeshore RV Park Irrigation & Electrical Improvements job.
“We are obligated to pay (by law),” stated Public Works Director Jake Youngren. “It caught everybody by surprise.”
“It really jumped 300%?”
Councilman Ty Witt
Allen asked what would happen if the City didn’t move forward. “What are the ramifications,” she asked. City Attorney Quentin Batjer replied that the City was obligated to honor the change. Witt quipped, “It really jumped 300 percent?” Hollingsworth added, “Its kind of the second thing in a row we are getting stepped on by the big boys.”
The changes in wages are posted below.
Trade Prevailing Wage (8/21/18) to the new Prevailing Wage (9/19/18) percent Change:
- Landscape Irrigation Installer $12.00 to $33.85 per hour – 282%
- Landscape Operator $14.00 to $59.49 per hour – 424%
- Truck & Trailer Driver $19.45 to $43.40 – 223%
- Asphalt Truck Driver $15.02 to $43.40 – 288%
- Truck Driver (Other) $11.50 to $43.12 – 375%
The City Council approved a $7500.00 expenditure that was already in the budget to hire a consultant to look at the existing Skate Park and to focus primarily on the design of a Pump Track that will cost an estimated $300,000 to $600,000 to construct depending its size and complexity. This is a future parks project and the issue will be brought back to the Council at their May 14 Council meeting.
Kelly Allen remarked that Leavenworth, which already has world class pump track in place will be hosting the Red Bull World Pump Track Championships on May 26.
Mayor Cooney asked how much the City of Leavenworth spent on their pump track. Hollingsworth added that, “We want to make sure we have public support for this. What community support is out there and where are we going to build it.”
Allen said a pump track wouldn’t take up a lot of space and it would help keep our youth local.
Wendy Isenhart will not be running for re-election, leaving her seat open to a newcomer to the City Council
During Council Comments, Wendy Isenhart said she would not be seeking re-election to the City Council. “I am not running for anything,” she said. “I have had a wonderful time… it’s exciting and you get to meet intelligent people. You are creating and making possible government by the people,” added Isenhart. She encouraged someone to step up and run for her seat on the council.
The next City Council meeting in on Tuesday evening, May 14 beginning at 6 p.m.
All Things Lake Chelan 