by Richard Uhlhorn
City Council approved a number of motions at its regular scheduled meeting on Tuesday, February 8. Following is a short description of those items.
A. Budget Amendment
City Council approved a budget amendment that rolls forward project balances to complete contracted engineering tasks approved by City Council in 2021. It transfers funds for the downtown Alleyway Project between Columbia Street and Sanders Street.
B. Rate and Fee Resolution for Lakeshore RV Park Rates.
Parks Director Paul Horne stated that there was a little confusion on the proposed rate increases surrounding tent camping. “We still offer hikers and bicyclists tent camping at $10 a night,” said Horne.
Councilwoman Sheri Dietrich initially had concerns about how large the rate hike was, but subsequently met with Horne to discuss in detail why those rate hikes were needed and concurred that they were necessary.
Profits from the RV Park, Golf Course, and other park enterprises fund all maintenance and operations for the entire City park system, which allows residents free use of those parks instead of being taxed. In addition, revenues from park operations also pay for downtown beautification, tree care and sidewalk snow removal in City parking lots and other designated areas. Revenues also funds some other governmental functions.
Councilman Peter Jamtgaard remarked that council had talked about flexible rates. “I do think we need to be talking about flexible rates for the early birds that come in and do as they always have done,” said Jamtgaard.
Councilwoman Erin McCardle thanked Horne for the context he supplied to the Council. “It’s nice to know where the funds are going and where funds will be directed,” she said.
C. Asset Management.
“I’m very excited to bring this to you,” said Public Works Director Jake Youngren. “We interviewed six companies and Cartegraph was the best.” Youngren told the Council that the software was pretty powerful. “It can be integrated with our utility mapping, cloudbase, and it is easy to use in the field.” The initial cost is $17,000 and $11,000 a year there after. “We have adequate funds to cover this. The program will pay for itself within a few months.” Council approved the motion to authorize the Mayor to finalize and execute the Professional Services Agreement with Cartegraph.
D. RH2 Engineers Task Authorization:
The Chelan asked RH2 Engineering to analyze a portion of the water main pressure issues that feeds the Darnell and Highlands Booster Pump Stations to determine causes of low flow pressures experienced in that zone.
The findings identified two separate projects; 1,200 feet of waterline replacement and incorporating an additinal pump in the Darnell’s Booster Pump Station to help alleviate low water pressures within that zone.
The Council unanimously approved the request that RH2 Engineers complete the Main Zone Capacity Improvements Design.
E. Pedestrian Infrastructure Replacement Project:
When the City received a Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) grant funding for $150,000 which is required to be fully obligated by March 2022 for ADA compliance projects. The City will be using the funds to develop a Pedestrian Access Route that meets ADA on North Cedar Street and Columbia Street in the vacinity of Bayshore Courts and the Safeway Grocery Store.
“We had three bids,” said Youngren. The low bid was by Rudnick & Sons LLCfor $162,479.00 followed by two higher bids of $275,000 and $330,000. The City will add $60,000 that is budgeted for sidewalk replacement and $200,00 for the annual street overlay projects.
The Council approved the motion along with another motion for SCJ Alliance for construction services at a not-to-exceed $34,976.
Mayor/Council Comments:
Tim Hollingsworth reported that he attended a Town Toyota Center board meeting as the City’s liaison and said the Government Vaccine Mandate to attend indoor events has hurt the Center. “They had 2,100 people attend an event prior to the mandate and only 300 after the mandate requiring proof of vaccination,” said Hollingsworth.
Hollingsworth said the mandate continues to hamper the Center but its finances are in good shape and that the Youth Hockey Program is strong.
John Olson thanked Paul Horne for this press release on the RV Parks Rate and Fee Resolution.
Jake Youngren stated that the Alleyway project is now underway between the 100-200 block between Columbia and Saunders. “Everything will have to go perfectly for us to finish this project before June,” stated Youngren. “We don’t want to get caught in June just half done.” He added that the department will communicate frequently with the public on the progress.
Paul Horne stated that a good turnout was achieved at the recent meeting to release and discuss the survey results by the Park’s consultants on the Parks needs.
Wade Ferris, city administrator, reported that the Washington State Department of Transportation will be conducting more rock scaling work on 97A and that there would be some closures on SR 971. He also said that the DOT plans on doing some work on the Beebe Bridge.
The Chelan Planning Commission meets on February 16 and the Council reconvenes at its regularly scheduled Council meeting on Tuesday, February 22 at 6 p.m. The public is invited to attend.
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