by Richard Uhlhorn
Jake Youngren, public works director, told the City Council at its Tuesday, March 22 meeting that the Alley project was going well. “We’ve the sewer installation is complete,” said Youngren.
The next phase will be the installation of the waterline in the same trench as the sewerline, but at only four to five feet deep. The sewerline is at 12 feet deep. The water line will be followed by installation of the new stormwater system. “We hope to finish this up by early May,” stated Youngren.
The second block of the construction project between Emerson and Saunders will not begin until fall of 2022.
Craig Gildroy, planning director, told the Council that the new proposed text amendments to the 2022 Comprehensive Plan and Development Regulations will offer the staff some flexibility.
The proposed amendments will include the following:
Lakeside Trail – Conceptual Design & Alignment- Add Comprehensive Plan Goals and Policies
Northshore Pathway– Conceptual Design & Alignment- Add Comprehensive Plan Goals and Policies
Housing Action Plan (HAP) Implementation: Alternative Housing Types (Tiny Homes, Micro-Housing….) Parking Reductions or Flexibility for Affordable Housing Density Bonus (incentive based per GMA) Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Flexibility Dormitory – New Land Use & Standards (density, parking, etc.)
The Council unanimously directed the Mayor to accept the Planning Commission’s recommendations and to prepare a recommendation on the 2022 Comp. Plan.
The motion does not approve or deny the proposed amendments and requires Planning Commission to review the proposals for a future recommendation to City Council after holding public hearings. A recommendation would happen in September 2022 followed by City Council workshops and a public hearing on the proposed amendments.
LakesideMarina ‘Clean Marina’ designation:
Parks Director Paul Horne told the Council that the City has been awarded a grant from the Washington State Parks & Recreation Commission that will help the Chelan Marina keep its clean marina designation.
The grant will pay for 75% of all costs for maintenance of this system up to $18,000 over the course of four years. Immediately it will pay for new hose, fittings, and gaskets required to have the system perform optimally. This grant includes maintaining the marina’s pump-out station which helps prevent human waste from entering our lake.
Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements Design:
“This is a project we are excited about,” said Youngren. The motion unanimously approved by Council tasks RH2 Engineering to provide a Scope of Work and a Fee Estimate to complete the design of the Wastewater Treatment Plant improvements project.
The project The project consists of three components; standby generator replacement, blower building MCC replacement, and sludge dewatering system replacement. It has been scheduled and budgeted within the approved Capital Budge Plan for 2022.
Youngren said that he expects the design work to be accomplished this year and a bid for the work to go out in the Fall. The estimated cost is $267,404.
Council authorized the Mayor to enter into a Professional Services Agreement with Aspect Consulting, LLC to help the City prepare a Certified Water Rights Examination Report.
Youngren said the Public Works Department would create a capital project next year with Aspect Consulting and ask for 2,000 acre feet of water per year.
Mayor Goedde asked if the City holds any agricultural water rights. Youngren replied that they don’t, that the City’s water rights are all for domestic use. “This process is for protection,” said Youngren. Councilwoman Sheri Dietrich asked for a workshop to explain how water rights work because it is confusing.
“I think a workshop or two to develop concrete proposals to move forward,” stated Hollingsworth.
Water availability is becoming a serious issue in the Valley with only an estimated 5,000 acre feet remaining in the pool.
All Things Lake Chelan 