by Richard Uhlhorn
Zach Dicksen, the new Vogue owner, spoke out about the downtown garbage issue during Tuesday night’s City Council meeting which ended up making the garbage the primary focus.
“There is not enough pickup,” said Dicksen. “Whatever is happening is not enough.” He described overflowing garbage cans which ends up with garbage on the sidewalks. “It reflects very poorly on our town. I would suggest more (garbage) pickup plus the areas around the trash receptacles.” Dicksen then suggested the City have recycling in the downtown area like both Winthrop and Leavenworth.
The responsibility for garbage pickup relies with Public Works, and Public Works Director Jake Youngren addressed the issue during the Mayor /Council comment period at the end of the meeting.
personally monitor the situation.
“We don’t disagree and will make it better,” said Youngren. “It is a challenge,” he added. Public Works has only one staff member working on the weekends. During the week, garbage pickup in the downtown core is scheduled for Monday, Wednesday and Friday’s. “We will be monitoring it real closely. Hopefully we can work on ways to get on top of it.”
Don Morse food concession goes to Lakeview:
Parks Director Paul Horne was directed to put some sort of food/drink concession inside the confines of Don Morse Park before July 4 and he responded by contacting Amy Mack, proprietor of the Lakeview Drive-in.
The Mack’s have a 38 year relationship with the City and Horne, under pressure to do something quickly, used the Mack’s concession contract to put in place a food/drink concession within the park’s confines.
The contract, which will only be in place for one year, was approved by the City’s attorney, Quentin Batjer as being legal. City Administrator Wade Ferris remarked that the City was trying to get this accomplished before July 4. “The legality is solid.”
Mayor Goedde asked about the last concessionaire (Weathersby) and Horne replied that their contract had expired and he had no obligation to renew.
Regarding the Mack’s arrangement to provide services, Councilman Tim Hollingsworth said, “I think it is a good idea.”
Mack stated that her original idea when approached was to have apples, water and other packaged food items with one person working per shift. However, she is very concerned about trash and has indicated that they will help keep the area clean. “We will work on that issue.”
Councilwoman Erin McCardle stated her appreciation for the City and Mack’s to pull this together under short notice. Councilman Chris Baker (attending on Zoom) stated he was concerned that the concession wasn’t put out for other potential sources to bid, but was told there wasn’t time to do that under the City’s directive to get something in the park.
The concession will also serve fresh hot food from the Lakeview Drive-in. “There will be an app. to make orders with and deliveries will be made from the drive-in to the park concession,” said Horne. “Merrick (Hill) will provide an electric bike with a cart to deliver orders to the park.”
Horne is planning on putting a suggestion box at the concession to see what visitors would like at the concession. “Amy also wants to sell water bottles and stuff.”
It will be interesting to see how this new arrangement works out.
In other business:
- The Council authorized the Mayor to finalize and execute a professional services agreement with CivicPlus for a CivicEngage Website Development and Implementation.
- The Council authorized the Mayor to finalize and execute the Housing Authority Pump Station improvements and easement with the Housing Authority of Chelan County and the City of Wenatchee.
- The Council authorized the Mayor to finalize and execute the Water Right S4-15581CWRIS Administrative Division.
- The Council authorized the Mayor to finalize and execute the professional services agreement with Mack Restaurants Inc., for concession services at Don Morse Park.
- The Council authorized the Mayor to finalize and execute a professional services agreement amendment with Berger Partnership for the Skatepark Feasibility Study and Conceptual Design.
All Things Lake Chelan 