by Richard Uhlhorn
Citizen’s advocate Tom Clark shared a situation occuring at the public lake access point at Green Dock on Water Street during Chelan City Council’s Citizen Comment period on Tuesday evening, July 26.
The homeowners on Water Street and Terrace Avenue are allegedly blocking public access on City right-of-way by placing park benches and boat trailers to stop the public from parking. “The rights of the public has been taken away from them,” said Clark.
Water Street and Terrace Avenue are a part of the of the Lakeside Trail system that the City is trying to complete. Green Dock is a popular small local swimming beach that is becoming more crowded as more and more people discover it.
After speaking for six minutes, City Administrator Wade Ferris shut Clark down and Mayor Bob Goedde thanked Clark for the information and said he’d make sure the City looked into the situation.
It isn’t the first time there has been difficulty between home owners and beach goers at Green Dock. Years ago, the homeowners were upset when the PUD began charging market rates for their private docks and a local group asked the PUD to install a large public dock at the corner of Water St. and Terrace Ave. This resulted in a meeting and a compromise was made to move the potential public dock adjacent to Hwy. 97A just west of the west finger. Unfortunately that never happened, but the request for a public dock to gain more public access to Lake Chelan could rise up again.
The PUD owns all the underwater land off Water Street and Terrace Avenue.
The City plans on looking into illegal parking on public right-of-way throughout Chelan.
In other Business:
Potential computer breach
Just before the July 4th weekend, a city employee noticed a potential breach on a staff member’s computer. The City’s technology service provider was notified immediately and they advised the City to shut down all computers and disconnect the server as a precautionary measure.
The City opened a claim with the Washington State Insurance Authority and the City also entered into a contract with a law firm and an information security firm on July 6.
City Administrator Wade Ferris gave an update to the council on Tuesday and said the potential breach was a pretty good scare. “As soon as the staff member saw it he probably saved the City any damages. We still have some way to go and it will cost us upwards of $80,000.”
Dust Control
Public Works entered into a contract with Lyman Dust Control to mitigate dust issues and improve surface stabilization. The company applies a LIGNO Road Binder in the alleys. The product is petroleum free and 100 percent biodegradable.
The program is not to exceed $25,000 and will be executed under the 2022 Annual Road Preservation and Small Project Street Capital Budget.
Councilman John Olson said his alley is in the best condition has ever been in. Public Works Director Jake Youngren said he is getting lots of public feedback on the program.
The rest of the council meeting was taken up withy Maintenance bonds for water system improvements and easements for City access.
Mayor/Council comments:
Only Olson made a comment bringing up the feedback on the alley improvements and whether or not the jumper off the Dan Gordon Bridge was found. He also mentioned the parking on 97A out at Lakeside Park.
Mayor Goedde said he and Ferris attended a meeting on funding water to the airport. He also told the council that the upcoming traffic study would take in 97A, Hwy 150, Body District and the Manson area.
Ferris stated that the Sheriff’s office is short of manpower and can’t give tickets.
City Clerk Peri Gallucci invited council members to get involved in the City’s new website design. Peter Jamtgaard said he would like to review it for its appearance, themes, look and function.
City Council meets every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the Month at 6 p.m.
All Things Lake Chelan 