by Richard Uhlhorn
Speed Limit Revision:
Chelan City Council had a lot on its plate Tuesday evening, September12 including Ordinance No. 2023-1611 reducing the Speed Limit to 25 mph on a section of Hwy. 97A from just west of Chelan High School to just east of Morgan Owens Elementary to increase safety.
The request for the speed limit change came from the Washington State Department of Transportation for the safety of pedestrians which is mostly students. City Administrator Wade Farris said, “WSDOT reached out to us based on the number of instances they’ve had.”
In addition to the revised speed limit, the City will be adding a number of crosswalks on the highway to facilitate crossing. The change will lower the limit from the current 30 mph to 25 mph. The Washington State Patrol is also in favor of the request.
Playground Equipment:
Guy Evans (Rotary Club of Lake Chelan) was on hand to tell the City Council that both the club and a District grant were donating $5,000 each to the City’s Park’s Department to provide new playground equipment at Lakeside Park.
These funds will augment the Colville Casino’s 2021 donation of $5,555 to the Parks Department to benefit children. “We agreed to spend some of the money raised from our bike ride (Century Ride) for something down at Lakeside,” said Evans.
Horne added that the new playground will serve children from two to five years old along with their parents. Horne said, “The importance of play is crucial for kid’s development.” The new structure will encourage imaginative play and encourage the development of cognitive and social emotional skills at a child’s critical development stage.
The Rotary’s $10,000 along with Colville’s $5,555 and $4,445 from the Park’s Operating Budget will pay for the structure from Kompan Manufacture.
Lakeside Park RCO Grant Update:
Parks Director Paul Horne and Berger Partnership LLC representative Jason Henry presented an update on the Lakeside Park grant to Council.
The current master plan is to perform upland improvements including a major restroom upgrade and playground improvements. “We’ve received lots of comments and input,” said Henry.
Out on the water side of the park, there will be new docks and a buoyed off swim area. Parking improvements are up in the air at this point. The project is projected to cost $1 million. Horne stated that the new docks would be metal grated and of higher quality than the original docks which will be removed. “The new docks will be there for a long time,” said Horne.
The current restrooms will modified with individual stalls. “This will be more of a remodel than a teardown,” said Horne. “We hope we can salvage the majority of it.”
The Playground will utilize the $20,000 in donations and is already Federally permitted.
Peter Jamtgaard said he is not in favor of of unisex bathrooms. He also sees continued issues with jet skis entering the swim areas, but Horne said that would be mitigated by a system they can’t cross. “We are using a different approach with a physical barrier,” said Horne. He also said they have had a good conversation with the Marine Patrol.
Mark Ericks asked about bathroom safety for children. Mayor Goedde remarked about the use of tents and barbeques. “Are they authorized,” he asked. Horne replied that tents with floors are discouraged because they damage the lawn.
The project is moving forward and should be under construction in 2024. The next steps are:
· Three months to complete grant award from the RCO
· Six months to finalize the design and documents on the restroom and water work
· Six months for permitting
· Three months for bidding and award
· Six months for construction.
Lakerider Sports contract:
Horne reported that the Parks Department is in the process of revising the Lakerider concession contract. “When we started we had rose colored glasses on,” said Horne. “The numbers were too high. It sounds good on paper but was a lot of work. We are going to keep it simple with a flat rate and 20 percent of the gross receipts.”
Horne also remarked that Lakerider proprietor Wayne Bird has done more than just rent paddleboards and kayaks. “He has become an ambassador for Lake Chelan.”
Bird told the Council that he has served people from around the world. He said that one mother people are going through,” said Bird.
Horne also said he would like to reduce the 2023 contract also. “I don’t have a motion for that, but will have legal counsel to craft a financial reduction.”
Council approved the 2024-2026 contract extension.
In other business:
The Council approved a pavement preservation project on the Parks parking lots. This project will include crack sealing and restriping. “It hasn’t been done for 14 years,” said Horne.
This project will be conducted at Don Morse Park, Lake Chelan Marina parking lot and up at the Golf Course at a cost of $110,000.
The Council approved a 2023 Ardurra Department of Ecology Clean Water State Revolving Fund Task for sewer line replacement.
They also unanimously approved three RH2 Engineering issues including:
· A Traffic Analysis Task
· A task authorization for the design of the Submarine Water Main Replacement.
· Pre-design Services for the Airport Water Transmission Main.
Mayor/Council/Staff comments:
John Olson remarked that the Housing Trust double booked against the Council meeting and that he attended for a short period. “Erin (McCardle) gave a nice presentation. It’s nice to see that they are moving in the right direction,” said Olson.
Peter Jamtgaard said he supports the Housing Trust and will work with them. He also remarked that he would like to see Card Rooms in Chelan. He thinks it would be a draw for people who like to play.
Erin McCardle stated that she was on a panel at the Housing Trust meeting and spoke for five to 10 minutes. McCardle said, “Growth is happening everywhere.” It is up an average of 50% in outlying areas and Chelan. Wenatchee is up 44%. McCardle also said that winter rentals from October to May put 30 to 40 households on the street after May with nothing to rent. She said that Senior Housing and Family Housing are the two top needs in Chelan.
Mayor Goedde stated that he met with Representative Schier and will be discussing the potential of some federal money for the TIF. He also said that the City needs to do something about the Beebe Springs and Wilmorth properties to help with the housing shortages. “We need to change from warehouse to multi family in that area. It is slow.”
Jake Youngren mentioned the Council’s request for a stormwater update. He said that the city is currently navigating legal challenges regarding the large storm events that caused damage. He is also in discussions with the DOE about a $250,000 proposed stormwater plan.
Youngren said he is working with the Chelan Hills Homeowners Association. “We are looking at ways to help with some of those (flooding) issues.”
Paul Horne said 330 people have taken the Parks Survey and that he will be keeping the survey open for several more weeks.
Wade Farris remarked that the State needs TORT reform. “We need to pressure the legislature which will take an effort by everyone.”
All Things Lake Chelan 