by Richard Uhlhorn
Grant Awards:
It has been a long time coming, but the City has been successful in pulling down a series of grants that will effect the pedestrian safety. Jake Youngren, public works director, updated the City Council on Grant Funding Awards at its final Council meeting on Tuesday, December 12.
“We’ve got great news about new grants,” said Youngren. We’ve had success on the grant front.”
The first grant was awarded to Chelan by the Washington State Department of Transportation on June 23. This grant, worth $3, 001,931 is for planning and construction of the Lakeside Trail from Water Street in Lakeside to W. Woodin Avenue at the bridge.
In association with this grant, the Transportation Improvement Board awarded another $500,000 for the Lakeside Trail project. “We had a $750,000 match for the $3 million dollar grant. These funds through property taxes lowers our match to $250,000,” explained Youngren.
The Chelan/Douglas Transportation Council awarded Chelan $709,092 through the Federal Transportation Alternative Fund for the Sanders Street Pedestrian Improvement Project.
The Transportation Improvement Board awarded Chelan $100,000 through the Small City Arterial Program for the above referenced project. “Everyone of these grants are extremely important,” said Youngren.
The TIB also awarded $162,000 for the Bradley Street Resin Bonded Stone Surfacing Pilot Project and crosswalks and ADA Ramp Improvements on Bradley Street. These funds are from the TIB’s discretionary funds and will pay 90 percent of the project costs.
Youngren added that the TIB is great to work with and the City continues to build a great working relationship with them.
The total amount of grants awarded to the City for these projects is $4,519,342.
Public Hearing on establishment of Transportation Benefit District:
Community Development Director John Ajax introduced an ordinance for the establishment of a Transportation Benefit District bound by the City Limits.
The approval of Ordinance 2023-1618 does not authorize any funding for the TIB which, while approved unanimously by the Council after no public comment on the issue was forthcoming, does not authorize any funding.
Future funding will probably involve a ballot measure and approval by the voters of the City. It has been recommended that that the City’s sales tax be raised by .03 percent. It is also noted that an estimated 75 percent of this new tax would be paid by tourists and visitors.
“This would help fund serious infrastructure projects that are currently being funded by grants and property taxes,” said Ajax.
The three criteria considered by Council included the following:
1. Establishment of the TIB Boundaries;
2. Establishing which projects would be financed by the TIB; and
3. Providing notice to hold a public hearing on January 23, 2024
Zoning Amendment to allow surplus public property to be sold to private buyers:
City Council after hearing from Community Development Director John Ajax about the Zoning Code Amendment before them that would allow the Chelan Hospital sell the old hospital property to a private buyer, unanimously approved the proposed ordinance.
This approval was based on a recommendation from the Planning Commission who held a public hearing on November 15. This hearing included one written comment from Lynette Grandy and a testimony in favor of the proposal by Aaron Edwards, CEO of Lake Chelan Hospital, who appeared at the Planning Commission meeting.
Grandy, who also spoke at the Council meeting is concerned that the amendment includes the downtown Public Districts. She asked if the downtown Public Districts shouldn’t be a part of the upcoming Chelan Comprehensive Planning process, and also asked why this amendment couldn’t be done on a Case-by-Case basis. Grandy then asked the Council to exclude the downtown Public District.
Apparently, the Lookout is interested in purchasing the old hospital property for business and real estate purposes.
Councilman Peter Jamtgaard stated that he didn’t have a problem with that specific piece because he considers it the exception rather than the rule. “I do support the hospital.”
John Oatey, COO of Chelan Health, that as a Public Hospital District there are stringent constrictions on leasing the hospital. “The operation is a burden to us if we are not using it for health purposes,” he said. “It is critical to our mission to sell. I’m very thankful you guys are going to consider this (amendment).”
Councilwoman Erin McCardle stated that she understood the urgency of the hospital to surplus the old building. Councilman John Olson remarked that refurbishing the building was going to be expensive.
Councilman Tim Hollingsworth remarked that the Planning Commission worked hard on the amendment. “There is certainly room in our code to harmonize things. I see no reason not to approve this ordinance amendment.”
Motion considerations:
City Administrator Wade Farris said that the City has come to a point where it needs a lobbyist at the federal level to work with staff to secure Federal Funding. He introduced John Culton, a lobbyist with Desimone Consulting LLC out of Seattle.
Culton explained that he is the eastern Washington arm of Desimone and thanked the Council for the opportunity to represent the City in Washington D.C. “I live in Spokane and worked for Senator Murray for 12 years.” He is currently working within 12 different counties in Eastern Washington.
“There are a lot of construction needs,” said Culton. “It’s been a lot of fun helping these entities. There are certainly a lot of federal opportunities out there.”
His retainer is $5,000 per month and stated that securing earmark funding takes upwards of seven to eight months. “I will do a status check whenever you want,” said Culton.
Hollingsworth asked if the City has a list of projects? Farris replied that the East Chelan Water Project is at the top of the list. “My only concern is the ability of the federal government to do anything,” added Hollingsworth.
In other business:
Other motion considerations were general City/Council approvals of both the Airport and City Budgets amongst other mundane motions that all passed unanimously. These agenda items can be found on the City’s Website under the button “Council”.
Mayor/Council comments:
The Mayor/Council/Staff comments mainly gave thanks to outgoing Mayor Bob Goedde for his service to the community over the years. Shari Dietrich said it has been a privilege and honor to work under him. Hollingsworth, Jamtgaard and Baker all agreed. Mark Ericks thanked Bob, Chris and Jamtgaard for their service to the community.
Forgotten in the thank you department for departing council members, John Olson stated that he appreciated his time on the council. He told the new council members sitting in the audience that they had a lot of work to do. “I’ve been known for my dissent up here on some issues… if you have something to say, say it!” he quipped.
Mayor-Elect McCardle stated it has been rewarding working with the council members. “There have been a lot of controversial issues,” she said. McCardle added that Goedde has left the City in wonderful shape. “This City is very well run.”
McCardle’s council seat is the only seat remaining to be filled. Interested individuals need to fill out an application by January 2 and the Council will interview the applicants at its workshop on January 2 after which the appointment will be made at the January 9 council meeting.
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