by Richard Uhlhorn
After hearing from eight City Council applicants, sitting councilmembers went into executive session to determine which applicant would be best to fill Mayor Erin McCardle’s vacant council seat.
After 30 minutes of deliberation, the Council returned and named ex-Mayor Bob Goedde as their choice to fill McCardle’s seat. Goedde, who has served the community for close to 30 years as a councilman and mayor, was the obvious choice because experience in municipal affairs and relationships with organizations and agencies.
It was obvious for those waiting to hear the council’s choice that other candidates were also being considered. Initially, the executive session was supposed to last 15 minutes, but got extended twice.
Goedde, who has been deeply involved in a number of ongoing city projects as the mayor, will give the new council some added experience and will be a welcome addition to the ongoing issues. “I want to assist Erin,” said Goedde. “There are a lot of things going on.”
He stated that he wants to work closely with the council and said he is not there to be a second mayor. “I’ve got two more years and then I’m done,” said Goedde.
Goedde was among the eight candidates, all of whom were quality applicants wishing to give back to the community they love.
Each applicant was given the opportunity to introduce themselves and answer a series of five questions which were:
- What motivated you to apply?
- What would be your three top priorities?
- Should tourism be increased?
- How would you address affordable housing?
- Do you think the City should pay for downtown improvements?
Each candidate expressed their love of the community and their desire to give back.
Infrastructure, transportation issues, affordable housing, development, economic development and addressing the needs of Chelan residents was a thread through the answers.
Shane Collins remarked that affordable housing was the largest issue facing Chelan. When asked about tourism, Collins stated that there are a lot of ways tourism dollars could be spent.
Minda Gogal remarked that getting a handle on tourism and the need for infrastructure upgrades was high on her list of priorities. “We need to have a vision to find a balance with tourism,” said Gogal. She also stated that it is the City’s responsibility to fund downtown improvements.
Todd Higley would like to see more citizen feedback on issues facing the community and would like to see the tourism issues calmed down.
John Olson, who lost his seat on the council when he ran for mayor said he was still interested in in contributing to the council with his four years of experience. “I understand the issues and the great deal of work that needs to be done.” Housing, infrastructure and transportation were on top of his list of priorities.
Mary Signorelli said that the City’s water issues, airport expansion and affordable housing were the top priorities. “The City needs to get behind infrastructure issues,” said Signorelli. She also said the downtown Chelan should be a place that the community is proud of. She used Manson and its beautiful Christmas decorations as an example of what needs to be done. “We need a place we can all be proud of,” She said.
After Goedde’s appointment was announced, Mayor McCardle thanked all of the applicants and said that open positions in the City were coming up and hoped that the candidates would apply.
IN OTHER BUSINESS:
Rate & Fee Structure for Chelan Parks:
Parks Director Paul Horne got a little push back from Council on his proposed parking fee increase for local residents from Councilman Tim Hollingsworth. The proposed rate increase was from $25 per year to $35 per year. Hollingsworth said, “It does not bring significant revenue to the parks and it’s going to come off wrong with the residents. Personally I would like to see it remain at $25.” Councilman Terry Sanders agreed with Hollingsworth.
For non-Chelan Residents living in the Valley, the fee increased to $45 per year.
Councilman Mark Ericks was concerned that Parks was double charging those who pay a moorage fee for parking. “I would like to see no parking fees to those who pay a moorage fee,” said Ericks.
Lynette Grandy, a Chelan resident, spoke to the proposed increases in the Park’s AAU programs. She wondered why Parks wanted to increase fees to resident tax payers. “Families with more than one child could cost up to $200. AAU has far reaching benefits to the community,” she said.
Horne replied that AAU cards have gone up to $20 from $17 and that the Parks Department doesn’t make money off of AAU. “We are not opposed to keeping rates as low as we can,” said Horne. “We still offer incredible value.” He added that the new rate proposals are an effort to balance the Park’s budget.
Golfers will see an increase in greens fees from $38 to $44 in the off-season and $59 to $70 in the peak season. “Our fees offer an incredible value,” said Horne. “We have a pretty good sense of where we fit in the market.”
Single annual passes went from $900 to $975; Family annual passes from $1,500 to $1,600; Single Twilight passes from $500 to $550; Family Twilight passes from $700 to $800.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS:
General Sewer Plan update:
Public Works Director Jake Youngren told the Council that the last sewer plan was updated in 2008 and needed to be updated again. “We asked Ecology for approval of the document and we did receive their approval letter on December 13.” Youngren said he now needs the Council to approve the plan which is over 400 pages. He introduced Eric Smith, RH2’s engineer to present an update.
Eric told the Council that RH2 Engineering went over the plan and that it anticipates a 30 percent increase in population over the next 20 years. “You have a rather complex collection system,” he said.
According to Smith the treatment plant is getting closer to the 85 percent threshold when it will require planning and expansion. “We are not seeing that yet,” said Smith.
The City has surveyed all of its manholes and the mainline on Hwy. 150 is in need of replacement. “We are securing the funding for that project.”
Youngren added that the City has long term agreements in place with the Lake Chelan Reclamation District and South Shore Sewer District. “They are substantial funding partners,” he said.
Hollingsworth asked if the sewer lines could be replaced in sections. Smith replied that the City will have to maintain flow in service.
In addition to the aging sewer lines, the lift station on the north side of the old Woodin Avenue Bridge needs to be upgraded. “It is in a real critical location,” said Smith. Youngren added that design is comint to the Council in the next several months for approval. “There are many challenges that we are facing that still exist,” stated Youngren.
Smith also said the City would have to look at the sewer plant’s biological treatment system in the next five years.
Most of the above infrastructure upgrades are in the Capital Improvement Plans for action within the next six years.
Council Priorities:
City Administrator Wade Farris brought up the subject of the Council’s priorities. It was getting late into the meeting and Hollingsworth asked if the Council needed to go over it or hold off. Farris said, “Yes we do.”
Farris then reminded the Council that the City hired a federal lobbyist to look into federal help with the East Chelan water project. He also mentioned that the City is looking to Representative Mike Steele for a state appropriation for the project.
Mayor McCardle added that the East Water project is moving forward and the City still doesn’t have funding for it. “These are things we can’t kick down the road,” said McCardle.
Another issue is City Hall. Farris stated that several months ago, the City hired an individual to help deal with problems in the aging building. “He found some serious issues,” said Farris.
Youngren announced that the City has a grant to plan the stormwater system with a projection of stormwater construction two to three years in the future.
He also mentioned the Northshore Trail which he admitted wasn’t a perfect fit for the City’s priorities, but that funding is potentially available.
The Imagine Downtown is winding down its planning and the City is looking for funding from both the Feds and State to begin construction on the downtown improvements in the next one to three years.
Youngren stated that funding was available for Community ADA access and is currently in the planning phase with construction soon based on State funding sources.
Council Committee Assignments:
Council committee assignments not filled in at the earlier workshop were completed at this Council meeting. Shari Dietrich will liaise with Cascada Conservation District and the Chelan Planning Commission which she served on for five years. Councilman Brad Chitty will sit in as an alternate when Dietrich is not available.
Councilman Bob Goedde will liaise with the Port of Chelan and Douglas County, a position he held when he was the Mayor.
McCardle will liaise with Chelan County PUD.
2024 Council Committee Liaison Assignment Selection – AB AB 2024-001A (civicweb.net)
Mayor/Council comments:
It was announced that the Bluewater Terrace development would be heard by the Hearing Examiner on January 18 at 10 a.m. in Council Chambers.
Everyone on the Council thanked those that applied for McCardle’s position. Goedde said, “I’m glad to be back. It will give me the opportunity to help move issues I worked on forward.” Goedde has met with and promoted the East Chelan Water Project with Representative Schrier and will continue to work with her and McCardle to secure federal funding for the project.
McCardle encouraged all of the Council applicants to consider running for council positions and to apply for other positions within the City like the Planning Commission (one empty seat) and the Parks Board.
City meeting information:
City Council meets every second and fourth Tuesday in chambers beginning at 6 p.m. The public is encouraged to attend.
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