by Richard Uhlhorn
Chelan Hills residents should be happy with Chelan’s Public Works Department. After a devastating 100 year storm produced thousands of dollars in damage to private property, residents began visiting City Council asking the City for help with stormwater issues in the community.
Public Works Director Jake Youngren announced at Tuesday’s City Council meeting that they have been successful in getting a $248,900.00 grant for developing a comprehensive storm water plan for the City. “There will still be some administrative steps to take to have access to those funds to begin executing that plan,” said Youngren.
Public Works was un-successful in obtaining a Capital Sewer Infrastructure grant, but was offered a loan for that work. Youngren thanked Public Works Engineer Travis Denham and Annalise Noble for their work on these grants.
Councilman Bob Goedde asked if the stormwater grant was for the entire City or just Chelan Hills? Youngren replied that it was a city wide planning effort.
Tower Consulting:
Annalise Noble has left Andura Consulting to start her own consulting business and the City of Chelan entered into a new contract with her for helping the City secure grants and funding. The new company is Noble Strategies LLC dba as Tower Consulting.
City Administrator Wade Farris told the Council that Annalise will continue to go after grants for the City under the same terms as her old employer.
Councilman Tim Hollingsworth asked about the City’s relationship with Adura. Farris replied that the City had a 30-day opt out clause in its contract and that there are no hard feelings between Noble and Adura. The Council unanimously approved the new contract at $155.00 per hour not to exceed $20,000.00.
Trespass ordinance:
The City will amend Chapter 9.04 of the Chelan Municipal Code which will establish new procedures for trespass on City owned parks.
Sgt. Rob Huddleston said, “It allows us to contact people. It gives us another tool to deal with after hours and other issues.”
Councilman Jon Higgins asked if the new ordinance change will include all parks within the City Limits like the ball fields. Huddleston replied that he wasn’t sure but would check.
Municipal Code Update:
The City Council approved a professional services agreement with CivicPlus Professional Services for a Municode Legal Review of Chelan’s Municipal Code. CivicPlus will provide a legal review of the City’s codes to make sure they comply with state statues.
DocuSign Professional Services:
Council approved a one year $2760.00 contract renewal for an electronic signature agreement with DocuSign.
GMA Population Allocations:
City Council unanimously approved the Mayor to finalize and execute the projected housing needs for Chelan County Commissioners. Chelan County, in collaboration with its cities, is responsible for setting population allocations for UGAs based on projections from the Washington State Office of Financial Management (OFM), which offers low, medium, and high growth scenarios.
John Ajax reported that the projections do not include second home ownership or tourists, but just full time residents.
Lynette Grandy, a resident and public advocate remarked on the GMA allocations. She said in her comments to the Council and Mayor that these allocations carry an enormous responsibility for the City administration and staff.
“How do we know who needs housing, or is doubling up in a household, or is cost burdened in a rental situation,” she said. In addition, she mentioned the second home market that has taken year round rentals away from the residential population.
In 2017, the level of growth projections in Chelan changed from high to medium, and Grandy wonders if that level of growth projection shouldn’t be further reduced from medium to low.
She ended her comments asking to be included in the comp. plan amendments. “I hope to participate,” she said.
Council comments:
Bob Goedde remarked that he has attended a Port meeting regarding economic development.
Tim Hollingsworth reported that he attended the Chelan County meeting in Chelan on the upcoming recreational plan in its comprehensive plan. “Anybody interested in recreation should take the survey,” he said.
Hollingsworth also reported on the Toyota Center meeting for which he is the City’s liaison. He would also like the Council to have more discussion on the Chelan Airport and worries about the proper management being in place during the expansion and afterwards.
Mayor McCardle reported that the PUD would like to see a prioritized list from the Council on its $100,000 grant towards recreation facilities on its Chelan Gorge property. “We need a discussion around the ballfields and what opportunities there are.”
She mentioned a direct appropriation process with Senators on a variety of projects. McCardle mentioned shovel ready projects like the Chelan Reservoir as a top priority, but she also mentioned the Northshore Trail project and the possible pocket parks along that trail.
Wade Farris said the City is moving forward with the airport expansion and the impacts to land owners. “We’ve had productive meetings with land owners,” said Farris. “We have a meeting scheduled with the FAA in April.”
The next regularly scheduled city council meeting is on Tuesday, February 27.
All Things Lake Chelan 