by Richard Uhlhorn
Community Development Director position open:
“Finding a Community Development Director is going to be extremely difficult,” stated City administrator Wade Farris. He asked the Council at its Tuesday, February 27 meeting to authorize the Mayor to finalize and execute a consulting services agreement for recruitment of a new director. GMP Consulting LLC will charge $15,000 for recruitment services.
Current Director John Ajax has tendered his resignation from the position and will return to being a Senior Planner when a new director is hired. Ajax will remain in the director’s job until that time.
Farris said, “As you all know, it is a very important job.” Councilman Mark Ericks remarked that he felt Ajax has done an excellent job in the position. Ajax’s decision to vacate the position is personal family issues.
County Emergency Management Update:
Farris told the Council that the County has asked the City to contribute $3,000 towards updating the Chelan County Multi-jurisdiction Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan and Community Wildfire Protection Plan.
FEMA has funded the update with $200,000 with the various agencies and municipalities contributing to the effort. Fire departments throughout the County are being asked to contribute $750 each. The $3,000 is not in the City’s 2024 budget.
QUESTION: A number of residents are questioning the expense of updating a mitigation plan/wildfire protection plan that is already in place. Exactly how will that money be spent and who will receive it… a consultant or will the County update the plan?
2024 Comp Plan updates:
Community Development Director John Ajax presented the Council with the upcoming 2024 Planning Commission docket’s comprehensive plan amendment package.
Ajax said there were two separate elements proposed by the Planning Commission to be amended this year. Councilman Mark Ericks asked if the Council had any weigh-in to the process. Ajax replied that there would be a “number of workshops and work sessions.”
“One option,” said Ajax, “is a joint meeting with the Planning Commission. Obviously there will be a tremendous amount of public input.”
Eriks asked if Ajax if there would be consideration to building height restrictions. “Do you see that as being an issue,” asked Ericks. Ajax stated that the docket will consider Zoning Code amendments for this year. “The Planning Commission is doing a lot of the heavy lifting.”
Being considered this year:
This proposed amendment package includes anticipated updates to the Streets Six-Year Transportation Improvement Plan (STIP), aiming to integrate recent transportation improvement projects into the Comprehensive Plan. Additionally, the Sewer Comprehensive Plan has been updated and is set to be included in the Comprehensive Plan by reference, addressing both current and future sewer management and infrastructure needs. The Capital Facilities Plan will also receive its annual update to ensure the City’s six-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) is incorporated into the Comprehensive Plan’s Capital Facilities Element. Moreover, the Parks Plan is being updated to align with the city’s recreational and environmental goals. Each of these components, led by respective city departments such as Public Works, Finance, and Parks, is intended for adoption into the 2024 Comprehensive Plan after thorough review and approval processes.
Park Street Road End Park update:
“This project is moving forward,” Parks Director Paul Horne told the Council. He requested that the Council approve Geyer Coburn Hutchins LLC to provide bid documents for the project and to administer the construction of the project for $30,000.
“We are still looking for construction to begin this spring,” said Horne.
Administrative Reports:
Administrator Wade Farris told the Council that a number of changes have been requested in the Rate and Fee resolution.
One big change under review is the Building Permit Fees which haven’t been changed since 2013. “The costs haven gone up,” stated Ajax. “We are not charging market value.”
A permit for a $300,000 home in 2013 was $3,498 and it is being raised to $4,004. That is just an example of proposed changes. For more information on Rates and Fees visit:
Rate and Fee Resolution No. 2024-14XX (Amending Rate and Fee Resolution No. 2023-1439) – AB AB 2024-002A (civicweb.net)
Parks & Recreation Open Space (PROS) Plan Update:
Parks Director Paul Horne gave a quick update on the PROS plan being produced by SCJ Alliance. The plan will be completed by May. “It is a very important plan,” said Horne.
Upcoming Issues:
Public Works Director Jake Youngren updated the Council on upcoming road closures that will affect traffic along Hwy 150 and No-See-Um Road beginning on March 5 and continuing to the middle of April. This work will take place between the two roundabouts to upgrade the waterline. “We have notified all the homeowners.”
On March 11, a new sewerline will be installed at Hwy. 150. The construction will take place between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. for three nights. “We will have full blown traffic control in place,” said Youngren.
Finance Director Jackie Tupling reported that the 2022 audit was coming to a close and that everything looked good.
Farris reported that the March 5 City Workshop has been cancelled.
Mayor / Council Comments:
Terry Sanders said he appreciated LINK’s presentation.
Brad Chitty reported on Chelan Valley Housing Trust’s Emerson Harbor project’s construction which is moving right along. “As soon as that is finished they will move to the Anderson Road project,” said Chitty.
Jon Higgins asked Paul Horne when the Golf Course would be opening? Horne replied that he hopes to see it open by mid-March. Jake Youngren remarked that he would be coordinating with his project and the Parks Department.
Tim Hollingsworth said he enjoyed the LINK presentation and thanked John Ajax for stepping up to the director’s job. “You’ve done an outstanding job,” said Hollingsworth.
Hollingsworth also noted that the National Parks Servive had decided not to hire staff rangers at Stehekin this summer season. “Stehekin is a special part of the world,” said Hollingsworth. He stated that the Parks Service is not fulfilling their responsibilities. “I would like the Council to consider how we might respond to that.”
The next City Council meeting will be on March 12. The public is encouraged to attend.
All Things Lake Chelan 