by Richard Uhlhorn
Tuesday evening’s, April 9, City Council meeting had a number of interesting items on the agenda. In particular was the presentation of Garrett Churchill’s Marine Patrol Officer of the Year Award and Parks Director Paul Horne’s PROS Plan (Parks & Recreation Open Space)update which will be covered separately.
Marine Patrol Award:
Sgt. Rob Huddleston requested that the Sheriff allow him to have the Washington State Marine Patrol Officer of the Year be recognized at the Chelan City Council meeting.
State Parks representative Brian Alexander
Sgt. Huddleston has been involved with the Marine Patrol on Lake Chelan for a number of years. “I’ve supervised and been involved for a long time,” said Huddleston. “Lake Chelan is a pretty unique place.
Deputy Garrett Churchill put his name in to patrol Lake Chelan. “He took the job head on. Some people think it is the best job in the world and that patrol officers just have fun hanging out on the lake,” he said. He added that after eight or more hours on the lake is a tough assignment.
“To accomplish what he did takes a special person to do that.” Huddleston said. “The State Parks runs the marine patrol.” Huddleston then introduced State Park representative Brian Alexander.
Alexander stated that Churchill took his work in the marine patrol seriously. “He started out on probation and rose to No. 1. He deserves this award.” Alexander said that the program emphasizes education. There are 39 municipalities involved in the marine program and Alexander said, “Garrett is a great example of what we are looking for.”
Citizen Comments:
John Olson shared recent information he has gathered or seen in the news media with Chelan City Council on March 9.
Butte meeting – Over 100 attended. “The developers are proposing a Hawks Meadow style development,” said Olson who is constantly lamenting the fact that there are no more public access points to Lake Chelan except for the proposed micro street end parks.
He remarked that the State budgeted the property tax returns as one percent per year. “Our state leaders shunted the one percent property tax increases per year onto the Cities.
He mentioned an article in the Wenatchee World about a pear orchardist in the Wenatchee Valley who has cut out six acres from his orchard for residential development to stay in the agriculture business. He told the Council that Community Development Director John Ajax has been struggling with the Ag-Tourism issue and asked Olson what he thought. Olson stated that with farms disappearing, it was development of agriculture tourism, i.e. vineyards or subdivisions.
Chelan’s Earth Day Celebration is coming up on April 20 in Riverwalk Park. Mayor Erin McCardle read an Earth Day Proclamation into the record.
Motion considerations:
Berger Professional Services agreement for Lakeside Park:
Parks Director Paul Horne introduced Jason Henry of Berger Partnership to provide an update of the 60% design progress on the Lakeside Park Project
Henry stated that the company still needed to advance the design of the project. “We are working with the RCO (Recreation and Conservation Office).” The RCO is offering a little more money to help with upgrades at the restrooms and swimming area. He said they should have it completed by 2025.
Berger will provide design development, construction and bid documents and interface with the RCO to provide any materials still needed for the grant award which should happen in the next several months. Berger will also handle the bidding and construction administration until the end of the project.
The council approved the continuation of the Berger Partnership Professional Services Agreement along with the Lakeshore Marina Seasonal Moorage Agreements and the Rally Alley2024 to 2028 Concession Agreement
The Council unanimously approved amending the Municipal Code Section 13.12.050 to include Commercial Facilities. What this amendment does is allow commercial businesses waivers for 24 months on utility bills in case of fire or other disasters. The existing ordinance only addressed residential properties. Commercial entities like the recent fire at the Apple Cup will apply until the business comes back on line.
The Council also authorized the Mayor to finalize and execute the Beckwith Consulting Professional Services Agreement for the Imagine Downtown Revitalization Project Design.
The Proposed design scope includes the following tasks:
Task 1 – Initiate Work · Conduct project start workshop · Complete topographical survey – Task 2 – Pre-design to 30% · Condition assessment · Street design elements · Parking lot walkway connection · New canopy street tree pit locations · Impact on existing streetlights · Alternative concepts · South Parking Lot on Wapato Avenue · Review with stakeholders/Council · Cost estimates and schedules – Task 3 – Design to 60% Woodin Avenue · Based on the results of Task 2, we will complete design to 60% of Woodin Avenue from Columbia to Sanders Streets including alternative palette selections. · Align ordinances governing overhead canopies, outdoor dining areas, a[1]frame signage, benches, sidewalk displays, potted plants, and other business and property owner improvements and furnishings with expanded sidewalk widths. · Cost estimates · Community impact · Survey public on palette themes · Review with stakeholders/Council · Bid booklet – Task 4 – Design to 90% Woodin Avenue · Complete set of contract documents · Specifications · Updated cost estimates · Construction scheduling alternatives · Construction permit applications · Review with Council · Further develop drawings and specifications in accordance with Chelan standards – Task 5 – Design to 100% Woodin Avenue · Final set of contract documents · Final specifications · final cost estimate · Selection of construction scheduling alternatives · Construction permit approvals · Construction impact mitigations · Review with Council · Bid Advertisement – Task 6 – Bidding Assistance · Pre-bid meeting attendance · Addenda preparation and issuance · Bid analysis – Task 7 – Construction Support · Pre-construction meeting attendance · Progress Meetings · Inspections
Parks Director Paul Horne presented the Parks & Recreation Open Space (PROS) Plan to the Council which will be covered under a separate article.
The next City Council Meeting will take place on April 23 beginning at 6 p.m.
All Things Lake Chelan 