by Richard Uhlhorn
PROS Plan adopted
Chelan Parks Director Paul Horne’s Parks & Recreation Open Space (PROS) Plan was adopted by Chelan City Council at its Tuesday evening regular council meeting. The plan is available for reading on the Chelan Parks website: Parks Planning | Chelan, WA (cityofchelan.us).
Background
The Parks & Recreation Open Space (PROS) Plan provides a long-range planning framework for developing and managing our park and recreation system. Renewing our Parks Plan every six (6) years is necessary for us to remain eligible for Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) Grants, which are a major funding source for parks capital projects across the state. The adoption of this plan will allow the City to be eligible for RCO grants in this year’s grant cycle.
The 300 page document provides for a multitude of public functions as follows:
- Recreation
- Economic Development
- Neighborhood Gathering Spaces
- Civic & Cultural Infrastructure
- Protection of Natural Resources
“Suffice to say, I think you will be very pleased,” Horne told the Council. “We had over 2,000 interactions with the public. We heard what they said. Parks are important to them.” He added that a one-on-one discussion with the community will be ongoing.
The vote was six to adopt with Bob Goedde abstaining who said he has issues with some of the plan.
Councilman Tim Hollingsworth stated that a lot of work went into the PROS Plan and asked, “What are some of the things you learned,” Horne replied that restrooms and trails were big on the public’s mind. “We need clean, modern restrooms.”
Councilman Terry Sanders complimented Horne on a job well done. “I think we are all on the same page. I appreciate the effort.”
Councilwoman Shari Dietrich said she’d heard a rumor from a resident that the Don Morse Park would be renamed. Horne said that wasn’t true. “We will continue to call the marina Lake Shore Marina and the park, Don Morse Park. He added that Don Morse had a tremendous impact on 1000s of kids years ago. “We don’t ever want to take that away.” Dietrich replied that the resident who raised the question was in panic mode.
Horne will request that an overview of the plan be scheduled with the Council at a later date.
In Other Business:
Public Works Director Jake Youngren had the restj of the agenda tied up with Motion Consderations.
- Chelan Highlands LLC. An agreement for improvements to Existing Water Services with the Highland Farms Development. COUNCIL APPROVED
- RH2 Engineering, Inc. Boyd Road and Pinnacle Booster Pump Station Evaluation. COUNCIL APPROVED
3, 4, & 5 Andurra Group Professional Services Agreement for Supplemental Engineering Tasks. ALL APPROVED BY COUNCIL
Personnel:
City Administrator Wade Farris reported that the City has still not been able to attract a replacement for John Ajax’s Community Development Director role. Ajax has resigned that position to move back to a Senior Planner position.
Farris reported to the Council that the City was going to rely on local resources and hire Monica Libbey-Ajax in a Senior Planner role. Libbey will be working under the direction of Farris, not Ajax to alleviate any concerns of nepotism. Libbey is a very qualified planner. “We will continue our search for a replacement for John,” said Farris. “He will remain as director until we find someone to replace him.”
Mayor/Council Comments:
Terry Sanders said he appreciated all the work Paul Horne put into his PROS plan
Bob Goedde remarked how nice it was to see all the families and kids having a good time in Chelan over the Memorial Day Weekend.
Brad Chitty thanked the staff for their work and commended Paul Horne on his PROS Plan. “I’m looking forward to community involvement,” said Chitty.
Tim Hollingsworth said he was looking forward to reviewing the entire PROS Plan. He also mentioned that Chelan had two Memorial Day Parades and was hoping it could be narrowed to one which would be held on Memorial Day.
Shari Dietrich remarked that the RV Park is beautifu. “It is a huge visual upgrade,” she said.
Mayor McCardle said there were only 33 law enforcement calls over the Memorial Day weekend which is a huge change from last year’s 300 calls. She also mentioned that the Our Valley Our Future would be kicking off its program next week. She’s looking forward to the community’s input on the Chelan Gorge Park
Airport meeting:
Wade Farris reported that a meeting was held with the landowners affected by the Chelan Airport upgrades. He stated that the Pangborn director brought an attorney to the airport meeting . “I hope it made a difference,” said Farris. He added that he thought it was a good meeting with the landowners.
Mayor McCardle added that the City is not trying to hide anything. “We are doing our best to communicate,”
Upcoming workshop:
Tuesday, June 7 beginning at 4 p.m. in Council Chambers.
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