by Richard Uhlhorn
501 (C) ¾ Non-Profit status:
Manson Community Council is considering applying for 501(C) 3/4 status with the IRS. This would give the council an opportunity to apply for grants. It would also give them the ability to go after some county money and make the council more sustainable.
Over the years, the council has been made up of elected community individuals with no authority to dictate what happens in the community. They have just been able to recommend actions they would like county officials to consider.
Councilmen Mike Kirk and Chris Willoughby are working together to iron out all the details.
non-profit issue.
Incorporation:
Vice Chair Chris Willoughby said, “A lot of people are interested in incorporation and a lot of people are on the fence.”
Over the years, the council has explored the possibility of incorporation. Legally, they can only incorporate within the current Urban Growth Boundary. “You have to have sewer in place,” said Willoughby. Only after incorporation would they be able to expand the boundaries of the UGA.
Willoughby is interested in putting the incorporation idea to the community. Councilman Mike Kirk stated that he would support that if the study was only a study.
Chairwomen Kari Sorenson-Krause said that her fear was the cost for a City Hall, planning department etal.
Bob Goedde said, “Why reinvent the wheel. You just contract out the services.”
Gearing told the council she would check to see if any Economic Development dollars was available.
It was noted that the last incorporation of a community in Washington was around 20 years ago.
Short Term Rentals:
Gearing stated that the Planning Commission would entertain a board recommendation that there be no cap on STRs. “It doesn’t mean it will happen,” she said. She added that there would be public hearings, comments and testimonies. “So there is going to be a lot of discussion.”
Kirk asked why the county would recommend that the STR code be amended to a ‘No Cap’ status. Gearing replied that people have not been able to operate. She mentioned that it was an issue in Leavenworth. “Just because the board has made the suggestion doesn’t mean that it will come to pass.”
Complaints are handled by the Sheriff’s Department’s code enforcement officers. “Just send an address if you have to file a complaint,” said Gearing
STR clients have created a number of complaints from residents next to them. Noise and late night parties are the usual complaints. Sorenson-Krause asked if complaints should be called into the STR –24 hour hotline? (509-293-4577). Gearing replied that RiverCom could also be called. Gearing said she would bring up the issues at the board level and with the Sheriff.
Krause then asked it Gearing can follow up on STRs that are operating without a license. Gearing replied, “Email me the addresses.”
Pioneer Fire closure:
Gearing said she was traveling to Stehekin with the Sheriff. “We are planning a post fire meeting with Senator Murray’s office, Representative Schier’s office, the DNR and Park Service.”
The fire has cost over $70 million and complaints have been made that no water was deployed for several weeks on the fire. Some angry people are accusing the fire teams of letting the fire burn without any serious effort to control or put it out.
Willoughby asked that Lands Commissioner Hillary Franz (DNR) also be invited to any public meeting.
Chelan County Public Meeting:
Chelan County will host its quarterly meeting on Wednesday, September 18, at the Lake Chelan Community Center.
Community Forum:
The council will hold its second Community Forum on Tuesday October 15. This forum will also include the Manson School District representatives and the library.
Bears:
Gearing brought up the ongoing Grizzly bear re-introduction into the North Cascades. She mentioned a grizzly bear expert from Montana who would come to the County and speak about the some of the problems with grizzly’s and how they live with them.
“She is going to be really helpful for us,” said Gearing. She then mentioned that the reintroduction is a done deal under the current administration.
Casino:
“We met with the tribal council and they said it was on hold indefinitely.” Goedde also stated that the board members who toured Chelan last week also said it is on hold indefinitely.
All Things Lake Chelan 