by Richard Uhlhorn
City Council – January 28
January 28 City Council highlights:
Council member Brad Chitty received his certificate and recognition for completing training in five competency areas of local government.
These competency areas include 1.- Effective local leadership; 2. – Community planning and development; 3. – Public sector resource management; 4. – Roles, responsibilities and legal requirements; and Diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.
Congratulations to Mr. Chitty. Since becoming a councilmember he has attended almost all outside meetings held on the City’s behalf.
Lakeside Trail
The Lakeside Trail project is nearing design completion and moving towards the Right-of-Way phase. During this phase the City’s consultant (SCJ Alliance) and its subconsultant (Tierra) will, negotiate with property owners and finalize agreements related to impacts caused by this $3.5 million dollar project. “We have to follow the DOT’s guidelines closely,” said Public Works Director Jake Youngren.
Residents look at proposed Lakeside Trail drawings at Sunset Marina
The project is slated to be in the construction phase this spring.
Stormwater Management Plan
The Washington State Department of Ecology awarded Chelan a $262,000 grant to produce a Stormwater Management Action Plan. In July, 2024, the City and Ecology entered negotiations and with the scope and fee, general project description, special terms and conditions, the grant is ready for execution.
The City’s 5% match comes to only $13,000 and Ecology will cover the remaining $248,900.
City Park regulation update
The Parks Advisory Board, parks administration and residents living adjacent to Lakeside Park have been working toward improvements at both Lakeside and Don Morse Parks.
At Tuesday’s, February 4, Chelan City workshop, the council will have a dialogue about the recommendations that have been discussed over the past several months.
Last summer, Lakeside Park had a number of serious issues that have since been discussed. “We need to build a board consensus for the entire community,” stated Parks Director Paul Horne.
This year, if City Council agrees, there will be enhanced parking enforcement, dog restrictions after Memorial Day, a tobacco prohibition, no glass containers near the beach areas, no day camping, tents or canopies unless permitted for special events like the beach volleyball tournaments, and no BBQs except where allowed.
“Law enforcement needs to be engaged for our efforts to be successful,” said Horne.
Councilman Bob Goedde said, “You are going to have a lot of fun enforcing those requirements.”
Mayor McCardle remarked that a lot of communication needs to take place with the community. Horne said, “We certainly don’t want to target one population.” Councilman Terry Sanders asked Horne to check with the PUD on their rules for Riverwalk Park. McCardle said it has taken a lot of work to arrive at the proposed solutions.
Other items for workshop
- Mayor McCardle will report on the City’s Chelan County PUD partnership
- Jake Youngren will discuss Public Works Project Status updates
The Council will discuss these potential solutions at its Tuesday, February Workshop which begins at 4 p.m. at City Hall.
All Things Lake Chelan 