By Richard Uhlhorn
Public Works Week
Next week is National Public Works Week and Mayor Erin McCardle honored Public Works Director Jake Youngren and his staff of 29 employees that keep the city running. “He consistently puts out excellent work,” stated McCardle. McCardle read a proclamation about the celebration that began in 1960 to honor the hard work by public works staff.
The Public Works Week begins on May 19 and ends on May 23 when students from the Lake Chelan School District will have a chance to meet with public works staff and see some of the machinery used to keep Chelan’s infrastructure running smoothly.
Council Rules:
City Council approved its Rules of Procedure which includes new criteria. Council members will be allowed to miss three meetings unless otherwise approved by the Council.
This decision to change when a council member may be absent has essentially removed Shari Dietrich from her Position No. 7 because she is absent for most of the winter months, but always attends via ZOOM.
Councilman Brad Chitty remarked that if a person is absent, but stays involved via ZOOM should be given some latitude for his/her absences. Jon Higgins agreed with Chitty. Bob Goedde abstained from the vote approving the agenda bill.
Airport Land Acquisition:
Tim Ike, JUB Engineers gave a brief report on the proposed land acquisition of the 17 acre Orchard Heights property at the airport. “This is a draft acquisition application,” said Ike. “There will be an update draft with final numbers as soon as the draft is submitted,” he added.
The 17 acres will allow for protection of the airport’s Runway Protection Zone and approach surfaces of the existing runway. The land acquisition is also needed for the proposed runway realignment which will would bring the airport up to current standards.
Currently the financial implications of this acquisition is $1,789,000 of which the Federal Aviation Administration will pay 90% leaving WSDOT and the owners, Chelan and Port each payjng an additional 5%… the city and Port will be responsible for 2.5% each as co-owners.
Councilwoman Sheri Dietrich asked Ike how they arrived at the $1.8 million number? Ike replied that JUB’s estimate was developed from the master plan from similar acquisitions, “particularly the one in Wenatchee” for the Pangborn Airport expansion.
Wade Farris, city administrator, said that the $1.8 million estimate is just that. “We don’t go in with an offer (land owners) until we have an appraisal.” Ike replied that if the appraisal comes in higher they will need to revisit the council.
This brought up more questions. Terry Sanders asked if there was a lot of engagement with property owners. Farris replied that a number of engagement meetings were held. Jon Higgins asked if there was a purchase and sales agreement in place. Farris said they are working on that.
Mark Ericks asked about condemnation if necessary. Ike replied, “If it all falls apart we would go for condemnation.”
Grant writer/funding:
Annalise Noble has been working on acquiring grants and funding sources for the City of Chelan since 2024 under her Noble Strategies LLC. She is assisting the City with grant and funding applications. She will continue providing services under her existing Master Services Agreement with an amended contract amount of $60,000 from January 1 to December 31, 2025.
Woodin Avenue Bridge:
The elephant in the room Tuesday evening was the Woodin Avenue Bridge dilemma. During a city survey, 72% of the respondents wanted to see the bridge reverted to two-way traffic again. That presented a huge, and potentially expensive problem for the City who wants to appease their residents.
Public Works Director Jake Youngren said that the department’s first order of business is to take a hard look at the bridge. “It would be appropriate to have a low end and high end bid.” The department is looking at a 44 foot cross section to get an order of magnitude on “how we want to tackle this.”
The feasibility of reconfiguring the bridge back to accommodate two-way traffic is identified in the city’s Six Year Transportation Improvement Plan.
A prior study developed an assumed cross section consisting of two 11-foot travel lanes, two foot shoulders and two five foot sidewalks for a total of 36 feet.
An updated concept level construction cost estimate is needed to provide an order of magnitude understanding of potential costs.
City staff recommended authorizing KPFF, Inc. Consulting Engineers (KPFF) to prepare this concept-level estimate based on the previously assumed crosssection. The scope of work includes a plan sheet showing the assumed retrofit concept, a memo summarizing key assumptions and the estimating approach, and a detailed construction cost estimate.
KPFF will be required to deliver a draft of their findings within six weeks of receiving notice to proceed. Final deliverables would be submitted two weeks after receiving City comments on the draft.
The work will be billed on a time and material basis not to exceed $10,000. It is the intent that Transportation Benefit District (TBD) revenue will be utilized for this effort.
Council members commented on the motion. Tim Hollingsworth remarked that some hard information was needed. “I think it’s the elephant in the room.”
Mark Ericks stated that pedestrian safety was important and Bob Goedde, one of the main proponents of returning the bridge to two-way traffic said, “We had 10 foot lanes for 90 years without an accident. Ten foot lanes would save a lot of money.”
Youngren told the council that he would do whatever they want. His concern is how current codes would affect the effort.
Summer communication plans:
Chad Coltman, communications director, reported that the city was preparing for the Memorial Day weekend crowds with new signs that are easier to understand. “That’s all happening this weekend,” he said. “We are also taking advantage of social media with what we want to get across about the changes in our parks.”
The City has also dropped off informative postcards at the local resorts and community organizations have been informed of the changes.
Administrative reports:
The City will be holding a community meeting at the PAC to go over the upcoming Comprehensive Plan updates that will be worked on this year.
Coltman also reported that interviews for the upcoming Finance Director position will be held.
Jake Youngren reported that the Lakeside Trail construction was coming up.
Wade Farris reported that the contract for Memorial Day security is in place. “We are also working with law enforcement. He also said that Sgt. Huddleston reported that Marine II will be back on the water.
Mayor/Council:
Bob Goedde remarked that the City used to have 100 law enforcement officers in town for Memorial Day and it wasn’t unusual for 1,000 arrests to be made.
Jon Higgins asked about parking enforcement and how that was working out.
Tim Hollingsworth said he was looking forward to the Fourth of July. He also mentioned that the community has a new District Ranger and that the community needs to figure out about ways we can help under the current political situation where so many federal employees have lost their jobs. “At some point we need to talk about the district and what is going on.”
Mayor McCardle remarked that the City needs to have something out in the public for visitors who don’t know about our fire danger.
The next City Council meeting is on Tuesday, May 27 beginning at 5:15.
All Things Lake Chelan 