by Richard Uhlhorn
City administrator evaluation:
The motion consideration regarding an internal candidate (Chad Coltman) for the City Administrator position hit a brick wall at the Tuesday, July 22 City Council meeting after the council approved the motion to hire GMP Consultants to assess the mayor’s selection qualifications for the position.
During council comments, Councilman Terry Sanders remarked that his comment was no reflection on Coltman, but that the city administrator position is a critical hire. “We need ot have confidence in our decision,” said Sanders.
Bob Goedde, Brad Chitty and Jon Higgins all agreed with Sander’s position. “It is important that we see who’s out there,” Sanders said.
It is the mayor’s prerogative to select who will replace Wade Farris when he retires later this year, however, the decision also has to be ratified by a majority of council.
McCardle stated that Coltman has been with the City for a year and has the support of staff. “He is someone who is very qualified,” McCardle said. She added that hiring a new administrator from outside would have no connection with city staff or her.
Councilman Mark Ericks stated that he has served in an administrator’s role and has gone through the exact same process. He also said he has served on a selection committee in the past. He also feels a search for the best candidate should take place.
GMP Consultants has been hired to assess Coltman’s qualifications for the job. Coltman will be required to submit a cover letter, resume, application, and responses to two essay questions. There will also be an interview ending with a written summary of the candidate’s strengths and weaknesses before offering a recommendation. A follow-up work session with Mayor McCardle will be held to review all findings and support of her selection decision.
Airport:
City Administrator Wade Farris reported that he has been working “really hard” with the Port of Chelan/Douglas County on Option 2. This option transfers ownership of the Chelan Airport to the City with the Port making some financial contributions to its operation. “They don’t like that,” said Farris.
Both parties have requested to extend the time frame for providing the notice of non-renewal until September 30. “My goal is to have an agreement by the end of August,” said Farris.
Tim Hollingsworth said he thought it would be useful to have a joint session with the Port. Farris replied that a joint session would happen in August.
Hollingsworth is a skeptic about the City being the lead agency of the airport in particular since the Port and City are looking at the largest infrastructure project in the region. “I would like to hear their arguments.”
Airport Environmental Impact Survey:
In preparation for moving ahead with the airport expansion project, Tim Ike, JUB Engineering, reported that they have been working on the EIS for some time. “We are three years into the project and should be wrapping up soon.” Ike stated that JUB hopes to be done by spring of next year.
Chelan Valley Housing/City MOU:
Chad Coltman reported on the Memorandum of Understanding between the City and Chelan Valley Housing Trust regarding a CHIP Grant application seeking approximately $2 million for infrastructure costs for the Anderson Road housing project.
Coltman reminded the council that the City has put $200,000 in the Sewer Capital Fund to contribute as needed with project design and engineering costs for the Anderson Road sewer line improvements.
QTR 2 Financial Report:
Finance Director Jackie Tupling reported that Quarter 1 financials were slow, but Quarter 2 has made up the difference. Her report stated the City is on track to meet its revenue goals of the adopted 2025 budget.
The City has collected a total of $978,705 in sales tax so far this year which is a decrease of $90,162 over last year. “We are on pace for $2,517,811 this year,” she said in her report.
Overall lodging tax receipts are on track for the $800,000 budgeted.
Parks revenue to date is up over prior years across general parks and its commercial enterprises.
To date Parks has received $1,675,075 over its operations.
Parks rules:
Parks Director Paul Horne reported that implementation and enforcement of park ruls this season has so far brought the attention for further refinement of the Code (CMC 9.22.020 – Parks Prohibited Acts) to ensure consistency, clarity and public safety. These revisions have been developed in consultation with the City Attorney.
Mark Ericks said that service dogs can provide emotional support. The current code is pretty broad and Quinten Bajar, city attorney, said he would take another look at it.
Bob Goedde asked about BBQs outside of the parks perimeter. Horne said that was outside of their jurisdiction.
Tim Hollingsworth said he was concerned about the variety of electric vehicles operating at a high rate of speed in the parks. Shari Dietrich asked what the City’s liability inside the parks were. Horne replied that the staff would look at those issues. “We are trying to balance that,” he said.
City administer/department reports:
Wade Farris remarked that the 2026 budget process was beginning and said, “Hats off to Chad.” Jackie Tupling that anyone who had a question concerning the city’s finances to give her a call. Jake Youngren said the Lakeside Trail project was underway and drivers could expect some traffic delays.
Mayor/Council comments:
Mayor McCardle reported that Representative Kim Schier was in town and she would be meeting with her to discuss the water project.
She also brought up a potential new road all the way to Union Valley Road as an alternative to Hwy. 150 and needs to be considered. “There was a grant application that was pulled back. I hope it comes back.” The road, if constructed would be an emergency access road.
The City will hold its monthly Workshop on Tuesday, August 5.
All Things Lake Chelan 