Author: allthingslakechelan

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by Richard Uhlhorn

Affordable Housing in the Lake Chelan Valley has been at a crisis stage for several years. There is no affordable housing available and the situation continues to worsen as prices for what comes available continues to rise.

The problem of affordable housing is multi-faceted. Most full time residents are making anywhere from $15 per hour down to minimum wage. Chelan Valley Trust says the average income in Chelan is $37,000 a year or $17.78 per hour. Let’s say that $37,000 is an average. You still can’t afford to purchase a home when the average purchase price of a home is $400,000.

Chelan Valley Trust has a plan to develop affordable homes. The organization has a $2 million construction loan from North Cascades Bank and proposed bids to construct homes in the $170,000 to $200,000 range. Land has already been donated by the Lookout and the Trust would own that land. The new homeowner would own the home.

The City’s proposed budget has $100,000 set aside to help with Affordable Housing efforts. The idea is that these funds could be used to help pay for general service charges to make the construction less expensive.

The other facet to the affordable housing dilemma is that many of the people working in the service industry are young and not ready to purchase a home. This is an argument being made by John Olson on a regular basis. Olson also has pushed the City to recognize that short term rentals has taken much of the long term rental out of the market as home owners try to capitalize on Chelan’s busy tourism season.

The City and the new Chelan Valley Trust should be applauded for attacking the affordability of living in the Valley, but unfortunately, it will be at least a year before the first affordable houses are being built. Until that time, people seeking homes or apartments will have a difficult time putting a roof over their head in the Lake Chelan Valley.

While the City Workshop on Tuesday, December fourth was dedicated to the proposed budget and GFCs (General Facilities Charges), affordable housing became a major topic of discussion.

Councilwoman Erin McCardle wants the City to have solid plan on hand when it begins to use funds set aside to help develop affordable housing.

Erin McCardle opened the workshop budget hearing with a question. “Why isn’t affordable housing on the agenda? . We haven’t had a discussion yet. The 2019 proposed budget has set aside $120,000 for affordable housing issues and McCardle is concerned that this funding measure is done right.

Mayor Cooney pulled the issue out and said, “Let’s discuss it.” Tim Hollingsworth, who is on the board of directors of Chelan Valley Trust, commented that it was prudent to have it in the budget if the organization wants to build affordable housing. “Obviously we don’t’ want to open our check books.”

Councilman Tim Hollingsworth agreed that the City needs to be a partner with the newly formed Chelan Valley Trust.

McCardle replied that the City wasn’t ready to do that because it needs to have a policy in place whereas Hollingsworth replied that the city has a comprehensive plan and that a part of that plan is to provide a subsidy for housing. McCardle reiterated that the City needs to have a policy in place. “I’m comfortable putting money aside, but not comfortable until a plan is in place. There is no oversight.”

Mayor Cooney agreed that McCardle’s request for solid criteria and oversight of the City’s funds for affordable housing was a fair concern.

Mayor Cooney replied that Erin’s concern was fair and that the City needs to go back to Andy to make sure the City can use money set aside to help with GFCs (General Facility Charges) for affordable housing. The proposed plan is to have set aside money to help pay for the required City GFC charges. In essence, the City would allow a subsidy $3,000 to $4,000 dollars per affordable home to be used against the GFC charges. Hollingsworth said, “We are trying to create an organization that can partner with the City.” McCardle replied to Hollingsworth. “We haven’t done our job to finish it.” Cooney said, “We will finish it.”

City Administrator Mike Jackson stated that the City has to be careful. “We need restrictions with ground rules,” he said. “It’s important to enforce this.” McCardle replied that she doesn’t want to see those funds restricted to just the Housing Trust.

Andy Baker (FCS) said, “I think we can define this by ordinance. You have to have an ordinance with requirements and income levels.” Mayor Cooney added that he, Mike Jackson and Baker would sit down and get the language down for the ordinance.

Hollingsworth also stated that the City needs permanent affordable rentals… not market rate rentals. Ray Dobbs added, “I don’t want to see Habitat for Humanity out of the affordable housing market.”

Cooney added that the City wasn’t just looking at single family housing. “I’m not ruling out multi-family housing… just focusing on single family housing.”

Guy Evans encouraged the City to look into reducing GFCs for large projects.

Guy Evans and a financial advisor from the Weidner Group gave a presentation to the City Council and staff concerning Weidner’s desire to build a 240 unit apartment complex on Apple Blossom Center property. Evans, a realtor with Coldwell Banker, said, “We have a lot of challenges in Eastern Washington… too many unknowns.” Evans went on to say that local developers did not have the funds or the desire to build multi-family housing.

Weidner Group is a for profit company that builds apartment complexes across the Nation with rents at market rates. If they were to build at the Apple Blossom Center, the rents would look similar to the above graph.

“The beauty of Weidner is that they have a strong balance sheet and are willing to make that bet,” said Evans. Of course the cost of the City’s GFCs is an issue and Evans encouraged the City to look closely at cutting those fees to a reasonable amount.

Councilman Ray Dobbs commented that the City of Leavenworth is waiving a lot of those fees to get affordable housing built in that community. Councilwoman Wendy Isenhart remarked that Chelan needs housing in all categories for the middle income resident.

Councilman Ty Witt asked if the Weidner project was big enough to offset the City’s vacancy rates.

Mayor Cooney added, “I think everybody gets it. I like the location for it. A bunch of apartment homes don’t turn me on, but a large complex might work.” Evans encourage the City to get a conversation started.

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by Richard Uhlhorn

The City Council unanimously lowered the City’s GFC Charges until it is able to adopt the 2019 GFC Rate Resolution. The intent of this temporary resolution is to provide water and sewer GFC’s at a 1 ERU rate for properties requiring ¾ inche or smaller meter size.

The lower rates will result in refunds anticipated to be approximately $70,000, impacting 15 to 20 properties, and the average reduced charges (including those not paid) to be approximately $11,000 per property. The Council unanimously passed this temporary Rate Resolution.

The new Water and Sewer GFC charges, when passed by the Council will recognize ¾ inch as a standard size meter under the Uniform Plumbing Code.

Andy Baker, (FCS) is the City’s consultant working on a proposal for new GFC charges for water and sewer hookups.

At its November 27 meeting, Andy Baker (FCS), the City’s consultant working on GFCs, gave a presentation of his company’s research. The meeting had a number developers and builders on hand to hear his presentation and the Council’s reaction.

Baker told the Council that any reduction in GFCs will have to come from another source. Mayor Cooney suggested that those costs could be passed on to commercial businesses.

Erin McCardle said that the proposed GFCs lacked clarity and Kelly Allen remarked that the GFCs stick it to businesses. Ray Dobbs stated that the general assumption was that residences being build were mostly three bedroom homes.

Baker replied that the number of ERU’s being attached to each home is based on how much water and pressure is required to serve that home, and how far way the home is from the water main indicating that ¾ inch meters were now a required standard to meet the pressure requirements.

Homes currently with 5/8’s meters will have to be changed over to ¾ inch meters which means the home owner’s monthly rate will be higher to compensate for the replacement cost of the meter.

Tim Hollingsworth said he wasn’t convinced of the equitability of property owners having to continue to pay for services even though the building was torn down.

Baker replied that even though the building was no longer there the property owner continues to pay for the system, but wouldn’t pay for water use.

“Council might want to debate the fairness of that,” said Hollingsworth.

Guy Evans, a real estate broker commented that the current GFC charges were $16,000 for a downlake home (it is more uplake). John Walcker, a local developer asked Baker if he had compared rates with other communities.

“We did compare costs,” said Baker. “Each municipalities fees are based on their policies and each community’s cost.”

Walcker pointed out that the City of Manson only charges $11,500 and that Chelan’s GFC charges were currently 12 percent of the total cost of building. “It’s insane,” he quipped. Walcker is hoping to build a 36 unit affordable apartment building and said it would cost him $700,000 in charges.

Mayor Cooney said, “None of this is profit motivated… it’s to keep the system up and running.”

The Council, staff and consultant will meet on Tuesday, December 4 at 4 p.m. to continue to discussing the proposed GFC charges for 2019. The proposed budget will also be a topic of discussion in preparation of adoption at it’s December 18 Council meeting.

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RECENT POSTS

• Hospital receives $22,000 check from Guild B… continue to search for new CEONovember 28, 2018
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by Richard Uhlhorn

In one of the longest City Council meetings in recent history, the Council held two public hearings, listened to three administrative reports and voted on four motion considerations. The meeting began at 6 p.m. and didn’t end until nearly 10 p.m. Tuesday night, November 27.

Finance Director Steve Thornton gave a 2019 budget briefing to the City Council at its Tuesday, November 27 Council meeting and told the Council that if anything in the proposed budget was giving them heartburn to speak up.

A Public Hearing was held on the 2019 Proposed Budget to provide an opportunity for public input. The budget briefing was delivered by new Finance Director Steve Thornton who began is briefing by telling the Council, “If there is something giving you heartburn, let’s hear it!”

The City has arrived at the preliminary 2019 budget after six workshops. The $15,778,885 budget covers the following proposed expenditure and revenue sources; the General Fund – $4,881,965, Parks and Recreation – $2,880594, Street Fund – $1,229,584, Sewer – $1,985128, Water – $2,057,452, Sanitation Services -$1,489,668, and Equipment and Replacement – $1,254500.

Significant change to this budget includes an additional $120,00 to the Affordable Housing Initiative and $45,072 in increased costs for the Sheriff’s Department and Prosecuting Attorney.

Revenue sources include an additional $273,000 in Sales Taxes which is based on a three year average of plus 3 percent. An additional $44,240 in Property Taxes based on the Council’s passage of a 1% Property Tax increase and annexation plus growth. Utility taxes will add another $31,500 and the Building and Planning Department will add another $42,750 based on a three year average.

The City expects to receive +/- $378,420 in 2% Stadium Fund money and $567,630 in 3% Lodging Taxes in 2019.

The 2% funds will be used to advertise the Golf Course ($10,000), cover $138,066 in debt service, Recreational Capital Expenditures of $201,000 (incudes two new volleyball courts and pump track), and $70,000 for Maintenance at the Parks.

The 3% funds are budgeted at $567,630 for marketing Chelan and $54,000 for bathrooms at the parks.

Increases in Parks and Recreation revenues are expected to reach an additional $111,750 in 2019. Increases will come from parking, the RV Park and Golf Course.

Erin McCardle is not happy with the Chelan Municipal Golf Course losses last year and asked about the 2 percent Stadium Funds being used to advertise the facility.

Erin McCardle asked about the money from 2% funds being paid to advertise the Golf Course and why it wasn’t listed as a golf course expenditure. Ty Witt asked if 2% money was being used for anything else other than the Golf Course. Cheryl Grant (former City Finance Director) replied that there were no more requests for 2% funding.

Ty Witt asked if anyone else in the Parks and Recreation Department requested 2 percent monies. 

Tim Hollingsworth asked if it was right to advertise with 2 percent funds.

Tim Hollingsworth asked if it was right to advertise with these funds. Grant replied that the intention was to get people over to Chelan to golf. Ray Dobbs called the plan a great marketing tool. Mayor Cooney told McCardle that the item would be moved to reflect it was for golf course use.

Kelly Allen said she would like to see a plan for maintaining City Streets.

The rest of the proposed budget covered standard city services. Kelly Allen remarked that she would like to see a plan for replacing or maintaining City Streets. Mayor Cooney replied that there is a six-year plan in place that details the streets to be resurfaced or maintains. City Administrator Mike Jackson also stated that there has been discussions about a street restoration plan. “The big thing is that we don’t lose our road beds,” said Jackson. “That’s when it gets expensive. Our roads are in pretty good shape.”

City Administrator Mike Jackson told the Council that the City streets are in good shape but said there have been discussions with the Public Works Department about a restoration plan.

The Council will be adopting the budget at its December 27 Council meeting.

The first public hearing on Tuesday concerned a Development Standard revision for use of private roads for Agricultural Tourism .

Planning Director Craig Gildroy presented a revision to the City’s development standards to include private road use for ag-tourism.

The revision of the Development Standards came about because of a request by Blue Water Terrace which is becoming a working farm above Legacy Ridge on the north side of Lake Chelan. The revision requires that the road be built to the City’s Public Road Standards, but would remain private and maintained by the property owner. “We are not taking responsibility of that road,” asked Councilwoman Kelly Allen? Planning Director Craig Gildroy replied that it would be the owner’s responsibility to maintain the road.

There were no public comments and the Council unanimously approved the revisions and instructed the City Attorney to prepare the adopting ordinance.

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by Richard Uhlhorn

Commission meeting on Tuesday, November 27.

Mary Ann Warren and Vicki Nedrow presented the Commission with a check for $2,646 for the Pediatrics Division and then surprised the Commission with another check for $22,000 as a down payment for a Post Partum room in the new hospital.

Vicki Nedrow and Mary Ann Warren presented Hospital Commission Chair Mary Signorelli with a check for $22,000 from Guild B as a down payment for a Post Partum room at the new hospital.

Commission Chair Mary Signorelli accepted the checks and said, “We have a room halfway built.”

After a photo op, Signorelli announced that the Commission was going into executive session to discuss its CEO recruitment selection. “We expect to be in session for one hour. If it is longer, we will let you know,” stated Signorelli.

The Lake Chelan Community Hospital Board has still not selected a new CEO to administer the hospital’s business. The search for a new CEO began in January, 2018 and 11 months later, the board continues to interview and discuss their selections. In the meantime, Steve Padonai continues to work as the Interim CEO.

After the one hour executive session, Signorelli said, “We have met and interviewed four applicants here at the hospital. We are continuing to negotiate.”

The rest of the meeting was taken up with new business on the agenda including such topics as a Levy Limit and EMS Levy

The Board will hold a Budget Workshop on December 18 and then adopt its budget at its regularly scheduled meeting on December 20.

by Richard Uhlhorn

City Council will be looking at a long night on Tuesday, November 27 as they consider a number of resolutions, amendments and hold several public hearings, including a public hearing on the 2019 Proposed Budget and the use of private roads serving agriculture tourism uses.

The City recognized its front line staff at the November 13 Council meeting including Debbie Girvin, Heather Hill, Jackie Tupling, Patty Michajla and Missi Anderson. In the Building and Planning Department, Linda Jo Williams and Carolyn Cockrum were recognized.

Ag-Tourism recommendation:
A public hearing will be held to consider the Chelan Planning Commission’s recommendation to revise current development standards to allow private roads to serve agriculture tourism uses.

This proposed text amendment would allow private roads to serve agriculture tourism uses such as tourism activities on a working farm that include farm sales, tours, home stays (cabins or guest house), and cottage wineries & wineries. Private roads serving agriculture tourism uses may be considered a driveway but as they may serve multiple uses of a working farm that provides agriculture tourism uses.

Council will be asked to approve the Development Standard revisions for ag-tourism on private roads as presented. If approved by Council, the City Attorney will prepare the adopting ordinance.

2019 Proposed Budget presentation:
City staff will give a brief presentation on the 2019 proposed budget followed by a Public Hearing and a City Council discussion, and proposed amendments to the budget. A Power Point Presentation will be provided. No action will be taken on the budget at this time.

GFC rate reduction:
City Council will also be asked to amend and approve the rates, charges and fees for water and sewer services by the City. Council believes the application of the amended charges is in the best interest of the City and its rate payers.

This resolution will impact approximately 15 – 20 properties depending upon the total number of permits issued. The City anticipated that the rate resolution will result in refunds of $70,000 or about $11,000 per property affected.

This is a temporary resolution that will be in effect until the 2019 Rate Resolution is adopted by City Council. The intent is to provide water and sewer GFC’s at the 1 ERU rate for properties requiring a 3/4″ or smaller meter size.

The net effect is to reduce the higher charges for residential properties requiring a 3/4″ meter. The Uniform Plumbing Code – which the City complies with – bases meter size on “fixture count.”

Application of this code resulted in immediate and unanticipated increases to residential development. The proposed 2019 Water and Sewer GFC charges will recognize 3/4″ as a more “standard” size for modern residential development.

Short Term Rental Asssessment:
The City retained Berk Consulting to perform a Short Term Rental Situational Assessment and to draft regulations for short term rentals within the City boundaries.

Berk will be presenting their assessment findings for the City and discuss them with the City Council in hopes of finalizing the regulations.

No action will be taken on this issue at the meeting.

Other news of importance to City Residents:

During Citizen’s Comments at the November 13 Council meeting, John Olson thanked the City and Public Works Department for the
work on the new parking lot at the Chelan Senior Center. 

John Fragnito Jr. told the Council that his water bill for the old apartment house that was torn down last year has risen to $17,000 despite the fact he hasn’t used one gallon of water since the demolition of the building. “I can’t continue to incure these types of expenses,” he told the Council. Mayor Mike Cooney promised Fragnito that the issue would be handled by staff.

At its November 13 City Council meeting the Council unanimously adopted a new Property Tax Levy.

Prior to adoption of the Property Tax Levy Ordinance for the 2019 budget, Council held a public hearing on revenue sources for the coming year, including consideration of possible increases in property tax revenues (RCW 84.55).

As a reminder, property taxes are currently, and have for many years, been split between the General Fund at 25% and the Street Fund at 75%. At this time there is no recommendation from staff to change that formula.

Staff is recommending council continue to support the 1% increase over 2018 taxes, which would total $13,791.73, based on the 2018 levy of $1,379,172.67. This will be in addition to the levy for new construction, which is $40,568.83, annexation revenue of $119,034.93 and a refunded amount of $2,638.63.

New construction is based on adding $28,952,834 and annexation is based upon adding $91,038,375 to the City’s valuation at $1.4012 per $1,000. If approved, the total estimated increase will be $176,034.12, of which the General Fund would receive $44,008.53 and the Street Fund would receive $132,025.59.

The Board of Directors of the Chelan Valley Trust joined the Council meeting and saw an Affordable Housing presentation by Rachel Goldie.

The Board of Directors of Chelan Valley Trust joined the Council for a presentation by Rachel Goldie on Affordable Housing.

Rachel Goldie

Goldie thanked the City for being a true partner with the Trust. “People are concerned with how our quality of life is changing,” said Goldie. She also stated that the fund raising has generated approximately $70,000 of the $250,000 goal for operational funding.

The biggest donation is a $2 million dollar construction loan from NCWB at a prime rate. “That will definitely get us up to 20 homes on the ground,” she stated. She was pleased that the Board was on hand to support affordable housing.

Councilman Tim Hollingsworth

Councilman Tim Hollingsworth noted that a lot of people in the community are steping up and pledging funds. “We are in partnership with a lot of good people,” said Hollingsworth.

GOLF COURSE LOSSES:

With a projected loss of $98,000 this year and a projected loss of $130,000 next year, the Chelan Golf Course was the topic of a heated conversation at the City’s November 6 Workshop.

Erin McCardle said it was mindboggling to her that the City is budgeting to lose money. “We can’t keep losing that much money,” said McCardle. “It is unacceptable to me to be budgeting for a loss.”

Councilwoman Erin McCardle

City Administrator Mike Jackson said the simple way to handle the situation is have a break even or have a net gain at the course by 2020.

“Or what,” asked McCardle. “The discussion has always caused a lot of uproar in the local golf community. We can’t keep losing that much money.”

It was suggested that the City might want to look at the Parks as a whole instead of one element of that operation. Tim Hollingsworth asked if the city is suggesting that they retain those losses in the budget. McCardle added that was robbing Peter to pay Paul.

The City might be looking at farming out the golf course operation to a private management team. This is a discussion that will continue until the 2019 budget is adopted.

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by Richard Uhlhorn

Chelan’s Lady Goat Volleyball season came to an end at Yakima’s Sundome on Saturday afternoon when they played for the 7^th or 8^th place trophy against Lakeside.

The Lady Goats won 11 solid games at the State Volleyball Championships and lost only two games to the eventual State Champions, Lynden Christian. The Goats brought home the seventh place trophy. 

The girls won that match handily in three games 25-15, 25-23,25-11. Seventh place is not how they wanted to end their season, but because of bracketing, the Lady Goats faced the Lynden Christian Lyncs on Friday morning, losing in five hard, hard fought games, 20-25, 25-21, 26-24, 24-26, 7-15.

Sophomore Katie Rainville had 10 blocks during the tournament.

They had a chance to win the fourth game when they went from a 16-16 tie to a 19-16 lead. Lynden Christian came back to trail by only one point, 24-23, but Chelan couldn’t close it out and the Lyncs won 26-24 putting Chelan into a fifth game which didn’t go well for them at all and they lost 7-15.

Emma McLaren,#2 and Lexie Gleasman, #3 had a combined total of 133 kills during the State Tournament. Click on the images for a larger view.

This was considered by many to be the championship game. The complaint by many, including WIAA officials on the floor, reporters, parents, coaches and other fans, was why would two potential State Champions be pitted against each other in the first match of the tournament.

The loss in their first outing put Chelan in the consolation bracket with the only possible outcome being 7^th or 8^th place.

Freshman  Libero Morgyn Harrison was 71/2 at the service line and dug out 27 balls during the tournament.

As disappointed as they were, the Lady Goats worked their way out of their disappointment and came back to defeat each team they faced in three games. First it was Kiona Benton who went down 25-15, 25-12, 25-19.

Bellevue Christian was a little tougher match but Chelan closed them out in three also 25-19, 25-18, 25-12 which placed them in the final trophy round for that 7^th place which they succeeded in capturing 25-15, 25-23, 25-11. Lakeside was a very well disciplined team, but Chelan, who had defeated them earlier in the season, only had one game where they were challenged.

Sophomore Xitali Cruz combined for 72 assists  and 23 digs during the tournament and had only one missed serve.

Senior Lexie Gleasman finished up her high school volleyball career 64 kills and 49 digs over the tournament play. In game one against the eventual State Champion Lynden Christian, she had 21 digs.

Lexie’s leadership throughout the season has led to the tremendous success this team has had in her senior year. The rest of the team are juniors, sophomores and freshmen along with Sierra Shively as the other senior on the team.

Tough on hitters at the line. From left to right are Katie Rainville, Lexie Gleasman and Elly Collins.

Emma McLaren, Elly Collins, Morgyn Harrison, Katie Rainville, Gracie Benrud, Leanna Garfoot, Xitlali Cruz, Casey Simpson, Bella Gatzemeier, AJGueller and Ally Williams will all be returning next year.

Leanna Garfoot #7, had a great tournament,
setting the ball for the team’s hitters 84 times

For the most part, these girls have been playing volleyball together since they were youngsters, and with the advent of Club ball and Sand Volleyball, they have all nailed down the fundamentals of the game from the front row to the backrow.

As Chelan (Coach of the Year) Coach Jenifer Rainville says. “We will return next year.” As a team, the Lady Goats ended the season with a 19-2 record. “We faceda very tough first round team,” said Rainville.

Chelan and Lynden Christian played what was arguably the best match of the entire tournament. Chelan lost two of the five games and went on to win every match from that point on in three games.

While the loss put Chelan into the consolation bracket, Lynden Christian went on to win the State Title. “We were the only team able to take any sets from the Lyncs,” said Coach Rainville.

“I want to thank the players for a great season, the parents and the community for all their support and our awesome green zone that continued to cheer us on all season,” said Coach Rainville.

Statistics

vs Lynden Christian – 20-25, 25-21, 26-24, 24-26, 7-15
Lexie Gleasman 16 kills, 1 block, 17/17 serving with 2 aces and 21 digs
Emma McLaren 28 kills, 17/18 serving with 1 ace and 16 digs
Elly Collins 10 kills, 1 assist, 14/14 serving and 17 digs
Katie Rainville 4 kills, 3 blocks and 1 dig
Gracie Benrud 2 kills and 2 digs
AJ Gueller 1 assist and 1 block
Leanna Garfoot 24 assists, 20/21 serving with 1 ace and 12 digs
Xitlali Cruz 23 assists, 15/15 serving and 15 digs
Morgyn Harrison 16/16 serving and 6 digs

vs Kiona Benton – 25-15, 25-12, 25-19.
Lexie Gleasman 12 kills, 1 block, 9/9 serving and 9 digs
Emma McLaren 8 kills, 12/12 serving with 1 ace and 4 digs
Elly Collins 4 kills, 5/7 serving and 1 dig
Katie Rainville 3 kills, 1 block and 1 dig
Gracie Benrud 1 kill
AJ Gueller 1 kill
Leanna Garfoot 19 assists, 14/14 serving with 2 aces and 3 digs
Xitlali Cruz 9 assists, 7/7 serving and 1 dig
Morgyn Harrison 23/23 serving with 4 aces and 8 digs
Casey Simpson 1 dig

vs Bellevue Christian – 25-19, 25-18, 25-12
Lexie Gleasman 19 kills, 15/15 serving and 11 digs
Emma McLaren 18 kills, 9/10 serving and 13 digs
Elly Collins 4 kills, 1 assist, 9/11 serving with 2 aces and 7 digs
Katie Rainville 2 kills, 2 blocks and 1 dig
Gracie Benrud 6 kills and 2 blocks
AJ Gueller 2 kills, 1 assist and 1 block
Leanna Garfoot 18 assists, 9/9 serving and 2 digs
Xitlali Cruz 21 assists, 13/13 serving and 5 digs
Morgyn Harrison 1 assist, 13/15 serving with 2 aces and 8 digs
Casey Simpson 1/1 serving and 1 dig

vs Lakeside – 25-15, 25-23, 25-11
Lexie Gleasman  17 kills 11/11 serving and 8 digs
Emma McLaren 15 kills, 1 block, 14/14 serving and 2 aces and 9 digs
Elly Collins 8 kills, 8/8 serving and 4 digs
Katie Rainville 3 kills, 4 blocks and 1 dig
Gracie Benrud 1 kill and 2 blocks
Leanna Garfoot 23 assists, 10/10 serving and 4 digs
Xitlali Cruz 19 assists, 8/9  serving and 2 digs
Morgyn Harrison 1 assist, 19/19 serving and 5 digs

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Zuluaga Electric

A big thank you to all of All Lake Chelan’s sponsors. Without your support, we couldn’t have covered this State Tournament. 

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Zualaga Electric and VIP Insurance Agency – Chelan
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All Things Lake Chelan State Volleyball Sponsors.

by Richard Uhlhorn

The Lady Goat Volleyball Team ended its regular season with an 8-0 league record and then went on to win both the District Championship and Regional Cross-Over game for the right to compete for the State Championship.

Chelan’s Lady Goats are headed back to the WIAA State Volleyball Tournament with an eye of taking home the State Championship this year.

The Goats are entering the State Championships ranked No 1 in 1A volleyball with a 8-0 League Record and 16-1 overall record, losing only one match to Freeman 1 game to 3.

Chelan is a young team with only two senior players, one of which is the Captain and leader. Senior Lexie Gleasman was named Player of the Year and will lead the Goats as the team’s premiere outside hitter.

However, Lexie is not the only player making this team shine on the court. “We are able to spread the play out across the net,” said Coach of the Year Jenifer Rainville. Junior Emma McLaren serves as the team’s other outside hitter and Sophmore Elly Collins has proven to be an effective hitter from the opposite side of the net.

Other threats include Sophomores Katie Rainville and Gracie Benrud. Leanna Garfoot and Xitlali Cruz set the ball well which is important to the hitters on the team. Freshman Labero Morgyn Harrison has proven herself over and over in the back court.

The Goats face off at 3:15 on Friday afternoon against a tough Lynden Christian team that is coming in ranked No. 2 in the State with a 12-1 League Record and a 15-3 overall record.

These two teams battled it out for third and fourth place at the State Tournament last year with Lynden Christian victorious.

The Lady Goats will be out to avenge that loss on Friday and continue towards a State Championship.

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by Richard Uhlhorn

A public hearing was held at the Tuesday, October 23 City Council Meeting to consider the Chelan Planning Commission’s revisions for Accessory Dwelling Units.

Planning Director Craig Gildroy opened the public hearing, telling the Council that three workshops had been held along with a public hearing on the proposed revision which will allow attached and detached accessory dwelling units. Since 2010, only attached units were allowed.

“These units cannot be used for short term vacation rentals,” Gildroy told the Council. The provisions proposed are for the Single Family, Multi-Family and Tourist Accomodatino Districts.

Under the recommendations, they can be up to 720 square feet or 40 percent of the resident’s home square footage. This sparked a discussion between the Council members and Gildroy.

Councilman Ty Witt was confused about how the Planning Commission came up with a 720 sq. ft. model for Accessory Dwelling Units.

Councilman Ty Witt asked why 720 sq. ft. was the limit? “720 seemed small… where did this come from,” he asked?

Gildroy replied that revisions will allow for a little larger unit. He stated that the 720 sq. ft. size falls in line with tiny homes.

Councilman Ray Dobbs asked what could be built into a 720 sq. ft. dwelling unit.

Councilman Ray Dobbs asked what you can get in a 720 sq. ft. home… two bedrooms? Gildroy said it was possible to build two bedrooms in that size. However, Gildroy also commented that many people who came to the Planning Department’s counter wanted something larger.

Councilman Tim Hollingsworth said he was concerned with
how restrictive 720 sq. ft. could be.

Councilman Tim Hollingsworth said he was a little concerned with the size. “720 sq. feet seems a little restrictive.” He felt that the size requirements needed to be a little more robust like 850 sq. feet.

Dobbs said that 1,000 sq. ft. was difficult, but 850 sq. ft. sounded good. “People aren’t looking to move into a studio.”

Witt said that the 40 percent of the homes size allows flexibility, but Councilwoman Erin McCardle stated she would not like to see an open ended size.

Dobbs asked if the new revision would make it any easier for residents. Gildroy said that it should be easier, but that an accessory dwelling unit would require one additional parking space.

In the end, Witt moved to increase the minimum ADU size from 720 sq. ft. to 1,200 sq. ft. with Isenhart seconding the motion. Dobbs, however stated he would like to have the Planning Department have another go at the size issue.

The Council passed the motion to revise the size up to 1,200 sq. feet or 40 percent of a home’s size depending on what is less. It passed with a 6 to 1 vote.

The Council held a public hearing on text amendments concerning cryptocurrency mining in the City. These amendments concerned date mining and high demand electricity users. The language states that no building, structure, real property or premises in any land use district shall be sued for high demand load electric computing for the purpose of crypto-currency currency mining operations, data mining or similar high demand load electric computing.

This was passed unanimously without any of the public commenting.

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by Richard Uhlhorn

RECENT POSTS:

• Polio Day and Cancer Month proclaimed by City of ChelanOctober 23, 2018
• Chelan, Entiat and Orondo Fire Departments seeking more volunteersOctober 19, 2018
• CITY SEEKING HELP FROM THE STATE TO PURCHASE 900 ACRES ON CHELAN BUTTEOctober 15, 2018
• 900 acres on Chelan Butte is for sale… will the valley pitch in to purchaseOctober 12, 2018

The property outline in red is the property the City is interested in acquiring.

“You are going to end up with exactly what the people in this community don’t want,” said Stan Morse in his comments against the City partnering with the Public Land Trust and the community to purchase approximately 900 acres on Chelan Butte to keep it from being developed.

Local attorney Stan Morse is opposed to the City acquiring Chelan Butte.

Morse’s argument centered around the fact that once the City brings water, streets and sidewalks to the 40 acres Mayor Cooney says will be set aside for affordable housing, other developers will come in and develop adjacent private property holdings like the Lafferty Property.

“There is no one in this room that doesn’t want to see the Butte remain the way it is,” said Morse. “You will be opening Pandora’s box.”

Despite Morse’s arguments against the City’s interest in purchasing the 900 acres, the City Council unanimously passed a resolution at its October 23 City Council meeting supporting the acquisition of the acreage.

The only real question going forward is how much money to ask the State Legislature to consider giving the City for the acquisition. The Legislative Priority List is asking the State Legislature to set aside $4 million towards the acquisition of the $7 million dollar parcel.

During Council remarks, Erin McCardle stated that the Council has never discussed the $4 million number. “We haven’t had any discussion and I have trouble with that,” she said. “Is $4 million the right number?”

Councilwoman Erin McCardle wants to have a Council discussion on the amount of funding the City should request from the State Legislature towards the purchase of Butte property.

Mayor Cooney said he hadn’t proofread the document and didn’t realize the $4 million number was still in it. “We will bring it back to the Council (at the next meeting),” said Cooney. “We are buying it to protect it for future generations.”

Councilman Ray Dobbs is concerned that if the City doesn’t acquire the Butte property, another development like the Lookout could be built.

The hope is that the Public Land Trust will partner with the City. Ray Dobbs said, “If we don’t get it, look at what could happen… another Lookout. Is there a way to preserve that property without buying it?”

Mayor Cooney said, “There is someone kicking the tires on that property right now.”

Mayor Cooney is concerned that developers are already looking at the Butte’s potential for development.

Tim Hollingsworth, a proponent for purchasing the property said, “We need to move forward and show good faith (to the owner). It (the property) has been kicked around for 20 years.” He says it is important to show the good faith and sell the entire concept to the community.

Councilman Tim Hollingsworth feels the City needs to move forward on the Butte property to keep it in the hands of the community and undeveloped.

There have been numerous attempts to develop the Butte property beginning with John Walcker and Rick Bowle’s SnoCreek Ski Resort project. After that died, Jim Urness and a group of investors began working on the Daybreak Project that would have been developed into a gated community and golf course. That also failed and an attempt to auction the property also failed.

The Daybreak project was able to annex the property into the City of Chelan which means that anyone who purchases the property outside of the City’s goal would face huge infrastructure costs to bring in water, sewer, streets, curbs and sidewalks to the property.

Keeping it in its current undeveloped condition is in the interest of the City and a community that is overwhelmed with current development within the City limits.

By Richard Uhlhorn

There were two proclamations entered at the Chelan City Council meeting on October 9.

The first was a proclamation for the City of Chelan World Polio Day on Wednesday, October 24. Councilman Dr. Ty Witt read the proclamation into the record.

Councilman Dr. Ty Witt read a proclamation at the October 9 City Council meeting proclaiming Wednesday, October 24 as World Polio Day. Through the efforts of Rotary International, the World Health Organization, U.S. Centers for Disease Control, UNICEF and the Bill and Milinda Gates Foundation, Polio has almost been eradicated.

Rotary International, which was founded in 1905, encourages members to provide humanitarian service, and to promote good will and peace in the world, launched PolioPlus in 1985 and spearheaded the Global Polio Eradication Initiative which today includes the World Health Organization, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, UNICEF and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to immunize the children of the world against polio.

Since that time, Polio cases have dropped by 99.9 percent and the world stands on the threshold of eradicating the disease.

Rotary Clubs around the world have contributed more than 1.8 billion dollars and countless volunteer hours to the protection of more than two and a half billion children in 122 countries.

Rotary is currently working to raise an additional $50 million per year, which would be further leveraged for maximum impact by an additional $100 million annually from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Rotary has played a major role in decisions by donor governments to contribute more than $8 billion to the effort. There are over 2600 Rotary Club members in more than 58 clubs throughout this multi-district area of BC/WA of District 5060 sponsoring service projects to address critical issues such as poverty, health, hunger, illiteracy and the environment in their local communities, and abroad.

The proclamation, signed on October 9 by Mayor Cooney, was entered into the public record to note that October 24, 2018 as World Polio Day in the City of Chelan.

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In addition to the World Polio Day, Mayor Cooney entered a proclamation dedicating the Month of October as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is dedicated to increasing public knowledge about the importance of early detection of breast cancer with national public service organizations, professional associations, and government agencies, who work together to ensure that the NBCAM message is heard by thousands of women and their families

October 19 is National Mammography Day and women are encouraged to make a mammography appoint throughout the month. Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women and the second leading cause of cancer death among women. The chance of developing breast cancer at some time in a woman’s life is 1 in 8.

On average a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer every two minutes, and one will die of the disease every 13 minutes. Men are also afflicted and although breast cancer in men in rare it is estimated that 2,470 men will be diagnosed and approximately 460 will die each year.

Death rates from breast cancer have been declining as a result of earlier detection, increased awareness and improved treatment.

Mayor Cooney read a proclamation making the Month of October
Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Mayor Cooney proclaimed the month of October 2018 as NATIONAL BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH in the City of Chelan and ask all employees and citizens to join in this worthwhile cause, to celebrate successes and memorialize lost battles.

Dr. Ty Witt, a local Rotary Club member, introduced cancer survivors at the October 20 Chelan Chase which had 179 participants this year. The proceeds help with cancer research and free and reduced cost mammograms for women who can’t afford them.

On Saturday, October 20, 179 people participated in the 22^nd annual Chelan Chase which has been Chelan’s way of raising money for breast cancer research and to give women who cannot afford it, free mammograms at the Lake Chelan Community Hospital.