Author: allthingslakechelan

I have been a journalist, photojournalist and reporter in the Lake Chelan Valley since 1988; first with the Wenatchee World, then 15 years at the Lake Chelan Mirror and another 12 years at GoLakeChelan. Currently, I am semi-retired but can't give up the media gig which is why I started All Things Lake Chelan blog. I also have two social media platforms; allthingslakechelan/facebook and lakechelansportsandrecration/facebook. I am also a professional photographer with many credits with major outlets around the world.

PERFECTLY INPERFECT APPLES FIND A NICHE MARKET IN MANSON

by Richard Uhlhorn

Apple cider… a wonderfully crisp and satisfying drink normally available in the Fall during harvest. Pressed from perfectly inperfect apples, apple cider has been a standard drink around apple orchards during and after harvest as a way to celebrate that years harvest. Usually the cider is pressed with apples that are blemished and not good enough for the commercial market.

**Cider Press is located at Manson Growers at 1670 Manson Blvd.**

No more… Manson Growers now makes apple cider available year-round at their new facility, Cider Press. Located at Manson Growers, Cider Press is the brainstorm of the upper echelon staff as a way to diminish the amount of apples called culls from being transported to the juicing processers.

Kyla Allen who is in charge of marketing Cider Press said, “Our valley has a great opportunity to offer more year-round family friendly activities.”

**Len England’s grand daughter enjoys a scoop of ice cream at Cider Press’s cafe.**

Cider Press had a soft Grand Opening last July and the new venture was well received by the local community. “We received so much positive feedback from the community and out-of-town visitors,” Allen stated.

**Customers order coffee and cider from the cafe which is open Monday through Saturday**
**from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. They are closed on Sunday.**

Kari Petersen, the businesses project manager, added, “We want people to experience agriculture and fall in love with it.” The entire enterprise is geared for family fun. “How much fun is it for a young child to put apples in the press and watch the cider flow into a bucket? They love it!

“We are in our slow season right now,” said Wai Tim Petersen who is Manson Growers director of sales. “We are gearing up for maximizing a year around business,” he said. “We are also keeping it affordable for the locals”

Cider Press is in more than pressing those apples for the general public. It also offers other locally produced products like honey, apple jelly, caramel and candles along with gift boxes for those special occasions with different packing options that can be shipped anywhere in the country.

Customers can also register to press their own cider. A one hour pressing runs $75 and produces up to 10 half gallon containers of cider. The Presses expert staff guides customers through the process including apple selection to the final bottling stage. It’s a great educational and fun experience for families.

**Gift boxes for special occasions can be sent to people around the country.**

Cider Press also offers light food items like paninis, ice cream, smoothies, and coffee made from the Methow Valley’s Blue Star Coffee Roasters. It’s a great place to enjoy breakfast or lunch.

**Families can register with Cider Press to press cider from a variety of different apples based on their taste preferences. Staff will help families with their selections for pressing cider.**

“It’s a great example of repurposing,” said Petersen. “We are looking for more apple inspired products. The opportunities are endless,” said Allen.

Cider Press doesn’t just offer products and a light food service, but the business can also cater events like weddings, corporate gatherings, receptions and other special celebrations. They can also provide an educational tour of Manson Growers apple processing plant.

**Cider Press’s processing room can cater events up to 200 people.**

Cider Press is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. six days a week (closed on Sunday). More information is available on its website at www.mansongrowers/ciderpress.com or by email at ciderpress@mansongrowers.com. Cider Press phone number is 509-423-5911.

**Sara England and Cindy Petersen are on hand most days to serve the visiting public.**

Manson Growers:
Manson Growers has been growing world class apples since 1959 and exporting them around the world to a variety of customers. Currently Manson Growers and orchardists are growing apples on 3,500 acres, 1,400 acres of which are Manson Growers orchards.

A mature Red Delicious apple hanging from a commercial orchard tree in the Manson Project.

“We have a large group that helps its growers with anything they need from labor to other issues they face in a highly regulated business that has rising costs.

“Exports are a large share of our market,” said Petersen. Most of our packs are shipped to S.E. Asia and Mexico. Our customers still like Reds and they want the best. We sell our apples at a premium.” The company does not sell to big grocery chains. “It all comes down to our business model which is based on our volume.”

“We’ve got some customers who are very loyal. We work with people.”

The company brought in 56,000 bins this past harvest. “That is low,” said Petersen. In a good growing year, Manson Growers will handle up to 90,000 bins.

Park regulations get tougher

by Richard Uhlhorn

Chelan Park 2025 regulations:
Chelan City Workshops give Chelan’s department heads an opportunity to interact with council members on the various issues facing the city. At the Tuesday, February 4 workshop the big issue the council will be considering at its Tuesday, February 11 council meeting is a new ordinance (Ordinance No. 2025-1629) on City Park regulations.

**Shade tents and umbrellas will be allowed as long as they provide visibility.**

This ordinance, if passed by the city council will implement new regulations covering five new policies that will help control park issues that became unmanageable last year.

Working with the Friends of Lakeside, a neighborhood advocacy group since last September, the city came up with policies to help make the parks more family friendly.

It is hoped that Chelan Parks will have these policies in place by Memorial Day. They include enforcement and infrastructure elements.

The workshop on February 4 provided direction for staff to draft the required revisions to the existing Code of Ordinances, particularly Chapter 9.22 PARKS – Prohibited Acts. They include:

Dogs – are permitted in the parks during the off-season between Labor Day and Memorial Day as long as they are on a leash no longer than eight feet. Dogs and other animals are not permitted during the summer months between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Glass Containers – New… glass containers will not be allowed in Chelan Parks.
Tents & Canopies -Tents with flooring will not be permitted except for Chelan permitted special events. 10X10 tents will be allowed as long visibility is not obstructed. Beach umbrellas will be allowed to protect park visitors from the sun, but no pitching or maintaining a tent or canopy or other improvised structures.
Fire & BBQs – not permitted unless provided by the Park.
Alcohol & Smoking – Prohibited.

Hollingsworth noted that getting the word out to public is going to be hard. “We need to make a reasonable effort,” he said. The Parks Department will be hiring enforcement for the weekends during the summer months.

2024 Finance progress:
Finance Director Jackie Tupling shared the major and significant revenue numbers for each department at its Tuesday, February workshop. “The ending balances was better than expected,” said Tupling. The Parks ended up $600,000 in the hole. The Golf Course broke even and the department is receiving a $702,000 grant.”

The $700,000 grant is for planned improvements at Lakeside Park.

Tupling reported in writing that:

Sales tax receipts decreased by $29,309 in the fourth quarter bringing the amount to $775,189. Total to date is $2,757,532
Lodging tax, 2% and 3% came in slightly higher than last year’s 4^th quarter by $25,802. Total 2% capital funds collected in the fourth quarter was $298,645. Total for the year was $813,710. Three percent collections in the fourth quarter was$47,149 and $1,223,562 for the year.
Real Estate Excise Tax IREET) added up to $175,913 or $522,549 for the year. Tupling reported that REET collections were up $53,327 dollars and $140,420 to date.
Building fees are slightly higher compared to 2023
General facilities charges are down
Receipts in Parks and Recreation are higher in General Parks, the Marina and Golf Course, but down in the RV Park, Putting Course and Recreation/Youth Sports.

Chelan Butte:
Tupling reported that the $500,000 set aside for Chelan Butte’s potential purchase has reached its sunset clause. “You guys can be thinking about those funds when they drop off.”

**Chelan Butte from Lake Chelan Marina**.

Councilman Tim Hollingsworth asked where the city is at concerning the Butte and the Trust for Public Lands. Tupling said it was time to move forward. There is no potential buyout purchaser for the privately held land and it is still available for development.

Chelan/Chelan County PUD partnership:
Mayor Erin McCardle reported on the City/PUD partnership. “Going back to last summer and looking at the community requests we came out with four projects,” stated McCardle. They were:

Connecting a wastewater line from the PUD’s Fish Rearing Facility to the City Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Chelan Gorge Park Revitalization. Building a multi-use four plex for baseball, softball and soccer along with other improvements.
Imagine Downtown – modernize infrastructure, enhance public spaces, and integration of innovative technologies like Wi-Fi for all.
South Chelan vacant property to potentially be developed into an additional community park.

One of the big issues with the public has been protecting the Chelan River from the east side of the Woodin Avenue Bridge to the dam from motorized traffic with the exception of boats transiting to and from the Chelan PUD boat launch.

**The Chelan River has become a favorite paddleboarding and kayaking place.**

The city has prepared a proposed resolution to keep the river free of motorized traffic including a proposal by a local consortium that would like to develop a docking area along the north side of the river west of the pavilion. The proposed resolution recognizes the increasing demand for expanded motorized access to downtown and supports such access west of the Woodin Avenue Bridge

The community wants more access to the water and a proposal to add access points for non-motorized craft and swimming areas.

Councilman Tim Hollingsworth remarked that “There is a tremendous amount of non-motorized use in the river. We need to recognize the popularity of that corridor. Mayor McCardle added, “We don’t want to encourage additional boat traffic.”

Chelan to discuss park issues at workshop

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.

**Each year the beach at Don Morse is plowed.**

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.

**Tents and canopies have been a controversial topic for residents. This coming summer, they may only be allowed during special events.**

“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.

State of Chelan meeting draws 150+

by Richard Uhlhorn

The State of Chelan function Thursday night, January 30, at the Community Center drew well over 150 people who are interested in their community and the direction it is headed in 2025.

The Community Center meeting room was full of Valley residents interested in the
State of the City.

After Chelan Communications Director Chad Coltman got it all started by thanking the crowd for showing up and introducing the partners and staff for showing up.

Mayor Erin McCardle took the stage and “We want to bring more citizens into what we are doing.” She went through the number of residents (4,580) and visitors (650,000) that Chelan serves during the year. “The 4,580 population does not include second home owners,” stated McCardle. “We are much more than a small community.”

**Mayor Erin McCardle presented the State of Chelan to approximately 150 attendees.**

McCardle told the attendees that the city employs 63 staff and another 47 seasonal staff during the summer months. The city provides numerous services for the community including

Water and sewer – sanitation services – recycling – Manson and Lake Chelan Sewer Districts wastewater – Utility billing -Parks Department (not taxed) -RV Park – Golf Course – Marina – Putting Green – Code Enforcement -Zoning and Planning – Public Records – and the Lake Chelan Airport.

“Not many communities have so many services,” said McCardle. “We are running a complex, but balanced budget. This year’s budget is estimate at $22.5 million with an operating budget of $23.1 million.

McCardle invited Steve Maher, Our Valley – Our Future coordinator to speak about that program that the City has helped budget for the past two years. This program coordinates with communities in the region to develop a shared long-range vision and a strategic action plan to achieve it.

**Our Valley – Our Future coordinator Steve Maher reported on the progress of the program.**

This program collaborates with communities to develop a shared, long range vision and a strategic action plan to achieve it.

Maher remarked that it has been 20 to 25 years since Chelan conducted this kind of outreach. “We enlisted 20 organizations to gather information. “They were a part of our success,” said Maher.

He held listening sessions with local non-profits, City Hall staff, Educators and families, traditionalists, seniors and young adults. “These sessions were very interesting,” he stated.

Maher also conducted a community survey with the key question being, What do you value most about your Valley? Over 800 people responded to the survey and Maher stated that “people here care. We will see where we go from here,” he said.

McCardle took over the presentation and talked about the community’s ‘core values.’ “These are our starting points of planning for our future,” said McCardle. These core values include not just Chelan, but the entire valley including Chelan Falls.

Community Values:

Treasure Lake Chelan as the heart of our community;
Embrace a small town way of life
Cherish the community’s deep connection to the Valley’s natural beauty
Take pride in the community’s agricultural heritage
Recognize locally owned businesses as the pride of our economy
Keep a sense of safety and support.

“We feel really strong about our plan moving forward,” said McCardle who added that the community’s guiding principles will help move the city forward.

McCardle stated that she wants a vibrant, well connected city where the citizens feel connected.

2024 highlights:

The city has been hard at work on its strategic plan. McCardle stated that the city has hired a number of new employees and that John Ajax has accepted the full-time position as the city’s Community Development Director. The City hired an Airport Manager and a Parks Assistant Director.

The city worked with Representative Kim Schier to obtain a $9 million dollar grant for the East Chelan Water Project’s one-million gallon reservoir. This grant was signed by President Biden after clearing both the house and senate in a bi-partisan manner.

“This project is really important for the city,” stated McCardle. The city was also able to pass its Transportation Benefit District (TBD) which McCardle told the attendees would secure the city’s ability to handle its transportation issues for the next 10 years.

The East Chelan Booster Pump Station will be up-graded which will help deliver water to the hospital and upcoming housing projects.

The Boys and Girls Club is already operating and also beginning their tenant improvements at the Community Center. The City gave the Boys and Girls Club $230,000 to help secure the seven thousand square foot space they will occupy. One of the Club’s plans is to offer before and after school care.

The Parks Department is moving forward to developing Pocket Parks for more lake access. The City has received a $3.5 million dollar grant to build the Lakeside Trail from downtown to Lakeside Park beginning this spring. The Parks Department will also be improving Lakeside Park this summer with a new bathroom facility, beach improvements and parking improvements.

With a PUD grant, the Chelan Parks Department is working on developing and improving the ball fields at Chelan Gorge Park.

In conjunction with Chelan Valley Hope a cold weather warming facility will be opened. The city funded local non-profit organizations to a tune of $112,000.

The Public Works Department concluded an ADA transition plan walking every sidewalk in the community. “This was a huge undertaking,” stated McCardle. The city is also working at getting allof its public records on-line. City Clerk Peri Gallucci obtained a $50,000 grant to make this a reality.

2025-2026 Initiatives:

The City through its outreach efforts has heard a number of concerns from the community including: Affordable Housing, the Cost of Living in the valley in general which is a concern that is driving people to move, wildfire concern, traffic congestion which is a big one and declining trust in local leadership.

The initiatives include:

Managing Growth
Diversifying Housing Options
Modernizing Resources
Enhancing Youth and Family Well-Being
Establishing a long-range Economic Strategy
Increasing Community Engagement
Strengthen Strategic Partnerships

Chelan is helping develop a Regional Transportation Plan with the Chelan/Douglas County Transportation Council, Chelan County, the Port of Chelan County and others to address the growing transportation issues in Chelan and Douglas Counties.

Manson school district seeking three year replacement levies

by Richard Uhlhorn

Tabitha Mires, Manson Schools superintendent, visited the Manson Community Council on Tuesday evening, January 21, to inform them of the upcoming February 11 Replacement Levies.

**Manson School District Superintendent Tabitha Mires**

The district will have two propositions on the ballot.

Proposition 1 is for the replacement of Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O). This levy supports the school’s Art and Music programs, Athletics, Counseling and Individual Student support, Early Learning, Extracurriculars, Food Services, Library Programs, Small Class Sizes, and Student Transportation.
Proposition 2 is a Replacement Capital Levy to improve school safety, security, technology, and facilities. This levy includes Building and Classroom Repairs, HVAC Systems, Plumbing and Electrical Systems, Outdoor Facility Repairs and Upgrades, Technology Infrastructure and Systems, and Student and Staff Instructional Equipment.

“Rates are difficult to project,” said Mires. “They should be less because of an increase in (real estate) valuations.”

“These levies are to fund programs underfunded by the State… not to add programs, but to continue them.” Mires stated that the district’s buildings are well maintained but aging and in need of repairs and technology upgrades.

She told the council and meeting attendees that Manson was one of the first to get kids back into the classroom after COVID. She also added that six year levies can be a challenge which is why the district decided on a three year duration which will allow the district to come back to the community. “Manson has been supportive of schools and the students are performing exceptionally well,” Mires said.

“There are a lot of great things happening at the school.” The district currently has 647 students with classroom sizes as small as 12 students. However, the district has lost students because of the ongoing affordable housing crisis. She mentioned that many families moved to Entiat where that district saw an increase in its population.

She also mentioned that in increased valuations come from second home owners who do not vote in the district but help with the rates being asked on the propositions.

Estimated levy rates:
Maximum EP&O rate Maximum Capital

2026 $1.14 – $2.2 million $0.55 – $1.03 million
2027 $1.13 – $225 million $0.55 – $1.03 million
2028 $1.12 – $2.3 million $0.55 – $1.03 million

Currently the Manson School District is collecting a total of $1.20 per $1,000 of assessed property value.

Learn more at www.manson.org/levies

Lots happening in the Valley

by Richard Uhlhorn

Its been a busy several weeks in the Lake Chelan Valley with many issues being brought to light as the New Year begins.

Let’s start with a recap of the most exciting news to hit the Valley in the past several weeks:

Manson Community Council – January 21 meeting:
Casino –It was announced that 12 Tribes (Colville Confederated Tribes) will break ground this coming spring with their new Casino complex which will include a 100 room hotel, conference center, ballroom and several restaurants.

On the lakefront side 20 new RV Spots are also in the works.

**Jeff Conwell and Dom Amor were sworn in as new Manson Community Council members by Chairman Chris Willoughby.**

Water Taxi – It was reported that the Lake Chelan Boat Company is considering a water taxi for the lower Lake Chelan (Wapato Basin) this coming summer. This taxi would likely serve Manson, State

One voice – Timi Starkweather, director of the Manson Chamber of Commerce, reported that all of Manson’s organizations were coming together to have “One Voice” with other regional organizations like the Chelan County Commissioners and its Planning Commission.

“I’m really excited,” she stated. “For the first time in a long time, Manson is going to have one voice.”

Manson Community Council elected Chris Willoughby as its next chairman, Mike Kirk as vice-chair, Pam Calhoun as secretary and Dom Amor as treasurer. Both Amor and Jeff Conwell were sworn in as new members to the council

Chelan City news – Mayor Erin McCardle will be back in Washington D.C. on Monday, January 27 to visit with our representatives and discuss further potential funding for the East Chelan Water Project. She will be back to give an update on her trip to City Council this coming Tuesday, January 28.

Public Works – Public Works Director Jake Youngren answered several questions I posed regarding the above project. He stated that he hopes the $19 million project can be funded totally with federal grant funds. “If additional funds are needed, the TIF is still available.”

The $9 million already secured for the project is with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and still needs to be requested by the City. “The project will be administered by the feds,” said Youngren. “It’s not necessarily approved yet.”

Parks Department – There are some big changes coming to Chelan Parks this coming tourist season.

**Audrey Cooper is the Parks Department’s new Assistant Director.**

Director Paul Horne has filled the position of Assistant Director/Capital Projects Director. The new assistant is Audrey Cooper. We will do a biography on her at a later date, but she is excited to be in Chelan.

The department will be installing new modern Parking Kiosks at Don Morse, Lakeside and Lake Chelan Marina that will allow the customer to pay by phone, alert them when their time is almost up and help parks seasonal staff keep an eye on the parking situation.

Other changes will effect issues that became major problems at Lakeside. Day camping is just one issue being addressed by a committee consisting of Lakeside residents, parks staff and the Sheriff’s Department.

The Parks Department is contracting with an outside enforcement agency to control overcrowding and rectify other issues. It is the same agency that was hired to help with the Parks Department during COVID.

These issues will be discussed in a workshop and passed by city council before being put into effect. “We are on an aggressive timeframe,” said Horne.

In August, construction will begin on the Lakeside Park improvements which include a new restroom, docks and swimming area and playground.

Upcoming community meetings:

Manson Parks Department will hold its third Willow Point & Singleton Park Master Plan Open House on Tuesday, January 28 beginning at 6 p.m. at Manson High School, 1000 Totem Pole Road. This meeting is to get the community’s input on which design options they desire for both parks. Visit the parks website for more information – https://mansonparks.com/
Chelan State of the City meeting will be held on Thursday, January 30, beginning at 6 p.m. and running to 7:30 p.m. at the Lake Chelan Community Center at 103 Bighorn Way. This is a chance for the community to hear from the city’s department heads about projects and plans shaping the community.
It is a chance to get a preview of the city’s initiatives and see the results of the “Our Valley-Our Future survey.

Chelan moves into 2025 running

by Richard Uhlhorn

Golf Course Nordic Grooming:
This past weekend the Lake Chelan Nordic Club groomed trails at the Chelan Golf Course. In addition to having ski trails close to town, the driving range hill is open to sledding.

Agtourism code change:
The current code allows for homestays equaling 4 units on 10 acres (low density) or 20 units on 10 acres (high density).

Ag Tourism including homestay units is currently permitted in the following zones: SUDs; Residential multi-family; Warehouse and industrial; and Tourist accommodation areas for a total of 2,524 acres available.

**John Ajax was promoted as the permanent**
**City Planning Director**

Proposed changes:
Homestay provision is removed from the code across all acreage;
Ag. Based STR rental licenses will only be allowed in Special Use Districts (701 acres)

2.5 or 5 acres
At least 51 percent of the land must be actively used for agricultural purposes
Licenses would allow rentals for a single family home, an ADU, or winery with up to five units.
Only a maximum of 10 licenses would be issued per year.

President signs Water Resources Development Act
The City of Chelan is the potential recipient of a $9 million dollar grant from the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers. The City will have to ask the Army Corps for the funding that has been in the congressional process over a year. The funding will be used specifically for a new one million gallon reservoir.

**Public Works Director explained that the department will be seeking other grant opportunities to complete funding for the East Chelan Water Project.**

Thanks to Representative Schrier, Senator Murray and Senator Cantwell for helping push Chelan’s request through the governmental process. “Their effort has been pivotal to realizing the inclusion of this project in the bill,” said Mayor Erin McCardle.

The bill was signed into law by President Biden on January 4, 2025. Called the Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act, it will fund projects like flooding, improvement to ports, and help restore ecosystems.

With the passage and signing of this legislation, Chelan can now apply for competitive funding through the Army Corps of Engineers’ Section 219 program, bringing this essential Chelan project closer to realization. The funds would be administered by the Corps of Engineers.

Public Works is hoping to fully fund the reservoir project with federal grant funds. According to Public Works Director Jake Youngren if additional funds are needed the Tax Increment Financing program is an option to be used.

Originally called the East Chelan Water Project, the new name is the Lake Chelan Water Resiliency and Efficiency Project. The total cost of the project is estimated at $19 million dollars and will include a new booster pump and water lines from the western city limits to the east end where the reservoir will be constructed.

Public Works Director Jake Youngren told the council that the project would be stand alone. “It doesn’t affect our current system.” Youngren went on to say that public works will have to have further conversations with property owners along the proposed corridor.

Ecology grant loan:
A $5 million dollar grant application for a sewer line replacement project from Safeway all the way down to the Chelan Wastewater Treatment Plant did not make the Department of Ecology’s hardship level, however, Youngren told the council that Ecology has offered a $7.5 million dollar loan. This loan would be paid back in five years at a 6 percent interest rate.

“We would only pay on what we would draw,” said Youngren. The project is under contract for design. “There are a lot of components to work out.”

Parks:
Parks Director Paul Horne reported several rate and fee changes for the Chelan Golf Course.

**Parks Director Paul Horne explained the department’s plans for the summer of 2025 which will include new parking kiosks.**

Powered golf cart leases were changed from $600 to $650 for annual single lease and from $800 to $850 for the annual family lease. Annual cart storage was raised from $400 to $425. A small bucket of driving range balls will now cost $7 instead of $6.

The Parks Department will be purchasing new parking kiosks for Don Morse, Lakeside and Lake Chelan Marina. “The new system will be more robust,” said Horne. Visitors will be able to pay via R code or the City Parks website. Parking enforcement will be much easier.fd

Other improvements will take place at Lakeside Park where day camping will not be allowed. The park will have specific hours of operation and park users will not be able to bring in “the kitchen sink” and stay all day said Horne. “We will hopefully have a reduction in parking and garbage and waste will also be better.”

The department plans on outsourcing enforcement with the Sheriff’s Department helping.

Several residents have suggested that a gate be installed at the entrance to the park. “It’s an intriguing idea,” said Horne.

City Social Media:
Chad Coltman, director of communications, presented the City’s Social Media policy for staff and council members. The city’s social media platforms currently include Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Nextdoor.

**Chad Coltman, communications director explained some of the aspects of the City’s new Social Media Policy.**

Chelan City Council will meet in an official council meeting on Tuesday, January 14 beginning at 6 p.m. Residents are encouraged to attend.

Karyl Ouels retires from fire commission

by Richard Uhlhorn

Karyl Oules:
It was Karyl Oules last commission meeting and the kudos from Chief Brandon Asher were heartfelt. “In the end, you became one of our best supporters,” said Asher. “I really appreciate how you listened to factual information. You were a part of decisions, not just for our community, but for the region.”

**Fire Chief Brandon Asher presents Commissioner Karyl Oules with a Fire and Rescue coffee cup and a $50 gift certificate to honor her contribution to the fire commission.**

Oules replied that when she first joined the commission, she didn’t like what she saw. She became a staunch supporter of the department’s direction and leave the position feeling good about her contributions.

**Oules (left) will be replaced on the commission by Ron Simms in January who will join commissioners Mark Donnell and Russ Jones.**

Chief Asher presented her with a $50 gift certificate and a Chelan Fire and Rescue coffee cup. Brad, another supporter of Oules also gave her a coffee cup gift and said, “I enjoyed working with you.”

Chief’s report:
Chief Asher reported that overall, November was a nice quiet month for the department. There were several car fires and one water rescue off the Grandview. “There were no major incidents, so we had no real volunteer turnout.”

The staff is continuing to put final touches on the Community Fire Plan. “We should be finished with it by the next meeting,” stated Asher.

The new $41,000 Rivercom communications equipment is almost complete and Asher reported that when complete, Rivercom will make sure it is all programmed correctly.

The Audit is on ongoing. “I expect them to have some recommendations. We will probably get some advise,” said Asher. “They have some sample policies that we might integrate into our program.”

Asher reported that administration will probably make job offers for the two new incoming firefighters in the next five to 10 days.

The department received a one year extension with the Department of Natural Resources. “It allows us to fight fire on their land.”

The department continues to work on Community Risk Reduction.

Assistant Chief Shaun Sherman remarked that the old ladder truck from Entiat has been purchased and will be towed to Chelan. “There are thousands of dollars worth of parts on that unit,” said Sherman.

The recent snow storm (Wednesday) proved that the investment into the four-wheel drive truck was a great investment. “If there had been a fire, we wouldn’t have had trouble getting to it.”

Assistant Chief’s report:
Chief Sherman reported that the department was successful in receiving a $10,000 grant from the DNR. “We will look at allocating those funds for training so we are a little more effective out there,” said Sherman.

Sherman also wants to do more training on the department’s building inspection program. The department doesn’t have the enforcement capability “I want to train people on how to do inspections and also do a better job for our businesses.”

Commissioner Mark Donnell asked who will be enforcing that the inspection deficiencies get corrected? Asher replied that the City has hired Chris Baker as its code enforcement officer. Sherman added that the department is going to focus on City businesses, but that if the County wants help with enforcement, that it might be a path for more funding.

Unfinished business:
Asher remarked that the City’s TIF program has one more year before being dropped. Mitigation will begin when Widner begins its apartment building project. “We need to plan for the future,” said Asher who added that it looks like the $9 million dollar request from the Federal government has reach the President’s desk.

Budget:
“The budget outlook is good,” said Asher. With the two new hires, the department will be able to drop the seasonal hires to two. “We would then have one seasonal per shift.”

The commissioners unanimously approved the $5,720,673.23 2025 budget.

New business:
The commission unanimously approved Taylor Rains for out-of-state travel to the National Fire Academy in March, 2025.

The also passed the MRSC (Municipal Research and Services Center) resolution 2024-06. The MRSC is a statewide resource that provides general legal, finance and policy guidance to support local government entities.

Water rights – water quality -boat inspections – discussed at Lake Chelan Watershed Unit meeting

**Lake Chelan stretches 55 miles from Chelan to Stehekin.**

by Richard Uhlhorn

**The Lake Chelan Watershed Meeting was held on December 11 at the Chelan Fire Department. The next meeting will be held on March 17.**

Water Rights:
Years ago, Chelan PUD granted the Lake Chelan Valley 60,000 acre feet of water from Lake Chelan to use for development and agriculture. Today, the Valley has used most of those acre feet and only 5,373 acre feet remain before there is no more water available for water right applicants.

Department of Ecology’s Andrea Reyes explained at the Lake Chelan Watershed Planning Unit’s December 11 meeting that the water rights coordinated cost reimbursement application process was moving forward. “Once the remaining water is used, there will be no more water left,” she said.

RH2 Engineering is currently processing nine applications which will be done by the end of the year. “We will be through with Batch No. 4 by April,” said Reyes. “We will review if we get additional water or not.”

Doug England asked how the water right requests are being evaluated and how the needs far into the future.

Anthony Dunn – Ecology, said they were looking four years down the road. “You have to be able to show a need within a particular period of time.”

Mike Kaputa – County Resources, said there are only 15 applications remaining. Dunn replied that if Batch 5 uses up the water, there is nothing left to process. “There are no reserves to allocate from.”

If Ecology actually grants a 2005 request from the City of Chelan for 3,800 acre feet of water for future development needs, only 1,173.62 acre feet would remain. Both the Lake Chelan Reclamation District and Chelan County have requests for 2,040 acre feet and 1,000 acre feet.

The 2015 request from the Reclamation District would break the reserve remaining to (875.33) acre feet leaving no reserve to allocate from unless more water could be found or the PUD granting more acre feet to boost the reserves. Those applications below the Reclamation District’s request would not be able to process their water right applications.

**Phil Long and his new assistant at the Lake Chelan Research Institute updated the attendees on data collection and analysis.**

Water Quality:
Phil Long, director of the Lake Chelan Research Institute, reported that the Institute has made some incredible progress in the last several months. “We gone over several years of data,” said Long.

The Institute has hired Anna Galipeau, an environmental scientist from Montana State University in Bozeman. She has been working on data collected since 2018 with funding from the City of Chelan and Chelan County. “She’s been analyzing what has been going on which is helping us immensely” said Long.

Long reported that the Institute is also analyzing the impacts of the 25 Mile Creek fire; updating the State of the Lake report.

Funding for these studies have come from private donations, the US Forest Service, Chelan County and the PUD.

**Advertisement for funding the Lake Chelan Research Institute’s ongoing research efforts.**

He reiterated the importance of doing research work and shared data put together by Galipeau on phosphorous loading, chlorophyl and dissolved oxygen. Long provided an overview of water clarity data taken from three different sites on the lake from 1990 to 2020. Water visibility ranges from 12 meters to 18 meters depending on the year and time taken with a Secchi disk.

The Institute uses a multi-parameter probe to instantaneously take measurements at different depths in the water column. Long told the Unit that the Institute will be making this data available to anyone who wants to see it.

AIS report:
Steve Lasky, Chelan County resource specialist, reported on the 2024 mobile voluntary watercraft inspection program on the lake. These inspections are conducted on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the various boat launch sites around the lake from May through October.

**AIS Resource Specialist with Chelan County Natural Resources.**

This year, 2,830 inspections were conducted with inspections at Old Mill Bay reaching 638 vessels in July and another 143 in August. The inspectors inspected 204 vessels at Riverwalk Park Launch and another 382 at Lakeside Marina in August.

“This year the highest impact was at Old Mill Bay,” said Lasky.

Long suggested putting cameras at the launch sites to count how many vessels are entering the lake versus the number of vessels being inspected. This year 3,753 boats were recorded launching or coming out of the lake.

In other business:
Four hundred acres of Milfoil is growing in Lake Chelan. Asked if diver assisted test to remove milfoil was checked for regrowth, Long replied that there was regrowth. The diver assisted program is extremely expensive and is probably not the solution to removal of milfoil

Stormwater update: Travis Denham, Public Works engineer, reported that the city is preparing a stormwater management plan that includes outfalls, storage basins in the city. The study should be completed in May or June, 2025.

**City Engineer Travis Denham (left) gave a report on the city’s stormwater management plan that is being developed.**

Fishery Forum was not ready to report, but Mike Kaputa asked that they report on the forum at the next meeting in March. The draft report on bull trout re-introduction to the Lake Chelan tributaries

Lake Chelan Research Institute funding:
Funding comes through a variety of sources, but the Institute also encourages private donations to help further its research and hopefully keeping Lake Chelan clean.

For more information on funding, go to Lake Chelan Research Institute – Clear into the future

City of Chelan closes its books on 2024

by Richard Uhlhorn

Closing the Books on 2024:
Chelan City Council closed its books on 2024 and approved both the Airport 2025 budget and 2025 City budget after they were pulled from the large Consent Agenda. Finance Director Jackie Tupling stated, “There are no changes from the workshop and the budgets are ready for adoption. Both were adopted unanimously.

Branding services contract
454 Creative Services was on the Consent Agenda and was pulled from the agenda for discussion. 454 Creative Services will provide graphic design services for the Mayor’s newsletter template, business cards, and social media designs at a cost of $17,000.

Councilman Terry Sanders asked HR/Communications Director Chad Coltman if he could share with the council how 454 Creative was selected for this service contract.

Coltman said he had worked for the firm as a creative director and that they were an excellent design firm that he hoped would develop into a good working relationship with the City.

No other solicitations by Coltman were requested for these services.

Motion Considerations:
RH2 Professional Services Agreement:
Public Works Director Jake Youngren told the council that RH2 does a lot of work on city facilities. “We have been satisfied with their work over the years,” said Youngren.

MMEC Architects:
City Council voted unanimously to approve a $219,000 time and materials Professional Services Agreement for a Facilities Conditions and Needs Assessment. This assessment will look at all of the city’s facilities, and in particular the aging city hall and the golf course clubhouse. “They will receive a more thorough examination than other facilities,” said Youngren.

MMEC Architects:
The Council also approved a separate $246,000 agreement to design a new Chelan Recycle Center. This is also a time and materials service. The old Recycle center burned down in July of 2024. Youngren stated that many discussions and evaluation needs had taken place since then. The City’s insurance company will be paying for the new center.

Legal Services:
The Council unanimously approved a new agreement with Kottkamp, Yedinak and Esworthy, PLLC for Indigent Criminal Defendants. City Attorney Quinn Batjer said the price for these services have increased to $113,000 from the past amount of $75,000 in 2024. “Typically public defenders are overworked,” said Batjer. “It is a considerable increase over last year.” Finance Director Tupling added that the agreement would be amended in 2025.

In addition to the increase, Batjer stated that the Washington Supreme Court is redoing the until 2026.”

TIF (Tax Increment Area):
Council agreed to remove the end of year deadline which allows for a more flexible approach to evaluating property tax allocations and potential mitigation requests when new construction occurs. This extended timeline will enable the City to assess the potential impacts of future development on critical public services, including levels of service for the Fire District and Emergency Medical Services (EMS). Aligning the mitigation requirements with RCW 39.114.020 ensures compliance with state law while allowing for informed decision-making,” said Community Development Director John Ajax. “We need a little more time and the Fire District is working with us.”

During the Mayor/Council Comments, Councilman Bob Goedde said that there is a rumor that Chelan County is getting ready to introduce a TBD (Transportation Benefit District) within the county.

All of the Council members wished everyone a happy holiday season and a Merry Christmas.

Mayor ProTem Tim Hollingsworth thanked the staff for all their hard work and remarked that the City will be facing a number of challenges in 2026.