by Richard Uhlhorn

Lake Chelan Chamber of Commerce discussion:

Mayor Erin McCardle stated in her introduction to a discussion of the Lake Chelan Chamber of Commerce that there were a number of baseless rumors spreading on-line concerning the Chamber. “If you are sharing information, please make sure it is accurate” said McCardle.

McCardle handed out MRSC rules on Lodging Tax funds and how they may be used. Chelan collects 5% lodging tax; 2% cent is a basic lodging tax that the City uses for capital projects while an additional 3% is collected as a bed tax. These funds are used for tourism marketing, operation of special events and festivals associated with attracting tourists.

In addition to marketing, these funds can also be used for operations and capital expenditures of tourism-related facilities owned or operated by a municipality.

McCardle went on to inform the Council that the Chamber is a non-profit (501 (c) 3) organization that is in the business of helping sustain the business community in Chelan. She stated stated that if council has any questions regarding the Chamber they should reach out to the nine member Chamber board.

Executive Director Michael Steele told the council that the Chamber is a membership run organization with a nine member board which he named.

He talked about this year’s downturn in sales tax and bed tax revenues. “Our money is much smaller this year,” said Steele. “The County is down substantially.”

“We take seriously our role. We are the envy of other cities,” stated Steele. He added that the Chamber has spent zero dollars on marketing from May through September. “It’s been 15 years since we’ve advertised during the high season.”

Steele went on to say the challenge is attracting tourists in the fall, winter and spring, but also said that Winterfest helps the community’s resort/motel complex with 40 to 60 percent occupancy.

McCardle provided the council with four questions to consider:

1.        How does the City view the role of the Chamber and its representation of small business? 

2.        What is the role of the City in supporting tourism and tourism activities?

3.        Does the City see other opportunities for economic development?  

4.        What are the positive and negative effects of tourism on local community life and what needs addressing?

She asked for council direction on the Chamber and to bring back a contract for the October budget hearings. “Tourism is the economic driver for the community,” she said.

Councilman Brad Chitty said, “It’s not so much as what the Chamber is doing, but what we can do together.” McCardle replied that the main part is to not get rid of tourism. She added that the community has issues at the Parks and with traffic.

Councilman Tim Hollingsworth also noted staffing at the parks, the overcrowded weekends, the garbage generated and the traffic that needs to be addressed. Councilman Goedde said, “We do not have a parking problem, we have a signage problem.” Hollingsworth replied that the City has paid from $40,000 to $100,000 on signage in the wayfinding program.

McCardle asked for two councilmen to be added to the Chamber Contract Team which includes Terry Sanders, Wade Farris, Jackie Tupling and Paul Horne. Mark Ericks and Jon Higgins joined the team which will meet over the next several weeks and bring back contract language to be considered.

If anyone has questions regarding the Chamber and its operations, they are encouraged to contact Mike Steele or a Chamber Board Member.

b Richard Uhlhorn

Tuesday night’s Chelan City Council meeting was a rather mundane affair with only three items to consider on the agenda, but the Citizen Comments session was not mundane at all.

Residents living on Trow Avenue were out in force to address what they see as an increasingly dangerous traffic situation at the intersection of where Trow meets Emerson Street next to Riverwalk Park.

Joe Fialla who lives adjacent to the Riverwalk Park pathway on Trow said in his opening remarks that the crowning blow for him was when a car ended up in his yard, destroying a dogwood tree and bird bath. “People come around that corner at 50 miles per hour,” said Fialla.

Drivers are using Emerson Street as a bypass to the traffic backup on Johnson and Sanders at the traffic light.

Joe Patrick said the area is becoming more congested. He stated that the city needs to address the problem to slow traffic down or even make the street and avenue one-way. “There are E-Bikes, motorbikes, school children and paddleboarders on this street. It is an accident waiting to happen.

Debra Crew suggested a few speed bumps to slow traffic down.

Rich Thompson said it was a good thing that people are using Riverwalk Park but added, “Someone is going to get killed.” His garbage cans have been knocked over by cars and stated that Trow has no sidewalks. “We get a lot of pedestrians, bikes , walkers, fire trucks and EMS ambulances on the street.” His wife added that there is no dividing line on the street either.

The issue will be looked into by Public Works.

Motion Considerations:

• City Council approved a Master Agreement for professional services with J-U-B Engineering for Airport Consulting Services.
  “J-U-B has done a great job for us,” said Wade Farris. “We received no other bids.”
• Council also approved the expenditure of $100,000 to refurbish the Sheriff’s Marine 2 boat.
  Sgt. Rob Huddleston remarked that the motor on Marine 1 quit and it will cost $50,000 to replace. Farris stated that the city will fund the $100,000 out of Tourism dollars. Huddleston, obviously happy, stated that 84% of the people contacted on the lake are from out of town with a high concentration of rental vessels
  Councilman Tim Hollingsworth asked if the $100,000 expenditure met the use of tourism dollars criteria. Finance director Jacki Tupling replied that it was appropriate use of these dollars as long as it related to tourism.
  Sgt. Huddleston told the council that Lake Chelan has the highest concentration of boater recreation in the state. “This year we’ve made the most contacts we have ever made,” said Huddleston. McCardle asked if the city has followed the correct process? Tupling replied that they have.
  Councilman Terry Sanders asked Huddleston if there was any effort to put together a capital reserve for these kinds of needs. Huddleston replied that Sheriff Morrison is working hard on these issues and is trying to find funding to replace a lot of outdated equipment within the department.

GMA update:
Community Development Director John Ajax informed council that the City is required to look at Climate Change resilience in its 2026 GMA updates.

Ajax explained that the city would be eligible for a grant and was teaming up with Chelan County. A consultant will be hired to help secure a $100,000 grant for this effort.

Administrative reports:
HR/Communications Director Chad Coltman stated that the city has qualified candidates for all the city positions that are open including the Assistant Director for the Parks Department. The city continues to try and find a code enforcement officer and Coltman will provide more information later in the month.

Coltman said that a meeting on Transportation issues will be held at the Performing Arts Center at Chelan High School on September 11. The big issue, of course, is what to do about the old bridge and whether or not to change it back to two-way or reverse the direction to help alleviate the current traffic situation.

Public Works Director Jake Youngren said he had no new on rebuilding and/or fixing the recycling issue. “I have no new news on the center,” said Youngren.

Jackie Tupling said there would be a budget workshop on October 10.

Mayor/Council comments:
Terry Sanders reported that the Chamber has created a mockup on the potential for boat in waterfront at Riverwalk Park to help create more access to downtown Chelan. “This would be a joint venture with the city and PUD.”

Jon Higgins said he walks Emerson Avenue to the park quite a bit and recognizes the street issue at the intersection of Trow and Emerson.

Tim Hollingsworth also said he walks that route also and stated that there is way more traffic than there was 20 years ago.j

Mayor McCardle said she had talked with Representative Kim Schier and that Schier has no concerns regarding the funding request from Congress. She also said that $300,000 of state funding was approved to match Chelan’s for public infrastructure. McCardle also said the Tribal Council wants to be involved in the Lakeside Trail project.

She and Bob Goedde both attended the Tri-Commission meeting and that the Port will be spending $100 million on projects, but none of that funding will hit Chelan. She also said the Sports Complex/Aquatic Center in the Wenatchee area would be adding 2% sales tax hike to help pay for it. “It will be up to us to decide if we want to be involved.”

She thanked the rapid response by Chelan Fire and Rescue and the aerial attack that stopped the Stayman Flats fire. “It was a different outcome from 2015,” said McCardle.

The crosswalk at Bradley Street is complete and school children will only have to cross from and to the Community center once, not twice, however, McCardle said, “We don’t want semi’s using Bradley.” Semi’s have been using Bradley as a bypass through Chelan for a number of years. The solution is a difficult one, but another route would be necessary.

Airport news:
Farris reported that the airport had 633 movements during July/August and were being paid $450 per day by the Forest Service and the Incident Team for a total of $39,700 dollars.

by Richard Uhlhorn

Busy fire month:
Chelan Fire and Rescue had an extremely busy July, responding to eight brush fires and seven other fires and accidents. The responded to two separate State Mobilization call outs which included the Pioneer Fire in Stehekin and the Black Canyon/Reach fire in Yakima.

July’s biggest fire was the destruction of the Recycle Center on July 24.

Chief Brandon Asher reported to the commissioners that August is also far above normal so far. However, he was surprised that on-water call numbers are way down. There was also wildfire start on Chelan Butte July 4 which the department immediately squashed. “We were super aggressive on that fire and were lucky that there was no wind.”

The department sent a wildland fire truck to Stehekin and the rescue boat was also put into action for many days with Captain Russ Jones working night shifts. As of August 20, Jones was still in Stehekin and attended the commission meeting via Zoom and the department’s Starlink account allowing communications from uplake.

Four firefighters, two from Chelan and two from Manson mobilized to Stehekin.

On August 20, Chelan Fire was called to a brush fire off Stayman Flats road. It quickly became a 3 Alarm fire with wind driving it up-slope into Downey Canyon and up to the ridgeline above Hawk’s Meadow and over.

Commissioner Mark Donnell said he was overwhelmed by the quick response. At one point the evacuation level went to Level 3. The aerial attack was quick and overwhelming with scooper planes and DC-10s dropping copious amounts of water and retardant to stop the advance into the Lake Chelan Valley.

The Northwest Team took the fire over and managed it until it was contained. Chelan residents and visitors had quite a show to watch. Russ Jones, before heading back to Stehekin with the fire and rescue boat, helped the Sheriff’s Department keep boaters away from the lane the scooper planes were using to pick up water.

When completed the Stayman Flats fire burned 3,450 acres within a space of approximately 7 hours.

Assistant Chief Shaun Sherman stated that District 7 and 5 have had excellent training. “We are working well together.”

Rumor: There is a rumor that the first phase of the Weidner Apartment Complex has begun.

There has been no real new forthcoming regarding the TIF, but I informed them that the $9 million requested from the U.S. Congress for the project has passed out of the House and is now in the Senate’s hands.

Insurance woes:

Mark Donnell said he went to a NW. Insurance Council meeting and that it was “pretty interesting on homeowners insurance” issues. He reported that one homeowner saw his homeowners insurance go from $3,000 per year to$10,000 because their home was over 10 miles from a fire station. This is a huge issue throughout the State. “I don’t think it is going to get any better.”

During commissioner comments, Karyl Oules said, “Your guys are doing a killer job. Thanks for all the firefighters.”

Russ Jones added, “I think the community is feeling pretty good about our fire department right now.” Donnell added that everyone should remember these times.

Karyl Oules brought up the potential purchase of a Side by Side vehicle for the department.
Jones replied that with paragliders dropping like flies a side by side would be able to get to them quickly. Donnell added that a side by side could put four people on a situation really quick.

I brought up the issue of communications with local media so we can get the word out to the public about what is happening, especially when the second and third alarm siren goes off. Donnell agreed that the Department needs to consider how to do this.

The good news for the week was the evacuation level reduced to Level 1 in Stehekin which will allow the Valley to accept visitors.

by Richard Uhlhorn

501 (C) ¾ Non-Profit status:
Manson Community Council is considering applying for 501(C) 3/4 status with the IRS. This would give the council an opportunity to apply for grants. It would also give them the ability to go after some county money and make the council more sustainable.

Over the years, the council has been made up of elected community individuals with no authority to dictate what happens in the community. They have just been able to recommend actions they would like county officials to consider.

Councilmen Mike Kirk and Chris Willoughby are working together to iron out all the details.

Incorporation:
Vice Chair Chris Willoughby said, “A lot of people are interested in incorporation and a lot of people are on the fence.”

Over the years, the council has explored the possibility of incorporation. Legally, they can only incorporate within the current Urban Growth Boundary. “You have to have sewer in place,” said Willoughby. Only after incorporation would they be able to expand the boundaries of the UGA.

Willoughby is interested in putting the incorporation idea to the community. Councilman Mike Kirk stated that he would support that if the study was only a study.

Chairwomen Kari Sorenson-Krause said that her fear was the cost for a City Hall, planning department etal.

Bob Goedde said, “Why reinvent the wheel. You just contract out the services.”

Gearing told the council she would check to see if any Economic Development dollars was available.

It was noted that the last incorporation of a community in Washington was around 20 years ago.

Short Term Rentals:
Gearing stated that the Planning Commission would entertain a board recommendation that there be no cap on STRs. “It doesn’t mean it will happen,” she said. She added that there would be public hearings, comments and testimonies. “So there is going to be a lot of discussion.”

Kirk asked why the county would recommend that the STR code be amended to a ‘No Cap’ status. Gearing replied that people have not been able to operate. She mentioned that it was an issue in Leavenworth. “Just because the board has made the suggestion doesn’t mean that it will come to pass.”

Complaints are handled by the Sheriff’s Department’s code enforcement officers. “Just send an address if you have to file a complaint,” said Gearing

STR clients have created a number of complaints from residents next to them. Noise and late night parties are the usual complaints. Sorenson-Krause asked if complaints should be called into the STR –24 hour hotline? (509-293-4577). Gearing replied that RiverCom could also be called. Gearing said she would bring up the issues at the board level and with the Sheriff.

Krause then asked it Gearing can follow up on STRs that are operating without a license. Gearing replied, “Email me the addresses.”

Pioneer Fire closure:
Gearing said she was traveling to Stehekin with the Sheriff. “We are planning a post fire meeting with Senator Murray’s office, Representative Schier’s office, the DNR and Park Service.”

The fire has cost over $70 million and complaints have been made that no water was deployed for several weeks on the fire. Some angry people are accusing the fire teams of letting the fire burn without any serious effort to control or put it out.

Willoughby asked that Lands Commissioner Hillary Franz (DNR) also be invited to any public meeting.

Chelan County Public Meeting:
Chelan County will host its quarterly meeting on Wednesday, September 18, at the Lake Chelan Community Center.

Community Forum:
The council will hold its second Community Forum on Tuesday October 15. This forum will also include the Manson School District representatives and the library.

Bears:
Gearing brought up the ongoing Grizzly bear re-introduction into the North Cascades. She mentioned a grizzly bear expert from Montana who would come to the County and speak about the some of the problems with grizzly’s and how they live with them.

“She is going to be really helpful for us,” said Gearing. She then mentioned that the reintroduction is a done deal under the current administration.

Casino:
“We met with the tribal council and they said it was on hold indefinitely.” Goedde also stated that the board members who toured Chelan last week also said it is on hold indefinitely.

by Richard Uhlhorn

It was a busy City Council meeting Tuesday, August 13 and several issues of interest were presented.

House moves $9 million request to the Senate:
After the official agenda was complete, Mayor Erin McCardle announced during Mayor/Council comments that the $9 million dollar bill for the East Chelan Water/Reservoir Project had passed out of the House and onto the Senate for approval.

This funding request, if approved by the Senate, will be a great relief to the Junior Taxing Districts that have had a heart attack over the TIF (Tax Increment Financing) proposal that would help pay for the project.

2024 Sheriff’s update:
Sheriff Mike Morrison gave a presentation on the 2023 annual report and told the council that the department conducted 15,799 hours of patrol within the City limits in 2023. So far in 2024, the deputies have conducted 7,523 hours of patrol through June under the City/Sheriff contract and another 188 hours of foot patrol.

He mentioned bike patrols and said, “I don’t know if you bikes are even in working order.” To instigate a bike patrol, however, the deputies would be required to take ‘bike school certification.’ “We have not been providing bike hours.”

“When I took office, we had one marine patrol officer and we currently have four,” said Morrison.

The department’s Behavioral Health Unit responded to 840 referrals in Chelan alone in 2023.

“Overall the agency has done pretty well,” said Morrison.”We are one of the top producing agencies in the state.”

The department had 200 hours of overtime in July and Morrison lauded the help from the Washington State Patrol. “We have been pretty successful at meeting the needs of our contract cities.”

Councilwoman Sheri Deitrich asked Morrison where the foot patrols are taking place. Morrison replied that they have mostly been in the downtown corridor. “I know they are trying to make the effort to get out there.”

Councilman Tim Hollingsworth brought up the bridge jumping issue and said it is getting dangerous. “The level of activity is growing,” said Hollingsworth who admitted that putting a deputy there full time was not an option.

Mayor McCardle thanked Morrison and stated that the traffic enforcement was outstanding. “We will work out the situation at Lakeside Park for a longer term,” said McCardle. She promised that the issues would be discussed during the City’s strategic planning.

Morrison added that the Sheriff’s Department is getting pulled in a lot of different directions.

Marine 2 funding request:
Sgt. Rob Huddleston started his request with a recent bridge jumping story. One of his Marine Patrol deputies confronted a teenager standing on the old bridge railing and was told to get off. The kid told the deputy to F-Off, then jumped and swam over to the Campbell’s dock. When the deputy tried to find him the kid took off running. “I don’t know where the lack of respect comes from,” said Huddleston.

Huddleston once again requested monetary help in refurbishing the department’s Marine 2 boat. The total cost of refurbishing the vessel is approximately $156,000 to make it like new.

“It would cost $400,000 to replace that boat,” said Huddleston. The refurbishment would bring Marine 2 up to new condition including two new 200 hp Yamaha outboards. The end of October is the kill date on the marine companies $156,000 refurbishing offer.

Huddleston said the boat primarily works in the lower basin. “We contact a lot of tourists and historically that is within the city limits.”

Huddleston requested that the City provide $100,000 towards the work and said the County would pick up the rest of the cost.

Councilman Bob Goedde asked if there were some grants that could be applied for. Huddleston replied that there are not many out there for that purpose.

Councilman Mark Ericks asked if the department couldn’t incorporate some of that capital replacement into the contract. Sheriff Morrison replied that that was a reasonable request and the challenge would be the county commission.

City Administrator Wade Farris stated that the City would look into finding the funding. Hollingsworth stated that the vessel was important to unincorporated areas also.

Public Works:
The department is working with a robust GIS platform to develop locations within the city where Americans with Disability Act () sidewalk transitions are needed.

City Engineer Travis Denham stated that a public survey was conducted with the community to find out where they felt ADA access needs to be.

Farris remarked that the City has been out of State ADA compliance for a long, long time.

Chelan Valley Housing Trust MOU:
Jake Youngren, public works director, said they were working on a Memorandum of Understanding between the Housing Trust and City for the Anderson Road project. Hollingsworth said, “I want to make sure the City is committed to building that sewer line.” Mayor McCardle stated that the City was committed to get that sewer line built, but not necessarily with ARPA funds.

Mayor/Council comments:
HR/Communications Director Chad Coltman said the recent community survey came up with 600 suggestions for the city to consider.

He also reported that the AgTourism campaign would be finished this week.

He stated that the city has received applications for the Assistant Parks Director and the Chelan Airport Manager positions and that interviews will begin next week. “We are continuing to work on finding a Community Development Director.”

Jake Youngren stated that it is a challenge to keep the waste management operation going. “Insurance is working with us and we are soliciting services for (recycle) design. We hope to have a planning contract this fall.”

John Ajax stated that planning department is looking at two grant funding opportunities that have a climate change element to them.

Wade Farris stated that the city has had a pretty successful season so far.

Tim Hollingsworth said that the traffic study is complete and that “everyone wants the bridge returned to two-way traffic. The devil is in the details.”

Brad Chitty said he’s please that there is more community outreach on city issues.

Terry Sanders stated that the Johnson Avenue/Bradley Street crossing project is being worked on and it will be good that students will only have to cross one street instead of two between the community gym and MOE. Sanders would also like to see funding for the Sheriff’s Marine 2 boat.

Mayor McCardle reported that a number of Colville Tribe board members were visiting Chelan on Wednesday for a tour of several projects including the Community Center where they enjoyed an Apple Cup lunch.

by Richard Uhlhorn

Chelan hosted the Washington State Transportation Commission on Wednesday and Thursday, July 24 and 25. The commission is made up of seven members appointed by the Governor for up to two 6-year terms. Each commissioner represents a different part of the state and provides an open public forum for transportation policy development.

Every four years, the commission recommends a comprehensive and balanced statewide transportation plan which also addresses regional and local needs to the legislature.

This visit to Chelan is a part of the commission’s public involvement and outreach which focuses on local and regional transportation issues and challenges.

Prior to Wednesday’s afternoon meeting the commission and staff were given a tour of the Lake Chelan Valley, most notably between Manson and Chelan.

Debbie Young, the commission’s chair, said the group had a great tour of the area that morning.

Chelan Mayor Erin McCardle welcomed the commission to Chelan and gave an overview of presentation of the valley comprising of Chelan, Manson, the south shore and Stehekin. She explained that summer was the most popular time in the valley. “We have a rural sense of community,” said McCardle. “We are trying to preserve that.”

McCardle went on to explain that Chelan was no longer a secret. “During COVID, Lake Chelan became everyone’s destination. Chelan and Manson had 660,000 visitors.”

She told the commission that Chelan had the confluence of two State highways, both of which go by two schools. She also explained that there was only one way in and one way out of Manson with all that traffic going through Chelan.

Funding crisis:
McCardle talked about Chelan’s transportation funding crisis. Seventy five percent of property taxes go the Chelan’s public work department for infrastructure maintenance. “The one percent tax increase we see every year does not keep up with inflation.”

Because of that, Chelan is asking its residents to vote in a .03 percent addition to the local sales tax through a Tax Benefit District (TBD). “The TBD will open up opportunities for a new revenue source supported by 75% of the visitors to Chelan.”

Reema Griffith, executive director of the commission, asked McCardle how much money the TBD would raise. McCardle replied that it would raise approximately $900,000 every year which could be used to leverage for grants and bonds.

Chelan County Commissioner Tiffany Gearing:
Gearing explained that Chelan County has many of the same concerns and issues that Chelan has. “We represent a number of small communities like Manson, Entiat, Cashmere and Leavenworth.”

She explained that the County has a public works department that has only 85 employees to serve 80,000 residents and maintains 50 miles of rural roads and 500 miles of paved roads, all of which are in poor condition and need a complete rebuild. “It is a major challenge of doing more with less.”

The biggest challenge is competing with larger cities. Gearing mentioned the County’s Totem Pole Road project in Manson. “We have $2 million for this project and need $5 million. The project is a work in progress.”

Paula Reeves, the senior policy analysist, replied that the current transportation plan is being updated. “There are a lot of changes since the last update in 2018,” said Reeves. In particular she mentioned the state’s unprecedented growth.

“Individual requests that come to the commission are challenging,” she added. The commission is working with both Oregon and California on transportation issues.

Road Usage Charging:
The commission is researching a change from the current gas tax to a vehicle mileage charge. Reema Griffith stated that there is a bit of a conflict with the idea. “It is difficult to address with fossil fuels and fuel efficiency.”

The state relies on its gas tax to fund road and highway maintenance and construction. Fuel efficient vehicles have lowered the amount of money the state is receiving and the commission is assessing a Road Usage Charge as a replacement to the gas tax.

Toll system:
The commission also adopts tolls for all state toll facilities including ST-5200 Bridge, SR-16 Tacoma Narrows Bridge, SR-167 high occupancy toll, Interstate 405 express toll lanes and the SR 99 tunnel.

They are currently looking at expanding the toll system.

The commission also studies the Ferry System which had 23 million passengers last year which brought in $75 million.

Chelan/Douglas Transportation Council:
A representative from the council, told the commission that the council had 10 governing board members representing urban/rural communities and the Colville Confederated Tribes. The council has 125,000 miles of roads in Chelan and Douglas Counties most of which is agricultural based. “It is becoming less and less ag based because of rising costs.” He added that this is causing an ag related conversion to other uses.

Tourism is becoming a driving economic force in the two counties. He also mentioned Microsoft’s server farm projects.

“A lot of developable land is already developed and there are (looming) water issues.”

Public transit and freight mobility add to the transportation issues.

Apple Capital Loop:
Wenatchee’s City Administrator Laura Gloria presented Wenatchee’s $157 million Apple Capital Loop project to the Council. “Wenatchee is kind of an island,” said Gloria. She explained that the city is bordered by mountains on the west and the river on the east.

“We serve Leavenworth, Chelan and other outlying areas.

The 11 mile loop project will reduce the current traffic congestion problems which is currently serving 100,000 vehicles each day.

“We are so excited to start next year. It is a once in a lifetime project for the City of Wenatchee.”

Chelan transportation issues:
Travis Denham, Chelan city engineer, talked about the emerging transportation issues in the community. “Everyone going to Manson uses our roads. It’s a challenger to not accommodate our tourism economy,” he said.

“We don’t have a robust viable funding source and how we fund capital projects is a funding challenge.”

He reported on new projects on the books like the Lakeside Trail from Chelan to Lakside Park that is being funded by the Washington State DOT which will begin its construction phase next spring. In addition, Chelan is working on opening up pocket parks for better access to the lake for the public. It is a recreational project that everyone is excited about.”

Mayor McCardle answered a question about Chelan partnerships. McCardle stated that four councilmen and her had a conversation with the Colville Confederated Tribes. “It was a great first step,” she said. “We are starting to develop that relationship. With a large (planned) project in Manson, we definitely need a stronger partnership that needs to be built now.”

The Eastside water and reservoir project was also brought up.

Chelan County:
Josh Patrick, assistant director at Chelan County Public Works, reported on the county’s transportation issues.

“Our county roads are narrow and not in good condition,” said Patrick. He described the need to turn Manson’s Botzke Avenue into its truck route instead of having trucks driving through downtown Manson.

“We have 100 miles of road to maintain (in Manson). Our responsibilities is more than the downtown area.”

“Manson is unincorporated which makes it tough to compete for funds.” The county lost a $1 million grant from Ecology for stormwater work (on Totem Pole Rd.). “It just went away. We are doing Phase 1 and looking for funds to do the upper half.

Patrick stated that emergency evacuation is on the County’s mind. Manson currently has one way in and one way out.

Debbie Young remarked that widening the lanes on the highway were pretty constraining. “Do you >

Regional overview:
Chris Keifenheim, the regional administrator of the North Central Region of DOT, told the commission that the region employs 270 and operates from Canada to south of I-90. “We serve nine counties and 13,000 sq. miles. We have seven mountain passes to maintain.”

“Funding is a huge challenge. Cost of materials have increased. Our dollar is not going as far as used to.” He said the region over spent their budget by $11 million last year. “We need to be back on budget by the end of the end biannual budget.

Link update:
Nick Covey, CEO of Link Transit, said the system has added a new 43,000 sq. ft. bus garage and is running 23 electric vehicles. “We will be adding nine more in 2025 and five more in 2026,” said Covey.

The system includes inground wireless battery charging units.

Link is working on a Manson park and ride facility at Leffler Field. In Chelan they are developing bus stops at the Hospital, Walmart and Chelan Airport.

The commission reconvened on Thursday and heard presentations by:

• Chelan and Douglas County public works directors on their transportation needs;
• The Chelan Douglas Regional Port Authority updates;
• An Economic Development presentation for the region; and a
• Tribal Transportation Overview.

The commission’s next meeting will take place on September 11, 2024.