“We’ve had a great month,” said hospital commissioner Fred Miller regarding the hospital’s financial health.
CFO Cheryl Cornwell went on to report that the hospital received a lot of good news in August. “We’ve had $2 million forgiven which goes from the debt side to revenue side. That’s huge,” she said.
She added that the hospital will be receiving another $2.6 million back from Medicare for underpayments to the hospital. “This will also be recorded as revenue,” she said.
“I’m continuing to work on the $4 million CARES money. I’m hoping to get much or all of it forgiven.” Cornwell added that the hospital can’t count on that money until it is approved by the government.
She stated that Cash was trending down and receivables were trending back up. “That’s not good.” The emergency department, med-surgery and imaging departments are up but lab testing was down. Most lab tests were COVID related.
CEO Gorge Rohrich told the commission that people are seeing something happen at the new hospital’s location. “There is exciting stuff going on,” said Rohrich. “This Friday will be the day for the first concrete pour and structural steel will begin arriving.”
Rohrich gave the commission the transition’s draft Plan B and told Chair Mary Murphy that a final will be delivered at the next meeting. He also told the commission that he and several board members would be attending the City Council meeting that night to ask for some financial relief on the money already paid to the City.
The hospital will have a vaccination requirement and the commissioners are not included in that requirement. Staff with a medical exemption and/or a strong and proven religious reason to not get the vaccine will be allowed. La Porte apologized to the employees who have been living a life determined by others. “It’s like allowing someone else to take care of our health.”
HeritageHeights:
Rohrich asked the board for more time to finalize the lease extension beyond 2048 for Heritage Heights. He is struggling to arrive at what a rental price should be. “I want to develop it further and bring it back with a rental amount. I would appreciate any assistance.” Commissioner Mary Signorelli replied she would help him with that.
Commissioner Jordana La Porte remarked that she thought the hospital had helped pay for the Heritage Heights building, but Fred Miller said he was not aware of any funding or help provided by the hospital.
Signorelli said she remembers the Heights paying off any financial responsibility to the hospital. La Porte then brought up the fact that after the lease is over, the property reverts back to the hospital.
Rohrich added that once the lease period is over, the property does come back to the hospital including the building. Miller said the same issues that are facing the hospital now came up with the old hospital building below the current hospital but those issues disappeared when the Wenatchee Valley Housing Authority bought the building.
Strategic Planning:
The Hospital/Board/Community Strategic Planning session is planned for the 31st and will be held as a virtual meeting. “It’s not the time to be holding an in-person meeting, so it will be virtual.” Rohrich told the commissioners he needed another 15 to 20 stakeholder member names by Thursday. “Please do that today,” he requested.
Change order policy:
Rohrich stated he had worked through the change order policy and it would be coming to the commission for approval at its next board meeting.
The last 17 months have been hard on everyone. Ever since the pandemic started last March and people became locked down in their homes the world has changed.
Anger, frustration, skepticism, divisiveness and long held anxiety have emerged to the surface.
Prior to COVID and its effects on our lives, the town of Chelan was pretty peaceful. Unfortunately, that feeling of peace changed when the Governor began mandating business shutdowns, masking, school closures and a host of other edicts that angered many valley residents.
With the advent of COVID the worst of all those feelings listed above began to show itself on social media platforms and residents in the Lake Chelan Valley let their individual feelings be known to the utter surprise of friends and acquaintances.
With people standing on both sides of the mandates, a feeling of division began to emerge as the new normal.
As the lockdown of 2020 wore on, a small group of friends, all long-time residents in the valley, became concerned about the unconstitutional infringement on freedoms and the increasing censorship of voices who spoke up about it. Each of them knew other people who felt marginalized or outright silenced within the community and even their own families, afraid to speak about their concerns. The six of them decided to form a group named “We The People United” (WTPU) for all Chelan Valley residents who stand for freedom, sovereignty and the right to make personal decisions based on the constitutional rights granted by the founding fathers. It was to be a group where anybody could belong regardless of political ideology, religious beliefs, race, nationality, etc.
The WTPU founding members stressed that the group is not in opposition of our government, but they are firmly in favor of freedom. Their purpose is expressed in their Mission Statement:
“It is the purpose of We the People United to support each other in claiming our God-given and constitutional rights.”
The groups long-term Vision states:
“The vision of We the People United is to build a community of strength, connection, resilience, resources, expertise and independence to help support each member and change the valley into a better place to live for all of us.
Brigitte Sztab, one of the founders of “We the People United” said, “A lot of people feel isolated in a social and political atmosphere that censors or shames anyone who does not believe 100% in the mainstream narrative or the common sense of the government’s measures.”
So the group was organized and Sztab added that they didn’t know who would be attracted. “As long as people believe in the inalienable freedoms our constitutionalguarantees, they can join us. We just wanted to provide a framework for a gathering of people around shared perspectives. We are always stronger together!”
Most of the group’s conversations happen on the messaging platform ‘Telegram.’ The group holds in-person meetings on a semi regular basis.
The group started out by invitation only, with members asking their friends to join.
On only a week’s notice, the first meeting attracted 68 individuals who came together to join their voices and gain support for their efforts to peacefully participate in government, defend their livelihoods from government overreach and stand for individual freedoms.
Some of the overriding issues with many people are the mandates that have disrupted lives throughout the valley. Businesses closed, kids forced to learn on-line instead of in a classroom, required masking in school and elsewhere, restaurants shut down or only allowed to open at reduced capacity. Vaccinations are not a dividing factor, as the group believes in everyone’s freedom to make decisions concerning their personal health.
With WTPU providing the framework for the communication among its members, individual subgroups, like parents who want their children to be free of state mandated,school-enforced masking requirements, have formed to fight those mandates that they personally feel are unhealthy for their children.
The whole of WTPU may not be interested or engaged with a particular agenda or goal of any of its subgroups, but all members can reach out to other members to ask for support for their grass-roots efforts. What each subgroup and each member does, is up to them, as long as it is legal and in the spirit of freedom as granted by the Constitution. No permission is required from anybody in the group. This is not a top-down organization, but rather a community of independent people who have come together around shared ideals.
Within three weeks after its first meeting, WTPU grew to nearly 300 members; one meeting in June attracted over 100 concerned citizens who heard from and were able to ask questions of both Chelan County Commissioner Tiffany Gering – and Chelan County Sheriff Brian Burnett. “ We have long-ago abdicated our responsibility to self-govern and left the job to others. No wonder politics got taken over by career politicians and self-interested agendas. We have only ourselves to blame”, says Brigitte Sztab. “Now it is time to take an interest again, to communicate with and participate in local government.”
A couple of month’s into the group’s existence, We the People United, came under scrutiny and untrue rumors began to circulate. “Rumors are going around town because we are not in the public eye,” said one of the organizers. “This (group) kinda grew quietly. But we don’t have anything to hide.”
We the People United has no membership application or dues and no requirements for belonging except to stand behind the Constitution of the United States. “We are here to support merchants, schools, kids, our community and each other through this unprecedented time and maybe tougher times to come.”
If you are interested in learning more about how to get involved and hopefully dispel the issues dividing the community and unite around a positive shared purpose, email the group at WeTPU@protonmail.com
At last Wednesday’s Chelan County Fire District 7 commission meeting, Fire Chief Mark Donnell brought forth a district Succession Plan that would promote Assistant Fire Chief Brandon Asher to the District’s Interim Chief
Assistant Chief Brandon Asher is being proposed as the Interim Fire Chief under Chief Mark Donnell who told the commission he would delay his retirement to help Asher learn the administrative side of the district.
Donnell told the commission he would delay his retirement and mentor Asher in developing Asher’s administrative strengths.
“Operationally, Chief Asher is one of the most incredible officers I’ve ever known,” said Donnell. “This plan has the support of staff and membership.”
Asst. Chief Asher is a well known within NCW fire services. He is an Entiat native and has been in the fire service for a number of years. “I will delay my retirement to help him be successful,” said Donnell. “It’s up to the board.”
Donnell said the main focus currently is to pass the Levy Lid Lift. “After the election we will know where we stand.” If the levy did not pass, the District would potentially be facing some serious cuts in its ability to serve the public.
The District will be putting together an informational flyer, hold public meetings with service groups and hold a public town hall.
Resident John Corbin, who sits on the Levy Committee, said that he thinks Donnell’s succession plan is a great idea. “It’s a great opportunity to unify the district. I’m excited to hear what Donnell has proposed.”
Resident John Corbin, a member of the District’s committee to pass the Levy, is excited about Chief Donnell’s succession plan.
During the commissioner comments, Commissioner Karyl Oules asked to make a motion establishing an Interlocal Agreement with Manson’s Fire District 5. She was told by Chairman Phil Moller that they couldn’t take action on that at this meeting.
Apparently both Moller and Oules have had conversations with Chief Arnold Baker and District 5’s chairman about an agreement where Baker would become District 7’s new Chief when Donnell retires. He would also remain the Chief at District 5.
Moller said the commissioners needed to have a discussion to see what those possibilities would make that work.
Chief Donnell told the commissioners that he would put it on the agenda and have a Public Meeting with both boards.
Commissioner Jones (left) and Chairman Phil Moller discussed Commissioner Oules request of a motion to enter into an Interlocal Agreeement iwth District 5.
Commissioner Russ Jones stated that it isn’t the time to step back to a part time chief with the growth that is going on in the Valley. Moller suggested further discussions around Oule’s request. “I have zero interest in hiring a westside Fire Chief,” said Moller. “We need to pursue discussions and look at different opportunities.” He added that he liked the idea of retaining Asher.
Oules said that Chief Baker would be a great resource for Asher.
When an expensive item is lost overboard in deep water, the chances of recovery diminish based on a number of factors; location, bottom conditions, currents, sediments and the equipment used to search and recover.
On May 11 the Lake Chelan Research Institute was conducting a lake quality monitoring operation when its $15,000 multiparameter probe separated due to an undetected line defect. The probe ended up in 400+ feet of water between State Park and Willow Point Park.
The location was noted on GPS so recovery efforts could take place close, and hopefully, in the vicinity of where the 11 pound probe ended up on the bottom.
Phil Long – Director at the Lake Chelan Research Institute.
Recovery efforts have included dragging the bottom to no avail. Dr. Phil Long was interested in utilizing an underwater ROV (remotely operated vehicle) to add in the recovery of the instrument array. Long began researching rentals and other potential options to get an ROV on the lake.
He got the help he needed from Aaron Burnett, an outreach specialist with the Washington Sea Grant program at the UW. Burnett had Long call Celina Ladyga, Lt. Commander in charge of Maritime Safety & Security Team in Seattle.
The $250,000 Fusion ROV was used to search for the lost scientific array.
Ladyga approved sending two ROV technicians to Chelan with an Underwater ROV. On Monday morning, August 2, the Coast Guard technicians; Alaric Grecius and Tedd Meinersmeen met Long, Tim Sullivan and Ian Blevins, a Manson High School graduate with an interest in ROVs.
Alaric Grecius lowers the UROV into Lake Chelan waters for a deep search and recovery effort of a $15,000 monitoring probe lost in 400+ feet of water between State Park and Willow Point Park.On its way to search.
Shaun Sherman and I were in his boat with the job of keeping vacationing boaters away from the work area.
Even on the lake, the day was blistering hot. When the GPS location of where the instrument was lost was reached, Sullivan, a retired Coast Guardsman, set up his trolling motor with an anchor lock to keep the boat on the GPS coordinates.
Grecius and Meinersimenn ran their first dive, taking sonar readings in hopes of locating the array. This didn’t work, so they brought the ROV back to the surface to attach its grappling arm and submerge once more to conduct a much broader back and fourth search pattern.
Tedd Meinersmeen and Alaric Grecius work on a software glitch on Monday afternoon.
Unfortunately, as so often happens on operations involving underwater work, a software glitch cropped up and the operation was suspended until the next day.
On Tuesday morning, with the glitch fixed, the ROV was placed on the bottom of Lake Chelan and the Coast Guard technicians conducted a search pattern over the bottom in hopes of finding the scientific array or the 400 feet of cable that broke and sent the $15,000 package to a watery grave… at this point. Despite the search pattern, it is like hunting for a needle in a haystack.
The ROV’s search pattern with specific point of interest noted.
Since the ROV’s side and front scanning sonar doesn’t penetrate the sediment. the hunt was called off.
Joe Heinlen, a local fishing guide and boat operator for the Institute is going to re-rig a dragging system and try to hook the array that way in the near future.
In light of all the recovery efforts, Dr. Long told Chelan City Council that the monitoring probe was reaching its five year life span, so replacement of the probe was high on the Institute’s list of needs.
The Institute, which had a $2,000 replacement fund and had already raised $5,300.00 towards the probe’s replacement from private donations and Chelan County PUD, Long requested financial help in replacing the probe. He asked the Council to approve financial assistance of $6,460.10.
Long told the Council that oxygen levels are the same as from 1987 and 1998. We know that year after year the lake is stable over time,” said Long. “Now we are losing 2021.”
Long added that one of the bigger concerns is the algae growth near shore. “There are more boats on the lake and we need to educate people to fertilizer their lawns a lot less.”
Peter Jamtgaard asked Long what would prevent losing a new probe in the future. Long explained that the new line they were using on the probe didn’t have a safety core in it and they didn’t know that. He said the Institute would be using a 1000 lb. test safety line to make sure it doesn’t happen again.
“Your track record shows good stewardship of City and County money,” said Time Hollingsworth. “It is essential that we collect that data. I move to approve the $6,460.00.
The Council unanimously approved the expenditure and Long has ordered a new probe and is still in hopes that old probe can still be recovered.
Other issues facing lake quality are listed by the Institute in no particular order:
Leaking septic systems uplake from Minneapolis Beach on the South Shore;
Waterfowl feces (ducks, geese and seagulls);
Agricultural drains and creeks that drain agricultural lands, particularly in the Manson Agricultural area;
Over fertilization of lawns and orchards near the lake even if no ag drains exist.
Atmospheric deposition including wind blown dust from construction sites and ash from wildfires;
Re-suspension and erosion of sediments by wave action;
An estimated 100 concerned Chelan residents attended Wednesday night’s Town Hall at the Chelan Fire Department to hear about recent changes to Washington State laws concerning law enforcement and public safety.
An estimated crowd of 100 residents attended last night’s Chelan Town Hall by the Chelan County Sheriff’s leadership staff. Sheriff Burnett was not in attendance, but Chief of Patrol Captain Musgrove and Sgt’s. McCue and Frank presented information on law enforcement policy changes from the 2021 Washington State Legislative Session.
All Things Lake Chelan wrote an extensive article on these changes from the Wenatchee meeting that attracted 1,100 people and around 3,000 listeners online.
Chief of Patrol Captain Musgrove – Chelan County Sheriff’s Department
Captain Musgrove opened the meeting by telling those in attendance that the new policies guiding law enforcement were unprecedented.
As of July 25, when these changes became law, Sgt. McCue said, “I can’t stop a suspect from leaving (a scene) without probable cause.”
Sgt. McCue – Chelan County sheriff’s Department
“This is not the job I signed up for,” said Sgt. Frank. “We cannot provide the service we signed up for. We feel sorry for you.”
In a letter signed by Sheriff Brian Burnett – Chelan County, Sheriff Kevin Morris – Douglas County, Chief Steve Crown – East Wenatchee Police Dept., and Chief Rick Johnson – Wenatchee Police Department, it was stated that the “new laws touch on many historically-effective methods of policing in the state.”
They impact how law enforcement agencies and staff respond to search and seizure, use of force, vehicle pursuits, drug enforcement, mental health detentions, criminal investigations, tactics and available tools for de-escalation of public safety and health situations.
The letter further states that if no crime has been committed and no imminent threat of harm to others exists, officers and deputies may not respond or if they do respond, may leave the scene.
Some examples of calls for service that may be effected include:
Welfare Checks – requests to check on a person in public, a private place, or who has not been heard from for an unusual amount of time.
Mental Health – calls for service of any tpe where there is information or potential that the involved subject suffers from a mental health condition.
Civil Calls – non-criminal calls for service.
One worried parent who has a special needs child living on his/her own is very concerned and worried. She told Sgt. Frank that this child is registered at the Sheriff’s Department as a special needs individual which Sgt. Frank replied, “Registering is extremely important. It triggers us to know that there might be behavior issues when responding.
Sgt. Frank – Chelan County Sheriff’s Department
Sgt. Frank also stated that law enforcement has received a “black eye” in the Court of Public Opinion. “People who feel that way can be assured that when they dial 911 we are still coming.”
Brigitte Sztab, a concerned resident asked, “What can we do to help?” Captain Musgrove replied that residents can reach out to their legislators and “express how you feel about these changes… that’s the key to success (in changing the laws).
“Your voices need to be heard,” he added. “There are only 11,000 of us (law enforcement personnel), so we are like a speck of sand,” said Sgt. Frank.
Sgt. Frank told the crowd that in the first two weeks of being in Chelan County he heard more “Thank You for your Service” from residents than 10 years serving in the King County Sheriff’s Department.
Mayor Bob Goedde commented that the City’s insurance rates are going through the roof with all these new changes. “We need a grassroots effort to help change this,” he stated.
WASPC (WA. Assn. of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs) is working with legislators and supports follow-up legislation to address unintended consequences, ambiguities, and conflicting provisions of the new laws. WASPC and its members will continue to work in good faith to improve the public service of law enforcement and embrace the sanctity of human life.
For more detailed information on the current issues, check these statements from the Washington Assn. of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs:
On Sunday, August 15, Sheriff Burnett will also appear in Manson for an evening presentation in the community center at North Shore Bible Church.
The Sheriff will go over the recent legislative changes and will also discuss his recent visit to the Arizona-Mexico border. The Manson meeting will run from 6-8 pm.
Campbell Resort’s latest development iteration for its property located above Riverwalk Park calls for a 24 unit motel with a swimming pool to be built. This plan came under attack at the Tuesday evening City Council meeting on August 10 when several residents of the neighborhood voiced their concerns to City Council members.
Christy Nielsen, a long time resident of Chelan told Council members that the entire neighborhood would be severely impacted by Campbell’s development. Citing the neighborhood as one of Chelan’s oldest, Nielsen said, “Twenty-four units is inappropriate and will impact water, sewer and traffic. The only access to this property is through the neighborhood.”
She also mentioned the traffic issues with the middle school/high school with parents, teachers, students and buses. “It also will impact Riverwalk Park,” she added. “It will erode the quality of life in the neighborhood.”
Nielsen remarked that she is not against responsible development and cited the new apartment complex along 97A that hasn’t impacted the neighborhood. “Just because you can doesn’t mean you should,” Nielsen stated.
Planning Director Craig Gildroy urged Nieslen to write a letter to the Planning Department as a part of their record. “There will be a public hearing on this development in the future,” said Gildroy.
Lisa Garvich, another resident of the neighborhood and an active opponent of Campbell’s proposed development stated she shared the same concerns as Christy Nielsen. She told the council that the development would affect the entire community.
She accused the Planning Department of doing the bare minimum to notify residents and citing that residents within 300 feet of the proposed development are the only ones who receive notification letters. “It doesn’t take in the entire neighborhood.”
She would like to prompt more notification of developments on the City’s website, Facebook page and not have it buried where it is hard to find. A public reader board has been proposed to notify citizens of issues in the community. Mayor Goedde remarked that a reader board would cost $25,000.
Garvich stated that Friends of Chelan believe the city has not done enough to inform the community about this project. Many residents are unaware and therefore are not being afforded the opportunity to participate in the public comment period, which addresses all concerns relative to the environmental impacts a project of this size will have on our community writes Garvich.
We do not feel these minimum requirements adequately help to make the community aware and despite our efforts to ask the city to do more, time is running out for residents to participate in the process if they desire to.
A spokesman for the Earley family said they were not opposed to development, but were opposed to the Campbell proposal. He said that the City should take into consideration the entire residential community being effected. “I cannot fathom a motel in our neighborhood,” he said. His frustration is that the neighborhood is one of the treasures within the city.
Mayor Goedde remarked that the City is run by codes and mentioned the 280 apartments planned out by Walmart.
The public comment period for the Campbell development ends on Friday August 27, 2021. Comments should be sent to the City of Chelan Planning Department.
“We think the lake is protected,” said Russ Shropshire, a project manager with Leidos, the technology company retained by RELLC (Resource Environmental) to examine and address the release of petroleum products in the downtown Chelan area.
Project manager Russ Shropshire presented a current summary and status of the environmental investigation activities of petroleum contamination in downtown Chelan.
First documented in 1987 when a leak was discovered from a gasoline underground storage tank at the Chevron Service Station located at the corner of Sanders and Woodin Avenue, Chevron entered into an agreement with the Department of Ecology (Ecology) to complete remedial investigations.
A summary and status of the environmental investigation activities at the Chelan Chevron Site were shared with Chelan City Council at its August 3 City Workshop.
The Chevron site is approximately 10 acres in size in the downtown area and is being conducted under the direction of Ecology which has been an open Cleanup Site within Ecology’s Toxic Cleanup Program.
Fifty groundwater monitoring wells have been installed over the years and 36 currently exist to evaluate soil conditions for on-going assessment of groundwater conditions up to 75 feet below the surface.
The investigation has also determined the existence of diesel fuel or #2 heating oil in the vicinity of the property at 136 E. Johnson Avenue. Other possibilities included abandoned heating oil tanks or other undocumented underground storage tanks.
Frontier Communications has additionally been named as a potential liable person for the site.
There are two aquifers that lie under the surface. the first is a perched aquifer with contaminated water. Called a Perched Aquifer (Groundwater that is separated from the underlying main body of groundwater (aquifer) by unsaturated rock (aquiclude). Also known as perched groundwater, perched water table.). This aquifer sits on top of a glacial deposit which is dry in its upper portion. This aquifer is heavily impacted b dissolved-phase petroleum consitituents and LNAPL (A Light Non-Aqueous Phase Liquid (LNAPL) is a groundwater contaminant such as petroleum oil, gasoline or diesel fuel that is less dense than water and is not very soluble in water.).
This water bearing zone is pinched out and wells installed to the left of this termination have historically been dry.
The second aquifer is much deeper and occurs in a sand-silt-gravel zone with a depth to water at 62 to 92 feet below the surface. This is a regional water table which flows southeast towards Chelan Falls and appears to be contaminant free which is why the investigation has concluded that contaminants are not reaching the lake or river.
“Everything that will leak has leaked,” said Shropshire.
Mayor Bob Goedde reminded the everyone that over the years there were a number of gas stations, old grocery stores and other businesses that had heating oil tanks.
Shropshire stated that they wanted public participation and whatever clean-up activities that take place are done without negative impact to the community.
On-going work will include: Continued LNAPI gauging and groundwater monitoring;
Further investigation of diesel/heating oil sources in the work vicinity:
Preliminary development of potential cleanup alternatives this year and next year;
Development of a soil management plan:
Underground storage tank and soil removal action at 221 E. Woodin Avenue in 2022; and
Feasibility studies for future testing, selection of cleanup options and implementation of future cleanup remedies.
Restoration timeframe for the site is expected to be on the order of 50 or more years to achieve final cleanup goals.
“Polley is far exceeding expectations at this point,” said Councilman Ty Witt explaining the total success so far with the Chelan Rotary’s Glass Recycling Project that was partially funded with $50,000 from City coffers.
In three weekends, the Glass Recycling Project has crushed 8 tons of glass.
Yes… the Rotary has named the machine ‘Polley” and so far, according to Witt’s report at last night’s Council meeting, Polley has already crushed 8 tons of glass. This past Saturday, which was the grand opening, the machine ground through 1.5 tons of glass and on the previous Saturday, 2 tons.
Rotary members take a moment to pose for a photograph.
Witt stated that Wenatchee has asked if they can bring glass to Chelan for crushing. “It’s becoming a true operation and generating funds,” said Witt. “The machine has more capacity than we would ever use.”
Mayor Goedde suggested that it might be time to place a bottle tax on all wineries. Witt replied that several wineries have donated up to $15,000 towards the project. “Some even pay their workers to work on the machine.” He also mentioned that Mr. and Mrs. Goodfellow donated $20,000 towards the project and that Bob Jankleson has also donated towards the forklift.
Special Presentation:
Executive Director Taylor Sharpe and Officer Sgt. Mallory presented the Council with statistics and information regarding animal control in Chelan.
City Administrator Wade Ferris introduced representatives from the Wenatchee Valley Humane Society who gave a special presentation on Animal Control. Executive Director Taylor Sharp ran through some of the issues facing Animal Control including an increased call volume.
The City contracts with the Humane Society for animal control within the City limits, and so far, in 2021, there have been 36 Chelan cases, mostly “Dogs at Large,” said Sharp. In 2019 and 2020, Animal Control responded to 113 and 96 calls for service respectively. “We are 33 percent over 2019 and 2020 calls,” said Sharp.
The program recently lost two trained officers and are trying to recruit new officers. Some of the issues she reported were a Loss of Trust in the Badge; officers being confronted and threatened with a firearm or knife. “In order to attract and retain quality officers we need competitive wages,” said Sharp.
Pet licensing revenue is on track to equal or exceed 2020’s $2,318 and currently is at $1070 to date.
“We are looking for a 10 to 12 percent increase and will bring an official proposal when the CPI is out. We are asking to continue on a three year contract.
Mayor Goedde used his seat to ask for assistance in corralling or finding the owners of a group of chickens that are running loose in his neighborhood. “Two have already been killed which proves the chicken shouldn’t cross the road,” said Goedde. Sgt. Mallory said he would investigate the chicken incident.
Motion Considerations:
Craig Gildroy, City planner, asked the Council to approve the Mayor to finalize and execute an agreement with Berk Consulting to help with the Planning Department’s permitting overloads. This was passed unanimously.
Jake Youngren, Public Works Director, brought the Lake Chelan Sewer Agreement to the Council for approval. This agreement was discussed at the previous Council meeting and met with the ire of Councilman Peter Jamtgaard who flat stated he wouldn’t vote for it.
The 40 year agreement has been negotiated to meet the following requirements:
• Sewage shall meet all requirements of City’s current NPDES permit and all other State and Federal laws for sewage;
• City to provide facilities, labor, services, and equipmet required to treat and dispose of sewage;
• City shall transport sewage from District Boundary (Lakeside Park Area) to WWTP;
• Volume of flow from District measured at last District sewer pump station Operation of District System;
• City to operate and maintain District sewer system. The District sewer system includes the sewer forcemain, District lift station 1 through 6 and all other District sewer lines located within a recorded easement;
• District to reimburse City for the actual cost of all repairs and maintenance provided by the City on District system Payment for Use of Sewage Treatment Plant;
• Payment prorated based on total operating costs multiplied by percent of District Flow;
• Percent flow determined by dividing total monthly volume of sewage treated at the treatment plant into the volume of sewage passing into the treatment plant as indicated by the District flow meter. Payment for Use of Joint Facilities (Collection System);
• Cost recovery for use of collection system facilities between District and City WWTP;
• Payment prorated based on total operating costs multiplied by percent of District flow Payment for Administrative Costs;
• Prorated based on City’s “administration” costs multiplied by the percent use of the District Payment for Capital Improvements; and the
• District to reimburse City for Capital Improvements on a percent of use basis
“We don’t plan on executing it until (the sewer district) it defines its boundaries a little more clearly,” said Youngren.
John Olson stated that two or three years ago the Sewer District asked the City to take ownership, but that the City refused. “This agreement sounds like ownership,” said Olson.
Youngren said the 40 year term is normal for this type of agreement. “The Lake Chelan Recreation District has a 30 year agreement with us. It can be amended as needed,” explained Youngren.
Servando Robledo asked if the City was liable for the repairs and Youngren replied that the District has its own insurance to cover 100 percent of City services.
Jamtgaard stated he has a lot of concerns about the agreements on both the South and North shores. His major concern is the lack of control or say in either sewer district discharges its waste water into Chelan’s system for that period of time. “I’m going to vote No,” said Jamtgaard. “It needs more study of what we do to plan for the future of the Valley.”
Youngren replied that the agreements are equitable across the board. City Attorney Quentin Batjer stated that these long term agreements comes with leverage in the City’s position.
Tim Hollingsworth stated that his biggest issue is to have all of the South shore hooked into a sewer to protect the lake. “We need to review it every five years.”
The Council voted 5-1 with Jamtgaard voting No. Erin McCardle has an excused absence.
Amendment to Comprehensive Water Plan:
The City has been awarded money for an extension of water to the Airport. Youngren asked the Council to approve an amendment for the Water System Plan by RH2 Engineers.
This also would include the construction of a water reservoir at the east end of Chelan to improve fire flow.
Youngren asked how the City wants to address fire suppression in Chelan and suggested that a larger reservoir at a high elevation would achieve a greater volume of water. “I’m not comfortable with only one pump station serving that area,” said Youngren. He suggested that a ULID by the property owners might be appropriate.
John Olson stated he had heard rumors of water to the airport and Youngren replied that he couldn’t speak to status of funding for that project. Mayor Goedde said that State Legislator Mick Steele said he was coming up with the money which is reportedly $5.7 million to get water to the airport.
Tim Hollingsworth stated that project didn’t seem to be of the highest priority, but Mayor Goedde replied that the money isn’t City money and that it would generate the potential construction of 20 to 30 hangers at the airport which would drive a much larger economic status at the airport. Kenmore Air would like to begin daily service between Seattle and Chelan in the near future.
Three Fingers:
With a Shoreline Substantial Development Permit and preliminary plat approval in hand for the three fingers will require a number of conditions to be met that requires the applicant to improve public lake access, construction of the Lakeside Trail, the installation of viewing platforms at each canal, and the planting of native plants and grass within the walking easement which will be 10 feet wide.
The City will be responsible for the handling of garbage, providing water and snow plowing.
Parking kiosks:
Parks Director Paul Horne told the Council that the Parks’ user interface to pay for parking is out of date. The Parks Department wants to replace the old system with a more intuitive new system on the same pedestals. Hollingsworth asked how long it would take to pay for them. Horne replied, “One weekend.”
The City Council and staff will be holding a workshop on Tuesday, August 6.
Chelan Valley residents attended a Primary Candidate’s forum on Monday evening.
The Lake Chelan Chamber of Commerce hosted a Candidate’s Forum for the upcoming August primary in Manson High School’s Commons on Monday evening, July 19.
Mike Steele, executive director of the Chamber told the assembled Valley residents that each candidate would have two minutes to give an introduction to their candidacy and one minute to answer any written questions and 30 seconds to rebut any challenges to their statements.
The MHS Commons unfortunately has, at least for this journalist, poor acoustics which made it very difficult to understand some of the candidates issues.
School Board candidates:
Eric Nelson (left) and Cole Soreano are challenging each other for the Chelan School Board while Blanca Lehman, Shannon Motley and Allan Torgesen on the right along with Jennifer Pittman, Catherine Willard and Susie Miller Fox are all running for the Manson School Board seat that Jame England is leaving.
Both Chelan and Manson had a number of candidates running for positions on each school’s respective school board. Chelan has seven candidates representing three districts within the School District. They include: Jerry W. Lopez and Erik Nelson – District 3; Stephanie Fuller and Cole Soreano – District 1; and Kristi Collins and Barb Polley – District 2.
Manson has a number of candidates vying for the At Large District 4 position being vacated by Jama England who has served the board for many years. They include: Jennifer Pittman, Catherine Willard, Allan Torgesen, Blanca Lehman and Susie Miller Fox. Greg Neff and Janel Lyman are opposing each other for the District 5 seat.
Since I couldn’t catch all of their introductory comments, suffice it to say that all of these candidates want more transparency. Some running for both the Chelan and Manson boards feel that parents are not being heard and that communication from the board to the parents is crucial to move forward. Kristi Collins running for a Chelan position echoed a lot of what was stated by the candidates. “The school board needs to be responsive and receptive to dialogue. The community has a right to be heard.”
One major issue some parents of both districts have is student masking. The candidates, for the most part agreed that the issue is a tough one but that most of it is state required protocol. Catherine Willard said, “There are two sides to this issue. We need to get the facts out.” Her fear is that non-compliance with state health regulations the school might have to go back to remote learning.
City Council candidates:
Sheri Dietrich (left) is running unopposed for Chelan City Council while incumbent Chris Baker (right) is being challenged for his seat by Madonna Konshuk.
Sheri Dietrich who has served on the Chelan Planning Commission for the past five years is running unopposed. She told the audience that she has learned a lot on the Planning Commission and feels she is ready to serve on the City Council. “We have to protect the Valley and I consider it an honor to serve.”
Madonna Konshuk is running against incumbent Chris Baker who was appointed to Position 3 last year when Ray Dobbs moved out of the City. Konshuk is currently a special education teacher at the Lake Chelan School District, but said she has extensive experience in the construction and development industry which she would like to bring to the Council position.
Before being appointed to Dobb’s council seat, Chris Baker served on the Parks Board for eight months. He owns and operates his own house painting and security company in theValley. His vision is to make sure that growth in the valley is responsible.
Fire Commission:
Fire Commissioner Russ Jones is being challenged by two candidates; Ben Laughlin and Brogan Kelly. Jones has not only served on the commission as board chair, but has been instrumental in helping to bring Marine 71 to the district. Jones just became a Nationally certified EMT and said, “I would like to continue to help more the district forward.”
Laughlin was not present at the forum, but submitted a letter indicating his concerns and issues with Jones. Laughlin, sat on the recent committee discussing the future of the district. If elected, Laughlin would work towards combining both District 7 and 5 together under one fire chief. He would also like to see the communities EMS services moved to the fire district and would also like to rebuild the volunteer base and not hire more career firefighters.
Hospital Commission:
Incumbent Fred Miller is being challenged by Shannon Motley and Lori Withrow for his seat on the hospital commission.
Incumbent Fred Miller, who has now served 30 years on the hospital commission, is being challenged by two candidates: Shannon Motley and Lori Withrow.
Miller, who is an experience commissioner, told the audience that he would like to continue on the commission until the new hospital is completed while Shannon Motley, a self-employed business woman, wants to bring her expertise to the table with new technology and new options for the hospital. “We need a new hospital.”
Withrow, who is actively campaigning in the Valley feels that she would bring her professional background in construction and business management to the table. She told those in attendance that she wants to make Lake Chelan Health a strong institution for the future.
At the end of the forum, Mike Steele reiterated that the Chamber would be holding another candidate’s forum in the fall prior to the general election.
Citizens for Chelan Fire and Rescue held a kickoff meeting for the upcoming Proposition 1 Levy Lid Lift for the District in November at the Chelan Library on Wednesday, July 14.
Steve Clark, a Chelan resident who became involved in the District’s ad hoc committee to discuss and learn about the District’s needs, told the 25+ people in attendance that the meeting is not about politics, but a sharing of information to potential influencers about the levy.
Clark related his feelings that the community within the District is at risk for fire which is one reason he became involved.
Approximately 25 residents attended a Wednesday morning kickoff meeting for the Chelan Fire and Rescue Levy Lid Lift effort by Citizens For Chelan Fire and Rescue.
Bill Bassett stated that the Lid Lift was for an increase of $.30 per thousand. “It will not be higher than $1.10 per $1000 of assessed value,” said Bassett. “As members of the committee we got a two month crash course in our fire department,” said Bassett. “Demand for services are outstripping our ability to serve. The department has had a 21 percent increase serving its 120 square mile district.”
Bill Bassett is a proponent of getting Proposition 1 passed in November.
Currently, the District collects $.80 cents/$1000. “If we don’t pass this levy, the level of service won’t be there.”
John Corbin, who is a retired 31 year veteran of the fire services, said, “We are not adequately protected. We need appropriate staffing.” Relating his year’s of fire experience, Corbin added, “When you see guys like us getting involved, it’s like a shot across the bow.” At the present level of service, Corbin said that the demand is not sustainable. “We are playing with fire right now, pun not intended.”
John Corbin, retired firefighter, spoke about the need to pass Proposition 1 in November.
Corbin said he has always hated scare tactics and never votes for initiatives that ask for money, but strongly stated that this District needs to increase staffing to stay sustainable for the residents. “We want your support as influencers,” said Corbin.
The Levy Lid Lift proposition, if passed by the voters, will carry the Fire District for the next 10 years.
The funds generated by the levy increase will be used to:
Make sure there is an appropriate balance of firefighting and emergency staff, including career, stipend, seasonal, and volunteer personnel.
Keep the current equipment and fire vehicles in good condition to deliver rapid responses to emergencies.
Support the long-term plan to replace aging equipment and fire vehicles in a fiscally conservative manner.
Fund other capital and operational expenses needed over the next decade.
Keeping Chelan Fire and Rescue sustainable as a service to the residents residing in the District requires an increase in operating capital over the next 10 years.
So what does that increase mean to the property owner in actual dollars.
A property value of $250,000 would see an increase of $6.29 per month or $275 per year;
$350,000 would see an increase of $8.80 per month or $385 total per year; $450,000, $11.33 per month/$495 per year; $500,000, $12.58 per month/$550.00 per year; and $650,000, $16.36 per month/$715.00 per year.
The Citizens of Chelan Fire and Rescue are just beginning to get started on a campaign to get Proposition 1 passed on November 2. They will be holding or conducting presentations up until the election. If you have a question or are interested in becoming involved, email crfCitizens4.21@gmail.com
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