by Richard Uhlhorn
City Administrator retirement:
City Administrator Wade Farris attended his last official city meeting at the Tuesday evening City Council meeting. He was praised for his six years of service to the community.
Farris’ accomplishments included guidance on infrastructure development, Chean Airport business which is still ongoing with negotiations with the Port.
“Wade has had a remarkable career and leaves a lasting impact on the community,” said Mayor Erin McCardle.
Farris was honored with a retirement party at Wheatland Bank on Wednesday evening where an estimated 50 City staff, councilmen, business owners, other agency personnel and friends gave him a send off.
Farris will continue to help the city’s new administrator get settled.
Special Presentations:
Mayor McCardle read several proclamations into the record including one for First Responders. Public Works personnel respond to emergencies throughout the year, but in particular, during wildfires and other natural disasters. She stated the importance of Public Works and other emergency first responder services and declared October 28 First Responders day.
Mayor McCardle also read into the record the annual Arbor Day Proclamation
Chamber Update:
Lake Chelan Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Mike Steele was on hand to give is quarterly report on chamber activities.
He started his presentation by saying, “We are very proud of the work that we do.” Steele has been the chamber director for 20 years.
He explained that the chamber is funded through the City’s 3% bed tax, Chelan County tourism dollars, membership dues, sponsorships and advertising.
Steele also reminded the council that the chamber is not just handed $750,000 from the city, but that it has to pay out-of-pocket expenses from Chamber funds and/or its Line of Credit after which they can request payment from the city after it has reviewed the warrants. “We don’t get a check,” said Steele. “We have to pay up front.”
Steele presented the chamber’s marketing strategy and what it plans on doing this winter. Obviously, the chamber will be advertising its Winterfest event but Steele also mentioned doing more with Echo Valley and Echo Ridge.
The Chamber sends out weekly and monthly news to its members and others. “We send out 30,000 monthly updates.”
“There is always a lot of conversations about community building,” said Steele. McCardle stated that the chamber’s efforts have been successful.
Zoning Code Amendment – co-living and ADUs:
Community Development Director John Ajax led a public hearing on the State mandated Growth Management Act (GMA) changes.
The updates to the Chelan Municipal Code are intended to increase housing options and affordability. The new regulations for co-living housing and a mandated requirement for cities to allow at least two ADUs on all lots zoned for single family homes.
Tim Hollingsworth said he hoped the new requirements will inspire more living opportunities for the community’s citizens. Mark Ericks feels it will be a positive move but still has issues with parking. Jon Higgins asked about square footage which is 1,200 sq. ft. per ADU. Ajax said, “They can’t go below 1,000 sq. ft.” Terry Sanders echoed Erick’s comment about parking and wondered how it may affect parking.
There were no public comments.
Motion Considerations:
A. – Lake Chelan Airport Joint Operating Agreement entered into its seventh amendment. City Administrator Farris stated that the Port wants to extend the negotiations to December 31. “We are pretty close to an agreement,” said Farris. The current JOA expires on October 31.
B. – The council unanimously approved a $53,100 prosecution agreement that is based on the $300.00 per case rate from previous years.
C. – The council approved an expenditure of $53,600.00 Cascade Heating to replace two existing rooftop heating, ventilation and air conditioning units at City Hall and the Sheriff’s Office. “It costs a lot of money,” said Farris. “But in the long run it will save us money.”
D. – Z Electric LLC Bid was accepted by the council to retrofit and upgrade the existing lighting systems to high efficiency LED technology at City Hall, the Library, 100 Building, the Water Treatment Plant, and the Wastewater Treatment Plant
The goal is to reduce energy consumption, lower operating costs, and improve lighting quality. This project will take advantage of the Chelan PUD’s Energy Efficiency Rebate Program.
E. – City Council unanimously approved a not to exceed $125,630 Additional Services Addendum (ASA) to Ardurra Group Inc. to provide the scope and fee for the completion phase of the SR150 Sewer Main Replacement Project. The following additional services are as follows: 1. Project Coordination; 2. Design Services; and 3. Bid Support.
F. – Transpo Group has been approved by the City Council to help with the 2026 Comprehensive Plan Update. Transpo Group will provide project management, coordination and engagement, existing conditions inventory, travel forecasts and needs, plan development, and implementation at a cost of $125,000+.
Brad Chitty remarked that it is a pretty small scale of what they are looking at. City Engineer Travis Denham said. “We are looking at Manson’s population growth.” Mayor McCardle added that the Woodin Avenue Bridge project has been separated from this project.
Chitty said if the bridge is not a part of the project, is it being taken into account. Denham replied that the bridge will end up operating as a one-way or two-way.
G & H – PUD Interlocal Agreements. Denham reported that the PUD and City are entering into Interlocal Agreements to discharge wastewater from Chelan Falls PUD Park, Powerhouse Park and the Chelan Falls Fish Hatchery to the City’s Wastewater Treatment Plant.
In addition to the discharge the City and PUD have worked out a Lift Station No. 1 Project Contribution to improve that aesthetic and architecture components at the site which is located at the northeast end of Riverwalk Park. The council approved the Mayor to finalize
Construction on the Lift Station will begin in the summer of 2026.
2025 Finance Qtr. Three report:
In-coming Finance Director Heidi Neal Evans reported that sales taxes are lower and lower while city expenditures are increasing. “It is a perfect storm, if you will,” she told the council. As of September, sales tax revenue totaled $1,871,817 compared to 2024’s revenue of $1,982,343, a decrease of $110,526. With early fall collection months remaining Evans reported that the City is on pace for a budget expectation of $2,517,881 by the end of the year.
Councilman Brad Chitty said that there are a lot of cause and effects to seeing shortfalls. “Part of my job is to look at these things,” said Chitty. He added that it might be time to make some hard decisions like adding fee schedules for public works and the possibility of adding utility costs to customers.
Evans did report that park revenues are up over last year. Parks revenue over all departments was at $4,206,284 at the end of September.
Evans also reported that wages have increased from $5,400,000 to $10,423,000 over the past five years.
Overall lodging tax (2% and 3%) revenues are also on track to exceed the 2025 budget expectations.
Boys & Girls Club MOU:
Communications Director Chad Coltman reported to Council that there has been no change to the Memorandum of Understanding with the Boys and Girls Club which is a two year partnership between the City and the Club to provide year-round recreational sports and a youth development programs for Chelan kids aged 5 to 18.
The City’s annual contribution is $45,000 and is included in the 2026 budget. The decision to continue will be addressed at the next City Council workshop.
2025 Parks Communication Plan:
Assistant Parks Director Audrey Cooper reported in Director Paul Horne’s absence that a lot of effort went into the 2025 communications plan. “The security team provided daily reports to us,” said Cooper. Out of 1,000 security contacts at the City’s parks, Cooper reported that only three instances required Chelan County Sheriff intervention.
The City’s parking enforcement staff cited 3,000 vehicles throughout the summer months.
Mayor McCardle remarked from the parks attendance data, that the activity at Lakeside Park changed dramatically. “It became family friendly and the BBQ crowd moved to other areas.”
Administration reports:
City Engineer Travis Denham told the Council that the Lakeside Trail contractor is in the paving mode of the construction and hopes the weather will cooperate so it can be finished up.
Assistant Parks Director Audrey Cooper told council that the Lakeside Park renovation is on schedule.
City Administrator Wade Farris remarked that he has had a remarkable life and career. He also said ending up in Chelan as his last stop has been a pleasure. “The council and mayor have been incredibly involved.”
Mayor/Council comments:
Terry Sanders asked Denham if there would be any more traffic controls on the Lakeside Trail construction. Denham replied that there might be a couple of hours, but essentially traffic control will end when the paving is complete. Sanders also mentioned that difficult discussions will have to be made during the upcoming budget hearings.
The rest of the council members all congratulated Wade Farris on his tenure and retirement. Mark Ericks thanked him for his service to the country and the city.
Mayor McCardle reminded the council that a workshop would be conducted on the 11th and the final budget hearing on December 9.
She then told Farris that she couldn’t say enough about his service to the city. “Your leadership is exceptional and you are leaving this place a better place then when you arrived. You will be missed.”
She then congratulated councilman Brad Chitty for receiving his advanced certification from the Association of Washington Cities.
NOTE: Parks Director Paul Horne has tendered his resignation and in his absence from the department, Audrey Cooper will serve as the interim director through the rest of the year.
All Things Lake Chelan 