Tag: commission

CHELAN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS HOLD CONSTITUENT MEETINGS

by Richard Uhlhorn

Approximately 18 residents attended Commissioner Brad Hawkins and his department heads for an update on county issues.

Chelan County Commissioners held constituent meetings in each of their districts with Commissioner Brad Hawkins meeting with his district residents on October 1 at the Chelan Fire Hall.

Brad Hawkins

In his opening remarks, Hawkins stated that 80 percent of the county is publicly held. “A small percentage is in private hands,” stated Hawkins. He told the 20 people In attendance that the county is still working on its 2027 budget. “Public safety is about half of our budget,” he said

Hawkins doesn’t feel that the Forest Service has done a good job in Manson and Chelan for two decades. “We need significantly more investment in forest management,” said Hawkins. “We need a quick response to put fires out rapidly.” He added that the federal government has been great to work with. “They have been very responsive.”

Mike Kaputa, Deanna Walter and Eric Pierson

He introduced his three department heads to the attendees including Deanna Walter – Community Development; Eric Pierson – County Engineer; and Mike Kaputa – Department

Eric Pierson

Eric Pierson remarked on the construction work that has been done in Manson. Currently the county is conducting a survey on school safety access for students and last year received a federal grant to study evacuation routes in case of an emergency situation. “Manson is a very special place,” state Pierson.

Deanna walter

Deanna Walter stated that her department handles all building permits. “We have to be familiar with all five segments of the process… it’s a tough chore. We are also the liaison for code enforcement.”

She added that the department is close to finishing its annual Comprehensive Plan Update required by law. She said that the department is committed to a 10 day period for building permits.

She also stated that there are still opportunities to comment on the comprehensive plan. Hawkins added that there are still a lot of opportunities to comment on the plan.

Mike Kaputa

Mike Kaputa stated that his department is working on a number of programs and projects including Stehekin’s Community Plan and with the National Parks Service on the valley’s road issues.

“There is a lot of work going on in Lake Chelan too,” said Kaputa. He mentioned the $130,000 grant to study the woody debris situation in the lake. “We are expecting to come up with a plan on how to handle it in the future.”

In addition to that issue, the Natural Resource Department in conjunction with the Lake Chelan Collaborative is working on a variety of lake issues including a plan to keep invasive aquatic species from the lake. Water supply has also been an ongoing issue. “That little slice of water left is being gobbled up.” Currently, there is approximately 5,000 acre feet left out of the 65,000 acre feet deeded for public use by the PUD.

Brad Hawkins answered a question by Chelan Fire Commissioner Mark Donnell on where the county is on Tax Increment Areas (TIA). Hawkins stated that the Malaga issue with the Port District is huge. “The potential impact on county revenue is large,” said Hawkins. “That is why we have to come up with an agreement. We are challenging their (Port) formation. It is a very complicated situation.” Deanna Walters added that a city or county can only have two tax districts

A question was raised about the disposition of the Lake Chelan Barge land out at Moonlight Bay. Walters said the issue was a DOT issue. “They didn’t want to grant the barge company access off the highway,” she said. The barge company has an emergency permit to use the land because of the on-going wildfire issues up-lake requiring major barge service. “The Holden road issue will continue the emergency permit into the future.”

County contacts:
If you have a question for the county, here is the contact information:

Commissioner Meetings
The commission meets on Monday and Tuesday. Monday’s meeting begins at 9 a.m. with public comments shortly after the beginning. Tuesday’s meeting begins at 9:30 a.m. in board chambers, 400 Douglas Street, Wenatchee.

The weekly agenda, board packet and ZOOM login are available on Friday before the meetings on the commissioners webpage: co.chelan.wa.us/board-of-commissioners.

The county is active on social media, including Facebook, Instagram and on its YouTube channel.Public Information Office
If you have a question, you can email or call the county’s public information officer, PIO Jill FitzSimmons who can be reached at jillm.fitzsimmons@co.chelan.wa.us or by telephone at 509-667-6545.



CHELAN FIRE SEATS NEW COMMISSIONER AND HIRES SAFER GRANT ADMINISTRATOR

by Richard Uhlhorn

Chelan Fire and Rescue’s Fire Chief Brandon Asher swore in Jim Edinger as its new fire commissioner. Edinger was one of three who applied to take over the commissioner seat vacated by Ron Simmons.

According to both Russ Jones and Mark Donnell, Simmons has never given a reason for his sudden departure. “You know as much as we do,” said Donnell who had asked if I had reached out.

In a telephone conversation with Russ Jones to get a better understanding of the TIF (Tax Increment Financing) issue, Jones said the department had three equally qualified candidates for Simmon’s seat; Jim Edinger, Dave Reinhart and John Gordon. “It was nice to have some really good candidates to choose from,” said Jones.

Asked what Edinger’s experience was, Jones stated that his management experience was what impressed the department. “We felt his management experience can help us.” Edinger has no experience with fire.

Kari Desser

In addition to Edinger, the department has retained long time volunteer, Kari Desser to administer the SAFER grant.

SAFER grants fund fire departments and volunteer firefighter organizations directly to help increase fire safety capacity in their communities.

Chelan Fire and Rescue will be celebrating 100 years in April, 2026

Reports:
Funding has been reallocated by the Legislature for homeowners fuel reduction.

Chief’s report:
Chief Brandon Asher reported that the average response time from Station 71 is 2.24 seconds for the chief and 3.30 for fire trucks.

Financials:
Year ending financials were not ready to report. However, Asher told the commission that the department was 3.6% over budget. Overtime was normal at about $7,000.

Donnell asked Asher to find out which districts haven’t been reimbursed yet for their participation in the state mobilization program. “Let’s see where it stands.”

Chelan Fire and Rescue has not been reimbursed for their work on the 2024 Pioneer Fire. “We’ve already been paid for our mobilization on the December floods and the Pomas fire.”

TIF issues:
Russ Jones reported that the department has to write a check to the city for $30,000. In the telephone conversation with Jones to better understand the TIF, he stated that the assessor informed the department that it had to pay the $30,000. “Last Friday was the first time we heard we would be writing a check,” Jones said.

Commissioner Russ Jones explains his work on the Tax Increment Financing scheme playing out in the City’s designated TIF area that takes in the new development and construction at Apple Blossom Center.

Two years ago, the city had told the department that no harm would come to the Fire Department and Hospital District. “The TIF is difficult to understand,” said Jones. “It all boils down to my current understanding until something changes.”

The ongoing battle over the Malaga TIF is still in negotiation. Jones reported that the Wenatchee Fire Department has proposed that the TIF not take any money from its department from new construction and that if they have a levy lid lift, that increase would also not go to the Port.

Jones reported that $330 million dollars in new construction over the next five+ years will cost the district approximately $250,000 to TIF. “We have to spend more time with the city,” said Jones.

MAPPING:
A mapping draft will be released by April 1. The department is working on agreements with both Grant and Okanogan counties for fire response. “We just want everyone to come,” said Asher.

Assistant Chief report:
Shaun Sherman reported that Chelan 7 has 11 recruits attending the current fire academy.

The department has four new candidates and has had no loss of volunteer membership.

Seasonal hires:
Each year the department hires seasonal firefighters to augment the busy season. “We are getting people in line earlier this year,” said Asher. Jones added that having seasonals on board cuts down on overtime. Asher added that the major purpose of seasonal hires is to cover the department during wildfire season.

“Last year the seasonals made the department $28,000,” Asher reported. The department is seeking to hire four additional personnel this season.

Chelan Fire and Rescue looking to hire two more firefighters

by Richard Uhlhorn

Fire Department
Chelan Fire and Rescue wants to add two more career firefighters to their roster. “It doesn’t effect our budget if we were to hire two more firefighters,” Chief Brandon Asher said. He added that the department has more funds expected to come in.

Assistant Chief Shawn Sherman and Fire Chief Brandon Asher requested that the commissioners approve the hiring of two new career firefighters at a cost of $300,000.

Commissioner Russ Jones said he would rather wait one year before adding those firefighters, but both Commissioners Mark Donnell and Karyl Oules stated they would like to see the additional firefighters on staff in 2025. “I would like to see them hired in 2025,” said Donnell. “It’s the cost of doing business.”

Commissioner Russ Jones wanted to delay the hiring until 2026 but both Mark Donnell and Karyl Oules want them to be hired in 2025.

Chief Asher added that they would be able to help the department yearround. Donnell’s argument for the hires was the ability to provide the necessary fire service. “We also need to get them into the Fire Academy,” said Assistant Chief Shaun Sherman. Asher reiterated that the additions would provide service to the community and that it would reduce overtime hours being paid out.

Commissioner Karyl Oules said she would like to see the department move forward with the hiring.

Jones reminded them that a final decision on the budget was not made yet.

Fire chief report:

  • 10/5/24 – Brush fire
  • 10/9/24 – Structure fire in Manson
  • 10/13/24 – Third alarm call for a brush fire in Squlchuck
  • 10/14/24 – Motor vehicle rollover south side of Tunnel
  • 10/19/24 – Brush fire in Manson

Asher reported that the Chelan Fire Protection Plan was still being updated. “It will open up high dollar grant opportunities,” said Asher.

Assistant chief report:
Chief Sherman reported that the Apple Cup burn on November 9 had just under 50 people involved. “It was a huge effort.” Sherman and Rayner Baker, Manson’s Training Officer work in conjunction to make sure the effort was successful. He thanked the commissioners for their support.

Forty seven firefighters participated in the Apple Cup training burn on November 11.

Asher remarked that a lot of residents came out to watch the event and Oules said she had talked to a lot of residents watching. “People were really positive,” she said. “It was a winner.”

Sherman recognized Belcher as his Incident Commander during the fire. “He performed admirably in that role,” said Sherman.

The two districts are looking to add a Volunteer Coordinator position. “I’ve had a meeting with Chief Baker and Rayner. We both have needs.” The volunteer coordinator position would open up a better level of training for the two districts.

“My goal is to open the door for what’s going to happen in the next several years,” said Sherman. “The doors not slammed shut with District 5 anymore.”

Firefighters Association:
Ron Simmons stated that the association raised $500 for the VFW from the burn. “Right now, we are

Unfinished business:
The Tax Incremental Financing (TIF) war between the fire district and city continues to be an issue. “What we are going to need is the ability to handle calls,” said Asher. The most recent mitigation proposal has the fire department amortizing calls to the TIF area for the past 25 years.

Jones asked if the property tax base would go back to the one percent at the end of the TIF. It was noted in the discussion that no one has put a legal challenge to a TIF. “I don’t want to see it get to that point,” said Asher.

The city would like to see the number of calls into the TIF area. “We have no information on this year, but it was about 20 over the past few years.”