community – Page 3 – All Things Lake Chelan

Pioneer fire, home insurance issues, City ARPA funds, Watershed meeting

by Richard Uhlhorn

IN THE NEWS – JUNE 13, 2024

Pioneer Fire update -June 12
The Pioneer Fire 31 miles up-lake from Chelan grew to 1,172 acres after a cold front moved in and contributed to its rapid growth.

Four aircraft and 164 personnel are now assigned to the blaze in steep, rugged land that has dry, dead and downed logs from old fires. According to the incident team, this fire may burn for a long time into the future. NOTE: In July 2001, the Rex Creek Fire burned 60,000 acres.

The incident team is working with private and federal stakeholders to protect assets. Handlines are being cut along the Lakeshore Trail which is closed from Prince Creek to Moore Point. Backpackers can access the trail at Moore Point for the hike into Stehekin.

Home Insurance cancellations:
David Forte, a senior policy advisor with Legislative Affairs Division of the Washington State Insurance Commision, told a large group attending a meeting held at both District 6 and District 5 Fire Stations and on ZOOM, that insurers look a fire load and the structural content of the outside of each building. “They are looking at how likely the home is to ignite,” Forte told the crowd assembled at District 6. “They are looking at both the load and structure fire risks to determine if they want to cover the property or not,” he added.

**A number of concerned citizens attended a meeting at Chelan Fire District to hear from a representative of the**
**Washington State Insurance Commission.**

Brandt Cappell, a candidate for Tiffany Gearing’s County Commission seat, told the audience that the insurance issue is a statewide issue.

One homeowner said, “Can you imagine trying to sell your house and can’t because insurers won’t insure it. This issue is so important to all of us.”

At this juncture, it looks like any relief from insurers will have to go through the Washington State Legislative path.

Chelan City Council discusses use of remaining ARPA funds:
City Administrator Wade Farris opened a second discussion concerning the use of the remaining $233,000 of ARPA funds for the Boys and Girls Club at the Lake Chelan Community Center.

**City Administrator explained the need to allocate the remaining ARPA funds before the end of the year. Once allocated to a project, the City has up to two years to implement.**

Finance Director Jackie Tupling said that $225,000 to the Boys and Girls Club, if approved by Council at its next Council meeting, could only be used for tangible items. “None of those funds ar obligated,” she said. However, she added that the rest of the ARPA funds need to be obligated by the end of 2024.

The Boys and Girls Club have become the Community Center’s anchor client and will pay $8,000 per month ($96,000 per year) on their lease of 10,000 sq. ft. at the Center.

Councilman Brad Chitty, who has worked with the Boys & Girls Club in the past, stated that he feels the funds should come out of the General Fund and initially only be for $100,000 to get them started and that they should look for corporate sponsors. Any funds approved by the Council will be on a reimbursement basis. Chitty said, “I am 100 percent behind the Boys & Girls Club,” said Chitty. “It is a great thing for the community.”

Farris replied to Chitty’s remarks saying that the ARPA funds are available on a reimbursement basis and that this is a great way “for us to support the Community Center.”

Farris added that this funding would help serve a large portion of the community by giving parents a place to take their children before and after school while they were still at work.

Mayor McCardle added it was a way for the City to help the Community Center organization get started. She mentioned ARPA funds that have been used by the Food Bank.

Councilman Mark Ericks asked what the redirection of those funds would mean to the Anderson Road Project. Farris replied that the $200,000 ARPA funding attached to the Anderson Road project was there just in case the project ran over the dedicated $700,000.

Councilman Bob Goedde stated he was all for helping the underprivileged children in the Valley and this would better serve them.

Councilman Tim Hollingsworth said, “I don’t want the City on the hook for $96,000 a year. The more we know about it the better. It is a lot of money.”

Adam Rynd spoke to Hollingsworth’s concerns. “I sit on the board at the Community Center and we have already secured private donations.” Rynd stated the Center will continue to seek more funding through private donations and grants.

Ericks stated that he is a big supporter of the Boys & Girls Clubs but is concerned about on-going expenses. “Somebody has to talk about on-going expenses,” said Ericks. “How are they going to sustain it.”

Watershed meeting:
Water rights for Lake Chelan are still being processed. Nine more water right applications have been released. It is apparently taking a month to process each water right.

Mike Kaputa stated that when Chelan’s, the Reclamation’s and County’s applications come up for review they will all be fighting for the scraps. As soon as Ecology is finished in the Chelan basin, Kaputa hopes they will jump on to the Entiat watershed. “I would like to see them focus on Entiat. It is the third largest watershed in the County,” said Kaputa.

The Lake Chelan Research Institute under Phil Long continues to perform water monitoring, particularly on the near shore. The LCRI has been funded by the PUD for three years for these monitoring efforts.

Residents living on the lake continually ask Long how they get rid of the algae growing on their docks and bulkheads. Long suggested power washing and scrapping. A test site has apparently been scrapped and will be monitored to see if the algae re-grows.

The Eurasian Milfoil invasion has grown from a measly 12 acres several years ago to 400 acres now. Methods to remove it include DASH (diver assisted airlift process) which has been estimated at up to $9 million dollars to remove the milfoil and Curly Pond Weed.

Long explained to the group that the PUD only lowered the water level to 1089 feet above sea level this year which didn’t expose the invasive milfoil and curly pond weed to freezing. “We need a management plan to get funding,” said Long.

Lake Chelan’s DDT Levels are the highest in the nation and more work on this issue is needed. The DDT levels in Lake Trout have that species listed at risk for consumption.

Boat inspections continue to be conducted at Lake Chelan’s five boat launch areas; Mill Bay, Chelan, PUD Launch, State Park and 25-Mile Creek. Steven Lasky is managing that program and Kaputa told him he appreciated the way he is handling the job. The program has six inspectors working.

Bull Trout: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Park Service are apparently working on their final draft regarding the re-introduction of Bull Trout to Lake Chelan tributaries.

Kaputa is following up on this major issue. Bull Trout are an endangered species and if re-introduced to the tributaries, it will forever change the sport fishery on Lake Chelan. Some local fishing guides say it would kill sport fishing in the Valley.

Townhall meeting will take place in Manson on Tuesday, June 18 at the Grange Hall in Manson. This meeting will bring together Manson Community Council, Manson Chamber of Commerce, Manson Park’s District and District 5 Fire District to get input from the community on how they can all work together to get Manson issues resolved.

The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. with Council member Chris Willoughby modertating.

Chelan Parks Plan available for public review

by Richard Uhlhorn

PROS Plan adopted
Chelan Parks Director Paul Horne’s Parks & Recreation Open Space (PROS) Plan was adopted by Chelan City Council at its Tuesday evening regular council meeting. The plan is available for reading on the Chelan Parks website: Parks Planning | Chelan, WA (cityofchelan.us).

Background
The Parks & Recreation Open Space (PROS) Plan provides a long-range planning framework for developing and managing our park and recreation system. Renewing our Parks Plan every six (6) years is necessary for us to remain eligible for Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) Grants, which are a major funding source for parks capital projects across the state. The adoption of this plan will allow the City to be eligible for RCO grants in this year’s grant cycle.

The 300 page document provides for a multitude of public functions as follows:

Recreation
Economic Development
Neighborhood Gathering Spaces
Civic & Cultural Infrastructure
Protection of Natural Resources

“Suffice to say, I think you will be very pleased,” Horne told the Council. “We had over 2,000 interactions with the public. We heard what they said. Parks are important to them.” He added that a one-on-one discussion with the community will be ongoing.

The vote was six to adopt with Bob Goedde abstaining who said he has issues with some of the plan.

Councilman Tim Hollingsworth stated that a lot of work went into the PROS Plan and asked, “What are some of the things you learned,” Horne replied that restrooms and trails were big on the public’s mind. “We need clean, modern restrooms.”

Councilman Terry Sanders complimented Horne on a job well done. “I think we are all on the same page. I appreciate the effort.”

Councilwoman Shari Dietrich said she’d heard a rumor from a resident that the Don Morse Park would be renamed. Horne said that wasn’t true. “We will continue to call the marina Lake Shore Marina and the park, Don Morse Park. He added that Don Morse had a tremendous impact on 1000s of kids years ago. “We don’t ever want to take that away.” Dietrich replied that the resident who raised the question was in panic mode.

Horne will request that an overview of the plan be scheduled with the Council at a later date.

In Other Business:
Public Works Director Jake Youngren had the restj of the agenda tied up with Motion Consderations.

Chelan Highlands LLC. An agreement for improvements to Existing Water Services with the Highland Farms Development. COUNCIL APPROVED
RH2 Engineering, Inc. Boyd Road and Pinnacle Booster Pump Station Evaluation. COUNCIL APPROVED

3, 4, & 5 Andurra Group Professional Services Agreement for Supplemental Engineering Tasks. ALL APPROVED BY COUNCIL

Personnel:
City Administrator Wade Farris reported that the City has still not been able to attract a replacement for John Ajax’s Community Development Director role. Ajax has resigned that position to move back to a Senior Planner position.

Farris reported to the Council that the City was going to rely on local resources and hire Monica Libbey-Ajax in a Senior Planner role. Libbey will be working under the direction of Farris, not Ajax to alleviate any concerns of nepotism. Libbey is a very qualified planner. “We will continue our search for a replacement for John,” said Farris. “He will remain as director until we find someone to replace him.”

Mayor/Council Comments:
Terry Sanders said he appreciated all the work Paul Horne put into his PROS plan
Bob Goedde remarked how nice it was to see all the families and kids having a good time in Chelan over the Memorial Day Weekend.
Brad Chitty thanked the staff for their work and commended Paul Horne on his PROS Plan. “I’m looking forward to community involvement,” said Chitty.
Tim Hollingsworth said he was looking forward to reviewing the entire PROS Plan. He also mentioned that Chelan had two Memorial Day Parades and was hoping it could be narrowed to one which would be held on Memorial Day.
Shari Dietrich remarked that the RV Park is beautifu. “It is a huge visual upgrade,” she said.
Mayor McCardle said there were only 33 law enforcement calls over the Memorial Day weekend which is a huge change from last year’s 300 calls. She also mentioned that the Our Valley Our Future would be kicking off its program next week. She’s looking forward to the community’s input on the Chelan Gorge Park

Airport meeting:
Wade Farris reported that a meeting was held with the landowners affected by the Chelan Airport upgrades. He stated that the Pangborn director brought an attorney to the airport meeting . “I hope it made a difference,” said Farris. He added that he thought it was a good meeting with the landowners.

Mayor McCardle added that the City is not trying to hide anything. “We are doing our best to communicate,”

Upcoming workshop:
Tuesday, June 7 beginning at 4 p.m. in Council Chambers.

Manson Community Council visits numerous issues facing community

by Richard Uhlhorn

Manson Community Forum:
Instead of sending out a Community Survey, the Manson Community Council in association with the Manson Chamber of Commerce, Fire District and Parks Department will hold a live Community Forum at the Grange Hall on June 18, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. “We need to bring the community together,” said Kari Sorenson.

Street Parking Issues:
Chelan County Commissioner Tiffany Gearing told the Council that Chelan County has placed survey markers along Pedoi Street designating County right of way. Many of the residents have infringed on the County right of way and Gearing said, “Letters are being sent out to the property owners.”

The letters are asking the residents to remove any improvements they may have made within the right of way, and if they don’t comply, the County will come through and do it. The residents have until June 3 to comply.

The right of way will be turned into parking. One issue that came up was the residence across the street from the Parks Building that have installed a retaining wall in the right of way. Asked if it would be removed, Gearing said she wasn’t sure.

Gearing was also asked where does the county stop writing notices of right of way violations. Gearing replied, “If it is not causing a problem, we don’t enforce.”

She was asked if the County was considering the Botske problem all the way up. “If they would pull that Island out so trucks can make that turn it would stop them from using Wapato Way,” said one resident. Gearing replied she would look into that.

Sorenson added that she would like to see no boats, boat trailers or overnight parking on Pedoi. “Is that something Manson can get added to the code,” asked Sorenson.

Colville Tribe Plans:
Gearing said she and other county officials took a field trip with the Colville Tribes. “They were great to work with and told us the Casion/Hotel plan was on hold indefinitely.”

“We realize they don’t have to share, but we need to plan around what they are doing,” she stated.

Bob Goedde, Chelan liaison with the Council remarked that the tribe is currently looking at building a casino complex in Tri-Cities where there are 250,000 residents. “They asked us for a letter of support for the Manson casino,” said Goedde. “We asked for more information, but never got more information.”

Gearing also reported that Chelan County was trying to bring back a lumber mill. “The goal is to promote forest health,” said Gearing who added that the DNR, Forest Service and Representative Schier’s office are all on board with the plan.

STR regulations:
Gearing was asked if there had been any changes to the County’s Short Term Rental codes? “Nothing has happened yet,” she said. She said solutions to the code have been discussed and getting rid of some of the irrelevant language in the code. The proposed changes will go to the County Planning Commission in July or August along with a public comment period on any changes proposed.

Stehekin Master Plan:
Gearing also reported that the County was working with the National Park Service, PUD and residents of Stehekin on a Master Plan for the area. “There are so many interest groups making it difficult to manage,” she said.

Chelan liaison:
Chelan Councilman and Manson Community Council liasion Bob Goedde reported on several issues currently on the City’s agenda.

He mentioned the City Parks PROS plan that will be released soon and can be read on the Parks website. The Six Year Transportation plan and the Transportation Benefit District being proposed to the City’s residents.

Agritourism with wineries being allowed to have homestay units or not.

Goedde also mentioned the current Our Valley Our Future program and suggested that the Manson Council appoint someone to the committee.

Regarding Goedde’s efforts to make the old Woodin Avenue Bridge two-way again, Goedde said the difference in Chelan’s transportation woes would be changed dramatically if the bridge was turned back to a 2-way bridge. “It would reduce traffic flow on Johnson and Saunders from 600 vehicles to 400 vehicles.”

Manson resident John Olson however, shot back that idea and explained the entire public process that turned the bridge into a one-way into town. “Eventually someone would be killed which would be a City liability if turned back,” explained Olson. He added that there were engineering reports and council approval to change the bridge to a one-way when Mike Cooney was mayor.

Agritourism:
Brian Patterson brought up the Bluewater Terrace proposal to construct 20 homestay units on land that is not currently in agriculture. He said that the developer, Tim McDonald was led to believe the City code supported his proposal, but that the Hearing Examiner denied the homestay proposal.

**Wine grapes and apple orchards still dot the landscape in Manson.**

The Bluewater Terrace development has led the City planners and Planning Commission to try and rewrite the agritourism code so it will accommodate a much broader development plan. “Hopefully, there is a compromise (code) without completely destroying agriculture,” said Patterson.

Sorenson stated that her family received a bill from Manson Growers after delivering their crop to the warehouse. “Even our blueberries. We can’t sell our blueberries.”

**This view of Blueberry Hills blooming blueberries with apple orchards and new homes dotting the horizon creates an entire new look to the Manson district’s landscape.**

Gearing remarked that the couple who started Chelan Valley Farms came to the Valley to start an agritourism business. “They figured out how to make it work,” she said.

Olson replied that it is going to take some smart thinking. “Every farmer is just hanging on.”

One visitor remarked that people want to keep the trees. “People are going to lose the very reason they are coming here.”

Orchardists are being forced to make hard decisions. Should they keep farming, or should they pull their trees and turn the acreage into housing lots. A new agritourism code that allows reasonable expansion of homestay may be the only alternative for them to stay in the farming business.

Sorenson added, “I don’t know whether we still qualify as a rural village anymore.”

The Manson Community Council meets on the third Wednesday of each month and the community is encouraged to attend. The meetings are held in the Parks Meeting room beginning at 6 p.m.

City to request a .03% increase in sales tax to form a TBD

by Richard Uhlhorn

Transportation Benefit District

Mayor Erin McCardle opened up the Transportation Benefit District (TBD) discussion at Tuesday,’s, May 14, City Council meeting telling the members that they had three options to consider, all of which are sales tax increases of One-tenth of One Percent; Two-tenths of One Percent; or Three-tenths of One Percent.

“Growth and tax revenue has not kept up with inflation,” McCardle said. The TBD funds collected can only be used for transportation projects within the district. The District would only cover the City limits of Chelan.

Chelan Public Works currently has $24 million in identified projects on its Six Year Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). Property tax revenue falls way short of even providing required matching funds for transportation grants.

Cities are constantly looking at new funding sources and the TBDs have been adopted by a number of Washington Cities according to Jake Youngren, public works director.

Sales taxes raised through a TBD in Chelan would be split between residents and visitors to the City with visitors paying over 65 percent. Depending on what level the sales tax rate goes up will determine the amount of funding that could be raised.

In 2023 a TBD would have generated the following amounts per year:

1% 8.4% to 8.5% would have raised $ 405,597
2% 8.4% to 8.6% would have raised $ 811,195
3% 8.4 to 8.7% would have raised $1,216,792

Other funding sources for Street Capital Project Funding are raising the cost of CAR TABS which would have a huge impact on locals. Permit fee increases would be low.

An example of how the additional funding would be used would be preserving Chelan’s 42 miles of roadway. Replacing them would cost 10-times as much. “The cost would far exceed our capacity,” said Youngren.

McCardle stated that Chelan is in the bottom half of the State Sales Taxes collected.

Councilman Tim Hollingsworth asked if the City could justify the higher rate. Youngren replied that they go after transportation grants hard. Hollingsworth then said, “I think the higher amount is justified .”

Councilman Terry Sanders added that because people are tax adverse it’s up to the City to let them know what the options are. Bob Goedde added that he felt the people will understand the need and used the LINK Transit successful tax increase as an example.

Finance Director Jackie Tupling stated that it is important to drive home the 65%+ that visitors would be contributing to the fund.

Goedde feels that the City can do a great job of informing the public.

The City Council unanimously approved a motion to seek a .03% sales tax increase to form a Transportation Benefit District.

Marine Patrol Deputy Churchill honored at City Council

by Richard Uhlhorn

Tuesday evening’s, April 9, City Council meeting had a number of interesting items on the agenda. In particular was the presentation of Garrett Churchill’s Marine Patrol Officer of the Year Award and Parks Director Paul Horne’s PROS Plan (Parks & Recreation Open Space)update which will be covered separately.

Marine Patrol Award:
Sgt. Rob Huddleston requested that the Sheriff allow him to have the Washington State Marine Patrol Officer of the Year be recognized at the Chelan City Council meeting.

**Deputy Garrett Churchill accepts his plaque as Marine Patrol Officer of the Year from**
**State Parks representative Brian Alexander**

Sgt. Huddleston has been involved with the Marine Patrol on Lake Chelan for a number of years. “I’ve supervised and been involved for a long time,” said Huddleston. “Lake Chelan is a pretty unique place.

Deputy Garrett Churchill put his name in to patrol Lake Chelan. “He took the job head on. Some people think it is the best job in the world and that patrol officers just have fun hanging out on the lake,” he said. He added that after eight or more hours on the lake is a tough assignment.

“To accomplish what he did takes a special person to do that.” Huddleston said. “The State Parks runs the marine patrol.” Huddleston then introduced State Park representative Brian Alexander.

State Parks representative pointed to a plaque that will hang in the State Parks office honoring various individuals for outstanding work. Deputy Garrett Churchill’s name was engraved on the plaque for his work as a Marine Patrol Officer of the Year.

Alexander stated that Churchill took his work in the marine patrol seriously. “He started out on probation and rose to No. 1. He deserves this award.” Alexander said that the program emphasizes education. There are 39 municipalities involved in the marine program and Alexander said, “Garrett is a great example of what we are looking for.”

Citizen Comments:
John Olson shared recent information he has gathered or seen in the news media with Chelan City Council on March 9.

**John Olson, past city councilmember, addressed the Council with several concerns and issues facing the City and Communilty.**

Butte meeting – Over 100 attended. “The developers are proposing a Hawks Meadow style development,” said Olson who is constantly lamenting the fact that there are no more public access points to Lake Chelan except for the proposed micro street end parks.

He remarked that the State budgeted the property tax returns as one percent per year. “Our state leaders shunted the one percent property tax increases per year onto the Cities.

He mentioned an article in the Wenatchee World about a pear orchardist in the Wenatchee Valley who has cut out six acres from his orchard for residential development to stay in the agriculture business. He told the Council that Community Development Director John Ajax has been struggling with the Ag-Tourism issue and asked Olson what he thought. Olson stated that with farms disappearing, it was development of agriculture tourism, i.e. vineyards or subdivisions.

Chelan’s Earth Day Celebration is coming up on April 20 in Riverwalk Park. Mayor Erin McCardle read an Earth Day Proclamation into the record.

**Mayor Erin McCardle read the Earth Day Proclamations into the record at Tuesday’s City Council meeting. Earth Day will be celebrated in Chelan on Saturday, April 20.**

Motion considerations:

Berger Professional Services agreement for Lakeside Park:
Parks Director Paul Horne introduced Jason Henry of Berger Partnership to provide an update of the 60% design progress on the Lakeside Park Project

**Parks Director Paul Horne had a number of motions on the agenda at Tuesday’s meeting.**

Henry stated that the company still needed to advance the design of the project. “We are working with the RCO (Recreation and Conservation Office).” The RCO is offering a little more money to help with upgrades at the restrooms and swimming area. He said they should have it completed by 2025.

Shoreline Watercraft, a City concessionaire, offers boat and personal watercraft rentals at Lake Chelan Marina.

Berger will provide design development, construction and bid documents and interface with the RCO to provide any materials still needed for the grant award which should happen in the next several months. Berger will also handle the bidding and construction administration until the end of the project.

The council approved the continuation of the Berger Partnership Professional Services Agreement along with the Lakeshore Marina Seasonal Moorage Agreements and the Rally Alley2024 to 2028 Concession Agreement

The Council unanimously approved amending the Municipal Code Section 13.12.050 to include Commercial Facilities. What this amendment does is allow commercial businesses waivers for 24 months on utility bills in case of fire or other disasters. The existing ordinance only addressed residential properties. Commercial entities like the recent fire at the Apple Cup will apply until the business comes back on line.

The Council also authorized the Mayor to finalize and execute the Beckwith Consulting Professional Services Agreement for the Imagine Downtown Revitalization Project Design.

The Proposed design scope includes the following tasks:

Task 1 – Initiate Work · Conduct project start workshop · Complete topographical survey – Task 2 – Pre-design to 30% · Condition assessment · Street design elements · Parking lot walkway connection · New canopy street tree pit locations · Impact on existing streetlights · Alternative concepts · South Parking Lot on Wapato Avenue · Review with stakeholders/Council · Cost estimates and schedules – Task 3 – Design to 60% Woodin Avenue · Based on the results of Task 2, we will complete design to 60% of Woodin Avenue from Columbia to Sanders Streets including alternative palette selections. · Align ordinances governing overhead canopies, outdoor dining areas, a[1]frame signage, benches, sidewalk displays, potted plants, and other business and property owner improvements and furnishings with expanded sidewalk widths. · Cost estimates · Community impact · Survey public on palette themes · Review with stakeholders/Council · Bid booklet – Task 4 – Design to 90% Woodin Avenue · Complete set of contract documents · Specifications · Updated cost estimates · Construction scheduling alternatives · Construction permit applications · Review with Council · Further develop drawings and specifications in accordance with Chelan standards – Task 5 – Design to 100% Woodin Avenue · Final set of contract documents · Final specifications · final cost estimate · Selection of construction scheduling alternatives · Construction permit approvals · Construction impact mitigations · Review with Council · Bid Advertisement – Task 6 – Bidding Assistance · Pre-bid meeting attendance · Addenda preparation and issuance · Bid analysis – Task 7 – Construction Support · Pre-construction meeting attendance · Progress Meetings · Inspections

Parks Director Paul Horne presented the Parks & Recreation Open Space (PROS) Plan to the Council which will be covered under a separate article.

The next City Council Meeting will take place on April 23 beginning at 6 p.m.

Chamber director presented 2023 statistics to Chelan Workshop

by Richard Uhlhorn

Mike Steele, executive director of the Lake Chelan Chamber of Commerce, presented an overview of the Chamber’s business to the City Council and Chelan staff at the City’s workshop on Tuesday, April 2.

**Mike Steele, Chamber director, presented the Chelan councilmembers and staff statistics from 2023.**

Steele told the workshop that the Chamber operates as a non-profit organization 501(c)3. He described how the Chamber utilizes lodging taxes (3% lodging tax for every head that hits a bed in Chelan) With a 1,000 hotel rooms in the Valley (not including STRS which also pay the 3% lodging tax) and the funding he receives from Chelan County’s 3% tax), Steele said, “This funding is designed to attract tourists.”

Currently, the Chamber is working for the second year in a row without a contract with the City. The City Council, which had one year to create a new contract with new criteria, authorized $700,000 for the Chamber to use this year. Another $±400,000 comes from the County’s 3% fund.

“Our visitor profile is pretty robust,” said Steele. “We see 8,000 to 9,000 people per day.”

His presentation entitled the Economic & Visitor Profile for 2024 included all the statistics for 2023 as follows:

The Chamber serves over 400 members
5.3 million visitors to the Valley in 2023
4.1 million visitors came to the City
1.3 million visitors visited Manson
The City’s service and accommodation workforce is 26% of the population. (Many travel from other communities to work in Chelan.)
There are 1,075 hotel rooms in the Valley. STRs are not included in this number,
$2.1 million dollars is generated from lodging taxes inside the City Limits.

The Chamber generated 15,302,710 reach on all of its platforms and website as follows:
     1. – Facebook, 42,000 followers
     2 – Instagram, 15,600
     3 – TikTok, 709
     4 – X (the old Twitter, 4,000
     5 – Subscribers, 45,907
     6 – Website generated 144,501 page views in 2023.

The Chamber spent $400,000 on marketing efforts last year and another $150,000 on staff.

July and August are the two highest visitor months in the Valley.

The Chamber distributes thousands of visitor guides, local maps and business brochures and manages local ticket sales for local non-profit fundraisers and events.

The Chamber distributes opt-in visitor guides across the United States and Canada. It assists with school projects and internships. Hosts community and non-profit events. Offers free conference room space for its members.

For more information on the Lake Chelan Valley visit the Chamber website at Lakechelan.com.