Tag: lakeside-trail

Farris retires… Chamber presents quarterly report and looks at future

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.

After six years of service as the City’s administrator, Wade Farris has retired. His position will be filled by one of three candidates in the near future.

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.

Executive Director Michael Steele presented the City Council with the Lake Chelan Chamber of Commerce’s quarterly report.

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.”

A number of business owners came the Council meeting on October 28 to support the Chamber.

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.

With Paul Horne’s resignation as director of the Parks Department, his assistant director Audrey Cooper will assume the position as interim director for the rest of the year.

The City’s parking enforcement staff cited 3,000 vehicles throughout the summer months.

This is a visitor distribution map for both Don Morse Park and Lakeside Park showing where they came from over the summer months based on cell phone data.

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.

Bridge jumping concerns an added topic at Chelan workshop

Need a physical therapist… call Lauri

by Richard Uhlhorn

Bridge Jumping:
Bridge jumping wasn’t on Tuesday’s workshop agenda but was brought up during the final comment period at the City of Chelan Workshop.

Bridge jumping has been a right of passage for many local kids, and now it has become a major concern as bridge jumpers include tourists and parents taking photos of their youngsters jumping. The City is looking for a way to shut it down before someone is seriously injured or even killed.

Councilman Tim Hollingsworth who walks across the bridge frequently brought the topic up. “It’s becoming a free for all on the old bridge,” said Hollingsworth. “Somehow we need to come down hard on it.”

Jumping from the Woodin Avenue Bridge has become a ‘Right of Passage’ for many of the kids who defy the law. Signage clearly states that no bridge jumping is allowed, but even parents are encouraging the children to jump while taking photos. There is a $500.00 fine if an individual is ticketed, but the Sheriff’s deputies don’t have the time to monitor this activity.

What began as six to eight local kids jumping has morphed into a dangerous situation where people are spread almost halfway across the bridge.

A j;umper does a flip off the west side of the Woodin Avenue Bridge.

The concern, of course, is that someone is going to jump and land on a boat or other watercraft passing under the structure, seriously injuring or killing someone.

Mayor McCardle asked the Council for some helpful ideas on how to address the issue.

Parking enforcement:
Another issue facing Chelan and in particular, Lakeside Park is the lack of any parking enforcement. The city has had no luck in attracting an individual to fill that summertime position since the last parking enforcement officer left early in the year.

People are taking up parking spaces for well over the three hour limit in downtown and all day at Lakeside Park.

Recycle Center:
Public Works Director Jake Youngren reported that a lot of discussion has ensued since the Recycle Center burned down. “I don’t have much to report on what is happening,” said Youngren. He added that the department is looking to select a consulting team to help explore options to continue to recycle.

The City is looking into a variety of alternatives for the fire destroyed recycling center, but will continue to pick up recyclable materials.

The recycle truck will continue to pick up recycling material while the city looks for an alternative. Also, the 911 Glass Recycling unit was severely damaged in the fire and the Rotary is looking into that issue.

City Clerk Peri Galluccci stated that an insurance adjuster and an investigator are working with the department.

Water and Sewer Rate Fee Study:
Youngren said that the latest rate study for water and sewer has an infinite number of scenarios. He said that Waterville went from a $50 per month charge to $250 per month in one fell swoop. “We are trying to avoid that.”

Public Works Director Jake Youngren

Currently, residents (a family of four) are allowed 7,000 gallons per month which, according to Youngren is pretty generous.

Mark Ericks asked about residents who are just on Social Security. Bob Goedde replied that there is a senior level bracket.

Water and Sewer Rate Study project manager Brooke Tacia of FCS Group updated the Council on the study.

The study, conducted by Project Manager Brooke Tacia of FCS Group, centered around significant changes since the last study in 2018. These changes included increased inflation and delay of large capital projects for both water and sewer treatment plants.

Upcoming revenue requirements include operations and maintenance, debt service and capital costs.

The study is developing a rate plan to balance the city’s financial needs and to minimize customer impacts. The study period covers 2025 to 2029 using the 2024 budget as a baseline.

From 2024 to 2037 the city has $57.4 million in capital projects.

Lakeside Trail update:
City engineer Travis Denham updated the council on the Lakeside Trail between downtown and Lakeside Park. “We are in the permitting process with WSDOT right now,” explained Denham.  

City engineer Travis Denham

The planning phase will be 60 percent complete by the end of August, and the biggest development on the corridor is a proposed speed limit change from 30 mph to 25 mph from the Boat Company to the high school. The planners need to get approval from the State Traffic Engineer. “We understand that people will drive at what they feel comfortable with,” said DOT’s David Kieninger

Two proposed inline bus stops just south of the Boat Company raised some concerns about blocking traffic and the potential for rear end accidents. “It could cause additional congestion. There is a lot going on there,” said Kieninger.

The third issue discussed was the buffer zone landscaping alternatives. Denham stated that the vertical element was being discussed to give a sense of safety to trail users. Hollingsworth thought that the low density alternative was the best. Similar to what’s in place on the trail down to town from the roundabout.

Bob Goedde said, “Let’s not get to crazy building guard rails.” McCardle felt there should be a little more than the low density plantings.

The Lakeside trail project will hopefully begin construction next spring.

Clear Gov:
Finance Director Jackie Tuppling gave an overview of the city’s new website section that is being built with Artificial Intelligence. “This is user friendly way to see the city’s budget expenditures,” she said. “It shows everything and how it is spent.” The system will be available to the public.