Friday, March 29, 2024

City Council discusses old bridge, funds, during work session

Posted

CHELAN – Council members commenced a work session Tuesday, Nov. 7, at City Hall to discuss capital and special requests.
In discussing capital requests, the Woodin Avenue bridge financial overview was brought into focus. After the previous council meeting, three potential lighting additives were brought to the attention of City Engineer Jake Youngren.  The three lighting proposals included a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFI) receptacles on each light pole, a LED strip light that would cover the length of the railings, and lighting for the piers. “They all came back more than I would’ve anticipated, but the one that was of most interest was the (GFI) receptacles,” said Youngren. “The receptacles would be more utilitarian,” added Mayor Mike Cooney, and provided the annual bridge dance as an example for the use of the GFI outlets. The receptacles would cost approximately $55,000 for construction and installation of the receptacles. “This isn’t a common application on a bridge,” explained Youngren, “but it’s a unique situation.” During the work session, councilmembers and city staff also discussed talking to Historical Downtown Chelan Association (HDCA) about the possibility of partnering in the bridge project.  
Moving the topic to special requests, new funding requests from Chelan County Housing Authority were received for video surveillance at the Chelan Gardens location; Chelan Valley Hope requested a percentage of lodging tax fund for temporary/emergency placement costs; Chelan Senior Center requested funds for parking lot safety railings in the handicap parking at the Senior Center; and Chelan Historical Museum requested funds for upgrading of their computer network and databases.
Continued funding requests received from Habitat for Humanity; Okanogan County Transport & Nutrition (Senior Meals); Thrive Chelan Valley requested continued funds plus some additional; and HDCA requested $20,000 from the City of Chelan. After reviewing each request individually,
Council and city staff decided to leave the four fund requests that are already established in the budget, but will request more information on the new funding requests and will revisit these requests after the first of the year.
During the city council meeting, on Tuesday, Nov. 14 at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers, a Comp Plan Ordinance was discussed for consideration, for inclusion of any recent changes to the 2018 Comprehensive Plan. In the Warehouse-Industrial (WI) zone, at Apple Blossom Center, Planning Director Craig Gildroy stated that he has received a proposal from Weidner, for the construction of apartment complexes at that location. This complex would hold up to 250 units with approximately 30 units per acre. “If that comes to fruition, the apartment complex development at Apple Blossom,” began Mayor Cooney, “it’ll do several things – it might stem the tide of other development … it might have some play on what’s going to be coming down the road for development, if housing comes in,” he concluded, “it may have a ripple effect,” added Craig Gildroy agreeably.

Chelan, council, workshop, old bridge, woodin

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here