End of the year presentations given at Chelan City Council meeting

CHELAN – An array of presentations were given to the Chelan City Council on Jan. 22. Councilmembers were able to learn more about Lake Chelan’s water quality samples, PUD’s strategic plan as well as the 2019 budget for Thrive Chelan Valley.

Before the presentations began, during the public comment portion of the meeting, Stan Morse spoke in front of the council.

“Two weeks ago I filed an F-1 declaration with the Public Disclosure Commission, announcing my intent to run for mayor of the City of Chelan … I may be a good talker. But I promise to be an even better listener,” he said.

His own concerns include fire and fuel load, affordable housing, water rights and soil pollution. “I respect the time and energy each of you commit toward leading this city into what we all hope will be a bright future,” Morse stated.

Councilmembers heard updates on PUD from  General Manager Steve Wright. He went over the current strategic plan and the upcoming items PUD will tackle this year.
PUD’s strategic plan was adopted in 2015, the plan focused on three main goals which included; reducing PUD’s debt, investing in assets and people plus initiating a Public Power Benefit program.

Last year, PUD reached its debt target by reducing it by almost half since 2010, because of this Wright stated that debt reduction will no longer be one of strategic objectives in the years ahead.

In terms of the asset program things didn’t look so good, “PUD uncovered a substantial need for investment in refurbishment and maintenance of its existing hydropower, transition and distribution system and buildings.” Wright explained that there’s more work to be done in respect to their assets.

With the initiation of the Public Power Benefit program, PUD was able to expand Fiber broadband access. At the moment, 74 percent of homes have access to Fiber, however PUD is struggling to get to the last 15 percent.

According to Wright, Chelan is the fastest growing area in our County. Due to this, he informed the council on the possibility of needing a new substation on the South Shore.

Currently land has been acquired for the North Shore substation and in the next 12 months construction will be started with one to two years as turnaround of the project.
Wright reported that PUD is following all guidelines of the environmental conservation plan, while also working towards identifying and achieving energy efficiency.

In February of 2018, PUD conducted a survey based on customer satisfaction 97 percent of those customers were “very satisfied” with the service.

The PUD Board of Commissioners have been looking at the mission, vision and values of PUD and had minor updates based on the strategic plan.

During the next four years, PUD will consider the following issues as they move into the next strategic plan; energy, wholesale power marketing, Rock Island relicensing, infrastructure and aesthetics and electric rates. The key issue PUD will focus on is the continuation of the Public Power Benefits program.

In the upcoming months, PUD will meet with different community members to explore key questions regarding the issues, this will lead into a county wide discussion which will conclude Phase 1 of the strategic plan.

That evening, Phil Long and Mike Kaputa presented the 2018 water quality sampling contribution report.

The long term monitoring program helps research water clarity, nutrient levels and temperature of Lake Chelan. With a budget of $50,000 in 2018, water sampling was possible. The contribution from the City of Chelan of $20,000 helped cover staff time, water quality analysis and consultant support.

Some of the monitoring methods utilized were the Secchi Disc, water sample collection, multiparameter probe for depth profiles and  Fiber optic cable measurement of temperatures.

Such data is collected every month in three main point of the lake, yet Long explain they focus their attention on the deepest part of the lake.

Based on the date collect in 2017 and 2018, during the Spring, Summer and Fall there was an increase in water quality in the lake.

Long also addressed the concern with total phosphorus levels found last year, which were above the 5.0 grams per liter limit. He believes that phosphorus levels increase due to run off from fire materials. Levels above the limit could affect the water clarity of the lake.

The project has had student involvement from Chelan and Manson High Schools as well as Roots Community School.

Thrive Chelan Valley’s executive director gave a brief summary report on Thrive and its budget for 2019. Overall, she stated that the main goal is to expand and grow the Teen Center by providing other resources to the kids in the community, such as tutoring. With a few adjustments, Davis stated that another goal for the Teen Center is to open year-round, instead of just during the school year.

The budget will also cover more training for staff and will also go towards the training of more mentors, this year Thrive wants to have at least 100 mentors available.
Transportation is another big thing, Thrive wants to provide every kid in the area with a chance of going into the Teen Center. Due to this, a chunk of money will help fund local transportation to those kids who don’t have ride to or from the center. Thrive also wants to be able to say “yes” to every applicable Thrive Cares request. With the $20,000 grant from the city, Thrive will reach its goals one by one in 2019.