Water pumps, roads, budget dominate council meeting

CHELAN – On June 12, the Chelan City Council meeting was short and sweet compared to the last meeting in which the council met for four hours.

Before official business started, Mayor Mike Cooney, asked the attendees to give a moment of silence in memory of Steve Kline, who passed away earlier this month and who was an active community member involved in park and recreation projects.

The first thing on the agenda was a public hearing for a Six Year Transportation Improvement Plan, which will aid the local community. In charge of delivering the proposal was Jake Youngren, Public Works Director, the plan is a living document and it gets modified every year. This document is required and it helps receive state and federal funding in transportation projects. “In my tenure here I have noticed that transportation projects have been more meaningful … they are important projects that I hope we address over time,” said Cooney.

Another important item the council touched on, was the remodeling of two booster pumps in local neighborhoods. The council approved to provide the City the sum of $53,900 to pay for the construction management and services involved with the Highlands Booster Pump Station project. The amount was accounted for and included in the city’s 2018 budget. Public Works is planning on removing the standby generator from the site. They have been communicating with the residents who live near that pump who are asking for a better water system.

The main booster pump station for the Northshore community,  Darnell’s Booster Pump, will receive electrical modifications. For this project, an auxiliary generator will be added along with switch gear to easily reboot such station in case of a power outage. Darnell’s is getting such renovations due to last year’s wild fires in Chelan. Work on this pump will start in July.

Finance Director Cheryl Grant, presented the council with the 2018 summary budget. The six page report covered available funding for Capital Projects, the Woodin Avenue Bridge Project, bonding options and Real Estate Excise Tax (REET). The City’s most  expensive project at the moment is the Woodin Avenue Bridge Project, which has caused a shortfall on the budget of $868,721. However an additional water cap of $184,831 and an additional bonding of $600,000 will bring the balance down to $94,090. The council is not too worried about the funds because the REET numbers look promising the next few years. “I am so thrilled about the bridge being fixed ... I can just see people walking down the bridge. It is going to make our downtown larger and more beautiful,” said Mayor Pro Tem Wendy Isenhart.

Other items covered:
• Public Records Request Policy Resolution No. 2018-1346. GovQA is an online website that allows an citizens greater access to official records.
• Sewer Lift Station Upgrades Professional Services Agreement for Construction Management - This agreement will cover the construction and management support services for the PUD Boat Launch Lift Station (Lift Station No. 16) and Lift Station No. 10. The council authorized the Mayor to finalize and execute the agreement with Gray and Osborn Engineers for the Sewer Lift Station Upgrades Project for $59,500.
• CCSO Law Enforcement Services 2018 First Quarter Report
Sergeant Chris Foreman provided the council with a report for the first months of 2018.
January – A couple DUIs, Felony and 10 collisions in the city.
February – Five collisions and Walmart Shoplifting, 1 vehicle theft.
“These few months have been slow, but with summer coming around it will get busier,” Foreman said.
Currently, law enforcement is working with the Chelan School District Superintendent Barry DePaoli to figure out a solution for the Morgen Owings Elementary street crossing due to high volume traffic.
Concerns from the council included: unmuffled cars, people speeding in residential areas in South Chelan, drug houses, Marine Patrol for summer and boating.
• Towards the end of the meeting, Mike Jackson, City Administrator, mentioned to the council the retirement of Finance Director, Cheryl Grant. On August 23, Steve Thornton, will start his new position as Finance Director and Grant will help him out for a smooth transition.

The next City Council meeting will be on July 10 at 6 p.m. at Chelan City Hall, 135 E. Johnson Avenue. The June 26 council meeting has been canceled due to schedule conflicts.