Chelan City Council meeting: Transforming the community for a brighter future

The Chelan City Council convened on August 22, to tackle a multifaceted agenda designed to shape the future of the community. At the core of the session was an administrative report delivered by Tom Beckwith of Beckwith Consulting Group, in collaboration with representatives from the Historic Downtown Chelan Association (HDCA).  The presentation centered around the ambitious initiative titled "Imagine Downtown Chelan." The strategy aims to outline a city plan for progress while preserving its heritage and identity.

Preserving Identity, Envisioning Progress

The core ethos of Imagine Downtown Chelan was summarized in the Open House Handout, distributed during the meeting. The design will maintain view corridors to the lake, help preserve community’s identity, heritage, and sense of place while also making the downtown more attractive, user-friendly, and accessible for years to come. The initiative represents a commitment to making the city more attractive, user-friendly, and accessible for generations to come, including a much-needed overhaul of infrastructure that has remained largely untouched since 1984.

Three pivotal goals have been set forth as part of the Imagine Downtown Chelan Design: upgrading infrastructure, activating public spaces, and enhancing connectivity to downtown amenities.  Improvement examples can be found in the full Open House Handout available on the Historic Downtown Chelan website at https://historicchelan.org/imagine/ .

Paving the Way for Progress

Public Works Director Jake Youngren also provided an administrative report about the Sanders Street Pedestrian Improvement Project.  The project was recently awarded a notable $709,092 in federal Transportation Alternatives funds, channeled through the Chelan/Douglas County Transportation Council. This substantial grant represents not just an investment in the city's infrastructure but the ability to secure the resources needed to manifest the vision.

Actions

The authorization of City Staff to proceed with negotiations with the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office for a Law Enforcement Services Agreement Amendment for a Code Enforcement Compliance Officer was set forth and unanimously passed. This paves the way for enhanced enforcement and a safer, more orderly Chelan.

The council also authorized Mayor Goedde to finalize and execute the proposed Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Chelan and Chelan Fruit. This agreement promises to foster collaboration and mutually beneficial growth for the city.

To further facilitate the city's progress, the council passed a motion allowing for a twelve-month bond extension for the eastbound turn lane improvements at SR150 and Crystal View Drive. This extension ensures that vital infrastructure projects remain on track.

The journey toward Chelan's revitalized future is an inclusive one. The council invites all residents to participate in shaping this vision at the next Chelan City Council meeting, a City Council Workshop Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, September 5, at 4 p.m. in Council Chambers, located at 135 E. Johnson Avenue, Chelan.