Sunday, February 9, 2025

Chelan City Council selects design firm for recycling center rebuild

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CHELAN – Almost five months after the total loss of its recycling facility to fire on July 24, the city council took a step toward rebuilding during its regular bimonthly meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 9. The council approved a professional services agreement with Spokane firm MMEC Architecture of for design of the complex at 23233 US Hwy 97A. 

City staff have been working with the city’s insurance company and third-party construction consulting firm, J.S. Held, regarding the necessary next steps for rebuilding the facility. Staff has consulted with MMEC to develop a scope of work and fee to complete the design. Design work - not to exceed $256,400, fully reimbursable by insurance - will begin immediately with the goal to begin construction in the second quarter of 2025. 

In other business, the council:

  • Approved a professional services agreement (PSA) with RH2 Engineering, Inc., of Wenatchee, for 2025 general engineering services for water, sewer, and stormwater. RH2 has provided general engineering services since March 2022.

The PSA allows RH2 to work on an as-needed basis and will require written authorization defining the specific project task requirements with time and budget limitations.

  • Approved MMEC Architects PSA for the Facilities Conditions and Needs Assessment comprised of four phases designed to evaluate, plan, and propose improvements for city facilities, ensuring they meet current and future functional, structural, and code requirements. 

Phase One-Assessment

Task 1: Review of existing documentation:

Task 2: Assessment of space and functional needs of city staff and programs.

Task 3: Structural/Building envelope review.

Task 4: Non-structural code compliance requirement.

Phase Two – Recommendations 

Task 5: Building potential uses report.

Task 6: Building suitability report.

Phase Three – Conceptual designs

Task 7: Priority list of projects.

Task 8: Conceptual design.

Task 9: Cost estimates and construction phasing.

Phase Four – Final document and presentation.

 Task 10: Final report.

Indigent defense services

  • Approved a contract with the Wenatchee law firm Kottkamp, Yedinak & Esworthy to provide criminal indigent defense services for the city in the Chelan County District Court.

The city signed an initial three-year contract with Kottkamp Yedinak in 2019 and again in 2022. 

The staff report prepared for council members said the contract abides by indigent defense standards established by the Washington Supreme Court and earlier adopted by the city. This year, the Supreme Court has signaled its intention to revisit those standards which will likely increase costs for indigent defense attorneys. Because the standards are not yet known or when they will become effective, the term of this contract is one year, and the cost is $113,750.00 for 175 weighted cases (weighted by their complexity). Weighted cases beyond 175 annually are compensated by an additional $600/case. 

Annual compensation of $113,750 will be paid in monthly installments of $9,479.16 with a fixed rate of 175 weighted cases per year. An additional $600 paid per weighted case in excess of 175. Currently, $75,000 is budgeted for 2025. The city needs to approve a budget amendment of $38,750 in 2025 to cover the change in terms.

Tax Increment Area (TIA)

  • Amended the approved Nov. 28, 2023, motion regarding Ordinance No. 2023-1607 (establishing the East Chelan Tax Increment Area (TIA) to remove the requirement for mitigation agreements to be completed by the end of 2024 and instead require that mitigation be consistent with RCW 39.114.020 (designation of increment areas).

According to a staff report, previous council action approved Ordinance No. 2023-1607, establishing the East Chelan Tax Increment Area (TIA) in May 2023. In November 2023, the council approved a motion to continue negotiations with emergency service providers - Chelan County Fire District 7 and Lake Chelan EMS - throughout 2024 to allow additional time to evaluate the potential impacts on service levels within the TIA. 

On November 28, 2023, the council approved Ordinance No. 2023-1607 with a commitment to develop detailed mitigation agreements with emergency services and a review before the end of 2024 to approve or repeal this ordinance. An update was provided to the council on Nov. 12 regarding the mitigation.

Mike Maltais: 360-333-8483 or michael@ward.media

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