Resolution drafted, Council to move forward on Butte Project

CHELAN – With more special presentations than usual, the Chelan City Council held their first meeting for the month of October. For debate was the acquisition of the Butte.

Stan Morse made comments to the council regarding fire and code enforcement 8.15. Morse believes that “not everyone gets it.” The code states that “the City is going to police, dry burning material on people’s properties.” Morse explained to council how much the city has changed over the years. For example he mentioned how many houses and a few neighborhoods could’ve been lost in 2015. “We won’t be so lucky next time.”

To change things around, he suggested the City to reach out to DNR. That way “they could do some modest burning early in the Spring … the City must step in an enforce code 8.15.”

At the last council meeting, Chelan Mayor Mike Cooney mentioned how the City wanted to “recognize people from time to time.” This time, Public Works Director Jake Youngren acknowledged David DeArmond of Public Works.

“We had a water outage during a weekend and David responded. He was of great help, he is a very versatile employee,” said Youngren. For example DeArmond, “spent several months helping train our new recycle truck drivers. Without any complaint … we really appreciate that,” he added.

Under Administrative Reports Mayor Cooney and City Administrator Mike Jackson presented draft resolution supporting the acquisition of the Chelan Butte.

“My only concern is that we haven’t approved our Legislative Agenda yet. I know this is just a draft for review but I would feel  a little more comfortable with Council adopting our Legislative Agenda and then adopting this,” stated Councilwoman Erin McCardle.

To this Jackson answered, “the agenda will come back to us on the 23rd.”

“We had the Town Hall meeting. The Mayor did a good job on reflecting what had happened on the radio and other interviews. I want this thing be more public, I want to get more public involved and engaged in this thing … this went from an idea to a resolution. I want to see the bigger community input before we sign it,” said Councilmember Ray Dobbs.

The first paragraph of the resolution states, “whereas, the City of Chelan is adopting a 2019/2020 Legislative Agenda that will include a request for four million dollars from the Washington State Legislature to assist in purchasing 900 acres of iconic open space known as the Butte …”

Council is in favor of supporting the retention and preservation of open space, however Councilwoman Wendy Isenhart is concerned. “I was a little worried about the four million they were telling us, it is a huge ask. I want to walk around and sniff it, is it going to shoulder off some of the other things we want to do,” she said.

McCardle thinks that the four million dollars is a “very specific” ask. Jackson will find a way to rework that amount. Yet he thinks people should at least have “a concept of the cost.”

Councilmember Tim Hollingsworth also agreed with McCardle and Isenhart, “the specific reference to a four million dollar request might be kind of heavy handed, I would say we are just seeking legislative support for this purpose.”

However Hollingsworth believes the City should not put this aside and move quickly on the subject. “I do not want to be a day late, or a dollar short. I am glad we are taking a look at this tonight.”

Cooney and Jackson will work on this for the next week or two and will bring it back to Council.

 In other business:
• Council member and Rotary President Ty Witt read off the World Polio Day Proclamation in which Rotary International’s efforts to fight for a polio-free world were addressed. That evening, Chelan Mayor Mike Cooney proclaimed Oct. 24, 2018 as World Polio Day in Chelan. Cooney encourages citizens to join the fight against polio.
• Mayor Cooney wearing a pink tie proclaimed the month of Oct. 2018 as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in Chelan. He noted that the month of October is not only to raise awareness, but it also the biggest fundraiser month for all types of cancer.
• MMEC Architecture & Interiors were at City Hall on Oct. 9 and 10. They met with staff and they evaluated the building’s footprint. The team will then give options to reorganize space based on what is needed moving forward.  
• Chelan County Natural Resources Department Director Mike Kaputa along with Phil Long and Steve Nelson gave the Council an update on water supply and water quality issues that they have been working on. Some of general objectives they are trying to accomplish include the evaluation of water in long terms, looking out for water trends and also evaluate in water. A water quality report will be published in January of 2019 with all results found.

The Council approved the following motion considerations.
• Mike Jackson presented the 2019 Emergency Management Services Agreement with Chelan County. The City currently has a contract in place with the Sheriff’s Office for Emergency Services as it is mandated to have an emergency management plan and program in place. In a letter the Sheriff requested an increase in rate of $0.02, bringing the price up to $2.74 per capita for the year. Budgeting $11,535 for 2019.
• Jackson also presented the Council with the renewal of Gordon Thomas Honeywell Governmental Affairs Agreement. GTH assisted with obtaining $300,000 from the State Legislature for the Woodin Avenue Bridge Project. The renewal of the lobbying services will cost $36,000 per year, $3,000 per month including travel expenses.
• The Elevator Maintenance Agreement with Inland Elevator was also presented by Jackson. The contract provides routine examination, lubrication and equipment adjustment. The 6,000 were budget for 2019, it also includes annual testing and 24/7 monitoring of elevator emergency phone.
• Parks Director Karen Sargeant presented the Professional Services Agreement with KRCI Construction for the RV Park Upgrade Projects, with this the agreement finalized KRCI moves on to executing the project.
The next regular scheduled council meeting will be Tuesday, Oct. 23, beginning at 6 p.m. in council chamber.