MINUTES OF 01/25/07 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING

135 East Johnson Avenue, Chelan, Washington

PRESENT:  Mayor Witherbee, Council Members Morehouse, Olsen, Harper, Pape-Miller, Weldy, McCulley, Rodionoff, Administrator Fonfara, City Attorney Galbraith, Interim Clerk Lingle, Public Works Director VanEpps, Community Development Director Gildroy.

Mayor Witherbee called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.

CONSENT AGENDA

Morehouse moved to approve the consent agenda as follows:

1.  Approve Payroll Warrants No. 25685 through 25748 totaling $98,945.84

     Approve Claims Warrants No. 57281 through 57361 totaling $328,866.86

2.  Set Date for Crystal Crest Closed Record Decision for 2/8/2007

3.  Set Date for Legacy Ridge Closed Record Decision for 2/8/2007

Seconded by Harper, motion passed unanimously.

VISITORS/PUBLIC INPUT

A SIMPLE SURVEY:  Bob Goedde, 118 N Wilson, presented results of the survey he conducted of the community regarding WalMart.

HISTORIC DOWNTOWN CHELAN ASSOCIATION:  Jim Rogers, representing Historic Downtown Chelan Association, praised Council for the decision to go forward with the snowmobile races.  He also thanked Mayor Witherbee for taking time to discuss with Libby Manthey and himself a possible budget amendment to provide assistance to the Historic Downtown Chelan Association. 

THE FOLLOWING CITIZENS COMMENTED ON THE WALMART/LAND USE ISSUE:  Lars Clausen, 214 E Chelan Ave.; Laurel Jamtgaard, P.O. Box 96; Ted Higley, 108 Eldorado Pl.; Mike Stowe, 223 E Nixon; Brigitte Sztab, P.O. Box 724; Tom Clark, 555 Antoine Creek Rd.; Joan Rappe-Wick, 150 Columbia View; Jodi Reid, P.O. Box 2874; Brett LaMar, 160 Hill St., Manson; Linda McClellan, 1335 Apple Acres Rd.; Bill Veroske, Hwy 420/Chelan Manson Hwy.; Betty Mollett, 131 Bogey Blvd.; Clint Campbell, W 301 No-see-um Rd.; Tom Clark,555 Antoine Creed Rd.; Danielle Lovell, 37 Hwy 97A; Fletcher Allan,    P.O. Box 973; Matt Bender, 2220 Wapato Way; Paul Palumbo, 208 W Nixon Ave.; Allan Mowan, Entiat Valley.

REGULAR AGENDA

CHELAN COUNTY PUD FRANCHISE/ORDINANCE AGREEMENT:  Administrator Fonfara asked Council to consider approving a Franchise Ordinance Agreement, which was reviewed at the last council meeting, between the City of Chelan and Chelan County PUD.  The agreement provides  PUD the authority to construct, locate, install, etc. its utility systems within the right-of-way and city properties for a 25 year period. The Franchise Agreement also provides for an annual $1,200.00 administrative fee to be paid to the city and a one time lump sum payment of $1,000.00 to cover a portion of the city's administrative and legal costs to develop the franchise agreement.  Special Legal Council, Steve Smith, represented the City on this matter.  Smith reviewed the agreement with Council.

Rodionoff moved to approve Ordinance No. 2007-1329 between the City of Chelan and Chelan County PUD granting a franchise to Public Utility District No. 1 of Chelan County and to authorize Mayor Witherbee to sign the ordinance on behalf of the City.

REPORT ON CHELAN MAN MULTISPORT WEEKEND:  Administrator Fonfara advised Council a local Chelan area athlete group, Chelan Man Multisport LLC, has been working with staff to schedule an event on July 21 & 22, 2007.  It is anticipated 800 to 1200 athletes will participate in a combination of events including triathalons, long distance running events and a splash & dash for young athletes.  Julie Pitzinger, representative for Chelan Man Multisport LLC, spoke to Council on the formation of the group, its goals for the future and details of the upcoming event. 

Olsen recommended forming a council committee to establish policy and research the insurance issue of special events and special use permits.

CONFIRMATION OF MAYOR'S APPOINTMENT OF PARKS & RECREATION DIRECTOR:  Administrator Fonfara reported that more than 50 individuals expressed interest in the position.  An interview team comprised of Council Members Harper, Olsen and McCulley interviewed the five top candidates for the job on January 18th.  The interview team submitted a list of the three top candidates to the Mayor for consideration of appointment. The Mayor has the power of appointment of the Parks & Recreation Director (CMC 2.08.020) subject to confirmation by the City Council (CMC 2.08.040).   Council was asked to consider the confirmation of the Mayor's appointment of David Erickson to the Parks & Recreation Director position.    

Harper moved to confirm the Mayor's appointment of David Erickson as the City of Chelan Parks & Recreation Director.  Seconded by Olsen, motion passed unanimously.

2007 MAYOR/COUNCIL COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS:  Mayor Witherbee advised he had discussed committee assignments with a number of council members.  The majority recommended no change in committee assignments for 2007. 

Council Member Morehouse requested a position on the Finance Committee.  Council Member Weldy agreed to remove himself from the alternate position on the Finance Committee to allow Morehouse to be appointed.

McCulley moved to designate Guy Harper as Mayor Pro Tem for 2007 and to approve 2007 committee assignments as determined by City Council.  Seconded by Rodionoff, motion passed 6-1 with Pape-Miller voting nay.

RECREATION BOARD APPOINTMENT:  Administrator Fonfara explained Chelan Municipal Code establishes a Recreation Board consisting of five members.  The Recreation Board members are appointed by the mayor subject to confirmation by the council.  The appointments are for two years.  Council was asked to reappointment Richard Simonds and David Stephens and to fill Glenda Milliette's unexpired term by appointing George Lindgard. 

Harper moved to confirm Mayor Witherbee's appointments of Richard Simonds and David Stephens for a two year term ending December 31, 2008 and George Lindgard  to fill Glenda Milliette's unexpired term ending December 31, 2007.  Seconded by Morehouse, motion passed unanimously.

PLANNING COMMISSION APPOINTMENT:   Administrator Fonfara advised Chelan Municipal Code establishes a Planning Commission consisting of five members to be appointed by the Mayor.  Planning Commission terms are for five years.  The Mayor has reappointed Ray Dobbs (Position No. 4) to a five year term ending December 31, 2011. 

Rodionoff moved to acknowledge the Mayor's reappointment of Ray Dobbs/Position No. 4 as a Planning Commissioner to serve a five year term through December 31, 2011. Seconded by Morehouse, motion passed unanimously.

REPORT ON MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING & INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH CHELAN COUNTY:  Administrator Fonfara reported the city has been meeting with Chelan County officials over the past several months in order to explore the feasibility of a regional planning effort between the City of Chelan and Chelan County to create a better opportunity for working in partnership and establishing a good relationship for future regional planning surrounding the City of Chelan and Chelan Valley.  What is being proposed is a memorandum of understanding which would be basically an agreement indicating the city and county are committed to working together towards mutual planning efforts.  Concurrent discussions and planning/development considerations have taken place regarding the South Shore development.

Council comments and discussion followed and no action was taken.

SPRINT/NEXTEL SITE AGREEMENT:  Public Works Director VanEpps provided a background report.  On May 11, 2006, Council approved an entry permit to Spring/Nextel which allowed them to conduct a feasibility study at the City's Water Treatment Plant.  An application for a conditional use permit was submitted and a hearing before the Hearings Examiner was conducted August 9, 2006.  On September 28th, in a closed record decision, the Council adopted the recommendations of the Hearings Examiner to allow the use.  Staff and the city attorney have negotiated the terms for a lease agreement, incorporating conditions discussed at the September 28th meeting. 

Harper moved to authorize Mayor Witherbee to sign the lease agreement with Sprint/Nextel allowing the construction of a cell tower at the City's Water Treatment Plant.  Seconded by Rodionoff, motion passed 6-1 with Pape-Miller voting nay.

At 9:00 p.m. Council meeting recessed to allow the Mayor and Council Members to participate in the regular meeting of the Lake Chelan Airport Board. Council meeting reconvened at 9:01 p.m. following adjournment of the Airport Board meeting.

                                                  REPORTS/COMMENTS

MOREHOUSE:  Expressed concern over the land use issue.  Lengthy dialogue followed between Council Member Morehouse and City Attorney Galbraith.

HARPER:  Reported on the Public Works Committee meeting he attended.  Harper advised future discussions to be brought to Council include overnight parking on Lakeside. 

RODIONOFF:   Commended Chelan County Sheriff's Office for increased effort in traffic enforcement.  Rodionoff also advised the burning ban is to be discussed at the next Solid Waste Advisory Council meeting. 

WELDY:  Advised a citizen request for Council phone numbers and addresses was refused by an employee at City Hall.  Weldy asked Administrator Fonfara what information the city was authorized to release for contacting the council members.  Fonfara reported that each member of council would be contacted and a list created of approved contact information for release to the public.  

Reported on a meeting with Ken & Mary Ross where recycling and the impact of the burn ban on this community was discussed.

PAPE-MILLER:  Expressed her desire that the Community and Council will unite and move forward.

VISITORS/PUBLIC INPUT

Mike Scherer, 48 Dietrich Rd., stressed the City's need to follow its own rules and regulations.

Rodionoff moved to adjourn the regular meeting and go into executive session to discuss potential litigation to last no longer than 30 minutes.  No action will be taken.   Seconded by McCulley.

At 9:40 p.m. Mayor Witherbee and Council Members adjourned to executive session.

The regular meeting reconvened at 10:10 p.m. following adjournment of the executive session.

There being no further business, meeting adjourned at 10:10 p.m.

________________________________                         _____________________________

Patricia Lingle, Interim City Clerk                                     Date Approved by City Council