MINUTES OF 03/22/07 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING

135 East Johnson Avenue, Chelan, Washington

 

PRESENT:  Mayor Witherbee, Council Members Olsen, Harper, Pape-Miller, McCulley, Rodionoff, Administrator Fonfara, City Attorney Galbraith, Interim Clerk Lingle, Public Works Director VanEpps, Community Development Director Gildroy, Finance Director Grant, Parks & Recreation Director Erickson.  Absent: Council Member Weldy and Morehouse.

 

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

 

CONSENT AGENDA

 

Pape-Miller moved to approve the consent agenda as follows:

1.  Approve Payroll Warrants No. 25950 through 26024 totaling $108,547.83

     Approve Claims Warrants No. 57577 through 57653 totaling $319,488.99

2.  Approve Minutes of 3/08/2007 Regular City Council Meeting

3. Approve Council Members Weldy and Morehouse excused absence for March 22, 2007          Council meeting.

Seconded by McCulley, motion passed unanimously.

 

VISITORS/PUBLIC INPUT

 

REGULAR AGENDA

 

ARBOR DAY PROCLAMATION:  Parks & Recreation Director Erickson introduced the Arbor Day Proclamation naming April 11 as Arbor Day in Chelan.  Erickson advised  proclaiming this day satisfies one of the requirements within the Tree City USA application which will be submitted later this year and was one of the recommended items in the Community Forestry Plan.

 

Mayor Witherbee read the following proclamation:  Now, therefore, I Jay Witherbee, Mayor of the City of Chelan, Washington, do hereby proclaim, April 11, 2007 as Arbor Day in the City of Chelan and urge citizens to join us in recognizing the value of trees to our community and commemorate the renewal that this celebration represents.

 

2007 BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS:  Finance Director Grant referred to the memos from Parks & Recreation and Community Development requesting adjustments to adopted line items and staffing.  

 

Rodionoff moved to authorize amending and adjusting the 2007 budget to reflect staffing and line item changes presented by the Parks and Recreation and Community Development Departments.  Seconded by Harper, motion passed unanimously.

 

FUNDING AGREEMENT-HISTORIC DOWNTOWN CHELAN ASSOCIATION (HDCA):  Administrator Fonfara reminded Council a motion was approved at the March 8, 2007 City Council Meeting directing the City Administrator to prepare a funding agreement supporting HDCA's downtown development program in 2007.  The funding agreement is comprised of two parts totaling $10,000.00 including a $1,500.00 HDCA Benefactor Membership fee and $8,500.00 matching pledge.  Fonfara advised the funding agreement as presented demonstrates the partnership between the City and HDCA to establish a sustainable downtown development program.   

 

Pape-Miller moved to approve the Funding Agreement between the City of Chelan and the Historic Downtown Chelan Association for 2007, direct Mayor Witherbee to sign the agreement and direct staff to amend the 2007 budget to reflect the financial support.  Seconded by McCulley, motion passed unanimously.

 

Libbey Manthey, President of HDCA, thanked Council on behalf of HDCA for providing support of the organization.  Manthey also reported that this week HDCA received official designation from the State as a Startup Mainstreet Community.

 

KUNTZ UTILITY EXTENSION: Public Works Director VanEpps recommended approval of an agreement extending city sewer services to property owned by John and Sherry Kuntz and located on the North Shore midway between Rocky Point and the City's western UGA boundary.  Although outside of the UGA, VanEpps noted CMC 13.34.030 allows for utility hookup if the criteria outlined in CMC 13.34.030 are met.  

 

Harper moved to enter into the proposed Utility Extension Agreement with John and Sherry Kuntz for the provision of sewer services to the premises identified in the legal description, consistent with Chapter 13.34.030 of the Chelan Municipal Code.  Seconded by Rodionoff, motion passed unanimously.

 

HIGHLANDS ASSOCIATES AGREEMENT:  Community Development Director Gildroy advised the 2007 Comprehensive Plan Update began in 2006 with Highlands Associates conducting a review of the Comprehensive Plan for compliance with the Growth Management Act.  The 2007 budget includes a line item for Growth Management Act activities such as retaining planning consulting firms for the update and amendment process. Gildroy recommended retaining Higlands Associates to assist in the 2007 update process including participation in Citizen Advisory Meetings and providing GMA guidance regarding the update process.

 

McCulley moved to authorize the Mayor to sign the agreement between the City and Highlands Associates for planning consulting services.  Seconded by Pape-Miller, motion passed unanimously.

 

REPORT ON DEVELOPMENT IMPACT FEES:  Administrator Fonfara provided background information on efforts to establish a Development Impact Fee Ordinance. Fonfara advised the need for Development Impact Fees is identified within the Strategic Plan SWOT Analysis citing three weaknesses directly related to increased development. 

1.      Impacts of increased development activity on the quality of life; the effective delivery of City services; inspection and permitting; code enforcement; parks & recreation areas and facilities; the ability to provide utilities including sewer, garbage pick-up, storm water and adequate transportation systems (streets and trails).

  1. Impacts of development on schools, health care/hospital, fire service and public transportation.
  2. Lack of ball parks/sports fields.

 

One of the Strategic Issues developed from the SWOT Analysis was:  The need to evaluate and address the impacts of the rapidly increasing commercial and residential development activity now occurring in the City and the surrounding area.

 

Based on that strategic issue, one of the five Strategic Goals adopted within the Strategic Plan is:  To initiate programs & policies which mitigate the impact of the rapid growth and development now occurring in Chelan and additionally protect/improve public places, facilities and infrastructure.  The Strategic Objective in line with the Strategic Goal is to: Establish a Development Impact Fee Ordinance.

 

Christine Fuesten of Ruen-Yeager & Associates, Inc. will provide the city support in developing the final basis and foundation for an ordinance Council will be considering within the next three months.  Fuesten provided additional information on the process of developing impact fees. 

 

Council discussion followed.

 

STATUS REPORT - LAKE CHELAN AIRPORT INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT AMENDMENT:  Administrator Fonfara reminded Council since June of 2006, the City has been working with the Port District and FAA to modify the sponsorship section of the agreement at the request of the FAA. 

 

City Attorney Galbraith presented a status report of amendments to the Joint Operating Agreement (JOA).  The JOA recommended amendments have been finalized and submitted to the FAA for its review and approval.  If approved by FAA, Galbraith advised the proposed amendments will be available for Council review and consideration in April.

 

STATUS REPORT - WORLD ENDURANCE SPORTS TRIATHALON SERIES/ BRENT KAMENKA:  Administrator Fonfara provided a status report on the 2007 World Endurance Sports Triathalon series including requirements and time frames for issuance of a Special Events Permit for this program.  March 31 has been established as the due date for proof of liability insurance, payment rectifying accounts outstanding from 2006 and specific and detailed safety plans for traffic flagging and life guard improvements.  If the requirements are not satisfied by March 31, the permit will be withdrawn.

 

Fonfara advised Council World Endurance appealed the City's position that July 21 & 22 were not reserved based on lack of timeliness in requesting the dates as per the current agreement.  The appeal was denied based on the fact World Endurance failed to appeal within the five days time frame established by Chelan Municipal Code as it relates to the Special Event Permit requirements.

 

CONSIDERATION OF REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR LEGAL SERVICES:   Administrator Fonfara provided background information on legal services since March 2003 when the City entered into an agreement with Davis Arneil Law Firm.  Fonfara explained it has been the practice of the City's current Administration and Council to examine the operations of all city departments in order to achieve efficiency and cost effectiveness.  Consideration of soliciting Request for Proposals for legal services would serve as a continuation of this practice to achieve the best available management for the City.

 

Lengthy Council discussion followed.

 

McCulley moved to direct the City Administrator to prepare a Request for Proposals for Legal Services to be presented to Council for consideration of action at the April 12, 2007 City Council meeting.  Seconded by Pape-Miller, motion passed 3 to 2 with Olsen and Harper voting nay. 

 

At 8:07 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 8:08 p.m. following adjournment of the Airport Board meeting.

 

                                                  REPORTS/COMMENTS

 

OLSEN:  Reported on meeting with WCIA to discuss the Special Event Application process and requirements.  Council and visitor discussion followed.

 

HARPER:  Asked Scott McKellar for a status/progress report on plans for a community pool and aquatic center. 

 

RODIONOFF:  Reported on the Burning Ban Bill as it relates to Chelan.  A bill has passed the Senate to allow burning in cities with less than 2,500 in population.  Rodionoff expressed concern for cost of disposing of yard waste for the citizens and the city.  Council discussion followed.    

 

MCCULLEY:  McCulley announced her resignation from Chelan City Council effective March 31, 2007 for personal reasons. 

 

MAYOR WITHERBEE:  Explained the process used by Council to fill a vacated Council position.  Encouraged any interested citizens residing within the city limits of Chelan to submit a letter of interest or resume' to Administration.

 

McCulley moved to adjourn the regular meeting.  Seconded by Rodionoff, motion passed unanimously.

                                                                       

There being no further business, meeting adjourned at 8:32 p.m.

 

 

________________________________                         _____________________________

Patricia Lingle, Interim City Clerk                                     Date Approved by City Council