MINUTES OF THE 10/2507 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
135 East Johnson Avenue, Chelan, Washington
PRESENT: Mayor Witherbee; Councilmembers Harper, Lingard, Morehouse, Papé-Miller, Rodionoff and Weldy; Administrator Fonfara, Attorney Galbraith, Clerk Liles, Public Works Director VanEpps, Finance Director Grant. EXCUSED ABSENCE: Councilmember Olsen.
Mayor Witherbee called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
CONSENT AGENDA
Weldy moved to approve the consent agenda as follows:
1. Approve Payroll Warrants No. 27536 – 27622 totaling $120,075.55 and Claims Warrants No. 58946 through 69012 totaling $166,246.08;
2. Approve Minutes of 10/08/07 Special City Council Meeting, as presented;
3. Approve Minutes of 10/11/07 Regular City Council Meeting, as presented;
4. Acknowledge receipt of Third Quarter 2007 Financial Report; and
5. Excuse Councilmember Olsen’s absence from the 10/25/07 City Council meeting.
Seconded by Papé-Miller, motion passed unanimously.
PUBLIC INPUT
HISTORIC DOWNTOWN CHELAN ASSOCIATION: Jim Rogers, representing the Historic Downtown Chelan Association (HDCA), announced that North Cascades National Bank (NCNB) recently donated $100,000.00 to HDCA for the Main Street program. Rogers also reported that Libby Manthey, HDCA board member, recently met with city officials to ask that the City donate $40,000 to HDCA, and he urged Council to include the requested funding in the City’s 2008 budget. Rogers, Manthey and HDCA member Ray Dobbs spoke in support of HDCA.
REGULAR AGENDA
SENIOR CENTER PROJECT/CDBG GRANT APPLICATION: Mayor Witherbee introduced a public hearing on the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program and a proposal to apply for CDBG funding by explaining the hearing’s purpose as follows: “This public hearing is being held to inform citizens of the availability of State Community Block Grant funds and the eligible uses of those funds; to inform citizens of a proposal to apply for a CDBG grant to help fund the development of a new senior center to replace the old senior center facility at its current location; and to receive public comments and recommendations concerning community development, housing needs, and the proposed grant application.”
Mayor Witherbee noted that a Spanish language interpreter, Raul Sanchez, was present and available to any person requiring his services. The Mayor asked if anyone present needed Mr. Sanchez’s translation services. There was no response.
The Mayor then established that no Councilmembers present had a financial or other conflict of interest in the matter at hand; that all could hear and consider the issue in a fair and objective manner; and that no one in the audience objected to the his or any Councilmember’s participation in the proceedings. The Mayor then declared the public hearing open and called for the staff report.
Administrator Fonfara reviewed information concerning the CDBG program’s purpose, requirements, and application process; HUD National Objectives; and the amount and proposed distribution of CDBG funding expected to be awarded to Washington State in 2008. Fonfara then briefly described the proposed Chelan Senior Center Project, noting that a comprehensive project report was presented at the 10/11/07 Council meeting. (Written information on the CDBG program and the Senior Center Project was made available to citizens in both English and Spanish and distributed to Council in this meeting’s information packet.)
Following Fonfara’s staff report, the Mayor invited those in the audience to ask questions or comment. There being no response, the Mayor called for Council questions and comments.
Papé-Miller reported that she’d learned that the chance of being awarded a CDBG grant increases with project readiness and matching funding. Fonfara confirmed that both those factors are true of the Senior Center project. Rodionoff pointed out that a new senior center is listed as a goal in the City’s Strategic Plan. Morehouse asked how much the City had already appropriated for the senior center project. Responding to Morehouse’s question, Fonfara reported that $100,000 was pledged in the current budget and an additional $100,000 is earmarked in the 2008 Preliminary Budget for a total cash match of $200,000. In addition, $25,000 in community donations and in kind service valued at $25,000 have been pledged. At Morehouse’s request, Fonfara provided a brief outline of the process that would follow a grant award.
There being no further comment or questions, the Mayor closed the public hearing.
Rodionoff moved to direct the City Administrator to prepare a resolution authorizing submittal of a Community Development Block Grant application to fund the Chelan Senior Citizen Center project and to present said resolution for consideration at the November 8, 2007 City Council meeting. Seconded by Harper, motion passed unanimously.
GRANITE RIDGE LATE COMERS APPEAL: Mayor Witherbee introduced a public hearing to receive input regarding an appeal of the preliminary determination of the assessment benefit area for the Granite Ridge plat. The Mayor then established that none of the Councilmembers present had a financial or other conflict of interest in the matter at hand; that all could hear and consider the issue in a fair and objective manner; and that no one in the audience objected to his or any Councilmember’s participation in the proceedings. The Mayor then declared the public hearing open and called for the staff report.
Attorney Galbraith referred to his letter/staff recommendation dated October 19, 2007, saying that would best serve as his staff report. He then briefly summarized the information in that letter/recommendation. Following Galbraith’s report, the Mayor called for audience testimony in favor of the appeal.
Hank Lewis, representing Whiskey Ranch, LLC, and Cascade Property Ventures, LLC, (the Appellants) stated that he and his clients feel that staff’s recommendation is a fair compromise. Lewis also asked that all relevant letters be made a part of the public record.
Following Lewis’s testimony, the Mayor called for further comment in favor of the appeal. There being no response, the Mayor called for audience testimony against the appeal.
Mark Peterson, representing Lake Chelan Development, LLC, (the Proponent) stated that staff’s recommendation seems fair to him and his client. Peterson noted that correspondence relating to this matter included emails, so if Lewis’ request to include relevant letters is granted, the emails should also be included.
There being no one else in the audience wishing to address Council on this matter, the Mayor called for Council comment and questions.
Responding to an inquiry from Papé-Miller, Galbraith confirmed that the referenced correspondence, including emails, is public record and available for Council review. Galbraith said that since he isn’t able to produce that correspondence at this time, Council could opt to postpone a decision on the appeal and continue the hearing until the next Council meeting.
Mark Peterson said he saw no reason to include the correspondence in the record since Galbraith’s staff report covered all the issues, and he expressed concern that adding the documents after Council’s vote could create an avenue for appeal as it might appear that the decision was based on an incomplete record. At Galbraith’s suggestion, both Peterson and Lewis stipulated to the staff recommendation, including waiver of appeal.
Stan Morse, 219 South Center, cautioned against taking any action until the full record is presented to Council. In response, the Mayor asked if either party wished to withdraw his stipulation. Both parties declined to do so.
There being no further questions or comments, Mayor Witherbee closed the public hearing.
Lingard moved to adopt the Preliminary Determination set forth in Resolution No. 06-1153, to the extent that it identifies the various Assessment Benefit Areas, but that the said Preliminary Determination be modified such that the assessments be determined at the time improvements be made on or for the respective parcels in the Assessment Benefit Areas, as recommended by the City’s staff, and that the City Attorney prepare the appropriate latecomer agreement pursuant to CMC 12.28.130, to be presented for approval at the November 8, 2007 Council meeting. Seconded by Harper, motion passed unanimously.
LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES: There being no one from the Sheriff’s Department present, a scheduled report on law enforcement services was postponed. Fonfara noted that Sgt. Brian Burnett, Chelan’s chief law enforcement officer, had resigned effective 11/1/07.
LAKE CHELAN TOURISM PROMOTION GROUP AGREEMENT: At Administrator Fonfara’s request, consideration of renewing the City/Tourism Promotion Group agreement was withdrawn from the meeting agenda.
CHELAN RIVER & ISENHART IRRIGATION DISTRICT AGREEMENT: Public Works Director VanEpps reported that representatives of Chelan River and Isenhart Irrigation Districts have proposed that the City take over operation of the Districts’ domestic water system. VanEpps introduced consultant Paul Cross of RH2 Engineering, who presented a lengthy report covering the information provided in the “Assumption Issues” sheet distributed in Council meeting information packets. Cross and VanEpps then answered Council questions.
Cross announced that an open house for customers of the Chelan River and Isenhart Irrigation Districts would be held in Trout Blue Chelan’s meeting room #1 on 11/1/07.
SKATE PARK LIGHTING: Administrator Fonfara proposed that Council consider a budget amendment to fund installation of lighting for the skate park at Don Morse Park. Fonfara explained: $13,500.00 in Recreation Capital Improvement funds was budgeted for the project. McCandlish Electric is asking $24,200 plus tax for installing the lights, pole and miscellaneous components provided by Musco Lighting. The City will provide the digging and backfill for the power conduit from the electrical service to the light pole.
Papé-Miller recommended that the lighting be energy efficient and Rodionoff recommended that it comply with the City’s pending dark sky ordinance. There followed discussion on these recommendations leading to Council consensus to postpone amending the budget for the skate park lighting project until the City Administrator reports back with information on the cost of installing energy efficient lighting that complies with the dark sky ordinance.
At 8:32 p.m. Council meeting recessed to permit the Mayor and City Councilmembers to participate in the regular meeting of the Lake Chelan Airport Board. Council meeting reconvened at 8:33 p.m. following adjournment of the Airport Board meeting.
COUNCIL REPORTS/COMMENTS
HISTORIC DOWNTOWN CHELAN ASSOCIATION: Morehouse expressed support for HDCA.
PARKING ENFORCEMENT: Rodionoff said that Chris Rayner, the City Parking Enforcement Officer, is doing a good job as evidenced by a ticket he received for exceeding the two hour parking limit in the downtown area.
LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES: Rodionoff noted that Mike Harris, Sgt. Burnett’s replacement as Chelan’s chief law enforcement officer, has a marine patrol background that should serve the City well.
IMPACT FEE ORDINANCE: Responding to an inquiry from Weldy, VanEpps provided a brief status report on work towards establishing an impact fee ordinance.
HIGHWAY 150 LANE RECONFIGURATION: Rodionoff asked for an update on the Highway 150 lane reconfiguration. VanEpps responded, saying DOT has asked to report its findings on that issue at the next City Council meeting.
HUMANE SOCIETY: Weldy asked if the Humane Society’s contract with the City for animal control services would be renewed. Fonfara said a new contract would be presented to Council for consideration before year’s end.
FUEL PURCHASING: Weldy said he believes the City is being overcharged for fuel and should seek bids for periodic purchase of fuel. VanEpps reported that the City’s fuel station is in poor condition, and Mayor Witherbee said it isn’t recording properly.
HISTORIC DOWNTOWN CHELAN ASSOCIATION: Weldy said that the City needs to support HDCA.
INFRASTRUCTURE ASSISTANCE COORDINATING COUNCIL: Papé-Miller reported attending the IACC Conference held at the Wenatchee Convention Center October 23 -25, 2007. She said she would share with City staff information from the conference on energy efficiency grant funding, and that she plans to work with the Planning Department to put together a Council presentation on energy efficiency.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
At 8:50 p.m. the Mayor, Council, City Administrator, City Attorney and City Finance Director adjourned to executive session to discuss collective bargaining negotiations.
Regular meeting reconvened at 9:40 p.m. and, there being no further business, immediately adjourned.
Linda Allison-Liles
City Clerk