Prior to the Public comment period, Mayor Jim Fletcher stated that the new development being proposed for Kennedy/Olive Roads will be decided by the Hearing Examiner. He explained that the approval of the development was a judicial processer and the City Council is the legislative branch of the government and is not involved with the approval process of this development. He expected public comments but none were given.
Item 1. 2022 Budget item was removed from the agenda. Mayor Fletcher explained that the City has reached a verbal agreement with the union and the preference is to wait for the union to ratify the agreement prior to adopting the budget. This delay in considering adoption of the budget this evening will allow the City to consider adoption of the budget after a ratification of the contract, thereby reducing the need for the consideration of an amended budget at a later date. No action was taken but the City Council did reconvene for a special session on December 20 for budget action items.
Ordinance 1308. Well Drilling within the City Limits of Cashmere. Mayor Fletcher explained that this issue was brought to the attention to the City after longterm Cashmere resident Dean Hills had requested and obtained a permit to drill an exempt well for irrigation purposes within the City for his three properties, another one located on Pioneer, one well would be used for irrigation on all three lots, primarily for the lawns.
The Department of Ecology issues the permit to drill the well, however, they do not notify the City. The well drillers, requested Mr. Hills call in for an underground locate which the City was notified of the request for a locate, they found out it was a well that was going to be drilled and issued a stop work on the project. Mayor Fletcher explained the that the DOE permit allows for the drilling of the well and a additional permit would be needed for the use of the water. Currently the City Code has no specific language regarding the drilling of wells within City limits and therefore a permit from the City is not needed.
City Attorney, Chuck Zimmerman, went on to explain that non-exempt wells within the City could pose a public health issue in some cases because of the proximity to the City water system wells and because those wells might also be sharing the same aquifer as the City wells it could affect the city’s water supply if there are multiple exempt wells which could affect the recharge rate of the aquifer. Council Member Pratt voiced concern that Mr. Hills had already invested the money for the well, received the permit from the DOE, so this ordinance would cause a loss for Mr. Hill.
He would prefer that Mr. Hills be allowed his well and that the ordinance would be in place for the future. The Council approve the new ordinance on a 4 – 1 vote. Item 3. Resolution No. 03-2021 Approved Approved new City Procurement Policy, update required as part of the annual audit finding and recommendations. Item 4. Renewal of on call engineering services with RH2, the contract this year will also include help assistance with the city’s SKATA system (electronic monitoring and warning system). Approved.
Question came up on the new company that will be operating the waste treatment plant and their interaction with RH2. Item 5. Approval of a contract with the DOT for the Cottage Bridge inspection services Item 6. Approval of the changes orders necessary to complete the Sullivan Street Project. Sullivan street was a full depth reclamation project, street replacement. The $506,000 project had approximately $53,000 in change orders, primarily from added excavation and fill costs from the finding of poor soils.
Changes also included some added water and sewer pipe repair. Item 7/8. Extension of existing contracts with the Port Authority. Approved. Item 9.
Termination of agreement with Housing Authority for low incoming housing, change is necessary because Chelan County is changing its process for collecting and distributing those funds. Approved. Item 10. Fuel Tax Distribution with TIB for the upgrades to Sunset Hwy., in connection with the new West Cashmere Bridge being completed by Chelan County. The Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) Grant is for $125,000.
The City also received funding from the Chelan Douglas Transportation Commission for $919,834. The City will contribute approximately $355,160. The estimated cost of the project $1,400,000. Director of Operations, Steve Croci explained the City’s project will be from the PORT property on Sunset out to City limits, it will include a new roadway with bike lanes and sidewalks. The City will be working with Chelan County to provide design and engineering services. Construction is scheduled for 2023.