Cashmere City Council approves $650K for sidewalks

CASHMERE - Following a brief Cashmere City Council meeting on Dec 9, the council members walked across the street to the fire station where Fire Chief, Blake Larson, led them on a tour through the fire station to view and discuss the department’s trucks, engines and other equipment.

Director of Operations, Steve Croci told the Council he had just received a new proposed agreement from Boulder Park, the company, which disposes of the biosolids from the city’s wastewater treatment plant. Croci emphasized that a significant change to the proposed agreement would require the city to always be liable for any environmental issues resulting from the biosolids. According to Croci, the city’s attorney said that the requirement is not a good idea for the city, but Croci pointed out that other options were limited, and that the current agreement ends at the end of the month. He told Council members that he would explore some additional options and get that information to the Council quickly. Mayor Jim Fletcher explained that a special Council meeting would be required to make a decision by the end of the year.

The Council unanimously approved acceptance of a grant from the Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) for $650,256 to be used to add sidewalks on Maple and Olive Streets and install a crosswalk on Olive Street at the intersection with Chase St. The grant from TIB will cover 95% of the estimated project cost. The city is responsible for the remaining 5%, approximately $34,000.

Jim Kuntz, CEO of the Port District and JC Baldwin, Port of Chelan County Commissioner, District #2 addressed the Council, providing an update of activities and plans for the Port properties along Sunset Highway. Due to the past use of the property and covenants from the Department of Ecology (DOE), Kuntz explained that future use of the properties cannot include day cares, schools or use of the groundwater. Kuntz described improvements and plans for a 2.6 acre parcel south of Mill Rd. He explained that the Port District had paid for sewer and water lines to be extended to the site. He expressed his view that requirements by the Dept. of Ecology (DOE) is complicating development of the property, but that a hardwood company has expressed interest in the site. North of Sunset is a 1.49 acre parcel which, Kuntz explained, has had a large amount of woody debris removed and needs final approval from DOE that no additional action is needed to clean up the property. He told Council members that the site is very developable and some interest has been expressed in the property. Kuntz sang the praises of the two buildings south of Sunset Hwy and said that they are spectacular and have been occupied almost the entire time since they were constructed. He added that due to the costs, it is unlikely the Port will construct additional buildings on the adjacent 2.74 acres. Port Commissioner, JC Baldwin told the city council members that the Port had spent millions of dollars on the properties.