Leavenworth council sets public hearing for street vacation

During the July 23 meeting, the Leavenworth City Council approved several agenda items.

The first action item was a resolution to schedule a public hearing on Sept. 24 at 6:45 p.m. for the proposal to vacate a portion of Commercial Street and an alley located in the Second Addition Leavenworth plat.

Lillith Vespier Development Services Manager noted the property the city acquired and rezoned for public works purposes. The property furthest north that will benefit from the vacation will be Thomas Lin’s car wash.

Council also authorized staff to approve an advertisement to bid the wastewater treatment plant PISTA grit system replacement project.

The project includes the removal and disposal of the existing non-functioning PISTA grit removal system and replacement, or an approved alternative. Funding for the project will not be included in the RD funding for the facility's improvements in 2020. There are funds available in the Sewer Capital Reserve Fund to cover the project's cost, which is estimated at $140,000-$175,000.

Public Works Director Herb Amick said staff had hoped the PISTA grit removal system would make it to 2020 for the facility’s upgrades, but it ceased to opeate. Staff has been operating without a PISTA grit removal system for two months. The PISHA system removes solid materials like gravel, sand and cinder.

“If that’s (large bio solids) allowed to get into the system, it causes wear and tear, break downs and all kinds of problems,” he added.

Amick confirmed that if staff can replace the system now, the city will not have include the project in the 2020 upgrades.

The council also approved the advertisement for request for proposal (RFP) regarding a solid waste, recycling and organics assessment study for solid waste/garbage collected in the city's commercial districts. Information obtained from the assessment will be used in managing the city's solid waste and recycling collection services. 

City Administrator Joel Walinski said he contractors will build their own program and council will assess them. The RFP asks firms to develop a process used in measuring and identifying different components within the waste stream, as well identify large waste producers. Staff can use the information to develop strategies for waste reduction or alternatives to handle different components of the stream.

The cost ranges between $10,000-$25,000, the latter is usually for larger systems.

The council received an update regarding the auction process of the three properties adjacent to the golf course and front on Icicle Road.

In April, the council voted to surplus the properties and authorized staff to sell them. Mayor Cheri Farivar informed the council that a “For Sale” sign that includes will go up on the lots during the first week of August after Parks Department crews will clean up the properties. Each lot will be outlined with survey tape. Farivar said she will attend the local realtors sales meetings and provide them with information and bid packets. 

The city will accept closed bids on the properties until the bid opening on Oct. 1 at 2 p.m. Bidders can choose to bid on one, two or all three lots.

In other business, the council approved a motion to cancel the Aug. 13 council and subcommittee meetings. The motion also directed the Finanace Director /City Clerk Chantell Steiner to advertise the rescheduling of the Aug. 13 study session to Aug. 27.