Thursday, March 28, 2024

Looking to the future

September 11 City Council Recap

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With festival season nearing, 2019 looming in the distance and a new property purchase, there was a lot of conversation about future progress for Leavenworth at the City Council meeting on Tuesday, September 11. 

After shuffling through the usual round of business, Council Member Jason Lundgren opened a conversation that stemmed from a economic development committee meeting that took place that afternoon. 

He discussed a self-contained industrial composting machine that puts out electricity or compresses natural gas and liquid fertilizer. Lundgren mentioned that this machine is becoming a popular fixture across western Washington and is from a Seattle-based company. His final selling point was that the self contained units could help cut waste downtown in half. 

“We live in a very unique town. We have 50 restaurants registered with our chamber and I don’t have a number but we generate a lot of compostable waste,” said Lundgren. “So this is kind of a newer idea, a little bit of a trial. We’re trying to get one of the engineers to come over in probably a October council meeting to learn more.” 

Speaking of future possibilities, City Administrator Joel Walinski led the members through a powerpoint presentation regarding budget. 

After reviewing the last year and what that budget entailed, he then branched off into the 2019/2020 estimated budget plans. 

Some notable points made during the presentation were  that a majority of the funds for 2019 are focused on parks and law enforcement for the city. 

Items that have already been funded for the 2019/2020 year are things that vary from park improvements, such as Waterfront Playground and the Enchantment Lights and Turf, to Hwy 2 cross walks that were state funded. 

Some budget considerations for the next year are union contract negotiations and equipment rental and replacement funds, among others. 

After the presentation concluded, the council approved traffic and foot patrols needed for Oktoberfest. With the influx of tourists, most being propelled by consumption of beer, more officers are needed at the notorious festival. The council reviewed and approved the expenditure of funds to keep extra officers patrolling the area. The cost would not exceed $7,000. 

The last course of action taken during the meeting was the purchase of the Cascade Auto Lube located on 1451 US Hwy 2. The purchase should be finalized October 31, 2018. 

 

Other subjects touched on during the September 11 City Council meeting: 

• City Hall roof replacement which will be conducted by the Lyons Construction and Roofing 

• City Council reviewed the draft changes for final amendments prior to adopting the Ordinance 1573 for new business license regulation changes that are state mandated. Any businesses that makes $2,000 doesn’t have to apply for this. 

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