2020 Year in Review

January

Council increases miscellaneous fees and permits

At the Dec. 9 meeting, council members voted unanimously to increase miscellaneous fees and permit charges. Those fees as it turns out covers a lot of items.

General Licenses, Permits And Miscellaneous Fees Business License Initial - $50, Renewal $30, Failure to obtain $250; Sign Permit: One - two signs $50, Three or more $75; Fireworks Permit - Permit fee $50; Vendor Permit - Quarterly $150, Event $50, Multiple Vendor $50 plus $10 per vendor; Special Use Permit - Permit fee $20, Electricity fee $20; Fire & Life Safety Permit - Occupancy permit $20, On-site inspection $80; Dog License Fees - Spayed or Neutered $10, Unaltered $30, Late Fee $10, Exhibit, Senior Citizen (62)/Disabled Discount 50%, Replacement dog tag No Charge, Registration of Potentially Dangerous Dog $75, Registration of Dangerous Dog $75, Guard dog license $50, Portable Metal Carport Permit $100; Fence Permit $10; Inspection Fees - General Inspection Fee, $100 per hr (1/2 hour minimum), Re-Inspection Fee $100 per hr (1/2 hour minimum); Miscellaneous Fees Delinquency Fee (Utility and Misc.) $25; Returned item fee $25; New account service charge $10; After hours call-out fee $140; Photocopies - $0.15 (per page) 11 x 17 color maps - $2; Brush Pick up Semi-annual Brush Pick up $20 per frontend loader scoop ($20.00 Minimum); Special Brush Pick up $35 per front-end loader scoop ($35.00 Minimum) $20 each additional scoop; Building permits and Development Fees are a complicated mix of administrative and environmental costs that are not easily listed without including something like “and other direct costs and expenses.” Anyone contemplating a major project should start with a consultation with the city.

Cashmere Girls Basketball defeat Chelan 64 to 24

Hailey Van Lith in her senior run begins January with 257 points, 83 rebounds, 7 blocks and 24 steals, for the season to date.

City receives $180,000 grant to improve school safety

At the Jan 13 Cashmere City Council meeting Director of Operations, Steve Croci announced that the city has received a Safe Route to Schools Grant for $180,268. He said the funds will be used to improve school crosswalks on Pioneer Avenue. Improvements include installing high visibility stripping, flashing beacon signs, advance warning signs and curb ramps. the council unanimously voted to approve the agreement with the state, allowing the city to receive the funds.

School District seeks renewal of local tax levy

$1.2 million in state funds depend on passage of the local levy.

The Cashmere School District is asking voters to approve a replacement levy. Superintendent Glenn Johnson said ballots will be available on Jan. 26 and must be postmarked by 8 p.m., Feb. 11. If approved, the 4-year levy will replace the 2-year levy approved by voters in 2018. Johnson stressed that this levy is not a new tax but will continue existing voter-approved funding. According to Johnson, the levy is like a magazine subscription, with “a magazine subscription it runs out and you either renew it or you don’t.” If this new levy is passed by the voters, Cashmere School District will receive an additional $1.2 million in “levy equalization funds” from the state. However if the levy is not approved, Johnson said the state will withhold those funds. This replacement levy will result in a tax rate of $1.75 (per thousand of assessed value) in 2021 gradually rising to a rate of $2.25 in 2024. This is below the $2.50 levy cap set by the state. Johnson said that although this is an increase from the current rate, it is still significantly lower than the $3.49 tax rate of 2018. The total amount of money generated by a levy is tied to two primary factors- property value and the tax rate. As a result of relatively low property values in the school district, a higher tax rate generates less income for Cashmere School District when compared to surrounding districts with higher property values but lower tax rates. This difference in property values, resulting in lower revenue, is the reason the state will provide the levy equalization funds to Cashmere School District.

Crunch Pak to pay $150k to settle “Clean Water Act” lawsuit

Columbia Riverkeeper and Crunch Pak, LLC reached a court-approved settlement agreement that will address water pollution flowing into the Wenatchee River. Under the agreement, Crunch Pak will reduce harmful pollution runoff from its Cashmere food-processing facility and pay $150,000 to the Rose Foundation. Columbia Riverkeeper sued Crunch Pak for violating the federal Clean Water Act and state laws that restrict how much pollution industrial facilities release to local waterways. The Wenatchee River is home to several stocks of threatened and endangered salmon and steelhead. For over five years, Crunch Pak discharged unhealthy levels of copper and zinc and increased turbidity—the murkiness of the water. Copper is toxic to young salmon and steelhead, even at very low concentrations. Turbidity, caused by high sediment levels in the water, can lead to harmful bacterial growth that impair recreational activities like swimming and water sports. Crunch Pak also repeatedly failed to collect and analyze industrial stormwater pollution in violation of federal and state requirements, undermining the public’s and government regulators’ ability to hold the company accountable.

February

Cashmere High School reveals its new digs

Way back in March of 2016 the Cashmere School District asked the voters to support a bond issue to raise $12.4 million for a $23.6 million remodel of the High School. The other $11.2 million was to be financed with a matching grant from the state. At the time the school was in bad need of repairs. It was 35 years old and the underlying mechanical systems for temperature control, plumbing, electrical systems were failing, and the roof was beginning to leak. The school was over capacity and three teachers were operating without a classroom. They kept their materials in a cart so they could float from classroom to classroom. Looking at the districts Kindergarten enrollment showed the problem was only going to get worse. Voters overwhelmingly approved the bond. The School opened the newly remodeled facility to show the results to the community. A walk around the newly remodeled facility revealed classrooms that were equipped with modern computers and well lit. Home economics were remodeled to allow the teacher to observe the entire class and the shop class was enlarged. The instructor said he wasn’t always checking for blown fuses now.

Cashmere Basketball teams take Caribou League Championship

Both Cashmere teams captured the Caribou Trail League Championships last Saturday with impressive wins. The Girls team crushed the Omak Pioneers by a score of 84 to 28, while the boys handily defeated the Okanogan Bulldogs by a score of 58 to 44. The twin victories left the boys team at 18 and 3 on the season and ranked number 2 in the state. The girls’ team is undefeated at 21 and 0 and now ranked number 1 in the state. On their way to the CTL championship Lady Bulldog Hailey Van Lith set a new state record for career scoring points. Her championship game total of 46 points put her ahead of Jennifer Stinson’s 1995 record of 2881 career points. The boys moved on to a loser out game against the number 3 seed on Saturday Feb. 22 at Cashmere High School. The girls moved on to play in the regional state tournament.

March

Council approves multi-family residential in the downtown business district

At the Feb. 24 meeting city council passed two new ordinances approving construction of new multi-family housing units in the downtown core. These ordinances were passed in recognition that there is a critical need for additional housing in Cashmere and downtown there was no reasonably anticipated commercial purpose developments expected in the next 20 years. The ordinances establish exactly what can be done depending on the location of any proposed development. One ordinance requires that any new residential units must be above street level Leaving ground level space available for commercial development. The ordinance is said to encourage a mixed use development of the downtown Business District with residential providing a secondary, supportive development to the primary commercial uses in the district. One ordinance states that the purpose of the revision is to maintain existing zoning for commercial uses and protect existing developed commercial use properties from conversion to other uses. Existing residential uses will continue as permitted uses while disallowing new construction of single family and duplex residences as the principle use on commercial property in the core Business District. The new construction ordinance also sets regulations regarding sight obscuring fencing requirements for trash and residential properties that adjoin commercial properties.

The downtown core is specified as: Cottage Avenue – All property from Aplets Way to Maple Street on both sides of Cottage Avenue to the alley on the north and the alley on the south.  Aplets Way – All property on the west side of Aplets Way that is within 96 feet of the Aplets Way right of way. All property on the east side of Aplets Way that is within 185 feet of the Aplets Way right of way.  Elberta Avenue – All property from Aplets Way to Woodring Steet on both sides of Elberta Avenue to the alley on the north and to the alley on the south. Multi-family development in the non-core areas are permitted. Must be 3 dwelling units or more. There are parking space requirements and lot set back requirements that must be reviewed with the city before any development can begin.

Boys and Girls Basketball teams advance to state competition

The girls team enters the tournament as the number one seed giving them a pass in the first round of play. The boys enter tournament play as second seed also earning them a pass in the first round. Both teams represented their school well at the state tournament in Yakima.

The boys finished in 4^th place defeating Riverview in a quarter final match.

The fantastic previously undefeated girls team had their only loss of the season in the state championship game against Lynden Christian. It was an incredible game that kept Cashmere fans on the edge of their seats. In the end the girls fell short by 3 points.

The drive back from Yakima following the game that night was clearly indicative of local fan support as the cars were bumper to bumper all the way home to Cashmere.

Cashmere Chamber to honor Business, Citizen, and Organization of the Year recipients

The business of the year honor went to Milepost 111 Brewing Company. Locals nominated Milepost 111 for their exceptional service and community support. As a long-standing business, Milepost 111 contributes to the overall economic health of our community! Seeking a local establishment rather than making the drive to Leavenworth or Wenatchee, owner Melissa McClendon created the brewery and restaurant in late 2011. When summer hits, Milepost 111 is a prime location for outdoor entertainment and for waterfront view where rafters go downstream along the Wenatchee River.

Citizen of the year honors went to Florence Robinson. Florence was recognized for her countless hours of dedication to our community which in turn helps promote our local quality of life. What others have shared: Devoted to Cub & Boy Scouts, Historian and Member of Questors, A Supporter of Historic Cottage Avenue Walking Tour, Proud member of Friends of Old Mission, Cashmere Museum, Wacoka Kiwanian and Distinguished President recognition.

Organization of the Year went to Wakoka Kiwanis Club for 30 years of service to children in Cashmere. Annual projects include but are not limited to CHS Key Club, Tutoring 1st Graders Red Cross Blood Drive, St. Patrick’s Benefit Dinner, Cashmere Food Bank, Halloween Party at Fire Hall, Thanksgiving Family Boxes and much more including scholarship and donation support.

COVID-19

In early March governor Inslee began issuing orders to restrict activity in order to limit the spread of the Corona Virus pandemic. It was to become the biggest story of the year as ultimately schools, restaurants, bars and all “non-essential” activities were shutdown. Cashmere was not exempt and included the following:

• Leavenworth Senior Center, closed for lunch, but you can still order by phone 548-6666 and stop by to pick up your lunch. See Senior Menu with information.
• P.E.O. Spring Fashion Show and Tea is rescheduled from April 2, to June 4.
• The Hometown Hidden Talents Show scheduled for March 14 will be rescheduled at a future date not announced yet.
• The North Central Regional Library, canceling all programs, events, outreach, and meeting room use through April 5.
• Cashmere Community C o n c e r t s / D o w n t o w n Mountain Boys Concert was scheduled for March 21 canceled.
• Church Services Canceled. Check your local church for changes
• “Song of The Shadows”. St. James Episcopal and Grace Lutheran Churches, Cashmere, services suspended until further notice.
• Cascade Medical Center has been working hard to prepare for COVID-19. As of Friday, March 13, we have tested 13 people, all negative. Similar to a wildfire response, we stood up a unified incident command system that involves our local fire districts, the Sherriff’s office, Chelan-Douglas Health District and several partner organizations for better coordination and communication.
• Chelan PUD is closing public access to its office lobbies and public entrances until further notice and also suspended reservations for special events in PUD parks through May 17, 2020.
• Icicle Outfitters & Guides is shut down until the virus has peaked and down to near zero. Hope to open rides in May.
• Mountain Meadows is in need of temporal thermometers and is limiting visitors to 1 family member per day.

Cashmere Schools initiate their response

On March 13, Cashmere Schools began their Covid response including the following:

• Cancellation of all Events/ Athletics/Field Trips/Staff Travel: This includes all field trips, staff travel, extra-curricular and athletic contests. Outdoor athletic practices will continue as planned as will “staff-led” before/ after school activities such as clubs, tutorials, etc.
• Limiting Non-Essential Contact: All school campuses will be closed to volunteers, visitors and guest speakers. This precautionary measure includes not entering school buildings when picking up and dropping off kids. Parents will continue to be allowed to visit schools for essential business only.
• Community Facility Use: We are suspending community use of our indoor facilities. District staff are contacting individuals and organizations who have reserved our facilities to inform them of these cancellations.
• Medically Vulnerable Staff and Students: Staff with compromised immune systems who choose not to come to work or school must provide a release from a physician and request time off through normal leave procedures. Students with compromised health issues that are not attending school during this time frame will be exempt from truancy procedures.
• Too Sick for School: If your child is not feeling well, do not send him/ her to school. If your child is kept home or sent home with a fever, cough/cold symptoms and has shortness of breath, the current guideline is to keep him/her home for 72 hours after the fever breaks and he/she is symptom free.
• For all other illnesses, per district policy, the return time to school remains 24 hours. This applies to staff members as well.
• In regards to school closure, our schools will remain open unless we are directed by local health officials or State government to close. That said, it is important for the school district and families to proactively plan for this possibility. We strongly encourage you to engage in discussions with family members, friends, etc. regarding childcare options in the event of a school closure.
• Instructional support for students including on-line possibilities.
• Meals for students who depend on breakfast and lunch from our food service program.
• Childcare for children of health care workers, first responders and some of our most at-risk students whose families cannot find childcare spaces

City Hall Closed until further notice

The City of Cashmere office is closed as a result of the Corona Virus emergency. City employees will still be reporting for work. The city is requesting that bills be paid by mail, online or through the dropbox. The City Council’s packet for Monday night’s meeting was posted to the city website on Friday March 20. According to that packet the council will be voting on a measure to provide supplemental leave to city employees who are impacted by the emergency.

April

Cashmere Food Bank needs help

The Food Bank gave out an unprecedented 125 boxes of food with the help of the National Guard and Chelan Douglas Community Action Council. Unfortunately, they ran out of boxes in the first hour. That meant several families did not get food. I had calls and text messages after 3:30 wondering what happened. We would normally be open until 4:30. Since there is such a high demand for help with food, we will be offering boxes every Wednesday during the Pandemic crisis. We need to get the word out to people that there will be food again every Wednesday, beginning at 2:30. The National Guard and CDCAC will be distributing at our same location.

PPP Program

The big story at the beginning of April was the small business relief program or Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). It was a program touted to jump start our collapsed economy by helping small businesses get some immediate funding to keep people employed. The program started accepting applications April 3. The problem was finding a bank that was processing the applications. Early confusion over the program had some local banks refusing to process applications. Those that were accepting the applications were only processing them for existing local customers. The money from the first release ran out in a week leaving most small businesses unable to benefit from the program.

Cashmere FFA Plant Sale will host an online sale

A link will soon be available on the District and High School Websites. Cashmere FFA has a greenhouse full of beautiful baskets, bedding plants and vegetables ready for pick up May 4 - May 8. To ensure public safety, customers will be able to order online, pay online and select a pick-up date and time. Orders will be pulled and loaded on those identified days. The web link is currently under construction and hopes to be accessible on April 22. We appreciate your support in these difficult times

City holds first remote meeting

The Cashmere City Council held its April 13 meeting remotely, via a call-in conference call. Mayor Jim Fletcher expressed concern that the city will be facing a revenue shortfall as a result of the significant decrease in sales tax revenue due to the COVID 19 pandemic. He said they are scrutinizing the budget, searching for options and looking at possible impacts to public works- such as roads, pools and parks. The mayor said he hopes to have a budget workshop in May to let the Council prioritize budget items. The single business item on the agenda was approved unanimously, a contract with Pace Engineering for engineering services. Director of Operations, Steve Croci said that the contract allows the city to use Pace on an as needed basis for small engineering tasks. Council member Chris Carlson said that the city wanted to use a local firm that also had experience working with small cities. According to Carlson, the company is well qualified and he thinks that they will be responsive to the city’s needs. The Sherman restoration project is coming to an end according to Fletcher. Croci added that the reservoir is operating

now and seems to be working fine. They will be painting and cleaning up the area and will soon surplus the temporary pumps that were used during the

 project.

PUD Commissioners Postpone Rate Increases

Chelan County PUD commissioners on Monday unanimously voted to delay for six months the adopted rate increase that was scheduled to go into effect on June 1. The action means residential electric, water and wastewater rates stay the same until Dec. 1, 2020. The wholesale fiber rate increase also is postponed for six months. The PUD also extended no shutoffs of utility service and waiving late fees through the end of July.

May

Be prepared for construction project impacts to Highway 2

Construction on the remodel of the Goodwin Bridge begins. The approximately 18-month closure of the West Cashmere Bridge on Goodwin Road began onMay 4. Detour signs are now in place on US Highway 2, Stine Hill Road and Sunset Highway, showing alternate routes to the highway and through Cashmere. During the week of May 4, temporary eastbound outside lane closure (closing the eastbound off-ramp used to access Goodwin Road) as well as a temporary westbound/ left turn lane closure (closing the westbound left turn lane at the traffic signal) for traffic restriping work. Both lanes will eventually be removed with the opening of the new bridge in late 2021.

June

2020 Graduates parade through Cashmere

The graduating class of 2020 will remember this year like Louise Fegley remembers hers in 1945. This was taken from her annual; “June Fifth! At last we are graduating. The final activity of the class of ‘45. We decided earlier in the year to put on the graduation exercises and program ourselves. This year’s class is also wondering about their graduation ceremony. In recognition, a parade was organized through downtown Cashmere to give the students a chance to celebrate their passage to life beyond high school.

Council struggles over small business relief

The Washington State Department of Commerce has awarded the City $93,000 in Federal CARES Act funds to assist in addressing impacts associated with the Coronavirus Pandemic. The Chelan and Douglas County Regional Port Authority offered assistance to the city to help the city distribute the funds to local businesses that have been impacted by the shutdown. The money can be used to issue grants to reimburse local businesses for costs incurred because of business interruption. Currently, the city has 193 businesses operating in Cashmere. Council struggled with how to decide which businesses needed the money the most.

Founder’s Day was cancelled

Traditionally held the last full weekend of June. The event was cancelled for 2020 because of pandemic.