First in-Person City Council Meeting in Two Years

City officials dusted off their podiums and settled in to business on April 12, excited to finally sit in official city council seats. The hybrid city council meeting was brought into session with Mayor Carl J. Florea bringing two gavels for the occasion. The meeting recapped the recent bomb threat, a surprise visit from Chelan County Commissioner Bob Bugert, and an introduction to the Workforce Housing Grant Program.

Five of the council members were in attendance, Marco Aurilio joined via Zoom, and Clint Strand had an excused absence.

Chelan County Sheriff’s Chief Adam Musgrove presented on the recent bomb threats made in Leavenworth on March 24-25. Musgrove was the incident commander for that event. Since this is an active investigation, he asked the council if they could hold an executive session to present some of the more sensitive information.

In the public session, Chief Musgrove stated that on March 24, an unnamed suspect called Rivercom three times to report a suspicious package at the Rhein Haus, Icicle Brewing Co., and Wok About Grill. The following day, Icicle Brewing Co. received a second bomb threat by the same suspect. The case has since been turned over to the FBI.

Musgrove presented the Rivercom calls that they received, detailing a false name that the suspect gave to police, and with the suspect later calling out his supposed “cheating ex” and named Musgrove specifically on the call made on April 25, and recorded himself loading his shotgun as a threat.

Public Works Director Tom Wacholder deactivated the downtown Leavenworth livestream after authorities found that the suspect was using those cameras to name some of the key features of the reported bomb locations. Authorities also pulled the bomb alert from the police scanners because of the incendiary nature of the calls.

Musgrove stated that he and Wachholder plan on going over contingency plans which include creating checklists and books that they can pass out to supervisors, incident commanders, and local business owners. These contingency plans would include city council info, maps, and the placement of future roadblocks. Musgrove commended all of the first responders involved in the incident and thanked Wacholder and Leavenworth Fire Chief Dave Nalle for their assistance.

Afterwards, the council proceeded with the public comment period for any discussion items not listed on the agenda. Paula Strozyk was the first to speak, followed by Scott Schimelfeng. Paula noted her disappointment with how the planning commission discussed the height requirement.

“We are at the edge of a precarious rift in our community and in the process,” Strozyk said.

Both Strozyk and Schimelfeng apologized for Schimelfeng’s outburst during the April 6th planning commission, who expressed his frustration with the commission’s perceived dismissal of the proposed height requirement.

“[Three planning commissioners] gave their statement that they didn't see any value in change, and we're here to talk about ideas and considerations and that just wasn't happening,” Schimelfeng said.

Commissioner Bob Bugert then spoke to the council, he had come to thank Mayor Florea for their one-on-one conversations, along with thanking the Sheriff’s Office for their work on the aforementioned bomb threat.

Bugert had introduced the recently unveiled Behavioral Health Unit, along with raising awareness on the rising fentanyl crisis throughout Chelan County.

Development Services Manager Lilith Vespier then introduced the Workforce Housing Grant Loan Program (WHGLP), an objective previously addressed in the Housing Action Plan. This action item would provide a framework for pending and future workforce housing projects.

Councilmember Sharon Waters asked if this was related to the Borealis Builders project, which is a partnership agreement made between them and the city to build three houses for Upper Valley MEND. Both Vespier and Mayor Florea confirmed that it was, which resulted in Waters abstaining from the vote so as to not possibly create a conflict of interest.

The council passed the WHGLP ordinance, with five council members voting yes and Sharon Waters abstaining. This motion was passed with a resolution to add an official application process for the program.

Finance Director Chantell Steiner introduced the Quarterly Budget Amendment, which was needed to include the Teamsters Union contract settlement from December 2021 and the adjustments to beginning and ending fund balance from 2021. The total budget adjustment was finalized to be $814,827. This item passed unanimously.

The last council discussion landed on the Rate and Fee Schedule Update, which was tabled during the March 22nd city council meeting. This fee would be a square footage fee businesses would pay for use of Front Street.

The fee would be based on the lost parking funds incurred by the city after closing down Front Street. Square footage pricing options proposed ranged from $1/ square ft., $1.50/ square ft., or $2/ square ft.
Colchuck's Burgers and Brews co-owner Gavin Evan provided a cost breakdown as to why the $1 per square foot fee would be the most cost-effective fee for business owners.

Evans argued that business owners that would use Front Street for their business should not have to cover the lost parking revenue and that the $1/ square ft. fee is $0.25 more than the sidewalk fee that businesses pay for business use of the sidewalk.

Councilmember Jason Lundgren agreed that businesses using the closed street should not have to cover parking fee losses. Councilmember Zeke Reister noted his hesitancy to accept a fee that was not previously placed on downtown businesses. Mayor Pro Tempore Anne Hessburg stated that she did not wish to disincentivize business owners from adopting a more Bavarian outdoor seating arrangement because of this fee.

The council moved to approve the fee amendment of $1.5/square feet with a 4-2 vote. Councilmember Marco Aurilio voted no due to wanting to adopt the $2/square ft. rate, Councilmember Lundgren also voted no.

The following items were passed unanimously with very little discussion: closing the public right-of-way until Dec. 31, 2022 for the majority of Front Street and the north half of 8th Street between Front and Commercial; the purchase of a 2022 Exmark Zturf 30” Stand On Aerator for $11,584.85 and the surplus of a 2015 Exmark 30” Stand On Aerator; and approving a Supplement Agreement between Prusik Investments, LLC to replace an insufficient water main for $53,000.