Leavenworth moves forward with water system upgrades, stormwater waste improvements

LEAVENWORTH – The City Council approved agreements regarding a water main replacement project and stormwater waste treatment before discussing manufactured homes during its Feb. 11 meeting.

The Icicle Road Transmission Main Replacement project, which will replace approximately 5,400 feet of existing 12-inch diameter domestic water transmission main between the City’s groundwater well site on Icicle Road to Mill Street, is moving towards its construction phase, slated to begin in spring.

The council approved a funding agreement for the construction phase involving a $6.26 million loan from the Department of Commerce’s Public Works Board. The loan carries an interest rate of 1.71 percent and a 20-year term. Payments will be made through the City’s Water Fund.

The Water Transmission Main Replacement project stretches from the connection to the city’s wellfield east of the Wenatchee River to the intersection of Icicle Road and US-2 and east along US-2 to the intersection with Mill Street. The project was identified as a priority in the 2018 Water System Plan in order to increase the capacity of the water distribution system and replace an aging pipe.

Additionally, the council approved a use agreement with the City of Wenatchee for the Wenatchee Valley Regional Decant Facility. Contaminants and debris found in stormwater, gathered by Vactor trucks from catch basins and other catchment areas, can be properly disposed of at a decant facility. 

According to Public Works Director Andi Zontek-Backstrum, the agreement would help the department move forward with its stormwater catch basin cleaning program as part of its efforts to implement preventative maintenance programs in 2025. To date, Leavenworth has struggled to identify an approved method and location for disposal, presenting a challenge to both cleaning catch basins and street sweeping.

“Right now we don't have a good place to dispose of these. We take them out to the cemetery to dewater…We did like a $240,000 cleanup job out there to remove all this waste. We do not want to decant out there, so moving forward we really do want to use the Wenatchee Decant facility,” said Public Works Director Andi Zontek-Backstrum.

Under the agreement, city staff would be able to dispose of vactor truck waste and street sweeping waste at Wenatchee’s facility, for an annual charge of $2,400 and a tipping fee of $190 for each load. The contract will be paid for either by the City’s Street Fund or Stormwater Fund.

Lastly, Community Development led a discussion regarding proposed manufactured home code changes proposed by the Planning Commission. The changes address several standards that were identified as potential barriers to manufactured home siting and placement, such as removing “designated manufactured home” standards that require specific sizing. The Planning Commission also recommended tiny home dwellings be permitted in residential zones as a way to accommodate smaller households. 

“I think it's about time code came around to allow alternative approaches to housing. We don't all have the same desires. It's really great that we're addressing this,” said Councilmember Mike Bedard.

The changes will be presented for a hearing and council action at a later date. The next city council meeting is scheduled for Feb. 25 at 7 p.m.

Taylor Caldwell: 509-433-7276 or taylor@ward.media