[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6184039,"mediaKeyId","5093135-4e28911fc97c03317573b399fca1cc4c","parentId",5093135,"title","Council approves budget for biosolids storage building and an engineering contract amendment for wastewater pumps","audioSeconds",431,"startMs",2942000,"endMs",3373000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5093135-4e28911fc97c03317573b399fca1cc4c&start=2942&end=3373","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5093135-4e28911fc97c03317573b399fca1cc4c/thumbnail_2942000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6184039/Wenatchee-City/Chelan-County/Washington/Council-approves-budget-for-biosolids-storage-building-and-an-engineering-contract-amendment-for-wastewater-pumps","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6184039-4d3b14bf0cc75546ed0f7c4e8b11f1d4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174584&Signature=CuhE~g4QALBjP0ZBTse-otq3AH4HeQ9dbwarrLa8pRCiU7kQ~TwmHwAac~0u0wNyvTVY4RWB2vjhQpxgEAdZtkGIMV6CD-GhSaSj8srEGnPXIcr99GMZxhSvXKQMPiiB4wxvC2bnwHjOnINTX6yHSYJK0v~zO~JCmmhc8qVoBCX2kjcBAIGY45VWmqwmzlMT0JHekayzyL3PRQ-DnJ9oOntH2N7Oq0ZyBfqHvyksfglvO7LjPU-rw~f8Auyjgzvjw~yP1IFqPao9aCOQKbMtpjy2yoJ3QQ4i5ed6zA-H13d1J3cQfUZa1pP4HhV6N~3tlm2LTAj-QeDeWX6Yyl-kow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Wenatchee City, WA","date","2025-06-27T13:39:12Z","article","City staff told the council the wastewater utility is advancing two projects to increase resilience and create a marketable product from biosolids.

Deputy Public Works Director Jessica Shaw said the city aims to certify treated biosolids as a fertilizer and needs a storage building to protect the product from rain. The proposed capital project (Project No. 2509) was not included in the 2025 budget but will be funded from the sewer utility fund (Fund 405). The project scope includes a fertilizer storage building and improvements to existing drying‑bed drainage.

Shaw also presented a fifth amendment to the city’s contract with RH2 Engineering for engineering services at the wastewater treatment plant. She said aging pumps cannot be replaced “in kind” because the original models are no longer available; the amendment covers engineering, replumbing and electrical upgrades to accommodate new equipment. The council approved both the capital project budget for Project 2509 and the fifth amendment to the RH2 contract; staff said funds are available in the sewer utility operations and professional‑services budgets.

Council members and staff noted the project follows examples in other jurisdictions that convert biosolids into marketable fertilizer products; Shaw cited Pierce County’s Tagro and King County’s SoundGrow as comparable programs.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Wenatchee City Council - 06/26/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The council approved a capital project budget for a fertilizer‑certification storage building at the wastewater drying beds and approved a fifth amendment to RH2 Engineering's contract to support pump replacements and related electrical upgrades at the wastewater treatment plant.","taxTitle","Wenatchee City, Chelan County, Washington","taxId",5120,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6184044,"Council OKs $300,000 contingency increase and 31‑day extension for major downtown project",322,2654000,2976000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5093135-4e28911fc97c03317573b399fca1cc4c&start=2654&end=2976","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5093135-4e28911fc97c03317573b399fca1cc4c/thumbnail_2654000.jpg","/articles/6184044/Wenatchee-City/Chelan-County/Washington/Council-OKs-300000-contingency-increase-and-31day-extension-for-major-downtown-project","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6184044-9c00a034fcd18737bfb01b6266447cc8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174584&Signature=LBpk0OyE1RJj8NyTdLBZSBy1hKXCWtu4xCb3o~nGz9kLyKALlwlFPXlYlRPnfCRH~mGXUSeuXfOurVuVTEoZuuu74jd5AVxsRtW8B9jyC~aMzfTY2dMgrlsjSrLr7RqrxB2d7cdsKV0-PvPAhQiJRxjRMbCHeO43sg1~Ei~IwmxemMA8APTnW0h~D1ZCbQH5BdhFlZa9EVoGTCurJHLObrGxAdXq5bRDUnyK~mfzObUFriXsFQlsJezy79D7rgddmrnrWYSIFlbYK1CZKB3zFZd~tyVZcLDW1CfpiZvu9LH4sKS0oIrpDOI0zHzqYR46L3hywlALycvg6oOdg~WqOw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City facilities staff told the council the project's original contingency of 3.6% was low and that interest income on bond proceeds can cover an additional contingency increase.

Alyssa Schafer, the city’s facilities manager, asked the council to amend the capital project budget for project No. 2212 and approve Change Order No. 12 to the Absher Construction contract. Schafer said the project is about 80% complete. The council approved adding $300,000 to the contingency (raising the contingency to 5.7%) and approved Change Order No. 12 for $126,287.67, which carries a 31‑calendar‑day extension and sets a new substantial completion date of Sept. 10, assuming no further delays.

Schafer told the council the additional contingency will be covered by interest accrued on $16 million in bond proceeds invested in pooled cash and longer‑term U.S. bonds earning roughly 3–3.5%. She said the change order was needed to cover some design complexities and unforeseen conditions. The motions passed on a council voice vote.","Council approved a $300,000 contingency increase funded by bond interest and change order No. 12 for Absher Construction totaling $126,287.67 with a 31‑day extension to move the downtown facilities project toward substantial completion (new date Sept. 10).",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6184049,"Wenatchee council approves Pershing Street stormwater contract, PUD interlocal and FEMA generator extension",516,2129000,2645000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5093135-4e28911fc97c03317573b399fca1cc4c&start=2129&end=2645","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5093135-4e28911fc97c03317573b399fca1cc4c/thumbnail_2129000.jpg","/articles/6184049/Wenatchee-City/Chelan-County/Washington/Wenatchee-council-approves-Pershing-Street-stormwater-contract-PUD-interlocal-and-FEMA-generator-extension","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6184049-91447afa2de5b6dcbb69bdc2b0735a81/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174584&Signature=LSQa7UGyM~VTr~McLeNeRcknDVfwPYnBcf8lm6ESDmPv86rQXDsJuY2lsdrqnJyqLD9nsnOjnaCldV6Ia6Ae3LlW8hZGmDyYmZeImEhFi7QFg6buOLf4OMwvHGoiZVfm3-LqhuDRACFqie~~wM6723acg26mTpSspuj-m6hRyuzXstLxweoWfhTebfd7ubyZ2OQoUBCdYb~3SGmBFvqhzpHu4G12gPa7TwKhVJmH~QbUJY7I2-GYIsvcEM88LVYwzg7hX08gSCDEB94~vhezoCERxH~H5nhdL5aCZSu3q2a4A56YR9wR7LEwoXozcUgB0zH2n1QlmWYgVNBhtI42iw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council voted to advance multiple public‑works and utility projects aimed at flood mitigation and resilience.

Darcy Running, utility project manager, asked the council to approve an agreement with AKS Engineering and Forestry LLC (formerly CPH Consulting) to finish design and manage construction for the Pershing Street stormwater retrofit. The council authorized the city administrator to sign the agreement; the contract value presented to council was $307,659.

Public Works deputy director Jessica Shaw presented a new master interlocal agreement with Public Utility District No. 1 of Chelan County that updates a 2003 accord and establishes a master permit process for city stormwater infrastructure located on PUD property. Shaw said the agreement covers five existing sites at the Wenatchee River confluence and Old Station area and anticipates two additional outfalls tied to Confluence Parkway; the council authorized the administrator to sign the master agreement and subsequent site permits without returning to council for each permit.

Running also asked the council to approve a one‑year time extension to a hazardous‑mitigation grant contract (Hazard Mitigation Grant 5395‑12R) so FEMA‑funded generators the city has purchased can be installed and the contract closed by May 30, 2026. Staff said the generators will back up all water critical infrastructure, including the treatment plant, and that funding is provided via the county hazard‑mitigation grant program with FEMA as lead.

All three motions passed on council voice votes; staff said construction funding for Pershing Street will be available July 1 and the stormwater design work will move into construction in 2026.","Council authorized engineering services for the Pershing Street stormwater retrofit, approved a master interlocal agreement with PUD No. 1 of Chelan County for stormwater infrastructure on PUD property, and approved a one‑year time extension for FEMA-funded generators for critical water infrastructure.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6184054,"Wenatchee council approves two 12‑year multifamily tax exemptions with affordable-unit requirements",902,3347000,4249000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5093135-4e28911fc97c03317573b399fca1cc4c&start=3347&end=4249","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5093135-4e28911fc97c03317573b399fca1cc4c/thumbnail_3347000.jpg","/articles/6184054/Wenatchee-City/Chelan-County/Washington/Wenatchee-council-approves-two-12year-multifamily-tax-exemptions-with-affordable-unit-requirements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6184054-02a98bd64afac416957325d15596fb58/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174584&Signature=JojDrCnZxqWS-o40IN~RVttKlAD4pysAFRRKtOcQxwBgQsxQ4GEjlvPicJ5GWFd1sWhoElurvTYbjaFAJ2EKfEOTX-CwQAzMKtuBOLSWiNfdiW90oO~iBnTmiOQXX7OLpvbQ6T2m9p44H3WzC-6Az8wi2NucCd3izzmZt6EVpkq-~CNdd-ubez~aa0q3dMzpsbr1IAT3q3T6L99QHOJK0YbtOZ9ZobI6sG89EecFh99yWTM5IAfz89czB6RwmtoAc-IYKfz8cP3kz3vXNBO6btfrIQUMwEv7tLR-eNajMP6eV00NRuU-pp6w4UXnHomfrbxp3XecN3HY7gR7GwIkrA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Wenatchee City Council approved two conditional multifamily tax exemption agreements that require developers to reserve a portion of units for low‑ to moderate‑income households.

City planning staff presented the applications for 1021 Walla Walla Ave LLC and Fifth Street 20 LLC. The council adopted Resolution No. 2025‑20 authorizing a 12‑year exemption for a proposed 125‑unit project at 1021 Walla Walla Ave that the staff report says would provide 25 rental units to low‑ and moderate‑income households. The council adopted Resolution No. 2025‑19 authorizing a 12‑year exemption for a 20‑unit project at 1323 Fifth St that the application proposes to designate four rental units as affordable.

Planning staff said the city’s revised multifamily tax exemption code provides expanded incentives for projects that set aside at least 20% of units for low‑ and moderate‑income renters or buyers; both applications were filed with building permits that are under review. The staff presentation said qualifying applicants must satisfy reporting and verification steps before a final certificate of tax exemption is issued.

Public comment included support from Brian Campbell, who said he backs the program but urged safeguards after a prior project in 2023 was released from its affordable-unit commitments; Campbell asked the council to ensure there is no “backdoor exit” that would reduce promised affordable housing.

Both resolutions passed on council voice votes with no recorded dissents.","The City Council adopted two resolutions authorizing 12‑year limited property tax exemptions for proposed multifamily projects at 1021 Walla Walla Ave (125 units, 25 affordable units) and 1323 Fifth St (20 units, 4 affordable units).",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6184059,"Wenatchee fire officials warn of severe season, urge state support and local staffing boost",1432,748000,2180000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5093135-4e28911fc97c03317573b399fca1cc4c&start=748&end=2180","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5093135-4e28911fc97c03317573b399fca1cc4c/thumbnail_748000.jpg","/articles/6184059/Wenatchee-City/Chelan-County/Washington/Wenatchee-fire-officials-warn-of-severe-season-urge-state-support-and-local-staffing-boost","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6184059-f9a8bc9774937f128b1750244ab153e5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174584&Signature=NSCyoYhh44qCtQdxjoDIdGqa4IMYtbT~XrB0hEYP7-BQRO-fWyqximnplxSb8wi9LBTeyUOvKm041fDVnia6J7IKDrKg73vumzDGoFlv7q3WNSShll5M7SI6g91biWpC689i4Id3SiOX-7R2wQLnm5OApZNV-jVaRI-kMRvjzgj5KOfvf6n9HRONz0T-PTs2thvLZZzkVTX0XkDaA2NfIEgf7sxPx2DSFTuZNOh9Ce~uDTTfW~0qcUEzNEOdASLTbGJCS~Tk3PeEizDk6Rb~5HvG5vvhgy0~b030FTbhfcmtnzCzKiRjA3xu7fyK9eztZD62vB-J~eM-M088Rmu8bA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Wenatchee Valley Fire Department leaders told the City Council on a report night that July through September look “really, really bad” for wildfires and urged local officials to press state lawmakers to preserve funding and laws that speed aviation and ground response.

The plea came from Hillary Franz, former Washington state commissioner of public lands, and the Wenatchee Valley fire chief. Franz said recent state laws expanded air and ground firefighting resources and must be maintained. “House Bill 1168 . . . was cut in half this year,” Franz said, and “House Bill 1498 . . . sunsets next year,” adding that local governments should contact legislators and the governor to retain the programs she credited with faster initial response.

The fire chief told the council the department now covers roughly 211 square miles and about 81,000 residents, operates 10 stations (eight soon to be staffed), runs a $25 million annual budget, and responded to 6,200 calls in 2024. He said 65% of calls are medical, the department fields two helicopters, 65 pieces of apparatus and specialized teams for HAZMAT, rope and water rescue.

On staffing the chief said the department needs a three-person model on apparatus to meet life‑safety standards for CPR and structure fire response. “When you go into cardiac arrest for the best chances of survival, you need someone to breathe for you, someone to defibrillate you, and someone to do nonstop compressions,” he said. He said 27–30 new hires would allow three-person staffing across engines and that Microsoft has agreed to underwrite three of nine positions to start staffing the Malaga station on Sept. 1.

The chief said the department plans to hire about 30 firefighters over several years and is aiming for accreditation to codify industry best practices. He cautioned the council that the department’s revenue depends on a local fire benefit charge that must be renewed in 2030; if it does not renew, “we will shut down. We will have one station staffed in East Wenatchee and one staffed in Wenatchee,” he said.

Council members asked about response logistics, mutual aid and outreach to voters. The chief said mutual aid units sometimes supply personnel when only two people staff a nearby engine and that the department is conducting public engagement ahead of future funding requests. Franz offered to supply template letters and suggested a city letter to the Legislature and governor supporting the two laws she named.

The briefing also reviewed a recent local fire that received rapid air resources and multiple aircraft, which the chief said was brought under control within hours. Franz and the chief urged council support to keep the state-level systems in place that coordinate air attack and rapid resource mobilization.","Wenatchee Valley Fire Department briefed the City Council on expected heavy 2025 wildfire activity, asked council to back state funding and described plans to add 30 firefighters to reach a three-person engine staffing model funded by a local fire benefit charge set to renew in 2030.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves budget for biosolids storage building and an engineering contract amendment for wastewater pumps

Council OKs $300,000 contingency increase and 31‑day extension for major downtown project

Wenatchee council approves Pershing Street stormwater contract, PUD interlocal and FEMA generator extension

Wenatchee council approves two 12‑year multifamily tax exemptions with affordable-unit requirements

Wenatchee fire officials warn of severe season, urge state support and local staffing boost