[{"_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",6174994,"mediaKeyId","5362881-68b5e675d98e2a33ec85724131450e53","parentId",5362881,"title","Council rejects idea of locating cellular tower on city cemetery after staff report on low lease offers","audioSeconds",80,"startMs",6196000,"endMs",6276000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5362881-68b5e675d98e2a33ec85724131450e53&start=6196&end=6276","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5362881-68b5e675d98e2a33ec85724131450e53/thumbnail_6196000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6174994/Leavenworth/Chelan-County/Washington/Council-rejects-idea-of-locating-cellular-tower-on-city-cemetery-after-staff-report-on-low-lease-offers","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6174994-991e8fcea1b4cd911edaf538fa5cf447/orig.mp4?Expires=1771165618&Signature=a2wla5Le7FfvXHZCe9a5E2hQ1H-siRRC3-XQUsj67F2I-QIfKYqC9B4jH3rEWNw~I22hnpkH53YtbMuZt2EtmiFjwIAYCTt-W4-jVe2l5KZ~-B2xr6Y5Hkg6ll95l0O-MdmjExQl89bptVt7j8m8Yi2pTlWiRv0cL-Jz5mgLvHRNN~44lqv9Zs8E1wovBSbcbKrYuMlHSPDZv9Qy3ZpQUAnwxF-EEe~BkrZfcp4WebtaTumg50KuIyJ2O8~Rfb2EX3~soJIhIfaXLRPj3z42znSn79eih21Qbr65gbsp-ia7-QjqiHUsEPDJkgmbVumSfAvOoOTa3A4jrT1kRKvVdA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Leavenworth City, WA","date","2025-07-11T11:32:07.153Z","article","A private company recently approached city staff to propose leasing space on city cemetery property for a cellular tower; the company’s early offers prompted council pushback and a decision not to pursue placement in the cemetery.

Staff told the council they had been contacted about siting a cell site on cemetery land near Sleeping Lady and that initial offers were low. \"Their first proposal I saw, they were offering us a thousand dollars a year for a 30 year term,\" the staff report said. A later negotiation figure mentioned $6,000 per year; staff compared these offers to typical municipal water‑tower leases in other states where carrier payments often start much higher.

Council members reacted strongly against placing a tower on cemetery grounds. One councilor said, \"Cell tower to graveyard is a horrible headline,\" and members emphasized that cemetery property is a sensitive, sacred site. Several councilors suggested exploring alternative sites and pushed back on the financial terms the vendor had proposed.

Staff took the council’s reaction as direction to avoid further pursuit of the cemetery site and to look for other locations and better lease terms before bringing a proposal back. No formal agreement was entered and no lease was authorized.

Next steps: staff will not pursue a cemetery lease under the currently proposed terms and will evaluate other potential locations and market terms for a city‑hosted or city‑facilitated cell site if warranted by public‑service needs and fair market compensation.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","07.08.2025 City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","City staff told council a vendor has proposed a multi-decade cell-tower lease on cemetery property for low annual payments; council members objected to siting a tower on sacred ground and directed staff to explore other locations.","taxTitle","Leavenworth, Chelan County, Washington","taxId",62259,"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},6174999,"Council declines further study of state open‑container option after concerns about policing, crowding and town character",486,3399000,3885000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5362881-68b5e675d98e2a33ec85724131450e53&start=3399&end=3885","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5362881-68b5e675d98e2a33ec85724131450e53/thumbnail_3399000.jpg","/articles/6174999/Leavenworth/Chelan-County/Washington/Council-declines-further-study-of-state-opencontainer-option-after-concerns-about-policing-crowding-and-town-character","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6174999-057e33b8cb9ca915a630e8483b6cc7d1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771165618&Signature=jU32RiPy4dNn4DJhf-WOanSbZHDgRja2atb5AwQqRvsTtbGXwdujO1xs0DiHl4--uO1q9KZ0EOh6hPERg2zBDrb39NiR9tQ0vQug~qw5GNVqLdI~oeQFZrinPerBm86aStURX2ViztiMXQfjk0DO-ywNn7gqfwkLhVUCpM~bk0tCguKrIODWuo~tE2ugRqo4GlPdkR29FvOUa581tMQvw--dYZMW1xRqWoGC5bkOZ1Zlm4ljwyBeFIONQCLCHIvvIzYQaJ69MT09agRnWQKa2tzF3Gs0ze617w0mV2v5VMvjAni6SC9Bth21Xw0nvGGDWBhZvVMNmW33~7YBNwtoHg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Leavenworth City Council declined July 8 to pursue further study of a state law (House Bill 1515) that allows municipalities to create designated small open‑container areas for alcohol consumption, saying the city would likely not benefit and raising concerns about enforcement and impacts on downtown character.

Staff presented background on the new state law and said the Association of Washington Cities (AWC) had asked whether the city wanted to consider adopting an open‑container designation. Supporters at the state level originally promoted the bill for special events such as the FIFA World Cup; staff said the law offers cities flexibility to define areas and hours. \"You could define the area. You could define it when,\" staff said.

Multiple council members expressed concern about practical enforcement and about increasing public drinking in a town that had recently scaled back the size of its Oktoberfest event to reduce problems. Councilor Zeke said, \"I don't see a real advantage of doing it...we have had success in downsizing Oktoberfest,\" and other members echoed worries about more public intoxication, policing costs, and the potential to create “binge drinking” incentives.

Several members said structured partnerships—Rotary, Lions Club, museums and the Chamber—could better advance community events without expanding open‑container allowances. After discussion, the mayor said he would tell the AWC contact that the council did not want to pursue a study session. \"I'm not hearing more than four voices that support this idea, so thank you. We won't waste your time in the future study session,\" he said.

Outcome: staff will inform the AWC contact that the council does not wish to pursue creation of open‑container designations under HB 1515 at this time. No ordinance or policy change will be initiated.

Context: the state law was discussed in part because other communities proposed temporary open‑container areas for large events; council members repeatedly cited local enforcement practicalities and town character as reasons to decline further study.","After a wide-ranging discussion of House Bill 1515’s authorization for designated open‑container areas, Leavenworth councilors voted not to pursue a study session on adopting such rules, citing enforcement, tourism impacts and community values.",{"_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},6175004,"Housing advisory urges council to draft SDC waiver ordinance to compete for CHIP funds; launches \"Build Together\" idea pipeline",205,1760000,1965000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5362881-68b5e675d98e2a33ec85724131450e53&start=1760&end=1965","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5362881-68b5e675d98e2a33ec85724131450e53/thumbnail_1760000.jpg","/articles/6175004/Leavenworth/Chelan-County/Washington/Housing-advisory-urges-council-to-draft-SDC-waiver-ordinance-to-compete-for-CHIP-funds-launches-Build-Together-idea-pipeline","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6175004-fbf50a54715dd6095cae681f46d296c0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771165618&Signature=JOjvML4x0MNnfN4I81Yxra7G8I7UJp-XaKd8faLrPyO3tCVV6IscRbxS1Cy5-PNfewVaId0CMNmECsAUKYVhpqpf60-Ztd~v9mLO6zvnG60SBLiow6f1lLC1MMt09iSaGqK4BXAFLB1gJ-NTkRuBARxwtVOlfYv6W~5Zv7sj5r6EStInP62cRIte2elzeAq9OxMCcshlZODi39SUxQhfBwUk~1uMfjezH3lZY3w~rVGjuj795R-~j90eA6D1vsKl~2prejZVsk-pWgUisW~XNIUqzgbvlqM3ZsO7AE6LSUG4aTiWfSksPP0P8FYHz2gy23yts2X4GMEEOsmF0cMppw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A city-appointed Housing Advisory Committee member urged the Leavenworth City Council on July 8 to direct staff to draft a system-development-charge (SDC) waiver ordinance to make the city eligible for the state’s Connecting Housing to Infrastructure Program (CHIP) and outlined a separate early-stage idea pipeline called Build Together.

PJ Robinson, who identified himself as a member of the Housing Advisory Committee, said the committee is shifting to a proactive role to help early‑stage housing concepts reach construction. Robinson described Build Together as “not a grant program” but an invitation for two‑page idea submissions focused on solutions for households earning roughly 50–80% of area median income (AMI). \"What we're looking for is early thinking...What's the idea? Who does it serve, especially in the 50 to 80% AMI?\" Robinson said, adding examples and calling for council promotion and partnership.

On CHIP, Robinson said the program was included in the 2025–2027 Washington state capital budget and that it includes a statewide fund and a regional carve‑out. He said \"CHIP includes 20,000,000, 20,000,000 regional carve out for Chelan Douglas and open up accounts,\" and credited Representative Mike Steele for leadership on the carve‑out in the transcript remarks. Robinson told council the city has already adopted the required housing sales tax ordinance (referred to in packet materials as \"Ordinance 16 27\" passed in 2021) but does not yet have the required SDC waiver ordinance.

City staff clarified that the city can apply for CHIP with a written intent to adopt but that funding cannot be awarded without the ordinance and associated code changes. Staff noted the waiver involves amendments to Title 13 to add language specific to CHIP and that preparing the ordinance will take staff time. The council asked for training and more details; Robinson encouraged council members to attend a July 10 CHIP training.

Council members asked how applications are evaluated; staff and Robinson said CHIP grantors typically expect demonstration that a project is viable when awarded and that earlier projects in other jurisdictions were often permit‑ready, which affects how quickly grantees can use the funds.

Council direction recorded at the meeting: the council agreed to move forward with drafting an SDC-waiver ordinance so the city could be eligible to apply for CHIP grants. Staff said they will draft code language—using examples from other cities—and return to council for formal action.

If funded, Robinson said the CHIP pilot could enable infrastructure funding for projects that would include a mandated portion of permanently affordable units; he cited an example that a two‑acre project might yield six or seven permanently affordable units using CHIP reimbursement of infrastructure costs.

Next steps: staff to draft the SDC‑waiver ordinance and associated code amendments, participate in the July 10 CHIP training, and return to council with draft ordinance language for adoption and to position the city to apply for regional CHIP funds.","The Housing Advisory Committee asked the council to direct staff to draft a system-development-charge (SDC) waiver ordinance so Leavenworth can apply for the Washington state CHIP program, and described Build Together, a non‑funded idea pipeline focused on housing for 50–80% AMI households.",{"_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},6175009,"Leavenworth council to back Amtrak funding; Amtrak confirms federal budget request submitted",165,1243000,1408000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5362881-68b5e675d98e2a33ec85724131450e53&start=1243&end=1408","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5362881-68b5e675d98e2a33ec85724131450e53/thumbnail_1243000.jpg","/articles/6175009/Leavenworth/Chelan-County/Washington/Leavenworth-council-to-back-Amtrak-funding-Amtrak-confirms-federal-budget-request-submitted","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6175009-c9a87bd1bb7bd79819ffe3a8d8ac37df/orig.mp4?Expires=1771165618&Signature=mhjVNK7F0m0Y4KGcu6ZskJ5Sgj-mbeww~p9FgGx2q6WqBIFjno7TuQNJkYB8j0WqgOVOYlcDOyNXHDLEE52XXMrpjcmt6Zov0HMXo9VxB4b6IqmIa97si6gYDlbuRHIO4M3wMfZqnl5t2haVOXNUQq4kypnrcr45qLLPEfsVcSF0t3QrpcDDwZyHZ7XzaO1IiNe3ILOEPXFdbYFYIZw7FbcSZiPekEC9JUSIcVybInVuPiXcxvmDIBIqKCza8z5NiU2Zsme19sbVx31V~PRyiLbQo-Zxv49USJdlxbr4Oswy0RZqRNGUeMf~GhxqUcYaYCLjdUu1mxhWzTCm7hj6Mw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Leavenworth council members on July 8 signaled support for a resolution urging federal funding levels that Amtrak says are needed to continue and invest in long-distance services such as the Empire Builder, which serves the station near Leavenworth.

Selby, a city staff member, introduced the matter after he was contacted by Mark Meyer of the Aurora Group, who had urged local expression of support. Selby then invited Chase Kitchen, Amtrak’s government affairs manager for the Northwest, to brief the council. \"As Selby mentioned, we have submitted our budget request for the year,\" Chase Kitchen said, describing a federal and Amtrak request that aims to sustain operations and capital investment outside the Northeast Corridor.

Kitchen told the council the administration and Amtrak have submitted requests that, in aggregate, seek about $2.4 billion for national network operations and capital — funding that Amtrak says would support operations and new equipment over the coming years. \"We have submitted our budget request to congress,\" Kitchen said, noting the timing followed new leadership at the Department of Transportation and the Federal Railroad Administration.

Selby said Amtrak’s Empire Builder served roughly 13,000 passengers at the nearby Icicle/High School station in 2024. Kitchen said local letters and expressions of support are helpful when the Amtrak request is considered in congressional appropriations and asked the council to consider an expression of support. \"It is always beneficial for folks to know that you're interested in continuing that service and investing in the future of it,\" Kitchen said.

Council members asked about timing; Kitchen explained the appropriations process is on the federal fiscal-year timetable (fiscal year ends Sept. 30) and that appropriations work typically progresses through September and sometimes later if Congress uses continuing resolutions.

The council agreed to prepare a resolution of support and invited Amtrak’s assistance drafting language. Selby said he would provide a draft word version to facilitate redlining. No formal vote on a resolution occurred at the meeting; council members asked staff to coordinate with Amtrak on final language for a future action.

Speakers requested clarification on onboard Wi‑Fi reliability and were told by Kitchen that Amtrak is procuring new long‑distance equipment and that newer trains will include improved Wi‑Fi, but existing long‑distance equipment relies on cellular networks and older hardware. \"We're currently in the process of trying to finalize the procurement on a new long distance fleet, which...will have better Wi‑Fi on it,\" Kitchen said.

Next step: staff will circulate draft resolution language and coordinate with Amtrak staff for a future council action.","Amtrak told the Leavenworth City Council it has submitted its federal budget request to support long-distance services including the Empire Builder; council members signaled support for a city resolution and volunteered to coordinate language with Amtrak.",{"_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},6175014,"Leavenworth council backs studying gateway feature for new Ice Fall roundabout, asks staff for process research",590,374000,964000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5362881-68b5e675d98e2a33ec85724131450e53&start=374&end=964","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5362881-68b5e675d98e2a33ec85724131450e53/thumbnail_374000.jpg","/articles/6175014/Leavenworth/Chelan-County/Washington/Leavenworth-council-backs-studying-gateway-feature-for-new-Ice-Fall-roundabout-asks-staff-for-process-research","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6175014-e054f33160bc184890857357f37c1687/orig.mp4?Expires=1771165618&Signature=nBvtBs-wtuxGKdF8E5jT4HzsvoR9QXfsWsLHFx2LO7UL0HJzutu~exOBX~GWchLlddzUW9rv9rrYoQC2JGtuB~BWKuB8CFhhF4WAXwIi5lP7Kg3niFMGs2S4UiWEITcDYG000O0oGr7UP~8JXC410cSZ16A-RhWPm0kHMVlCLHCYSl0Am14ckYlyhUwVyGjT5DeopFsFIQ4RxjAouzbv~QpUWq8oAZBl-uq20xIhzzIycxus~CSM2zYcIZd8ER-9j59cwZTUpFTyGzdHIEE1UTJfOZJvz6T8Yv7aCYcOhZ~3MEkQK-WLpjSOPzJ45mE1sbM5KWld7PoyT8TdARnwTw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Leavenworth council members agreed July 8 to pursue research and public engagement on whether to install a gateway feature or public art in the new roundabout at Highway 2 and Ice Fall, and asked staff to return with process options in the coming months.

The discussion began when Melvin, a city staff member, said the city has budgeted $150,000 in lodging tax money for “some kind of gateway feature in the roundabout” and asked whether the council wanted to move forward now that construction is complete. \"What I would like to hear from council is a discussion about whether or not we should pursue some kind of gateway feature in that location,\" Melvin said.

Council members broadly supported moving ahead but emphasized safety, aesthetics and process. Councilor Anne suggested using the Design Review Board to vet submissions and present top designs to council. \"We should do something,\" Anne said, adding the DRB could vet submissions and present top three designs. Several members said they wanted a clear process to avoid creating an “attractive nuisance” that would encourage people to stop in the roundabout for selfies.

Councilors and staff discussed options including a design competition with realistic budget parameters, temporary seasonal elements (for example, lights or a tree in winter), and forming an ad hoc committee of business owners, residents and staff to develop selection criteria. Melvin said conduit for electric—and he believes water—was installed during construction, expanding design possibilities provided any work complies with state Department of Transportation standards.

Council members also wanted staff to look at how other cities have managed roundabout public art programs and to recommend a process. \"Why don't I take some time to do some additional research on how other communities have done this process and bring something back in a couple of months to further discussion?\" Melvin said.

No formal expenditure or design decision was made. The council directed staff to research options, potential processes (including design competitions and ad hoc committee models), cost ranges tied to the $150,000 lodging-tax allocation, and draft criteria to present back to council.

Community members and councilors asked staff to consider city identity in any design; some council members urged a Bavarian-themed aesthetic reflecting local character, while others focused on avoiding elements that would impair driver sight lines or attract unsafe pedestrian behavior.

Next steps identified by the council: staff research of peer-city approaches and costs; a return to council with recommended process options in a few months; and consideration of an ad hoc committee or DRB-led selection process if the council chooses to proceed.","Council members signaled support for considering a gateway or public art feature in the new Highway 2/Ice Fall roundabout and asked staff to research processes and costs, with safety and budget limits emphasized.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council rejects idea of locating cellular tower on city cemetery after staff report on low lease offers

Council declines further study of state open‑container option after concerns about policing, crowding and town character

Housing advisory urges council to draft SDC waiver ordinance to compete for CHIP funds; launches "Build Together" idea pipeline

Leavenworth council to back Amtrak funding; Amtrak confirms federal budget request submitted

Leavenworth council backs studying gateway feature for new Ice Fall roundabout, asks staff for process research