East Wenatchee council approves lodging-tax grants, authorizes trail cameras and new bus shelter; first reading held for fiber franchise

The East Wenatchee City Council on April 15 approved several agreements recommended by staff and the events board, including lodging-tax funding for the Spirit of Wenatchee and for the Wenatchee Valley fourth‑of‑July event, and authorized interlocal agreements with Chelan County PUD and Link Transit for trail cameras and a bus shelter. The council held a first reading of an ordinance to grant a nonexclusive franchise to Intermountain Infrastructure Group LLC; a second reading is required before final action.

Why it matters: The votes allocate visitor‑tax dollars to regional events and authorize short-term technical projects that affect public access and transit amenities; the first reading on a broadband franchise signals planned permitting for private infrastructure in city rights‑of‑way.

Votes at a glance

- Spirit of Wenatchee — motion to authorize the mayor to execute a three‑year agreement (2025–2027) for an amount not to exceed $18,000 (funded from lodging/hotel‑motel tax). Motion by Council Member Stockton; second by Council Member Johnson. Voice vote; no opposition recorded. Outcome: approved.

- Fourth of July (Elevate Marketing) — motion to authorize the mayor to execute an agreement for an amount not to exceed $10,000 (combination of general fund and lodging-tax support). Motion by Council Member Tidd; second by Council Member Botello. Voice vote; no opposition recorded. Outcome: approved.

- Resolution 2025‑22 (Chelan County PUD trail cameras at Porter's Pond) — motion to authorize the mayor to execute an interlocal agreement to allow temporary placement and maintenance of two trail cameras on city property from April through March of next year as part of the PUD’s recreation needs and use study for the Rock Island/Rocky Reach pool. Motion by Council Member Botello; second by Council Member Magdoff. The council approved the resolution unanimously.

- Resolution 2025‑23 (Link Transit bus shelter on Valley Mall Parkway, City Project 2025‑05) — motion to authorize the mayor to execute an interlocal agreement with Link Transit for transit improvements, including a new shelter on the west side of Valley Mall Parkway near the Clearwater parking lot. Motion by Council Member Botello; second by Council Member Stockton. Voice vote; no opposition recorded. Outcome: approved.

- Ordinance 2025‑O4 (first reading) — first reading held to grant a nonexclusive franchise to Intermountain Infrastructure Group LLC for installation of infrastructure in city right‑of‑way. No action taken; a second reading is required before final approval.

Details and discussion

Spirit of Wenatchee: Trina, staff for the events board, summarized that Spirit of Wenatchee requested $6,000 per year for three years (total $18,000) to operate Miss Beetle, provide promotional outreach and support fly‑ins that market the area to visitors. The East Wenatchee events board recommended full funding.

Fourth of July: Trina said the city typically contributes $10,000 from its budget for fireworks and related events; the events board recommended an additional $10,000 from lodging tax funds for expanded programming this year, for a total lodging‑tax commitment of $10,000 (plus the general‑fund contribution). Council members discussed whether future funding should come entirely from hotel‑motel revenues and whether more of the event could be located on the East Wenatchee side to improve access for residents.

Chelan County PUD cameras: Curtis explained the PUD is conducting relicensing work for Rock Island (Rocky Reach) Dam and proposes to place two trail cameras on city property near Porter's Pond to measure shoreline use. The cameras will take photos during daylight hours (one image every 15 minutes) and PUD staff will randomly select images for hourly counts; PUD staff will maintain the devices and will produce a final report when relicensing work concludes. The council asked about data access and liability; Curtis and staff confirmed the PUD will maintain the camera data and the city will receive the PUD’s report when the study is complete. The council unanimously approved the interlocal agreement.

Link Transit bus shelter: Gary presented a plan to add a covered shelter on the west side of Valley Mall Parkway near the crosswalk by a city parking lot; the project will require minor stormwater work and is expected to be constructed late summer or early fall. Staff said the new stop will improve ADA access and visibility for riders; the council approved the interlocal agreement.

Ordinance first reading: Garren described the proposed nonexclusive franchise agreement, which sets expectations for permitting, restoration, liability and coordination between the city and Intermountain Infrastructure Group LLC. Council members asked why the agreement is nonexclusive; Garren explained city streets cannot be granted exclusively to one private infrastructure provider and that the franchise requires coordination with other utilities. This was a first reading only; no vote on final adoption occurred.

What’s next: The council will return the franchise ordinance for a second reading at a later meeting. The PUD will install and maintain cameras under the approved schedule and provide its final report to the city when the relicensing study is complete. Staff said sponsors and organizers should continue to refine fourth‑of‑July programming and lodging‑tax requests for future budget cycles.

Ending: All formal actions on the items listed were approved by voice vote with no recorded opposition during the meeting; the franchise ordinance requires another reading before final council action.