Wenatchee council approves BNSF agreements, emergency stormwater repair, convention-center change order and finance resolution

WENATCHEE, Wash. — The Wenatchee City Council approved a slate of infrastructure and interlocal actions at its Feb. 27 meeting, voting to authorize construction agreements with BNSF Railway for two grade separations, accept an emergency stormwater repair contract, approve a convention-center change order and adopt a finance resolution to temporarily loan cash between city funds to support the Apple Capital Loop project.

Key approvals at a glance - BNSF construction and maintenance agreements for the Miller Street and McKittrick Street grade separations (Confluence Parkway Phase 1, city project 2201.1): Council authorized the city administrator to execute agreements that cover temporary and permanent easements, BNSF construction costs (flagging, temporary shoe fly) and post‑construction maintenance; project engineer Zach Horton told the council estimated construction costs are about $6.7 million and property‑interest costs are about $500,000. The council approved the motion (voice vote).

- Emergency Holly Street stormwater outfall replacement (city project 2508): The council awarded a contract to J and K Earthworks LLC in the amount of $259,300 to replace a burned 72‑inch outfall pipe with concrete pipe. Sewer and stormwater collection supervisor Adam Neely said the polyethylene pipe was incinerated and that crews will replace roughly 20 feet and deactivate nearby transmission lines as needed; the council approved the contract (voice vote).

- Change order No. 8, Absher Construction Company — Convention Center expansion (city project 2212): Facilities manager Alyssa Schafer said prior change orders totaled $90,071.92; Change Order No. 8 will exceed the $100,000 purchasing threshold and addresses residual adhesives in the Fuji gala renovation area by installing thin drywall covering rather than full drywall…