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 replacement. Schafer said the project remains under 1.7% contingency overall. The council approved the change order and authorized the city administrator to sign.

- South End Bike & Pedestrian Access Bridges — WSDOT construction agreement (city project 2201.2): Project engineer Nicole Brockwell presented a standard agreement with the Washington State Department of Transportation for work within state right‑of‑way; the city will construct improvements and East Wenatchee retains maintenance responsibility per exhibits. Council approved authorization to execute the agreement.

- Wenatchee Valley Regional Decant Facility use agreement with the City of Leavenworth: The council approved adding Leavenworth as a partner in the regional decant facility. The facility processes street sweepings and storm system waste; the staff presentation noted the fee schedule is $2,400 per year plus roughly $190 per trip. Council approved the facility‑use agreement.

- Resolution authorizing temporary interfund loans for Apple Capital Loop project (resolution 2025-08): Finance director Brad Pozenjack explained that some grant‑reimbursed funds need temporary cash‑flow support because reimbursements can lag one to two months. The resolution authorizes the treasurer to loan and transfer money from various city funds to the Apple Capital Loop Projects Fund, with a ceiling referenced in staff materials (the resolution cites authorization up to $15,000,000 to manage peak cash-flow months). Council adopted the resolution.

- Rivercomm 2025 amended and restated interlocal cooperative agreement: City Administrator Laura Gloria described this as a cleanup of a previously approved agreement; the council voted to approve the amended and restated interlocal agreement.

- Rivercom data‑hosting interlocal cooperation agreement: Police Chief Edgar Reinfeldt explained the agreement clarifies which agencies own what data housed on Rivercom servers and assigns custody‑of‑records responsibilities to ensure compliance with public‑disclosure law. The mayor was authorized to sign the interlocal agreement.

Procedural notes and votes Most motions were approved by voice vote with “Aye” recorded and no roll‑call or negative votes announced in the public record. Where a council member identified a conflict, the member recused themselves on the specific item (the convention‑center change order had a noted recusal). Several motions listed the mover and seconder on the record; staff presentations preceded votes on complex items.

Details from staff presentations - Zach Horton (public works project engineer) summarized the BNSF agreements as covering temporary construction easements, permanent easements, BNSF flagging and installation of a temporary shoe fly to detour mainline traffic; he said most construction costs will be incurred early in the project and that contingency allowances are budgeted.

- Adam Neely said crews will replace a burned 72‑inch polyethylene outfall with 72‑inch concrete pipe, and that bypass pumping plans were on standby to protect conveyance during the repair.

- Alyssa Schafer said Change Order No. 8 addresses residual adhesives; staff selected a cost‑and‑time saving option to cover affected wall areas rather than replace drywall.

What’s next Council members referenced upcoming groundbreakings for Confluence Parkway Phase 1 (April 17) and the South End bike‑pedestrian bridge; staff said outreach and scheduling for the bike‑pedestrian project continue and construction is tentatively on track to begin April 1. The council recessed into a closed executive session on potential litigation later in the meeting and returned with no public action taken.

Votes at a glance - Consent: Approve agenda, vouchers and minutes; accept work by Redneck/Rudnick and Sons LLC for Complete Streets Sidewalks (city project 2304); authorize city administrator to sign final contract voucher — approved (motion by Councilmember Ewer, second Hornby). - Rivercomm amended interlocal cooperative agreement (2025) — approved (motion by Councilmember O’Steen, second Hornby). - BNSF construction and maintenance agreements (Confluence Parkway Phase 1, city project 2201.1) — approved (motion by Councilmember Hornby, second Ewer). - Change Order No. 8, Absher Construction Company (Convention Center expansion, city project 2212) — approved; one council member recused (motion by Councilmember Rosin, second Cuevas). - WSDOT construction agreement (South End bike‑pedestrian access bridges, city project 2201.2) — approved (motion by Councilmember Atkinson, second Ewer). - Holly Street stormwater outfall emergency replacement contract, J and K Earthworks LLC, $259,300 (city project 2508) — approved (motion by Councilmember Ewing, second Atkinson). - Wenatchee Valley Regional Decant Facility use agreement (City of Leavenworth) — approved (motion by Councilmember Ewer, second Hornby); fee schedule: $2,400/yr + ~$190/trip. - Resolution 2025‑08 authorizing treasurer to loan and transfer money to Apple Capital Loop Project Fund (interfund loans, up to $15,000,000 ceiling cited in staff materials) — adopted (motion by Councilmember Navarro Gomez, second Atkinson). - Interlocal cooperation agreement for Rivercom data hosting — approved (motion by Councilmember O’Cine, second Euler); mayor authorized to sign.

Ending Council recessed into executive session to discuss potential litigation under RCW 42.30.110(1) and returned with no further public action; the meeting adjourned following the session.