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East Wenatchee council approves stormwater, street and planning contracts, updates TBD project list and workshop schedule
Summary
The East Wenatchee City Council approved multiple resolutions advancing transportation, stormwater and planning work and updated the city’s project list for the Transportation Benefit District at its January meeting.
The East Wenatchee City Council approved a package of routine but substantive actions at its January meeting, including contracts for engineering work, an update to the Transportation Benefit District project list, and a short‑plat frontage‑improvement deferral. Councilmembers moved each item as presented and recorded aye votes; summaries and key figures are below.
Nut graph: These items fund or advance transportation projects, stormwater work, planning required by state law, and small workforce‑wellness policy changes. Most passed with minimal debate; council discussion focused on project timing, funding sources and ensuring staff follow‑up reporting.
Summary of approved actions and key details
- Short‑plat frontage‑improvement deferral (Resolution 20 25‑08): Approved a deferral to postpone frontage improvements on North June Avenue associated with Short Plat 2019‑01. City staff said the estimated cost to construct the frontage improvements in front of the lot is about $50,000; the deferral means the property owners would reimburse the city if/when work is constructed. Motion by Council member Magdoff; second by Council member Botello; motion carried.
- Consultant agreement — preliminary stormwater design, Nineteenth Street NE (Resolution 20 25‑06): Approved a consultant agreement with RH2 Engineering not to exceed $29,980 for preliminary stormwater design work on Nineteenth Street NE between State Route 28 and North Baker Avenue (City Project 2025‑06). The work will advance a phased approach to a regional stormwater facility and achieve roughly 30% design to locate structures and utilities. Motion by Council member Botello; second by Council member Johnson; motion carried.
- Consultant agreement — Valley Mall Parkway overlay (Resolution 20 25‑07): Approved a consultant agreement with RH2 Engineering not to exceed $74,933 for engineering and construction administration-type services associated with the Valley Mall Parkway overlay (City Project 2025‑01). The project leverages a $665,000 Transportation Improvement Board grant for the overlay from Ninth to State Route 28. Motion by Council member Tidd; second by Council member Magdoff; motion carried.
- Transportation Benefit District project list update (Resolution 20 25‑09): Repealed Resolution 2024‑40 and approved the updated residential street overlay program and TBD project list. Staff explained the TBD (0.1% sales tax) funds match grants and that grant‑awarded projects are prioritized; staff said they maintain roughly $200,000 as a reserve. Motion by Council member Johnson; second by Council member Botello; motion carried.
- Healthy Worksite wellness program policy update (Resolution 20 25‑11): Approved updates to the administrative policy and procedures for the city staff wellness program (started 2013). Council and staff said the frequency of the wellness‑committee meetings was changed from monthly to quarterly; staff reported the program reduced insurance premiums by an estimated $17,000 last year. Motion by Council member Tidd; second by Council member Arnold; motion carried.
- Consultant services — 2026 periodic update (Resolution 20 25‑12): Approved a consultant agreement with SCJ Alliance not to exceed $125,000 to support the 2026 periodic update of the comprehensive plan and development regulations required by the Growth Management Act. Some work will occur in 2025 and continue into 2026. Motion by Council member Botello; second not specified in transcript; motion carried.
- Lodging tax grant — Mission Ridge Western Regional Junior Championship: The council authorized the mayor to execute an agreement with the Mission Ridge Ski Education Foundation for lodging‑tax funding not to exceed $10,000 for a multiday regional competition expected to draw participants from multiple states. Motion by Council member Tidd; second by Council member Johnson; motion carried.
Process notes and follow up
Most items passed with routine motions and unanimous voice votes. Council asked staff to continue coordinating with utility districts on tight corridors (Nineteenth Street stormwater work), to confirm lodging‑tax eligibility rules where grants affect hotel‑motel revenue, and to provide reporting where grants or agreements require heads‑in‑beds justification.
