Council approves sewer and generator design contracts and a suite of updated job descriptions

Chelan City Council on April 14 authorized multiple professional services contracts and approved updated job descriptions for several director‑level positions.

The council voted to authorize a design task order for the Anderson Road sewer mainline to serve property tied to the Chelan Valley Housing Trust. Public Works Director Youngren told council the design contract will produce bid documents and that the fee is “not to exceed $139,894,” and that the project is eligible for reimbursement through a $1.3 million Connecting Housing Infrastructure grant. The motion to authorize the mayor to finalize and execute the task order passed by voice vote.

The council also approved RH2 Engineering Inc. task authorization No. 17 to design a stationary generator and automatic transfer switch at the raw water pump station, with a fee not to exceed $98,790. Youngren described the generator as necessary backup capacity and said the city had budgeted for design work and expects to carry budget authority into 2026; he added that the generator itself may cost substantially more and that total installation costs will be clearer after design.

Council members then moved through a package of updated job descriptions for director‑level staff. After brief questions about removing wage grades from job descriptions and how pay scales will be set through the budget, the council approved the city administrator, city clerk, community development director, finance director, HR/communications director, parks and recreation director, and public works director job descriptions by separate motions. Director Koltman said the updates modernize and clarify duties and align descriptions with current state law and hiring practices.

Finance Director Heidi Evans reviewed budget materials and said budget amendment items related to these and other projects will return for formal approval in two weeks and are expected to be placed on the consent agenda.

The motions on contracts and job descriptions passed by voice votes during the meeting; specific roll‑call tallies were not recorded in the minutes provided. The meeting concluded with staff reports on parks and public works work and recognition of the Chelan Fire & Rescue centennial and the upcoming Earth Day fair.

Next steps: the Anderson Road design and generator design proceed to contract execution; budget amendment 2 and related transfers will be on the council’s consent agenda at the next meeting for formal adoption.