City Council

CITY OF EAST WENATCHEE 271 9th Street NE * East Wenatchee, WA 98802 Phone (509) 884-9515 * Fax (509) 886-6233 City Council Workshop East Wenatchee City Hall 271 9th St. NE East Wenatchee, WA 98802 Minutes Thursday, October 15, 2020 In attendance: Mayor Crawford Josh DeLay, Finance Director Councilmember Sterk Lori Barnett, Community Development Director Councilmember Raab Mary Beth Phillips, Court Administrator Councilmember Tidd Chancey Crowell, Judge Councilmember Magdoff Devin Poulson, City Attorney Councilmember Johnson Sean Lewis, City Prosecutor Councilmember Hepner Josh Toftness, Streets Manager Councilmember Sleiman Ike Laswell, Information Systems Trina Elmes, Events Director / PIO Maria Holman, City Clerk 5:30 p.m. Council Workshop. Councilmember Magdoff opened the meeting. 1. Finance Director Josh Delay opened discussion regarding the 2021 Financial Budget. Mr. DeLay provide that the next step in the budget process is to make any changes suggested by the Council. After changes have been made, an Ordinance will be presented to the Council during a Council meeting in November. The budget will not be adopted until the first Council meeting in December 2020. Councilmembers were encouraged to communicate with the Finance Director if they have any questions or concerns before the next Council Meeting. A tentative Council Workshop has been reserved for October 22 to further discuss the budget if needed. Comments provided by Mayor Crawford, Chief of Police Johnson, Councilmember Magdoff, Councilmember Sleiman, Councilmember Sterk, Ike Laswell, Lori Barnett, Devin Poulson, Councilmember Hepner and Councilmember Sleiman. No action was taken by the Council 10-15-2020 Council Workshop Minutes Page 1 of 3 2. Mayor Jerrilea Crawford provided information and an update regarding truck routes. After further conversation (subsequent to the last Council Workshop that took place on September 15), the decision to keep the existing truck route in place has been made by staff. Appropriate signage has been placed. Comments provided by Mayor Crawford, Councilmember Magdoff, Lori Barnett, and Councilmember Sleiman. No action was taken by the Council 3. Mayor Jerrilea Crawford provided information regarding the SR 28 and 9th Street bike/pedestrian crosswalk. The City is working towards placing a traffic light on 9th St. and Valley Mall Parkway, part of this process is consideration of a pedestrian crossing at SR28 & 9th Street. The City and Department of Transportation (DOT) are coordinating this project. Project Development Manager Tom Wachholder has requested that the community review the project and asked the DOT to consider the community and to consider their input during this review process. Comments provided by Mayor Crawford, Councilmember Magdoff and Lori Barnett. No action was taken by the Council 4. Community Development Director Lori Barnett presented an update regarding the rental assistance program modification. Ms. Barnett provided copies of a proposed modification for the CARES Act rental assistance program being administered by the Housing Authority of Chelan County & the City of Wenatchee (Housing Authority). Ms. Barnett explained that the demand for the rents is exceeding the $800 limit and provided two options for consideration. (1) increase the $800 per month maximum to $1,200 or (2) use the HUD Fair Market rent which is based upon the number of bedrooms in the housing unit. She clarified that the rent assistance provides up to 3 months of their actual rent owed or the current $800 per month, whichever is less. The funds are provided directly to the landlord. She also mentioned that there is a need to extend the deadline into November for the Housing Authority to close out the project. The Council supported increasing the rent maximum to $1,200 and extending the deadline for closeout to November 16, 2020. Ms. Barnett asked Council if they would consider providing CARES Act funds to Powerhouse Ministries on Valley Mall Parkway and pay up to 6 months of their rent not to exceed $12,000. Powerhouse Ministries is a homeless support services located in East Wenatchee. They provide a drop-in center for people to get meals, do laundry and shower. Last winter, Powerhouse Ministries participated in the shelter and support services for homeless during severe weather conditions. The Council supported providing funds to the center. Comments provided by Lori Barnett, Mayor Jerrilea Crawford and Councilmember Magdoff. 10-15-2020 Council Workshop Minutes Page 2 of 3