[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6104071,"mediaKeyId","2792572-b91fac7e6ee6dff466cc78fdd9cbcb5d","parentId",2792572,"title","Council debates immigrant workforce and U.S. Forest Service staffing resolutions; action postponed for revision","audioSeconds",2760,"startMs",3240000,"endMs",6000000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2792572-b91fac7e6ee6dff466cc78fdd9cbcb5d&start=3240&end=6000","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2792572-b91fac7e6ee6dff466cc78fdd9cbcb5d/thumbnail_3240000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6104071/Leavenworth/Chelan-County/Washington/Council-debates-immigrant-workforce-and-US-Forest-Service-staffing-resolutions-action-postponed-for-revision","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6104071-ad0042981e2bad6a9f24e671a82dcb58/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448104&Signature=bBFbQQmHMu22DZES8ljQUHzRcU~4TGcZCs~3aIS59K4nF-nzlleQKNHadFBB9vzh-AJ7m9nJ0dIwUxuoqm4Z2gk~ByFDTMGChDl17HlANFA46jKfsuBRzy7Amxq-ilk271pb2p5cMino8gAwN8YApPG-BglE182WlZ5dgUyCgejh~ynFuzAicCzU4SBt4dVAz2ULaV8bdcqrlmsEZmlyQMakZJ7B-f3OOJBoYJhPta0G3L5iTm-N592rtdp6N0JtETE2EnsYHipBPPxD8AXCCk-KTxkRU06QSW0ptdaRdOatpPgGgOXD2TjGAej1L-eMB-6zJFrRDb13bE7OVlgJ4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Leavenworth City, WA","date","2025-03-27T12:21:14.58Z","article","Councilmembers debated two separate but related items during the March 25 meeting: a proposed resolution affirming support for immigrant workers and pathways to legal status, and a separate resolution expressing concern about major staffing and funding cuts at the U.S. Forest Service and their downstream impacts on wildfire mitigation, recreation management and grant-funded projects.

Why it matters: Councilmembers and members of the public said both topics affect the local workforce and the city's ability to sustain tourism, forest health projects and local services. Speakers noted that hospitality, construction and seasonal work rely on an available workforce; they also said large Forest Service staffing reductions could affect fuels reduction, recreation management and federal grant administration for wildfire defense.

Public comment: Several residents and regional advocates spoke. Russ Truman, a volunteer organizer working with conservation and recreation groups, asked the council to sign a letter to the city's federal representatives urging support for federally-employed staff and a process that consults local governments on workforce reductions. Local speakers described an $9 million Community Wildfire Defense Grant and said cuts to federal staff could delay or reduce fuel-reduction work in the Chumstick and Lake Wenatchee areas.

Council debate: Members expressed two recurring concerns. Some said they supported affirming the city's welcoming posture toward immigrant workers but worried that overly strong or imprecise language might expose undocumented residents to increased enforcement or create unintended consequences. Others said the Forest Service resolution should name specific impacts, including the scale-back or delay of grant-funded fuels work, reduced on-the-ground wildfire mitigation, and diminished recreation management that can affect local safety and tourism.

Next steps: Councilmembers voted unanimously to postpone the immigrant/workforce resolution for revision. Members asked staff and sponsors to (1) tighten the language to describe specific local impacts (for example, the potential loss of grant funding and staff that handle fuels-reduction work), (2) solicit local community input including testimony from affected community organizations, and (3) return the item to a future meeting for possible approval. Councilmembers asked that the Forest Service resolution be amended to explicitly note grant and staffing impacts and that the mayor's office forward the revised item quickly to federal representatives.

No final policy was adopted at the March 25 meeting; the council directed staff to redraft the resolutions to address the concerns raised and to return them for consideration.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","03.25.2025 Study Session & City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Council debate focused on two draft resolutions'one addressing immigrant workforce pathways and one about U.S. Forest Service staffing and funding cuts'and members unanimously voted to postpone the immigration/workforce resolution for revision and broader community input.","taxTitle","Leavenworth, Chelan County, Washington","taxId",62259,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6104075,"Council reviews annexation request for 0.5-acre West Benton parcel to secure city water and sewer",1038,2562000,3600000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2792572-b91fac7e6ee6dff466cc78fdd9cbcb5d&start=2562&end=3600","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2792572-b91fac7e6ee6dff466cc78fdd9cbcb5d/thumbnail_2562000.jpg","/articles/6104075/Leavenworth/Chelan-County/Washington/Council-reviews-annexation-request-for-05-acre-West-Benton-parcel-to-secure-city-water-and-sewer","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6104075-3a2bb03549eb52e7bd4748adde2b8ba1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448104&Signature=Rgpwge6Vwei9pUalCuRsLKI~ILHz-tD3e2730qZtnOEU92QcrMRWnMBH9nAR3kEXc-railv86XdI~uYYSLeJBifyMizQRmn3GLPI52saCzN0mVai44Jl7uDDyckSlzleKeBleAg7HAElE9n0d9QxDPZLsdkIswPY-Zi26RJ3d5DiA44y1BWYSAHrfwkMutZSfUVH~DY3SW2aZEHyPh3KlUVmgHDLxCaFI9ywuqWT8LVE19ah9MKyPE9N8IwEWQdKRdYpl8SgJ8ZXg4WR44XZW1-99EiDCncudzeOM0nFFB39Ap5ckim0VbeaCqe7dMUJUm6hD9934IFPKDgBLqlPug__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Maggie Dang, community development staff, briefed the council on an annexation request submitted by Adam Leger for a roughly 0.5-acre parcel at the end of West Benton near Mill and Mine.

Why it matters: The applicant is requesting annexation to obtain city water and sewer service because the parcel has a wetland buffer that makes an on-site drain field infeasible for a single-family home or a duplex. Maggie Dang said the parcel is adjacent to a recently annexed property and that a boundary-line adjustment or an easement from a neighboring owner (Tom White) is likely needed for access to the city right-of-way.

Staff described inconsistencies between the city and Chelan County GIS parcel maps and told councilmembers the application form contained an incorrect map. Maggie said city staff will coordinate with the county to reconcile boundaries and to begin the formal annexation process, which will include a notice period to surrounding properties and a public hearing if the item proceeds.

Councilmembers asked for additional coordination and a check of wetland boundaries and access easements. Maggie said staff would proceed with outreach to Chelan County, confirm the wetland buffer location, and return with a cleaned-up map and a proposed timeline; no formal annexation vote was taken at this meeting.

The council did not take action; staff said the process will proceed through the formal intergovernmental and public-notice steps required by state law and local code.","Staff presented an annexation request by Adam Leger for a 0.5-acre parcel on West Benton near Mill and Mine. The owner seeks annexation to access city water and sewer because a wetland buffer makes a septic drain field infeasible; staff will coordinate with Chelan County and proceed through the public hearing process.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6104080,"Housing advisory committee seeks ideas, floats cottage-housing pilot and land-use options",849,1791000,2640000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2792572-b91fac7e6ee6dff466cc78fdd9cbcb5d&start=1791&end=2640","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2792572-b91fac7e6ee6dff466cc78fdd9cbcb5d/thumbnail_1791000.jpg","/articles/6104080/Leavenworth/Chelan-County/Washington/Housing-advisory-committee-seeks-ideas-floats-cottage-housing-pilot-and-land-use-options","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6104080-9127d1fdb51f77948c84e5ad28482f35/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448104&Signature=JV4fmKtayIi1PPj~QQV-p99Kke2xmB8MjJqwmFc8vasVocg9twq-cP8FgtWQOrsoGmmIdmsUp1z4kT4NVh4HedXm1OHUHPHsTw-qS3DwBHIJf~1hgCTL4~BZTBncWMsJzYHPLMmxEU4VaxIVpheN~-LvCjzyahn4xruBtpzmFTlC8UqM1RGc6Ysf-sF8xPCzj-Hi42fig766gUVxu5RjZv0OACTgBQGZ3JNa5QKNBBBG77j9xBhewwr32mjEexsUOxNkpEnIRFDrI3GCYsl5btSexgIQBL-ICPk~yHyLweVxwBs0orG0smddhgodpzLVE3onEjmTCERf~hLlfP0NaQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kurt Peterson, speaking for the Leavenworth Housing Advisory Committee, presented the group's 2025 priorities to the City Council on March 25 and asked for early council feedback on two concepts: a cottage-housing project proposed by local developers and a feasibility study for a parcel on the Rattle Street/Route of St. Hill area.

Why it matters: The committee said it is responsible for recommending how to invest the city's annual $200,000 housing allocation (which the committee said has accrued to roughly $400,000), looking for ways to leverage those dollars for land purchases, infrastructure or partnership projects that would increase the local supply of workforce or affordable housing.

The committee spent 2024 in an education phase, the presentation said, meeting with developers, bankers, builders and charitable organizations to better understand housing needs and local barriers. For 2025 the committee recommended four focus areas: a formal request-for-ideas process for the community, identifying city-owned parcels that could be used for housing, greater community outreach and political engagement, and a Leavenworth-specific housing workshop or summit to connect local builders, lenders and nonprofits.

Peterson highlighted two early concepts. The first was a cottage-housing idea on a site called City Oak Land on Rattle Street Hill; developers Tom Lynn and Matt Hilton told the committee they were considering pre-manufactured cottage units and targeting workforce tenants such as school district and healthcare employees. The committee said it wants to encourage project designs that take advantage of recently-adopted cottage-housing ordinances.

The second concept was a sloped parcel on the Route of St. Hill the committee described as walkable and possibly suitable for workforce housing if further studied. The committee proposed a $50,000 feasibility study to evaluate site constraints, costs and potential development approaches.

Peterson said the committee would also formalize a semi-formal request-for-ideas process to capture community proposals and better shepherd concepts from initial idea to a shovel-ready proposal the council could consider.

Councilmembers generally praised the shift from education to action and asked the committee to coordinate closely with the planning commission on ordinance requirements and potential permitting barriers. The committee said it planned to return with more concrete feasibility numbers and an intake process for proposals.

No formal council action was taken; committee staff requested early feedback and said they would return with more developed proposals and cost estimates.","The Leavenworth Housing Advisory Committee outlined a 2025 action plan to move from education to action, asking for community ideas and exploring cottage-housing and a possible land-use/feasibility study; the committee also discussed using existing city-owned parcels and leveraging the annual $200,000 housing allocation.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6104086,"Public Works presents 2024 annual report, stresses staffing, preventive maintenance and capital planning",2316,84000,2400000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2792572-b91fac7e6ee6dff466cc78fdd9cbcb5d&start=84&end=2400","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2792572-b91fac7e6ee6dff466cc78fdd9cbcb5d/thumbnail_84000.jpg","/articles/6104086/Leavenworth/Chelan-County/Washington/Public-Works-presents-2024-annual-report-stresses-staffing-preventive-maintenance-and-capital-planning","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6104086-7e3c04c81d0b7ab9f113896e0a4c0730/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448105&Signature=PXw6beaX3K-rseNzlZdJ59wQdlIXTS-6dLMiv4g64Bb9GFFoQWJ1A68zRkZqbcDWZBCpzFg-eieu5EDKTVIil4agOWEMfjFHu7Xmaw5wwuZVtbMJ9xKFUpSYPPSJewn6A14k1bk5-zJVKNDcb7Uirkdyaj5Nmo~h-m7PyYIWs1orJ0CZGfiv8RulOlSuiemyUAzFJYwXoKaRiB3lHGTiMFVwVzUZA4X0KtVhanT2~u1KJWpXqbL2RN0nW-S3cGVngkG8Z8~sql6VXZb2eCqik-Dk2e9qujLq0iv2LUYUJdH6ffhkAChNtau0zj11~DIw8S5kPH8~Xk5btr-6C-8ZzA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Public Works staff presented the department's 2024 annual report to the Leavenworth City Council on March 25, outlining staffing changes, strategic goals for 2025 and a set of capital and operational priorities.

The report, delivered by Public Works staff (identified in the presentation as Andy and members of the leadership team), summarized that the department has about 29'30 employees organized into five divisions'utilities, parts, facilities, wastewater and water'plus administrative functions. Staff said 2024 saw \"a lot of turnover,\" and that several seasonal positions were vacated midseason, creating operational challenges and prompting a staffing timeline and cross-training emphasis for 2025.

Why it matters: The department framed 2025 goals around preserving institutional knowledge, improving workplace culture and completing policy and process work so routine maintenance and emergency response are less reactive and more predictable.

The report identified three headline goals for 2025: extract institutional knowledge and better organize asset and records data; enhance workplace culture with bilingual communications, safety check-in/check-out procedures and schedule flexibility; and complete policy/process work around capital planning and preventive maintenance. Specific initiatives described included standardizing materials across divisions, advancing standard operating procedures, continuing a catch-basin cleaning program, and restoring the FOG (fats, oils and grease) inspections program in wastewater once staffing allowed.

Public Works staff told council the wastewater division had fallen behind on regular FOG inspections because the division had only two operators for a time; they said the department hired a third operator, Jamie Hyde, and expected to resume the FOG program after the new hire started in April. Staff also flagged cybersecurity as an emerging priority for water and wastewater systems because of network-connected devices.

The report included results of an employee engagement survey conducted with department staff. Staff said the survey was administered during a department meeting and that participation covered \"about 85% of total\" staff present at that meeting; responses highlighted workload concerns, requests for additional staffing, interest in a new Public Works campus and a desire for more cross-training and role rotation.

On safety and claims, staff said the department has a low number of L&I (Labor & Industries) claims, \"one or two a year at best,\" and a claims count of about 13 over the last three years (claims that can range from street- and vehicle-related incidents to slip-and-fall). Public Works said it operates a monthly safety committee with representation from every division and conducts toolbox talks and incident follow-ups to identify mitigation steps.

Staff closed by reviewing 2024 capital and metric highlights and offering to bring greater detail on any item councilmembers wanted to explore.

Councilmembers asked about cybersecurity vulnerabilities, the postponed FOG inspections, safety procedures for remote staff and the department's ability to sustain preventative programs given turnover. Staff said progress would depend on completing the planned hires and following the department's cross-training and scheduling changes.

The council did not take formal action on the report; staff said several items would return for ordinance, budget or project-specific authorizations where required.","Public Works staff presented the department's 2024 annual report to the Leavenworth City Council, detailing staffing turnover, the department's 2025 strategic goals, deferred programs such as FOG inspections in wastewater, and capital planning priorities including a 100-year asset-replacement outlook.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6104065,"Votes at a glance: Leavenworth City Council, March 25, 2025",0,6540000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2792572-b91fac7e6ee6dff466cc78fdd9cbcb5d&start=6540&end=6540","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2792572-b91fac7e6ee6dff466cc78fdd9cbcb5d/thumbnail_6540000.jpg","/articles/6104065/Leavenworth/Chelan-County/Washington/Votes-at-a-glance-Leavenworth-City-Council-March-25-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6104065-6a7beabf2dd0f50f6944a3e0a15ca701/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448105&Signature=j0V-kAB8sS6yXJpROZTG3uVRGAJ8Dcs-tw8lmBf-sON9uLb9F0kTM7iyP67QUH1eePhRQxROYOamqtdWwg09P8XB-uu~yvzUxmmae50VIb6SE7gsw3zXs6Tr9usBNnagcuk77K6IX3VoLnpnhaRbKXxMa3AzsYdDckC-D6~IuOl~CepT6XrH2VPid0XLMWfBCsp5rQoCawOyvPSVzYWbie7hjUx3kltK03xMiv9e0v393FkS8XRiPsmHJaI6XMFZNQ59YsYHneseizZOShn-l9qjdI6bC-fdRCF9y-hg3xygEzWVnBOuwP4F10C1s3uIYaoMa5Ajd51zIt8pRl3nhQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Leavenworth City Council took the following formal actions on March 25. Unless noted otherwise, each motion passed unanimously by the councilmembers present (Sharon Waters, Clint Strand, Anne Hesper, Zeke Reister and Shane Thayer). Two councilmembers were excused (McMaster and Bedard).

Votes at a glance

- Motion to excuse Councilmembers McMaster and Bedard from the meeting: moved by Shane Thayer, seconded by Zeke Reister; outcome: approved (5'0yes, 0'no, 0'abstain).

- Resolution 7-2025: Acceptance of Wastewater Collection and Treatment Facility Improvements Project Phase 3 (formal acceptance of work completed in 2024): outcome: approved unanimously (5'0yes). Staff said the motion was required by USDA/loan conditions.

- Resolution: Transfer of control of Ziply Fiber NW LLC to BCE Holding Corporation (franchise transfer for telecom franchise): outcome: approved unanimously (5'0yes).

- Resolution 10-2025 (impacts to our local community with Forest Service staffing/funding): initial motion discussed; council later moved to postpone consideration of the related immigrant/workforce resolution pending revisions and additional community input; outcome: motion to postpone passed unanimously (5'0yes) and sponsors were asked to return a revised draft.

- Water Transmission Main Replacement (award of construction contract): council approved award and authorized the mayor to sign a contract with H Dot Incorporated (lowest responsive bidder) for $5,380,136.34 (including Washington sales tax); mover and second recorded in roll; outcome: approved unanimously (5'0yes).

- Supplemental Agreement No. 2 to Pacific Security for parking enforcement: council approved a supplemental agreement for $35,800, bringing the contract not-to-exceed total to $101,939.24; outcome: approved unanimously (5'0yes).

- Task Authorization No. 3 under RH2 on-call engineering: council authorized RH2 Engineering for KOA lift-station and sewer improvements (KOA lift station improvements) with a not-to-exceed $73,800 for design and scope preparation; outcome: approved unanimously (5'0yes).

- Memorandum of Understanding between the City and Teamsters Local 760 (clarifying that two year-round, part-time positions were not intended to be covered by the collective bargaining agreement and resolving a claims dispute): outcome: approved unanimously (5'0yes).

- Change order No. 5 to Front Street restrooms and stairway expansion (combined change items totaling $68,487.12, including tax): outcome: approved unanimously (5'0yes).

- Additional routine consent-agenda motions and parking and facilities actions were approved by roll call as noted in the meeting minutes; no recorded no-votes were reported for the primary items above.

If the council requests further detail or copies of the signed contracts or resolution text, those documents are part of the city's official records and can be requested through the city clerk.","Summary of formal actions taken at the March 25 City Council meeting, including contract awards, supplemental agreements and authorizations. All listed motions below passed or were postponed as noted; vote counts reflect councilmembers present.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council debates immigrant workforce and U.S. Forest Service staffing resolutions; action postponed for revision

Council reviews annexation request for 0.5-acre West Benton parcel to secure city water and sewer

Housing advisory committee seeks ideas, floats cottage-housing pilot and land-use options

Public Works presents 2024 annual report, stresses staffing, preventive maintenance and capital planning

Votes at a glance: Leavenworth City Council, March 25, 2025