Leadership Response Team Conference Call 5-28-20
- Written by Mark R. Donnell, Fire Chief, CCFD
Kent Sisson, Chelan-Douglas Regional EOC: Receiving more steady flow of PPE, Dentists are now considered Tier 2. Still no date from state as to when they will start billing for PPE. Received quote on migrant worker camp (6 tents to accommodate 40 people) of $810,000 with earliest arrival of six weeks. Has been sent to County Commissioners. Still receiving complaints from public regarding movement to Phase 2.
Joyous Van Meter, Chelan-Douglas Health District: 77 more cases in Chelan County, 99.7 per 100,000 per capita for Chelan due to increase in case from last week. Discussion regarding data for possible movement into Phase 2.
Laura Schmidt & Kristi Morris, PA-C, Manuel Navarro, Columbia Valley Community Health: Continue to see positive test daily and working with the health districts.
Ana Cerra-Timpone, USFS: We had 3 employees tested. Onboarded 15 employees in Chelan, 20 in Entiat starting on Monday all have been tested and are practicing social distancing. Campgrounds are still closed with hoped of opening by end of June.
Mike Steele, Lake Chelan Chamber of Commerce: Still seeing anxiousness about getting business community open. Governor to announce possible movement into Phase 2 for community. Chamber still hosting informative meetings for business community. Started to see more instances of business community opening on their own outside of guidelines which could create possible problems.
Debbie Conwell, Manson Chamber of Commerce: No issues over the Memorial Day Weekend, most people were mindful of social distancing. Still some questions as to what business owners can and cannot.
Wade Farris, City of Chelan: Memorial Day Weekend went off without a hitch, things went very well. Face mask contest update.
Assistant Chief Brandon Asher, CF&R (Chelan): Slower than normal Memorial Day Weekend with the exception of the Union Valley Fire. All personnel are healthy, continuing to maintain training with current social distancing guidelines.
Reports from Leadership Team Members Not present:
Ray Eickmeyer – LCCH Hospital & EMS
1. We are still seeing positive Covid patients - so the virus is still here
2. We are working with others (hospitals & Public Health) to do a community Covid Testing Plan
3. Our Covid testing results are now received in 24 hours.
4. Memorial Day weekend recap- it was fairly slow- 18 calls (911 and transfers)
5. LCCH is doing surgery and diagnostic testing
6. LCC (clinic) is fully open and doing Covid testing, people can still do telemedicine
visits too.
Roundtable: Nothing added.
Drive downtown Manson to see 2020 graduates banners
- Written by Janice Stewart
Community members and civic leaders Fred Barkley, Ron Trickett, and Dale England rally together with high school students, High School Principal Dr. Heather Ireland, and High School Office Manager Josh Little to hang senior banners in downtown Manson.
Please take time to drive through downtown Manson and honor this year’s seniors who are the first graduating class from Manson to have their senior pictures displayed downtown.
Union Valley fire caused by winds fanning a controlled burn
- Written by Mark R. Donnell, Fire Chief, CCFD
On Saturday, 5/23/20 at 2:18 PM, Chelan Fire & Rescue crews were dispatched to a brush fire at 644 Union Valley Road.
Units enroute reported a large smoke column and immediately called for second alarm resources.
On scene fire crews reported an approximately 1-acre fire rapidly moving uphill in medium fuels of brush and grass.
Due to topography and lack of access, fire crews were unable to access the fire with apparatus and attempted control with hand teams.
Third alarm resources were dispatched which brought mutual aid units from Manson (CCFD #5), Orondo (DCFD #4), Pateros (OKDFD #15), and the DNR as well as helicopter resources. A total of 60 firefighting personnel were able to contain the fire at 6:59 PM and the scene was turned over to Entiat Hotshots and DNR for mop up.
The final estimate on the size of the fire was approximately 30 acres with no personnel injured and no structures lost.
The cause of this fire was determined to be from controlled burning that had jumped the burn due to wind.
The 2020 Square Dance at the Orchard scheduled for August 1 has been canceled
- Written by Herb Sargo
With considerable regret, the Foundation Board has voted to cancel this year's Square Dance at the Orchard. - The NPS North Cascades Complex is currently closed, and reopening is unknown as to when or to what degree. (The Buckner Orchard is a National Park Service Property.)
- Chelan County is currently in Phase I of reopening and could possibly move to Phase II in June.
- Phase Four is necessary for events of this size (>50 people) to occur, and its questionable we will be there by August 1.
- Our special use permit for the event, if we're not at Phase Four, will be canceled.
- Our insurance coverage for the event, which WILL NOT cover anything Covid-1 related.
- Square dancing is literally the antithesis of social distancing.
- Cancellation should be made in a timely fashion so as to allow the band and others adequate time to cancel reservations at Stehekin lodgings and rentals, should they choose to do so.
- Appropriate timing of the cancellation will allow Stehekin businesses more time to re-book the vacated rooms.
- Organizational liability is of concern.
Chelan Douglas Regional Port Authority launches two new programs to assist North Central Washington small businesses
- Written by Sarah Deenik, Communications Coordinator/Finance Specialist, CDRPA
The Chelan Douglas Regional Port Authority (CDRPA) is proud to launch two new business support initiatives. The programs will assist small businesses in Chelan and Douglas counties navigate the business downturn associated with the COVID-19 outbreak. The Regional Port is allocating $100,000 for a Rent Participation Fund, and an additional $100,000 for a Getting Ready to Reopen Fund.
“The COVID-19 pandemic and accompanying business shutdowns have dramatically impacted many small businesses in our region. The Regional Port is committed to providing meaningful financial support to businesses as they safely reopen their doors,” stated CDRPA Board President Rory Turner. The Rent Participation Fund will provide up to $1,000 per qualifying business to help them pay rent. The business, landlord, and Port will each pay/contribute one third of rent under the program. Rent due for June 2020 and subsequent months is eligible.
The Getting Ready to Reopen Fund will provide up to $1,000 per qualifying business to reimburse the costs they incur to reopen their business or change operating procedures to follow proper health protocols related to COVID-19. Qualifying expenses include purchase of masks, gloves, thermometers, wash stations, sanitation supplies and equipment, signage, installation of plexiglass shields, marketing, and advertising expenses.
About the CDRPA: The Chelan Douglas Regional Port Authority is the first of its kind in Washington by functionally consolidating two county-wide port districts into one operating entity. With the mission to “Work Together to Enhance the Economic Vitality of North Central Washington”, the CDRPA acts as the principal economic development agency for Chelan & Douglas Counties. For more information, please visit www.cdrpa.org or follow us on Facebook.
Both programs are limited to companies located in Chelan or Douglas counties with ten or fewer full-time employees who have not received any Federal, State, or local grant funding for COVID-19 business impacts. Each program will end once all funds are expended, or December 31, 2020, whichever occurs first. More information and applications for both programs can be found at https://www.cdrpa.org/covid19-small-business-support-initiative.
England Chiropractic donates to Blue and White Award winners
- Written by Janice Stewart
Aaron England, Manson community member and local chiropractor to donate $500 to each recipient of the Manson School District Blue and White Excellence in Education award winners for a total of $2000. Steve Nygreen, Cassie Williams, Kate Sorenson and Maria Zaragoza will receive these funds to support their work with kids.
Thank you to England Chiropractic for your continued support of Manson School District students and staff. Local businesses like England Chiropractic help make Manson a great place to work and learn.
Manson Class of 2020 presentations on YouTube
- Written by Janice Stewart
Manson Seniors have completed their culminating senior presentations that are now posted on YouTube.
Please join us as we celebrate a unique, group of individuals who have shown so much PRIDE, PASSION and GRIT, especially these last few months of their high school career.
Seniors were tasked to prepare a video presentation of their high school highlights, achievements, internships, post high school pathways, community service and gratitude.
Congratulations class of 2020; we are so very proud of you and how you have represented the Manson community!
Manson School District has a new Superintendent
- Written by Janice Stewart
The Manson School District Board of Directors is excited to announce that Yvonne Walker will be our new Superintendent.
Her last seventeen years have been spent in the Arlington School District where her experience in a variety of roles has been exemplary.
She is a self-described lifelong learner and a collaborative leader who will focus her attention on continuing the many areas of success that makes Manson an outstanding School District.
Her husband Nick, son and daughter are excited to become involved in the many community activities that Manson offers.
Current Superintendent, Matt Charlton will provide guidance to ensure a seamless transition for our new superintendent.
Leadership Response Team Conference Call 5-14-20
- Written by Mark Donnell, Chelan Fire & Rescue
Kent Sisson, Chelan-Douglas Regional EOC: Still working on contracting additional farm worker housing due to influx of workers into the community. PPE is still an issue, more non-Tier 1 agencies (dentists, agricultural workers) being added to Regional EOC resource increasing demand for PPE. Doesn’t see any availability for Tier 2-4 agencies in the near future.
Joyous Van Meter, Chelan-Douglas Health District: 291 total positive cases in Chelan-Douglas county with highest weekly increase this past week. Scattered clusters of positive cases. Chelan-Douglas Health District proposal for 1.5 submitted to the State and denied because we are not eligible for moving into this phase. Explained case tracing. Answered question regarding increase in positive cases due to either increase in test kits and/or more symptomatic patients.
Sgt. Chris Foreman, Chelan County Sheriff’s Office: Continuing to move towards staffing for Memorial Day Weekend. Has obtained one sign for public awareness. Anticipating normal daytime call/responses but more “home-based” calls at night due to the closing of bars/restaurants.
Laura Schmidt & Kristi Morris, PA-C, Columbia Valley Community Health: Nothing new to report this week.
Kari Grover-Weir, USFS: Forestry service bringing summer personnel on board, working on cleaning and infection control procedures. Day use site will be open for Memorial Weekend, campgrounds are closed until June 1.
Debbie Conwell, Manson Chamber of Commerce: Nothing new to report this week.
Jim Colbert, Chelan Fruit: 1st week without a positive case in Chelan Fruit. Working on OHSA and DOH worker housing rules and implementation into workforce community.
Mayor Bob Goedde, Mayor of City Chelan: Working towards safely getting business community open and encouraging infection control practices with visitors and community. Concerns with potential influx of visitors
Wade Farris, City of Chelan: City Parks remain open through Memorial Day Weekend with additional security added to safely keep the parks open and during closure periods. Statement will be forthcoming from City in next couple of days.
Chief Arnold Baker, CCFD #5 (Manson): Nothing new to report this week.
Chief Mark Donnell, CF&R (Chelan): 2 members needing testing: 1 negative, 1 waiting results. Making preparations for Memorial Day Weekend.
Updates from Members Not in Attendance:
Mike Steele, Lake Chelan Chamber of Commerce:
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Together Lake Chelan Signs are now available for pick up
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The Chelan and Douglas County Commissioners, State Delegation, Regional Chambers and Downtown Associations have all sent a letter to the Governor to move into Phase 2 immediately. We learned this morning that the request for a variance was denied by the Sec. of Health.
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The Chamber will be releasing guidelines on how to safely re-open businesses in the valley by the end of this week
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The Port Authority for Chelan and Douglas County have just announced a series of grants for business in the two-county area to apply for. The total amount for the grants are up to $1000 per business with all grants not to exceed $200k.
Roundtable: Mayor recommended a mask design contest for Chelan to increase mask use. Media agreed to post on their respective platforms to get the contest rolling.
Conference Call ended at 1348
Chelan County leaders request partial or full move to Phase II of Governor's plan
- Written by Gregory Kennedy
Below are links to letters addressed to Governor Jay Inslee's office regarding moving forward with a partial or full implementation of the Phase II plan for opening the economy in Chelan and Douglas counties.
In the Chelan-Douglas COVID-19 Modified Phase II Proposal, a lengthy case is laid out describing current levels of readiness in the health system and willingness of local businesses to carefully open with safety as a major concern.
Chelan-Douglas COVID-19 Modified Phase II Proposal
The Chelan County Commissioners have also made a similar request:
