- Written by Reema Griffith, WSTC executive director
Transportation Commission’s virtual meeting set for May 18 and 19
OLYMPIA – Current research on road usage charging as a means of transportation revenue and the next steps in the ferry fare setting process are among the topics the Washington State Transportation Commission will cover at its virtual meeting next week.
The meeting starts at 9 a.m. both Tuesday, May 18, and Wednesday, May 19. Due to limitations on the size of gatherings in response to COVID-19, this meeting will be conducted virtually using Zoom Webinar. People interested in attending can register on the commission’s website. The meeting will be broadcast live on TVW at www.tvw.org.
Tuesday morning, project staff will update the commission on the latest activities of the Forward Drive road usage charge research project. The presentation focuses on two areas of the research: the equity analysis effort assessing effects RUC may have on underserved communities; and the financial modeling work, which aims to measure the long-term sustainability of RUC as a revenue source considering various factors.
Following, the Autonomous Vehicle Work Group will brief the commission on possible topics and areas of focus the group could undertake during the remaining three years it has to complete its work.
Tuesday afternoon, the commission will hear updates on the performance of the Interstate 405/State Route 167 express toll lanes. The commission will also receive an update on its I-405/SR 167 ETL Low-Income Tolling Study, which is assessing the effects of tolling on low-income drivers. Staff will brief the commission on the analysis of two low-income discount options and will discuss elements of the draft final report of findings and recommendations, which are due to the Legislature on June 30, 2021.
Other agenda items include the performance of the SR 99 tunnel, as well as finalizing next steps for toll rate changes on the SR 520 bridge, SR 99 tunnel, and Tacoma Narrows Bridge. In addition, Washington State Ferries will give the commission an overview of its 2021-23 budget and fare revenue target. The commission will review possible fare changes to meet the Legislature’s revenue expectations, based on the final 2021-23 transportation budget passed by the Legislature, and will go over the next steps in the ferry fare-setting process over the coming months. That process includes opportunities for the public to provide input between late-May and early-July. The commission is expected to release its proposed ferry fare changes at its June 15 meeting and its proposed toll rate changes at its July 20 meeting.
The meeting continues on Wednesday with a briefing on ways to address equity in transportation policies and projects such as the upcoming Washington Transportation Plan update. This presentation will cover ways that governments can engage all people in making transportation decisions and measure progress toward a future where all people have access to transportation, allowing them to meet their daily needs. The commission will learn about existing data sources that can shed light on how transportation, housing, health, and the economy interact to create differences in opportunities and resources for Washington’s residents and workers.
Also Wednesday morning, the commission will take action on a legislative request for the naming of State Route 165 as “The Glacier Highway.” The highway is located in Pierce County near Mount Rainier and passes through the communities of Wilkeson and Carbonado.
Questions or comments from the public can be submitted during the virtual meeting by using the “Q&A” function found on-screen. As time allows, questions will be addressed during the meeting. Written comments can also be submitted via email until 4 p.m. the day before the meeting. Comments should be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Written comments received after this deadline will be provided to commissioners after the meeting.
All presentations will be available on the commission’s website. For more information about the commission and complete meeting agendas, visit: www.wstc.wa.gov/meetings
For more information about the commission and complete meeting agendas, visit: www.wstc.wa.gov/
- Written by Chief Rick Johnson, EWPD
EAST WENATCHEE, WA – At 8:14am, the East Wenatchee Police Department received a call that a 13 year old, male, Eastmont Junior High School student had posted a video containing a firearm on social media, the previous day, and then posted an alarming comment on his initial post. A second comment was then made indicating that he wasn’t serious in his first comment.
East Wenatchee Police Officers responded immediately to the student’s home and made contact with the student and then his parents. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office assisted with the call and responded to Eastmont Junior High School. The student was located without incident. The East Wenatchee Police Department is working with the Eastmont School District and no criminal charges were filed at this time.
- Written by Robin Pittman
Regular Board Meeting
May 13, 2021, 4:15pm
Phone-in meeting: 1-425-436-6260
Access code: 8182416
I. Call to Order
II. Agenda Additions and Deletions
III. Public Comment
IV. Approval of Minutes
a. April 8, 2021 Regular Meeting Minutes
V. Financial Review
a. Review Monthly Financial Report
b. Review and Approve Monthly Voucher
VI. Old Business
a. Old Swim Hole update
i. Swim area boundary modification
b. Levy
c. Summer park security
d. Director’s Report
VII. New Business
a. Campground Host concessions
b. Bennet right-of-way maintenance
c. Hybrid meetings
VIII. Adjournment
Next Regular Meeting: June 10, 2021 at 4:10pm, 142 Pedoi Street, Manson, WA 98831, unless otherwise posted.
- Written by Gregory Kennedy
Local real estate man Russ McClellan has amassed a collection of podcasts on YouTube that cover a wide range of subjects from real estate to general wisdom.
Take a look and listen at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCC-h8-6txrD7rZ9VWi2iH3Q/videos
- Written by Karla A Mendoza , Administrative Assistant, CFR
Public Announcement:
Chelan Fire and Rescue Board of Commissioners have called a special meeting for Wednesday, May 12, 2021 at 3:00 p.m. at the fire station located at 232 East Wapato Ave.
The CFR Board of Commissioners will conduct the meeting in person at the fire station.
The public is welcome to join by following this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87284665516
Meeting ID: 872 8466 5516 or dial +1 253 215 8782
AGENDA
Roll Call:
Call to order:
Flag Salute:
Business:
-
Discussion and motion for levy lid lift.
Executive Session: RCW 42.30.110 (1) ( g ) To evaluate the qualifications of an applicant for public employment or to review the performance of a public employee.
Adjournment:
- Written by Herb Sargo
BUCKNER HOMESTEAD HERITAGE FOUNDATION
2021 ANNUAL MEETING
via Zoom
Topic: BHHF ANNUAL MEETING
Time: May 10, 2021 06:45 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/75094100391?pwd=OVd1ajA2V2NxR0Z3dFMxY3I3UWpzUT09
Meeting ID: 750 9410 0391
Passcode: 14BAgK
6:45 - Access to meeting begins
7:00 - Meeting is called to order
This will be a very brief meeting, 10-15 minutes, with only two items on the agenda, pre-filed motions, and limited discussion. Many members, especially those in Stehekin, have limited broadband; and a brief meeting may allow more to participate. If you are concerned about broadband usage, you should wait until close to 7 PM to access the meeting.
Election of Officers and Board Members
Adoption of 2021 Budget
AGENDA
I. Call to Order by the President 7 PM
II. Election of Board Members and Officers
MOTION 1-2021
(Moved by Cinda Gilbert, seconded by JoAnne Reiter)
Elect Foundation Officers to one-year Terms
· Herb Sargo - President
· Christy Libbey - Treasurer
· Laura Reiter - Secretary
MOTION 2-2021
(Moved by Danita Breeze, seconded by Adrienne Carpenter)
Elect acting board members to completion of those terms
Board members Christy Libbey, for one year remaining on three-year term, and
Board Members for two years remaining on 3-year terms
· Brun Garfoot - Greater Lake Chelan Representative A
· Laura Reiter - Greater Lake Chelan Representative B
· Jim Trappe - Position #8
MOTION 3-2021
(Moved by JoAnn Reiter, seconded by Christine Sargo)
Re-elect Board Members whose three-year terms are expiring
· Dick Bingham - Stehekin Community Representative A
· Bob Nielsen - Stehekin Representative B
· Doug England - Apple Industry Representative
With the above actions, the Foundation Board will be fully elected, with staggered terms on track.
MOTION 4-2021
(Moved by Christy Libbey, seconded by Laura Reiter)
Approve the 2021 Annual Budget as presented (Attached)
The attached PDF is two pages, so scroll down to the second page for the current budget status and the breakout of funds budgeted for projects. The draft revenues and expenditures are in the green column to the right in the document. The current budget status is there, as well.
Please address all questions regarding the elections and the budget to this e-mail address prior to the meeting.
See you Monday, with the hope that a year from now we will be meeting in-person, greeting and getting to know each other, as well as having a greater opportunity to discuss the Buckner Orchard and our work there.
Herb Sargo
President
Contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Visit our web site: bucknerhomestead.org
- Written by Barb Chamberlain, Active Transportation Division director, WSDOT
WSDOT releases its statewide Active Transportation Plan – Part 1, starts work on Part 2
OLYMPIA – Just in time for National Bike Month, Washington is rolling out its statewide strategy and needs assessment for people who bike, walk and roll. The Washington State Department of Transportation released its new Washington State Active Transportation Plan, 2020 and Beyond – Part 1, now available online. The plan serves as a compass for charting new territory, where active transportation connections are incomplete or nonexistent, to create a path for others to use in the future.
Every Washingtonian uses active transportation connections at some point in a trip, whether crossing the street from their parking spot to their destination, walking to a bus stop or bicycling to school or work. The plan assesses the needs for accessible pedestrian and bicyclist facilities, highlights safety concerns and provides the first-ever examination of state right of way and its suitability for active transportation.
More people than ever are walking and bicycling – according to WSDOT’s multimodal transportation dashboard – both as alternatives to transit use and to maintain physical and mental health during the pandemic. At the same time, vulnerable road users – people who walk, bike or roll – now make up about 21 percent of all traffic deaths, far out of proportion to the fatality rates for other modes of travel.
“Whether you drive, bike, walk, or roll, the state’s highway rights of way serve as the backbone of our transportation system,” said Secretary of Transportation Roger Millar. “In the engagement for this plan, we heard very clearly that state routes need to connect people, not separate them. With this plan, we have new understanding to help us work with our partners to create complete, safer, and more accessible networks for each and every one of us, regardless of how we get around.”
Active transportation plan highlights
The plan addresses the steadily increasing fatalities of vulnerable road users and identifies driving speed and roadway crossings as top factors. It also:
- Examines the effects of past infrastructure decisions on safety and mobility, particularly in places where those decisions affected transportation access and health.
- Provides a first-ever needs assessment of the state system for active transportation use and estimates the cost of improvements in population centers.
- Describes the concept of a statewide bikeways and trails network.
- Offers using “level of traffic stress” as a data-based evaluation tool for state right of way and population centers when analyzing the effects of land-use change. Level of stress is a method to describe roadway characteristics that can be objectively measured and that affect people’s ability to use active transportation.
WSDOT released the draft of the plan’s Part 1 in December 2020 and received more than 630 responses during the 8-week-comment period. Those comments will help WSDOT identify policy topics in Part 2 of the plan, scheduled for release in 2021. In addition to relevant policy topics, Part 2 will include performance measures associated with the plan’s goals and next steps in developing an implementation and action plan.
To receive future updates specifically for the plan subscribe to the ATP E-News. For active transportation news updates including grant opportunities, webinars, and activities of WSDOT and partners subscribe to the WSDOT Walk + Roll E-News.
- Written by Barbara LaBoe, WSDOT communications
OLYMPIA – This week is National Work Zone Awareness Week and we’re asking media and the public to wear orange on Wednesday, April 28, to honor the hard-working crews making our transportation infrastructure safe for all travelers.
The week honors all those lost and injured in work zone crashes and also reminds everyone about the need to be safe around work zones. Nationally, an average of 842 people are killed in work zone crashes every year. In 2020, Washington had seven fatality crashes in work zone on state roadways. Since 1950, WSDOT has had 60 workers killed on the job, the vast majority in work zone crashes. State statistics show that 94.4 percent of people killed in work zone crashes are travelers, so it’s in everyone’s best interest to be alert and extra cautious in and near work zones.
As part of the national week of events, Wednesday, April 28, is “Go Orange Day,” which asks everyone to wear orange to raise safety awareness and show support for workers. Participants can also share photos of their orange attire with #Orange4Safety and #NWZAW hashtags to amplify their message.
WSDOT works hard with training and equipment to keep our workers and everyone on the road safe, but we need the public’s help as well. Anytime you’re in or approaching a work zone please remember to:
- Slow down – drive the posted speeds, they’re there for your safety
- Be kind – our workers are out there helping to keep you safe and improve the roadways
- Pay attention – both to workers directing you and surrounding traffic; put down your phone when behind the wheel
- Stay calm – expect delays, leave early or take an alternate route if possible; no meeting or appointment is worth risking someone’s life
- Written by Norm Manly, Post Service Officer
The 101st Manson Apple Blossom Festival is set for the second weekend in May, the 7th and 8th, just two weeks away. Visit www.moretomanson to find accommodations and other useful information. Town will fill up for this event. This is a great weekend to visit Manson with spring in full bloom.Manson Apple Blossom Schedule of events:
FRIDAY – May 7
Crowning of Apple Blossom Royalty starts at 6:00 pm at North Shore Bible Church. We will crown the 2020 and 2021 Royalty. The event is outside under a tent. The Manson High School Jazz Band will play music. A box dinner is available. https://fb.me/e/3oUYDMZVT
SATURDAY – May 8
The Manson Apple Blossom Pancake Breakfast is a great way to start your morning. Pancakes, eggs, ham, coffee and juice will be served at North Shore Bible Church from 6:30 to 10. https://fb.me/e/1vnPOUDpj
The Manson Apple Blossom Quilt Show will be held inside the North Shore Bible Church’s gym starting at 7:00 am and ends at 2:00. We ask you to wear a mask and practice social distancing at the event. Entry fee is $3.00 or just show your Apple Blossom button. https://fb.me/e/F3WHV96Z
The Manson Apple Blossom 5K/2K Fun Run. You can pre-register online for $20 or 7:30 am race day for $25. Race gets underway at 8:30 in front of the Manson Business Center. https://fb.me/e/3t4tExWUN
Manson Apple Blossom Parade. Listen for the Manson Fire station siren at 11:00 am that signifies the Apple Blossom Parade is getting underway. The American Legion and VFW will lead the parade followed by our first responders; be sure to give them a big hand! Parade starts at the Lake Chelan Building Supply and ends at Manson Bay Park. Get there early and stake out your seat. Be sure to stay in town after the parade and enjoy our many businesses. https://fb.me/e/1Dgct5Bjc
- Written by Kari Sorensen, Blueberry Hills Farms
