East Wenatchee and Wenatchee discussed a shared police chief model, potentially as a trial through the end of 2027. Officials outlined possible duties, cost allocation, reporting structure, implementation steps, and an interlocal agreement; no final approval was recorded.

1 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

Jun 2, 2026

Council approves public safety and trail agreements

The council unanimously approved a public safety grant agreement, a Loop Trail services agreement amendment, and $215,220.73 in vouchers.

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Briefing

May 19, 2026

Council Advances 3rd Street Annexation

The City Council unanimously approved Resolution 2026-17, declaring its intent to annex the proposed 3rd Street SE and Highline area. The council also approved three lodging-tax agreements of up to $10,000 each for local events and received an update on a $120,000 regional traffic-safety grant requiring a $30,000 local match.

2 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

May 5, 2026

Council approves opioid settlement spending

The Council unanimously approved up to $16,734.20 in opioid settlement funds for drug enforcement and a police narcotics K-9 program. It also unanimously approved a contract amendment for right-of-way acquisition work on the North Kentucky Avenue Improvements Project.

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Briefing

Apr 23, 2026

Council Reviews Safety and Housing Policies

The council reviewed a draft Comprehensive Safety Action Plan focused on reducing transportation-related fatalities and serious injuries, but took no action. Members also discussed proposed housing and economic development policy changes.

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Briefing

Apr 21, 2026

Council Extends Housing Regulations

The City Council unanimously extended interim regulations for transitional housing and permanent supportive housing. It also approved a water-main pavement-rehabilitation agreement and authorized up to $69,750 for Grant Road Canal Crossing preservation.

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Briefing

Apr 7, 2026

Council Receives Project and Service Updates

The council unanimously approved $254,540.62 in vouchers and received updates on the South End Pedestrian Bridge Project, the 2025 Public Works annual report, and a law-enforcement diversion program.

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Briefing

Mar 31, 2026

Officials Favor Urban Growth Option 3

East Wenatchee City Council members and Douglas County commissioners identified Option 3 as the strongest of four urban growth boundary expansion choices. The option would bring Expansion Area A into the boundary with R-H/O zoning and upzone 13.21 acres from R-L.

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Briefing

Mar 19, 2026

Transportation Plan Update and Growth Options

The City Council reviewed an update to East Wenatchee’s Transportation Element, which will guide transportation planning through 2046. The process will assess current conditions, forecast future needs, gather community input, and prioritize multimodal projects; a draft is expected by June and final adoption is scheduled for December. Council also reviewed four Urban Growth Area expansion options, but took no action.

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Briefing

Mar 17, 2026

Police Department Highlights Full Accreditation

East Wenatchee officials highlighted the Police Department’s full accreditation through the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs after a review of its practices, policies, and operations. The council also received the department’s 2025 report on calls for service, arrests, and traffic violations.

1 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

Mar 3, 2026

Council Approves Pedestrian Safety Design

The City Council unanimously approved an agreement for design work on citywide pedestrian safety improvements, identified as City Project No. 2026-01. It also approved a municipal stormwater permit effectiveness study agreement and amended the Banner Display Policy.

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Briefing

Feb 19, 2026

Council Reviews Housing and Banner Policies

The City Council discussed options to allow additional housing types, including up to fourplexes in Residential Low Density zones, but took no action.

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Briefing

Feb 17, 2026

Council advances 5th Street utility work

The council unanimously authorized agreements for utility work tied to the 5th Street NE Improvements Project, including an interlocal agreement with the East Wenatchee Water District and a litigation stay agreement with the Upper Columbia Irrigation District. The council also approved $32,000 in lodging-tax funding for three regional sporting events.

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Briefing

Feb 3, 2026

Council hears RiverCom 911 tax proposal

RiverCom 911 Executive Director Doug Jones presented a sales tax proposal scheduled for the February 10, 2026, special election. The council took no action on the proposal.

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Briefing

Jan 22, 2026

Council explores salaries and banner policy

Council reached a consensus to direct staff to research and begin the processes needed to establish a Salary Commission; no formal action was taken.

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Briefing

Jan 20, 2026

Council Advances Major Road Safety Projects

The council unanimously approved a $152,050.81 change order for the Valley Mall Parkway overlay and authorized agreements for the 5th Street NE Safety and Multimodal Improvements Project, including a box culvert replacement.

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Briefing

Jan 15, 2026

Council Supports Higher-Density Zoning Changes

The City Council reached consensus to support rezoning toward Residential-High/Office and replacing the Mixed-Use designation with Residential-Medium zoning to address a projected shortage of high-density housing land. Specific areas for expanding the Urban Growth Area were not finalized; additional review was requested.

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Briefing

Jan 6, 2026

Council Approves Annexation Boundary and Housing Rules

The council unanimously approved the proposed boundary for the 15.5-acre Sand Canyon Annexation, requiring Residential Low Density zoning and assumption of existing city indebtedness. It also unanimously adopted rules for unit lot subdivisions and other building, zoning, and definitions updates.

2 min readMunicipal coverage