Airway Heights discusses local fire departments study

The Airway Heights City Council discussed several items at the Jan. 13 study session that will come forward during future legislative sessions.

City Manager Albert Tripp brought up the first item, which is an interlocal agreement with the fire departments in Airway Heights, Medical Lake and Spokane County Fire District 10 to bring in a consulting service to conduct a feasibility study to help the fire departments be more efficient. Tripp mentioned that it would cost the city around $13,000 to with the agreement and that Medical Lake’s Fire Department has already approved this.

Mayor Patrick Rushing said the interlocal agreement between the fire departments is a good thing.

“It’s a long way from where we’ve been in the past,” Rushing said.

Development Services Director Derrick Braaten presented a resolution to appoint members of the Community and Economic Development Committee (CEDC) as ex officio members of the Planning Commission during times when commissioners are unavailable for hearings and reviews of land use review and action.

Parks, Recreation and Community Services Director J.C. Kennedy mentioned his proposal for Phase 2 of the Aspen Grove Park developmental project. Kennedy said he hopes to plant 50 new trees, in addition to the 50 trees planted in the park in 2013. He added the project could cost anywhere between $40,000-$45,000 and that he hopes to get the bid out early. When Rushing asked when the time frame of when the new trees would be planted, Kennedy said he hoped to plant them in April as part of an Arbor Day celebration for the city.

Following his proposal for Aspen Grove Park, Kennedy brought up his draft for a Lodging Tax Master Plan and asked the council to comment on it. Tripp said it is a good plan while Rushing advised the council to review the plan and bring it back to Kennedy.

Kennedy mentioned that Claudette Hicks is seeking another term on the Park Advisory Board and is seeking re-appointment from the City Council. Rushing said Hicks, whose term expires Jan. 31, has been doing a great job and was enthusiastic about having her serve another term.

Kennedy brought up both the Youth Advisory and Senior Advisory commissions. He said both groups would work similar to the Park Advisory Board. According to Kennedy, the purpose of these groups is to help the youth and the senior citizens become more involved in the community.

Kennedy said local school districts are enthusiastic about the youth commission and will look to find students who they think would benefit from being in the group, while the senior citizens are excited and eager to begin working with the city.

After Kennedy was finished, Tripp brought up the professional services agreement amendment with Lori Musgrave about her farmers market. Some of the council expressed concerns about Musgrave’s lack of frequent hours and service to the community and suggested the city present a set of hours for Musgrave. Tripp mentioned that Musgrave has been in contact with him, though she has not commented on the agreement.

Tripp brought up the ad hoc committees and asked if anyone would like to change committees. Councilman Steven Lawrence asked to be placed on the Public Works committee. Rushing agreed to trade his spot on Public Works for Lawrence’s position on the CEDC committee.

Al Stover can be reached at al@cheneyfreepress.com.