At the Feb. 12 Airway Heights City Council study session meeting, Police Chief Lee Bennett told the council that the city could now use Crime Check if they wanted to go forward with it.
“It is just something to think about,” Bennett said. “Personally I would rather an officer show up than somebody just taking a phone call. Crime Check is just basically to just get a report number for your insurance. But the way it is set up now, an Airway Heights police officer still shows up for those calls.”
Different council members agreed with the idea of an officer showing up instead of just using Crime Check. Some shared personal experiences with the program and said how they expected an officer to still show up, but nobody ever did.
“I think our citizens and business deserve better,” Bennett added.
The topic was just informational. It was an option the city could use and no action was taken.
Bennett also told the council that the city no longer has a contract with Spokanimal starting Feb. 28. Before that agreement, the officers would respond to nuisance animal calls and transport the animals to West Wind Kennel. If after three days the animal isn’t identified by an owner, they transported it to SCRAPS.
Public Works Director Kevin Anderson was also in attendance to talk about a variety of items with the council.
The first was an open discussion on the transportation circulation plan for the two newer City Council members. Councilman Sonny Weathers asked about the fixed growth rate that is projected in the plan and how they determine it.
“It is kind of like a game we have to play,” Anderson said. “There is not a lot we can do, but the growth can be changed over time too.”
Anderson told the council to look over the informational packet and in two weeks he will be back to answer more questions. He hopes to get it adopted sometime in March.
The next item was about the recreation center and expanding the utilities, which is “going in the right direction,” according to Anderson.
Finally, he announced that the Public Works Department is purchasing a half-acre of land for $8,000 and is set to expand parking space after two-and-a-half years of having the plan in place.
Parks and Recreation Director J.C. Kennedy was another staff member in attendance and asked for council to approve two new positions on the Airway Heights Park Advisory Board. The first was Shannon Lacambra to position No. 4 and the other was to re-appoint William Boyle to positon No. 5.
City Manager Albert Tripp also gave the council an update on the 2018 state legislative priorities. The three marks for the city include help protect public health and safety through clean, affordable and sustainable water resources; promote water sustainability and attract economic development by improving quality of life. He also disclosed that the city is tracking other legislative bills.
The council also approved of being a sponsor at the Spokane Kalispel Tribe of Indians Salish Conference by Tripp’s recommendation.
In staff reports, Tripp informed the board that the Accident Potential Zone (APZ) housing is still in the works, but the timeline may be getting pushed back due to funding issues on the federal level.
Grace Pohl can be reached at grace@cheneyfreepress.com.
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