During the Feb. 10 Airway Heights City study session, Mayor Patrick Rushing announced that the Spokane City Council reversed their decision on the Spokane Tribe Economic Project (STEP). Rushing said he was requested to go to the Feb. 24 Spokane City Council meeting to answer questions on behalf of the city.
Development Services Director Derrick Braaten asked if he should attend the meeting with Rushing and the mayor answered “the more the merrier.”
Alternates to Ad Hoc committees
Braaten brought up a proposal that would allow City Council members to act as alternates to sub-committees to ensure a committee can reach a quorum and perform duties. Alternates would have the power and duties of an ad hoc committee member.
The council had previously approved a resolution to where members of the Community and Economic Development Committee (CEDC) can act as ex officio members of the Planning Commission during times when commissioners are unavailable for hearings and reviews of land use review and action.
City Manager Albert Tripp mentioned it might be easier to assign alternates to a particular committee under special circumstances such as if time constraints and scheduling prevents regular committee members from a meeting. Braaten asked if that would need to be done through a resolution and Tripp said that it could be done as an action item.
At the study session, Councilman Steven Lawrence and Councilwoman Tanya Dashiell were appointed as alternates for the CEDC.
Farmer’s Market
Tripp brought up a proposed amendment to the professional services agreement with Lori Musgrave for her farmers market. He said the agreement lists the market’s duration as running May 28 to Oct. 28 and operating every Thursday, from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. He added that a schedule of the market would be published in advanced.
Tripp said when he reached out to Musgrave, she was concerned about running the market in the evening when it’s slow.
“She’s not opposed to evening hours, but has done it in the past and it’s not something she’s comfortable with,” Tripp said.
He added that Musgrave was also concerned about the duration of the market and wanted to “tighten up” the time window.
Councilman Dave Malet believed that the evening hours would be a good time as there would be several people who could stop to get food on their way home. He added that farmers markets in different cities operate in the evening.
Malet said the city is looking to make the farmers market more of a community event with other vendors and live entertainment, rather than a “drive-thru.”
Williamson asked if there was a billboard where they could advertise the market while Malet suggested using social media to announce the dates and promote local farmers and vendors. Tripp mentioned that there was an intern who created a web site for the market and that could be a resource.
Councilman Doyle Inman suggested they focus on a location where it would be easy for drivers to get off the highway and get food.
“It’s got to be a spot where you can get off the road, park, do your thing and get on the highway,” Inman said. “If it’s easily accessible, people will do it.”
Braaten suggested the location could be in a section between King Street and Lundstrom Street. Malet mentioned an area on West 14th Avenue would be a good spot and Inman said he liked that idea.
Williamson said as long as the operation of the market is consistent, people will come. He suggested the city speak to landowners about using their space for the market.
Al Stover can be reached at al@cheneyfreepress.com.
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