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By PAUL DELANEY
Staff Reporter 

It's business as usual at Aug. 15 ML council

 

Last updated 8/24/2017 at 12:55pm



It was a routine night of reports and business at the Aug. 15 Medical Lake City Council meeting, a recorded review showed.

Council, minus member John Paikuli with an excused absence, heard a variety of citizen concerns in the public comment time, beginning with former councilman Art Kulibert who had questions about the accuracy of the city’s new water billing program.

Having consulted with City Hall he was told to check to see if there were leaks or overuse. None of those were a problem.

City Administrator Doug Ross told Kulibert if he still thought there was an issue to have it reported and that a maintenance person would investigate.

There are other factors that can attribute to the increases, Ross explained, specifically the recent string of 90-degree days. “People have a tendency to adjust their sprinklers and sometimes forget they do it,” Ross said.

The billing cycle can also factor in. “Some months are 22 days, some months are 23 days, some months are 24 days,” Ross said. “And if someone is irrigating a lot those two days it can make a difference.”

Resident Amana Nova asked council if there could be an additional trash can installed at the midpoint of the trail that rings Medical Lake. It would help keep the area cleaner and not force her to carry a bag of dog waste as far.

In other business, Ross updated the council on the recent installation of new LED street lights on Graham Road. He also noted that the city’s code book would soon be available online for reference.

The council was provided with materials related to development of the upcoming budget, including information on the new proposal from the Spokane County Sheriff to provide police services to the city.

A finance committee report was provided by Councilwoman Shirley Maike from a meeting held just prior to the council gathering. “Things are going well financially with the city,” she said.

Councilwoman Laura Parsons updated the council on activities of the Parks and Recreation Department which has been busy with a number of projects including a fun run and field trips for children to movies and Spokane Valley’s Splashdown.

She also reported that it appears that the recent Blue Waters Bluegrass Festival, staged Aug. 11-13 appeared to be successful, but no final figures had been released from organizers.

Parsons also provided a brief look at public works projects. That report was augmented by Ross who spoke about the six-year transportation improvement plan.

Notable, and of concern to Ross, was Medical Lake quickly moving towards falling out of the small cities category for future competition for grants. With reported population at 4,990 in 2017, once they surpass 5,000, Medical Lake finds itself in the pool with places like Spokane.

“It’s 5,000 and under and everybody else,” Ross explained.

Councilwoman Elizabeth Rosenbeck provided a public safety report for July that showed 66 incidents, but not a single call on the Fourth of July for either fire or EMS.

Assistant Fire Chief Corey Stevens spoke of how wildfire deployment was cutting the department’s personnel numbers, including Chief Jason Mayfield, who were on various fire duties.

Council quickly approved payment of $234,260.27 in claims. They are also trying to find a new date for a budget workshop that was scheduled for Sept. 19.

Paul Delaney can be reached at pdelaney@cheneyfreepress.com.

 

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