An overhead view of the area to be serviced by the new Airway Heights sewer extension is pictured above.
At the Aug. 28 study session, the Airway Heights City Council was presented information about a sewer extension to properties south of Highway 2 and west of Lundstrom Street from Public Works Director Kevin Anderson.
"This is strictly just informational right now," Anderson said. "But I wanted to keep the council up to date with the situation."
The plan would extend a 10-inch diameter, 1,900-foot long public pipe to provide sanitary sewer service to an area from Lundstrom Street to Highway 2.
The cost and expense of the project would be paid through a levy of special assessments of property specially benefitted by the sewer. There would be a formation of a Local Improvement District (LID) to help extend service in the area. LIDs help assist benefiting properties in financing needed for capital improvements through the formation of special taxing districts.
The public works staff has been meeting with the city attorney to assist in the process and develop the necessary petition forms.
As of right now there are 11 property owners along this land. A majority of the people need to sign a petition in order for it to move forward. John Olson is the owner that has been organizing it.
"Back in 2007, I had Red Lobster and Olive Garden contact me about my land, but they did not pursue it," Olson said. "I am hoping with putting in the sewer system, it would make businesses more willing to buy the property with the development going on in the city."
If the plan continues to move forward, the council will be approached again about approving it.
The council also discussed receiving applications for the vacant position on the board. The application will be open until Sept. 1. The council will interview the candidates at their next meeting and choose the person to fill the spot.
Another item on the agenda was the quarterly financial position that included Jan. 1 through June 30, 2017. The highest budget received in the time frame was building permits. The city projected $90,000 for 2017 and has received $328,545 so far this year. In 2016, the city's building permit revenue was $125,138.
Derrick Braaten, the development service director, also talked to the council about amending an existing employment agreement with Michael Schelling as the version of his contract submitted to the council for approval had the incorrect starting monthly wage of $3,683. The correct wage for a Step 1 Building Inspector is actually $3,863. Braaten requested that the contract be amended to reflect the correct wage and that Schelling receive the difference in back pay for the months of July and August.
The last item was the reading of Ordinance C-895, amending the budgets of various funds of 2017.
At the end of the meeting, Councilman Doyle Inman brought up the desperate need for code enforcement in the city and wants the department heads to get together and discuss it. Mayor Kevin Richey agreed and said the council wants to help in any way that they can with the issue.
Grace Pohl can be reached at grace@cheneyfreepress.com.
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