Roads, interlocal agreements dominate council meeting

An interlocal agreement with Cheney to provide police department data service was the main topic of discussion by the Airway Heights City Council Sept. 18 meeting.

Since 2008, the city has been using the service through Cheney. In 2016, there was an amended agreement to exclude warrant maintenance associated with the Kalispel Tribe Police Department and the contract rate increased to $17,000. At that time, Cheney proposed using a future fee calculation that was based upon the processing time of documents.

Now the rate will be jumping to $56,000 with increases due to the volume of warrants and no contact orders issued by the city. The new price will become effective on Jan. 1, 2018.

Mayor Kevin Richey was concerned about the big increase, but City Manager Albert Tripp explained that this is still the best option as it would be more expensive to use the services from other areas of the state.

The council eventually unanimously approved the agreement.

In staff reports, Tripp presented the council an update on the roundabout construction in front of the future Spokane Tribe Casino.

He gave the council a picture of the current condition of the roundabout and confirmed that it is supposed to be two lanes of traffic, even though it appears to be very narrow lanes.

He also said there will be a sign warning to yield for semi-trucks as they will take up the full roundabout due to how narrow the lanes are.

“We are relying on DOT to make sure it is designed properly,” Kevin Anderson, the Director of Public Works, said.

The latest projection for the completion of the roundabout is mid-December.

In other agenda items, the council officially proclaimed October 2017 as Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month.

There was also a second reading of Ordinance C-895 that amends the budget for 2017 along with a resolution designating and authorizing individuals to act on behalf of the city in exercising banking activities. Lastly there was a transfer of expenditures in the current expense fund, totaling $4,257.

Grace Pohl can be reached at grace@cheneyfreepress.com.