Airway Heights Council approves police vehicle purchases, park name change

Mayor Patrick Rushing's resignation was just one of many items at the Aug. 17 City Council meeting.

Council approved the purchase of two non-standard police vehicles for $30,000. Police Chief Lee Bennett explained he and detective Kelly Justice would use the new vehicles and move their old vehicles into the police fleet.

"It would save the city about $70,000 from having to buy new vehicles for the fleet," Bennett said.

In other public safety matters, council approved an interlocal agreement between the Fire Department and the city of Spokane for traffic signal preemption for emergency vehicles.

In public works, council approved the consolidation of positions within the Public Works Department, as well as a work order from Century West for recoating the outside of the water reservoir in Sunset Park.

"More than likely the color will remain green," Ross Dunfee, interim public works director, said.

At the start of the meeting, council approved a resolution that changes the name of Aspen Grove Park to Landreth Park. The resolution was to honor of Mr. and Mrs. Jay and Birgitta Landreth, whose family donated much of the land for the city's parks.

Kennedy explained the resolution came out of a conversation with the Landreth family, who were concerned about the brown grass at Aspen Grove Park, which was a result of the city's water restrictions.

"During the conversation, I learned that the Landreth family donated a lot of the land for Aspen Grove Park and Sunset Park, but they never really got a 'thank you' from the city," Kennedy said. "It was kind of embarrassing but I told them I had the ability to rectify that."

Kennedy drafted a recommendation to the Parks Advisory Board, who recommended council adopt the resolution.

City Manager Albert Tripp handed Jay and Birgitta Landreth a framed copy of the resolution. Jay Landreth personally thanked the city and Kennedy for his efforts in maintaining the park.

During public comment, resident Dale Perry said he would have objected to the city renaming Aspen Grove Park because he felt there were others "more deserving of the honor." He even suggested naming it "Veterans Park" to honor those who serve in the military and lived in the city.

Kennedy said he would like to have an event in spring that commemorates the name change, as well as a monument in the park, similar to the monuments at Sunset Park.

"It's been a long time coming," Kennedy said. "The Landreth family has a long history in the area, without them we may not have a community (Sunset) park."

Al Stover can be reached at [email protected].