New projects added to plan

In a special Sept. 6 meeting, the Airway Heights City Council passed a resolution that added a couple of key capacity-related elements to the city’s transportation improvement plan, specifically improvements at the U.S. Highway 2 Hayford and Craig road intersections.

According to the resolution, the Craig Road improvements will cost an estimated $2.7 million. The Hayford Road intersection improvements, which include an additional south-bound left turn and east-bound right turn lanes, will cost an estimated $1.48 million.

Possible funding sources for both projects include Transportation Benefit District and Surface Transportation Project funds, as well as SEPA mitigation fees and city dollars.

“They are expensive improvements and we know they’re coming,” Public Works Director Kevin Anderson said.

Anderson explained the Craig Road intersection will likely be the more important of the two projects and will require pre-engineering and right of way acquisition.

“The state is a reviewing authority on this and will be closely involved, as will the Spokane Tribe of Indians,” Anderson added. The tribe’s economic project, which includes a casino and a resort, will be close to Craig Road.

In other action items, council approved a resolution supporting the Spokane County Human Rights Task Force. Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich approached council about supporting the task force during a July study session.

Mayor Kevin Richey said council could appoint a representative to the task force and nominated Deputy Mayor Tanya Dashiell. The council will formally appoint Dashiell at a future meeting.

Council also approved the appointment of Sharon Macon to the Senior Advisory Commission.

In her letter to City Council, Macon, who is from Florida, wrote that she had been attending Airway Heights Baptist Church where she met some of the commission’s members.

“I am just interested in helping others and feel this might be a good place to start,” she added.

Glen Horton, Parks and Recreation coordinator, said Macon is new to the area and as part of the commission, “hopes to make an impact for seniors in the West Plains.”

Merlene Olmstead, a representative of the commission, informed council there will be a falls prevention event on Sept. 28 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the community center. Spokane Regional Health District will help conduct safety assessments and individual balance assessments.

In other business, council approved the first reading of ordinance C-877, which provides a cost of living increase for local non-representative department heads, municipal court judge and part-time recreation assistants.

Al Stover can be reached at al@cheneyfreepress.com.