The Airway Heights City Council wrapped up 2016 by going through some housekeeping items.
At its Dec. 5 meeting - the final one of the year - council approved the second reading of an ordinance that adopts the $19.32 million budget for 2017. Council also approved an ordinance that sets positions, salaries and compensations for city employees for 2017.
In other action items, council accepted the completion of the McFarlane Road Overlay Project. The project, which was finished in June, consisted of an approximately two-mile asphalt overlay on McFarlane Road between Hayford and Craig roads.
Council tabled Ordinance 878, which amends the city's municipal codes "Water System" and "Sanitary Sewer System," and creates a new section "Utility Services." The ordinance would have allowed only property owners to set up utility accounts. Currently both property owners and tenants can create accounts. Staff proposed the ordinance as a way to save the public works and finance departments time during the account creation process and addressing delinquent accounts.
After concerns from Mayor Kevin Richey, council discussed enforcing the city's municipal code, which allows the city to shut off water services on a delinquent account, instead of using the ordinance. Council has the option to revisit Ordinance 878 in the summer.
Council held the first reading of an ordinance to vacate the old portion of Sprague Avenue.
In 2011, the city entered into an interlocal agreement with the Kalispel Tribe as part of the project to realign Sprague Avenue. One of the obligations of the agreement was for the city to vacate the right-of-way associated with the old Sprague Avenue.
"The agreement was for a five-year period and the Kalispels recently notified the city that period is over," Public Works Director Kevin Anderson said. "This ordinance draft, which was included in the original interlocal agreement that was drafted in 2011, is similar to this one."
Once the city officially vacates the portion of Sprague, the Kalispels will have control, authority and responsibility for the street.
Council approved a resolution to designate June 7 as "Thomas Oliver Murphy Day" in Airway Heights. Murphy, who passed away on Sept. 22, was a business owner, who operated B's Drive-In, which is currently Atilano's Mexican Food restaurant. Murphy was also a member of the Planning Commission.
Murphy's son, Chris Murphy, spoke about his father and mother moving to Airway Heights and their involvement in the community, specifically sponsoring the city's youth sports programs. He told council he appreciated their effort to honor his father's memory and contributions to Airway Heights.
Cindy Reddekopp, senior building inspector, reflected on the first time she met Murphy and how their friendship grew from there.
"If you have a friend like Tom, you're a lot better for it," Reddekopp said.
Al Stover can be reached at al@cheneyfreepress.com.
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