Taking care of business was the order of the night at the Sept. 19 Medical Lake City Council meeting,
City Administrator Doug Ross answered citizen concerns, perhaps not to everyone’s liking.
He fielded a complaint over the length of time it has taken the limited staff — and resources — on sidewalk and street repairs, noting, “We’re maximizing the amount of money and staff that we have,” adding that the budget has about $5,000 for pothole repair.
Ross also addressed a citizen’s concern over if water quality in Medical Lake was the reason he has seen fishing fade over the years he has lived in the city.
Another resident addressed the council over concerns of the length of time it took police to respond to a recent call and asked that information be posted on the city website that spoke to the budget and the contract with the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office to provide the city with police services.
Ross provided the council with updates on some previous agenda items, including requests to place more garbage cans and dog waste receptacles along the trail that rings Medical Lake.
“We ordered another doggie potty station to put on the backside of the trail as well as replacement seats for the swings for Pioneer Park,” Ross said.
One project did not get its improvements was the plan for new equipment in Wilcox Park. When a lawnmower broke and had to be replaced earlier this year, “That sort of put Wilcox Park on the back burner,” Ross said.
A two-person swing set with a single bar costs about $4,000. “The playground stuff is not cheap,” Ross said.
A critical item of business was to approve the contract with the Sheriff and the Spokane County Information Technology Department service for remote access to records.
City attorney Cindy McMullin urged, and received council’s blessing for renewal of the contract that allows her office access to police records.
In order to prosecute someone for a charge McMullin told the council her office needs access to those records. The new agreement provides for McMullin, and three other staff members, to have this remote access via computer.
Without the contract, Medical Lake would have to call and request information which would potentially slow down important legal matters.
The matter was requested by Teri Cooper, the municipal court administrator in Cheney, who handles court proceedings for both that city, and Medical Lake.
The council approved a number of agenda items including renewal of services for drug and alcohol testing for employees who drive city vehicles.
Ross also urged and got approval on the renewal of a contract with E&H Engineering who serve as the engineers for the city. They are involved in a number of ongoing projects and it was important to maintain the continuity.
This was the last “summer schedule” gathering of the governing group where meetings are held once a month.
Through fall, winter and spring the council will now meet twice monthly on the first and third Tuesday of the month, the next being Oct. 3 and 17. In addition, a special budget meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 19. All meetings begin at 6:30 p.m.
Paul Delaney can be reached at pdelaney@cheneyfreepress.com.
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