March 19, 2024
The Liberty Lake Splash
PO Box 363
Liberty Lake, WA 99019
Phone: 509-242-7752
News Blog Business Community Opinion Sports

More News

March Marvel-Calvary a catalyst for historic Gonzaga run

Daughters of The American Revolution
The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is a volunteer women’s organization that has been dedicated to historical preservation, education, and patriotism for over a century. Across the United States, there are over 3,000 chapters supporting an estimated current membership of 200,000, with over one million total members since their founding in 1890.

HOA’s have different rules what it means for Police and streets
The city of Liberty Lake is known for its winding paths, street trees and homeowner’s associations. Recently, however, residents of some neighborhoods have been questioning the services they receive from the city, particularly police patrols and traffic enforcement.

Vietnam Veteran Pat Payne Receives his Combat Infantry Badge
Spokane Valley resident and Vietnam Veteran Pat Payne personifies bravery, resilience, and a profound commitment to supporting his fellow service members. Having served in the Vietnam War, Pat received both the Bronze Star and Purple Heart medals for his exceptional contributions and sacrifices. Unfortunately, at the time of his service discharge, a key ‘box’ was left unchecked, and he did not receive his Combat Infantry Badge or CIB until fifty-six years after leaving Vietnam.

Return Ticket Home; Fisher helped establish LL city roots
In the acclaimed 1940 novel, “You Can’t Go Home Again,” author Thomas Wolfe paints the picture of ambitious writer George Webber who leaves his rural hometown roots to seek fame and fortune in New York City.

At Home on Air – Media fixture Owsley relishes local roots
Sean Owsley’s first big break in the media world came when he was living in a modest apartment on Skipworth Road in Spokane Valley.

Spokane Valley Library employee is recognized by the Library of Congress
Spokane Valley Library was recently honored to receive a Certificate of Appreciation from the Library of Congress for its involvement in the Veterans History Project. The Library of Congress recognized the library's continuous dedication to preserving the stories and experiences of our nation's veterans. As part of this recognition, Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Jeremy Mullin, a local resident actively involved in the project.

Council social media training degenerates into confrontation
Spokane Valley City Council training on policy regarding social media accounts and use of the city’s logo turned from benignly informative to heatedly combative after an exchange between two council members at the Jan. 9 meeting.

Central Valley School District Prop. 1

Eat, Shop, and Be Merry

Water Works

2023 Candidate Guide

Sporting in Liberty Lake

Closing the Chasm

Congratulations First Ridgeline High School Graduating Class of 2023

2023 Liberty Lake Kiwanis Yard Sales are Coming!
Click here to register today! Only $15 to get into the printed and online guide!

Public Safety Raised to New Level

Parks and Art Commission

Looking Ahead to 2023

Eat, Shop and Be Merry

New city administrator

Liberty Lake Kiwanis Yard Sale Interactive Map!

Liberty Lake Kiwanis Yard Sale Guide - Now Available!!

Conrats 2022 Senior Graduates

Pavillion Park

You Are Invited

Destination Liberty Lake

Liberty Lake's Lego Home

Making and Impact 2022

Search the News Archive Search the News Archive

Council lauds revised format for Barefoot in the Park
8/5/2015 9:14:05 PM

By Craig Howard
Splash Contributor 

It seemed appropriate that Pavillion Park – not Liberty Lake City Hall – serve as the site of the first City Council meeting in August. While the shift in venues on Tuesday had more to do with the observance of National Night Out, an event emphasizing neighborhood advocacy in the fight against crime, the outdoor setting represented an appropriate backdrop for a synopsis of the city's signature summer celebration, back after a one-year hiatus. 

The event that premiered as Liberty Lake Days in 2010 returned on the last weekend of July with a new name – "Barefoot in the Park" – and a revised three-day agenda that earned an earmark of $30,000 in the 2015 municipal budget. Planning and Building Services Manager Amanda Tainio and Parks and Recreation Coordinator Michelle Griffin presented council with a summary of the festivities, July 24-26, including a quick response to a stormfront that moved in on Saturday night.

"It's back because council funded it," Tainio said at the beginning of the presentation. 

To start, vendor booth registration reached capacity at 30 with revenue of $3,100 while the Barefoot 3v3 Soccer bracket reported a similar turnout as a stand-alone tournament last year. Nearly 80 cars were part of the vintage auto show on Friday night with $450 being raised at the display for a scholarship fund.

To this point, five local businesses have reported an increase in revenue over the three-day schedule. Best Western Hotel was sold out over the weekend. A post-event survey is now available on the city's website at www.libertylakewa.gov.  

"We'd love to hear feedback," Tainio said. "One of the things we're trying to evaluate is where people came from to attend."

The threat of high winds and rain on Saturday prompted organizers to follow a risk management plan, cancelling a pair of activities, disassembling a large tent and lowering the stage. Some vendors also closed shop as the sour weather approached.

New activities like footgolf at Trailhead drew over 30 registrants while 63 participants completed a 5K run on Saturday morning. From carnival games to lacrosse to a talent show and live music on Friday night, around two dozen activities were part of the occasion.  

Council Member Shane Brickner brought his family to the park Friday and Saturday and noted that teams in the soccer tournament came from as far away as Montana and Oregon. 

"I can't commend you guys enough," Brickner told Griffin and Tainio. "It was an incredible event."

Council Member Dan Dunne said his relatives who visited from the west side of the state for the weekend emerged with "outstanding perceptions and impressions of Liberty Lake."  

"They couldn't stop commenting on how beautiful and green the city is, especially in comparison to the Seattle area right now," Dunne said.  

Griffin said it took a collaborative effort to bring the festival back with a flourish.

"It really is a team event," she said. "It's a lot of work. It's a long week beforehand and a long week after."

Part of that team this year has been Kelsey Chase, a senior at Eastern Washington University, who was given special commendation by the city on Tuesday for her work as a parks and recreation intern, particularly involving the three-day lineup. Among other responsibilities, Chase coordinated vendor registration and oversaw the supply inventory. She is now helping with the follow-up survey. 

On the money side, approximately $14,500 was spent in service and supply costs. Adding in staff costs, the event still came in under budget. 

Council retreat set for Aug. 18
City Council will hold its annual retreat on Aug. 18 at City Hall beginning at 6 p.m. City Administrator Katy Allen said the governing board will focus on potential changes to the comprehensive plan before the document is submitted to the state this fall. 

Also on the docket will be a discussion of the municipal sign code. The city commissioned an independent study of the code last year that resulted in recommendations allowing for broader promotional approaches by local retailers.  

"We want to know if council wants changes to this policy," Allen said.

The retreat will also address possible additions to the capital facilities plan, a six-year roadmap of projects that encompass areas like parks and recreation, municipal buildings and transportation.

"In order to be eligible for outside funding and grants, we need to have projects included," Allen said.

Additional topics like future council priorities and the gameplan for projects like an aquatic center, library and community center will be set aside for part two of the retreat on Sept. 1.    

In other city news:
• The task force/steering committee for capital projects will meet today at City Hall at 6:30 p.m. Allen said the citizen-based group will name a chairperson at the meeting. 

• Kottayam V. Natarajan Jr., a commissioner with the Liberty Lake Sewer and Water District, told council that a herbicide treatment was scheduled for the lake Aug. 5, and residents should stay out of the affected areas for at least 24 hours. He added that the district's regular testing for algae had determined non-toxic levels. Toxic algae, he said, can have detrimental effects on animals and humans. 

• In his report from the Community Development committee, Dunne said the city was considering a cost of $20 an hour for use of the new concession stand at Pavillion Park. Nonprofit groups would not incur a fee. 

• Council Member Keith Kopelson briefed council on an event scheduled for Aug. 25, from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Liberty Lake Portal. "Be Aware Because You Care – A Parent's Guide to Clean and Sober Kids" is a symposium for parents hosted by the Greater Spokane Substance Abuse Council. LLPD Officer Mike Thomas, a certified drug recognition expert, and Scott Ryman, longtime administrator with Spokane County Juvenile Court, will be among the speakers. Tickets are $10 with all proceeds benefitting GSSAC. To learn more call 922-8383. "We feel this will be a unique opportunity for parents to learn about what's going on out there with substance abuse and how they can protect their kids," Kopelson said.

• Allen provided an update on a wayfinding program being proposed on a regional level. Signage would direct motorists to sites like parks, golf courses and libraries. "Some of the cities are struggling with it, mostly because of the cost," Allen said. "The city will have to decide if we want to be part of this program." 

• Several topics scheduled for Tuesday were deferred, including the Comcast franchise agreement, the consultant agreement for the Liberty Lake Road and Mission/Molter intersection projects and the change order for additional improvements to Pavillion Park. 

• Allen said the city had addressed several recent incidents involving graffiti at public sites. She encouraged residents "to be the eyes of the community" in reporting graffiti. 

• Police Chief Brian Asmus reported that Liberty Lake had been recognized as one of the safest communities in Washington by Safewise. 

• Sam Martin, a student at Greenacres Middle School, received a certificate from the city for naming the Monarch butterfly garden in Pavillion Park. "Garden of Wings," featuring plants and shelter to support Monarch migration, is the only city-sponsored butterfly way station in Washington state.

Advertisement

Copyright © 2024 The Liberty Lake Splash | Print Page