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November Council Recap: August vote targeted for community center/pool
11/23/2015 3:05:59 PM

By Craig Howard
Splash Contributor 

On a night when ballots were tabulated throughout Spokane County, the discussion at Liberty Lake City Hall focused on an election well into next year. 

City Administrator Katy Allen provided City Council on Nov. 3 with an outline of plans for a proposed aquatic facility/community center at Town Square Park, including the potential of a bond vote next August. Allen said the cost for the project has been estimated at $12 million.

The city will find out on Dec. 3 if the state Project Review Committee - which considers "design-build" proposals like the Town Square plan - has given its stamp of approval to the Liberty Lake project. While the idea could move forward without the committee's endorsement, the support would be a boon to the city's cause and, in Allen's words, "mean putting more money toward construction and less to fees and services."

In September, council voted unanimously to retain a project manager for what is being called "Town Square phase II." At the first council meeting of October, the governing board agreed to a project management contract with OAC Services Inc., while Thaxton Parkinson PLLC was approved as legal representative for the project. 

Cost of the project manager has been pegged at $50,000, an amount already set aside in the 2015 budget. Allen has also brought up future expenditures of $125,000 that would include a design-build contractor, program development, design concepts, a construction estimate, building schedule and a contingency cushion.   

Allen acknowledged that a public vote next summer represented "a pretty aggressive timetable." If approved by the required supermajority, or at least 60 percent, construction would move forward with a completion goal of November 2017. 

Allen said she would be meeting with representatives of a Community Facilities Task Force on Dec. 8. The group compiled a detailed report for council on options for a community center/pool that recommended the project be built on city-owned property along Meadowwood Lane that is the site of Town Square Park and a Fallen Heroes Circuit Course station.  In 2009, a proposed city center/library at the same location was rejected by over 61 percent of voters. 

Gary Bernardo of Bernardo/Wills Architects, who served as a consultant to the task force, told council in September that a design-build approach represented "the lowest risk and most reliable, accurate method" for projects like the one being considered.  

"With this approach, you have a very strong certainty that what you're showing to the public you can actually afford," Bernardo said.

Allen pointed to Feb. 2 as the date council would vote on the design-build concept. She said public outreach would begin in May and lead up to the bond vote in August. 

"I want to make sure to give voters enough time to learn about this project," Allen said.

Mayor Pro Tem Cris Kaminskas suggested that the city talk to the task force about forming a political action committee (PAC) that could raise funds and get the word out about the vote. Mayor Steve Peterson said the city would consider a 30-year bond to pay for the project. 

Council to vote on property tax rate
Finance Director R.J. Stevenson provided an overview of the city's property tax history on Nov. 3 as a prelude to a council vote that could raise the toll 1 percent for 2016. 

The city has the option to increase property tax or "bank" the 1 percent hike for a future year. If approved, the new rate would mean an additional $4 per year on a home valued at $250,000, Stevenson said. The adjusted fee of $1.74 per $1,000 of assessed value would still place the city's rate lower than surrounding jurisdictions like Spokane Valley, Cheney, Spokane and Millwood. 

Stevenson pointed to Liberty Lake's rise in assessed value - overall property worth now hovers around $1.2 billion - as a reason for the city's drop in property tax rate over the years. In 2003, with assessed value at approximately $481 million, the rate stood at $2.03 per $1,000. 

The city's highest property tax rate since incorporation in 2001 was $2.08 in 2005, while the lowest rate checked in at $1.51 in 2009. Revenue from property tax is set aside for public safety and the library. The overall property tax rate - including portions paid to the Spokane Valley Fire Department, Spokane County Conservation Futures and five other taxing entities - will run just over $14 per $1,000 in 2016.

• • •

In the Books, On the Docket
A look back and ahead at news from City Hall

By Craig Howard
Splash Contributor

IN THE BOOKS (NOVEMBER)
• City Engineer Andrew Staples gave an overview of two transportation projects scheduled for next year, starting with a major renovation of Liberty Lake Road. The upgrade will include new pavement, medians, lighting, additional turning lanes and widened sidewalks. A roundabout at the intersection of Mission and Molter is also on deck for 2016. The city is awaiting word on a grant application to the state Transportation Improvement Board that would cover approximately 65 percent of the overall cost. 

• Terri Capozzo of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network of the Inland Northwest accepted a proclamation from the mayor designating the city's participation in World Pancreatic Cancer Day on Nov. 13. Capozzo, who lost her husband to the disease, said the day and events surrounding it "provide hope" to patients and their families. 

• Wendy Smith of Greater Spokane Inc. and Ian Von Essen of Spokane County gave a presentation on GSI's Regional Economic Site Selector 3.0 update. The economic development website originated in 2007 as a resource for businesses considering relocation in the greater Spokane area. Liberty Lake is part of a consortium along with Spokane, Cheney, Spokane Valley, Spokane County and Avista involved in the project.

• City Attorney Sean Boutz told council that a recent court decision specified that phone and text messaging by public employees can be considered part of the public record if the information pertains to city matters. The regulation, Boutz said, is intended "to make sure everything is open and transparent." 

• Council confirmed the mayor's appointments of three residents to the municipal planning commission. Lynn Diddens will replace Mike Kennedy as a voting member while Jesse Fox and Richard Siler will be added as adjunct members. 

• Pam Almeida, executive director of Greater Spokane County Meals on Wheels, gave a presentation to council emphasizing the increased need for senior nutrition amidst funding challenges. Almeida oversees a nonprofit agency that serves 3,500 clients and provides 275,000 meals annually. The program's presence in Liberty Lake includes home delivery and a communal lunch site at Talon Hills known as the Silver Café. 

• Liberty Lake Sewer and Water District Commissioner Steve Skipworth told council that Liberty Lake is at its lowest water level in 57 years. Skipworth said the unusually dry year serves as another reminder of the importance of wise water practices. 

• The regularly scheduled council meeting on Nov. 17 was cancelled due to the severe windstorm that swept through the region. The meeting was rescheduled for Nov. 24, after publication of the December Splash. As usual, a report from the meeting will be posted shortly after the meeting at www.libertylakesplash.com.  

• City maintenance crews cleaned streets and pathways and restored street signs following the windstorm. The crews did not address damage on private property. 

• The Liberty Lake Library has been designated as a warming center during harsh winter weather.   

ON THE DOCKET (DECEMBER) 
• The city will recognize the 1 millionth visitor to the HUB Sports Center at the council meeting on Dec. 1.

• Mayor Steve Peterson will present his appointments to the Lodging Tax Advisory Board - Ranjit Gara, owner of the Best Western Peppertree, and Jason Fierst, general manager of the Quality Inn - for council approval.

• Council will consider approval of an interlocal agreement between the city and the Port of Seattle on Dec. 1. 

• Council will consider approval of municipal recreation service agreements for next year on Dec. 1.

• A memorandum of understanding between Spokane County, Spokane Valley and the Central Valley School District regarding the Sportsplex project will be presented for a council vote on Dec. 1.

• Council is expected to approve a contract with Gregg Dohrn of G.R. Dohrn and Associates for a review of development regulations in 2016.

• The city will present the annual awards to municipal employees on Dec. 15.

• Council will vote on a second read ordinance adopting the 2016 budget on Dec. 15. 

• A holiday social will take place at City Hall at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 15 prior to the 7 p.m. City Council meeting.

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