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Council debates, approves Pavillion Park upgrades, expanded storage
2/18/2015 3:22:11 PM

By Craig Howard
Splash Contributor 

It began as a presentation about lack of adequate storage, progressed into a squabble over long-range vision and culminated in a narrow decision on a funding compromise that will bring improvements to a pair of Liberty Lake greenspaces. 

While it was far from simple, City Council eventually voted 4-3 on Tuesday night on an amendment to the 2015 budget that will fund a permanent concession stand, additional storage space and an expanded women's restroom at Pavillion Park. The vote will also mean the construction of a storage facility and restrooms at the Liberty Lake Ballfields.

Council had already agreed on $245,000 for upgrades to the ballfields this year. City staff came back with a reduced amount of $136,000 for a revised version of the project. The addition of amenities at Pavillion Park brings the total expenditure to $388,000 with the money slated to come out of the city's Real Estate Excise Tax (REET) fund, reserved for capital facilities. Taking into account the previously approved $245,000, the budget amendment translates to an additional $143,000. 

The breakdown of costs at Pavillion Park includes $160,000 for the restroom, $56,000 for the concession stand and $6,000 to cover the installation of electrical outlets for events. Another $30,000 will be set aside for design procurement and contingencies. 

"Seeing what we're getting now, I'm thrilled with the planning process," said Council Member Hugh Severs, who applauded city staff for dramatically reducing the ballfield costs with a utilitarian storage shed and bringing the renovation of the Rocky Hill barn – also to be used for storage – in at $40,000 under budget. 

Others around the dais, like Council Member Odin Langford, were not as enthused.

"When the mayor introduced $85,000 just for a concession stand (at Pavillion Park) last year, there was no mention of a bathroom," he said. "Now we absolutely need a bathroom. This is great planning. I bet if we took a couple of more months, we could run it up to $1 million." 

Langford, Keith Kopelson and Bob Moore voted against the funding measure. Cris Kaminskas, Dan Dunne, Shane Brickner and Severs cast affirmative votes. 

Jennifer Camp, Parks and Open Space superintendent, told council that lack of storage room is becoming a serious issue with the main space at City Hall now overflowing. The addition of the ballfields and Town Square Park last year meant the city bringing on more maintenance equipment. 

Decentralizing storage by moving equipment to, or at least nearer, the respective site that requires maintenance would increase efficiency, safety and productivity, Camp said. 

"It would help to go from centralizing storage like we are now to divvying it up to the places we need it the most," she said.

Kopelson expressed concern that the proposed expenditures were not brought up during the 2015 budget planning process last year. 

"What happened in the last six months to make this a priority?" he said. "I find it frustrating. It seems like whatever direction council gives, it doesn't matter." 

Moore said it appeared the city "is in a reactionary mode rather than being proactive" while adding that "council and staff are both responsible for this situation." 

"Why don't we consider beforehand what the maintenance and facility needs are going to be?" he questioned.
City Administrator Katy Allen said there has been a pragmatic evaluation of existing storage scenarios and potential solutions.    

"I think we've done a pretty good job assessing what our needs are," Allen said. "This came about because of a combination of new facilities coming online and seeing how much more efficient and responsible we can be with the addition of the barn."

Predicting the requirement of future provisions is far from an exact science, Mayor Steve Peterson emphasized. Pointing to the example of Trailhead Golf Course and the increased utilization of the venue over the years, Peterson said "the issue here is more from a perspective of management and the allocation of funds."

"The point is we are looking ahead," he added. "The plan we came back with pretty much meets our basic storage needs." 

In other city news:

• Council heard a preliminary report on the idea of a community aquatic facility from Michelle Griffin, parks and recreation coordinator, and Amanda Tainio, planning and building services manager. The site of Town Square Park was presented as the most feasible property for the pool, while costs – a 12,000-square-foot venue runs an average of $3 million – were also discussed. The city is hoping to finalize the type of facility, location, master plan and grant possibilities this year. "We're looking at what kind of facility we want, how much we should spend and how do we pay for it," said Allen.

• Kevin Schneidmiller of Greenstone Homes presented an update on construction in the River District, the city's burgeoning northside development. Council unanimously approved a resolution that will utilize funds from the Local Infrastructure Financing Tool (LIFT) to cover improvements in the area this year such as the extension of Indiana Avenue east of Harvard Road the addition of a new road (Wellington) east of Harvard, a new sewer lift station and other infrastructure upgrades. "I think it's important that Greenstone and the city continue to collaborate and communicate about these spaces because, at the end of the day, we all want to make it right," Schneidmiller said.

• Travis Montgomery of the Liberty Lake Municipal Library was selected as a presenter for the state library information technology training program.

• Council will hold a special meeting on 6:30 p.m. Feb. 24 to review the municipal comprehensive plan. The gathering at City Hall will feature an open house format with information on the plan's priorities and a review of the public participation process.

• Council voted unanimously to award the bid for equipment installation at the next Fallen Heroes Circuit Course to Wm. Winkler Co. in the amount of $73,688.36. The approval included a $1,300 contingency to be managed by staff.

• Ann Swenson, longtime city clerk, was named city clerk of the month for Washington state. 

• The city will hold a workshop on the sign code at its March 3 meeting. Council has until April 1 to initiate the amendment process in the comprehensive plan to include proposed changes to the code such as electronic changeable signs along I-90 as well as thoroughfares like Country Vista and Appleway. Similar signage operated by the city to promote community events has also been proposed along with a clarification of wall sign standards. 

• On a related note, Allen said a demonstration digital sign with rotating messages had been placed on the south side of I-90 near R n' R RV. The sign, which premiered outside City Hall for one week earlier this month, will also be placed at site on the southeast corner of Country Vista and Liberty Lake Road that has been mentioned for community messaging. 

• A bulky waste cleanup event has been scheduled for May 16 at Town Square Park. Sponsored by Waste Management, the day will provide a disposal options for appliances, mattresses and other large items. 

• Council unanimously approved an ordinance that prohibits minors in consumption of marijuana connected to statewide Initiative 502 that took effect last year. The ordinance adds clarification to an existing law that prohibited minors in possession of marijuana. Police Chief Brian Asmus said the city's stance is being looked at as a standard among other jurisdictions in Washington.  

• The city learned that the Henry Road/I-90 interchange project, estimated at $26.5 million, has made the first round of cuts on the House Transportation Bill under consideration in Olympia during the current legislative session. 

• Council voted to award a contract with Western Display Fireworks Ltd. for the city's July 4 celebration and authorized Peterson to sign an agreement for the festivities. Allen said the city was working with organizers of the established Independence Day event at the lake to make sure there is not a conflict between the two events.

Editor's note: A separate story about the planned fireworks festivities is planned for the March issue of The Splash, which distributes Feb. 26-27.  

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