News and Notes

By Craig Howard

Splash Contributing Editor

• Police Chief Damon Simmons oversaw the 2022 Liberty Lake Police Department annual awards at the Jan. 3 council meeting. Officer Stephanie Olivas was recognized with the Sergeant’s Award. Officer Derek Arnold was presented with the inaugural Lieutenant’s Award. Officer Jordan Sowell was honored as the Officer of the Year. For more details on the awards, see the Lookout page.

• HUB Sports Center Executive Director Phil Champlin provided an update at the Jan. 3 council meeting on the facility’s expansion project slated for 17.5 acres adjacent from the current property not far from Selkirk Middle School. Champlin said installing four multi-purpose fields on synthetic turf “lends itself to being operated 12 months out of the year.” There is also talk of illuminating the fields. One natural grass field would be included in the layout as would an inclusive playground space, a walking trail and Pickleball courts. “This would expand our capacity to serve the community,” said Champlin who noted that the expansion could double the HUB’s economic impact, bringing it to a total of between $12 million to $14 million annually. The HUB paid $3 million to purchase the property last February. The price tag on the project is $22 million. Spokane County has committed close to $1 million while request for another $1 million is on the table for the upcoming state legislative session. Champlin asked Liberty Lake to consider $250,000 toward the project from the Lodging Tax Fund. He added that the first phase would entail two fields, restrooms and parking. On Jan. 17, Finance Director Kyle Dixon said the HUB’s request would need to comply with regulations outlined in the Revised Code of Washington. Dixon will be bringing back the matter at the Feb. 7 council meeting.

• Mark Saba gave an overview of Winter Glow 2022 at the Jan. 17 council meeting, thanking committee members and volunteers for their contributions. Saba told council “it was another successful Winter Glow,” despite colder than normal temperatures. “Winter Glow is a year-round venture,” said Saba, pointing to a golf tournament and dinner in June and October, respectively, that will raise funds and awareness for the project.

• The Liberty Lake Kiwanis will sponsor the Father Daughter Dance on March 4 at the Mirabeau Park and Convention Center.

• Mayor Cris Kaminskas told council that the preliminary state budget presented by Mayor Jay Inslee pushes the North/ South Freeway construction in Spokane back six years. Kaminskas said there is a consensus on the Spokane Regional Transportation Council that the delay would have a negative ripple effect on regional transportation projects. She said SRTC will be voicing its concerns in Olympia during the current legislative session.

• Planning and Building Manager Lisa Key said the proposed name for the flex room at the remodeled Trailhead clubhouse is “The Rotary Room” based on a recommendation from the Liberty Lake Centennial Rotary Club which provided a donation of $50,000 toward the project. The proposal will be brought back as a resolution at the next council meeting.

• The city introduced and approved a proclamation recognizing Jan. 16-22 as Community Risk Reduction Week, a grassroots initiative of fire safety officials across the nation.

• The city is moving ahead with a Hooptown mural on the surface of the basketball court at Pavillion Park. Council approved a call for artists led by the Parks and Arts Commission which is organizing the project. The commission will be holding a workshop in March, addressing its strategic plan and goals. Parks and Maintenance Director Jen Camp said the group is also discussing a potential project with the Daughters of the American Revolution that would honor the Unknown Soldier.

• Chief Frank Soto Jr. of the Spokane Valley Fire Department gave a summary of the department’s Maintenance & Operations Levy on Feb. 14. He pointed out that SVFD is only one of seven departments in Washington and the only public agency east of the Cascades to be accredited by the Commission on Fire Accreditation International, which Soto said has a ripple effect in lowering insurance rates. He added the department was responsible for $11 million in property preservation in 2022. SVFD taught fire safety to over 23,000 residents. The M & O levy is on the ballot every four years and requires a super majority of over 60 percent as well as representation of at least 40 percent of voters who participated in the 2022 general election. The ask is $25 million that would amount to $1.08 per assessed $1,000 of property valuation. If the levy passes, the total rate benefiting SVFD would amount to $2.58 per $1,000 (regular fire levy plus M & O levy) which Soto said would represent the lowest levy rate since 1990. Failure of the levy, Soto said, would mean closing three stations and laying off 66 staff, among other reductions. “All that we ask is that you vote informed,” Soto said.

• Kaminskas brought up an alternative to the city’s longstanding utility tax that would consist of a 0.1 percent sales tax with revenue applied to road maintenance. The tax – known as the Transportation Benefit District (TBD) Sales Tax – would likely go before voters, the mayor said, but could also be approved by council without appearing on the ballot. Dixon said the option would offset or reduce the utility tax and raise approximately $675,000 annually. The city would need to establish TBD boundaries before adopting the tax. Vehicle license fees could also be part of an alternative revenue source through the TBD, Dixon added. The 0.1 increase would put the overall sales tax in Liberty Lake at 9 percent.