News & Notes – March 2023

By Craig Howard Splash Contributing Editor

• A workshop was held Feb. 21 to discuss library policies and where authority over those policies falls. A previous workshop on Jan. 17 included a 4-3 council vote on a motion that would add the words, “with the approval of City Council” to the existing Ordinance 119, giving council final say on what the library board brings forward. “I want this to be a cordial discussion, not us versus them,” said Mayor Cris Kaminskas at the beginning of the February workshop. Library Director Jandy Humble provided an overview of the current approach to library policy review and establishment, a process that includes extensive research into legal precedents. “I would hope that after listening to Jandy’s description of how policies are reviewed that oversight would be reconsidered,” said Trustee Brad Hamblet. Kaminskas told those in attendance on Feb. 21 that each email that came through from residents before the workshop was “in favor of the Board (of Trustees) retaining the responsibility they’ve always had.” Mayor Pro Tem Phil Folyer referred back to the original ordinance established in 2003. “I’ve never felt this was a political play or discussion,” he said. “This ordinance change does not imply that the library board or librarian cannot be trusted. The ordinance clarifies the City Council approves policy changes proposed by the board. This is not personal. The library is a department of the city and I think they should be treated equally.” Council Member Annie Kurtz countered that the policies presented by the Police Department are not reviewed by council. Kurtz said if council took over authority from the board over library policies “it brings up a lot of questions. We don’t know anything about the library. We are way overstepping into a lane that’s not ours.” Kaminskas added that a number of policies related to departments like planning and the municipal golf course do not go before council for final approval. Council Member Jed Spencer who was in the majority with Folyer, Wendy Van Orman and Chris Cargill to change the ordinance said, “We’re being told we need to be an expert on some policies that we weigh in on but not others. I think this is just good business practice to take one last look at the policy as those who are responsible to the voters.” Council Member Tom Sahlberg who was in the minority on Jan. 17 with Dunne and Kurtz said, “a change to this ordinance is not necessary. It’s a change of governance.” The public comments portion of the Feb. 21 meeting featured a series of strong sentiments from residents opposed to any change to the ordinance and voicing support for the library board retaining authority over library policies. A first read of the ordinance change was included in the Feb. 21 agenda. Council eventually decided to hold another workshop with the library trustees before a second read and vote on the ordinance which has now been tabled until April 18.

• Council approved a twoyear contract with ZenCity, a community engagement platform for local governments on Feb. 21. The contract – at a cost of $12,000 per year – states that ZenCity will provide “a community engagement interface to share essential project context and invite resident collaboration and input.”

• Kaminskas presented Selkirk eight grader Sindhu Surapaneni with the Presidential Gold Volunteer Service Award on Feb. 21 from President Joe Biden. In 2021, Surapaneni was the youngest person ever honored with a Spokane Arts Award for her work exemplifying inclusion. She has raised $13,000 for local homeless services causes since 2020.

• Joe Frank of Greenstone Homes addressed a recent change to parking code in River District Specific Area Plan at the Feb. 7 council meeting. Frank expressed hope that council would reconsider their vote and agree with Planning Commission recommendations.

• Council Member Dan Dunne, the city’s representative on the Spokane Transit Authority (STA) board, told his fellow council members that Liberty Lake has moved from ex-officio status to a voting member representing small cities. The city of Spokane has four voting members, Spokane County and the city of Spokane Valley both have two voting members.

• On Feb. 7, City Administrator Mark McAvoy gave a summary of a visit to Olympia that he and Kaminskas were part of along with representatives Greater Spokane Inc. McAvoy said the group heard feedback from legislators that they would support the opposition to delay the construction of the North/ South Freeway as proposed by Gov. Jay Inslee.

• A City Council strategy session will take place on March 4 with a site to be determined.

• Liberty Lake has been designated as a Tree City once again. The initial designation was awarded in 2003. Maintenance and Operations Director Jennifer Camp said Tree City signs would be appearing across town and a planting ceremony will be held on Arbor Day, April 28.

• A call for applications with the newly revived Civil Service Commission has been made. McAvoy said on Feb. 7 there were not enough applications submitted to fill the three seats on the commission. “We’re still looking for qualified folks,” he said.

• The inaugural City Academy will take place over an eight-week period beginning at the end of spring break and running until the start of summer break. McAvoy said the curriculum will offer “an inside look into how the city makes decisions, allocates resources and works with partners to deliver core services.” The class will include 15-20 residents with a goal of “increasing engagement and training future city leaders,” McAvoy added.

• Mark Saba with the Community Engagement Commission said the group is working on creating an expanded community calendar as well as a city podcast that will kick off this spring. “This is another way for citizens to be involved in activities and opportunities in the city of Liberty Lake,” Saba said.

• Planning and Engineering Manager Lisa Key gave an update on the plan to update netting and poles at the Trailhead driving range. Costs for two different options range from $850,000 to $1.5 million. Key encouraged council to act quickly on one of the options to begin the bidding process and lock in prices before they increased. She added that the city would present the plan to their insurance company, Clear Risk Solutions, as part of the process. Council has asked staff to return with a new configuration that would reach an agreed upon price point before giving final approval.

• A stray cat at City Hall brought some levity to the Feb. 21 council meeting. “Don’t let him alarm you if he falls down,” Kaminskas said. “We’ll try to catch him. He was in the vestibule ceiling when I got here.” The roaming feline was not heard from during public comments.