2024 February Splash by The Liberty Lake Splash

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CENTRAL VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT PROP. 1 WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE UPCOMING BALLOT MEASURE, PG 10

LL PIONEER, FISHER PAGE 2

FALCONS WINTER SPORTS PAGE 18

JEREMY MULLIN RECEIVES AWARD PAGE 23

2 • FEBRUARY 2024

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DOCKSIDE Return Ticket Home - Fisher

in November 2000, Fisher was working as a technician for the U.S. District Court representing Eastern Washington but was looking for a change.

By Craig Howard

told her that the new city would be hiring.

helped establish LL One of her professors from city roots Eastern Washington University

Splash Contributing Editor

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.

“I said, ‘Liberty who?’” Fisher recalls. “I’d never heard of it but he told me to go and talk to Steve Peterson.” Fisher attended a meeting at the Liberty Lake Sewer and

Water District office and began the process of introducing herself to those comprising the city’s inaugural leadership structure. Peterson would serve as Liberty Lake’s first mayor. There was no revenue coming in yet, so Fisher decided to volunteer as part of the fledgling staff getting the city on its feet. “I had some savings, my kids were off to college,” Fisher said. “I thought it was a unique opportunity.” Peterson

remembers

Fisher

While Webber achieves his professional vision, he discovers the harsh realities of a changing world along the way. As his journey comes full circle, Webber realizes that hope, love and optimism represent far more than provincial cliches of his youth.

“We were all more than capable,” Fisher said of the inaugural municipal team. “We brought our hearts to work every day.”

And unlike Webber, Fisher has proven that you can go home again. Arlene and her husband Rich relocated to Liberty Lake last spring after she retired from her job as city manager in Union Gap, a city of around 6,500 in Yakima County.

Fisher was involved in every hiring decision in the city’s first seven years and was front and center in key acquisitions that helped mold the character of incorporated Liberty Lake.

“I was sitting with Rich one day and I just said, ‘What are we doing here? I want to go home,’” Fisher said. “For us, home is Liberty Lake.”

For Fisher, leaving Liberty Lake 17 years ago meant a major transition from the place where she cut her teeth in municipal administration. When the vote to incorporate the city passed

“As the first mayor, I was fortunate enough to hire Arlene as our first employee,” Peterson said. “She had the financial skills and organizational skills to ensure all of our documentation was completed accurately and on time. When I hired Arlene, I told her we had no money to pay her salary but she quit her federal job and truly believed in what we were doing. She brought very incredible dedication to the task.” Over the years, Fisher took on many roles, including city clerk, finance director, HR manager and city administrator. She brought her own chair from home to set up her original office and shuttled from temporary City Hall sites in the Liberty Lake Portal and Greenstone Building with fellow employees before staff settled into the current home of the city on Country Vista Drive.

While Arlene Fisher may not have left Liberty Lake for the bustling streets of Manhattan, London and Paris like the protagonist in Wolfe’s book, she did punch her ticket in late 2007 to take on a challenging role as a fulltime city manager in a jurisdiction to the west.

Arlene and Rich, who grew up in Newman Lake, have four kids and seven grandchildren in their blended family.

being integral to the formation of the first city to incorporate in Spokane County since Airway Heights in 1955.

Photo by Craig Howard Arlene Fisher was part of the first Liberty Lake city administration following the successful vote for incorporation in November 2000. Fisher wore many hats during a tenure that lasted until the end of 2007, including city clerk, finance director, city administrator and HR manager. She went on to serve as city manager for three Washington jurisdictions – Cheney, Mountlake Terrace and Union Gap – before retiring in November 2022.

“Arlene made sure we were all focused on the outcome – the purchase of Trailhead, the library, the master plan for the 6.5 acres at Town Square, our place within the county and our relationships with the other electeds,” Peterson said. “She had terrific people skills and worked extremely well with our council to make sure that they were well-informed on issues and challenges which faced our new city. There were hundreds of times which Arlene helped us succeed.” Fisher learned the value of a consistent work ethic growing up See FISHER, Page 4

FEBRUARY 2024 • 3

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FISHER

Continued from page 2 on a farm in Fort Lupton, Colorado, 25 miles north of Denver. She was the second youngest in a family of four brothers. Her dad worked as a truck driver. “We had a mini-farm with horses, cows and a cornfield,” Fisher said. “The farm didn’t make money but it taught us a work ethic.” Fisher began working for Safeway on weekends while in high school and continued as an employee after graduation. She met her first husband during that time and the couple had two sons. In 1988, Fisher left her home state and moved to the Puget Sound area with her boys. She applied for an opening at Bellevue District Court running the traffic division and was hired. When a court job became available in Spokane a year later, Fisher realized the compensation coupled with the cost-of-living reduction made sense for her and her sons. After planting new roots in Spokane, Fisher also went back to school, taking classes at Eastern Washington University. She would go on to earn a bachelor’s degree in finance and business and a master’s in public administration from EWU. “My favorite course work in college was public administration,” Fisher said. “I knew then I wanted to be a city manager.” Fisher’s tenure in the city of Cheney lasted from January 2008 until early 2014 when she accepted a similar position with Mountlake Terrace, a suburb of Everett. When she left Liberty Lake for Cheney, she was overseeing a budget of $12 million and a reserve of over $1 million.

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In Cheney, Fisher spearheaded a revamp of the city’s inefficient water utility that had been leaking significant money. The water loss ratio, normally around 10 percent, stood at 38 percent. Under Fisher’s leadership, the city combed every residence and business, repaired old pipes and reduced the water loss ratio to 15 percent in 18 months. At the

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same time, revenue increased by 27 percent. After a two-year stay in Mountlake Terrace, Fisher was named city manager in Union Gap. Her office there bore resemblance to the modest furnishings in the early days of Liberty Lake – the corner of the city’s fire station. Fisher went to work again, leading the charge for a new City Hall. “We built a City Hall with no bonds, no rate increases,” Fisher said. Since returning to Liberty Lake, Fisher has resumed her familiar focus on making a difference. She is a member of Liberty Lake Rotary and will serve as club chair next year. She was also recently appointed to the city’s Community Engagement Commission. In Fisher’s Trutina neighborhood, she has become the ad-hoc expert on municipal matters. “I mentioned that I helped start the city and now anytime my neighbors have a question about the city, they come to me,” she said. Q: With your re-entry into Liberty Lake last year, have you noticed much change since you called this city your professional home? A: The city has grown tremendously since we moved back. It’s a well-planned city and it shows that a lot of thought and care went into the planning. When Rich and I tell people we live in Liberty Lake the response is, “Wow that’s such a beautiful community.” Q: Why did you decide to be part of the city’s Community Engagement Commission and what are you looking forward to most about this new challenge? A: The commission is just that – engaging with our citizens. I love talking about our city and most importantly, I love helping our citizens. Q: Speaking of community engagement, what are some of your memories of the way the city connected with residents in those early years after the incorporation vote passed in

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2000? Do you think it took awhile for Liberty Lake to develop its own “city brand” so to speak?

A: Absolutely. It took time for everyone to accept we had become a city. For most of the residents they weren’t sure what benefits they would be receiving. However, the formation of our own police force was expected by the residents. We achieved that and more. Q: You could have easily continued in your stable role with the court system and probably finished out your career there. Why did you decide to take a chance with a brand-new city, signing on with no pay and no guarantee that it would be a sustainable position? A: This question makes me giggle. I just felt there was promise. The original council members and, of course, Mayor Steve, were so strong in their beliefs that we could succeed. I was very drawn into that emotion. Also, the council members accepted me and my strengths. Q: What were some of the takeaways you took with you from your years in Liberty Lake that benefited you as a city manager in Cheney, Mountlake Terrace nd Union Gap? A: Never give up. There is always a way to solve a problem. Q: Do you think most people underestimate the amount of work and ongoing maintenance it takes to run a safe and viable city? A: Absolutely. Often I get asked the question, “What do you do for work?” My reply is city manager. The next question is,

“What is that?” After many times trying to explain my job and folks still don’t understand, I simply say, “It’s like being a CEO of a company.” That usually does the trick. Q: Of all the roles and responsibilities you’ve had in the various municipal stops across your career, which have been the most rewarding? A: Of course Liberty Lake was my favorite. However, Cheney is where I really learned how to be a city manager. I was the first woman manager so I had to prove myself quickly. I continually interacted with staff, I let them make decisions, and they, for the first time, felt empowered. The staff began to trust me and I personally cared for everyone. The university played a large role in the city and we had a wonderful relationship of working together.

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Q: You and your husband could have chosen anywhere to live after you retired from Union Gap, why did you pick Liberty Lake? A: Liberty Lake is home. I knew what kind of community Liberty Lake is and I knew we would be very happy--- and we are. Q: Finally, as someone who was part of the team that poured the foundation for Liberty Lake, what are you most proud of when it comes to the city it has become today? A: Everything. When I attended the first Community Engagement Commission meeting, I walked into the chambers and cried. I was just so overwhelmed with pride and I knew I had come home.

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Introducing the

Safety Awareness Channel

ult DV / Simple Assault / on

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Police Report - Dec. 2023

Assault / Assault w/a Weapon 5

Total incidents generated by Officers and emergency calls for service last month 421

2023-88006578 12/19/2023:

Splash news sources

Traffic Collisions/Hit & Runs / Injury Collisions 6 Citations (Traffic/Criminal/ Non-Criminal) 30 DUI (Driving Under Influence) 1 Thefts / Vehicle Prowls / Vehicle Theft / Burglaries 13 Malicious Mischief 7 Argument / Assault DV / Simple

Parking Violations 1 Suspicious Vehicles 30 Significant Cases Vehicle

Theft,

Officers responded to a report of a vehicle theft that occurred in the Valley. They observed the vehicle traveling eastbound on I-90 and conducted a felony stop on the vehicle at the Nom-Nom. The male driver of the vehicle admitted to taking the vehicle and further stated he was homeless and cold. The male was placed in custody for the taking the vehicle and for a previous warrant for his arrest.

2023-88006608 DUI, 12/21/2023:

Officers witnessed a GMC truck traveling eastbound on Country Vista Avenue at a high rate of speed (50 MPH). The vehicle was stopped, and they identified an adult male as the driver. The driver was exhibiting signs of intoxication, so the officer had him perform some Field Sobriety Test. The male failed those tests and he was further processed for DUI with the BAC results of .166 and .170. The male was placed under arrest for the violation along with a suspended driver charge and transported to the Spokane County Jail.

2023-88006703, Reckless Driver, 12/29/2023: Officers responded to a report

of several reckless drivers in the parking lot near the 24000 block of East Mission. Officers found several drivers displaying reckless driving behaviors in the area and were able to contact the adult/juvenile male drivers. Each was cited for reckless driving violation and the vehicles were released back to the owners (parents of the individuals). The Liberty Lake Police Department has also recovered several stolen vehicles with the use of the Flock Camera system during the month of December. We would also like to remind everyone not to leave their vehicles unattended while running to warm them up as they could be stolen by doing so. Stay warm and safe….

FEBRUARY 2024 • 7

The Splash

The Lookout Library’s Master Gardener series starts in February

The Liberty Lake Municipal Library will be offering several ways for plant producers to grow their gardening skills through its series of six Spokane County Master Gardeners presentations that will begin in February. The public is invited to attend any or all of these sessions: • Vegetable Gardening 101 (Thursday, Feb. 22, at 6:30 p.m.):

Learn about design, soil preparation, planting, watering, weeding, fertilizing, harvesting and storing from instructor Steve Nokes.

(Saturday, April 6, at 11 a.m.): Learn about turf removal, drip irrigation and drought-tolerant plants with presenter Kris Moberg-Hendron.

• Houseplant Parenting (Saturday, May 11, at 11 a.m.): Learn about which houseplants thrive indoors, how to keep your plants healthy and mistakes to avoid with presenter Cathi Lamoreaux.

• Gardening for Pollinators (Saturday, March 9, at 11 a.m.): Learn about “the pollinator pact” and cultivate a new garden ethic with presenter Lynn Meyers.

• Raised Bed Gardening (Thursday, April 25, at 6:30 p.m.): Get insights on the best materials, sizes and shapes, soils and locations for a raised bed garden from presenter Steve Nokes.

• Fire-Resistant Landscaping (Thursday, May 23, at 6 p.m.): See how to create a defensible space around your home to reduce the risk of damage due to wildfire with presenter Lynn Meyers.

•

Waterwise

Landscaping

Tuttle named Officer of the Year during LLPD’s awards

– was presented by Deputy Chief Morgan to Corp. Jordan Sowell for the several active shooter defense trainings he has offered for the Liberty Lake community. “He put together all the training criteria along with training aids to keep the community aware of what they should do in the case of an active shooter,” said Morgan.

Members of the group that some might call “Liberty Lake’s Finest” were recognized for the outstanding work they performed for the community this past year by being honored as the latest recipients of the Liberty Lake Police Department’s annual employee awards. The awards for 2023 were announced during the Liberty Lake City Council meeting on Dec. 19. In his opening remarks before presenting the recipients, Police Chief Damon Simmons said: “We are proud of them as they continue to set an example for others by demonstrating exceptional professionalism, integrity and compassion in everything they do. It is through their hard work that the citizens of Liberty Lake can trust that the community is protected by some of the finest law enforcement professionals in the country.” Jordan Tuttle, who joined the LLPD in February of last year and grew up in Liberty Lake, was named the department’s 2023 Officer of the Year. As Chief Simmons shared during his presentation, Officer Tuttle posted several high numbers since completing his initial training, included conducting “a staggering 406 traffic stops,” issuing 95 infractions for traffic violations, apprehending 12 people who were driving under the influence of alcohol, arresting 11 suspects involved in domestic violence incidents, contacting suspicious vehicles 89 times and contacting suspicious persons 48 times.

February 2024

Jordan Tuttle, 2023 Liberty Lake Police Department Officer of the Year “His dedication to public safety and our community has been resolute since day one,” Chief Simmons said. “The remarkable dedication displayed by Officer Tuttle towards safeguarding our community has garnered significant attention.” Among the other honorees: • The Excellence in Leadership Award – a new award – was presented by Deputy Chief Darin Morgan to Sgt. Jeff Isaac. This past year, Sgt. Isaac created a book for the department’s sergeants and corporals to use in emergency situations, completed more than 300 hours of leadership professional development during 2023 and in July received his first level supervision status. • The Outstanding Service Award was presented by Chief Simmons to Corp. Derek Arnold for his work in obtaining new handgun platforms for the department, developing LLPD’s firearm training curriculum and

providing firearm range instruction and certification for all officers. Said Chief Simmons: “Corp. Arnold’s tireless efforts have ensured that every officer in our department has received top-notch training, which will undoubtedly lead to better outcomes when it comes to public safety.” • The Chief’s Choice Award was shared by Det. Corp. Jordan Bowman and Det. Matt McKay. Chief Simmons said: “Despite grappling with a substantial caseload, Detectives Jordan Bowman and Matt McKay have fearlessly confronted every challenge that comes their way, triumphing over any obstacles standing between them and justice. Their unwavering commitment has resulted in consistently successful case resolutions and criminal prosecutions.” • The Community-Oriented Policing Award – another new award

• The Sergeants’ Award went to Patrol Officer Cody LaRocco. In presenting the award, Sgt. Jeff Isaac said: “Officer LaRocco is dependable to cover open shifts so our team members are not working alone and is always willing to step in and help the detectives when it comes to investigating and solving cases. Officer LaRocco is well known to work a case until there are no further leads. He takes pride in being thorough in everything he does.” • Service Awards were announced by Deputy Chief Morgan for Dan Wilson and for Sakti Hiatt. Wilson had served as one of the department’s unpaid reserve officers since 2014 and was recognized for attending numerous trainings over the years. Hiatt recently concluded nearly 11 years with the department in records management, and built the agency’s evidence room during her tenure. • The Citizen’s Award was presented by Chief Simmons to John-Michael Harris for his volunteer contributions on behalf of the local police. Harris has assisted with the oral boards of police officer applicants and prospective hires, as well as promotional assessment boards. He has also donated beverages and food for department special events on behalf of his employer, Yoke’s Fresh Market.

https://www.facebook.com/libertylakewa • www.libertylakewa.gov

8 • FEBRUARY 2024

News and Notes – Feb. 2024 By Craig Howard

Splash Contributing Editor

• Annie Kurtz and Chris Cargill were the only two nominees from City Council for mayor pro tem at the Jan. 2 meeting. Cargill received four votes (Wendy Van Orman, Jed Spencer, Mike Kennedy and Cargill) to earn confirmation for the role which comes with a two-year term. • Spaces opened Jan. 2 for community garden and park reservations for 2024. Those interested can contact City Hall at 509-755-6700 or visit in-person at 22710 E. Country Vista Drive. • The 2024 Washington State Legislative Session began Jan. 8. City representatives were in Olympia to advocate on behalf of Liberty Lake and regional issues, Jan. 17-19. The session will last 60 days. • The city has launched a pilot agreement with a company called Inquisio.AI to develop a project plan related to customer service. City Administrator Mark McAvoy told council that the agreement includes no compensation terms and an optout with a 30-day notice. • Bill Genoway, a commissioner with the Liberty Lake Sewer and Water District reported that the renovation of the district headquarters is now

NEWS complete. • Council approved the proclamation of Community Risk Reduction Week with a focus on reducing fires. The campaign is a grassroots effort by fire safety professionals across the nation. • Council Member Annie Kurtz has attended two meetings of a group that is discussing a balanced school calendar for the Central Valley School District. Kurtz said the group is looking at pros and cons of the year-round school schedule and will have recommendations following its last meeting in May. • In anticipation of a snowstorm on the week of Jan. 15, McAvoy told council that staff monitors weather conditions and street crews are “flexible schedulewise when those storms hit” to make sure roads are cleared. • The city sent out close to 700 citizen surveys in January to determine “what they expect from us in the future and get feedback on key results in the Strategic Plan,” McAvoy said. • Former Mayor Pro Tem Phil Folyer was unanimously approved as a voting member of the Planning Commission on Jan. 16. Confirmation of the appointment fills the commission to capacity for the first time in several years. • McAvoy oversaw a council workshop on Jan. 16 addressing social media and transparency. “We’re not mandating or requiring that you use social media,” McAvoy said. “If you do that, we recommend you do that through an account the city owns and maintains.” McAvoy said. He said council

members should limit their use of social media platforms to a number agreed to by council while having staff provide user protocols for social media. Council members were also reminded to not comment as a group on social media in their capacity or it can be considered a unannounced meeting. “The distinction is, ‘Is it city-related business?’” said City Attorney Sean Boutz. “It’s the same thing with a personal phone. If you are discussing city-related business, it’s subject to public disclosure.” Council Member Mike Kennedy called the discussion and proposed recommendations “a step in the right direction.” • The workshop also focused on the Transparency Act that would ensure residents have consistent and reliable access to all meetings as part of a continued initiative by the city to improve trust in local government. The approach would mean the following guarantees: a virtual attendance option, that all meetings be recorded, that agendas for each meeting be available five days before each meeting and any policy change or decision would be available to the public after the meeting. “What we want at the end of the day is to make sure these policies are put into practice,” McAvoy said. A proposal brought up by McAvoy would change the availability of agendas from five days to 72 hours. “We don’t want to be chasing agendas perpetually,” he said. Council agreed to bring back all four recommendations in a resolution.

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City strives for fiscal balance with unfunded projects By Craig Howard

Splash Contributing Editor

Those who remember the travails of “Bill” in the cartoon series “Schoolhouse Rock” from the 1970s will appreciate the uphill battle of unfunded projects in Liberty Lake’s Capital Facilities Plan (CFP). Bill is initially pictured sitting forlornly on Capitol Hill with visions of becoming a law. The journey is a rigorous one – from the grassroots work of citizens to the desk of their representative in Congress to drawn-out committee discussions in Washington, D.C. and finally to votes in the House of Representatives and the Senate. If Bill makes it through the maze of politics, budgets and bureaucracy, he is signed by the president into law. The official list of unfunded projects in Liberty Lake now numbers 13 and is situated at the end of the city’s latest CFP covering 2024 to 2029. Like Bill, all have aspirations to be something bigger and better but find themselves in a waiting game that hinges on established spending priorities and the realities of a municipal budget. “A lot of these projects would enhance our community and make it better but, as a city, we have our needs and we have our wants,” said Council Member Annie Kurtz. The list features no shortage of variety, both in scope and support. The baker’s dozen includes: River District community messaging board, senior center, dog park, Fallen Heroes Circuit Course and community garden at Orchard Park, Town Square Park expansion, protected bike lanes, disc golf course, new baseball fields, restroom facilities and gazebos at the Nature’s Place Arboretum and a splash pad and parking lot expansion at Rocky Hill Park. A community pool, which has garnered the highest level of interest among residents in recent years, has officially moved off the unfunded list after receiving an earmark of

The Splash $150,000 in for a site master plan. “It’s important to keep projects in the forefront that the community cares about,” said Planning and Engineering Manager Lisa Key. “Sometimes grant funding will become available.” Key learned the value of having projects in the queue years ago while working on a metropolitan master plan for the city of Pocatello, Idaho. She said projects in Liberty Lake’s coming to fruition will hinge on community interest and City Council buy-in. “Council may have some that rise to the top,” she said. Council Member Mike Kennedy said the final say on a community pool belongs on the ballot. The idea has been brought before voters twice as part of a larger capital facilities request and fallen short both times. “That’s got to go to the public for a vote,” Kennedy said.

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Pawpular Companions Pet Supplies in Liberty Lake, said she believes the prospect of the dog park “is inactive at this point,” at least at City Hall.

chance to establish a dog park on land owned by the city just to the south of the Kramer Overpass that opened last year.

“There are other things the council wants to talk about,” said Crowell, who added that she has not given up on the campaign.

“Will a dog park be utilized?” Kennedy queried. “Yes, it will – but where will it go?”

Crowell said she and other dog park advocates gathered “literally hundreds of signatures” in support of the idea. She and Nancy Hill with the city’s Parks and Arts Commission have also spoken before council about the initiative. “The amount of enthusiasm out there for this is amazing,” Crowell said. Crowell has also had discussions with representatives from local companies like Greenstone Homes and Rudeen Development about potential land for a dog park but no concrete plan ever ensued. Kennedy said there may be a

Council Member Linda Ball, the newest addition around the dais, said she supports improvements to Town Square Park, the city-owned greenspace in the center of town that serves as the site of the Liberty Lake Farmers Market but goes largely unused beyond the market’s annual schedule of mid-May through midOctober. “Something’s got to happen with Town Square,” said Ball. Ball has pointed to a “walkable downtown” concept incorporated at Gilman Village in Issaquah, a suburb of Seattle. The area is characterized by independent shops and restaurants housed in old

FEBRUARY 2024 • 9

farming and mining structures that pay tribute to the community’s past. Ball said she also heard significant support for a senior center while on the campaign trail last year. “It doesn’t have to be huge, it doesn’t have to be fancy, it just needs to be somewhere seniors can go,” Ball said. Council will tee up the CFP around September as part of the annual update to the document. Key said the governing board’s approved list of unfunded projects – now embedded as part of the CFP and any accompanying discussion – is susceptible to change. “I remember when the informational kiosks were gaining a lot of traction,” Key said, referring to digital stands being proposed for parks and other public spaces that would have served as virtual tour guides. “Then everyone realized you could just use your iPhone.”

He added the city needs to be pragmatic when it comes to revenue streams after Liberty Lake reaches buildout. With land occupied and sources for property and sales tax reaching ceilings, the terrain of opportunity is expected to shift for projects outside basic priorities like public safety and street maintenance. Then there are the ongoing maintenance costs. “I talk to people from other cities through AWC (Association of Washington Cities) and MRSC (Municipal Research and Services Center) about what happens after buildout and they say pools and libraries are the first things that get cut,” Kennedy said. When Mayor Cris Kaminskas was a council member, she and Kennedy spearheaded the campaign for the community messaging board that stands atop the corner of Liberty Lake Road and County Vista Drive near the Trailhead Golf Course. When the cost for a similar board for the River District came in at the same amount, the city stepped away. “They wanted $75,000 like we’d paid for the first one but we’d already paid for the design so it didn’t make sense,” Kennedy said. Finding suitable property can be a stumbling block for unfunded projects like a dog park and baseball fields. Mara Crowell, co-owner of

Photo by Craig Howard A community messaging board like this one on the fringe of the Trailhead at Liberty Lake Golf Course is included on the city’s current unfunded projects list. A new informational sign, one of 13 projects seeking adequate funding, would be posted in the River District.

10 • FEBRUARY 2024

COVER STORY

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Understanding Central Valley School District Prop. 1, EPO Replacement Levy By Nina Culver

Splash Contributor

Like many local school districts, the Central Valley School District has levy measures on the February ballot to help pay for everything from basic operations to technology and safety improvements. Levies are traditionally a key source of income for school districts. Superintendent John Parker said the district carefully considered current economic issues when deciding how much money to ask voters to approve. “We spent a considerable amount of time researching both what is best for the district and best for the kids,” he said. The first item on the ballot is a replacement Education Programs and Operations (EPO) levy. The current three-year levy was approved in 2021 for an estimated rate of $2.40 per $1,000 in assessed home value. The replacement EPO levy is asking voters to again approve an estimated $2.40 per $1,000 for another three-year term. “We’re asking the same amount this time,” Parker said. “We understand though that people’s assessed value has gone up.” Though the district is asking for an estimated $2.40 per $1,000 in

assessed value, the district is also limited to collecting a certain dollar amount, in this case $43.8 million in 2025. If a home’s assessed value goes up, the amount of money going to the district does not also go up. This could mean that if a home’s assessed value goes up, the amount collected by the district will be less than $2.40 per $1,000 in value. “Even if the value goes up, they still pay the same dollar amount,” Parker said. The EPO levy is what used to be known as a Maintenance and Operations (M&O) levy and has been in place continuously for more than 50 years. It pays for things the state and federal government do not, such as counselors, nurses, school resource officers, playground supervisors, crossing guards, textbooks and maintenance of school buildings. “That is going to cover a lot of things that are extra that we want to have in our district,” Parker said. “It also supports the fact that we have a lot of choice programs.” One of the key uses of money raised by the EPO levy is to help pay for special education. The district currently has 2,300 students who are enrolled in special education programs. According to the district, it cost $37.2 million to pay for special

education programs for the 20222023 school year. Of that funding the state provided $27.9 million and the Federal government provided $2.8 million. The district’s EPO levy paid for the remaining $6.3 million, a number that continues to rise each year. “It’s a significant amount,” Parker said of the EPO levy special education funding. “The State has been doing, I think, a notable job of closing that gap, but there’s still a way to go.” Another important area funded entirely by the EPO levy is afterschool activities, athletics, and clubs. It also pays for many elective classes, including Advanced Placement, music, drama, fine arts, debate and STEM. The district has broken down an estimate of what each EPO levy dollar pays for. In each dollar, 9 cents pays for health, safety and security (nurses, counselors, etc.); another 9 cents goes to ongoing maintenance; 52 cents pays for teacher and staff costs; 12 cents goes toward special education programs; and 18 cents is used for extracurricular activities. The state updated its Local Effort Assistance (LEA) program in 2017 that was designed to give extra money to school districts in an effort to reduce the amount of property tax money districts need to request through levies. Parker said Central Valley received $8.5 million in LEA funding in the 2017-2018 school year but the number has been dropping ever since and the district is expected to get less than $1 million this year. “That drop in revenue has been significant,” he said. Overall, the EPO levy provides

about 14 percent of the district’s general fund revenue. This district also did what is called a study and survey, which is a thorough examination of each school building and any maintenance needs it has. A study and survey is typically done when a school district is considering asking voters to approve a construction bond, but Parker said it was determined that the district does not need another construction bond, particularly after voters generously approved constructions bonds in 2015 and 2018 that paid to build and/or remodel a large number of schools. However, there were some needs identified, including roof repairs, HVAC system improvements and safety improvements. A decision was made to instead ask voters to approve a Capital Safety, Facilities and Technology Improvements Levy that would collect an estimated $0.39 per $1,000 in assessed home value over the next six years, or an estimated $13 a month for a home with an assessed value of $400,000. “We really weighed our options,” Parker said. “It’s not new construction. It’s things to elevate schools and bring them up and keep buildings open. It’s going to impact every single student, every single building across our district.” About half of the Capital levy would be spent on technological improvements, since the district has aging equipment and infrastructure, Parker said. The district would purchase nearly 20,000 devices for staff and student use and expand and improve each building’s WiFi, network and servers. Several schools would get a safer front entry, roofing repair

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or replacement and playground improvements, including Adams, McDonald, Progress and University elementary schools as well as Bowdish and Greenacres middle schools. Broadway Elementary would get a safer front entry and playground improvements, as would South Pines Elementary and Liberty Lake Elementary. The Central Valley Early Learning Center and Spokane Valley Learning Academy would each receive playground improvements. Central Valley High School and University High School would both get new stadium lights and Spokane Valley Tech would get a new HVAC system. Summit School would receive a safer front entry, a new HVAC system and

COVER STORY

playground improvements. Making safe school entrances includes improving school vestibules to make them more secure, plus the additions of security intrusion systems, cameras, alarms and communication systems. The levy would collect $47.5 million over six years. The bulk of it, $23.5 million would be used to purchase technology equipment. The second biggest ticket item is roofing improvements at $10.7 million. Of the remainder, $5.3 million would pay for safer front entries, $3.3 million for playground improvements, $4 million for pavement patching and stadium lights and $700,000 for HVAC improvements. The district hasn’t asked for

a Capital Safety, Facilities and Technology Improvements levy before, but Parker said the repairs and improvements are needed. “We know what our district needs,” he said. “We need to address some of those safety matters and technical issues.” Parker has spent the last several weeks speaking before a variety of community groups, explaining the need for the two levies. The district also has information posted online at www.cvsd.org/levy. Ballots must be returned by 8pm on February 13th and each school levy proposal needs only 50% + 1 in order to pass. Parker said the levy calculator button idea came from the Spokane Valley Fire Department, which had one on its website when it was

FEBRUARY 2024 • 11

attempting to pass a levy. People simply want to know what each levy will cost them, Parker said. “That estimator got more hits on their website than their information page did,” Parker said. Parker said the district doesn’t yet have any plans about what to do if the levies are not approved, except to put them back on the ballot later this year and try again. District staff are still trying to determine what would have to be cut to fill such a significant gap in the budget if they do not pass, Parker said. “We always have to have that in the back of our mind,” he said. “We’re still working to determine what that would look like.”

12 • FEBRUARY 2024

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NEWS

SVFD Report – Dec. 2023 Splash news sources

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Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) crews responded to a total of 1,982 emergency incidents for December 2023. Incident Category Incident Total Incident Percentage Emergency Medical Services 19,154 82.82% Fire Suppression 1,909 8.25% Tech Rescue 1,136 4.91% Other 563 HazMat 190 Of Note: December 11, 2023

11 am till 10 pm

Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) units responded this at 4:30pm to a garage and house on fire in the 13100 block of East Saltese Road. Multiple calls to 911 described a well involved garage fire, with animals inside the attached house.

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Firefighters on the first arriving apparatus from Station 7, on Evergreen, arrived three minutes after time of dispatch to find a heavily involved garage with what they described as 15ft flames extending out from a window, endangering a neighboring home. Engine 7 quickly attacked the fire using the window as an initial opening for water, and then Engine 9 from the 32nd Ave (South Valley) station made entry to the garage and extinguished the bulk of the fire, preventing extension into the house. Additional units assisted with searching the home for occupants and ventilated the fire area. A total of 13 apparatus and support vehicles came to the scene, including units from AMR and Fire District 8 to the south and SCSO Valley Precinct for traffic control.

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Firefighters had the main body of the fire knocked down approximately eight minutes after arriving on scene. No injuries were reported by responders and all pets were confirmed to be safely outside; however, the resident sought care at a local hospital by private vehicle for minor injuries.

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The garage is likely a total loss, with smoke damage throughout the home. The cause of this fire is under investigation; however, a preliminary investigative report is that the resident was refueling a 4wheeler-plow inside the closed garage, and fuel vapors likely found an open flame heater as an ignition source.

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The Spokane Valley Fire Department would like to remind our citizens that when they refuel any small motor, such as a lawnmower, snow blower, or string trimmer, make sure the motor has cooled and then refuel outside away from any ignition sources or open flame. Spilled fuel can easily ignite and cause serious burns.

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Central Valley senior Bianca Zeman strives “to impact people in a positive way.” She moved to Spokane Valley from South Dakota with her family eight years ago and has been doing exactly that. She has volunteered at Catholic Charities’ House of Charity in downtown Spokane and also donated time at her church, St. John Vianney in Spokane Valley. Zeman maintains a 3.7 grade point average and is representing CV as a candidate for the Spokane Lilac Festival Royal Court. A member of the Lakota Sioux Tribe, Zeman contributes to powwows and other activities as a way to honor her Native American culture. She has participated in Diversity Club and Debate Team at CV, specializing in speech competition. “CV has been an amazing environment for me,” she said. Zeman has also contributed to Bears Support Bears. She will attend Washington State University.

Three sports and a 4.0 grade point average tell only part of Mackenzie Sternod’s story. The Ridgeline High School senior participates in the Running Start program at Spokane Falls Community College and Spokane Community College and is part of the National Honor Society. Through her Ridgeline NHS chapter, Sternod has donated time as a volunteer instructor at Riverbend Elementary School. She is a regular on the RHS Honor Roll. Sternod has participated in slowpitch and fastpitch softball for the Falcons, compiling 98 strikeouts between varsity and junior varsity innings last season. She received an Academic Excellence award as a member of the slowpitch team. Sternod has been part of the RHS wrestling program since her sophomore year and this season has seven wins. The Liberty Lake resident will attend Washington State University after graduation and study general science.

Selkirk Middle School Athletic Director Chase Rasmussen “makes a positive difference for the people of Liberty Lake,” according to Selkirk Principal Ty Larsen. A third-generation Liberty Laker, Rasmussen graduated from Central Valley High School in 2001 and competed in football, basketball and track as a Bear. In his fifth year at Selkirk, Rasmussen promotes the value of students participating in after-school activities. The rate of participation at the school is 70 percent, double the average. Rasmussen has his degree in Sports Management from Washington State University and a master’s in Athletic Administration from Concordia University. “Chase is someone who consistently works to help others be the best they can, whether it’s teaching Health and Fitness in class or assisting coaches teach skills on the court or field,” Larsen said. Chase and his wife Alyssa are proud parents of three sons.

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Falcons winter sports action heats up with league play By John McCallum Splash contributor

Ridgeline High School winter sports teams accelerated their schedules after the winter break ended in early January, with most of the action taking place with Greater Spokane League competition. Gymnastics The Falcons placed second in their first Greater Spokane League meet on Dec. 12 at the Mead Gymnastics Center, finishing eight points behind the host Panthers, and have pretty much stayed in that position in the three meets since. Head coach Leah Grisafi said her team has consistently been about 10 points behind Mead in meets, but have had some girls “place higher in certain events.” The Falcons got a meet win on Jan. 22 at home. Ridgeline placed first out of six teams — Ferris, Lewis and Clark, North Central, Rogers and Shadle Park the others at the meet — with a total of 158.850 point. Junior Trynity Van Gelder won the all-around competition with a score of 32.675 points, winning the uneven bars with 8.150 points while senior Bella De La Rosa won the floor exercise with 9.375 points. Scoring for Ridgeline is as follows: • All-Around: Trynity Van Gelder, 32.675. Bars 1. Trynity Van Gelder, 8.150 5. Bella De La Rosa,7.525 7. Belle Frazier, 7.150 10. Julianne Stevenson, 6.575 Beam 2. Julianne Stevenson, 8.625 6. Trynity Van Gelder, 7.90 9T. Claire Lamoreaux, 7.525 9T. Bella Stuck, 7.525 Vault

5T. Bella De La Rosa, 8.350 8T. Julianne Stevenson, 8.250 8T. Belle Frazier, 8.250 10. Trynity Van Gelder, 8.175 Floor 1. Bella De La Rosa, 9.375 2. Julianne Stevenson, 9.050 6. Claire Lamoreaux, 8.525 7. Trynity VanGelder, 8.450 Also, at the meet the team honored its five seniors: Elise Sandberg, Aada Hovinmaeki, Kaia Chan, Anabelle Frazier and Bella De La Rosa. “Elise is from Norway and Aada is from Finland; their home countries do not offer sports in their school day, so this was quite a treat for them,” Grisafi said. Ridgeline has two meets remaining in GSL action, both at the Mead Gymnastics Center, Jan. 24 and Jan. 30. Grisafi has high hopes for a strong finish for her Falcon girls. Our team has our eyes on State,” she said. “We will know at our Regionals meet on February 13 who will go to State.” Boys basketball The Falcons were on a tear in

December through January, winning eight straight games that included two wins over University, one over Central Valley before suffering a 69-57 road loss at GSL second-place North Central on Jan. 8. Since then, Ridgeline has found the win column a bit elusive, losing three of its last five games including back-to-back losses at third-place Gonzaga Prep and at home to Ferris. The Falcons returned to the win column on Jan. 23 with a 62-50 home win over Cheney. Ridgeline continues to be led in scoring by sophomore guard Caden Andreas, averaging 18.6 points per game. Senior post Easton Amend is averaging 11.1 points and 7.2 rebounds per game, with junior guard Brayden Allen averaging 10 points and 4.5 rebounds and senior guard Wyatt Cline averaging 9.1 points. The Falcons were fifth in the GSL as of Jan. 24 at 3-3, 12-4 overall. They have four schedule games remaining, including a rematch with Gonzaga Prep at home Jan. 30 and leagueleading Mt. Spokane (6-0, 14-2) on the road Feb. 2 before ending the regular season at home Feb. 6 against Lewis and Clark. “We have gone from 1-17 our first

Photo by John McCallum Falcons senior Bella De La Rosa competes on the uneven bars during the Jan. 22 meet at Ridgeline High School. De La Rosa placed fifth in the event, but won the floor exercise as she competes for a return trip to the state 3A meet in February.

year to 8-12 our second year, and now 12-4 through 16 games of our third year,” head coach Freddie Rehkow said. “The program is improving as our freshman are 12-3, our JV 10-5, and our C team is 7-3, showing that our improvement has been gradual each year. We couldn’t be prouder of all of our boys and their efforts to grow our program’s success.” Ridgeline is currently 16th in the 3A state classification according to the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA), with an RPI of 0.6021. Mt. Spokane is sixth, with Mountlake Terrace in northeast Seattle owning the top spot at 16-1. Girls basketball The Falcon girls have struggled to put together a consistent string of wins, and yet they are very much in the thick of things for a high-postseason seed. After a 4-4 start, Ridgeline has gone 5-3 in its last eight games and is currently in fourth place in the league standings behind Central Valley (5-1, 12-4), Gonzaga Prep (6-0, 13-3) and GSL-leader Mead (6-0, 16-1). The Falcons have four games left on their regular season schedule, three against the teams ahead of them in the league standings — including a home date with Gonzaga Prep Jan. 30. Wrestling The Falcons were 3-4 in GSL action, sixth place in the standings with two matches remaining — Jan. 24 against Central Valley and Jan. 25 against 3A league-leading University. Both matches were at home. Ridgeline also competed at the Pacific Northwest Wrestling Classic Jan. 6 at University High School. The Falcons finished seventh out of 19 teams competing, earning 110 points. State 3A classification No. 1 Mead won with 303 points while the host Titans were second with 225 points. Senior Tyson Ramsey led the Falcons at the Classic. The returning placer from last year’s state tournament placed second at 144 pounds, losing a 9-1 major decision to Kaleb Shrine of Glacier in Kalispel, MT. Junior Preston Wentling placed third with a 5-2 decision over Pullman’s Samuel Sears at 215 pounds. Junior Cole Leach was fifth at 157, while sophomore Kaedyn Aurand and junior Owen VanRossum placed fifth and sixth respectively at 132.

FEBRUARY 2024 • 19

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CORRECTION:

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YOU LOVE The Splash apologizes for the mixup, in the January edition, the Boys Basketball stats for Caden Andreas and Easton Amend were reversed, Andreas should have been listed as the leading scorer, scoring 17.3 points per game.

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Rodgers presented Mullin’s with the certificate. The certificate Spokane acknowledges Mullin's exceptional to the Veterans History Valley Library commitment Project and recognizes his invaluable in preserving the rich employee is contributions history of our nation's heroes. am here to present the Library recognized by of “ICongress Veterans History certificate of appreciation the Library of Project to you, Jeremy Mullin,” Rodgers shared with the assembled group of Congress over twenty-five attendees. “Today By Ashley Humbird Splash contributor

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. The Veterans History Project is an initiative led by the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress. The United States Congress created the Veterans History Project in 2020 and was signed into law on October 27, 2000, by President Clinton. The projects mission is to collect, preserve, and make accessible the firsthand accounts of American veterans who served in conflicts from World War I to the present day. By gathering personal narratives, photographs, diaries, letters, and other original materials, the project aims to capture the voices of veterans and ensure their stories are documented for future generations. There are specific criteria for oral submissions to be accepted and the new Spokane Valley Library has the ideal recording sound room. Spokane Valley Library employee Jeremy Mullin, 43, is the Technology Instruction Specialist with the library and helps set up and record oral stories of local veterans. Mullin, an advocate of the Veterans History Project, has played a crucial role in its success by helping set up recording sessions for veterans to tell their stories that provide insight into their service and sacrifices. In a special ceremony held at the Spokane Valley Library, Congresswoman Cathy McMorris

we wanted to acknowledge his work and support of the Veterans History Project. He is the ultimate professional in assuring that the audio and visual room is prepped for each recording session and that the recordings meet the Library of Congresses strict submission requirements.” During the ceremony, Rodgers praised Mullin's dedication and expressed her gratitude for his efforts. She emphasized the significance of preserving the stories of our veterans, not only to honor their service but also as a means of educating future generations about the realities of war and the sacrifices made on their behalf. “It is also the community that makes this possible,” Jeremy shares while accepting the certificate, “and with the help of our amazing staff. Without that support we wouldn’t have the ability to reach out to the community to make these great things happen.” The Spokane Valley Library, in collaboration with Mullin and other volunteers including the local Jonas Babock Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, has been actively engaged in the Veterans History Project for several years. Congressional Aide Claudette Becker conducts interviews for the Veterans History Project at the library and shares that, “[Jeremy] sets up the room so that when I come with a veteran who has been in combat, he’ll set up the space so that they feel comfortable.” The library provides a platform for veterans to share their stories, ensuring that their experiences are recorded and properly archived at the Library of Congress for posterity. “It’s being able to create a space for them to share their stories where they feel comfortable to share what they are feeling and what has gone on. It has an organic feel to it,” Mullin expands on the collaboration. The

recognition

received

Photo by Ashley Humbird Just days after the New Year, Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers showcased her commitment to recognizing community members by presenting an award on behalf of the Library of Congress. The recipient of this distinguished honor was none other than Jeremy Mullin, a dedicated employee at the Spokane Valley Library. Jeremy Mullin and the Spokane Valley Library serves as encouragement for the ongoing efforts of the Veterans History Project. It highlights the importance of preserving personal accounts and memories of veterans, ensuring that their sacrifices and contributions are never forgotten. “This is so important to preserve the stories for future generations and to get the stories directly from the veterans so that we can have a better understanding of what they saw and what they felt during their time in service.” Rodgers explains about the project. As the Veterans History Project continues to expand, individuals like Mullin play a vital role in capturing the extraordinary stories of our nation's heroes. Their dedication and commitment are crucial to preserving the legacy of those who have served and reminding us of the sacrifices made in defense of our country. “It’s great to have the studio,” Mullin said, “it gives us another opportunity to reach more parts of our community.” The studio is

open to residents to reserve a time slot to learn all about the process of recording. From recording stories to starting a podcast, the library has the optimal equipment. “It about getting exposure for the teens who might not have access to at their homes.” The studio is commonly in use up to four times a day. “They went above and beyond on the sound proofing of the studio room. One issue is sound echoing. But in this room sound lays flat.” The library studio also works on Project Memory, where families can bring in their old photos and videos to be archived. The Veterans History Project collection includes veterans from World War I, World War II, the Vietnam War, Korean War, Persian Gulf Wars, and the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts. The Veterans History Project has an up-to-date website that provides answers from how to recommend a veteran for the project to how to donate journals and artifacts. Visit their website at loc.gov/programs/veteranshistory-project.

24 • FEBRUARY 2024

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