Council OKs more construction, moves to approve budget amendment

By John McCallum Current contributor

Construction-related issues continue to play a large role at Spokane Valley City Council meetings.

At the May 2 meeting the council approved a pair of items involving change orders for the recentlycompleted Barker Road / Burlington Northern Grade Separation project. The first involved two change orders to project general contractor Max J. Kuney, one for $6,219.77 for traffic diversion from Trent to Wellesley in order to finish the final pavement connection at Trent and the second for $1.37 million for providing and installing two U.S. Department of Transportation overpass identification signs under the new bridge on Barker.

The change order brings the total project cost to just under $13.3 million, 14.62% over the original contract amount of almost $11.64 million.

Council also approved an amendment to the interlocal agreement between the city and the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) regarding administering and payment of project costs. In order to streamline project billing and reimbursement, it was agreed at the start to transfer all of the project’s grant funding to WSDOT so that only one agency was in charge of expenditures and reimbursements.

Because of the unanticipated length and costs of the project, WSDOT is now expecting total construction administration costs at $2.3 million, $862,315 above the original estimate. This includes $415,000 of city staff and consultant support costs.

The amendment allows WSDOT to continue to the projects grants for construction costs and for the city to be reimbursed by the agency. Spokane Valley has secured over $26 million in grant funding for the project.

The council also approved awarding the Park Road Sidewalk

/ Nora to Baldwin project to Red Diamond Construction. Red Diamond was the lowest bidder on the project at $513,820.50.

The engineering estimate for the project was $609,682, with total budgeted funding at $786,000.

This project will install new sidewalk along the west side of Park Road as well as upgrade curb ramps to current ADA standards, provide stormwater conveyance and treatment facilities, and install intelligent transportation services (ITS) conduit and junction boxes for future connectivity of the signal system to the city network.

At the May 9 meeting, council approved several items related to upgrade work at Balfour Park. The first involved adding $207,143 in state funding to the park’s budget and approve a potential change order governing some additional work to the city’s contract with general contractor Cameron Reilly, LLC. Cameron Reilly’s bid of just over $3.81 million was awarded in January.

The additional funding comes from the state including money for the Veterans’ Memorial Plaza at the park, and will cover a list of upgrades to Phase 1 of park construction.

The second item was approving a $25,141.95 increase to park design consultant firm AHBL for revised plans and design services for the potential changes listed under the change order to Cameron Reilly, increasing the contract with AHBL to $506,300.

At the May 23 meeting, council awarded a just over $2.67 million contract to N.A. Degerstrom, Inc. for the 8th Avenue Improvements Project. The project, budgeted at over $3.3 million, will install new sidewalk in gaps on the north side of 8th Avenue between Park and Fancher, upgrade existing ramps to current ADA standards, fix stormwater issues, install ITS infrastructure and complete a grind/overlay of the asphalt pavement between Carnahan and Park.

Amending the budget

At the May 23 meeting, council held a public hearing and first reading of a budget amendment affecting 12 different city funds. The amendment adds a total of just over $20.17 million in revenue and almost $29.18 million in expenses.

The general fund experienced the largest increase in expenditures at $13.5 million. Of that, $6.52 million came from increases due to expected Coronavirus Local Recovery Funding (CLRF) while almost $5.36 million represented a transfer to Capital Reserve Fund 312 representing the 2021 year-end fund balance in excess of 50% of recuring expenditures.

The general fund revenue also included $4.52 million in anticipated CLRF funding.

The amendment passed the first reading by a 6-1 vote, with

Councilwoman Brandi Peetz voting no. Peetz explained her no vote was due to the inclusion of $3.649 million in increased stormwater revenues due to what she said was an increase in stormwater fees of almost 300%.

A second reading is scheduled for the May 30 meeting.

Other business

At the May 2 meeting, council voted unanimously to appoint Dr. Jacqueline Babol to represent the city on the Spokane Housing Authority board. Babol, a podiatrist surgeon at the Foot & Ankle Clinic in Spokane Valley, has served on other boards, with Councilwoman and Mayor Pam Haley saying she was chosen because she has a background that would be more helpful to the SHA.

Council also unanimously approved select of the firm 116 & West as consultant for the city’s fiveyear destination marketing plan and tourism marketing services plan. Staff will proceed with negotiating, finalizing and executing a contract with 116 & West.

At the May 9 meeting, council unanimously approved an interlocal agreement between the city of Spokane and city of Spokane Valley parks departments regarding the joint offering of specific recreational program classes. Council also unanimously approved extension of the agreement with the Department of Emergency Management into a second, three-year term.

You’re invited to The Grand Opening of the New Spokane Valley Library

Grand opening of library reveals new building, large collection, eventfilled summer

By Jane Baker, Communication & Development Director Spokane County Library District

It’s moving day for Spokane Valley Library, or in this case, a dozen or so moving days.

Spokane Valley Library on Main Avenue closes Sunday evening on June 4 and opens again on June 17 at its new location on the corner of Sprague and Herald across from city hall. After a brief ribbon cutting ceremony, the doors open at 10am, just in time for a summer filled with programs and activities.

Saturday June 17, 10am

Stop by the library for fun-filled summer activities & reading

SPOKANE VALLEY LIBRARY

22 N Herald Rd, at the corner of Sprague Ave

This is a big move, and it includes more than just the books and equipment. For 68 years, Spokane Valley Library has served generations from the location on Main. It was the Library District’s

Summer at the library includes performers, activities, reading prizes

By Gwendolyn Haley, librarian Spokane County Library District

Summer is the perfect time to soak up the sun and get lost in a good book, and there’s no better place to find those books than your local library. Not only do libraries offer an ample collection of books, they also offer summer reading programs that are free and open to everyone.

first library building and has been remodeled, expanded, and reconfigured over the years to adapt to changing times. Thousands of kids have enjoyed storytime in the old building, and some of those “kids” now bring their grandchildren and great-grandchildren in for storytime, so this move to the new building does include some reminiscence and wistfulness.

With a step into the new library building, that feeling of nostalgia eases and the potential and possibility for Spokane Valley’s future thinkers, doers, and leaders blooms.

The new space allows for double the number of people served and programs offered. Its flexible design will grow with our community, providing education, access to resources, and happy memories for generations. This new contemporary facility has updated technology, a large community room, which is available for use by the public, creative spaces, and a lovely view overlooking the city’s expanding both perform at our libraries. Each week, young children and their families can also enjoy storytimes at all our libraries. www.scld.org

The library also offers a range of programs for teens and tweens, including escape rooms, cupcake decorating, a library carnival, video boot camp, and more. These programs are a great way for young people to stay engaged and active during the summer months while also having fun and meeting new friends.

Balfour Park, all of which will benefit everyone who calls Spokane Valley home.

With all the changes coming to Spokane Valley Library, there are some things that will remain. Library customers will continue to have access to over 1.5 million items in the District’s physical and digital collections. Library staff will be the same friendly and helpful people that kids look forward to seeing at storytime and who help you finding an answer to a reference question. And the library will continue to be an important community hub. It’s a welcoming space for gathering, exchanging, and exploring ideas and making community connections.

You’re invited to come by during the grand opening on June 17 and see what the new library has to offer. The opening also kicks off a season of programs and events with the summer reading theme of “All Together Now,” during which we explore friendship, kindness, and unity. We hope to see you at Spokane Valley Library this summer.

Library Foundation of Spokane County. Visit www.scld.org. online-summer-reading to get started. The summer reading prize drawing takes place on August 31 and includes a family membership to Mobius Discover Center, a pickleball set, Silverwood tickets, and more. Families can also access exclusive, virtual Page Turner Adventures on Beanstack, featuring stories, crafts, and activities.

Spokane Valley Library kicks off summer with free family concerts featuring Jenks, a high energy music and juggling act featuring fun, original songs for all ages, starting at 11am at parks in Spokane Valley: Edgecliff Park on Tuesday, June 20; Terrace View Park on Wednesday, June 21; and Valley Mission Park on Thursday, June 22. Red Yarn Music and Puppet Show for younger children and Harmonica Pocket, a fun family music program for all ages,

For all ages, our Kindness Rocks program combines art and thoughtfulness, and during our After-Hours Miniature Golf events, tee up inside the library with family and friends. These activities are perfect for families or individuals looking for a creative or active outlet. You can learn about all summer programs and events in our new issue of “Engage,” available in our libraries and online at www.scld.org/engage.

Sign up for our Online Summer Reading Challenge on Beanstack to track your reading progress and earn tickets for prize drawings sponsored by The

Research has shown that reading during the summer helps children maintain and improve their reading skills. Reading also helps to prevent “summer slide”— also called summer learning loss— where children can lose up to three months of reading progress during the summer break. Adults can also benefit from reading during the summer, as a way to unwind and escape from daily stress, while also keeping the mind active and engaged.

There’s something for everyone at Spokane Valley Library and all library books, programs, and services are available at no cost, making it great place to stop in and spend some time this summer.