By RYAN LANCASTER
Staff Reporter
In its June 7 meeting the Airway Heights City Council opted to modify recommendations of the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee, which allocates lodging tax funding for tourism promotions in the city.
The LTAC heard two presentations by organizations seeking city funding in late May. Airway Heights Parks and Recreation Department director J.C. Kennedy requested $9,500 on behalf of the Airway Heights Festival Association and the Spokane County Raceway requested $15,000 for a drag racing series event in late July as well as $15,000 for a racing event in August.
LTAC members recommended giving $1,800 to the Airway Heights Festival to cover radio advertising and, after heated discussion and two failed votes, $9,500 to each raceway event.
Councilmember Charlotte Lawrence, who is on the LTAC, said she voted against the raceway funding because she felt the amount was too high for the for-profit raceway institution.
After lengthy discussion council voted to adjust LTAC recommendations in order to give $9,500 to the Airway Heights Festival. Mayor Patrick Rushing said he would request a council presentation by raceway operators before any funding is allocated to those events.
Matthew Pederson and other council members said the festival has proven itself to be a big draw to the city but the raceway is new this year and should be carefully considered before funding is given.
A LTAC funding cap was also discussed by council of $10,000 per applicant and $20,000 total per year. “That way we don't run the risk of putting the LTAC in the negative,” Lawrence said. She referred to a $10,000 LTAC award already given to the Spokane Regional Sports Commission earlier this year.
Council also approved purchase of Ortho map data from Avista Corporation for use in land quality analysis and sewer collection system planning. City manager Albert Tripp said the one-time fee of $1,622 and annual subscription fee of $858 is far below the original estimate of $40,000 and gave kudos to city planner Derrick Braaten for saving the city major money.
Other city business included passage of an ordinance amending the city municipal code by repealing and replacing the chapter on Commute Trip Reduction in order to comply with Spokane County and other local jurisdictions.
Tripp said the city was awarded a $990,000 stimulus grant for a major renovation of Lawson Street and the design process should start in the next few weeks.
A permanent public works director should be decided by next month, according to interim public works director Jeff Cochran.
Ryan Lancaster can be reached at [email protected].
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