Council also postpones decision on county land swap to look at funding, uses for property
By RYAN LANCASTER
Staff Reporter
In their Aug. 2 meeting Airway Heights City Council members unanimously opposed financing two Spokane County Raceway events with $19,000 from a city lodging tax fund designed to promote tourism.
In May, Raceway operators requested $30,000 to support two summer drag racing series events. The Lodging Tax Advisory Committee, which oversees the fund, instead recommended council grant $9,500 to each event, but in June the decision was tabled to provide a chance for Raceway operators to plead their case.
During her presentation to council on Monday Raceway general manager Cindy Gibbs used last weekend's NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing event as an example of the track's potential for bringing people to Airway Heights. Gibbs said the Raceway spent $25,000 on advertising in local and national markets, drawing hundreds of participants from out of town who were encouraged to stay in local hotels.
“What we had happen out there over the weekend was magic and it's just a taste of what's to come,” she said, adding that there are still six major Raceway events lined up this year.
But council members were skeptical about supporting a commercial venture with tax dollars, especially when there is no performance history to insure city funding would be well spent. “I believe the Raceway has tremendous potential and should be allowed to grow into its potential but I don't believe in using public funds to promote a for-profit endeavor,” Councilman Matthew Pederson said.
A workshop and public hearing were held regarding a proposed land exchange with Spokane County, but council voted to delay a decision until their next meeting, Aug. 16, to provide time for the city attorney to examine details of the agreement and to allow another public hearing.
During the public comment portion of the meeting city park advisory board president Mary Henson said she and other park board members would like to be part of the discussion regarding a sports complex that could occupy some of the land if it is acquired from the county. “Right now we feel like we're being left out of the loop; we'd like to have that rectified,” she said.
Members of the council and city staff assured her that the focus is currently on whether or not the land will be acquired and how it might be used but as soon as any exchange takes place the park board will be brought onboard with planning.
Hensen also expressed her personal opposition to the city's status as one of just three cities in Spokane County still allowing fireworks within city limits. Council discussed the possibility of holding a town hall meeting on the issue to gather more input on what might be done to increase safety around the July 4 holiday without an outright ban of all fireworks.
A date for the public forum will be announced in coming weeks, city manager Albert Tripp said.
Council approved a number of agenda items at the meeting, including an increase of $33,960 to the construction management agreement with Century West Engineering, which will provide for an aquifer storage report, environmental assessment and other planning items during Phase 1B of the wastewater treatment facility. This brings the total agreement cost to $2,383,960.
A seperate agreement with Century West was also approved to provide design and bidding of a construction contract to connect city wells one and four to the McFarlane Road reservoir, with a fiscal impact of $20,930.
Council also authorized the acquisition of additional right of way along 21st Avenue for installation of a sewer main to the wastewater treatment plant, with purchasing and closing costs not to exceed $28,000.
Ryan Lancaster can be reached at [email protected].
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