By JAMES EIK
Staff Reporter
The Airway Heights City Council approved a number of changes to its Sprague Avenue realignment project at its Monday, June 18 meeting.
Total changes for the project added $23,121.30 to the final total and an additional working days for various elements. Five extra working days were added due to defective gaskets provided by the supplier and additional time was granted for crews to sort out water and sewer lines.
Bedding for the project was also changed. Interim public works director Jeff Cochran said the original specified material didn't work well in trench areas with ground water. When this phase of the project was reached, Cochran said crews discovered ground water sitting on top of basalt layers.
“This (new material) changes the bedding to make it more stable,” he said.
Airway Heights would cover 49 percent of the cost, according to its agreement with the Kalispel Tribe, who are also partners on the project.
The City Council also approved $66,500 to go toward Century West Engineering's construction management of its reclaim water pipeline to Sunset Park.
Along with the other numerous public works-related items on the agenda, rehabilitation of one city well was accepted as complete. Cochran said the well has seen increased capacity, previously only pumping 180 gallons per minute.
Some property to the south was transferred to the city from the state Department of Transportation. A swale along Highway 2 and Russell Street is likely to be developed by a private property owner, City Manager Albert Tripp said.
The first reading of two ordinances also took place, one that focuses on clarifying language for city purchases and another that would take out some procedures in city code to streamline small works projects.
Two city committees have vacancies and are open for public applicants. The planning commission has two openings, and the parks board has one. Both committees meet once a month in the council chambers.
One resident, Charles Blake, said several vehicles were speeding down his street, without concern for children. He said there wasn't a speed limit sign posted on the street, which some drivers used as their reasoning for speeding.
A resolution also passed declaring July as Parks and Recreation Month in the city. The parks and recreation department will hold a number of events in coordination with the resolution, open to the public. Following a “wild and crazy” theme this year, Zumba classes, goofy golf in the park, dodgeball, making slime, slip and slides, and popcorn food fights will all be among activities offered.
The City Council also formally accepted its six-year transportation plan, which needed its annual approval before a June 30 deadline. The updated plan details upgrades from 2013 to 2018.
James Eik can be reached at [email protected].
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