The Airway Heights City Council kicked off the new year with some old business at its Jan. 5 meeting.
The council approved a change order for the Hayford Road Overlay project. Public Works Director Kelly Williquette explained that as staff was paving Hayford Road they found a significant drop off. Staff later added gravel to the shoulder of the road to level it off and protect the asphalt.
The council also approved change orders for the Shared Use Path project along Highway 2 near Hayford Road.
Staff filled a gap that was left behind from one of the WSDOT’s (Washington state Department of Transportation) projects, flushed debris out of the storm drain system and added delineators to separate the path from the roadway.
“We also used some of the delineators to separate the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) standard crossing zones on Hayford Road and Highway 2 from the shared use path to try to avoid any conflict with pedestrian and bicycle traffic,” Williquette said.
The council also accepted the Safe Routes for Sunset project as complete. Development Services Director Derrick Braaten explained there are some issues with the flashing lights on a couple of the signs and panels on the speed feedback signs, but those are more of a “warranty thing.”
“I’ll be calling in with the designer tomorrow,” Braaten said. “Everything’s working except for a couple of tweaks that have come up in the last couple of weeks.”
The council also approved a contract with SPVV Landscape Architects regarding the Highway 2 Safety and Revitalization concept plan. Braaten explained that SPVV will help the city with outreach, such as setting up and facilitating public meetings.
Mayor Patrick Rushing asked Braaten about the importance of the contract and adopting a plan. Braaten explained that adopting a plan will help the city acquire grants to help pay for the project.
“Almost every type of funding-seeking source that I’ve come across for these types of proposals requires the city to adopt a plan, usually by resolution,” Braaten said. “Until we adopt a plan we have very limited access to additional funding.”
The council approved the first reading of an ordinance that allows all teenagers within the city to participate in the Youth Advisory Commission.
“It eases the process of making recommendations to form the commission,” Parks, Recreation and Community Services Director J.C. Kennedy said.
During staff reports, City Manager Albert Tripp said the city cleared up an issue from December.
In 2014, Airway Heights entered into an agreement with the Kalispel Tribe to provide tribal law enforcement services on reservation property and property held in trust between the tribe and the city. The city also entered into an agreement with Cheney to house warrants, protection orders and other data pertaining to law enforcement. Tripp said that Washington State Patrol was concerned about the city’s agreement with the Kalispel Tribe and warrants entered on behalf of the tribe.
“The concern was whether or not the warrants could be entered in as warrants or person of interest and there’s a significant difference between the two as far as importance,” Tripp said.
Tripp said that city staff, city attorney Stanley Schwartz and Police Chief Lee Bennett worked with the Washington state Attorney General’s office to answer questions and address those concerns.
“This matter has been resolved and there is no issue,” Tripp said.
In other business, Schwartz briefed the City Council on the updated council rules. The council also appointed representatives to the various boards and ad hoc committees for 2015.
Al Stover can be reached at [email protected].
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