CMA receives lodging tax money

The Cheney City Council approved another distribution from the city’s lodging tax fund at its Sept. 13 meeting to help a local business organization with an event planned as part of Eastern Washington University’s upcoming Homecoming week.

The council approved a distribution of $7,174.20 to the Cheney Merchants Association to be used in partnership with the EWU Homecoming & Parent and Family Weekend Committee in a joint promotion of Homecoming Week, Oct. 2 – 9. The CMA originally requested $9,593 to help with the budgeted plan of $10,650 to provide street banners, pole banners and media “blitz” items promoting the event.

In a letter sent to the city’s Lodging Tax Committee, EWU Homecoming Committee representative Lisa Poplawski and CMA President Doug Nixon described “blitz” items as promotional materials given to area media outlets to promote the event. They also said promoting the event cost more than what was being asked for in lodging tax funds.

“Although the application does not reflect it, there are significant dollars spent by the Homecoming/Alumni Committee for other promotional pieces and activities surrounding this week/weekend, (i.e. advertisements, T-shirts/promotional items for students/alumni, event costs, etc.) totaling more than $20,000,” the letter said.

In presenting the resolution to council, Finance Director Cindy Niemeier said Nixon, who is a council member and sits on the Lodging Tax Committee, was not involved in discussion and review of the CMA application, with Councilwoman Jill Weiszmann taking his place on the committee. Nixon also abstained from voting on the resolution, which passed 5 – 0.

It’s the third disbursement this year from the city’s lodging tax fund. The initial allotment took place April 12, with $7,800 going to Mayfest and $550 to the Cheney Historical Museum. A second disbursement of $2,950 was made at the July 12 council meeting to the EWU 50-year Reunion committee.

In an informational presentation, state Department of Transportation project engineer Larry Larson gave the council an overview of two projects taking place in Cheney over the next year.

The main work is a repaving of State Route 904/First Street through Cheney from Betz to Mullinix roads. Larson said the project is scheduled to bid in March 2017, with work to commence in June.

A second project scheduled to start this year is a region-wide effort to improve accessibility and use of Adults with Disabilities Act (ADA) ramps. Larson said the project will be done prior to the repaving, adding that other cities in the region such as Medical Lake, Colville and Pullman would see similar ADA work performed.

Cheney Public Works Director Todd Ableman told the council that they have suggested to WSDOT that part of their repaving work include either removing or extending the left turn traffic islands on First Street at Cheney-Spokane Road. The current lanes are too small and typically fill up with traffic that then can extend into First Street’s left travel lane, causing backups.

“We’re asking (WSDOT) to look at and maybe do a restripe, extending the island,” Ableman said.

John McCallum can be reached at [email protected].