Getting a little construction help

The city of Airway Heights is getting a little help with the $13 million recreation center construction bond voters approved in August.

At its Sept. 19 meeting, the City Council approved a professional services agreement with Northwest Municipal Advisors for financial consultative services regarding the sale of the bonds, which the city plans to sell in November.

City Manager Albert Tripp said the city has worked with Northwest Municipal in the past in previous bond measures

"The city has always sought these type of services to get the lowest interest rate (one bonds)," Tripp said.

In other action items, council approved a professional services agreement with West Coast Code Consultants Inc., for emergency back-up building services. Senior building inspector Cindy Reddekopp recently underwent foot surgery and will be out of the field for 8-12 weeks.

"Staff is trying to hire a full-time building inspector," Development Services Director Derrick Braaten said. "This is not the preferred route, but right now building services in the state are very lean."

Council approved the Police Department's request to purchase eight new mobile data computers, which will replace the machines the department currently uses. Police Chief Lee Bennett explained that the current computers do not meet the requirements to run the New World Systems, which is the new software application the department will use for its computer-aided dispatch and automated records management system.

Council approved the city's state legislative agenda for 2017. Tripp explained that staff reformatted the agenda to list the top priority, which includes a request for $300,000 to help fund phase 1 construction of the recreation complex.

"Last year the city asked for $500,000 and we got $200,000, so we're asking for the remainder," Tripp said.

The agenda includes the city acknowledging and thanking the state for its $200,000 contribution and the cannabis revenue sharing package.

In a small section "Missing but not forgotten," the agenda states that the city is preparing to file an injunction regarding the state Department of Transportation garnishing Airway Heights' gas tax funds to pay for plowing U.S. Highway 2 through city limits.

It also lists that staff will visit the Department of Corrections about reverting to the city's reclaimed water system for irrigation.

"These items aren't something we are seeking action on (from the state), this is just a reminder of what the city is planning on doing," Tripp said.

Council also approved a resolution proclaiming Saturday, Oct. 1 as John E. Holloway Day.

After serving in the U.S. Air Force for 27 years, Holloway spent 18 years as a city employee and wore several hats during that time, including public works director, building inspector, code enforcement officer, reserve police officer and assistant to the mayor. He also served on the city's Planning Commission for eight years and on the City Council for nine.

Both Deputy Mayor Tanya Dashiell and Mayor Kevin Richey shared their thoughts on Holloway's passing and his impact on the city.

"As Kevin and I started on the council, he was the guy who gave us the history we needed," Dashiell said. "We felt it was our duty to go above and beyond and talk with his family to recognize him. He was a fabulous man and a contribution to our community."

"He was kind of here from the beginning and we're working on different ways to honor him," Richey added.

Al Stover can be reached at [email protected].