Small Town News

Airway Heights council weighs garbage, recycling services

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Members also hear report on regional animal control services, consider more than a dozen action items

In its May 2 meeting Airway Heights City Council gave city staff permission to request proposals for solid waste collection and recycling services.

The city has contracted with Sunshine Disposal and Recycling for three years now, an agreement that expires this summer. City Manager Albert Tripp said the city will advertise for vendors that can provide future solid waste collections

in addition to curbside recycling on a subscription basis.

A recycling drop-off point made available for city residents and businesses near the community center has seen years of ongoing abuse and the city is now considering discontinuing the service. Sunshine Disposal currently hauls the recyclables away at a cost of nearly $20,000 per year, which doesn't

include staff time required for cleaning the facility and sifting out illegally dumped material, officials have said.

Councilwoman Charlotte Lawrence said the city did consider following the lead of Cheney and offering its own garbage services, but determined it wasn't financially realistic at this time. Now that Cheney does have its own disposal system Mayor Patrick Rushing said it could feasibly be one of the bidders for the Airway Heights contract.

Also Monday, Spokane County Commissioner Todd Mielke gave the council an update on the push for regional animal control services. Mielke said a task force formed last year has recommended the most cost-effective approach would be to install a regional system at a retro-fitted warehouse near the Spokane Interstate Fairgrounds. While he's still researching non-ballot funding options for the estimated $10 million project, the commissioner said it looks like the only way to move forward is to ask for voter support, although when that might be is still in question.

The council tabled two action items that would have eliminated an agenda workshop and changed the meeting start time to 5:30. After some discussion, many council members

agreed that an earlier start time would prevent some members of the public from attending the meetings. They also wanted to reconsider whether planned workshops are needed or if it would be better to call special meetings prior to the regular council session when items war-rant a closer look.

Council suspended the rules of order and passed an ordinance after just one reading in order to take advantage of a favorable interest rate on bond anticipation notes purchased through Cashmere Valley Bank. The notes are a way for the city to acquire short-term financing to be repaid later by the issuance of bonds, with a portion of the proceeds gained from the sale going to settle the notes essentially a line of credit. The ordinance authorized an issuance of the notes not to exceed $4.5 million, which will be used to finance water and sewer projects.

Council heard the first reading of another ordinance that would authorize the issuance of up to $4.99 million in bond anticipation notes purchased

through the Spokane County Treasurer. A second reading will take place May 16.

Other items approved by council this week: A resolution creating a partnership with Airway Heights Kiwanis Club that will revive efforts to build a long-sought recreation center in the city. Rushing and Councilman Matthew Pederson both abstained from the vote as club members. Pederson requested the resolution be followed by a formal contract to outline specifics of the partnership.

A change order to replace cement water line with more sturdy PVC line under Lawson Street from 18th to 21st avenues, estimated to cost just under $170,000. The city is currently rebuilding Lawson Street from Highway 2 to 21st Avenue while installing sewer mains on Lawson from 18th to 21st.

A modification to the license agreement for a sewer pipeline crossing of the Geiger Spur approved by the council in March. Public Works director Kelly Williquette estimated that the change will save the city up to $20,000 by allowing an open-cut installation of the pipeline instead of the previously approved "jack and bore" method.

The purchase of a used 10-yard dump truck and snow plow from the state with a not-to-exceed amount of $25,000. The purchase is intended to help provide services to property annexed by the city next year.

An extension of an agreement with the West Central Community Center to provide the city with supplemental food program services for women, infants and children through May 5,2013. The agreement has been in place for the past four years.

Confirmation of Robert Keneally and Jeffrey Duke to one year terms on the city's Lodging Tax Advisory Committee, which provides recommendations to the council regarding tourism programs and expenditures. There are still two open LTAC positions.

A resolution proclaiming the month of May, 2011 as Motorcycle Awareness and Safety Month in the city.

A public hearing and workshop were also held to discuss a proposed ordinance that will prohibit the sale, distribution and marketing of electronic

cigarettes and their components to minors within Airway Heights.



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© 2011 Cheney Free Press Cheney, Washington. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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