Small Town News

Cheney City Council postpones park bond

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The future of Cheney's Betz Park can now be summed up in two words - next year.

At their regular meeting Tuesday night City Council members agreed by general consensus rather than a vote that this November was not the time to put a scaled-back $2.5 million bond before voters for construction of ball fields and other accoutrements at the 50-acre site on Betz Road.

Even though the need is "quite pronounced" and research has shown a majority of residents favor it, Cheney Mayor Tom Trulove said the same research indicates there is still much voter education remaining in order to get the bond passed. Given the down economic climate, and that other monetary initiatives will be on the November ballot, Trulove felt the bond's chances of passage were bleak.

"It's going to be a job to get 60 percent," he said. "I'm thinking this isn't the right time."

Other council members expressed similar sentiments. Councilman Doug Nixon stated residents might have more faith in the city's plans once they see progress with rebuilding the Wren Pierson community center.

"People will see the city has stepped up and may get more enthusiastic about the park," he added.

Councilwoman Teresa Overhauser noted bond issues require a lot of time and emotional investment from staff, and having them "going to the well" in November and possibly again should the bond fail would be asking too much.

The council did take a step towards getting something started at Betz Park when it approved the city's application for park funding from the state's Recreation and Conservation Office. The Parks and Recreation Department is applying for $500,000 of RCO funding to help build a restroom, parking and three ball fields on five acres at Betz.

The city would provide matching funds from $200,000 in real estate tax revenue, $100,000 of parks capital reserves, $190,000 in-kind infrastructure services and $10,000 in donations.

"It will get the park started if successful, even though we're not proceeding with the bond," parks and recreation director Paul Simmons said.

In other news the council approved an RCO funding request to help build a wetlands trail near the city's wastewater treatment plant, declared as surplus and authorized a minimum $125,000 asking price for property in the city of Spokane acquired via the Myers Park settlement, and accepted a $35,672 bid from Spokane's Mast Roofing to restore the city Utility Building roof.

The council also voted to repeal an ordinance allowing golf carts to be used on city streets. A bill approved in June by the Legislature allowing creation of golf cart zones appeared to run counter to Cheney's existing law, and the city's insurance company recommended repealing the ordinance and studying the issue in order to create a new law, rather than amend the old one.

Finally the council got a six-month financial checkup of sorts from City Administrator Arlene Fisher. In a report done by the Finance Department, Fisher said they are in good shape, with the city at 40 percent of expenses paid in its $24.9 million budget, a blend of general and proprietary funds.

The general fund is at 50 percent of budgeted level. While propety and sales tax revenue is at expected levels, utility gas tax revenues were behind projections, something Fisher said likely stemmed from the mild winter.

John McCallum can be reached at jmac@cheneyfreepress. com.



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