Small Town News

ML council OKs AMR contract, Fox Ridge plat

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An interlocal agreement for a single-source ambulance service with American Medical Response was approved by the Medical Lake City Council in their July 20 meeting.

The city was the last municipality to sign off on the contract, which also applies to the cities of Airway Heights and Cheney as well as Spokane County fire districts 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 11, 13 and the Spokane Valley Fire Department. The contract term runs through Oct. 31, 2013 and may be renewed for a maximum of three years based on performance.

"For us I believe this ends up lowering the rate that our citizens and folks in the West Plains get charged for transport," City Administrator Doug Ross said. "It's a great benefit to the smaller communities."

Council gave final plat approval for development of 10 lots at the Fox Ridge North Subdivision, located in north Medical Lake on Olson Hill. The project received preliminary plat approval in 2006, but has now

met all infrastructure requirements to move forward. Ross explained that the 62,000 square foot lots are so large because the developer was initially planning another subdivision farther north toward the water tower.

Because there have been issues with water pressure in the vicinity, the preliminary plat approval required a minimum pressure of 30 pounds per square inch, which will probably demand booster pump installation.

Council also approved the second reading of a Commute Trip Reduction ordinance update that maintains city compliance with other Spokane County jurisdictions.

During the citizen comment portion of the meeting, two residents weighed in on Fourth of July fireworks. Medical Lake and Airway Heights are the only Spokane County municipalities still allowing approved fireworks to be discharged within city limits on the holiday.

Judy Abbott said in the more than 40 years she's lived in the city she has never seen a significant fireworks-caused fire and, while fireworks litter might be a minor nuisance the displays are a tradition she hopes future generations can continue to enjoy. "It's something that helps you remember your flag and your constitutional rights and everything else that has to do with Independence Day," she said.

In contrast, Lahnie Henderson presented council with bags of spent fireworks found on her property and said the city should join the rest of the county in a ban. She cited fire danger and use of taxpayer money for debris cleanup as major reasons to outlaw the sale and use of fireworks and said that by allowing their use the city could be seen as negligent.

"It is irresponsible to allow this activity to continue without regard for the close proximity of private residences, tall trees and safety for all of its citizens," she said.

Ross later reported that the only fireworks related incident reported by Fire Chief Jeff Estes this year was a small private residence bush fire that was extinguished before fire crews arrived.

In other city business, Ross said pothole patching throughout the city was scheduled to begin late last week, but it might be slower going than people might like. Limited crews must have a certain number of areas prepared before each truck full of asphalt is brought in so as not to waste the material, he said.

It was also reported that a July 15 concert at Coney Island Park went well, with about 100 people attending. "Apparently it's something that people were sort of starved for here and we hope to do at least one more before the end of summer," Ross said.

Ross told council a memorandum of understanding on an emergency water intertie between Medical Lake and the city of Spokane should be ready for council review by the next meeting, Aug. 17. A public hearing to gather input on the city's six-year Transportation Improvement Plan was set for the same date.

Ryan Lancaster can be reached at nian@cheneyfreepress. com.



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© 2010 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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