March 2022 Splash

MARCH

2022

THE

LIBERTY LAKE

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COMMUNITY NEWSMAGAZINE

Destination Liberty Lake North Liberty Lake takes shape, page 10

MEET LL CITY ENGINEER PAGE 2

MARCH FOR MEALS PAGE 12

FAMILY AND BASKETALL PAGE 16

2 • MARCH 2022

The Splash

DOCKSIDE Engineer for Good – Williams

embraces demanding role with the city

By Craig Howard Splash Contributing Editor

When David Williams’ mom called her son “a weird engineer” he knew what she meant and accepted the term as a compliment.

An extrovert by nature, Williams may not fit the traditional mold of reserved engineer bordering on nerd, but he likes it that way. He is also a foodie, sports nut, avid reader and practicing associate pastor for a church in North Idaho. Williams feels his outgoing approach will behoove him as the fourth city engineer in the history of Liberty Lake, a role he took on last October.

Male Student” and earned the role of Homecoming Prince.

Despite the popularity, Williams faced hurdles in the classroom that were later tied to undiagnosed dyslexia. A math teacher that Williams describes as “Yoda-like” helped him navigate the complexities of calculus with uncommon patience and by the time he approached high school graduation in 1994, Williams received interest from elite colleges

like Georgia Tech and Cornell.

with two other jobs.

Williams decided to stay in-state and enroll at San Diego State where he majored in civil engineering.

It was there that he was finally diagnosed with dyslexic tendencies and ADHD.

“I wasn’t getting any sleep,” he remembers. “I saw a doctor who said I was going to have a stroke.”

“I was turning numbers around, so I went and got tested,” he recalls.

“I had a high IQ but low grades. It was a pivotal time for me. I received extra tutoring and got on meds.”

Williams had a full plate of parttime employment in San Diego, at one point holding down work as a cook with Roundtable Pizza along

“My major was civil engineering but I did everything possible not to do civil engineering,” he said.

While at CalTran, Williams entered Christian ministry and, by 2010, he had enrolled in a seminary, the start of a journey that led to a Master’s of Divinity in 2018. In between, he worked as a full-time pastor at The Rock Church for three years after leaving CalTran in 2014.

“Being personable can be an asset to a team,” he said. “I think the city was looking for someone like me who could communicate without too much engineering English.”

“My role is to servant lead,” Williams said.

Williams replaced Ben Schmitt who returned to his native Colorado after just over a year as city engineer.

Williams and his wife Kelli were living in San Diego and looking for a change of scenery when the Liberty Lake opportunity emerged while on a road trip to North Idaho in their fifth wheel last summer.

By 2016, Williams had jumped back into engineering as a construction inspector with Harris & Associates in San Diego County.

“I was put on projects that were controversial,” he said.

Williams’ experience and skill set will come in handy as Liberty Lake faces a hefty capital projects slate, headlined by the Kramer Parkway overpass, the well-publicized effort to provide a secondary north/south community link that will hit full stride this spring.

“We wanted to find a home,” Williams said. “We love the atmosphere, we love the people.

We think this is a really nice place to be.”

Growing up as the oldest of two sons in East Palo Alto and San Jose, Williams was a “LEGO kid” who showed an early aptitude for art, creativity and design. His dad worked as an entrepreneur and in restaurant management while his mom was in the banking industry.

When Williams was 14, the family moved to Sacramento. He envisioned becoming a Navy or Air Force pilot or astronaut, a ripple effect from his enthusiasm for anything related to “Star Wars.”

In high school, Williams played football, was voted “Friendliest

In 1998, Williams latched on with the California Department of Transportation (CalTran) as an intern. The opportunity developed into a full-time job in the department’s construction division as a technician. While his degree from SDSU was in civil engineering, Williams found he was not keen on the field as his career began.

Q: As a lifelong Californian, what were some of your first impressions of the Inland Northwest?

Photo by Craig Howard David Williams became only the fourth city engineer in the history of incorporated Liberty Lake last October, replacing Ben Schmitt. The California native brings a layered background that includes work with the California Department of Transportation and in construction inspection. He is also an associate pastor at church in North Idaho.

A: The weather is incredibly different. My co-workers find a great amount of humor in my reactions to single-digit temperatures. I am also working through the kinks on driving conditions when the roads are snowed over; I call it “Adventure Driving” when the weather changes.

The people who I’ve encountered See WILLIAMS Page 4

MARCH 2022 • 3

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4 • MARCH 2022

WILLIAMS

Continued from page 2 have been more than welcoming and very friendly. The transition has been extremely easy.

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Q: What was it about the city engineer job in Liberty Lake that drew your attention?

A: The potential challenges and greater responsibility within the role was really what first drew my attention. When I saw the posting and then researched the posting, the community and the projects that were on the docket, I took the leap and applied. When I went through the interview process, met several members of the staff and noted the areas and means that this team uses to tackle obstacles, I wanted to be a part of that team. The individuals and their personalities solidified my desire and I was very blessed to receive the offer because this team is very strong, very dedicated and willing to work together to accomplish goals for this great city.

Q: You bring a diverse skill set and no shortage of experience to this role. How do you think your professional history will lend itself to the responsibilities you will be tackling as city engineer?

A: So much of my experience was based in the construction field as a construction management and resident engineer contractor and agency civil engineer on different engineering teams that I was a part of or led. The construction field is very real and raw, direct, fast paced and in some instances unforgiving, especially when safety concerns are involved. I believe my skill set allows me to be open, communicative and pro-active in engineering circumstances that arise on teams whose objectives are to bring about a better tomorrow in the field of people movement, infrastructure and city improvements.

Q: Sounds like you may not fit the mold of the traditional engineer. How do you think being more of an extrovert helps you in this field?

A: Being an extrovert and very situationally aware has benefitted me immensely as an engineer, especially in the construction field.

It’s a part of my personality to be able to interact with others readily, with comfort and always at random

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in long or short intervals. It is a major bonus for me, one where my wife thinks it’s some extrovert super-power and it definitely makes for interesting days in the office.

I always hope to be personable and approachable. I want people who interact with me to feel like they are talking with a longtime friend who they have just met. In the construction and engineering world, this ability gives me an edge at collaboration and real time problem solving. I want to be able to interact and get a job well done; it’s what most engineers hope to do.

Q: I’m guessing that not many engineers can say they’ve spent time as a pastor. What did this experience teach you about yourself and the world around you that has carried on beyond your work as a minister?

A: I’m an active pastor now and accountable to Jesus and my beautiful wife. This has really shaped my interactions with people, especially in volatile situations that happen in the field and during interpersonal conflicts.

Construction and engineering at this level are full of situations that can turn ugly and sometimes ugly very quickly. However, being a pastor and husband reminds me that meekness, humility and strength of character can carry conflicts to amicable endings when cooler heads prevail, so I do try to treat people respectfully, despite how they may initially treat me. I also know that sometimes people have good and bad days, as we all do, and I try to give as much grace to the people/ persons I’m interacting with when that person across from me is having a bad day. My faith, my marriage and my personal pursuit to do a great job for this great team is an extremely amazing privilege and I hope to exude the characteristics of my Christian faith and practice as a norm. My goal is to set people up for success as the city engineer and I hope to do so with engineering efficacy and personal fortitude.

Q: As you look at a large-scale capital project like the Kramer Road overpass, what are some of your priorities and goals as city engineer in making sure things turn out the way they should?

A: A few of us are on regularly scheduled meetings where we get to see the ins and outs of this project

MARCH 2022 • 5

The Splash and my goals are to make sure that the various teams communicate and coordinate to accomplish the goal of completing this job in its entirety with as little issues as possible, while doing all that we can make sure each workers goes home at the end of the day safely.

My priorities are making sure that the various agencies, developers and work crews are all on the same page in communication and coordination. The future victory of this project’s successful completion is dependent upon the coordination and partnering within the various offices, which also becomes the culture on the ground and in the field. This is a very exciting project because this level of coordination is pushing all interested parties to communicate much more and work out details at a much quicker pace.

Q: You came on board during a time that is arguably the most active in the history of Liberty Lake when it comes to capital projects.

What are some of the challenges you see during such a busy phase and what are some of the rewards?

A: The challenges are the number of projects working through the permit process, the projects needing to be inspected, the activity throughout the city in capital projects and then the various impromptu issues that always come up due to infrastructure wear and tear and city growth. However, the people who I work with on this city of Liberty Lake team assist one another whenever the opportunity and time permits. The obstacles are numerous but the capacity to overcome these obstacles is also quite large because this is a good team. With this group, I believe that so much good is possible and I look forward to being a part of our shared successes, which is the obvious reward. Completing our individual tasks for this team is the reward as each of us do our best to take care of one another while handling our individual roles. The reward is a list of needed projects that are completed and then done so for the benefit of this city so that the citizens know that we are doing our best for them.

Q: How would you characterize your first few months as part of city staff?

A: I’d characterize these first few months as extremely fast-paced,

incredibly intriguing and humbling.

Fast-paced because this is a small team with extraordinary abilities who also have very large amounts of individual responsibility; people outside of the office would be proud of what this group (staff/ employees) does on the regular without much fanfare. Incredibly intriguing because my new role is causing me to investigate and become more familiar with various aspects of civil engineering that I wanted to know more about in the past but didn’t have an opportunity to expand upon; mainly permitting, residential development and code compliance. I’m learning so much and needing to know so much more, the stretching process within this role is amazing. Humbling because I’ve been trusted to fulfill a role that carries a great amount of responsibility. I hope to be a part of this team for a very long time, and I hope to contribute to an already amazing group of individuals who are all quite phenomenal.

Q: Finally, you’ve made it through the two coldest seasons we have here – I’m guessing the coldest you’ve ever experienced considering your history in the Golden State. What are you looking forward to about spring and summer in the Inland Northwest?

A: Well, I just learned a few days ago that spring and summer come with various increments in the weather – False Spring, Second Winter, Spring of Deception, Third Winter, Mud Season, Actual Spring, April Showers, May Flowers, Summer, Fire Season, False Fall, Second Summer, Actual Fall (seriously?). Being from SoCal, I’m used to two seasons – summer and spring – with two weeks of SoCal Winter – temps below 50 degrees, which is now laughable.

I’m looking forward to the beautiful weather that everyone up here tells me about along with the increase of pollen, which I don’t know if I’m looking forward to so much, but I do want to experience it. I’m also looking forward to the beginning of construction season. Again, this is new to me as construction in civil engineering in SoCal is year-round.

This coming “season” is going to be busy, full of surprises and hopefully great victories for the city of Liberty Lake from its staff and employees as we do our jobs for the betterment of this city.

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6 • MARCH 2022

The Splash

Introducing the

Safety Awareness Channel

Police Report - Jan. 2022 Total incidents generated by Officers and emergency calls for service last month 450 Traffic Collisions/Hit & Runs / Injury Collisions 10 Citations (Traffic/Criminal/NonCriminal) 18 DUI (Driving Under Influence) 3 Thefts / Vehicle Prowls / Vehicle Theft / Burglaries 12 Malicious Mischief 0 Argument / Assault DV / Simple Assault / Assault w/a Weapon 16 Parking Violations 0 Suspicious Vehicles 24 *The above numbers are as of 1/31/22 DUI, 1/14/22; Officers responded to a report of a white passenger car

driving all over the roadway and doing circles around the rounda-bout on Harvard Road. Officers responded to the area and witnessed the described vehicle pulling out of the round-a-bout and drive north on Harvard Road at a slow rate of speed.

Officers stopped the vehicle and identified an adult female driver who was showing signs of intoxication.

They asked the female if she would perform field sobriety testing and she refused. Officers took her into custody and applied for, and was granted a search warrant for the driver’s blood.

The female was arrested for DUI and provided with a court date for her first appearance.

Credit Card Fraud/ID theft, 1/19/22; Officers responded to the 1300 block of Liberty Lake Road to a report of a possible Credit Card Fraud. Officers arrived on scene and an employee at the location stated a male just tried to purchase items using another individual’s credit

Least Most

circles contain the number of incidents in a given area.

Splash news sources

card. The employee provided them with the victim’s information, and they determined the male was going to meet the victim across the street to return his card. Officers went to that location and found an adult male matching the description who admitted to trying to use another individual’s card. Officers attempted to locate the stolen card, but he stated he didn’t know where it was. Officers impounded the suspects vehicle to apply for a search warrant. The warrant was granted, and officers found over 87 possible victims of credit card fraud or identity theft as a result of the search. The male was placed in custody and transported to the Spokane County Jail for the theft and credit card fraud.

Residential Burglary, 1/25/22; Officers responded to a report of a vehicle theft in progress around the 20500 block of E. Nora Avenue.

Officers determined that an adult male walked into the residence, took

a set of car keys and a computer, and drove off in the victim’s vehicle. The owner stated he witnessed the male driving out of his driveway and heard him state, “I’ll bring it right back.”

The vehicle was located within a mile of the victim’s residence, but the adult male couldn’t be located at the time.

Investigations were able to determine who the adult male was, and he was later arrested in Montana for a similar offense. Charges for the male were forwarded to the Spokane County Prosecutors Office for the Residential Burglary and the Theft of a Motor Vehicle.

Officers have encountered several suspicious vehicles and have been able to link the drivers with possible stolen property. The Liberty Lake Police Department would like to remind everyone to lock your vehicles and to secure your property where it can’t be seen to avoid any vehicle prowlers.

Stay well and be safe!

MARCH 2022 • 7

The Splash

The Lookout The Community Corner

By Dan Dunne

Liberty Lake City Council On the way back from the mailbox, I stopped in front of a new neighbor’s house where two other neighbors had stopped to welcome a new resident to the neighborhood.

These are always the best conversations!

I really enjoy getting to know the people in our community, understanding where they’ve come from and what made them consider calling Liberty Lake their home. In these conversations, often there’s a reference to the quality of life, the excellent schools, the climate and how close we are to great places to visit and vacation. But the most compelling reason people choose to call Liberty Lake home always seems to be the sense of community we have and the activities and organizations which contribute to it.

Abhold brings multilayered background to city Liberty Lake City Hall has no shortage of wonderful employees, one of which comes from the Planning, Engineering and Building Department – Megan Abhold.

Currently, Megan is a Planning and Engineering Technician for the city and her days are filled with managing GSI data, conducting reviews of landscaping, lighting and parking layouts, as well as coordination for pre-application meetings and so much more.

Prior to her employment with the city, Megan pursued two Bachelor’s degrees for Geography and Anthropology through Eastern Washington University, as well as obtaining certification in Geographic Information

March 2022

Friends of the Liberty Lake Municipal Library – friends and neighbors coming together to support and enrich our place for knowledge and understanding!

Liberty Lake Centennial Rotary Club – friends and colleagues presenting service projects in Liberty Lake.

City of Liberty Lake Community Engagement Commission – a volunteer civic commission dedicated to creating community connections and information sharing in local government. Liberty Lake Kiwanis – friends and neighbors presenting service projects and offering scholarships for the youth of Liberty Lake. Liberty Lake Elementary PTO – parents and neighbors presenting events and fundraising for student activities.

City of Liberty Lake Planning Commission – a volunteer civic commission stewarding the future land use of our community.

TAC (Theatre Arts Center) at the Lake – our very own community theatre, presenting entertainment with regular auditions for their scheduled productions.

Ridgeline

High School Falcon Boosters – parents and neighbors presenting events and fundraising for student activities. City of Liberty Lake Youth Commission – a civic commission of young people contributing to city events and conversations.

Liberty Creek Elementary PTO parents and neighbors presenting events and fundraising for student activities. Selkirk Middle School PTO - parents and neighbors presenting events and fundraising for student activities. City of Liberty Lake Parks & Arts Commission – a volunteer civic commission dedicated to improving public art in our community.

Systems and participating in an archaeological dig in England.

Her pursuit of higher education doesn’t stop there, as she is nearly done with her Masters of Science in Urban and Regional Planning with Heriot-Watt University.

Parks & Arts Commission elevates LL aesthetics

Before joining the city, Megan was the GSI Analyst for the Kalispel Tribe for two years. When Megan isn’t hitting the books or providing exemplary service as a member of the PEBS team, she enjoys getting outside to take in the beauty of the Northwest.

She is an avid outdoor athlete, partaking in Spartan Races, bike riding and hiking, as well as being musically gifted. She is teaching herself to play the cello and has been playing piano since she was just 4 years old. When residents or builders stop by City Hall and are assisted by Megan, it is an understatement to say they leave having received some of the best service the city has to offer.

The Parks and Arts Commission services the city of Liberty Lake by procuring and proposing new and exciting artwork and art installations within the community.

and proposals for that wrap will be provided by the high school’s own art students. Following that same tune, another wrap on Harvard Parkway featuring Native American artwork is slated that will mirror artwork seen in the NOLL Welcome Center. Those wraps are scheduled to be installed in 2022 and are sponsored by STCU.

“I looked at neighborhoods all over Spokane County and found Liberty Lake had a great sense community and belonging.” As a longtime resident I cherish that observation and reflect on the notion that engaging – the act of stepping forward to participate in the community – is what builds that. To appreciate the sense of community is the first step but to participate in the community is even more rewarding and extends that sense of community to others.

We have, in our midst, an amazing cast of people who give of their time and talent and organizations that contribute that very sense of community. I always encourage new neighbors to visit and learn about the organizations that build our community – there are so many – and to consider participating with them in some way. Here are just a few of the organizations I always mention when speaking to new neighbors:

Parks & Arts Commission elevates LL aesthetics

Since being established in January of 2018, the commission has been responsible for the installation and procurement of several art pieces, including but not limited to the Pavillion Park Mural, various utility box wraps throughout the city, as well as the new “Liberty Lake Together” installation at Rocky Hill Park.

For 2022 and 2023, the commission already has projects in the queue. There will be a new utility wrap on Country Vista Drive by the new Ridgeline High School

These are just a few of the organizations which create the sense of community that we all have come to appreciate. More information about them can be quickly found on the Internet.

Even if you’re not new to Liberty Lake, consider discovering more about these organizations – and get involved!

There are new opportunities as the city expands and the commission is currently exploring such possible opportunities for art incorporation at the Kramer Overpass bridge project. The Parks and Arts Commission welcomes the community to join in on virtual meetings held on the first Monday of every month at 4 p.m. and for those looking to get involved, the commission is also seeking applicants to fill a vacant position. If you are interested in applying, or want more information on the commission itself, please visit the city website at www.libertylakewa.gov.

https://www.facebook.com/libertylakewa • www.libertylakewa.gov

8 • MARCH 2022

News and Notes – March 2022

By Craig Howard

Splash Contributing Editor

• Resident Tom Sahlberg applauded the community’s courageous response to the COVID-19 pandemic over the last two years at the Feb. 15 City Council meeting, singling out the Liberty Lake Police Department, Friends of the Library and Winter Glow organizers among other civic entities. “History will look back on this time and see how we all came together,” Sahlberg said. “’Liberty Lake Together’ is a reality.”

• Members of the Spokane Transit Authority (STA) provided council with an overview of the Valley I-90 High Performance Transit program on Feb. 15 – part of STA Moving Forward plan. The road map includes additional direct service between Liberty Lake and Spokane as well as a pilot project to provide service to Post Falls and Coeur d’Alene. An amount of $14.5 million has been set aside by STA for the I-90 corridor.

• Council Member Chris Cargill called attention to the city’s most recent sparkling audit, noting that staff from the state auditor’s office were “over the moon” regarding Liberty Lake’s financials from the past year while also giving kudos to Financial Director Kyle Dixon and City Treasurer Ann Marie Gale for their efforts.

• An emotionally-charged discussion took place at the Feb. 1 council meeting regarding a

The Splash

NEWS

proposed city proclamation on state emergency power reform.

Council Member Dunne called out Cargill for putting the proclamation on the agenda, calling the action “a profound conflict of interest” considering Cargill’s employment with the Washington Policy Center.

Cargill responded by stating he does “not get extra credit or benefits for situations like this” adding the three bills being considered in Olympia (House Bill 1772 and Senate Bills 5909 and 5039) are bipartisan efforts to promote the “core function of a democratic republic” and engage both executive and legislative branches of government. Council Member Annie Kurtz referred to research she had done on the purpose of city proclamations, noting that the document being considered did not match the spirit of previous proclamations. “I do share some of the concerns Council Member Dunne brought forward,” Kurtz said. The vote on the proclamation failed by a 5-2 margin with Cargill and Council Member Jamie Baird in the minority.

On Feb. 15, Dunne apologized to Cargill for what he described as “confrontational and adversarial” behavior at the meeting. A similar debate between the two took place later on Feb. 1 regarding Cargill proposal of a policy that would rule out a city-imposed income tax.

Dunne said he would like to organize a staff appreciation event and work with Cargill to organize the occasion.

• The Parks and Arts Commission will be scheduling a presentation before council that will outline a potential collaboration with Hooptown USA to resurface basketball courts in Liberty Lake similar to projects in downtown Spokane.

•

Police Chief Damon Simmons

told council that a self-defense class for women is tentatively scheduled for March 19 at the police station. For more information, call LLPD at 509755-1140.

• Dixon said the city reached out to six recruiting firms regarding the search for a new city administrator. Only three responded with bids. Council eventually decided to contract with Prothman, an Issaquah-based firm.

• Mayor Pro Tem Mike Kennedy announced that he would be stepping down as a council member at the end of February.

Kennedy referenced his own health issues and those of his wife Betty as the primary reasons for the decision.

“You’ve been a huge asset,” said Mayor Cris Kaminskas. “I hope you stay involved at some point.”

• Simmons introduced the two newest members of the Liberty Lake Police Department at the Feb. 1 council meeting. Officer David Howard and Officer Jordan Rippee both signed on with LLPD after serving with the Washington State Patrol.

• A quartet of new Planning Commission members were approved at the Feb. 1 council meeting. Joe Mann, Dg Garcia, Dale Robbins and Jim Baumker will be part of the advisory group to the council that provides input on coordination of land use in the city.

• Council approved the purchase of two new police vehicles on Feb. 1.

• Kaminskas was among the judges at the Future Business Leaders of America regional championship on Feb. 2.

• city’s

Todd Henderson, the Information Technology

technician, gave an update on efforts to improve IT equipment and communication efficiencies in council chambers through a partnership with Granicus, a software company.

• Dunne was appointed as the city’s delegate to the STA Board on Feb. 1, replacing Kennedy.

• Council voted on Feb. 15 to renew its contract with Greater Spokane Incorporated. According to its website, GSI “works with local businesses, our community, nonprofits and the surrounding region to build a robust regional economy.”

• The Liberty Lake Kiwanis will host the 17th annual Father Daughter Dance on March 5 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Mirabeau Park Hotel & Convention Center.

The event is a fundraiser for Kiwanis with tickets at $75. For more information, visit www. libertylakekiwanis.org.

File photo The basketball court at Pavillion Park could be among several in Liberty Lake in line for a makeover. The city’s Parks and Arts Commission is discussing the possibility of a collaboration with Hooptown USA, a group that has renovated surfaces in downtown Spokane with creative designs.

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NEWS City tees up financing options

and $335,000 annually.

for Trailhead upgrade

By Craig Howard

presentation.

Splash Contributing Editor

“I feel that no one is excited about spending $3.4 million on a driving range,” said Council Member Phil Folyer during a Trailhead workshop at the Feb. 1 council meeting. “That’s going to take away money from the facility.”

The price tag of a local golf course has soared like a record-setting tee shot since Liberty Lake welcomed its first fairways in 1958.

The Spokane Country Club took a chance on 110 undeveloped acres a stone’s throw from the community’s signature lake in 1955 for a total of $18,500. Three years later, golfers were flocking to Spokane County’s easternmost links long recognized as the Liberty Lake Golf Course.

For years, the Liberty Lake City Council has discussed ways to improve the Trailhead at Liberty Lake Golf Course at the corner of Country Vista and Liberty Lake Road. The city purchased the former Valley View course in 2002, preserving the greenspace and adding a new municipal revenue stream.

It took 15 years to pay off the bond for Trailhead – but when the last payment was made in August 2017, the value of the site checked in at $5 million, more than double the purchase price.

These days, the numbers for an extensive renovation at Trailhead begin at $8.4 million and go up from there. On Feb. 15, council heard an update from the Trailhead design team as well as an overview of financing options from Finance Director Kyle Dixon.

“We want to deliver a quality project for a great price and great value for Liberty Lake and the taxpayers,” said Jonathan Miller of OAC Services.

The latest blueprint includes a parking lot spanning 37,800 square feet with 118 spaces. The revised driving range would cover 5,175 square feet and feature 25 tees. The new pro shop is proposed at 2,400 square feet while outdoor patio space connected to a new restaurant would total 3,500 square feet with seating for over 200 people.

Other aspects of the proposed upgrade include a covered patio (1,000 square feet) and a golf cart barn (3,000 square feet).

A good portion of the cost (43 percent) is connected with new driving range netting and poles, a price point that raised concern at the design team’s last council

Folyer said he has researched the driving range netting and poles and been on several field trips to the site with Mayor Pro Tem Mike Kennedy. While acknowledging that new netting is needed, Folyer has brought up the possibility of keeping some of the current poles while leaving the driving range where it is.

“I’m just one guy doing the best homework I can,” Folyer said. “Let’s take this in smaller bites.”

The design group came back with a revised layout on Feb. 15 that would include 30 poles, 10 less than the current driving range. The tallest poles would be 144-feet tall, three times the height of existing poles on the left side. The arrangement of tees is arranged to minimize the cost of netting.

There was a consensus among council to continue with the lowflight golf balls for the driving range despite projections from the design team that included long-flight balls.

The latest proposal comes in at around $10 million, a jump from the $8.4 million originally earmarked by the city. Design team representatives again stressed the need for council to agree on a funding plan sooner than later.

Finally, the Cadillac version of Trailhead at $12 million with $2 million down would run $810,000 annually over 15 years; $645,000 over 20 or $480,000 over 30. Paying down $3 million would mean annual payments of $730,000, $575,000 or $430,000 depending on the payment schedule.

Kennedy was among several around the dais who questioned spending such a large amount on Trailhead when the majority of residents do not utilize the site.

“We’re looking at 8 or 9 percent of the citizens using this but 100 percent paying for it,” Kennedy said. “I’m really concerned where we’re going with this.”

Kennedy also questioned the need to set aside so much space for golf cart storage.

“I think that square footage could be dedicated to something else,” he said.

Council Member Cargill noted that the bond payments – even under the lowest cost option – would ring in above the budget agreed to by council.

“There is no scenario where this costs just $8.4 million to the city of Liberty Lake – is that correct?”

Cargill asked Dixon.

Dixon responded that with debt service, the interest would push the total beyond $8.4 million.

Cargill pointed out that a bond could cost each citizen a total of $900 all the way up to $1500 for the project after the interest is factored into the life of the debt service.

MARCH 2022 • 9

“I’m really concerned about that,” Cargill responded. “To me the numbers don’t make a lot of sense. I think the citizens need to have more of a say in this.”

In a second of two workshops on Trailhead on Feb. 15, Cargill called for a public vote on Trailhead spending.

Mayor Cris Kaminskas noted that funds for Trailhead would not come from the general fund nor represent an increase in property or sales tax. The REET (Real Estate Excise Tax) will be the primary source for Trailhead upgrade. REET – a tax levied on all property sales – generated $3.7 million for the city in 2021.

“I don’t want citizens to get a misconception here,” Kaminskas said. “The everyday citizen is not going to see a bill for this.”

Cargill countered that he was concerned about Trailhead expenditures taking away from other capital projects that may emerge over the years.

“I am really uncomfortable spending over what we have in our budget,” added Council Member Wendy Van Orman.

Council called for a special meeting on Trailhead for Feb. 22 (after presstime) that would include an executive session with Clear Risk Solutions, the city’s risk management firm.

“What we’ve heard is the longer we delay, the more impact it will have on a project,” said Kurtz.

“I think we need to walk away from that (Feb. 22) meeting with a decision.”

“The confirmation of budget is critical to us moving forward,” said Steve Roth of Architects West.

Finance Director Kyle Dixon chimed in on bond details starting with a scenario of $8.4 million. If the city put down $3 million, payments would be $515,000 annually on a 15-year note; $415,000 per year over 20 years or $315,000 a year over 30 years. With $3 million down, annual payments would be $440,000, $350,000 or $260,000 under a similar timeline.

At $10 million with $2 million down, the city would pay $645,000 annually over 15 years; $520,000 a year over 20 years or $385,000 over 30. At $3 million down, those numbers shift to $565,000, $450,000

File photo The clubhouse and pro shop at the Trailhead at Liberty Lake Golf Course have been at the center of discussions at City Hall for several years. The site, which has been owned and operated by the city since 2002, is slated for an extensive upgrade this year. City Council is in the process of determining a budget and financing for the project.

10 • MARCH 2022

COVER STORY

The Splash

Photo by Nina Culver Jim Frank, formal Principal and CEO of Greenstone Homes, introduces us to the new neighborhood north of Liberty Lake. He hopes this neighborhood and retail area will be a local gathering place similar to Kendall Yards.

Liberty Lake North community begins

By Nina Culver

Splash contributor

Greenstone Homes has been a prime developer in Liberty Lake since before the city was incorporated and work is still continuing. The nexus of what Jim Frank hopes will be the next Kendall Yards is beginning to take shape at the corner of Indiana Avenue and Harvard Road.

The area, being called North Liberty Lake (Noll), will feature

a mix of residential, commercial and retail space designed to be a walkable town center. It’s being patterned after Kendall Yards, a mixed-use walkable community on the edge of downtown Spokane.

west of Harvard Road, has been part of the plan for more than a decade, Frank said. “The city is 20 years old and this was annexed into the city a few years after it was formed,” he said.

Frank, who is semi-retired and passed off control of the day-today operations of Greenstone to his son, Joe, a few years ago, is perhaps best known in Liberty Lake for his work developing the River District. The District, which is just east of the Spokane Valley city limits north of Mission Avenue, has been marching steadily eastward toward Harvard for more than a decade. The area just to the east of Harvest Parkway is currently under construction.

The district will feature buildings right up next to the sidewalks with parking in the rear. The sidewalks are spacious with plenty of lighting. “It will be walkable,” Frank said. “That’s why the buildings will face the street.”

The North Liberty Lake district, which extends about three blocks

Some buildings will have retail shops and businesses on the first floor with residential on the floors above, while others will be solely residential or solely commercial.

“You want to have a lot of higher density around a town center because that supports the retail,” he said.

Frank is doing what he can to develop the town center in a way that it can host businesses and events that will keep the area lively during the day and at night. The exact details haven’t been worked out, but it could be something similar to the Farmers Market that Kendall Yards hosts one night a week or the movie nights in Pavillion Park. “We’re still thinking through some of that,” he said. “We want this to be a place where people can gather.”

The Noll District also has the advantage of being located near the Centennial Trail, which runs just to the north along the Spokane River. It’s within easy reach of future residents who want to walk, bike or jog the trail. “There will be some connecting trails,” he said.

The Splash “We’re still waiting for approval from State Parks. They have to approve any trail that connects to the Centennial Trail.”

So far, one commercial building is complete and just opened this year. Spokane Businesses Attorneys has a suite on the second floor and the first floor includes New Love Coffee, a barber shop, a beauty salon and a Greenstone design center where owners of future Greenstone homes can select their preferred countertops and other home amenities. A sign hanging in a corner space announces the anticipated arrival of a 3 Ninjas restaurant this spring.

Several other buildings are in various stages of construction. A dentist’s office is being built just to the south of the building. A metal building a little further north next to Harvard Road houses a brewery and restaurant. A cider house and bakery are also being built to the north, Frank said. A building directly across the street from the current building will have retail on the ground floor with housing on the top floors.

It's clear that development of North Liberty Lake is proceeding relatively rapidly and there’s already a stop light in place at the intersection of Indiana and

COVER STORY

Harvard. Frank said he expects Noll to be built out within five years, with this year and 2023 being the biggest construction years. “When this is over, we want this to feel like Kendall Yards,” he said.

Frank said he has been lucky enough to have good working relationships with Elmer Schneidmiller and Centennial Properties, both of whom owned a lot of land in the area that Frank has purchased and developed.

Schneidmiller, who died in 2011, was a longtime resident and businessman known for his philanthropy. He donated the land that would become Pavillion Park.

“We’ve been able to have a vision as to what the community should look like,” Frank said. “People want to live in a community where there are social connections.”

Frank said the pandemic and the housing boom have both impacted Greenstone Homes.

During the pandemic most people began working remotely, which meant they spent more time at home. That has stayed the same for many. “People don’t go into the office as much anymore,” he said.

Perhaps surprisingly, the high prices for housing and huge

demand are making it harder to stick to his vision for North Liberty Lake and the completion of the River District, Frank said. While he could easily fill the remaining vacant land with large houses on large lots, Frank said he doesn’t want to do that.

“It’s made it much more difficult for us to continue to have the wide variety of housing that we want to see,” he said. “We don’t want it to turn into big houses on big lots.”

Frank said he wants to build more cottages – small homes on small lots. He’s also trying to focus on integrating small, six-to-nineunit apartment buildings into the neighborhood rather than building a huge apartment complex with more than 200 units, several of which already exist in Liberty Lake.

Frank said Liberty Lake has the reputation of being primarily for those who have a high income, but said he wants to provide housing for everyone from young families to seniors who live alone on a fixed income. Frank said he believes diversity in the types of housing available make a neighborhood a true community. “I think at the end, we create more value,” he said.

Photo by Nina Culver Although the retail area is well under way, there is still much work to be done before this area will be finished.

MARCH 2022 • 11

He sees the benefit of the planned extension of Henry Road over the freeway, which will add another key north-south connection.

Currently the only routes over Interstate 90 are Harvard Road and Barker Road. Frank credits former Liberty Lake Mayor Steve Peterson with pushing the state legislature to move the project up on the priority list and acquire funding for it. “It’s going to benefit both sides of the freeway,” he said.

Most of the Liberty Lake area north of the freeway is residential, with a small commercial area at Mission Avenue and Harvard that includes a couple restaurants, a gas station and a storage facility. The new Tesla facility is going in just to the west. The new businesses in the North Liberty Lake District will fill a key need in the area, both for the new Noll residents and the existing residents.

In the end, Frank hopes North Liberty Lake will become a benefit to the community. “Liberty Lake doesn’t have what you would call a heart, a town center,” he said.

“We do hope the Noll District will become a destination not only for people south of the freeway, but the people in Otis Orchards, the people in Post Falls.”

12 • MARCH 2022

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About and for Liberty Lake seniors

March for Meals for Meal on Wheels

By Ashley Humbird Splash contributor

The Greater Spokane County Meals on Wheels is kicking off the year with their annual March for Meals happening on March 4th at the Spokane Valley Mall and March 5th at the Northtown Mall. They are including a Virtual Walk as well, that will run from March 1st to March 31st. But there is more to this event than just a way to raise money for meals; it’s a way to help fight senior hunger and isolation.

The Greater Spokane County Meals on Wheels serves fresh cooked meals to a large area of land with a varied demographic. The program can be tailored to each individual senior. They served over 230,000 meals in 2021 to over 2,500 seniors!

The home-delivered option is the standard: one hot fresh meal for five days, plus two frozen meals for the weekend. In some of the more rural areas of the county, volunteers will

deliver seven frozen meals once a week, since the volunteer base is not large enough to accommodate a five-day delivery. Each meal is made fresh in their commercial kitchen and consist of a ‘hot’ entrée, vegetable and fruit, milk/juice and a roll.

Jeff Edwards, CEO of the nonprofit, mentioned, “My favorite meal is the Shepard Pie. It’s very tasty.”

The volunteers get to know their routes and the seniors they serve the fresh meals to. Volunteers look forward to the deliveries and can help alert emergency contacts if the door remains unanswered when knocking. On any given year, volunteers have been able to get seniors the help they need when they’ve fallen and can’t make it to a phone.

Another option is to dine out at one of the ten Silver Cafes spread across Spokane County. For those that have the ability to utilize this option, they enjoy the socialization of meeting fellow seniors in their community. There is one at Center Place in the Spokane Valley that operates five days a week and serves the same hot, fresh meals as

Photo by Ashley Humbird Jeff Edwards, CEO for Meals on Wheels, and Team with meals bags packed and ready for a volunteer to deliver.

the home delivered option. Seniors are encouraged to take home two frozen meals for the weekend.

Other Spokane locations include the Hillyard Senior Center and the South Hill Clearview Senior Housing.

Opening March 31st will be a new location at the Martin Luther King Jr Center that will operate five days a week.

For those who participate in this month’s March for Meals, participants will be doing more than just providing meals. Participants will become a part of a senior’s story, either through the relationships they build with the volunteers who deliver the fresh meals, or though the interactions they have with the community.

Regardless of which option a senior chooses to be a part of, once a week the volunteers make a special delivery when coming by with their fresh meals: a bag of dog or cat food.

The love seniors have for their furry campions is heartwarming and the program wants to keep both seniors and their cuddly pets well-fed.

The March for Meals will be held from 8am to 10am at the Valley Mall on March 4th, and at Northtown Mall on March 5th. The fee is $20 to register and includes a swag bag and a chance to win door prizes.

The virtual walk will be ongoing through the month of March. There is an adorable option to get your dog involved too for just $10! $.91 of every dollar donated goes directly to the meals for the seniors thanks to the low overhead cost. Simply go online to Marchformeals-Spokane. com or visit their Facebook page at GSCMealsonWheels to register for both in person and/or virtual.

With the dollar being stretched further than ever, there is a misconception around the Meals on Wheels program: the thought that the Greater Spokane County Meals on Wheels is income-based.

Edwards hopes to educate both the public and seniors hesitant to join.

“The program is not inherently income based. You could have planned well for retirement and just need a little help. Rr even fall and break a hip, in which case you can’t cook for yourself, and need help too.

Any senior over the age of 60 that needs our help, we can serve them in some capacity,” said Edwards.

And when Covid hit in the Spring of 2020, the Greater Spokane Meals on Wheels saw an overnight increase of 25% in need. But thankfully since they make all of their meals fresh, they were able to quickly scale up and accommodate for the sudden influx of need. With mandates in place, they had to adapt and close some of the Cafes during the initial pandemic. All the seniors where offered the chance to join the Home Delivery option to continue to receive their meals. Once they were able to open the Silver Cafes back up, many of the new members to the program choose to enjoy their meals with fellow seniors. For example, in Spangle, about forty seniors from the South County area meet twice weekly to converse and share a meal, whereas pre-COVID they choose the home-delivery option.

There are other ways you can help. Volunteering takes a short hour to an hour and half to deliver a route with hot fresh meals and the Greater Spokane County Meals on Wheels will be holding two more fundraisers later this year. The Road Rally will be held in July (date TBD) and Cooking for a Cause on September 17th 2022.

For more information on Greater Spokane Valley Meals on Wheels go to gscmealsonwheels.org

SAVE THE DATE Washington State Quilt Show October 14-16, 2022

MARCH 2022 • 13

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Student of the Month

Athlete of the Month

Citizen of the Month

Whether he’s taking AP classes, playing in the marching band or rehearsing for a stage production, Owen Haines excels. The Ridgeline junior maintains a 3.9 grade point average and is a member of the National Honor Society. As a volunteer with a local community garden, Haines helped prepare soil for planting and cultivation. At Ridgeline, he has tried to help underclassmen acclimate to high school. “I had a chance to go to Central Valley but thought it would be best to attend Ridgeline to hone my leadership skills and I also feel I have a responsibility to set an example to younger students,” Haines said. The junior has a diversity of musical strengths, playing the bass guitar, trombone, euphonium and mellophone. Haines would like to study music and/or psychology in college and perhaps pursue a focus in music therapy.

Autumn Agnew made a point this season for the Central Valley basketball squad – make that many points. The junior averaged a teamhigh 14.6 points a game for the Bears who won 10 games and qualified for the district playoffs. In the Stinky Sneaker rivalry game against University, Agnew tallied 19 points, keying a 46-35 win. She scored 20 in CV’s district post-season loss to Kamiakin and had a season-high 27 against Cheney. Agnew shot 78 percent from the free throw line. She lettered last year and suited up for the 2020 CV state championship team as a freshman. In volleyball, Agnew is a three-year letter winner who earned All Greater Spokane League honorable mention this season for a Bears’ team that advanced to state.

Agnew maintains a 3.6 grade point average and is a member of the National Honor Society.

When Ridgeline High School opened for its inaugural academic year last fall, there was reassurance knowing Kara Twining would be part of the resource team for Falcon Nation. The longtime Liberty Lake resident has worked as a guidance counselor for over 25 years with stops at East Valley, Post Falls, University and Central Valley high schools. Her priority is providing social, emotional and academic support for students. She has a degree in Social Work from Eastern Washington University and a Master’s in Counseling Psychology from Gonzaga as well as her principal’s certificate. Twining has volunteered with Youth for Christ in Spokane’s West Central neighborhood.

She presented for a decade on safe use of technology, screen time and social media. She and her husband John have been married since 1998 and are proud parents of three kids – Kami, Scott and Trevor.

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Legacy of Hoops –

Christensen family bonds through basketball

By Craig Howard

Current Contributing Editor

If March Madness had a family bracket, the Christensens from Spokane Valley would be one of the tournament favorites.

Start with Tanner Christensen, a former All-Greater Spokane League center at University High School who now starts at post for the University of Idaho and averages eight points and six rebounds a game. The Christensen starting five is bolstered by Tanner’s dad Kirt, an all-state player for Uintah High in Vernal, Utah while mom Emily (Spear) Christensen was part of a state championship at Central Valley High School in 1993 and a starter for the Bears as a sophomore.

Katie also netted 14 points and outrebounded her brother, 10 to six.

Emily remembers basketball being a date night when she and Kirt were both students at Brigham Young University – either attending a Cougars’ game together or shooting baskets on an open court.

As for watching her kids play, Emily said “it’s definitely fun but also nerve-wracking.”

“I’m proud of what they’ve done in basketball but prouder of the people they are and the way they treat others,” Emily said.

Tanner put his favorite sport on hold in 2018 to serve a twoyear mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Argentina. When he returned to the States in the fall of 2020, he bore down to get back into basketball shape.

“I could probably count on one hand the number of times I played basketball in Argentina,” Tanner said. “Serving a mission was

something I always wanted to do.

College basketball was a secondary thing. A mission was important to me and my family and a way I could help others.”

Tanner’s breakout year at U-Hi came as a junior when he averaged 14 points and nine rebounds a game. Between his freshman and sophomore years, he sprouted from 6’2 to 6’8 and now stands at 6’10.

“It took some time to get accustomed to how tall I was,” he said.

As a senior, Tanner led U-Hi to a fifth-place finish in the GSL and a berth to the district playoffs.

Against arch-rival Central Valley, he tallied a career-high 28 points in an overtime win. He had signed with Idaho before the start of his senior campaign after interest from schools like Portland State, Seattle Pacific and Carroll College.

“I liked the direction the (Idaho) program was heading,” Tanner said.

“I liked the campus, the coaching

The family backcourt sparkles with Garret Christensen, named coMVP of the Titans’ freshman squad and Katie, a senior at U-Hi, who established herself as a leader “who meant everything to our team,” according to Titans’ head coach Jazmine Redmon.

Tanner had one of his best games as a Vandal on Dec. 8 against South Dakota State, a team that leads the Summit League with an undefeated record and signature wins against Nevada and Washington State In 18 minutes, Tanner scored 14 points, hitting five of 10 field goals.

“Idaho has lived up to the expectations I had,” Tanner said.

“It’s fun to play basketball at a high level.”

Katie is focused on serving a mission after high school but might still play college basketball if the scenario is right. A 4.0 student, she also serves as ASB president and is a student representative on the board of Spokane Valley Partners Food Bank & Family Services.

Redmon said Katie “has grown by leaps and bounds as a player” in her last two seasons at U-Hi. The progression is part of a journey on the court that began late and included a few hurdles in high school that left her unsure about sticking with the game.

“I wasn’t good at basketball right away,” she said. “I just knew my parents would support me whatever I did.”

While only a freshman, Garret has shown signs he will be the next prolific Christensen on the court.

He had a season-high of 25 points against Lake City and is part of family folklore for bringing down the rim on the basketball standard at home, prompting a replacement hoop.

“Growing up in a basketball family, your basketball I.Q. is different,” said Redmon, a star at Mead and later at Gonzaga. “Katie really has that support from her family. It was fun to see them all there at Senior Night watching her play one of her better games.”

Sometimes, the schedule can get a little crowded for the Christensens during basketball season. Last month Katie was playing in a District 8 playoff game against Kennewick on the same night Tanner and his fellow Vandals were battling Montana in Moscow. Katie’s season ended with a 59-56 loss to the Lions while Tanner scored 14 points in an 82-76 win over the Grizzlies on Feb. 17.

staff and they were working on a new basketball arena that just opened up.”

Contributed photo The Christensen family from Spokane Valley has a rich basketball pedigree that includes Tanner (third from left) a University High alum who now starts for the University of Idaho. Garret (far left) was a standout freshman on the Titans’ freshman team this season while Katie (second from right) started for a U-Hi squad that reached the district playoffs. Parents Kirt and Emily (second and fourth from left) played high school basketball. Also pictured is Tanner’s wife Emilie (far right).

Whether it’s practicing on the new basket, cheering on their beloved Gonzaga Bulldogs or talking basketball around the dinner table, the Christensens comprise a starting five defined by competitiveness, character and class.

“Basketball has always been a part of our lives,” said Katie. “We can all relate to struggles on the court. I think it’s brought us closer together.”

MARCH 2022 • 17

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20 • MARCH 2022

SVFD Report – Jan. 2022 Splash news sources

Spokane Valley Fire Department crews responded to a total of 152 emergency calls in the greater Liberty Lake area from Jan. 15 – Feb. 15, 2022 • Emergency Medical Services 134 • Dispatched and cancelled en route 5 • Building Alarms 5 • Fires 3 • Motor Vehicle Accidents 2 • Hazardous Materials 2 • Technical Rescue 1 Of note: • Total Calls saw a decrease from 169 last month to 152 this month.

• Emergency Medical Services remained consistent at 134 calls last month to 134 calls this month.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions decreased from 11 last month to 2 this month.

• Fires stayed decreased slightly from 4 last month to 2 this month.

• Continue to Drive Safely with winter and colder temperatures here.

• Be careful with portable heaters.

Keep flammable items away from them and turn them off when not in the room.

• If you have chicken coops, please make sure to use a fire safe heating pad inside the coop.

Heating lamps can catch straw and other flammable items inside the coop on fire.

• SVFD Calendars are out, pick one up at any Fire Station entryway

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NEWS

or at the SVFD Administration Building, 2120 N. Wilbur Road.

Media Release

Jan. 16 – Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) units responded this morning at approximately 1040 to a report of a structure fire at 13100 block of East Valleyway.

A passerby noticed smoke coming out of a door and window from a first-floor apartment.

Neighbors knocked on the door to notify the occupants but no one appeared to be home. Valley Engine 5 reported seeing heavy smoke in the area and after their arrival on scene, initiated a quick attack and knocked down the fire.

As the fire was being knocked down, all adjoining apartments were evacuated. After the fire was extinguished, fire crews conducted a primary search of the fire apartment finding no one, and checked for fire extension of the adjoining apartments. A total of six Engines, two Ladders, and 3 command vehicles were dispatched to the fire.

Due to the quick knock down, a number of fire suppression vehicles were canceled prior to arrival. The fire was contained to the apartment of origin. There were no reported injuries of civilians or firefighters.

As part of a standardized fire response plan, an ambulance with AMR responded to the scene and was later cancelled.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation and units remain on scene for overhaul and investigator assistance.

The apartment unit involved is uninhabitable and occupants will be staying with family.

Spokane County Sheriff’s Department, Spokane County Fire District #8 and the City of Spokane Fire Department also responded to

the incident.

The Spokane Valley Fire Department would like to remind our citizens not to overload extension cords and have a working smoke detector in their residences.

Incidents: Electrical Problem – Jan. 16, 10:04 a.m. - Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) Valley Engine 2 (VE2) responded to the dispatched address initially for a report of an electrical problem with Valley Squad 8 (VSQ8). Enroute dispatch upgraded to a full response for a report of smoke in the home.

VSQ8 arrived first and sized up the structure reporting light smoke from the roof. VE2 assumed bates command upon arrival.

Crews investigated in the offensive strategy seeing a haze coming from an attic vent. VSQ8 was assigned to take a pump can into the home and investigate. VE2 lowered all units except the next closest Valley Ladder 8 (VL8). The structure had no smoke or heat. VE2 located heat in the kitchen ceiling near a scorched hole where a light fixture had been removed. The ceiling was pulled in the kitchen onto salvage tarps.

Burning cellulose insulation and a wooden truss were uncovered and extinguished. All burned insulation was removed from the ceiling.

VE2 remained on scene until the investigation was complete.

Possible Illegal Burn – Jan. 26, 5:43 p.m. - Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) Valley Engine 4 (VE4) crews responded to a potential campfire along the Centennial Trail near Mile Post 0. A drive by caller noticed a warming fire and called 911 to report a potential fire along the trail. Crews drove through the area Between I90 east bound and the trail as well as checked through the

trail area near and around Mile Post 0. No incident of fire was located and crews returned in service.

Haz-Mat Investigation – Feb. 5, 8:45 a.m. - Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) Valley Engine 3 (VE3) crews responded to the report of a gas odor in the garage and laundry room near N Kelsea Court and North Liberty Lake Road. The caller said residents were feeling dizzy and having vision issues.

Crews used the gas meter inside the residence to check for the presence of natural gas. None was detected.

Crews turned the home over to the residence having found no evidence of gas in the home.

Alarm System – Feb. 8, 11:12 a.m. Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) Valley Engine 3 (VE3) responded to Liberty Lake Elementary School for the report of an alarm sounding. When crews arrived the school was in the process of evacuating students and faculty.

VE3 crews investigated and then spoke with the principal who said they were not experiencing water flow, smoke, or fire in the building.

Upon further investigation at the alarm panel, water flow SW zone was indicated. VE3 crews investigated the riser room and found no evidence of water flow.

The SW Zone of the school also showed no signs of water flow.

VE3 turned the building over to the custodian. The alarm company was on their way to investigate further.

VE3 crews returned in service.

The Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) serves a population of 125,000+ over 75-square miles, including the cities of Spokane Valley, Liberty Lake and Millwood, as well as surrounding unincorporated areas. In 2021, our cross-trained Firefighter/EMTs and Firefighter/Paramedics responded to more than 22,400 emergency calls.

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Involving You in Liberty Lake Government

By Nina Culver

Splash contributor

Progress is proceeding slowly on a Community Engagement Commission in Liberty Lake designed to facilitate communication between the city and its residents.

Councilwoman Annie Kurtz has been pushing the process, which began informally a year ago when a community member talked about the importance of the city being more connected to the community. Most cities tend to be more transactional, talking about what’s been done rather than engaging with citizens before decisions are made, Kurtz said.

The city council considered an ordinance creating the Community Engagement Commission, discussing it several times until voting to approve it on Sept. 7. According to the ordinance, the commission’s duty is to advise the mayor and city council on the best way to engage residents in the planning

MARCH 2022 • 23

and implementation process for projects, capital improvements and community initiatives, up to and including recommending additional technology needed to accomplish the task.

applications, Kurtz said. “We’ve had the applications since October or November last year,” she said. “I have offered from the beginning to help with interviews to help get it going.”

The commission is to include at least members representing four different geographical zones, plus one at-large member. Kurtz said they would like a diverse group for the inaugural commission so it will represent all residents of the city.

Kurtz said she’s eager to get the commission to work so they can research how other cities engage their citizens in the decision-making process and see what might work for Liberty Lake. It’s important to consider how to engage with everyone from seniors with limited technological access to millennials who are constantly on their smartphones, Kurtz said.

The requirements to serve on the commission are simple; a person must either be a resident of Liberty Lake or operate a business within the city limits while serving on the commission. Members are to be recommended by the mayor to the city council for approval after an application process.

That’s where the hang up currently is, Kurtz said. Though the city announced that monthly meetings would begin in early 2022, the positions on the commission have yet to be filled. “We don’t have it formed yet,” Kurtz said. “We haven’t finished the interviews.”

A few interviews have been conducted, some as recently as February, after the city received eight

“The goal is to make things easier, to make things more accessible,” she said.

Part of the hang-up may be the city’s staffing situation, Kurtz said, since she’s been told that staff is too busy to assist right now. The city has an interim city administrator while a search is underway to find a new city administrator and existing staff has been shuffled around to fill the gaps. The dedicated staff liaison to the Commission is to be the city’s communications specialist, which is a new position that has not yet been filled. The city began advertising for applications for the position in mid-

February.

Kurtz said she hopes the commission will soon be up and running. “Our council members who voted for it want to see it going,” she said. “If we haven’t picked our community members by the end of the month, I would like to bring it before the full council.”

Kurtz said she thinks the commission will have a valuable role to play in the city. “I’m really looking forward to working with them and hearing what they have to say, their ideas,” she said. “I think it's going to be a fun group of people.”

WSQ Yard Sale Saturday, March 26, 2022 8:00 – 11:30 am Spokane County Fairgrounds 404 N Havana Street - Ag ‘A’ Building

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You are The Splash Want to see your name in print (for all the right reasons, of course)? Or maybe you just want to help point out great ideas for content worth sharing with your neighbors? The Splash is a community newspaper, so if you are part of the Liberty Lake community, we want to know what’s important to you. We like to say there are five of us, and there are more than 10,000 of you. Maybe one of the questions below applies to you? If so, you can help us out.

Do you go on vacation?

Maybe you’re heading somewhere fun (and warm) for spring break. If so, pack a copy of The Splash and pull it out to snap your photo in front of your favorite destination or landmark. When you return to the Liberty Lake, drop us a line with the pic, and we’ll share it with readers.

Are you part of a club or service organization?

Well, what do you know? Let us add you to our list of recurring Liberty Lake events in the near future

that will be well-suited for clubs and organizations that have regular meetings. Send us the info.

Do you celebrate?

We want people to know about everything from your new baby, to your upcoming wedding or anniversary, to your incredible office or sporting achievement. Photos, announcements, honors — please send! We will feature it in the “Local Lens.”

Did you capture a shot?

Shutterbugs, unite! If you are capturing great Liberty Lake moments, whether while out and about or in your backyard, e-mail us your photo so we can share it around the neighborhood. Send along names of those pictures and complete caption information as much as possible.

Are you a local freelance journalist?

The Splash sets aside great assignments for people like you. Send some clips and your resume our way, and we’ll be in touch.

Do you eat?

We thought so. Perhaps you have a favorite order at a Liberty Lake eatery? Before you clean your plate, get your picture taken with your order and send it to us. Include the place, order, cost and why you love it. It’s just one more way we can point one another to all the best Liberty Lake offers.

You are The Splash. E-mail publisher@ libertylakesplash.com so we can share the things that are important to you.

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