Proposed Ordinance Would Limit Neighborhood Parking

The city has drafted an ordinance to deal with neighborhood parking problems.

If adopted by the Spokane City Council, the law would allow neighborhoods to limit on-street parking during certain days or hours to residents and visitors. Permits would be required.

Copies of the proposed ordinance have been sent to all neighborhood steering committees, as well as to hospitals, schools and shopping centers. Some people living near Gonzaga University, Gonzaga Prep, and NorthTown Mall have said on-street parking has become a problem in their neighborhoods.

But so far the only neighborhood seriously considering parking restrictions is the area near Gonzaga University.

The ordinance would require that 60 percent of the residents within a limited-parking area agree to the restrictions. Those who want parking permits would have to pay a fee, which would pay for signs and enforcement. But no one at this time knows what that fee would be.

Questions about the ordinance or comments should be directed to Bud Vokoun, city Transportation Department, City Hall, Room 200, 808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd., Spokane, WA 99201. (Telephone: 625-6432.) The deadline for comments is Feb. 26.

Northeast Superkids

For 28 months now, COPS Northeast has recognized a neighborhood “Superkid.”

Nominated by teachers and school staff, the kids are honored for doing something special to improve the neighborhood. Kids age 7 to 14 are eligible and the winner each month receives $100 cash from Dompier Oil.

Kids must live in the Bemiss, Cooper, Arlington, Regal, Whitman and Shaw school attendance areas districts.

Dorothy Smith, the volunteer who coordinates the program, is soliciting nominations from business owners, parents, neighbors or anyone else who knows of a deserving young person. Names can be submitted by calling COPS Northeast at 625-4442.

North Hill volunteers

Some 35 people turned out in the icy cold last week to get involved in community policing on the North Hill.

The meeting at Willard Elementary set up work groups to tackle such issues as street lighting, block and school watch, gang graffitti and neighborhood observation patrol.

The next step is to get volunteers certified and trained. For more information call 625-3300.

Valentine’s Day jump

For six hours on Valentine’s Day, Franklin Park Mall will be home to Side Steps, Nevada-Lidgerwood’s neighborhood jump rope team.

Team members will jump for six hours in the mall center court with jumpers trading positions every two hours. Sponsors are invited and all proceeds from the event will benefit “Growing up Winners” a mentorship program for at-risk teens.

To sponsor a team member or for information, call 489-3897.

That leaky water tank

The joke around Indian Trail concerns the problems with the new city water tank, which has been drained three times in an effort to fix a leak.

Recently, a diver went underwater to find the hole in the tank’s lining.

Word around the neighborhood is that there are plans for a new movie: “McDiver.”

, DataTimes