City Council, water and sewer district agree to joint meeting
Sewer district commissions are saying that a proposed joint meeting between Liberty Lake’s City Council and sewer and water district officials is a go.
During a Tuesday council meeting, Commissioner Tom Agnew told the City Council that the commissioners favor the city’s recent proposal, which calls for a joint agenda, approved by both sides, and offered a choice of three meeting dates.
“I look forward to a joint meeting soon between the district commissioners and your council,” Agnew said.
Earlier in the day, Commissioner Frank Boyle said he supports the idea and knows that Commissioner Harley Halverson, who has been out of town, also is agreeable.
“We want it to happen,” Boyle said.
If the initial meeting goes well, the two entities could adopt the joint forum and start addressing huge city and regional water issues.
Those issues include water conservation and water quality of the Spokane River and Liberty Lake. Improving river and lake water will likely mean reducing phosphorous in household wastewater and fertilizers.
Phosphorous is a culprit in feeding unwanted algae that gobble up the water’s dissolved oxygen, which supports fish.
The city and sewer district could also collaborate on how to secure additional water rights for thousands of homes that are slated for construction.
The sewer district, which took a pioneering role in instituting a ban on laundry detergent containing phosphorous, 30 years ago, will likely go a step further and call for a ban on dishwasher detergent containing phosphorous.
Liberty Lake explores recreational possibilities
The Liberty Lake City Council is considering partnering with Sports USA to offer parks and recreation programs.
Kert Carlson, founder of Sports USA, presented information detailing the benefits of partnering to market and offer sports and fitness programs for children and adults.
Sports USA is located just over a mile away from the city’s current limits and is in the proposed 644-acre annexation area.
The versatile facility has convertible courts that cater to basketball, volleyball, gymnastics, dance, indoor soccer and other recreational activities. It also has an exercise room and an indoor walking track.
Council members were interested in scheduling a workshop to further examine the possibility.
The city has placed a priority on parks and recreation and has held several public meetings to determine the community’s recreational wants and needs.
Officials plan to use that feedback to make decisions about future parks and programs.
After the meeting, Carlson said the two entities could partner for programs and the city could also work toward purchasing the facility.
The center could double for community activities and attract tourist dollars from regional and national competitions.
Sports USA is hosting Pacific Northwest Volleyball Qualifiers, an 84-team event, this weekend. The National Junior Badminton Championship, which features 250 top players from throughout the country and world, is coming to the complex this summer.
Carlson said the potential to attract large events would multiply if the city purchases the complex.
“We have to have a city behind us. A city can market all those venues.”