Council To Hear More On 3 Touchy Issues
Three controversial topics - a lease with the Pacific Science Center, a study of an odor-plagued compost plant and a review board that looks into complaints of police misconduct - top tonight’s Spokane City Council agenda.
The council plans a public hearing on a proposal to overhaul the Citizens Review Panel, replacing it with a smaller board that has greater access to police records.
Council members also will hear a report on a contract leasing the Riverfront Park pavilion to the Seattle-based Pacific Science Center and decide whether to go forward with a $25,000 odor study at the north Spokane compost plant.
A committee appointed by Mayor Jack Geraghty to revise the review panel unveiled its proposals at last week’s meeting. Public testimony wasn’t taken then, but will be tonight.
The council won’t vote on the plan until next week.
The committee proposes replacing the troubled review panel with the Citizens’ Review Commission, which would be smaller - seven members instead of 11 - and consist of one retired police officer, one retired judge or attorney and five Spokane residents.
Almost no one seemed happy with the review panel’s progress last fall. Some complained it was too big, others said it had no authority. Still others said the police department was uncooperative.
Geraghty formed the committee when it looked like the panel couldn’t survive the controversy.
Under the new plan, Police Chief Terry Mangan would decide whether a complaint involves a question of police procedure or misconduct. Only misconduct complaints would be forwarded to the commission.
Commission members first would review a condensed complaint before deciding whether to have a hearing.
After a hearing, members could get access to an entire case file, but their review would be limited to the police department’s investigation.
A complaint deemed valid would be sent on to the Public Safety Committee, which would decide whether to forward the complaint to the full City Council.
Also tonight, the council will:
Hear more about a proposed contract leasing the pavilion to the science center for 20 years with options for two 10-year renewals.
The Park Board recently approved the lease, along with a separate five-year services contract requiring the city and Park Board to pay the center $400,000 annually for two years, reducing the amount thereafter. The proposed lease and services contract have drawn criticism from some residents who say the plan is too costly and could destroy Riverfront Park.
Council members get final say on the contract. They don’t plan to take testimony tonight, but will hold a special hearing on the issue March 2.
Decide whether to go ahead with a $25,000 study of ways to control odor at the regional compost plant.
Hundreds of complaints from neighbors caused the council to temporarily close the plant last fall.
Some council members don’t think taxpayers should be forced to pay for the study. They think O.M. Scott - the company paid to manage the plant - should foot the bill.
Consider nearly $81,000 in add-ons to the contract for the Wall Street Trolley project.
Weather delays, extensive utility work and tents to keep the crew working during bad weather inflated the original $1.3 million price tag, said Bill Pupo, assistant city manager.
During last week’s briefing, Geraghty expressed exasperation with the project.
“I don’t feel a sense that we’re moving ahead with this thing,” he said.
“That’s just not so,” said City Manager Roger Crum, adding that laying bricks on Wall Street was an extremely “weather-sensitive” process.
Councilwoman Phyllis Holmes jumped in with a little levity, saying she probably had more patience with the situation because “My house has been under construction three years. Every year, it’s been going to be done by Christmas.”
xxxx MEETING The City Council meets at 6 p.m. in City Hall.