Council To Consider Neighborhood Advisers

Mon., Sept. 11, 1995

Kristina Johnson Staff Writer

A proposal hailed as a way to narrow the communication gap between Spokane City Hall and neighborhoods comes before the council for approval tonight.

Under the plan, neighborhoods would elect councils to serve as advisers to the City Council, recommending actions or policies on issues such as housing, land use, zoning and social programs.

Molly Myers, an assistant to the city manager, along with Mayor Jack Geraghty and council members Phyllis Holmes and Chris Anderson, spent nearly two years working on the plan through a series of community meetings.

The program divides the city into 19 neighborhoods. After the councils are up and running, neighborhoods could decide to change their boundaries, Myers said.

“This is a starting point which we asked neighborhoods to live with for a year period of time,” she said.

Each neighborhood would set its own bylaws and hold periodic meetings.

The program includes plans for a community assembly, where representatives from neighborhood councils would meet to address city-wide issues.

A neighborhood liaison would be hired by the city to help each neighborhood set up its council. The liaison would then help coordinate council and assembly meetings, link staff to residents with concerns and help with council mailings and newsletters.

The annual cost of the neighborhood council program is about $59,000, including the liaison’s salary. The council set aside $200,000 in this year’s budget for the program.

While Councilman Joel Crosby said he worries the plan does nothing more than add another layer of government, Geraghty said it will help restore the public’s trust.

Also tonight, the council will take testimony on the Indian Trail Specific Plan.

Under the plan, no more than 3,324 new living units would be allowed. Planned unit developments would be required to have less density and fewer gates and fences.

The plans calls for the formation of a park improvement district and the collection of impact fees on new developments.

Many residents contend the plan fails to address existing problems such as density and traffic. A moratorium on new plats in Indian Trail expires Sept. 30.

A briefing for residents begins at 3 p.m. in the council briefing center on the lower level of City Hall, 808 W. Spokane Falls Boulevard. The council briefing starts at 3:30 p.m.

The regular meeting begins at 6 p.m. in council chambers.

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