Council To Debate Fate Of Public Forum Members May Push Citizen Comment To End Of Their Regular Meetings

Two new Spokane City Council members leap into the middle of an old controversy tonight when they join their colleagues for a debate on the fate of the public forum.

Last month, the council put off plans to move the forum so new members Roberta Greene and Jeff Colliton could take part in the discussion.

Most members hope to take the forum off cable television and move it back to the end of meetings where it had been for years.

The 30-minute segment dedicated to people’s complaints and compliments about city activities has been a source of contention since the council relocated it last summer.

The council moved the forum from its normal spot at the end of meetings to the beginning in hopes of drumming up a variety of public input. They also decided to televise the previously unaired segment.

Council members complain the combination was a dismal failure that attracted only a few people who came back repeatedly with the same gripes, tirades and threats.

Outgoing Councilman Joel Crosby called it an “attention-getting device” that served as therapy for some and a campaign vehicle for others.

Even if the forum is moved back, those who plan to testify will have to sign up by 6 p.m.

Also tonight, the council will consider:

Increasing the contract with Spokane COPS from $60,000 to $75,000 a year.

Last year, the city shifted police department money earmarked for community-oriented policing to the non-profit organization.

In the past nine months, Spokane COPS has seen phenomenal growth such as new substations and more programs, said Director Cheryl Steele.

The organization needs more money to keep up with its expansion, including converting a part-time position to full time, Steele said.

Placing three downtown buildings on the Spokane Register of Historic Places. Those include: the Davenport Hotel, 807 W. Sprague and 512 S. Post; the Symons Building, 525 W. Sprague; and the Globe Hotel, 204 N. Division.

Setting levies for special assessments on business in the Downtown Spokane Parking Business Improvement Area.

Reducing the tax on non-profit bingo games 3 percent over three years.

The games currently are taxed at 10 percent, but non-profit directors for years have complained the region’s expanded gambling avenues are destroying their business.

All gambling taxes combined, including those on pull tabs and punchboards, bring in about $1.5 million a year, said Budget Director Ken Stone.

Lowering the tax on non-profits will reduce the city’s gambling tax revenues by $40,000 in 1996, Stone said.

A briefing for residents begins at 3 p.m. in the lower-level conference room of City Hall, 808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd.

The council’s briefing starts at 3:30 p.m. and the meeting begins at 6 p.m.

, DataTimes