Talbott, Rodgers Block Emergency Ordinance Would Have Formed Funds For River Park Square Project

Tue., Aug. 11, 1998

By Kathy Mulady kathymu@spokesman.com

Mayor John Talbott and Council woman Cherie Rodgers stopped an emergency ordinance Monday that would have formed two funds to account for grant and loan money related to the River Park Square project.

“I didn’t think it constituted an emergency,” said Rodgers.

Talbott said he still has too many questions about the issue and wants to make sure the city doesn’t have any unexpected costs.

He called in bond attorney Roy Koegen to answer questions about insurance on tax-exempt bonds for a parking garage the city has agreed to build for the shopping mall project. Talbott also wanted to know who would pay property taxes on the garage.

Koegen said the bonds are uninsured. He also said it could be specified in the contract who will pay taxes on the property.

“I think it would be good to have it in there for the protection of the citizens,” said Talbott.

Five votes are needed to pass an emergency ordinance. Phyllis Holmes was absent, leaving four council members in favor and two opposing the ordinance.

The emergency ordinance will be brought up for a vote again at the next City Council meeting.

In other council action:

Council approved a ballot title and summary for an initiative that would amend the city charter to elect six council members by district. Two council members would be elected from each of three districts.

Candidates would be required to live in the district before the election and during their terms.

The initiative is proposed by David Bray and the Spokane Policy Research Council.

Unless City Council takes action to move the matter to an earlier election, the initiative will appear on the November 1999 ballot.

Council also heard a report from Dorothy Webster, assistant city manager, on costs of the city establishing and operating a municipal court as a city department.

The city currently operates municipal court jointly with Spokane County.

Webster said one-time capital costs for a new building and furniture would run about $3.8 million.

Costs of hiring officers, secretaries, a court administrator and other administration expenses would total about $3.2 million annually.

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