Spokane City Council Faces Two Transportation Issues

Few meetings and business activities are scheduled during this (hopefully) peaceful holiday week, but there are some exceptions.

Spokane’s City Council on Monday may deal with two transportation-related issues of importance.

First is discussion about what to do following the Shoreline Hearings Board’s determination last week - on a 3-3 vote - that the much-debated Lincoln Street Bridge was not considered essential to Spokane’s transportation system. The tie vote last week upheld the state Department of Ecology’s denial of a permit to build the bridge which would span the lower falls of the Spokane River. One option would be an appeal to Superior Court.

The council also is scheduled to consider a joint resolution with county commissioners and the Spokane Airport Board authorizing the county to issue revenue bonds not to exceed $37 million to fund improvements to airport facilities and refund 1995 airport revenue bonds. County commissioners approved the measure last week. The City Council meeting begins at 6 p.m.

In other events this week:

Monday

The Treasury Department releases the federal budget report for November.

Tuesday

Deadline day for fuel tank owners, including gas stations, to meet the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Law which Congress passed in 1988. A number of rural-area gas stations are planning to close rather than replace tanks. The Environmental Protection Agency can levy fines of up to $11,000 a day for tanks not in compliance.

Federal Reserve policy makers are scheduled to meet and review interest rates.

Wednesday

The Spokesman-Review’s Christmas Bureau’s last day of operations. Those who need food vouchers may come until 3 p.m. The bureau is in the former Huckleberry’s store at Sprague and Sullivan in the Spokane Valley.

The Spokane Marketplace closes its doors at 1202 W. First. The public market has been leasing the site from Cowles Publishing Co., but could not renew its lease because a new building on the site will house broadcast facilities for KHQ-TV.

The Department of Commerce releases third quarter gross domestic product and corporate profits reports.

Thursday

Christmas Eve. Stock markets close at 1 p.m. EST, bond markets at 2 p.m.

The U.S. Department of Commerce releases its personal income report for November.

Federal government offices, except those deemed essential for national security reasons, close early.

Friday

Christmas day. Nearly all financial markets and institutions are closed. Schools and governmental agencies also are closed.

On the shelf For the week of Dec. 21 Business Week, Dec. 21: Cover story profiles Ken Chenault, who has breathed new life into once-troubled American Express Co. Cash or credit More than half of U.S. shoppers - a total of 55 percent - are using cash to pay for holiday purchases, according to a national survey commissioned by The Macerich Co. Among the rest, 24.4 percent will use a cash and credit combination; 13.6 percent will use general credit cards; 4.9 percent will use store credit cards and 2.1 percent hadn’t decided when the survey was taken. The study also found that the average American shopper will purchase gifts for 12 people, spending an average of $781.