Student Advisory Council proposed

Young people may soon have a bigger voice in Liberty Lake if a new Student Advisory Council is approved.

The City Council discussed creating the student-run board during its meeting Tuesday night, held in Pavillion Park as part of the National Night Out festivities.

“This is something we’ve talked about doing for years,” said Councilman Patrick Jenkins. “This will be a great opportunity for young people to have a voice.”

Liberty Lake residents Megin Klegin and Yanek Kondryszyn, both Central Valley High School students, spoke about forming the Student Advisory Council.

The board would likely consist of about 13 students in eighth through 12th grades. The board would offer its perspective on issues to the City Council and would be active in the community, attending various committee meetings and hosting events for young people.

Kondryszyn gave council members a proposed set of guidelines to create the board, as well as some proposed activities. The council will take up the matter at its next meeting, Aug. 15.

Also during the meeting, which featured free ice cream from a local resident, the city gave the final nod to a large addition to the River Crossing development.

The 200-plus home addition was approved by Spokane County before the land was annexed by Liberty Lake. The city gave its approval to the plan, as well.

At its next meeting, the council also plans to discuss impact fees. The city is considering charging its own impact fees to new homes in the city and hopes to use those funds to pay for a new school within the city limits.