Crow fills City Council position

Newly appointed Spokane city Councilman Rob Crow was sworn in to office Monday evening, closing months of political uncertainty stemming from the Mayor Jim West scandal.

The 36-year-old bake-ware manufacturer takes over the northwest District 3 council seat vacated by Council President Joe Shogan, who was appointed this month to fill the vacancy created when Dennis Hession moved from council president to mayor.

Crow was joined by his wife, Ruth, and three daughters as city Clerk Terri Pfister administered the oath in the council chambers at City Hall.

Crow, who lives in the Five Mile Prairie area, holds a business degree from the University of Southern California and owns his bake-pan business with his father. It has 35 employees.

In his first legislative vote, Crow joined a unanimous council in agreeing to return $850,000 in cash and physical assets to the general fund left over from two departments eliminated in 2005 budget cuts. The work of the two departments was merged with other operations to save money, but their accounts were kept open until now.

Some of the money could be used to restore grant funding to human services agencies that provide health care to low-income residents and schooling to homeless children. Financial managers at City Hall also have recommended keeping some of the cash in reserve to protect against budget downturns.

Hession and Shogan said Monday they both want to end budget problems that have plagued city government. Shogan has appointed an ad hoc council committee to come up with ways to enhance city revenue, and Hession said he is seeking ways to save money.

The city cut 150 jobs for 2005 and was facing more cuts for 2006 before voters approved a modest increase in the property tax and the council voted to increase the tax on city-owned utilities. Both tax increases are for two years.

Budget forecasts show the city could face a cash shortfall of $11 million in 2008 when the tax increases are to expire.

Tree removal may get new look

Also Monday, Councilman Brad Stark said he plans to introduce a resolution asking Hession to reconsider the removal of two dozen trees along Bernard Street between 14th and 29th avenues as part of street reconstruction. Residents near the project pleaded to keep the trees during Monday’s public forum session of the council.

Stark said he also wants the city to consider zoning changes at 44th and Regal that could block a new Wal-Mart there.

He said the store could snarl traffic and damage a wetland.