Improvements to city’s major intersection discussed

Liberty Lake may soon see a major improvement to one of its main roads.

At a retreat of the City Council Tuesday evening, Mayor Steve Peterson used a whiteboard sketch to unveil plans for the portion of Liberty Lake Road between Appleway and Country Vista Drive.

Though the improvements are still in early planning stages, the ideas paint a picture of what the city may hope to accomplish in the near future, Peterson said.

“This is a home run project,” said Mayor Pro Tem Patrick Jenkins. “You have a window of opportunity here.”

The plans would allow for resurfacing of Liberty Lake Road, as well as burying Avista power lines below ground, providing irrigation to the area of the new pedestrian bridge, and providing an “entry statement,” such as signs, welcoming visitors to the city.

Peterson also said the plans allow for a Founders Corner plaza at the intersection of Liberty Lake and Country Vista and provide an opportunity to turn that intersection into a roundabout, removing the light.

“There are a bunch of projects being taken care of at the same time,” said Councilman Brian Sayrs.

The Liberty Lake Road project was one of many forward-looking ideas the council approached during its retreat.

Council members discussed how to best take action on their 2007 legislative agenda, noting that action and planning should be done as early as possible, saving money on airfare and getting their message out better.

City staff members presented the council with a five-year budget plan that looked forward to 2011. In that time, city Finance Director Arlene Fisher said she expects population to increase from 6,550 to 8,765. City Community Planning Director Doug Smith discussed the possible routes the city can take in choosing public works projects.

The council discussed increasing the age of the temporary workers hired to do seasonal work for the Planning and Community Development department. The city will begin marketing heavily in the areas’ colleges, Smith said. College students often leave for school later and get out earlier, which would be more useful to the city, he said.

Mayor Steve Peterson renewed his push for school impact fees. Though the Central Valley School District was unable to pass a recent school bond, council members wondered whether impact fees on new construction in the city limits would allow them to have a school built in the city. The city attorney plans to return at an upcoming council meeting to tell the council if the plan would fit with state law.