Six apply for vacant council position

Dennis Paul bid farewell to fellow Liberty Lake City Council members Tuesday night at City Hall.

Fellow council members took a few minutes to thank Paul for his efforts over the past six years before introducing six applicants for his vacant position.

“He served as a mentor for me,” said Mayor Pro-tem Patrick Jenkins. “Dennis has a great mind for details, he really studies through an issue. For me, that’s part of what I learned from Dennis is the details, and that’s probably what I’ll miss the most.”

Paul had a few parting remarks of his own.

“It’s been incredibly difficult at times; it’s been incredibly rewarding,” he said. “When you’re in the midst of things it’s hard to see what’s going on but as we finished up here, when you look back and see what’s been done it’s pretty amazing.”

The council will conduct public interviews May 1 with candidates vying to fill Paul’s seat. Each will be asked identical questions and the public will have an opportunity to hear the answers before the council appoints its new member.

The applicants are Sheila Bell, Josh Buehner, Roger Holmquist, Neal Olander, Susan Schuler and Roger Stroud. The person appointed must run for election in November to fill out the remaining two years of the term.

The council’s last appointment came in 2002 and endured three executive sessions before Jenkins was chosen. Jenkins said he doubts this appointment will be as tedious.

Also Tuesday, Matt Jacoby of Bernardo Wills Architects PC presented the council with preliminary plans for the $10 million civic center.

He said it’s been a challenge to fit 162 parking spots into his plans along with the Civic Center and Library while leaving extra room for future construction.

The Civic Center will accommodate about 200 people.

Debate focused on the parking lot at the meeting, whether it should be expanded or built partially until the Civic Center is completed.

Council member Judi Owens said there was no harm in building it now, the lot could be modified later. The 18,500-square-foot complex will feature a Civic Center, a two-story library and a spacious community center joining the two.

Jacoby also touched on plans for an outdoor amphitheater. It will consist of stone or brick with a concrete stage and will measure 46-feet-by-32-feet.