Cheney council extends temporary zoning ordinance

The Cheney City Council Council voted to extend an interim zoning ordinance to deal with conflicts in zoning regulations at its meeting last week, said Cynthia Niemeier, director of finance.

This emergency ordinance was originally passed in June to clean up language and resolve any conflicts that appear in the current zoning code. The original ordinance was to last 180 days.

Brian Jennings, community development director of Cheney, presented the extension of this ordinance to the council. The department needs an extension in order to hold a public hearing with the Planning Commission and to bring the revised zoning code to the council for approval.

Niemeier said Jennings doesn’t expect this process to last another 180 days.

•In other council business, Joe Noland, director of Cheney Light, asked the council for direction into looking into opportunities to lease the city’s fiber optics to businesses and perhaps the school district.

The plan could generate more revenue for the city. The presentation was an information item for the council and no action was taken.

•The city also presented Mike Jung, a former Fire Department training resident, with a plaque for service to the city. Jung found other employment and has moved forward in his career.

•Niemeier said the street department sought approval to purchase a new dump truck which was included in the 2009 budget.

The truck will replace truck No. 212, which has been need of repairs.

•The council also approved the final budget amendments to the 2008 city budget. Amendments were made to the budgets of the criminal justice department, parks and recreation, contributions and donations and the mechanical shop.

The next City Council meeting will be Jan. 13.