In brief: Liberty Lake approves snow removal contract

LIBERTY LAKE – In time for the biggest snowfall of the season so far, the city of Liberty Lake approved a three-year renewal of its snow removal contract with Peplinski Excavation.

The city has had a contract with Peplinski since 2001. At the time the city administrator said the rates were much cheaper than the city could get from Spokane County.

The new contract was approved last month by the Liberty Lake City Council in a 6-1 vote. Councilman Odin Langford cast the lone vote against the deal.

The rates the city agreed to pay for the 2014-15 season were handwritten and faxed to the city by Peplinski. The cost of a full city plow will rise 10 percent to $4,875 because of an increased number of streets.

The city also will pay $1.50 per gallon for de-icer and $60 for a ton of traction sand.

Scouts collecting Christmas trees

SPOKANE VALLEY – Boy Scout Troop 400 is collecting natural Christmas trees for recycling on Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at University High School, 12420 E. 32nd Ave., and at Central Valley High School, 821 S. Sullivan Road.

The suggested donation for each tree is $5.

All donations go directly to the Boy Scout troop and its activities.

Sunshine Disposal provides trash bins and recycling services for free for the event.

For more information visit www.troop400.net/trees.

Councilman Bates excused while ill

SPOKANE VALLEY – Spokane Valley City Councilman Bill Bates has been excused from five City Council meetings since Nov. 17 while undergoing cancer treatment at Deaconess Hospital.

He is responding well to treatment and very thankful for all the well-wishes he has received, according to his wife, Kathy Bates.

The councilman is a longtime Spokane Valley resident. He retired from Rosauers as vice president of retail operations in 1987. He served on the Valley Planning Commission from 2011 through 2013, and he joined the City Council in 2014.

His term expires in 2017.