Contract for court fees, jail costs approved

With a warning from the mayor and an angry rebuke from a council member, Liberty Lake’s City Council on Tuesday night begrudgingly approved a contract with Spokane County for court fees and jail costs.

The contract, which retroactively takes effect last January, was four months late, causing council member Brian Sayrs to issue a stern statement announcing his displeasure with the county’s delay.

It’s time for Spokane County to figure out what its job is,” Sayrs said, noting he would vote no on the agreement. “They need to get this contract in before its effective date. There has been a failure over there, and they’ve got to work it out.”

Mayor Steve Peterson urged staffers to attach a letter to the returned, signed contract noting the city’s displeasure with the delay.

Council member David Crump voted to approve the agreement, but noted the county has been late with the agreement every year of the city’s incorporation.

“This does not make sense, and it’s not how we conduct government business or personal business,” he said.

The council amended two previously passed matters, the first setting standards for city credit card use, and the second making sure the city is repaid in case its land is used for the proposed light rail project.

Leaving applications with the council, Spokane Valley Fire Capt. Bruce Hamner discussed the Community Emergency Response Team program, designed to kick in during natural disasters and other large-scale emergencies.

The nationwide program involves training interested community members to handle and organize large-scale emergencies.

“During a natural disaster our resources are going to be stretched thin,” Hamner said. “This trains citizens to take care of themselves, their families and their community.”

Liberty Lake may seem like a safe place, but terrorist attacks, hazardous spills on Interstate 90 or earthquakes could cause large problems, Hamner said.

The council also discussed the upcoming spring clean up on May 6. The cleanup allows citizens to take yard waste to Pavillion Park for dumping, and the city foots the bill for removing the waste.

Peterson suggested the city pay for a garbage truck to visit each neighborhood and get waste for those unable to transport it. Staffers said they would look into the possibility.