Council contemplates speed bumps

Drivers on South Riverway and Empire Avenue could soon find a bump in the road.

At the Millwood City Council’s regular Monday night meeting, project manager Matt Gillis presented a contract with Welch Comer and Associates to design a traffic-calming device for both roads and oversee construction this fall.

The traffic project is a result of public complaints and residents’ testimony over several years. The Council decided to take this action during a special traffic meeting in May.

Currently, the city is evaluating installing either a speed bump or dip, as well as looking at costs for both.

Contract approval was delayed because Councilman Kevin Freeman questioned some of the provisions in the contract.

“There are things in here that are not quite spelled out,” Freeman said.

Freeman asked City Attorney Brian Werst to review the contract, especially regarding specific requirements for a municipality.

Werst said he was in the process of developing a master public works contract for the city that might address the current contract concerns. He said it would be completed next week.

Once Welch Comer and Associates completes the designs, Mayor Dan Mork proposed conducting a special public meeting to present them in September. Construction could begin soon after design approval.

Gillis further proposed developing a traffic-calming program for the city. The program would provide a standardized method of receiving traffic concerns, as well as identifying funding sources to address complaints and implement solutions.

“It gives citizens a road map,” Gillis said about the program.

The Council approved the proposed traffic-calming program, giving Gillis the green light to begin development.

“If we have a procedure like this, everybody knows what needs to be done,” Freeman said. “I think it’s a real good idea.”

In other city news, the Council unanimously approved an ordinance establishing a teen advisory council following an address by Kelly Hansen requesting approval.

“What we are asking for you guys to do, is review it and hopefully pass it,” Hansen said about the ordinance. “Because it would be really helpful to have an official teen council in this town so that teens can get involved in the government and have a place to voice their opinions.”

Werst, who assisted in drafting the ordinance, commended the new five-member board on their efforts.

“They did a great job,” Werst said. “It’s a great program for city.”

The Council also approved a contract with Varela Engineers to evaluate the city’s water system as part of a water-use efficiency plan, adopted in June.

Originally estimated at $38,000, the approved contract came in at approximately $20,000 after months of negotiation.

The Council also approved a contract joining the Municipal Research and Services Center of Washington rosters program.

The online program is a shared, small public works and consultant roster used to qualify contractors and consultants for projects and solicit bids.

Resident Dan Hansen voiced concerns over 30 proposed riverfront docks during public comments. The docks are planned as part of the new Coyote Ridge subdivision, east of Millwood in the city of Spokane Valley.

“Currently the project is being appealed in Spokane Superior Court by the Department of Ecology,” Hansen said. “All I would ask is that the city considers signing on in whatever capacity would be appropriate.”

Mork commented that he has heard several concerns over the possible impact the docks would have on the Millwood shoreline. He, along with the Council, agreed to investigate the matter and understand the options available to the city.