Council tackling ongoing issues

SANDPOINT - The City Council is set to tackle a full slate of issues at its Wednesday meeting, many for the second or third time this year.

It has been five months since the council first took up the issue of replacing the roof on the Farmin Park bandstand, which was removed last spring after years of weather damage.

The council has so far been unable to agree on what, if anything, should be done with the space. After tabling the issue at its November meeting to gather input from representatives from Sandpoint's Farmers Market, the council will again attempt to resolve the issue this Wednesday.

The council will also decide on how best to settle an ongoing dispute with the Syringa Water District. According to figures compiled by Sandpoint Treasurer Shannon Syth, the district has accrued $524,220 in overage fees since 2003.

At its December meeting, the Public Works Committee voted to reach a settlement with the district that would lower its half-million-dollar fee to approximately $5,500.

Another often-contentious issue making its way back to the council is the city's November decision to apply for another Safe Routes to School grant. After hearing complaints from several local business owners about a Highway 2 crosswalk that would have been funded by a similar grant, the council voted in August to turn down nearly $77,825 from the Safe Routes to School program.

The council declared its intend to apply for another Safe Routes grant at its November meeting, but tabled the issue for a month to allow public input from those who would be affected by the project.

Ken Sorenson from Idaho Transportation Department will also attend the session to update the council on construction of the U.S. Highway 95 Bypass and the use of Bridge Street for hauling materials.

The council will meet at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at City Hall.