Sidewalks, water topped council's discussion

Currently two important city issues are sidewalks and water. Sidewalks are being promoted in older parts of town by relative newcomers who are not necessarily sensitive to the financial limitations of some of our residents.

Amendments to the proposed sidewalk LID were introduced at our February meeting. The council supported freeing some dollars to increase the city’s contribution, eliminated sidewalks on Fourth Avenue south of Pacific and reduced the width from 5 feet to 4 feet in residential areas. A motion to put sidewalks on only one side of the street resulted in a tie with the mayor voting no. Development of a deferred payment plan for financial need passed and will be explored before the March meeting. Good compromises were offered and most were accepted by a majority. The process has been unnecessarily messy and the council now hopefully sees pitfalls to avoid if LIDs are considered in the future.

Sandpoint’s water boundaries have long extended beyond our city limits into Ponderay and Kootenai, Ponder Point and Whiskey Jack with water sales to the Northside and Syringa water districts. In September 1985, the City Council adopted a law that no hookups shall be approved to property outside the water boundaries. Without repealing or amending that law, the mayor broke a tie vote of the council (Lockwood/Hawkins/Snedden versus Boge/Newton/Logan).

The city will provide water east of Kootenai outside the water boundaries to two developments that will include 217 homes, 10 multi-family and three commercial units. The developers say and four elected officials believe this will spread the cost of future improvements. However, could future improvements be modified or reduced if Sandpoint didn’t have to deliver the water so far and to so many? At the meeting developer Jeff Bond said: “Our goal is to create workforce housing” and “This will create lower rates for users.” His statements are a matter of public record.

You can influence the outcome of debate on city issues. Contact your city council members to let them know what you think. I believe it is our duty to stay vigilant and to be involved. Whenever you wonder what issues are being discussed, please call me to ask. I will soon be proposing a way to keep the public informed before rather than after the vote. I can always be reached at 263-4950 or snhnewton@verizon.net. I look forward to hearing from you.

Helen Newton is a councilwoman for the city of Sandpoint.