City takes up depot requests

SANDPOINT — The Historic Preservation Committee is asking the city to open negotiations with BNSF Railway to acquire the Sandpoint Depot.

The City Council’s Administrative Committee is taking up the request today at 5:30 p.m. at city hall.

The preservation committee is also seeking a commitment from Amtrak that it will continue to use depot and a decision whether the city should operate and maintain the depot or establish a nonprofit organization to lease and maintain the building.

Fire Chief Robert Tyler and police Chief Mark Lockwood are on the agenda to discuss the implementation of an ordinance to fine homeowners and merchants for repeated false alarm calls in the city, which tie up city resources.

The measure is meant to curtail excessive false alarm activations, not generate funds, city officials have said. Home and business owners would not be penalized for their first two activations in a calendar year, although they would face escalating penalties for subsequent false alarms.

The penalties start at $150 for a third violation and climb to $1,000 for ten or more violations.

The council voted in September to remand the matter back to the Administrative Committee for further discussion.

The Administrative Committee is also slated to consider whether the city’s recently published “Outstanding Trees of Sandpoint” book should be offered for sale to the public and the use of banners in commercial zones.