Street fight could slow snow removal

SANDPOINT — A short, 20-minute council meeting nevertheless contained some important city announcements.

At the top of the meeting, Public Works Director Kody Van Dyk cautioned council members and meeting attendees to expect slower snow removal services than previous years. This is primarily due to the ongoing legal battle for revenue from the Independent Highway District, he said.

That means residents should expect slower snow plowing due to lack of funds for additional operators or overtime funding. Priority will be placed on the most commonly-used routes, especially during snow storms. Meanwhile, residential streets might not be cleared on the same day. Likewise, the downtown may not see full snow removal if snowstorms arrive frequently.

Good news for supporters of Memorial Field followed the snowplow announcement. Council members passed a resolution restating their commitment to the venerable field, the frequent site of school sporting events or concerts like the Festival at Sandpoint.

“The city supports the prospect that the park facility remain open to use by community groups,” the resolution reads.

According to Councilwoman Carrie Logan, representatives from local groups like the Friends of Memorial Field are seeking declarations of support as they mobilize upcoming fundraising campaigns. Community organizers will be seeking a similar resolution from the Lake Pend Oreille School District, another major stakeholder in the process.

The city has long been a major partner in the effort to restore the field’s crumbling grandstands. In 2012, officials went so far as to propose a 0.5-percent local option tax on retail purchases to fund grandstand reconstruction. Voters failed to generate the 60-percent supermajority required to pass the initiative, although more than half voted in favor.

Council members also examined a request from resident Paul Reichold to move a power pole obstructing an alley on Washington Avenue. An approximately $9,000 expense, the issue might be resolved through the city’s franchise agreement with Avista Utilities. Council members tabled the issue until the second December council meeting.

An item regarding the adoption of an official city flag was removed from the agenda prior to the meeting.