Memorial Field measure placed on November ballot

SANDPOINT — The City Council had a busy — if somewhat confused — meeting Wednesday evening.

The council first considered language for a ballot measure that would ask voters to approve a 1-percent, five-year taxing option intended to fund reconstruction of the War Memorial Field and other park work.

There was some concern that the proposed ballot language was too vague in terms of what was being funded, and what the spending priority might be for the money collected. Those issues, some councilors felt, might deter some voters from supporting the measure.

Councilwoman Shannon Williamson asked city staff to elaborate on the term “parks infrastructure” that the ballot language said some of the money collected would be used toward.

That infrastructure, according to Parks and Recreation Director Kim Woodruff, included two larger parks infrastructure projects: repaving City Beach Park, at an estimated cost of $627,616, and $187,436 for paving Travers Park.

“This would provide the opportunity to possibly get to these projects,” Woodruff said.

Woodruff emphasized that the money collected was prioritized for, first, the reconstruction of the grandstand at Memorial Field, and second, renovation of the facility’s field.

The city, he said, had invested $10,000 on consultants to develop a tight construction estimate. That report was due “within the month,” he said.

Council members felt ballot language could be clearer.

“I think it’s important to articulate what ‘parks infrastructure’ entails,” Williamson said, quoting the proposed ballot language. “And also, since there is an emphasis on prioritization, that really doesn’t come through here.”

The council, with the help of City Attorney Scot Campbell, discussed ballot language changes. Although no specific language changes were agreed upon — Campbell read some possible revisions that he called “to the effect” — that prioritized and clarified the ballot language.

The council voted to unanimously to place the tax measure on the November ballot as revised.

The council also considered the confirmation of Aaron Qualls to the post of the city planning and economic development director. There was much praise and a little good-natured ribbing of Qualls, who, in contrast to the generally more relaxed attire found at City Council meetings, was dressed in a suit and tie.

Then Qualls was sworn in, and the meeting adjourned. Sort of.

As council members and the audience dispersed, one citizen came forward and approached Campbell.

“Did they vote on the appointment?” the man asked.

It turns out the council didn’t. The council was quickly reconvened, absent Councilwoman Williamson, who had already left, and a vote to appoint Qualls to the position was held.

Qualls was confirmed to the post unanimously.