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A talent show. The mayor's ball. An official ribbon-cutting at
City Hall.
Fun times all.
But the central event that unites them - the official incorporation
date of the city of Spokane Valley - occurs Monday.
And for some, it's more than just a party.
"As far as I'm concerned, it's a dream come true," said
Ed Mertens.
Mertens, a longtime Valley resident and businessman who was one
of the principal architects of the latest - and final - movements
to incorporate a city of Spokane Valley, plans to attend tomorrow
night's mayor gala. He'll also be there when the ribbon is cut at
the interim City Hall at Redwood Plaza on Monday afternoon. After
four previous incorporation failures and plenty of unexpected hurdles
in the months leading up to the May 21, 2002, incorporation vote,
Mertens feels he deserves it.
"There more obstacles I had to overcome, the more determined
I was to do it," Mertens said.
Though the stars and planets didn't align for Mertens to ascend
to a city council seat last November - he lost to Steve Taylor -
Mertens has kept a steady eye on what many consider to be his baby.
"I'm just tickled to death," he said. "The council's
been doing the right thing."
With a projected $3.4 million surplus for 2003 (see
story on this page), it would seem the city of Spokane Valley
has lots to celebrate.
The city is poised to open a planning/building/permit center Monday.
It was the one major area that the City Council did not want to
contract with Spokane County. All pending land use applications
will be transferred from the county to the new city Monday.
Lee Walton, interim city manager, predicts there may be some delays
for those projects that were already in the works. But he says his
staff is ready to go, and no building moratorium will be necessary.
"We've got a few loose ends, but we've done most everything
that needs to be done," he said. "I'm pretty comfortable."
Work is progressing on assembling a planning commission. A comprehensive
plan for Spokane Valley will have to be approved, and an interim
plan was to be considered Thursday.
After a city manager is hired - interviews should take place in
the next couple of weeks - planners will also look at future transportation
and road improvements. A lot of the work will involve securing grants,
Walton said.
The city will also take over nine parks within its boundaries from
Spokane County, along with three swimming pools. Spokane County
will likely be contracted to maintain the parks initially.
The council has already agreed to contract with the sheriff's office
for $11.5 million, which will maintain the current level of service
provided. A police force of 101 officers will operate out of the
Sprague Avenue substation.
The city will also continue its relationship with Fire District
1. A formal annexation vote must take place to seal the deal in
the future.
Final decisions are still pending for animal control and library
services, though it is likely the latter will be provided through
the Spokane Regional Library District.
The council has already said it is supportive of the Mirabeau Point
CenterPlace project and will work with the Spokane Public Facility
District, with the caveat it will not commit to anything financially
that will impair the city's good credit.
The council will also review the county's proposal for a new waste
water treatment plant.
A four-year lease on space at Redwood Plaza has been secured for
the interim City Hall.
Want to go?
There are plenty of events commemorating the official incorporation
of the city of Spokane Valley.
Tonight (Friday, March 28th) there will be a talent show at Trent
Elementary School, 3303 N. Pines, at 7. Tickets are $3 for adults,
$2 for seniors and students, and children 6 and under get in free.
Also this evening, the Valley Firefighters Association will hold
a wine tasting and auction at 6:00 p.m. at Decades at University
City.
Saturday night at 6:00 p.m., the mayor's ball - featuring
dinner and dancing to the Spokane Jazz Orchestra - will take place
at the Spokane Valley DoubleTree, Mission and Sullivan. Tickets
are $30 apiece and available through TicketsWest outlets.
Monday, the official incorporation ceremony and ribbon cutting
will occur at the interim City Hall at Redwood Plaza, 11707 E. Sprague,
at 4:30 p.m.
An open house of city offices will follow until 6:00 p.m.
For more information, call City Hall at (509) 921-1000.
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