[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6121365,"mediaKeyId","2703016-0cdbc9d4d040cc7afd37687e7327e1d7","parentId",2703016,"title","City introduces new staff and confirms city-clerk appointment","audioSeconds",317,"startMs",1409000,"endMs",1726000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2703016-0cdbc9d4d040cc7afd37687e7327e1d7&start=1409&end=1726","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2703016-0cdbc9d4d040cc7afd37687e7327e1d7/thumbnail_1409000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6121365/Liberty-Lake/Spokane-County/Washington/City-introduces-new-staff-and-confirms-city-clerk-appointment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6121365-5d9f51be4b8205d058a4f1f5b92a6fb4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770961592&Signature=Wf4rsFDxAQqOgtJpOw56v2OH-SkibGfB1S0NieXrywAAACK9wXE9GJAEDK16aUUDR1dNpY29GpeA8hzdcvfRKlzcvicgw4~GZKeGbKvp-LG1ma6araoOBdCBzDpWQTvpnwjMqSgF4~KmU3JmLs8z0Td4xHn2mgaFgKo2AD65OHGTl0denXeHdOA9zkZApzna7blelxdbwd~dWl2sFNofAEP2a5i8CH53zxhhjGu-I6hp8eK6XzvPjQifZLvF4dJzPt4F07XlE3D9xbYBmG-~3duMjHQNfSMjnz8xEy2Np227SUyUo8mqL6gVNnQ2YsUC3k31m1MeCJn~W78apod3sQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Liberty Lake City, WA","date","2025-03-19T15:59:06Z","article","The council introduced a cohort of new city employees on March 18 and confirmed a new city clerk.

City Administrator Mark and departmental leaders introduced recent hires and internal promotions: the police department has a new investigative/crime analyst (Michelle Saul); public works introduced Dan Maus as horticultural crew supervisor and certified arborist; the building-inspection team added Mike Blackwell (residential and commercial inspector certifications); and finance introduced Cody Melnyk as AP and procurement specialist. Staff also acknowledged internal promotions for Chris Kerrigan and Brandon DePaolo to crew-lead roles.

Separately, the council confirmed Rochelle Kayton (presented as Rochelle Kayton) as City Clerk by unanimous vote; Kayton described prior municipal administrative experience and said she plans a transition with the outgoing clerk. Council members welcomed staff and noted onboarding and coordination across departments.

The introductions were informational and did not require further council action beyond the clerk confirmation.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Liberty Lake City Council - March 18, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council met several new employees across departments and confirmed Rochelle Kayton as City Clerk; staff introductions included a crime analyst, horticultural lead, building inspector and finance procurement specialist.","taxTitle","Liberty Lake, Spokane County, Washington","taxId",52172,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6121370,"Police chief outlines data-driven crime prevention program and new analyst hire",319,932000,1251000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2703016-0cdbc9d4d040cc7afd37687e7327e1d7&start=932&end=1251","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2703016-0cdbc9d4d040cc7afd37687e7327e1d7/thumbnail_932000.jpg","/articles/6121370/Liberty-Lake/Spokane-County/Washington/Police-chief-outlines-data-driven-crime-prevention-program-and-new-analyst-hire","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6121370-087860a0378f1d1e7f24d8853cb891b6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770961592&Signature=o8kS4~5axLtnIXMxnGTi6sJgjJ7XnCYNk~djSg9C0B-X54Lt8-u0a6cSgdBN4b1H7IbZfxGQkvjHq4FNj09NPVS5~yg0vWNn2U0gNxtGD1daFO1m4Nv5iYydvlRYbIYMDvf~4upfZEHlI7UuD4jYD3Ze3TrIzsRT~NlughCWDrmZU9uoZCbqMjb4-fjoLPK7B2vJUL4m0-V0mJZb2EliprKc5pep040d872L6dTnIpqzvjhQkgUgapK6O7LnoExDbHkSQrhJcIhs-pyI93kKyHfeKs4pJipcWhGMyVFnh7yRxDhcG4kWCrFyWguqf36FQlClRo-D3hi6ujz3SFG6Mw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chief Simmons presented the Liberty Lake Police Department's crime-prevention program to the council on March 18, describing a shift toward data-driven patrols and community-focused prevention.

The chief said the department uses proactive and reactive tactics, including vehicle and foot patrols, bike patrols, prowl checks, emphasis patrols and public education. To support a more analytical approach, the department recently hired a crime analyst to process call and patrol data and help direct patrol resources. \"We really focused on documenting our crime prevention activities this year,\" the chief said, adding the analyst will help answer citizen questions such as \"how often are you in our neighborhood?\" Staff briefed council on how the crime-prevention program is classified within the city's priority-based budgeting (service type: community) and explained how personnel and nonpersonnel costs are allocated.

The chief said Liberty Lake continues to show low violent- and property-crime rates and referenced community-satisfaction survey results that show residents report feeling safer year to year. He also said the department aims to move up a statewide list of safest cities (the department cited a prior ranking of 19th). Council members thanked the chief for the program overview and the emphasis on documenting activities for transparency to residents.

The presentation was informational; council did not take any action on the program itself.","Liberty Lake Police Chief described the department's crime-prevention program, budget alignment in priority-based budgeting, and the recent hire of a crime analyst to support data-driven patrol and prevention work.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6121376,"Library trustees report rising cardholders, new digital services and partnerships; council appoints new trustee",452,2708000,3160000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2703016-0cdbc9d4d040cc7afd37687e7327e1d7&start=2708&end=3160","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2703016-0cdbc9d4d040cc7afd37687e7327e1d7/thumbnail_2708000.jpg","/articles/6121376/Liberty-Lake/Spokane-County/Washington/Library-trustees-report-rising-cardholders-new-digital-services-and-partnerships-council-appoints-new-trustee","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6121376-adfa529251a8ed61f386b86381ff0cce/orig.mp4?Expires=1770961592&Signature=RFzQHXKae5T0kWFvc1N51D3BjUg1gFDZZ0uXc7J6tXRxSXi7KGS-sBnCP6TSvfxQhtwmeu0CDSMULWqHfFESNYsL0YFcfLMaQZDictEBDBrIPViBVkjE6bqL6k75OdGjE5XrPMlqeQ4y~gWpfVi9A6uXo0ohHtNW3OY4dWcyvXdazfENskkIYt~3cWwNz5~UZfk66kwLR1rVAlctpv4P6YJ76C21H34fB69Y6C7u1X8vkAJjs9VWheMDFExfbZKsYNN35xat2EFOZi7ea1jYgp7jnxXfk0CDv5Baja5VLTDEET24YWNpDG~ml4ihmd6TZvwlIr5sXPHOc9bJqfgINQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Liberty Lake Library Board of Trustees presented 2024 usage statistics and programming updates at the March 18 council meeting and asked for continued council support as the board plans for future facilities.

Board member Janine told the council Liberty Lake library card registrations rose from about 6,505 in 2023 to 7,428 in 2024, and in-person visits grew from about 62,628 in 2023 to roughly 69,575 in 2024. Meeting-room reservations and study-room use also increased; the trustees said usage continues to grow and that physical collections remain important for children and older patrons even as ebook borrowing rises.

Trustees and staff described new digital offerings. The library added Mango Languages (language-learning app) and Kanopy streaming; staff integrated those services into the library catalog so search results point patrons to the apps. The board also reported renewed partnerships with Ridgeline High School and Spokane County Library District (poetry-slam events for teens), continuing master-gardener classes, and Friends-of-the-Library events such as complimentary Spokane Symphony tickets for patron outreach.

Trustees said the library currently maintains a collection of roughly 27,000 physical items and follows a level-of-service standard of about two books per community member; board members noted that if the community grows to about 21,000 people a 42,000-item collection would be required to maintain that service level. The board said only about 4% of children's books are available digitally, and stressed continued investment in physical children's materials as the city plans for a new library facility.

Council confirmed Barb Richardson to Position 2 on the Library Board of Trustees at the meeting. Board members and staff also confirmed that the library grant application that the city filed was specific to the proposed building project and that grant funds would need to be requested again if a materially different project were pursued in a later grant cycle.

Board members asked for continued dialog with council on long-range facility planning and pledged to return with more detail during future budget and capital-investment discussions.","Library trustees told council cardholders and visits increased in 2024, the library added Mango Languages and Kanopy streaming, and trustees plan outreach for a future building; council confirmed a new trustee at the meeting.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6121381,"Votes at a glance: Liberty Lake council approves routine items, confirms clerk and library trustee; golf pro agreement amended",36,94000,130000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2703016-0cdbc9d4d040cc7afd37687e7327e1d7&start=94&end=130","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2703016-0cdbc9d4d040cc7afd37687e7327e1d7/thumbnail_94000.jpg","/articles/6121381/Liberty-Lake/Spokane-County/Washington/Votes-at-a-glance-Liberty-Lake-council-approves-routine-items-confirms-clerk-and-library-trustee-golf-pro-agreement-amended","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6121381-55170de49fd5d215a6965767e840428c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770961592&Signature=JowFh-xSB1Isydt7dG5BpYUbthVPw5M1H7g3IETPiAuSNSbkRl~ZS6gygkrEGyqbnlKMABQtTHpOV8qmo6YxFgRqY~ldPTQx0SQyKi9gyrn7KjhioMLaOwiqRUhn0ZeqMjZWjP7HNrrMSRQn7kf1LnkF7P-PUye47rAoQ37-QDpfhrFYDANv7eOAmaYgRRa~oOss1~R937VzN~n7kgW9Fhncq2L0Pdc5t6b7AyHa6c9LwL9bYJQY-wi~CKQZQo2aMu85daSFCqzh39QxB6kPo~i80a0o15B4ZGcV9PLU3z~6o9XYdVp96-wZ1hls~OLVdJWlcMHM2y-lKTDMmRnd1g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At its March 18 meeting the Liberty Lake City Council recorded several formal actions, most by unanimous vote.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to excuse Councilmember Van Orman (absent sick): moved by Councilmember Spencer; second by Mayor Pro Tem Cargill. Vote: 6-0 in favor.

- Motion to approve the meeting agenda as printed: moved by Councilmember Kennedy (second not specified on the record). Vote: 6-0 in favor.

- Motion to approve the consent agenda (items 10 a, b, c and d): moved and seconded on the record. Vote: 6-0 in favor.

- Appointment of Barb Richardson to Position 2 on the Library Board of Trustees: council motion and second recorded; vote: 6-0 in favor.

- Confirmation of Rochelle Kayton (Rochelle Catton in the packet) as City Clerk: council motion and second recorded; vote: 6-0 in favor.

- Approval of amended three-year golf-pro agreement with Chris Johnston (contract terms adjusted to reflect previously discussed commission splits and Pro Shop/driving-range percentages): motion and second recorded; outcome: approved 5-1 (one dissenting vote). Kyle (finance) explained the amendment and said an earlier staff transmittal had omitted negotiated line items; the delta in cost between what was previously presented and the corrected agreement was discussed.

No ballot-based resolutions or ordinances were adopted during the meeting. Several items discussed (notably a proposed amendment to the chronic-nuisance ordinance to add smoking) were workshop items and did not come up for a vote.","The council took several routine votes March 18: excused an absent member, approved the agenda and consent items, confirmed two appointments and approved a three-year golf pro agreement; most votes were unanimous.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6121386,"Liberty Lake council hears divided public on secondhand marijuana and tobacco smoke, staff urges nonpunitive approach",9166,188000,9354000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2703016-0cdbc9d4d040cc7afd37687e7327e1d7&start=188&end=9354","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2703016-0cdbc9d4d040cc7afd37687e7327e1d7/thumbnail_188000.jpg","/articles/6121386/Liberty-Lake/Spokane-County/Washington/Liberty-Lake-council-hears-divided-public-on-secondhand-marijuana-and-tobacco-smoke-staff-urges-nonpunitive-approach","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6121386-73dbd9d09428bf68184e47459fc0b56d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770961592&Signature=kZ2VrDSkuBz3QGEdpjJnJbSg7tZy6ij-gAqWKzCjPylyP4bbvFND-9jLMI~HH3axXl5kVnaZqufxEFCypFL9FPaaaNdmrLrpgLTqhYvfBc9LTgimBI0-OLI3800HFodhZEsl4KvEyfBIELXZaMV5sED-938DD1c~1bZMTPYwyh1DnAtwhC7IjPGwKoBEg093-uDYsz-0cePeJzERW1p3P3mjQ01vk0Cil~Hrr~EwpuSGxP71HlcijrxlaEj5iMpc5qV0A2rX0AdLlZQp9bFEHQ7jzWIjH8WFDfReohG8Avxss~ajTzSMlQe11umqOXodt~KC~Jv4fb7JDBycQQlgqQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Liberty Lake City Council members spent a workshop hearing more than an hour of public comment on Tuesday, March 18, about secondhand marijuana and tobacco smoke drifting between closely built homes and whether the city should add smoking to its chronic nuisance ordinance.

Supporters of an amendment and several neighbors told the council smoke from nearby properties forces children and adults indoors and, in some cases, harms residents with medical conditions or veterans with sensitivities. \"It's about protecting the health and safety of every resident to breathe clean air where they work, play and live,\" said David Clay, a Liberty Lake resident who opened public remarks on the topic. Medical student Adam Wallace, another resident, said, \"Parents should not have to worry about their kids breathing in marijuana or tobacco smoke while playing in their own backyard.\" Other residents said they use marijuana for medical reasons and asked how enforcement would work.

City staff framed the question as a legal and enforcement issue. Mark (identified in the meeting as the city administrator) reviewed state law and local code and described the city's recommended path: do not amend municipal code Title 6, chapter 7 (the chronic-nuisance ordinance) to add smoking as a listed nuisance. The presentation noted state cannabis statutes and the state \"smoking in public places\" law as the legal baseline and highlighted that existing Liberty Lake code already forbids home-occupation activities that create smoke or odor detectable beyond the property line. Staff also told council that, historically, the police department and development services have received few or no formal complaints explicitly tied to secondhand smoke crossing property lines.

Council members and staff raised practical and constitutional concerns about making private backyard smoking a trigger for the city's most severe civil remedy. Chief Simmons told the council he and staff consulted the county prosecutor and were told the prosecutor's office would likely \"not... touch it\" and considers enforcement of such an ordinance difficult; he also cited recent court decisions touching on privacy and curtilage that complicate civil or criminal enforcement. Several council members echoed those concerns and asked for alternatives. Councilmember Spencer summarized the tension: state law and public-health findings recognize harms from secondhand smoke, but private residences are treated differently in statute and practice.

Rather than advance the draft amendment that would add smoking to the chronic-nuisance list, staff recommended pursuing nonpunitive remedies and alternatives to a code amendment. During discussion council asked staff to return with options that could include: coordination with homeowners associations (HOAs) on private covenants, a civil-infraction approach or other lower-penalty enforcement options, a code-enforcement pathway distinct from the chronic-nuisance process, outreach and education, and potential incentive-based measures to encourage behavior change. Councilmembers also asked staff to clarify prosecutorial and constitutional risks and to bring back draft language if an enforceable civil option is identified.

Residents who testified urged a solution when neighbor-to-neighbor discussions and HOA petitions have failed. Several asked the council for some form of municipal recourse short of the ultimate remedies in the chronic-nuisance code. Councilmembers asked staff to return with research and recommended next steps before deciding on ordinance text or enforcement changes.

Looking ahead, the council did not vote on any ordinance change at the meeting; staff will report back with recommended nonpunitive remedies, any draft civil-infraction language, and more detail on enforceability and HOA coordination.","Residents pressed the City Council on secondhand marijuana and tobacco smoke in yards and porches; staff recommended not adding smoking to the city's chronic nuisance ordinance and proposed researching civil, nonpunitive remedies and HOA coordination.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

City introduces new staff and confirms city-clerk appointment

Police chief outlines data-driven crime prevention program and new analyst hire

Library trustees report rising cardholders, new digital services and partnerships; council appoints new trustee

Votes at a glance: Liberty Lake council approves routine items, confirms clerk and library trustee; golf pro agreement amended

Liberty Lake council hears divided public on secondhand marijuana and tobacco smoke, staff urges nonpunitive approach