[{"_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",6165507,"mediaKeyId","5421897-6631ac76ad6bbc941a2f1b2849c638c2","parentId",5421897,"title","Liberty Lake staff present three Townsquare library/community-center concepts; public outreach planned","audioSeconds",2324,"startMs",6173000,"endMs",8497000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5421897-6631ac76ad6bbc941a2f1b2849c638c2&start=6173&end=8497","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5421897-6631ac76ad6bbc941a2f1b2849c638c2/thumbnail_6173000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6165507/Liberty-Lake/Spokane-County/Washington/Liberty-Lake-staff-present-three-Townsquare-librarycommunity-center-concepts-public-outreach-planned","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6165507-603c7ada5434890c7750658edc7147f4/orig.mp4?Expires=1775468292&Signature=fh5J2az6VS8ehGvBnAwUpwWJl3eQjP2rV7y1j-FJD8qmUUk-S6TvAsFrEldQqCPaFBa~6cD0n0POfIXXBrm-ExcSbqYqy6F7-qfYSiNGaSN4NVcmeRXA3E0qSMWk2S7nTXsycPo3X2VWzVe3-BdZBNkvXknpdc4VVyZPNrpBytqqEM6ljS8q3Vw18ER4H7hBmr~CDA83TZgCMe-At37IQO2HTnYuDsi0HsD3Xd-vxyy5EP8GBxyNOz7zrcWDRJJ~G2qwxk1YZSsAFLqc5y0MJiAu5apQPJztyfnPcjet~KU6Vlzi2NVUrERb37WlvKbkdOr2yIivBKh5zWV92nAJ-Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Liberty Lake City, WA","date","2025-07-18T11:44:02.143Z","article","City staff and consultants presented three conceptual designs on July 15 for a new Townsquare library and an attached “community flex” space at Townsquare Park, offering options ranging from an 18,000-square-foot library-only building to a 23,000-square-foot library-plus-community venue. The council and staff agreed to gather public feedback at summer events and return a summary to the council in early September.

The proposal matters because Townsquare Park was purchased and developed with the long-term aim of creating a civic center; supporters say a combined library and meeting space would make the park a year-round destination and provide meeting rooms, teen space, technology access and a small playground.

Consultants reported that the city’s online survey drew 772 responses — “the most survey responses the city has ever gotten” — and that the three deliverable options fit the program priorities staff supplied: medium and small meeting rooms, a dedicated teen area, expanded stacks and space for emerging technology including a podcast studio and a “library of things.” The three conceptual price estimates presented on July 15 were: $12,930,000 for the largest library-only option; $15,620,000 for the larger library plus a roughly 4,000-square-foot community flex space; and $13,810,000 for a library with a smaller (about 1,000-square-foot) flex room. Each estimate included soft costs.

Consultant team members described tradeoffs among the concepts: the largest option (library plus larger flex space) offers the most flexibility and the greatest capacity for large events and future staff growth but carries the highest total project cost; the compact option preserves more open book-stack area and storage but sacrifices natural light and internal visibility and has the highest cost per square foot; the library-only option meets core program needs at the lowest total cost but provides no formal community flex space.

City staff laid out a next-step outreach plan. Staff said they will bring the concepts to Barefoot in the Park on Aug. 2, hold an open house at the library the evening of Aug. 7, display concepts at the Aug. 23 farmers market, and return public feedback to the council on Sept. 2. Staff advised that the project timeline and community engagement mean a November 2025 bond measure is not feasible; staff recommended using the additional year to refine designs, pursue grants and run an outreach and ballot campaign for a subsequent November general election.

Council members asked about cost containment and staging. Several council members said they favor the option that includes a community flex space but urged staff and consultants to explore ways to compress or combine meeting rooms and flex space so the ballot ask would be smaller and easier to win. Staff noted the city already holds roughly $3.8 million toward the project and that playground construction was included in cost estimates (consultants indicated a playground at Townsquare of the size shown in the concepts is roughly $200,000).

Consultants emphasized that the shown plans are conceptual and still flexible; they recommended the council select a preferred concept after community outreach, then advance design and fundraising. Staff also flagged that detailed architecture, permitting and an agreed financing approach would be needed before any bond measure is finalized.

City leaders said they will stage public input this summer and use the results to refine a single preferred plan in September, then pursue fundraising, grant searches and a campaign strategy before placing a bond measure on a future November ballot.

You can expect staff to return on Sept. 2 with consolidated public feedback and a recommended concept and timeline for a formal decision.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting - July 15, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","City staff and consultants presented three conceptual designs on July 15 for a new Townsquare library and an attached “community flex” space at Townsquare Park, offering options ranging from an 18,000-square-foot library-only building to a 23,000-square-foot library-plus-community venue.","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},6165491,"Spokane Valley Fire Department reports record calls in June; Liberty Lake station busiest among local units",470,3561000,4031000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5421897-6631ac76ad6bbc941a2f1b2849c638c2&start=3561&end=4031","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5421897-6631ac76ad6bbc941a2f1b2849c638c2/thumbnail_3561000.jpg","/articles/6165491/Liberty-Lake/Spokane-County/Washington/Spokane-Valley-Fire-Department-reports-record-calls-in-June-Liberty-Lake-station-busiest-among-local-units","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6165491-f39847826dcf0ddd008cd159d86e9ec1/orig.mp4?Expires=1775468292&Signature=eSvHekH~iNkpCeu1Aamvw2bprbqi7ChX1V3cy71J~GEp01IBTVwnyWfdrTPeaQu5qcbbWS7OBSrm8QNxv5GMxhlegpaOhssHIK-0vEjycbiRmRPEyvIo2EsNcdYx5mhDMxf3A8aSPYOl2jI~~iOjWixeV2bket7fxvfTbRfMxJ4V0o2kVPrq-cjghSEUN3edXPoVcGDGpXsSufGCP88EAtBqyTe~tQq8YzGgk-eEttJxJJggVgkhdEEHoyyWueXHqncvzdDfkYVPK3YCWMUemUbjZn-7KO1Vl-1P8friuICkDeSo3d~7S-jOrPqK02mTP1rGCXduRvLE90nu7ufNjQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Spokane Valley Fire Department briefed the Liberty Lake City Council on July 15 with quarterly and annual statistics showing high call volume in 2025, emphasizing that most calls are medical and that June was the busiest June on record.

The department reported 6,223 calls in the second quarter, roughly 82 percent medical emergencies; when motor-vehicle accidents and pedestrian strikes are included, the department said call types classified as medical rose to about 88 percent. Year to date, the department reported 12,341 calls requiring 15,185 unit responses across their response area.

Local station data show Liberty Lake’s Station 3 handled 266 responses in the quarter and more than 1,700 calls year to date among several high‑volume units. The department said June 2025 was the single busiest June on record and the eighth busiest month overall in its history.

On prevention and inspection work, the department said Liberty Lake has 471 businesses and that the department had inspected 404 of them (about 86 percent) in the reporting period. Department representatives urged residents to prepare for wildfire season, described Firewise community practices for reducing home risk, and noted that emergency responders will focus protection efforts on properties with defensible space.

The department also reviewed mutual‑aid and auto‑aid arrangements with neighboring districts and explained that the closest appropriate unit responds under those agreements.

Officials invited questions and said they would make the quarterly and annual reports available electronically and follow up on requested details.","Spokane Valley Fire Department told the Liberty Lake City Council on July 15 that second‑quarter 2025 911 call volume reached 6,223 — with roughly 82 percent classified as medical — and that local station 3 in Liberty Lake logged 266 responses during the quarter.",{"_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},6165496,"City staff flag rising cost of public‑records requests, propose fees to offset body‑camera redaction workload",785,4578000,5363000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5421897-6631ac76ad6bbc941a2f1b2849c638c2&start=4578&end=5363","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5421897-6631ac76ad6bbc941a2f1b2849c638c2/thumbnail_4578000.jpg","/articles/6165496/Liberty-Lake/Spokane-County/Washington/City-staff-flag-rising-cost-of-publicrecords-requests-propose-fees-to-offset-bodycamera-redaction-workload","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6165496-550e40089c611cd50101ca3a61a6977c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775468292&Signature=hRbORhzM94U6y0LG~khI-0aGZRUbT32rK5LTsqW3bYgpL5aGeSY1iwnnG0XnEche10vcbkPKPiauLKSrUy4Rm9uKPpO1AIdn4TXCj3CBn~FwlBKHPSYWLFEOH3wkyZjhAkmpwzOI0Pdrwg5HrPBvt1NiCwW26-ie12-qXk-Qx7-qZIeB6yiTAdFWEfpFmxoFwy5snPPIqnmTfWeqkssnw6kOGb6V3O37eViy22wbajb1tjOv4vCH4XS5lSlpSFtQ8~WknwZjWKZaEGCeFWIKqccpUt8UDTYcmLpGfMOR22-2hj9DIAZ0uUfVsW5FVv1USnPyQWnV-xmgQDiAjPRBWQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff told council on July 15 that demand for public‑records requests — especially requests for police body‑worn camera footage — has grown to the point that the city’s current staffing and processes are strained and that a modest fee structure could reduce abusive requests and recover part of the expense.

Staff (Finance and Public Safety) presented program estimates showing the records program consumes about 1.54 full‑time equivalents across finance/admin and public safety. Staff said roughly 0.9 FTE of that time is spent on redacting body‑worn camera video. A police administrative employee explained why: “she averages probably at least a minute for every minute of that video that she has to go through and redact,” meaning redaction is roughly a minute of staff time per minute of footage.

The department said many requests are from requesters with no direct stake in the incident; an increasing share of those requests were described as data‑harvesting or commercial in nature. Staff noted legal exposure if statutorily required response deadlines are missed and asked the council whether it wanted staff to develop a draft resolution and fee schedule. Staff referenced a Spokane cost study that estimated roughly $0.76 per minute for redacted video and noted that charging nominal amounts for electronic transmittals can discourage high‑volume requesters while preserving access for residents and parties to incidents.

Staff recommended returning with a carefully drafted fee schedule designed to recover part — not all — of the growing cost and to protect limited staff resources. Council members asked staff to return with concrete options, including possible lower fees or exemptions for local residents or for parties to a case, and asked staff to work with the city attorney to ensure any fees comport with state law.

No ordinance or fee was adopted at the July 15 meeting; staff said they would research options, consult legal counsel, and bring a draft resolution and fee schedule back to council.","City staff told council on July 15 that demand for public‑records requests — especially requests for police body‑worn camera footage — has grown to the point that the city’s current staffing and processes are strained and that a modest fee structure could reduce abusive requests and recover part of the expense.",{"_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},6165501,"Building Ohana outlines plans for ‘Ohana Village’ in Liberty Lake and asks city to consider multifamily tax-exemption",1319,932000,2251000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5421897-6631ac76ad6bbc941a2f1b2849c638c2&start=932&end=2251","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5421897-6631ac76ad6bbc941a2f1b2849c638c2/thumbnail_932000.jpg","/articles/6165501/Liberty-Lake/Spokane-County/Washington/Building-Ohana-outlines-plans-for-Ohana-Village-in-Liberty-Lake-and-asks-city-to-consider-multifamily-tax-exemption","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6165501-4171d23be9f390b0912e0ce1a8b1fde0/orig.mp4?Expires=1775468292&Signature=ksfVz5UY7DWnGiiHYZXMowKTYsXYALIRkNxu3VOPXEEP00sSM2INXIF0Vdgv8kwn~svivEH3KiBHw2JebpritRcEHHbzDXOYostaROacl-MSOnKhanpDVzMlqoZZLjhOQxCNhH9vBjjmGGyhjRWO~DT1DHCmAY2HMZQ71J40gF2DYjPTkpAR6pXMTZKv5JkuDRYtqTAYDddneboWp3pWHGhgpoQF9jb-xIPOlW-EnsgxkO4vEMbl3h5q1Kgm3sM7EmsNKVD3bKofM8dzmCWTRTphzwpWbwV-0nHKPu1jahwX3fpXHeXpzK1JK~G~eEzenIETsHGFj-86kftYYNqTTg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Deb Fink, executive director of nonprofit Building Ohana, told the council on July 15 that the group is advancing plans to develop “Ohana Village” in Liberty Lake: a mixed-income, multigenerational neighborhood designed to include 40–44 cottage-style homes, co-living suites, a common house, and supportive units for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Fink said the organization has made an offer on roughly 8 acres and has funding to carry the project through acquisition and predevelopment “up to the point of construction” after the organization approved a contract for site-specific planning earlier the same day. She told the council the village would accommodate roughly 150–170 residents and would include a mix of rental and homeownership opportunities and a dedicated number of units for people who need full-time supports.

“Ohana Village will be a mixed income, multigenerational, and fully fully accessible neighborhood of homes for a diverse population of around a 150 to a 170 residents,” Fink said.

Fink described the nonprofit’s interest in the state multifamily tax exemption tool, which she said the group’s financial adviser identified as a possible way to reduce long‑term housing costs for residents. The presentation noted that a city adopts an MFTE ordinance and designates eligible areas under state law; a later slide in the staff/consultant presentation mentioned RCW 84.14 as the enabling statute for MFTE programs in Washington. Fink said her financial adviser estimated the exemption could yield a benefit “anywhere between $1,500 and $3,000 a year” per household depending on housing costs.

Council members asked questions about process and timing. One council member asked whether the city could donate general‑fund dollars to a 501(c)(3) nonprofit; city staff answered generally that the city has broad discretion over how to appropriate general government revenues but that a formal discussion would be necessary to determine mechanics and authority.

Fink said Building Ohana has established partnerships with local developers, disability service organizations and national design consultants and that the board had authorized the site planning work to develop footprints and layouts to share with landowners and partners. She asked the city to consider policy tools such as MFTE and to include Building Ohana in future policy conversations. Fink also offered to provide a one‑page research briefing on MFTE and to connect city staff to the project’s financial adviser for technical questions.

No legislative action or city commitments were made at the July 15 meeting; Fink asked for further exploration of MFTE and for avenues to partner on land and policy tools.

The organization’s next steps, per Fink’s presentation, are to complete detailed site planning and to continue fundraising and partner development; staff said the city can explore options including a future budget allocation or other forms of support if council chooses to pursue them.","Building Ohana presented plans for an accessible, mixed-income neighborhood including 40–44 cottages and supportive housing, said it has initial funding and a site-planning contract, and urged the city to consider using the state’s multifamily tax exemption (RCW 84.14) to improve affordability.",{"_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},6165486,"Sewer and Water commissioner: well drilling underway, Aquifer Protection Area vote set for Aug. 5",191,3170000,3361000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5421897-6631ac76ad6bbc941a2f1b2849c638c2&start=3170&end=3361","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5421897-6631ac76ad6bbc941a2f1b2849c638c2/thumbnail_3170000.jpg","/articles/6165486/Liberty-Lake/Spokane-County/Washington/Sewer-and-Water-commissioner-well-drilling-underway-Aquifer-Protection-Area-vote-set-for-Aug-5","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6165486-f09edc0b1e9f4665763230622796c59a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775468292&Signature=iRYvJ-Fd6wOI9ChbX8qW4EBOA-tYxaGebgtuDF4we~RH7OWsuy1tSSsGmiF2fz2StRQaEMN8npYljuF-462~ZD6R5RGHNAkalMuyJYNfqjZlTqt6wV7QuiZ4NTSwkZ9NSaO0i58XmTaqBnJaYzQg~8fDsoU1at69OrtCoLaeEwDiwbGWqEjYjQ3U7rEAhm9s4UFXNtLFuuBh9ldxjsaMGk0-0abwlDkw3S02PpLiTq9h1RF7MI0D9YU6zEgCvco692lx30vfNgW9NTNV2YAMlhqejbKo0EF-VyijCFQFxfpbmJ4hu9XvPH2oxyY9~ygWC-bWnkvzKWGu5g~HRbSONA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bill Genoway, a commissioner for the Liberty Lake Sewer and Water District, briefed the council on July 15 about ongoing district projects and an upcoming August ballot measure to renew county aquifer protection funding.

Genoway said the district is drilling a new well at the Kenny Well site, describing casings and drilling depth — 24‑inch casings to about 210 feet — and suggested the district might bring a well‑drilling rig to the Touch a Truck event so residents can see the operation. He also repeated the district’s request that residents remember the Aug. 5 ballot item to renew the county aquifer protection program (the APA levy), noting it costs roughly $10–$15 per year for property owners and that the city of Spokane had recently opted back into the program, which strengthens the program’s funding.

On system maintenance, Genoway reported the district has made substantial progress on backflow compliance: about 93 percent of residential devices are in compliance and about 78 percent of commercial devices. The district will send letters to property owners who have not arranged annual testing; the district noted that failure to maintain required backflow protection may result in water service interruption.

Genoway also said the district is evaluating a car‑wash discharge permit and that the district will review engineering and process details before issuing permits so wastewater treatment systems are not overloaded.

No council action was required; the briefing functioned as routine intergovernmental information and a reminder about the Aug. 5 ballot.","The Liberty Lake Sewer and Water District reported active well drilling at the Kenny well site and urged residents to vote on the county Aquifer Protection Area (APA) levy on Aug. 5; the district also reminded customers about required annual backflow testing for safety.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Liberty Lake staff present three Townsquare library/community-center concepts; public outreach planned

Spokane Valley Fire Department reports record calls in June; Liberty Lake station busiest among local units

City staff flag rising cost of public‑records requests, propose fees to offset body‑camera redaction workload

Building Ohana outlines plans for ‘Ohana Village’ in Liberty Lake and asks city to consider multifamily tax-exemption

Sewer and Water commissioner: well drilling underway, Aquifer Protection Area vote set for Aug. 5