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Spokane County to pursue MOU with Liberty Lake to remove aging trees; TIB awards and advisory appointments presented
Summary
County staff asked commissioners to authorize a memorandum of understanding with Liberty Lake to remove about 51 aging black locust trees, described two bid options and a $30,000 city contribution. The board also heard Transportation Improvement Board awards for Centennial Trail and Arrow Road and received advisory board appointment recommendations.
Spokane County staff on Tuesday asked the Board of County Commissioners to approve a memorandum of understanding with the City of Liberty Lake to remove aging black locust trees along the county golf course roadway and to return next week with signature authorization.
Doug Chase, who presented the proposal, said staff obtained two bids: a minimal code-enforcement trimming option estimated at about $50,000, and a complete removal option that was roughly $28,000 more (plus tax). “With this approach, they will invest, $30,000. And in addition to that, their staff will provide, traffic control,” Chase said, noting traffic-control support reduces county costs.
County staff said the trees are 50-plus years old and many are reaching end of life; seven are effectively gone and others are deteriorating. Staff recommended full removal as a more permanent solution and said funds are available in the county’s enterprise fund/unclassified fund balance to cover the county share if the board approves the MOU.
Other county business:
- Appointments: Derek presented a recommendation to appoint Mary Anne Karchner and to renew two existing advisory board members (Jim Quigley and Steve [last name not specified]) to four-year terms on the Pneuma Lake Flood Control District advisory board.
- Interlocal aquifer funding: Amy reviewed interlocal agreements to disperse Aquifer Protection Area funds; Liberty Lake would receive about $91,000 and Millwood about $15,000 under the proposed disbursements. Staff recommended board approval on the consent agenda.
- Transportation awards: Jamie Hayes reported TIB grants totaling roughly $1.3 million in awards, including about $950,000 for a Centennial Trail improvement (the county’s share and stormwater match were explained) and a $368,000 award for sidewalk work on Arrow Road (total project cost $798,000). Hayes said the Centennial Trail segment serves millions of users and leverages federal investment, with construction targeted for 2027–2028.
- Geiger Spur license agreement: Staff described a proposed 10-year license (renewable twice) with the VISTA for a railroad crossing; staff said licenses allow future renegotiation of corridor terms and will return with an authorization item.
What happens next: Staff will return with a finalized MOU and a proposed motion for the board to authorize signature. Advisory appointments, interlocal agreements and license items were presented as recommendations and are expected to appear on an upcoming consent agenda for formal approval.
Attribution: Direct quotes are drawn from the Jan. 13, 2026 briefing transcript; speakers quoted include Doug Chase (county facilities/staff), Amy (water resources staff) and Jamie Hayes (transportation staff).
