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NEWPORT – The Newport City Council met Monday, May 6 and outlined plans to remove yard rubbish, enter a lease agreement with the library district and demand a contract with Lime to permit e-scooters within city limits.
The council approved the library district’s request to lease a city parcel for 10 years, not to exceed 64,000 feet. The library has plans to build a new library to offer more community services and fill the need for a larger space.
“This is just to get the ball rolling,” Mayor Keith Cambell said.
As funding becomes available, the city will be involved with site plan reviews and other business related to the project.
A public yard waste cleanup was approved to remove leaves, tree limbs, weeds and other yard waste on June 8 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Residents must possess an ID with a utility bill to participate.
Lime scooters were a topic of discussion with most councilmembers adamantly opposed to the current situation.
There is already a block out of scooters from some parts of the city including the Rodeo grounds, the parks and the school, according to Mayor Campbell.
City Administrator Abby Gribi said there is an unenforced municipal code banning scooters, roller skates and bikes from Washington Avenue.
The city council demanded a contract with Lime with provisions to public safety and enforcement.
“I would like them removed as soon as possi- ble before we have a contract,” Councilman Mark Zorica said.
“It’s sketchy to have e-scooters without a contract,” Campbell said.
It was deemed prudent to have a contract with terms provided by Lime by May 29 for the council to consider at their next meeting on June 3.
“If they fail to comply, we will decide to remove them,” Campbell said.
In other council actions, Gribi was appointed as designee to the Pend Oreille Economic Development Advisory Committee. She serves as chair.
The council appointed Chris Thomas to the city planning commission.
