POST FALLS - The Post Falls City Council is expected to approve agreements for engineering for a paved bike trail along Highway 41 and tree removal and pruning services tonight.

JUB Engineers will design a pedestrian and bike trail on the east side of Highway 41 from Seltice Way to Mullan Avenue for $75,000.

The trail itself, approved earlier by the council, is estimated to cost $725,000. The urban renewal agency will pay for construction and materials, while the city will manage the project.

Bill Melvin, Post Falls city engineer said construction of the trail will start late this year or early next year.

"While we would like to construct the trail this year, there is a lot of work to be completed, as well as coordination with the Idaho Transportation Department," Melvin said. "The trail will be within their rights of way and beneath their bridge structure at Highway 41 and we want to be sensitive to that."

The tree pruning and removal contract with Senske Lawn and Tree Care is $20,214. The services will be paid for with a federal grant through the Idaho Department of Lands.

In other business, the police department will seek authorization to spend an Idaho Department of Homeland Security grant for $35,992 on communications equipment.

The equipment allows non-compatible radio frequencies to be bridged together and simultaneously cross-connect different radio networks for interoperable communications. The equipment would serve as a backup to a communications bridge at the Kootenai County Sheriff's Department that allows staff to communicate between the two different frequencies.

The council was also asked to comment on a request to Kootenai County by Coeur d'Alene Paving to change the zoning of 117 acres along Beck Road near Stateline Speedway from agricultural to mining. The site is in Post Falls' area of city impact.

In a letter to the county, Jon Manley, Post Falls' associate planner, said city staff has no issues with the request.

"Typically, staff would not be supportive of industrial type development over (the ACI) without requiring connectivity to public wastewater collection and treatment facilities," he wrote. "Being that within this area there is already some mining activity, this proposal seems to be consistent with the development pattern of the area."

The council will also hear a presentation from Support Teens Against Nicotine Dependency (STAND).

There are no public hearings or new or old business slated.

The meeting starts at 6 at City Hall, 408 N. Spokane St.