POST FALLS - Mayor-elect Ron Jacobson will hold off recommending appointments of city commission members.

The Post Falls City Council tonight will discuss Jacobson's proposal to permanently delay the appointments from the usual January timeline until March due to the busy holiday season, and allow himself and new council member Alan Wolfe to get settled in their new positions after they are sworn in in January.

With the appointments, the mayor submits names of the top commission candidates to the council for its blessing.

"While I have complete confidence in Clay (present Mayor Clay Larkin), it seems that the incoming mayor should make the recommendation and ask the new council to confirm," Jacobson said. "To me, it is a logical change to make.

"The timing of the appointments is not critical, and moving the appointments back a couple of months will allow time for new council members to settle in. While there is only one new member joining the council this January, I still feel it is a prudent change to make."

Jacobson said he plans to meet with commission chairpersons, current commission members whose terms are expiring and those who have filled out applications to get their input.

"Having an extra 60 to 90 days will allow time for us to bring to the council a slate of individuals who we feel will best serve the city," Jacobson said.

Staff is recommending that the council approve the proposal, which doesn't pertain to the appointment of urban renewal agency commissioners.

A more formal interview process prior to making the appointments will also be discussed.

Commission members whose terms are expiring include Wolfe and Ray Kimball, Planning and Zoning; Tami Martinez and Ryan Zane, Parks and Recreation; and Shawn Chamberlain and Bill Cook, Urban Forestry.

The council will also consider making the Urban Forestry Commission a subcommittee of the Parks and Recreation Commission.

"This commission (urban forestry) has struggled to ensure an adequate forum to complete business," a city staff memo states.

Staff recommends that the council repeal the code that creates the Urban Forestry Commission. The Parks and Recreation Commission would then create a subcommittee to handle urban forestry duties and to ensure the city will still be eligible for Tree City USA status through the National Arbor Day Foundation.

The council is also expected to approve a bid to COP Construction of North Salt Lake, Utah, for $1.8 million to construct a lift station along Third Avenue and a temporary construction easement for the project. COP Construction was the lowest of four bidders.

The amount includes contingency of $85,900 for any changes for unforeseen conditions and/or changes that would benefit the city water reclamation operations.

In other business, Police Chief Scot Haug will make a presentation on the city's 911 center and a public hearing will be held to adopt the International Building Code.