POST FALLS - A pocket park planned along Spokane Street may be constructed in-house to save costs.

During its regular meeting tonight at 6, the Post Falls City Council will consider having staff construct the park along the west side of Spokane Street next to the Centennial Trail.

The Post Falls Urban Renewal Agency originally planned to have the park constructed by a contractor as part of the improvements to Spokane Street, but did not have enough cash flow to include the estimated $120,000 park in the project.

However, Parks and Recreation Director Dave Fair estimates the park, which will be less than an acre, can be built in house for an estimated $54,277. It could also be built for less than $30,000 with some changes to the plan.

"Due to the significant savings by doing the project in house, the staff is recommending moving forward with this project ... ," Shelly Enderud, city administrator, wrote in a memo to the council.

In other business, the council will hear a presentation from Public Works Maintenance Manager Jim Porter on using snow gates to remove snow from driveways. Post Falls currently does not use snow gates, but some other area cities do.

In his report, Porter said the city receives about 30 complaints after each heavy snowstorm due to snow berms left by plows and other equipment in driveways.

"Our policy is to create a uniform berm around the edge of each street as this is the most efficient way in which to plow the city," the report states.

Residents with a letter signed by a qualified medical professional may apply to have the crew return to their driveway and reduce the berm to a height that is passable with a car.

Porter said the city's current level of service to plow all of the city streets is about 12 hours. The use of snow gates would decrease the level of service to about 36 hours citywide, which would also increase personnel costs.

Porter said the city would need to purchase eight loaders (for a total cost of $1.36 million), eight plows with gates ($206,440) and four gates ($28,284) to perform the citywide service with the gates.

"Keep in mind that most of the equipment would be used only 10 to 20 days a year," the report states. "Based on these increased costs and the choice between lowering the level of service or experiencing further personnel costs, the use of gates to plow snow is not recommended."

The council will also discuss a policy for displaying donated art in public rights of way.

Enderud said the location, maintenance, safety issues, quality of materials and aesthetics will be considered with any art installation. Artists will also be required to attach a resume and photos of the art with their application to place art.

A workshop on tax revenue the city receives will be held at 5 p.m. in the basement conference room.