PONDERAY — The City Council voted unanimously to approve the purchase of forgone property from Northside Fire for $270,000 on Tuesday.

The city will be purchasing four, currently empty, lots at 471 Cedar Ave., on the north side of where the Northside Fire Station sits. Ponderay’s planning director, KayLeigh Miller, said she hopes to use that land for a park and playground in the future. 

"This is the original part of Ponderay. There are kids that live here, and we don’t have any park amenities on this side of the highway,” Miller said. “It’ll be up to council in the end to determine when and how we move forward, but that is our thought in purchasing it.” 

The title won’t be switching hands immediately as Northside Fire District will need to advertise the sale and forgoing of the property for 15 days. Miller said at the meeting that it is expected to be completed around Feb. 5. 

In addition to that decision, Miller announced the city would need to move Neighbor Day due to a soccer tournament taking place on the event’s typical weekend. Miller presented various options, and the council directed her to reschedule the event Aug. 29. 

“We probably see better weather doing it that way,” Miller said. “I did look up the county fair and [Aug. 29] would be the week after the county fair, so there wouldn't be a conflict there.” 

The council also unanimously approved the purchasing and posting of ‘No Motorized Vehicle’ signs at McNearney Park. Miller said she received an email from a resident who said people were riding dirt bikes throughout the park and on the park’s bike track.  

The signage will not allow any motorized bikes for use inside the park, including e-bikes. Miller said she would also inquire about purchasing a bike rack to put outside the park so people could have a space to lock up their e-bikes if they rode them to the park. 

“I think that would be easier if we just made it clear cut, so we don't have to argue about what belongs in the park, and what doesn't,” Police Chief Joseph Kaufman said.  

The Ponderay City Council’s next scheduled meeting is set for Monday, Feb. 2, at 5:30 p.m. in council chambers.