Post Falls mayor looks at 2015

POST FALLS — Despite a few losses this year, Mayor Ron Jacobson said 2015 has been a very good year for the city of Post Falls.

Jacobson began his State of the City address on Tuesday by recognizing the loss of two longtime community leaders.

“On April 26, Gladys Schneidmiller passed away at the age of 97,” the mayor said, detailing her involvement and accomplishments in Post Falls. “Gladys and Manny, along with son Gary, are the definition of philanthropy and we are fortunate to see many of their generous contributions in our area.”

He also recognized Frank Henderson, who died a day later at the age of 92.

“Frank’s contributions — to not only Post Falls, but our county and state — were nothing short of amazing,” Jacobson said. “Frank’s accomplishments were many, including veteran, mayor, county commissioner, state representative, foreign consultant, newspaperman, economic development guru and the list goes on.

“Frank accomplished more after his retirements — yes, that’s plural — than many people accomplish in a lifetime,” Jacobson continued. “Both of these wonderful individuals are missed, and we are all better because of them.”

But they weren’t the only loss. Jacobson said an opportunity to find a tenant for the Kimball International plant fell through this year.

"A year ago, I had to address the closing of the Kimball International plant in Post Falls. I was hopeful to be able to announce some wonderful news on this building, but unfortunately I am not able to do so,” Jacobson said. “A company has been looking at options for the building and, during October, gave their plan a 95 percent probability of coming to fruition and projected total jobs associated with the building to be in excess of 500.”

He said after making significant investments in due diligence, the company’s main tenant and partner opted not to proceed and the deal fell through.

But it hasn’t all been losses for Post Falls; the mayor said building permits are on the rise in the river city.

“Through the end of October, total permits issued are 41 percent higher than the total number of permits issued for all of 2014 and new dwelling units are at 379 through Oct. 31 compared to 165 for all of 2014,” he said. “As I have said before, we need to expand our tax base and residential units alone won’t accomplish this goal.”

But, he said, commercial growth which does improve the tax base is also on the rise in Post Falls.

“It seems that there is commercial development taking place in all areas of Post Falls,” he said. “Through the end of October, we have issued 18 commercial permits, which includes the new elementary school.”

He said the value of the commercial permits totals $71.8 million with $8 million of that amount attributed to the school.

Jacobson said the budget the city passed this year is the fourth consecutive budget that didn’t raise taxes.

He also praised the Post Falls Urban Renewal District for its leadership in the Greensferry overpass project, and several other projects.

“It was a huge project and I would like to thank the agency and their team for making this long-awaited bridge a reality,” Jacobson said. “This new roadway will improve traffic flow, benefitting our residents, our businesses and emergency response times.”

He said the Spokane Street project is also nearly complete, and he praised the city’s parks department for saving taxpayers thousands of dollars on a new pocket park.

“The Urban Renewal Agency who undertook this project as well, received a bid from the contractor in the amount of $120,000,” he said. “The parks department was sure they could do better and completed the project at a cost of $37,000. Thank you, Dave Fair (parks director) and staff, for bringing the project in at $83,000 less than the bid received.”

Jacobson said the city will spend $14.75 million on the first phase of its mandated sewer treatment plant upgrade. He said phase one is scheduled for completion in 2016, but the city will be upgrading the plant for the next 10 to 20 years.

“Due to EPA requirements and mandates, our total costs over the next 10 to 20 years will approximate $100 million,” he said. “I am providing this detail as the total upgrade to our plant will likely be the most expensive infrastructure project the city has ever undertaken.”

The mayor thanked the Jacklin family for contributing so much to the city and most recently for donating a $1.1 million property in Riverbend Park for a new veterans home in Post Falls.

He also congratulated Eve Knudtsen on her 20 years in business, and the Seright family for being recognized as the 2015 U.S. Small Business Administration’s regional Family-Owned Small Business of the Year for District 10 which includes Idaho and Washington.

Jacobson also praised Frank Henderson again for helping to create a new tax incentive program that helped lure Advanced Thermoplastic Composites from Washington to Idaho.

“Speaking of Advanced Thermoplastic Composites, I am pleased that they have completed their new building, have obtained their business license and are now operating in Post Falls,” Jacobson said. “They built a 67,000-square-foot building with total capital expenditures of $25 million. They project a total work force of 225 with 85 new jobs hired by the end of the year.”

The city is also working with Jobs Plus to recruit more jobs to Post Falls.

“We are working with Jobs Plus to land an aerospace manufacturing company. They have identified the location and are working on the cost to build,” he said, adding the company has overcome several obstacles in the process, but is still pressing forward. “The efforts will continue and I hope to be able to tell you next year that they are now a Post Falls company.”

Jacobson said he is also working with Jobs Plus to retain 133 jobs in Post Falls.

Project Concept and Project Industries are manufacturing and molding companies that are planning to spend $3 million each to expand their businesses. Jacobson said if the companies decide to stay in Post Falls, they will add an additional 45 jobs after their expansions.

Jacobson said the medical industry is also taking off in Post Falls. He said many healthcare providers are expanding their services in the city.

“It seems that it was not too long ago that there were only a few medical service providers in Post Falls,” he noted. “Now, with the growing number of practitioners — the Pleasant View Surgery Center, Northwest Specialty Hospital and Kootenai Health — we have access to first-class treatment without having to leave town.”

He closed the speech by recognizing city staff members for their hard work.

“So in closing, please know that I do appreciate the thank-yous I have received, but it is I who am thankful, thankful to the citizens of Post Falls for allowing me the opportunity, and entrusting me with the responsibility of serving as your mayor,” Jacobson said. “I am looking to a great 2016. Thank you.”