Moses Lake considers kiosks

MOSES LAKE - The Moses Lake Business Association asked the Moses Lake City Council to help fund construction of visitor information kiosks throughout the city during the Friday afternoon council retreat.

Association President Rich Engelmann told the council they are ready to begin implementing the Destination Development plan to brand the city. Business owners who participate in the tax incentive program for business and occupation tax credits want to see where their money is being spent and agreed the kiosks are a good expenditure, he said.

Engelmann presented a plan to implement 10 kiosks throughout the city to show visitors where business and tourism activities are located.

The two-sided kiosks mounted on a concrete slab are 6 feet by 4 feet and feature an informational map with several brochures, he said. They will feature the new city logo and conforming colors of teal, orange and purple.

Engelmann suggested building the kiosks out of steel rather than wood because it's more durable, easier to clean and comes with a graffiti-resistant coating. The cost for a steel kiosk is approximately $6,200 while the wooden kiosks are approximately $5,000. He said the cost rate reduces with the number of kiosks ordered.

Engelmann said the business association hopes to have the first kiosk placed at Sinkiuse Square before the annual SpringFest celebration.

He recommended the other nine be placed in McCosh Park, Larsen Playfield, Civic Center Park, Neppel Park, Blue Heron Park, Cascade Park, Bob's Cafe, Food Pavilion and Safeway.

Councilmember Jim Liebrecht said he was concerned with placing a kiosk at the location near Wal-Mart because most people who see it probably live in town rather than out of town.

Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Debbie Doran-Martinez said the location was chosen because Wal-Mart allows people traveling with recreational vehicles to stay the night in the parking lot. She said people traveling in RVs are most likely tourists.

Councilmember Jon Lane said he liked the idea and hoped to see kiosks placed at rest stops surrounding the city.

Mayor Ron Covey and Councilmember Richard Pearce asked how much money is needed from the city.

Doran-Martinez said they hope the city will contribute one-third of the total cost of 10 kiosks.

Engelmann said the funds will be accumulated through the tax incentive program, the city tourism funds, Grant County tourism funds and the city self-help funds.

City Manager Joe Gavinski said he was not sure if the city can provide self-help funds to the project but will look into it.

Councilmember Dick Deane requested the business association come back to the council during a regular meeting to provide cost estimates. The city council can't take action during the retreat.

Council discussed the cost of repainting the water tower according to the Destination Development plan.

Gavinski said the cost to repaint one tower is approximately $100,000. The cost includes repainting for $80,000 and $20,000 to place the newly designated city logo.

Lane asked how often the towers need to be repainted.

Municipal Services Director Gary Harer said it's necessary to repaint each tower every 30 years at a cost of $80,000.