----About $20,000 in leftover money from centennial projects will be used to buy playground equipment for Lewiston's Pioneer Park.
The money will come from the Nez Perce County Centennial Commission and a related committee that helped raise money to restore the park's Sacajawea fountain.
Equipment, most of which will be made from wood, will cost about $18,000 to $21,000, Mayor Delitha Kilgore said Monday night when announcing the plan.
Lewiston and Nez Perce County officials expect to split $5,000 to $6,000 in ground preparation costs for playground areas. The Lewiston City Council voted 5-1 to support the concept, with details probably reviewed in the spring.
The lone negative vote was cast by Councilman J.R. Van Tassel. He said the council was agreeing to spend money without having the item appear on the council's agenda.
Councilman Roger K. White was absent.
Councilman Mark R. Arneson also said he was concerned about spending money to develop playground areas. He suggested using volunteer labor, as was done with other work at Pioneer Park.
Kilgore said the fountain committee has about $5,000 set aside for fountain maintenance. Money will be turned over to the city to be placed in a trust fund specifically to pay for maintenance.
Different equipment could be placed at various areas in the park for use by young children, older children and handicapped children, Kilgore said.
In other business, council members:
* Passed on an arts and humanities award to the Dogwood Festival of the Lewis-Clark Valley as presented by the National Recreation and Parks Association.
The festival earned top honors for communities with populations from 25,000 to 75,000 in northern California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana and Alaska. The festival placed second nationally in the same category, said Lynn C. Moss, city recreation director.
The parks and recreation division nominated the festival for the award.
* Canceled the council's Dec. 24 and Dec. 31 meetings.
* Delayed until January announcement of community recognition awards for citizens and organizations. A dinner honoring winners will be scheduled next month.
