2013, 10-29 Study Session minutes MINUTES
SPOKANE VALLEY CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
STUDY SESSION FORMAT
Spokane Valley City Hall Council Chambers
Spokane Valley,Washington
October 29 2013 6:00 p.m.
Attendance:
Councilmember.•s Staff
Tom Towey,Mayor Mike Jackson, City Manager
Gary Schimmels, Deputy Mayor Cary Driskell, City Attorney
Dean Grafos,Councilmember Mark Calhoun,Finance Director
Chuck Hafner, Councilmember Mike Stone,Parks&Recreation Director
Rod Higgins, Councilmember John Hohman, Community Development Dir.
Ben Wick, Councilmember Eric Guth,Public Works Director
Arne Woodard, Councilmember Erik Lamb, Deputy City Attorney
Morgan Koudelka, Sr. Administrative Analyst
John Whitehead, Human Resources Manager
Rick VanLeuven,Police Chief
Chris Bainbridge,City Clerk
Mayor Towey called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and announced there will be an executive session
at the end of tonight's regular meeting.
Roll Call: City Clerk Bainbridge called the roll;all Councilmembers were present.
ACTION ITEMS:
1.Balfour Park/Library Conceptual Plan—Mike Stone
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Schirrrmels and seconded to accept the attached Balfour Park/Library
Conceptual Site Plan as presented by staff,for the future development and expansion of Balfour Park.
Parks and Recreation Director Stone explained that this is the final opportunity to discuss and comment
on the preferred site plan for Balfour Park; said that there were three public meetings this past year, and
numerous occasions for public input; and he thanked the Bernardo/Wills team for their work; and said he
feels this park will provide a significant civic and recreational venue, and will be a wonderful gathering
place to create and encourage social interaction in the park, the library, and the neighborhood, as well as
be a place for celebrations, festivals, and other gatherings. Mayor Towey invited public comment; no
comments were offered. Vote by Acclamation:In Favor. Unanimous. Opposed:None. Motion carried.
2.Amended Traffic School Interlocal Agreement—Morgan Koudelka
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Sclrinnnels and seconded to authorize the City Manager to finalize and
execute the Interlocal Agreement among the City of Spokane Valley, Spokane County, and the Spokane
County Sheriff for participation in the Traffic School. Senior Administrative Analyst Koudelka explained
that 2012 was our first year to participate in this program and that this agreement will continue our
involvement through 2013, with automatic renewals thereafter; said the cost is paid by fees from
participants and results in a net reduction of traffic fine revenue for our city of about $60,000; and he
added that successful participants have their infractions dismissed. Mayor Towey invited public
comment; no comments were offered. Vote by Acclamation: In Favor: Unanimous. Opposed None.
Motion carried.
Council Study Session: 10-29-2013 Page 1 of 4
Approved by Council: 11-12-2013
NON-ACTION ITEMS
3.Legislative Update—Briahna Taylor
Ms. Briahna Taylor of Gordon Thomas Honeywell Governmental Affairs explained that she is here
tonight to update Council on the legislative process, and present some background so Council can
develop their 2014 legislative agenda. Ms.Taylor said she was asked to brief Council about the oncoming
transportation revenue package, and she did so through her PowerPoint presentation. Ms. Taylor said that
current funding comes from a variety of sources with fuel tax comprising over one-quarter of the total
funding and said there is an amendment in our State Constitution that all gas tax must be funded to roads.
Ms. Taylor noted there are no revenue funds dedicated to new projects. She explained the breakdown of
our 37.50 per gallon state fuel tax and said of that amount, only 80 is available for use on state highways,
bridges and ferries for maintenance and operations, preservation, and safety improvements. Ms. Taylor
went over the projected funding shortages of WSDOT (Washington State Department of Transportation),
and some of the proposed solutions and some of the opposition to the revenue package. She spoke about
the MCC (Majority Coalition Caucus) Transportation Reforms as the group advocates for such things as
returning sales tax from transportation construction to the transportation budget, opening a dialogue about
prevailing wage and apprenticeship requirements, streamlining environmental permitting, using toll
revenue for projects within the corridor being tolled, and reforming the state's regional transit authority
boards. As shown on slide 12 of her PowerPoint, Ms. Taylor said the Transportation Committee Chairs
have begun negotiating a transportation revenue package that could be enacted as early as November or as
late as the 2015 legislative session, and said she doesn't have a lot of details about the negotiations, but
expects the conversations to continue until a package is enacted. Ms. Taylor went through the remainder
of the slides, mentioned that the North/South freeway project has the most impact from our region, said
since the funding for the Sullivan Road Bridge has now been identified Spokane Valley has not expressed
a position on a transportation revenue package, and she asked what would Council like the City to do to
move forward in expressing an opinion or advocating for certain projects, and said she looks forward to
hearing feedback from Council in the coming weeks, adding that we are coming to the table late in the
process so if Council wants to advocate for a project,that should be done as soon as possible. The issue of
gas tax carne up and of our gas prices higher than Idaho's, and Councilmember Woodard stating that
another gas hike would likely urge people to other areas. Ms. Taylor said those arguments are all part of
the conversation being voiced in Olympia.
Ms. Taylor spoke about the other documents contained in tonight's council packet, such as "What to
expect during the 2014 Legislative Session,"and"Developing a Successful Legislative Funding Request"
as well as highlighting AWC's 2014 legislative priorities; and Mr. Jackson said staff will follow up in the
next few weeks with these issues, as well as the red-lined 2013-214 Council Legislative Agenda as staff
and Council work to develop an updated legislative agenda.
Councilmember Woodard mentioned other possible projects such as funding for Balfour Park, and
Councilmember Wick asked about the Barker Road underpass, or if it is too late for this package, to
perhaps support the North/South freeway for full funding. Ms. Taylor indicated advocating for full
funding of the North/South project is likely to be more successful since that project is already on the list,
that a new project would be starting from the beginning, and said she doesn't think there is enough time
between now and November to add a project. It was noted that perhaps specific components of the
Barker Road project might be possible for future years, and said she would like to meet with Mr. Jackson
for those specifics. Councilmember Hafner said he liked the idea mentioned by Mr. Jackson of the
Finance Committee discussing this and then bringing it to the full Council afterward.
4. Lodging Tax Advisory Committee Recommendations to Council—Mark Calhoun
As noted in the Request for Council Action form, Finance Director Calhoun went over the steps taken
thus far concerning the 2014 Lodging Tax grants for tourism; and said that the Committee unanimously
agreed with the recommendation coming to council tonight, and which will come to Council again
Council Study Session: 10-29-2013 Page 2 of 4
Approved by Council: 11-12-2013
December 10 for a motion consideration; and said Council can accept or reject the recommendations,
which include $247,000 to Visit Spokane; $7,300 to Evergreen Volleyball; $28,000 to Spokane County
Fair for marketing, $4,000 for conference facility, and $7,800 for interim marketing; $20,000 to
Valleyfest; $183,800 to the Sports Commission; $13,100 to the Heritage Museum; and $36,000 to the
HUB Sports Center. Councilmember Woodard asked about contracting with some of the biggest
organizations so they would be better able to project their budgets, and Mr. Jackson said with the changes
in the law, that idea will need to be researched, and City Attorney Driskell also shared his concern.
CounciImember Wick said the Committee's recommended allocations, which were recommended
unanimously by motion, and the idea of multi-year funding are two separate issues and the Committee
decided they didn't want to address multi-year funding until after the 2014 allocation process.
Councilmember Wick also stated that there was some confusion on the applications of what needed to be
included, and Finance Director Calhoun added that question 5 on the application calls for providing
estimates followed by actual numbers, and agreed it would be good to include that in the contract, and
said there are also other parts of the process that he and the Committee will review for further refinement
for the 2015 allocations.
At 7:11 p.m.,Mayor Towey called for a recess;he reconvened the meeting at 7:21 p.m.
5. Unlawful Public Exposure--Cary Driskell
City Attorney Driskell went over the history of this issue which has culminated in tonight's draft
proposed ordinance. After Mr. Driskell went over the sections of the draft ordinance, he mentioned that
he has been working with Spokane County attorneys who were helpful in trying to identify the scope of
what it is we wanted to do. There was Council consensus to place the draft ordinance on a future agenda
for a first ordinance reading.
6. Association of Washington Cities(AWC)Resolution and Interlocal re AWC Trust—John Whitehead
Human Resources Manager Whitehead explained the purpose of the Resolution and accompanying
Interlocal Agreement, which is necessary in order for us to continue to provide employee benefits after
December 31, 2013 through the AWC Benefit Trust. There was Council consensus to have this item
placed on the November 12 agenda for a motion consideration.
7.Advance Agenda—Mayor Towey
There were no comments for changes to the Advance Agenda.
8. Items(a)Department Reports; and(b)Pavement Preservation Paving Project were for information only
and were not discussed or reported.
9. Council Check-in—Mayor Towey
Councilmember Grafos mentioned the new business route signs are now up on 1-90, and he asked Mr.
Jackson about going to GSI (Greater Spokane, Inc.) and others to follow-up on the business loop
designation being put on all maps. Mayor Towey mentioned that he, Mr. Jackson and Commissioner
O'Quinn met last week to hear the Commissioner's request for our City's support of upcoming ballot
issue Proposition 1. Mayor Towey said in adhering to our Governance Manual, specifically pages 24-25,
as well as past practices, he assured Ms. O'Quinn that if she supplied further materials, he would
distribute them to Council, but due to the time factor as well as other factors just mentioned, Mayor
Towey said the recommended draft letter before Council reflects our position and past practices, and said
with Council's approval, this will be sent as is or modified according to Council's requests.
Counciltnember Grafos said he feels the letter clearly states this Council's position on ballot issues that
we support the decision of our citizens. Councilmembers concurred and there were no objections to the
Mayor signing and sending this Ietter to the Board of County Commissioners.
Council Study Session: 10-29-2013 Page 3 of 4
Approved by Council: 11-12-2013
10. City Manager Comments—Mike Jackson
City Manager Jackson said we will schedule a Finance Committee meeting to include legislative agenda
discussion; and said if Councilmembers want to be more involved in the legislative process, one
consideration is to delegate someone for that purpose; and said this topic will be discussed more at future
Council meetings.
EXECUTIVE SESSION—Potential Litigation
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Schimmels, seconded and unanimously agreed to adjourn into Executive
Session for approximately thirty minutes to discuss potential litigation, and that no action will be taken
upon return to open session. Council adjourned into Executive Session at 7:46 p.m. At 8:09 p.m.,
Mayor Towey declared Council out of Executive Session, and immediately thereafter it was moved by
Deputy Mayor Schimmels, seconded and unanimously agreed to adjourn.
Tomas E. owey,Mayor
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hristine ainbridge, City Clerk
Council Study Session: 10-29-2013 Page 4 of 4
Approved by Council: 11-12-2013