2013, 12-03 Study Session minutes MINUTES
SPOKANE VALLEY CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
STUDY SESSION FORMAT
Spokane Valley City Hall Council Chambers
Spokane Valley,Washington
December 3,2013 6:00 p.m.
Attendance:
Councilmembers Staff
Torn 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 Holtman, Community Development Dir.
Ben Wick, Councilmember Eric Guth,Public Works Director
Arne Woodard, Councilmember Erik Lamb,Deputy City Attorney
Mike Basinger, Senior Planner
Rick VanLeuven,Police Chief
Carolbelle Branch,Public Information Officer
Chris Bainbridge, City Clerk
Mayor Towey called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL: City Clerk Bainbridge called the roll; all Councilmembers were present.
1. Historic Preservation and Special Evaluations—Mike Basinger
Senior Planner Basinger said he spoke with the Historical Preservation Officers from the State and
Spokane City, and said there is no statutory obligation that requires a separate historic preservation
program. He explained some of the aspects of and processes for establishing a historic preservation
program, including what it would take for us to become a Certified Local Government (CLG). Mr.
Basinger also noted that to date,there has been very little interest in historic preservation in our City. He
said the Spokane Valley Heritage Museum is on the National Register of Historic Places, and that the
Department of Ecology handles historic preservation at the state level as they administer the Washington
Heritage Program;he said both the federal and state programs are Iimited by structure in that they offer an
honorary voluntary designation, there are 110 regulations associated with the listings, and there is almost
no protection nor financial incentives associated with this programs. However, Mr. Basinger said, at the
local level, this would be administered via a certification program, and said that certification is approved
by the State Historic Preservation group; and to become certified, an ordinance must be adopted and there
must be a historical preservation commission in place to review any designations, and a system must also
be in place to survey and inventory the designations. Councilmember Grafos suggested the first step
would be to conduct an inventory of property. Mr. Basinger said in speaking with Spokane City's
Preservation Office, they explained that they have an interlocal agreement with the County, which
interlocal agreement is renewal annually, and which stipulates that the City keeps the register and they
work with the County Assessor for taxes. Councilmember Grafos said the Valley Museum is on the
historic Iist so they could have for example, applied for a grant to remodel the building. Mr. Basinger
explained that the State Historic Preservation office and the National Register are different from local
preservation; and the Museum could not take advantage of grants at the local level. Mr. Basinger also
explained that establishing a CLG would be a large task, which is why the County has worked with
Spokane City, and he said the City of Spokane has a full time staff person dedicated to these services,
while Spokane County pays $5,000 a year for the City of Spokane to handle this.
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Councilmember Grafos suggested that perhaps we should look into this program as we have some assets
and some old buildings that might disappear if we can't work to preserve them, and said it could also be a
tax advantage as well as provide economic development. Mayor Towey asked who initiates the
application for getting property and buildings on a register. Mr. Basinger replied that at the local level,
placing assets on the registry requires the owner's consent. After Mr. Basinger went over some of the
aspects of the Commission, Councilmember Wick asked what type of workload we might be looking at,
and Mr. Basinger replied that he would not be able to speak to the amount of work, but estimates it would
be less than that of Spokane City. Councilmember Woodard inquired if the Vera pump is on any historic
register and Mr. Basinger said he did not know, and at this point, we do not have information that
explains all the criteria for getting on a register. Councilmember Hafner asked for Mr. Basinger's
recommendation on forming a CLG or partnering with the County and City. Mr. Basinger explained that
he doesn't have a recommendation as he is researching what is available to get ideas of what it might take
to have a program, either with the City or handle it in-house, and also look at the cost estimates for all
options. Councilmember Hafner said he would like staff to move forward and get more information, and
also feels the first step would be to determine what assets we have. Councilmember Wick said it would
be interesting to see how much grant money might be available, and said there are numerous small towns
that have their own historic buildings and/or district, and it would be interesting to learn their process.
Councilmember Grafos said there is also the possibility of having some special zoning; and said for
example, the Plantation Restaurant is just sitting there, and also mentioned the need for an inventory.
Planner Basinger said for his next administrative report he will research what historic assets we have, if
there are grants available and if so,how much,the will work with City Manager Jackson on possible costs,
and will research the idea of partnering with private companies, as well as the criteria for having an asset
placed on a register. Mr. Basinger said the State Historical Preservation Officer has a lot of information
and offered to speak to Council if that is Council's desire. Councilmembers nodded in agreement and
Councilmember Grafos suggested the idea of also having someone speak to Council from the City of
Spokane. Councilmember Hafner mentioned Mr. Basinger might research Florence Boutwell's books
about the history of Spokane Valley.
2, Contract Updates: Sweeping, and Street and Stormwater Maintenance—Eric Guth
Public Works Director Guth explained that we have two contract renewals, both coming up for the final
renewal year: AAA Sweeping and Poe Asphalt Street and Stormwater Maintenance. Mr. Guth said this
would be the final renewal for each as it represents the last of the seven one-year renewal options; and he
said that an RFP (request for proposal)will be prepared and a contract will be out for public bids in 2014
for calendar year 2015 and beyond. Director Guth went over the various aspects of each contract as well
as the proposed contract amount, and said staff recommends moving forward as proposed. After brief
Council discussion, it was determined to move these forward as a motion consideration on the December
17th Council agenda.
3.Parks and Recreation Master Plan—Mike Stone
Parks and Recreation Director Stone explained that tonight's agenda item is to continue the discussion of
the draft plan discussed a few weeks ago since at that time, Council did not have a lot of time to review
the plan, and said he is here tonight to respond to questions or comments. Councilmember Woodard said
that he generally likes the Plan, but asked about the existing parkland acreage of 164.7 on page 39, and
180.3 on page 20. Mr. Stone replied that the 164.7 is the figure for developed acreage. There was
discussion about the Appleway Trail with Mr. Stone explaining that the trail is not included as park
property now, but rather is shown as a potential lineal park; and said the area isn't a park yet, but is just
right-of-way.There was some discussion about the accuracy of the figures concerning future undeveloped
expansion areas; and whether the trail needs to be considered at least in the pathways parts. There was
also brief discussion about partnering with the schools with Mr. Stone explaining that we have a proven
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Approved by Council; 12-10-2013
good arrangement with the schools as they provide an opportunity for open space to certain sections of
our community, adding that he speaks with school officials regularly and the schools realize we might
have a desire for any property they might declare as surplus. Mayor Towey asked if there were any
objections from Council for staff to bring this forward as a resolution at the December 10 meeting, and no
objections were voiced. Mr. Jackson said staff also wants to examine the Iineal park and acreage
information.
4. Draft Legislative Agenda—Mike Jackson
City Manager Jackson explained since this was last discussed, he took Council's previous comments and
added some proposed language. Mr. Jackson noted that the attachments of"Balfour Park/Library Project"
and "Barker Road/BNSF Grade Separation Memo" are not part of the legislative agenda, but are included
as an aid to this discussion. Mr. Jackson said that Mr. Driskell checked with the Manufactured Home
Owner's Association and they have no issue concerning any proposed legislation concerning acquisition
of mobile home parks by tenants. Concerning choosing either the Appleway Trail Project or the Balfour
Project, Mr. Jackson said he spoke with our Lobbyist Briahna Taylor who said she favors the Appleway
Trail due to potential uncertainties about Balfour; he said of course the decision rests with Council, and
we plan to come back to Council with a motion consideration next week, and tonight's purpose is to help
staff prepare for that motion. Councilmember Wick argued in favor of including Balfour Park over the
Trail and said one of his reasons is that it will be easier to get funding for the Iinear park, and feels the
best project to put forward would be one that needs more time. Mayor Towey disagreed and said he feels
Ms. Taylor is closer to the legislative thought process, and he prefers not including a project based on a
future action as the park is contingent on the library being built, and therefore feels adding the park at this
time is premature. Deputy Mayor Schimmels, and Councilmembers Grafos and Hafner agreed with
Mayor Towey, as did Councilmember Woodard who said that the park can always be added later.
After Mr. Jackson discussed the other items on the legislative agenda, he asked Council for input
concerning the Barker Road/BNSF Grade Separation project; said Ms. Taylor indicated Council could
add a transportation project and at this point, it is undetermined whether another special session will be
called to discuss transportation; and said concerning this project, he cautioned Council that it would be
difficult to propose a project of this magnitude while not supporting any revenue package to fund such a
project and that the project and the funding are inseparable, and said that Ms. Taylor feels the money is
simply not available. Mr. Jackson clarified that we would seek $16 million for this project. Council
discussion included the need to keep the bridging the valley project before the legislators and of the
possibility of including a clarifying statement that while Council doesn't prefer new taxes, Council
supports this project. Mr. Jackson noted that if you add the project our analyst feels you can't separate
that from some sort of revenue package. Councilmember Woodard agreed with other Councilmembers in
not wanting to lose sight of the project, and he suggested discussing this with the legislators. Mr. Jackson
said he will do more research on this and that this can return to Council either next week or the following
week for a motion consideration. There were no objections from Council.
Mayor Towey called for a recess at 7:15 p.m., and reconvened the meeting at approximately 7:25 p.m.
5. Argonne Road Project,Public Use and Necessity—Cary Driskell
City Attorney Driskell said that we have discussed this project in the past, but tonight the emphasis is on
Argonne Road between Knox and Montgomery, and said Argonne between I-90 and Trent is the busiest
corridor in our city with about 42,000 daily vehicle trips; he said the primary focus involves a proposed
right turn lane from north Argonne onto east Montgomery; said additional features of this safety program
would include ADA (American with Disabilities Act) upgrades at Knox and Montgomery, and
replacement of traffic light poles; he said we applied for grant funds which would provide better traffic
flow; and said he will be giving more information as this moves forward December 10. Mr. Driskell said
in examining traffic flow, traffic engineers have identified upgrades that can be made from a safety and
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Approved by Council: 12-10-2013
traffic management standpoint; that this section has hit a threshold where it is impacting traffic so the
standard approach is to put in a right-turn lane. Mr. Driskell also said that when trucks turn left into the
industrial park, they either swing out into the middle lane or if there is traffic there, they do the best they
can but we have evidence that they often go up on the curb area designed for waiting pedestrians. Mr.
Driskell said lengthening that turn lane would solve that program and staff feels the project is necessary to
protect the life, safety and health of citizens. Mr. Driskell said staff has successfully negotiated with all
property owners except one, and that next week, staff will introduce an ordinance that authorizes the
pursuit of any option to acquire the property including condemnation, and again said he will bring more
specifics at next week's council meeting. There were no objections to staff proceeding as proposed.
6. Advance Agenda—Mayor Towey
There were no suggested changes to the Advance Agenda.
7. Information Only: The Public Works Monthly Report was for information only, and was not discussed
or reported.
8. Council Check in—Mayor Towey
Mayor Towey reminded everyone about this Saturday's Breakfast with Santa, held 8:30 a.m. at
CenterPlace.
9. City Manager Comments—Mike Jackson
Mr. Jackson said we saved lodging tax funds by developing our app in-house and the money we saved
will be used to market that app; and said he hopes to have a copy by the end of this week. Mr. Jackson
also noted that we are working on a special anniversary issue of Hot Topics, and in doing more to
promote our City,that issue will be mailed to addresses in Spokane Valley within the next week.
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Schimrrrels, seconded and unanimously agreed to adjourn. The meeting
adjourned at 7:32 p.m.
r7
Thomas E. Tofvey,`Mayor
A ES
Christine Bainbridge, ity Clerk
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Approved by Council: 12-10-2013