2007, 01-09 Regular Meeting MinutesMINUTES
City of Spokane Valley
City Council Regular Meeting
Tuesday, January 9, 2007
Mayor Wilhite called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m., and welcomed everyone to the 107 meeting.
Attendance:
Diana Wilhite, Mayor
Steve Taylor, Deputy Mayor
Gary Schimmels, Councilmember
Dick Denenny, Councilmember
Bill Gothmann, Councilmember
Rich Munson, Councilmember
Absent:
Mike DeVleming, Councilmember
INVOCATION: Councilmember Munson gave the invocation.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Wilhite led the Pledge of Allegiance.
City Staff:
Dave Mercier, City Manager
Nina Regor, Deputy City Manager
Mike Connelly, City Attorney
Ken Thompson, Finance Director
Mike Jackson, Parks & Rec Director
Greg McCormick, Planning Manager
Marina Sukup, Community Development Dir.
Scott Kuhta, Senior Planner
Karen Kendall, Assistant Planner
Carolbelle Branch, Public Information Officer
Greg Bingaman, IT Specialist
Chris Bainbridge, City Clerk
ROLL CALL: City Clerk Bainbridge called roll; all councilmembers were present except
Councilmember DeVleming. It was moved by Councilmember Munson, seconded and unanimously
agreed to excuse Councilmember DeVleming.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA: It was moved by Deputy Mayor Taylor, seconded and unanimously agreed
to approve the amended agenda.
INTRODUCTION OF SPECIAL GUESTS AND PRESENTATIONS: Mayor Wilhite acknowledged
the presence of Boy Scouts and their leaders from troops 423, 426 and 410. Community Development
Director Sukup introduced Mary Kate Martin, our new Building Official, who started work here
approximately a week ago.
COMMITTEE, BOARD, LIAISON SUMMARY REPORTS:
Deputy Mayor Taylor: reported that he met last Friday with members from the Sports Commission,
representatives from Liberty Lake Council, and the owner of Sports USA building regarding options and
alternatives for use of the closed building.
Councilmember Gothmann: stated that he attended Judge Padden's recent retirement.
MAYOR'S REPORT: No report.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Bill Wallace, 19321 E Main, Spokane Valley: concerning Barker Road, he stated that the bridge is
currently very dangerous and he feels somebody will get killed on the bridge going north; that when one
is in line with the northbound lane, you can't see the abutment, especially on very dark rainy nights; that
many people talked to him about the dangers of the bridge. Mr. Schimmels added that Public Works
Director Kersten spoke with Mr. Schimmels recently and Mr. Kersten is aware of the bridge and is
examining the issue.
Council Meeting: 01 -09 -07 Page 1 of 4
Approved by Council: 01 -23 -07
VOUCHER LIST DATE
VOUCHER #s
TOTAL VOUCHER
AMOUNT
12 -08 -2006
10551
6.25
12 -08 -2006
10552
5,548.45
12 -08 -2006
10550; 10553 -10607
406,852.77
12 -15 -2006
10608; 10615-10676
(excluding voided 10622 and
10626)
224,636.19
12 -26 -2006
10677 -10736 (excluding
voided 10686 and 10702)
301,499.14
GRAND TOTAL
938,542.80
Gail Stiltner, 10119 E 44 Ave: voiced general comments concerning changes to the Comprehensive Plan
which were due the end of December; that she read through the changes again, and understands the need
for the words "should" and "may" and also understands the possible legal ramification of having stronger
language; but an area she requests council and staff re- examine is those situations which involve citizen
safety such as emergencies, and road access; that she feels it is appropriate and necessary to use words
like "will" or "shall" as they make an important statement that this is something that will be considered
and done; and she asks Council and staff to look at that again, especially in those critical areas.
1. PUBLIC HEARING: Extension of UR -1 Zoning — Marina Sukup
Mayor Wilhite opened the public hearing at 6:23 p.m., and invited Director Sukup to the podium.
Community Development Director Sukup explained that this is the fourth extension request of the interim
zoning and that such an extension requires Council to hold a public hearing. She added that the current
interim zoning expires March 6, 2007. Mayor Wilhite invited public comment.
A J Tondini, S 4515 Farr Road: said he lives in the fifth edition of the Ponderosa area; and said he favors
maintaining the status quo; that he was attracted to the locale because of the spacious areas; and he
recommends not altering the size as it is environmentally friendly for kids.
Gail Stiltner, 10119 E 4e Avenue: explained that she appreciates Council's desire to protect and preserve
the character of neighborhoods; that these areas are unique and worth protecting with appropriate zoning;
and such areas take away the impact of urban sprawl thus making them a more marketable community;
and that the one house per acre helps solve the problem of ingress and egress concerning emergency
planning and limited roads for evacuation.
Deanna Horman, 1319 S Shamrock: said she lives in the Rotchford area and favors the current
configuration.
John Dacquisto, Ponderosa: City Clerk Bainbridge read a statement received via e -mail from John
Dacquisto, urging Council to renew the temporary zoning for acre lots in the Ponderosa and Rotchford
areas.
Mayor Wilhite invited further public comments; no comments were offered and Mayor Wilhite closed
the public hearing at 6:27 p.m.
2. CONSENT AGENDA: Consists of items considered routine which are approved as a group. A
Councilmember may remove an item from the Consent Agenda to be considered separately.
a. Following Claim Vouchers:
Council Meeting: 01 -09 -07
Approved by Council: 01-23-07
Page 2 of 4
b. Payroll for Period Ending December 15, 2006: $161,392.16
c. Payroll for Period Ending December 31, 2006: $219,620.94
d. Ratification of January 2, 2007 City Hall Closure
e. Minutes of December 12, 2006 Council Regular Meeting
f. Minutes of December 19, 2006 Council Study Session Meeting
It was moved by Deputy Taylor, seconded and unanimously agreed to approve the consent agenda.
NEW BUSINESS
3. First Reading Proposed Ordinance 07 -001 Extending UR -1 Zone — Marina Sukup
After City Clerk Bainbridge read the ordinance title, it was moved by Councilmember Gothmann and
seconded, to advance ordinance 07 -001, authorizing the fourth extension of the Interim UR -1 residential
estate zoning in the Ponderosa and Rotchford neighborhoods, to a second reading. Community
Development Director Sukup explained about the area and the UR -1 zone, and that the tradition is to
allow for horses in the neighborhood; that neither the Ponderosa nor the Rotchford areas are served by
public sewer; and both are environmentally sensitive areas. Council/staff discussion ensued regarding
procedures in place now for someone to add a second dwelling on their lot; the notification procedure;
whether dwellings are attached or detached; the four units per acre minimum in urban growth areas;
restrictive covenants, and variance rules. Mayor Wilhite invited public comment; no comments were
offered. Vote by acclamation: In Favor: Unanimous. Opposed: None. Abstentions: None. Motion
carried.
4. First Reading Proposed Ordinance 07 -002 Street Vacation Portion of Avenue — Karen Kendall
After City Clerk Bainbridge read the ordinance title, it was moved by Deputy Mayor Taylor and seconded,
to advance ordinance 07 -002 to a second reading. Assistant Planner Kendall gave background on the
proposed ordinance, explaining that this is a request to vacate two portions of right -of -way along 15
Avenue at the end of the cul -de -sac; and that the Planning Commission held a public hearing and
recommends approval. Mayor Wilhite invited public comment; no comments were offered. Vote by
acclamation: In Favor: Unanimous. Opposed: None. Abstentions: None. Motion carried.
5. Motion Consideration: Fiber Internet Service for CenterPlace — Mike Jackson
Parks and Recreation Director Jackson give a brief history of the request for fiber internet service for
CenterPlace per his Request for council Action form, adding that the current proposal is more economical
than that which was previously discussed last spring as there will be no installation cost. It was moved by
Deputy Mayor Taylor and seconded to authorize installation of Internet Fiber at CenterPlace. Mayor
Wilhite invited public comment; no comments were offered. Vote by acclamation: In Favor: Unanimous.
Opposed: None. Abstentions: None. Motion carried.
5a. Mayoral Appointment: Public Transportation Improvement Conference — Mayor Wilhite
Mayor Wilhite explained that she received a letter from Al French, Chair of the 2007 Spokane Transit
Board of Directors, asking for our city's represented attendance at the 2007 Public Transportation
Improvement Conference (PTIC) for the purpose of reviewing Spokane Transit Authority's service
boundaries. Mayor Wilhite said that she is available and therefore appoints herself, and asks for Council
confirmation of the appointment. It was moved by Councilmember Munson, seconded, and unanimously
approved to confirm the Mayor's appointment of herself to the 2007 PTIC.
PUBLIC COMMENTS. Mayor Wilhite invited general public comments. No comments were offered.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS:
6. Request for Qualifications for City Center Consulting Services — Scott Kuhta
Mr. Kuhta stated that in efforts to continue with the City Center planning and future development plans,
staff has prepared a City Center Consulting Services Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Council review
Council Meeting: 01 -09 -07 Page 3 of 4
Approved by Council: 01-23-07
and feedback. Mr. Kuhta explained the background per his January 2, 2007 Request for Council Action
form, and the three options to pursue the city center development; and that Council previously expressed
a desire to pursue option 3; e.g. "Master plan and zone the preferred site, secure property by purchase or
option, market the city center plan to developers through a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP)
process and then resell property to selected developer." Mr. Kuhta said that Michael Freedman had
suggested there is a need to help us move through this endeavor, and that we will need consultant
expertise in dealing with private property owners. The budgeted amount for this endeavor, Mr. Kuhta
explained, is between $20,000 and $50,000; and that we are not sure exactly what kind of assistance we
will need as it all depends on the type of responses we get. Councilmember Munson stated that while the
preference may be to go with option 3; no decision has been made yet as the data - gathering has not yet
been completed; and Mr. Mercier added that there is the conundrum that we don't know how to acquire
data without initiating a request for information yet. Mayor Wilhite also voiced her opinion that Council
has not yet made a decision on which option, but are willing to explore all options; and she would favor a
public /private partnership working in conjunction with developers. It was Council consensus for staff to
move forward, adding that they want to see all options.
7. Proposed Ordinance Amending Dangerous Dog Appeals — Cary Driskell
City Attorney Connelly, stepping in for Mr. Driskell, explained that they are working to revise the appeal
procedure for dangerous dog partly in response to the Board of County Commissioners' desire not to hear
our appeals; and that this change means that we need to revise some of our appeal procedures currently in
our municipal code. Mr. Connelly said that in drafting and discussing changes with the Hearing
Examiner, and also with Nancy Hill of SCRAPS, it was mentioned that it would be clearer for Animal
Control and the Hearing Examiner to use the regulations if we were to customize the County regulations
to the City, and adopt them as our own; and that the County is also working on their own ordinance
changes, and this topic will come up again in a few more months to revise the entire process; but in the
meantime, these proposed changes will carry us through in case an appeal rises. Council concurred that
staff should move forward in drafting the ordinance for council approval consideration.
In other business, Mayor Wilhite mentioned that a study session was going to be scheduled to review
UDC Title 19 on Thursday, February 22, but due to conflicts, that meeting will now be held Wednesday,
February 21. Mayor Wilhite also mentioned there will be a "Conversation with the Community" at the
Ponderosa Elementary school on January 18, 2007.
There being no further business, it was moved by Councilmember, Munson, seconded, and unanimously
agreed to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 7:12 p.m.
ATTEST:
),,
Christine Bainbridge, City Clerk
C lal-aMtL.L/kJJLk C th.
Diana Wilhite, Mayor
Council Meeting: 01 -09 -07 Page 4 of 4
Approved by Council: 01 -23 -07
Chris Bainbridge
From: Chris Bainbridge
Sent: Tuesday, January 09, 2007 11:00 AM
To: ' Dacquisto, John'
Subject: RE: Ponderosa
And thank you. I'll read your comments into the record during the public hearing tonight.
Chris Bainbridge, CMC
Spokane Valley City Clerk
509 -688 -0177
From: Dacquisto, John [ mailto :dacquisto @gem.gonzaga.edu]
Sent: Tuesday, January 09, 2007 10:40 AM
To: Chris Bainbridge
Subject: RE: Ponderosa
And, thank you for the reply. You can surely read this (as modified below, i.e. I removed our exact address) at tonight's council
meeting.
have a previous commitment and will be unable to attend.
Best to you and your colleagues,
John
From: Chris Bainbridge [ mailto :CBainbridge @spokanevalley.org]
Sent: Tuesday, January 09, 2007 10:00 AM
To: Dacquisto, John
Subject: RE: Ponderosa
Thank you for your comments. Would you like me to read this at tonight's council meeting, or are you planning to attend?
Chris Bainbridge, CMC
Spokane Valley City Clerk
509 - 688 -0177
From: Dacquisto, John [mailto :dacquisto @gem.gonzaga.edu]
Sent: Monday, January 08, 2007 5:07 PM
To: Chris Bainbridge
Subject: Ponderosa
Happy New Year!
I'm John F. Dacquisto.
My wife, Judey, and I have had the fortune to live in the Ponderosa for more than 34 years. As virtually all home owners in the
Ponderosa, we are working diligently to maintain our covenant for one acre Tots. On that note, I and my neighbors strongly support
our City Council Members to °Renew the Temporary Zoning for Acre Lots in the Ponderosa & Rothchford area."
Your support and understanding are genuinely appreciated.
1/12/2007
Page 1 of 2
Sincerely,
John F. Dacquisto
dacquisto @gem.gonzaga.edu.
W: 323 -3556
H: 928 -6920
1/12/2007
Page 2 of 2
NAME
PLEASE PRINT
TOPIC OF CONCERN YOU
WILL SPEAK ABOUT
ADDRESS
TELEPHONE
1 , ' 11.4
_ - 'o /mil
,- -� /A7 C /4/6
v,c " 1y
t? )/ 1 4v4J/ 9
6i4" ike-i 6Pld'0
)73 21 ill I i
4 7
G ci \ 3-k-', K \\Q1/4,
1 1 .,
olt 1 £. Ll -
1 1 As - c a
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT
SIGN —IN SHEET
SPOKANE VALLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING
DATE: January 9, 2007
CITIZEN COMMENTS
YOUR SPEAKING TIME WILL BE LIMITED TO THREE MINUTES
Sign in if you wish to make public comments.
NAME
PLEASE PRINT
���-
ADDRESS
9, 5(.7‘ei.
TELEPHONE
,t/.../74j;(2)/A//
CO 0.: 1 St; 1 mbi..
10 c k `l
E .
4-y
9 a_ cc— (..;)4.
Sikikane
SPOKANE VALLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday, January 9, 2007
SUBJECT: Extension of UR -1 Zoning
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK at the Public Hearing, please sign below.
PRINT NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD. There may be a time limit for your comments.
Any documents for Council consideration should be provided to the City Clerk for distribution.