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2006, 08-22 Regular Meeting MinutesMayor Wilhite called the meeting to Attendance: Diana Wilhite, Mayor Dick Denenny, Councilmember Mike DeVleming, Councilmember Bill Gothmann, Councilmember Rich Munson, Councilmember Gary Schimmels, Councilmember Absent: Steve Taylor, Deputy Mayor MINUTES City of Spokane Valley City Council Regular Meeting Tuesday August 22, 2006 order at 6:00 p.m., and welcomed everyone to the 98th meeting. City Staff: Dave Mercier, City Manager Cary Driskell, Deputy City Attorney Nina Regor, Deputy City Manager Ken Thompson, Finance Director Tom Scholtens, Building Official Cal Walker, Police Chief Neil Kersten, Public Works Director Mike Jackson, Parks & Recreation Director Trish Burns -Hart, Human Resources Analyst Greg McCormick, Planning Manager Carolbelle Branch, Public Information Officer Morgan Koudelka, Administrative Analyst Chris Bainbridge, City Clerk INVOCATION: Pastor Manuel Denning of Fountain Ministries gave the invocation. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Wilhite led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL: City Clerk Bainbridge called roll; all Councilmembers were present except Deputy Mayor Taylor. It was moved by Councilmember Munson, seconded, and unanimously approved to excuse Deputy Mayor Taylor from tonight's meeting. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: It was moved by Councilmember Gothmann, seconded, and unanimously passed to approve the amended agenda as presented. COMMITTEE, BOARD, LIAISON SUMMARY REPORTS: Councilmember Schimmels: said he attended the Spokane Regional Transportation Committee meeting. Councilmember Denenny: reported that he attended a special Spokane Transit Authority (STA) meeting last Thursday where they worked to craft language for the November ballot advisory vote; that they agreed on a two -part ballot, to ask voters if they want STA to create a funding package using local taxes, and if voters want the STA to continue to use current STA funds to pay for the approximate $5 million project for the preliminary engineering design, which will determine where the light rail would go, and what properties would be affected. Councilmember Gothmann: mentioned he attended an open house for the Sunshine Gardens; he attended the meeting with Representative McMorris; and also attended the Chester Creek Flood Map meeting, and he thanked Dick Behm for his efforts. Councilmember Munson: said he also attended the meeting with Representative McMorris, which was very productive as Council and staff helped her to understand how our City runs; he attended the Chester Creek Flood Map meeting as well as the STA meeting mentioned previously. Councilmember DeVleming: said he had no report. MAYOR'S REPORT: Mayor Wilhite said that she attended the Chester Creek Flood Map meeting, the meeting with Representative McMorris, a fundraising Chamber of Commerce luncheon, and a ground- breaking ceremony. Council Meeting 08 -22 -06 Approved by Council: 09 -05 -06 Page 1 of 4 VOUCHER LIST DATE VOUCHER #s TOTAL VOUCHER AMOUNT 08 -07 -06 9644 -9671 $35,787.27 08 -07 -06 9673 -9732 $979,795.17 08 -16 -06 9742 -9743 $1,180.00 GRAND TOTAL $1,016,762.44 PUBLIC COMMENTS: Mayor Wilhite invited public comment. No comments were offered. 1. PUBLIC HEARING: 2007 Revenues — Ken Thompson Mayor Wilhite opened the public hearing at 6:10 p.m. and invited Finance Director Thompson to the podium. Director Thompson explained that this is the first of three public hearings; that tonight's hearing is primarily for discussion of revenues, but will include some expenditure information. Mr. Thompson stated that the City's total budget is $76 million; he went over the highlights of the hotel /motel fund, the parks capital fund, and the general fund revenues. Mayor Wilhite invited public comment. No comments were offered and Mayor Wilhite closed the public hearing at 6:24 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: b. Payroll for Pay Period Ending August 15, 2006: $173,301.12 c. Minutes of July 18, 2006 Council Study Session d. Minutes of July 24, 2006 Special Meeting /Executive Session e. Minutes of July 25, 2006 Council Meeting f. Minutes of August 8, 2006 Council Meeting It was moved by Councilmember DeVleming, seconded, and unanimously passed to approve the Consent Agenda. NEW BUSINESS 3. First Reading Proposed Ordinance 06 -020, Comprehensive Plan Amendment Process — Mike Connelly After City Clerk Bainbridge read the ordinance title, it was moved by Councilmember DeVleming and seconded, to advance ordinance 06 -020 to a second reading. Deputy City Attorney Driskell explained that this ordinance outlines the criteria for council to consider in the comprehensive plan amendment process. Attorney Driskell added that there were several recommendations from the Planning Commission concerning public hearings and review, and language to that affect will be added prior to the second reading. Council discussion included questions about emergency amendments, and annexations versus the comprehensive plan amendment process, which Mr. McCormick explained are separate processes. Mayor Wilhite invited public comment; no comments were offered. Vote by Acclamation: In Favor: Unanimous. Opposed: None. Abstentions: None. Motion passed. 4. Proposed Resolution 06 -016 Job Reclassification — Nina Regor After City Clerk Bainbridge read the resolution title, it was moved by Councilmember Munson and seconded to approve Resolution 06 -106 reclassifying the Accounting Manager position from grade 16 to grade 17. Deputy City Manager Regor explained that the job description of the Accounting Manager position did not completely describe the scope and complexity of the position's responsibilities; adding that the Finance Committee discussed the classification review at their July 18, 2006 meeting. Councilmember Gothmann asked about the special requirement mentioning a master's degree; and Ms. Regor indicated she will double check that verbiage. Mayor Wilhite invited public comment; no comments were offered. Vote by Acclamation: In Favor: Unanimous. Opposed: None. Abstentions: None. Motion passed. Council Meeting 08 -22 -06 Approved by Council: 09 -05 -06 Page 2 of 4 5. Motion Consideration: Council Sets Budget Hearings for October 10 and October 24 — Ken Thompson It was moved by Councilmember Munson and seconded, to set 2007 Budget Hearings for October 10, 2006, and October 24, 2006, to keep the City on our budget schedule. Finance Director Thompson explained that state law requires several public hearings before final adoption of the budget, and these two dates fit in the calendar. Mayor Wilhite invited public comment; no comments were offered. Vote by Acclamation: In Favor: Unanimous. Opposed: None. Abstentions: None. Motion passed. 6. Motion Consideration: Spokane County Communications Agreement — Morgan Koudelka It was moved by Councilmember Munson and seconded, to authorize the City Manager or designee to execute the interlocal agreement for communications services for the City of Spokane Valley. Mr. Koudelka stated that the agreement for communications services provided by Spokane County, is necessary as the costs for providing these services are not included in any other service contract with the County nor are they included as regional services; that the agreement will begin in the year 2005 and apply to all subsequent years we use this service, adding that the County has also not previously charged the City for this service. Mr. Koudelka also mentioned that there is an incorrect RCW reference under section 20, and by agreement with the County, and if Council authorizes the agreement, that reference will be changed to RCW 42.56 prior to execution of the agreement. Mayor Wilhite invited public comment; no comments were offered. Vote by Acclamation: In Favor: Unanimous. Opposed: None. Abstentions: None. Motion passed. 7. Mayoral Appointments: Sign Code Committee — Mayor Wilhite Mayor Wilhite explained that per previous council consensus, two additional members would be added to the Sign Code Committee: one from the automotive retail and one from retail business; that four applications were received; and that she recommends appointing Nancy Nishimura of Green Thumb Nursery, and Jennifer Johnson of Jennifers Auto Sales. It was moved by Councilmember Munson and seconded, to confirm the Mayoral appointments to the Ad Hoc Sign Committee. Mayor Wilhite invited public comment; no comments were offered. Vote by Acclamation: In Favor: Unanimous. Opposed: None. Abstentions: None. Motion passed. 8. Mayoral Appointments: Cable Advisory Board — Mayor Wilhite Mayor Wilhite stated that one vacancy exists on this Board and we received one application; and that Mr. Koudelka telephoned the applicant to ascertain his interest, qualifications, and availability to serve on this committee and believes Mr. Langford to be a viable candidate. It was moved by Councilmember Munson and seconded, to confirm the Mayoral appointment to the Cable Advisory Board. Mayor Wilhite invited public comment; no comments were offered. Vote by Acclamation: In Favor: Unanimous. Opposed: None. Abstentions: None. Motion passed. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Mayor Wilhite invited general public comments. No comments were offered. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS: 9. Presentation of Preliminary Budget — Dave Mercier City Manager Mercier gave highlights of the 2007 proposed budget; beginning with the "Introduction of the FY 2007 Preliminary Budget;" and then moved into summary remarks on page 34 (Accomplishments for 2006); page 39 (explaining the costs associated with the Legal Division are now part of Executive and Legislative Support); page 23 (the budget summary and the connection of this page to page 73); page 75 (showing the change in FTE counts resulting in a net change of 6.35 positions); page 76 (the comparative work force analysis); page 82 (general fund multiyear financial plan); and page 83 (the troubling future of the street fund). Council discussion ensued regarding the idea of lowering the $1.60 mill rate down to $1.60 or less; that it could hurt future years, but might be beneficial to the community now. Mr. Mercier responded that he Council Meeting 08 -22 -06 Approved by Council: 09 -05 -06 Page 3 of 4 feels there would be no benefit to the community if that figure were lowered now resulting in break down of services in the future as the financial picture tightens; he mentioned the need to look at all revenue streams; and said that many Councils prefer keeping up with the cost inflations, rather than denying that goods and services do increase. 10. Local Redevelopment Authority (LRA) Follow -up — Dave Mercier City Manager Mercier reported that he and several members of Council and staff toured the Walker Army Reserve Center, and that this agenda item is an opportunity for Council to discuss their impressions and give feedback. Mr. Mercier stated he feels the facility is being used today for what it is best suited for, i.e. training; that perhaps the facility could be used for a training center for Police or Fire or others; and that today he learned from an Army Representative that the process to determine who gets what when, is still in major flux. Mr. Mercier said that our choice is to determine whether to form an LRA; that Council previously passed on that proposal; but if Council desires to form the LRA, that we would be in a roll as arbitrator for the property we are interested in, which would suggest some incompatibilities. Mr. Mercier stated his opinion that Council should consider ratifying its earlier decision not to form the LRA; and that he is not persuaded to assume responsibility and manage a process not yet fully defined. [Councilmember Schimmels momentarily left the room at 7:45 p.m. and returned at 7:48 p.m.] There followed brief discussion on the facility and homelessness, with Mr. Mercier stating that the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) would apply judgment of any appropriateness of homeless uses of the properties. This matter is noted for a motion consideration for the September 5, 2006 council meeting. Other Business: The February 2007 retreat was mentioned and Mr. Mercier asked Councilmembers to look at their Saturday schedules for January and February, and e-mail him dates which will not work. Mr. Mercier also mentioned that the previous two years the winter retreat was held on the second Saturday in February. It was moved by Councilmember Munson, seconded, and unanimously agreed to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 7:51 p.m. U-60,p,z, bu itk,L.s,„ Diana Wilhite, Mayor Council Meeting 08 -22 -06 Approved by Council: 09 -05 -06 Page 4 of 4