2003, 04-08 Regular Meeting MinutesCity of Spokane Valley
City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting
April 8, 2003
Mayor Michael DeVleming called the regular meeting of the Spokane Valley City
Council to order at 6:00 p.m.
Councilmembers present: Mayor Michael Devleming, Deputy Mayor Diana Wilhite,
Councilmembers Dick Denenny, Mike Flanigan, Richard Munson, Gary Schimmels, and
Steve Taylor.
Staff present: Interim Manager Lee Walton, Interim Deputy Manager Stan McNutt,
Interim Finance Director Robert Noack, Interim Parks and Recreation Consultant Bill
Hutsinpiller, Interim City Engineer Dick Thiel, and Interim City Clerk Ruth Muller.
Invocation: Pastor Pat Mecham, Opportunity Presbyterian Church gave the invocation.
Pledge of Allegiance: Councilmember Taylor led the pledge of allegiance.
Roll Call: Interim City Clerk called roll.
Approval of Agenda: Staff requested that the minutes for March 13 and March 20, 2003
be removed from the consent agenda. Councilmember Munson moved and
Councilmember Taylor seconded that the agenda be approved as modified. The motion
carried unanimously.
Council Reports: Councilmember Munson read a letter from President George W. Bush
commending the residents of the community on the incorporation of Spokane Valley.
Councilmember Schimmels reported that at the April 8, 2003 Public Facilities District
meeting a bond counsel was selected for the District.
Councilmember Denenny submitted a written report from Deputy Mayor Wilhite and
himself on their recent trip to Washington D.D. as representatives of Spokane Valley
attached to the Regional Chamber Alliance in meetings with federal officials and
legislators. Issue papers were provided to various parties in Washington D.C. relating to
the Bridging the Valley and Rathdrum- Spokane Aquifer studies. Councilmember
Denenny also will report at a later date on meeting with HUD officials relating to
Community Development Block Grant funding.
Consent Agenda: Councilmember Munson moved and Councilmember Taylor
seconded that the Consent Agenda be approved including (1) Claims obligations in
amount of $280,485.13 and Payroll obligations in amount of $6,971.00 (Jan -March
period). The motion carried unanimously.
Council Minutes, April 8, 2003
Approved by Council: May 27, 2003
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Agenda Bill No. 2003 -098, Interim Animal Control Agreement: Councilmember
Munson moved and Councilmember Flanigan seconded that the Interim Manager be
authorized to execute an amendment to interim animal control agreement with Spokane
County. Interim Manager Walton said that this was reviewed at the April 1, 2003 study
session, but now includes provision for cat licensing, since the County has already mailed
out renewal notices and the upcoming licensing campaign covers both dogs and cats.
Tony Lazanis, 1048 East Trent, said that the cost for this agreement is too costly and that
the animal control ordinance may not cover the needs for regulating animal control.
There was brief discussion by Council of the need to have Spokane County Animal
Control come to a future study session and provide to Spokane Valley information on the
specific operation that the City will be paying for; the need to consider other options for
this service, and the need to have an agreement so there is no loss of control over
dangerous and dead animals.
The motion to authorize execution of the interim animal control agreement carried
unanimously. Council concurred that staff be directed to prepare a Request for Proposal
for animal control services and that discussion of what is to be included in this RFP be an
agenda item for the April 15, 2003 study session.
Agenda Bill No. 2003 -099, ratify language changes to pretrial and probation
agreements: Councilmember Denenny moved and Councilmember Taylor seconded
that the Council ratify language changes approved by Spokane County Board of
Commissioners in interlocal agreements for pretrial services and probation services.
Interim Manager Walton said that after Council approval of these documents, some
language changes were made prior to approval by the Board of Commissioners. These
changes relate to cost for delivery of these services. Following brief discussion as to
whether there is a method for refund to Spokane Valley if there is any overbilling by the
County, Council concurred to delay action on this item. Deputy Mayor Wilhite moved
and Councilmember Munson seconded that this motion be tabled until further
information is available. The motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Bill No. 2003 -105, memorandum of understanding for parks services:
Councilmember Denenny moved and Councilmember Flanigan seconded that the Interim
Manager be authorized to execute the Memorandum of Understanding for interim parks
services with Spokane County. Interim Manager Walton said that until staff has
completed negotiations and review of the interlocal agreement for parks services, this
agreement will provide that the City parks can be serviced by County personnel. The
motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Bill No. 2003 -100, street obstruction regulations: Councilmember Flanigan
moved and Councilmember Munson seconded Ordinance No. 63 Adopting Standards and
Procedures for Construction Work and Activity Within City Right -Of -Way be advanced
to second reading. Interim Engineer Thiel said that this ordinance enables the City to
Council Minutes, April 8, 2003
Approved by Council: May 27, 2003
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issue permits for work done in the public right -of -way, to have oversight on work done
on public property; and that staff is working on adjustment to the fee schedule that will be
presented at a future study session. Council questioned staff on the need to develop
guidelines for any waiver of bonds; bonding requirements for contractors /utilities; street
closure and traffic control guidelines; and permit fees.
Dick Behm, 3626 South Ridgeview, said that businesses and the Chamber are concerned
about street closure and problems associated with closure, and suggested that generalities
in an ordinance are not completely understood by all concerned parties.
There was further discussion with staff about emergency permitting requirements; having
some traffic lanes open during street closures; whether the City is required to have
permits; and the need to assure that work is performed to Spokane Valley standards,
whether by Spokane County, City of Spokane Valley or contractors. Council directed
staff to address these concerns prior to final action on this ordinance. The motion to
advance Ordinance No. 63 to second reading carried unanimously.
Agenda Bill No. 2003 -101, special events regulations: Councilmember Munson moved
and Deputy Mayor Wilhite seconded that Ordinance No. 64 Adopting Regulations for
Special Events be advanced to second reading. Interim Manager Walton said that this
ordinance provides regulations for various special events sponsored by community
organizations in the City. Staff responded to Council questions regarding the guidelines
for denying permits and policies for implementing this ordinance. The motion to advance
to second reading carried unanimously, with staff directed to address concerns expressed
before final action on this ordinance.
Agenda Bill No. 2003 -102, salary grades for part -time employees and two new
positions: Councilmember Munson moved and Councilmember Denenny seconded that
Resolution No. 03 -023 be adopted Approving Salary Grades for Part -time Temporary
Employees, Senior Center Specialist, and Deputy City Attorney. Interim Manager
Walton said that there is money included in the budget but no grade and step for these
positions. The motion carried unanimously to adopt Resolution No. 03 -023.
Agenda Bill No. 2003 -103, data processing agreement: Councilmember Munson
moved and Deputy Mayor Wilhite seconded that the Interim Manager be authorized to
execute Interlocal Agreement No. CO3 -19 Between Spokane County and City of Spokane
Valley Regarding Data Processing Services. Interim Deputy Manager McNutt said that
this agreement was reviewed at a recent study session and identified changes made to the
agreement since the study session review by Council. Staff responded to questions
relating to software systems included in the agreement and staffing for operation of the
systems.
Bill Gothmann, 10010 East 48 questioned if there will be computer terminals available
to the public. He was advised that there is a computer available in the City's permit
center and that the database resides in the County so best access is on the website.
Council Minutes, April 8, 2003
Approved by Council: May 27, 2003
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Council discussed the section relating to adjustments for over or under billings; payment
of any lost interest to either party; the likelihood of underbilling; and possible language
changes to better reflect the Council's position. The maker and seconder of the motion
agreed to amend the motion to authorize execution of the agreement conditioned on
successful negotiation of language changes as discussed. The motion carried
unanimously.
Agenda Bill No. 2003 -104, agreement for library services: Councilmember Munson
moved and Deputy Mayor Wilhite seconded that this agreement be delayed until a future
meeting. The motion carried unanimously.
City Manager and Staff Reports: Interim Parks and Recreation Consultant Hutsinpiller
reported that bids were opened for the Mirabeau Meadows project with a low bid of
$1.050 million. The low bid submittal is now being evaluated by Spokane County and if
everything is in place, a contract will be executed with work scheduled to be complete in
October 2003. Councilmember Munson added that at the Mirabeau meeting this week
there was discussion as to the need to define the roles of Spokane Valley and the
Mirabeau Committee.
Interim Deputy Manager McNutt said that the governance manual is being finalized for
Committee review and the for a Council study session along with the core beliefs
resolution.
Interim Parks and Recreation Consultant Hutsinpiller reported that fliers have been
mailed to residents announcing the summer programs. We are now working to secure
School District approval for use of their facilities, and registration may be done either
manually or by computer. Council requested monthly reports on these activities along
with the Senior Center, parks activities and Mirabeau Meadows.
Interim Manager Walton reported that out of 30 applicants for the City's Planning
Commission, the Council Committee will interview 15 -18 of the best qualified this week
so that appointments can be made prior to scheduled training by the State on April 23,
2003.
Public Comments: Tony Lazanis, 1048 East Trent, said that he appreciated information
that the Council's governance manual and core beliefs documents will be discussed in
public. He questioned if Spokane Valley owns all of Mirabeau Meadows and said that
the public needs to be kept apprised of what is happening on this project.
Pending Legislation: Councilmember Flanigan reported that ESB 6026 on Tourism has
been rewritten meeting all the criteria that Spokane Valley supports and has been passed
out of Committee to Finance. Council concurred that they support another letter to the
full House requesting that all amendments to ESB 6026 be retained.
Councilmember Taylor reported that HB 5965 has been passed out of Trade and
Economic Development Committee to Rules Committee, and will then go to the floor for
Council Minutes, April 8, 2003
Approved by Council: May 27, 2003
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vote followed by signature of the Governor This bill expands the seats on Public
Facilities District Boards and will allow Spokane Valley to appoint a member to the
Spokane Public Facilities District Board
Councilmember Taylor reported that Secretary of State Sam Reed will be in Spokane
Valley on Friday, April 11, 2003 to meet with councilmembers and tour City Hall
beginning at 3 00 p m
New Business Councilmember Munson requested budget reports to the Council on
appropriations versus actual expenditures Intenm Finance Director Noack said that once
the financial software is installed and operational these reports will be provided on a
regular basis
Executive Session Mayor DeVleming announced that Council will recess the regular
meeting to executive session for approximately 45 minutes for discussion of personnel
matters No action will be taken following this executive session
The meeting recessed to executive session at 8 01 p m
The meeting reconvened at 8 58 p m
Adjournment Councilmember Flanigan moved and Councilmember Munson seconded
that the meeting adjourn The motion carried unanimously
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned by Mayor DeVleming at 9 00
pm
ATTEST
Interim City Clerk Ruth Muller Michael DeVleming(Mayor
Council Minutes April 8 2003
Approved by Council May 27 2003
City of Spokane Valley
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