2006, 09-19 Study Session MinutesMINUTES
CITY OF SPOKANE VALLEY
CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Mayor Wilhite called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m., and welcomed everyone to the meeting.
Present:
Councilmembers: Staff:
Diana Wilhite, Mayor Nina Regor, Deputy City Manager
Steve Taylor, Deputy Mayor Mike Connelly, City Attorney
Dick Denenny, Councilmember Ken Thompson, Finance Director
Bill Gothmann, Councilmember Neil Kersten, Public Works Director
Rich Munson, Councilmember Mike Jackson, Parks & Rec Director
Marina Sukup, Community Development Dir.
Absent: Carolbelle Branch, Public Information Officer
Mike DeVleming, Councilmember Greg, "Bing" Bingaman, IT Specialist
Gary Schimmels, Councilmember Chris Bainbridge, City Clerk
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Taylor, seconded by Councilmember Denenny, and unanimously
approved to excuse Councilmembers DeVleming and Schimmels from tonight's meeting.
Employee Introductions: Amy Sienknecht, Accounting Technician was introduced by Finance Director
Ken Thompson; and Brant Collier, Maintenance Inspector, was introduced by Public Works Director Neil
Kersten.
1. Second Reading Salary Commission Ordinance — Mike Connelly
City Attorney Connelly explained that the purpose of the ordinance is to create a salary commission to
review the salaries of the Mayor and Council; and that no changes have been made since the first reading.
After City Clerk Bainbridge read the ordinance title, it was moved by Deputy Mayor Taylor and seconded
to approve ordinance 06 -021. Mayor Wilhite invited public comment.
Bob Blum, 12722 E 15`"; said he is against the ordinance but not against the pay raise; he stated that this
puts a buffer between council and the people and could be perceived as a cover for the elected officials by
appointing people to a commission to make a decision to determine how much money they would get;
that he'd prefer to have a public hearing and have Council make a decision by resolution or other means;
and that way it would not become effective until the next election.
Councilmember Munson stated he would like to invite Mr. Howard Herman and Ms. Sally Jackson to
volunteer to be on this commission; adding that he is not saying Council would choose them, but he
encouraged them to apply. In response to questions concerning the committee, Attorney Connelly
mentioned that the preferable method of forming the commission is to open it to the public rather than
simply make appointments. Deputy Mayor Taylor mentioned that Spokane County has a commission as
well as Washington State; that the issue of elected official's compensation is very controversial but that
he feels the best way is through a commission, adding that the one that was appointed two years ago did a
good job and made their recommendations based on an independent market analysis. Vote by
Acclamation: In Favor: Unanimous. Opposed: None. Abstentions: None. Motion carried.
2. Department Budget Highlights and Work Program — Nina Regor and Department Directors
Deputy City Manager Regor summarized the goals and activities for the proposed 2007 budget, and then
gave the highlights of the Executive and Legislative Support, and Operations and Administrative
Services; followed by each Department Director explaining their department's budget highlights.
Meeting Minutes: 09 -19 -06 Page 1 of 2
Approved by Council: 09 -26 -06
3. 2007 Budget: Outside Agencies' Allocation Discussion — Nina Regor
Council discussed the requested amounts and proposed Council allocations, including the idea of a 12-
15% increase from the previous year; the preference to request a budget from the Spokane Valley Arts
Council; that the Institute for Medicine might fare better in the future if their request was for economic
development purposes; and a general discussion concerning Meals on Wheels and income requirements
concerning meals at the Senior Center. Meals on Wheels Executive Director Pam Almeida explained that
the request is just for the Senior Center, that for statistical purposes they ask seniors questions concerning
household incomes, and determined that 44% of those seniors are under the federal low - income level, and
10% are at the extremely low - income level. Because of the merge with the EDC and the Regional
Chamber of Commerce, and because of the lack of a formal plan, Council discussed and debated whether
to disburse full allocated funds to the EDC at once, or half now and half six months later. Points of
debate included that the entities will still be separate with separate budgets; that sending the funds in two
installments ensures the funds will be used for economic development, or that doing two payments could
send a negative signal to the EDC. Mayor Wilhite stated that she sits on the Executive Board of EDC and
she will forward a report to Councilmembers after that meeting tomorrow, adding that the EDC can
always come before Council to show how and where the funds were used.
The following are the suggested
Big Brothers Big Sisters
Institute for Systems Medicine
Pet Savers
Project Access
Spokane Valley Arts Council
funding amounts:
$2,500
$ -0—
$-0—
$30,000
$5,000
Spokane Valley Community Center
Spokane Valley Meals on Wheels
Inland NW Women's Business Ctr
International Trade Alliance
Economic Development Council
$5,000
$2,500
$ -0—
$20,000
$65,000
Deputy City Manager Regor mentioned that the total new allocation proposal of $130,000 represents a
$10,000 increase from what was budgeted; and that staff will come forward next week with the motion
consideration for this and a recommendation on how to re- balance the budget due to the extra $10,000.
4. Advance Agenda Additions — Mayor Wilhite
Mayor Wilhite asked and received Council consensus to hold an executive session after next week's
council meeting in order to discuss land acquisition. Mayor Wilhite also brought Council attention to the
paving award scheduled for a motion next week, which was included as an informational item on
tonight's amended agenda.
5. Council Check -in - Mayor Wilhite
There was some discussion to invite the Board of County Commissions to attend the October 17 meeting
to discuss the Milwaukee Right -of -way, but it was determined several councilmembers will be absent and
that topic will be scheduled at a later date. Mayor Wilhite spoke of the Salary Commission and she asked
all people interested in serving on that Commission to complete an application and submit it to the City
Clerk as soon as possible, as the Commission will be working within a short time frame.
6. City Manager Comments — Nina Regor
Deputy City Manager Regor mentioned that for clarity and consistency, we are changing the name of the
Sprague /Appleway Corridor topic to the Sprague / Appleway Revitalization Plan.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:48 p.m.
-iiristine Bainbridge, City Clerk
Ok-tiA4. way.
Diana Wilhite, Mayor
Meeting Minutes: 09 -19 -06 Page 2 of 2
Approved by Council: 09 -26 -06