2005, 08-16 Study Session MinutesAttendance:
Councilmembers:
Diana Wilhite, Mayor
Rich Munson, Deputy Mayor
Mike DeVleming, Councilmember
Dick Denenny, Councilmember
Mike Flanigan, Councilmember
Steve Taylor, Councilmember
Gary Schimmels, Councilmember
MINUTES
CITY OF SPOKANE VALLEY
STUDY SESSION
Tuesday, August 16, 2005, 6:00 p.m.
Staff:
Dave Mercier, City Manager
Nina Regor, Deputy City Manager
Tom Scholtens, Building Official
Marina Sukup, Community Development Director
Ken Thompson, Finance Director
Neil Kersten, Public Works Director
Mike Jackson, Parks & Recreation Director
Chris Bainbridge, City Clerk
Mayor Wilhite called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and welcomed all in attendance.
Employee Introductions:
Aaron Clary, Stormwater Engineering Tech — by Public Works Director Neil Kersten
Jay Grissom, Building Inspector II — by Building Official Tom Scholtens
Kari Kurtz, Permit Specialist — by Building Official Tom Scholtens
Christina Janssen, Permit Specialist - by Building Official Tom Scholtens
Mike Connelly, City Attorney — by City Manager Dave Mercier
Introductions were made as noted above, and Council welcomed the new staff members.
1. Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), Senior Citizen Association — Mike Jackson
Parks and Recreation Director Jackson explained that he and the Senior Center Ad Hoc Committee have
been working on recommendations for the attached Memorandum of Understanding between the City of
Spokane Valley and the Spokane Valley Senior Citizens Association; and he then went over the
highlights of the document. Mr. Jackson brought attention to page 2 F which has an added sentence since
last review; that the Association may hold no more than four such unpaid occurrences per year, noting
that these occasions are means for the Association to gain new membership; page 3 r explains that all the
property will belong to the City and that the City will maintain the property, and that the final document
will include an attachment listing all those items. Mr. Jackson also mentioned that the Association
already sent a check to cover half the cost of moving the pool tables. Mr. Jackson also noted page 4, aa,
that they are working with the State to develop a separate agreement for Meals on Wheels.
Councilmember DeVleming suggested adding "or designee" on page 2, section e, after "director."
Councilmember DeVleming also asked about the parking situation, and Mr. Jackson said the agreement
does not address parking as at this point it is somewhat of an unknown, but something to consider as
needed. In response to a question about the current Senior Center Building, Mr. Jackson indicated an
additional assessment is forthcoming from an engineer as Mr. Jackson wants to ensure that such decision
to tear down the building would be conclusive before moving ahead to do so. It was Council consensus
to place the MOU, with minor corrections, on the next Council consent agenda.
2. CenterPlace Fiber vs. T1 for Communication and Data — Mike Jackson
Parks and Recreation Director Jackson discussed options for the communications at CenterPlace,
including internet connection, high bandwidth and videoconferencing, and T1 lines and what it means in
regard to video and audio quality; along with the accompanying financial impacts of the options, all as per
his August 16, 2005 Request for Council Action form. Council /staff discussion then included what is
needed for the grand opening; monthly fiber costs; monthly internet costs; the benefits of
Study Session Minutes: 08 -16 -05 Page 1 of 4
Approved by Council: 08 -23 -05
videoconferencing; full service now or later; the difficulty in estimating demand at this time; and the
system currently used by area colleges. There was Council consensus to move forward with the needs for
the connection between City Hall and CenterPlace; to continue using T1 temporarily until after the
opening; and before Council makes a final determination, to have staff gather more information for future
presentation to Council, including a listing of all pros and cons along with accompanying cost projections,
various internet choices, and timelines for completion.
3. Community College Lease for CenterPlace — Mike Jackson
Parks and Recreation Director Jackson explained the background concept of leasing space to the
Community Colleges of Spokane, and that the general terms of the lease are for the rental of seven
classrooms totaling 6,116 square feet at an annual rate of $16.00 per square foot; which equates to
$8,154.66 per month or $97,856 annually, and that the term of the lease is five years. Mr. Jackson also
explained about the regional use as mentioned at the top of page 2 of the lease. Mr. Jackson brought
Council attention to the last paragraph on page 2 of the lease concerning the lessee not doing anything
which would increase the insurance premiums; that the language is a little uncertain as there is no base
level yet established for insurance; that he has contacted WCIA and there may be changes. Mr. Jackson
also mentioned about the possibility of using all parking (page 3 of the lease), and that will also be further
examined. The wet lab was mentioned and Mr. Jackson stated that the College has agreed to reimburse
the City for the $4500 spent for the drain line capability; and added that the room will be used as an
exercise class at first. Mr. Jackson said that classes are scheduled to start September 19 with faculty
moving in September 14, and that he should know by noon tomorrow if any of these minor changes are
troublesome. Mr. Mercier mentioned that staff has been working on this lease for 18 months and it is the
intention that occupancy not be granted until we have a signed lease. It was council consensus to bring
this item back for approval consideration at the next council meeting.
4. Establishing a School Speed Zone at Ness Elementary School
Mr. Kersten stated that currently Ness Elementary School has no 20 mile - per -hour speed zones on
MacArthur and Rudolf Streets, which are the only streets connecting to the school's parking lot; that a
neighbor of the school who lives on Rudolf called to request the 20 mph zone. Mr. Kersten said that this
issue was discussed with the school principal and it was decided that MacArthur and Rudolf between
Boone and Ness Elementary; Cataldo Avenue along the school frontage; and 300 feet on either side of the
Boone Avenue crosswalk should be marked as a 20 mph zone. Mr. Kersten added that per the model
traffic ordinance adopted by City, all changes to speed limits must be approved by Council; and he hopes
to have this resolution approved and signs installed before the new school year begins next month. It was
council consensus to place this item on the next Council consent agenda for approval.
5. County Maintenance Contract Options — Neil Kersten
Public Works Director Kersten said that the City has an interlocal agreement with the County to provide
road maintenance services; and during the February retreat, it was Council consensus to examine street
sweeping and weed control as part of the managed competition program. Mr. Kersten said that an e -mail
received from the County Engineer suggests they are not interested in the City bidding some of the
services and leaving others; that they are supportive of a mutually agreeable transition plan where the City
is responsible for street maintenance with very little or no County involvement; and that the charges for
the service are per the agreement and are based on actual time, equipment, materials and overhead.
In further discussing the issue, Mr. Kersten showed a spreadsheet showing in yellow what we would look
to go out to test market to determine if there is interest; but that we would not consider bidding traffic
maintenance activities such as sign maintenance, stripping at cross - walks, and maintenance at signals as
the shop handles those activities very well. Mr. Kersten recommends sitting down with city and county
staff members to agree on a plan to encompass the yellow items shown on the spreadsheet. Council
mentioned this would be a good topic for the next joint council /county commissioner meeting. Mr.
Study Session Minutes: 08 -16 -05 Page 2 of 4
Approved by Council: 08 -23 -05
Kersten explained that the County seems willing to head in this direction, and he assumes Ross Kelly will
acquire commissioner consensus, that this would keep the county staff busy during the winter (snow
removal); will give us an opportunity for further research to develop a two -year plan, and come back later
with results. It was determined that the City and County staffs should work together to come up with a
work plan and phase in these jobs; and come back again with a proposed multi -year plan.
6. Stormwater Guidelines Manual — John Hohman
Senior Engineer Hohman went through his PowerPoint presentation on the progress made since the
beginning of the year on stormwater activity; and stated that the City of Spokane Valley, Spokane City,
and Spokane County worked together in drafting a regional manual, that the manual is ready for public
review, and public workshops are scheduled through the next several months.
Mayor Wilhite called for a short recess at 7:32 p.m., and reconvened the meeting at 7:43 p.m.
Note: Prior to Ms. Sukup's presentation, the fire alarm sounded and everyone left the building at 8:02
p.m.; after the all clear from the fire department, the meeting reconvened at 8:20 p.m.
7. Planned Unit Development (PUD) Primer — Marina Sukup
Community Development Director Sukup went through her PowerPoint presentation, explaining what
constitutes a PUD and of the differences between a PUD and a subdivision; and also explained the variety
of current PUDs. Issues for Council future consideration are, should there be a minimum size for a PUD;
and are the standards what Council thinks they should be? Attorney Connelly added that the current PUD
ordinance is a listing of exceptions to the subdivisions regulations, or a series of exceptions, and council
could remove all, some, or none of those exceptions, or place greater conditions on any exception; but the
first step is to determine if Council wants the PUD to be an exception of subdivision regulations, or wants
to address other goals, and once determined, an ordnance can be built accordingly. Discussion then
ensued regarding GMA requirements, the PUD as a planning devise to allow something unusual; options
in dealing with current problems associated with PUD's; private streets versus public streets,
infrastructure, ways to address any connections coming from a new subdivision; dedications of rights -of-
way; developer impact fee programs; and various other options.
8. Governance Manual Update — Councilmembers DeVleming, Denenny and Flanigan
After Councilmembers DeVleming, Flanigan and Denenny explained the minor proposed changes to the
manual, Mr. DeVleming added that the public comment section needs clarification as to council's intent.
After discussion on this issue, it was determined that the council agenda item should read: "Public
Comment for items not on the agenda for action" and to schedule this amended resolution for an
upcoming council meeting for approval consideration.
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Munson, seconded, and unanimously agreed upon to extend the meeting
to 9:15 p.m.
9. Advance Agenda Additions — Mayor Wilhite
Mayor Wilhite mentioned the many changes to the Advance Agenda, and that some upcoming comp plan
hearings might be scheduled for a Wednesday or Thursday evening. Mr. Mercier mentioned that item #2
on the September 6 agenda will likely move to August 30; Councilmember DeVleming suggested adding
the bus bench issues; and Councilmember Schimmels suggested adding a progress report on the re-
forming of the Sign Ad Hoc committee.
10. Memorandum on SEPA, Hearing Examiner Decision - Information only
No comment or commentary was given as this is an information only item.
Study Session Minutes: 08 -16 -05 Page 3 of 4
Approved by Council: 08 -23 -05
11. Council Check in — Mayor Wilhite
Mayor Wilhite indicated she had no comments.
12. City Manager Comments — Dave Mercier
City Manager Mercier said that the Board of County Commissioners will likely schedule a follow up
meeting to their criminal justice summit held a few months ago as they endeavor to have representatives
from all jurisdictions as the Board of County Commissioners decides how to apportion limited budget
resources. Mayor Wilhite added and Council concurred, that she should attempt to set a joint meeting
with the Commissioners for mid to late September.
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 9:11 p.m.
ATTEST;
Christine Bainbridge, City Clerk
Diana Wilhite, Mayor
Study Session Minutes: 08 -16 -05 Page 4 of 4
Approved by Council: 08 -23 -05