Loading...
2007, 04-03 Study Session MinutesMINUTES CITY OF SPOKANE VALLEY CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION Tuesday, April 3, 2007 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 Cary Driskell, Deputy City Attorney Dick Denenny, Councilmember Ken Thompson, Finance Director Bill Gothmann, Councilmember Rick VanLeuven, Police Chief Mike Jackson, Parks & Recreation Director Absent: Carolbelle Branch, Public Information Officer Mike DeVleming, Councilmember Greg Bingaman, IT Specialist Rich Munson, Councilmember Chris Bainbridge, City Clerk Gary Schimmels, Councilmember City Clerk Bainbridge called roll; all Councilmembers were present except Councilmembers DeVleming, Munson, and Schimmels. It was moved by Deputy Mayor Taylor, seconded, and unanimously approved to excuse Councilmembers DeVleming, Munson and Schimmels from tonight's meeting. 1. Proposal to Close Pratt Elementary School — Dr. Brian Benzel, Superintendent Superintendent Benzel prefaced his Powerpoint presentation by explaining that school funding in this state is very complex, and that schools in general have difficulty with unfunded mandates. Dr. Benzel said that there is a tendency of the state legislature to require expenditures of funding, yet prior laws don't address funding associated with those required expenditures; that their own situation is more complicated with enrollment decline which he feels is mostly driven by changing birthrates in our region, along with our region's changing housing habits. Dr. Benzel said they lost an estimated average of 225 students every year since 1998; and the projected decline for the 2007 -2008 year of 350 students represents a $1.6 million revenue loss. Dr. Benzel also remarked that there are always fixed operating costs regardless of the number of students or state funding; such as custodial costs, heating, lights, maintenance, and staff; that they can reduce teaching staff, but they are still loosing $1.6 million in revenue; and he mentioned that pattern has been going on for several years. He explained that they tried to be creative in maintaining programs, but unfunded programs and population decline makes that difficult; and the loss of students creates an over - abundance of square footage for the number of students. Dr. Anderson then went through the Powerpoint presentation; and mentioned that the overhead cost to run a school is approximately $400,000 to $500,000 annually; and that the Board had the difficult decision of what to close, and /or what programs to eliminate. Mayor Wilhite commented that she realizes how difficult this decision is, and Council appreciates hearing this background information. Councilmember Gothmann also thanked Dr Benzel and Dr. Anderson for coming; and said that he realizes whatever decision they make will be an agonizing decision; and that he understands the issue of unfunded mandates; then mentioned the school closure report on page 11, concerning the data for the total cost divided by total number of students to get total cost per students; that he suggested that the numerator would be better if they used standard costs rather than actual costs; that if expensive teachers and the principal number is larger, then the number of students in the denominator would be less; and Councilmember Gothmann suggested using a standard costs divided by capacity, which would give a better control over all data. Dr. Anderson said he ran an analysis of average costs and it all turned out the same. Mr. Gothmann also mentioned that schools can be placed in a residential area while offices Meeting Minutes: 04 -03 -07 Page 1 of 4 Approved by Council: 04 -10 -07 generally cannot; and his opinion of placing an office use in the middle of a neighborhood is taking undue advantage of a privilege and he feels that is wrong; and he added that it is difficult in include in the accounting data the cost associated with higher crime; and he suggested that the Police Department and Weed and Seed Committee might assist the schools in that regard; and also that perhaps West Valley School District might be interested in conducting a school at Pratt. Dr. Benzel responded that the process for legal boundaries are governed by a separate set of laws, which are complicated and make it cumbersome to move the territory from one school district to another; and the bonded indebtedness to districts also is a factor to consider; that this very rarely happens and when it does, it usually is a multi- year process, which can't be examined in the time frame in which they need to make decisions. Council thanked Dr. Benzel and Dr. Anderson for their time and information. 2. Presentation and Update on ITA — Roger Johnson, International Trade Alliance Executive Director Mayor Wilhite announced that Roger Johnson was unable to attend tonight, so this item will be rescheduled for a later date. 3. Update on Spokane County Jail — Jerry Brady, Jail Commander Jail Commander Jerry Brady gave a report and history of the jail accommodation problem they face, and said they had to retrofit the jail to accommodate more; that they still have Geiger field, which is a couple of barracks where they keep about 500 official prisoners; that there are between 1100 and 1300 prisoners in a facility including some federal prisoners; and that they are "outgrowing the box." Mr. Brady explained that the Sheriff's Office, Commissioner Richard, and others including an architect in Denver spoke with them at the NIC (National Institute of Crime) as to what is required to build a new jail, and what type of jail to build. Mr. Brady also mentioned there are approximately 40,000+ outstanding warrants. Mr. Brady said that about two years ago to help alleviate some crowding, they went to the District Court and talked to them about doing a "catch and release" which is based on the premise of taking people to jail but releasing them on the promise to appear at court. He said of course, one can imagine that not everyone complied. Mr. Brady also mentioned that about 25% of their jail population is gang related; that Geiger has about a 13% gang related population; and gangs raise several issues including the need to keep the "red" and "blue" separated. Mr. Brady also mentioned that they have the third largest mental institute in the state, and half of the third floor is allocated to those with serious mental issues; and that he feels jail is the wrong place to hold people with those serious mental difficulties. In response to Deputy Mayor Taylor's question about help from state funding, Mr. Brady mentioned there have no state assistance, and are bearing the full cost. In response to Councilmember Denenny's question about medical costs, Mr. Brady said they have contracted with Premera Insurance Company which has assisted in an approximate 25 -30% savings; but they are beginning to see long term problems associated with meth, like the need for dialysis which cost approximately $30,000 per patient per month; that there are also some inmates with cancer and those medicine are also expensive. Mr. Brady said that they are now working with DSHS to get the paper work started early to help those who will be leaving the facility, but who have no place to go; as DSHS benefits generally take about 60 to 90 days to begin, so by starting the process early, they have been able to help some people. Mr. Brady said that the Commissioners asked for a study on jail population and projection, and the study revealed there will be a need for an additional 65 beds annually for the next ten years; adding that Geiger's contract expires in 2013, and General Reed told Mr. Brady they are not willing to extend the Geiger lease at all; and Mr. Brady stated that it is generally not practical to ask voters to build a facility that we know we will outgrow in ten to fifteen years, and there is a need now as they now have people sleeping on floors. Deputy Mayor Taylor said this is an issue to further discuss with the legislators; and Mayor Wilhite added that the problem of how best to deal with those inmates with mental and medical problems also needs to be addressed. Council thanked Mr. Brady for his report; and Deputy Mayor Taylor said that the issue of future jail capacity might be something to add to the upcoming joint Council/County Commissioner's meeting this June. Meeting Minutes: 04 -03 -07 Page 2 of 4 Approved by Council: 04 -10 -07 4. Proposed Amended 2007 Budget — Ken Thompson Finance Director Thompson explained that the budget generally gets amended twice, usually once in the spring and once in the fall; and tonight those amendments include programs /projects carried over from 2006, transfer to civic facilities, transfer to service level stabilization, copy /printing costs, council updated salaries/benefits, town center consultant, Beverly Hills stormwater project, the general fund operating reserve, and the increase in development review /engineering survey. Concerning the $35,000 copying costs, Mr. Thompson explained that staff is trying to update those figures in order to give the best estimates for the upcoming 2008 budget; and that they did buy some copy machines; that color copies cost more; and they try to convey to staff to keep those color copies to a minimum when possible. Mr. Thompson said the public hearing and first reading of the ordinance to amend the budget is scheduled for next week's council meeting. Deputy Mayor Taylor remarked that there is the possibility of eliminating much of the copying costs by the use of the technology and paperless agenda packets. 5. Amendment to Animal Control Ordinance — Cary Driskell Deputy City Attorney Driskell explained that staff brought forward some proposed changes regarding animal control; that there has been a change in state law which requires us to have a different appeal procedure; and that it makes sense for us and the County to amend codes simultaneously; that we have an interlocal agreement with SCRAPS for provision of animal control services; and that rather than adopt the County's code by reference, we are incorporating those terms in our own code; and that the fees have been removed and staff is in the process of moving those fees into our master fee schedule. Attorney Driskell said he has been working with County who is also updating their provisions; and that both entities want to make sure all changes are in harmony with each other and not conflicting. Mr. Driskell said he can discuss fees with SCRAPS if council has concerns about level of fees, and fees such as licensing, housing, etc will be included the fee resolution, and he will have those ready for discussion next week. 6. Revised Logo Ordinance — Cary Driskell Deputy Attorney Driskell explained that staff frequently reviews the City's Code, and in reviewing the logo provisions, they felt it would be best not to include any specific business authorized to produce the logo on clothing and other merchandise; so therefore, that section will change to read "use of logo by an entity approved by the City Manager for apparel purchased. Mr. Driskell said it was also brought to his attention that the Spokane Area Economic Development Council's name is now Greater Spokane, Inc.; and under section D, they will change that first sentence so as not to conflict with other provisions which state that the mayor (or designee) in consultation with the City Manager (or designee) shall decide whether the request shall be approved. It was Council consensus to bring this for a fist reading at the next council meeting. 7. Foundational Concepts, Managed Implementation Plan, Dissolved Oxygen TMDL for the Spokane River — Councilmember Denenny Councilmember Denenny said that he hopes this a closing chapter in the ongoing discussion of the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) relating to oxygen levels in the River; and that over an eighteen -month period, he has represented Council in discussions with the Department of Ecology and other entities, such as Liberty Lake and Spokane County, which entities have come to an agreement that would allow the continued operation of the Spokane County Plant and the ability for the county and City of Spokane to build another treatment plant. Councilmember Denenny said that the group met March 7 and agreed to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding foundational concepts, managed implementation plan, and dissolved oxygen TMDL for the Spokane River. After reviewing several of the accompanying documents in Council's packet, including the task and purpose of the Oversight Committee, Councilmember Denenny said he hopes to have a resolution come forward soon for Council approval consideration, to voice this Council's support of the MOU mentioned above. Deputy Mayor Taylor said he will support the resolution, but under duress, because there was no real alternatives and he fears this Meeting Minutes: 04 -03 -07 Page 3 of 4 Approved by Council: 04 -10 -07 region will have to be supporting a program that has very minor benefits, but he recognizes the need to have this investment in order to assure our water quality. 8. Advance Agenda Additions — Mayor Wilhite Mayor Wilhite mentioned that staff is working to schedule when the Planning Commission will be ready to pass the UDC (Uniform Development Code) Chapters to Council; and she mentioned the May 1 meeting with presentation by Bruce Rawls concerning the wastewater treatment issue. Deputy Mayor Taylor said he would like to have a law enforcement update from the new police chief; and Councilmember Gothmann asked about including an expectation that the police department will analyze the crime in our area and make recommendations regarding a plan to service our area; and that there are expectations of Council for a recommendation for future policing in the Valley, and suggests perhaps a strategic plan for the City. Mayor Wilhite also reminded Councilmembers to let us know of upcoming vacation plans so we can plan agendas accordingly. Councilmember Denenny asked about having a conversation concerning panhandlers; that he is aware of other jurisdictions that have placed signs up mentioning the alternative to donate to certain charities instead of giving money directly to the panhandler. Mr. Driskell said they examined the panhandling issue earlier concerning impact on traffic, and that he can go back and look at that research to see if they can update the information, and if there are any new federal or state decisions which would impact this City. Deputy Mayor Taylor said that panhandling at the 190 interchange at 5 p.m. has a detrimental affect on traffic safety as well. 9. Information Only: 44 Avenue Pathway Project This was for information only and was not discussed. 10. Council Check in — Mayor Wilhite See comments included under Advance Agenda Additions. 11. City Manager Comments — Nina Regor Ms. Regor had no comments. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:46 p.m. 04-0A/C-Q., a‘„IZ o • Diana Wilhite, Mayor Meeting Minutes: 04 -03 -07 Page 4 of 4 Approved by Council: 04 -10 -07