2006, 11-07 Study Session MinutesMINUTES
CITY OF SPOKANE VALLEY
CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
Tuesday, November 7, 2006
Mayor Wilhite called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m., and welcomed everyone to the meeting.
Present:
Councilmembers:
Diana Wilhite, Mayor
Steve Taylor, Deputy Mayor
Mike DeVleming, Councilmember
Dick Denenny, Councilmember
Bill Gothmann, Councilmember
Rich Munson, Councilmember
Gary Schimmels, Councilmember
Staff:
Dave Mercier, City Manager
Nina Regor, Deputy City Manager
Cary Driskell, Deputy City Attorney
Mike Jackson, Parks & Rec Director
Marina Sukup, Community Development Dir.
Ken Thompson, Finance Director
Jennifer Cusick, Recreation Coordinator
Chris Bainbridge, City Clerk
Employee Introductions: Permit Specialist Jenna Davis by Community Development Director Marina
Sukup; Building Inspector II Bob Bebout by Nik Bentley, Senior Plans Examiner
Community Development Director Sukup introduced Building Inspector Bob Bebout, who lives in Priest
River, and who is now certified as a building inspector for commercial and residential inspections; and
Permit Specialist Jenna Davis, who was formerly in the military police, and has several years experience
in the construction trade. Councilmembers welcomed them both.
1. Proposed Resolution 06 -021 Homelessness Task Force Funding Association — Councilmember
Gothmann
Councilmember Gothmann introduced Amy Jones, Human Services Assistant with the City of Spokane
Human Services Department; Sheila Morley, Emergency Assistance Program Manager with the Spokane
Valley Community Center; and Homelessness Task Force Member Gail Kogle. Ms. Jones gave a brief
history of the bill and of the funds collected; that there is a $10.00 surcharge of each recorded real estate
transaction, with 60% of that charge held for homelessness assistance. Ms. Kogle thanked Council for
being appointed to this task force and said that members of the Task Force all contributed by giving
different points of view on how to work with the homeless, that in reviewing the solicited applications for
funding, the Task Force discussed what was relevant and important and where the funds should be
distributed throughout the County. Ms. Morley added that part of those funds that Spokane County
applied for will go to the Community Center to be used for rental assistance to help prevent
homelessness.
It was moved by Councilmember Gothmann and seconded to approve Resolution 06 -021. Mayor Wilhite
invited public comment; no comments were offered. Vote by Acclamation: In Favor: Unanimous.
Opposed: None. Abstentions: none. Motion carried.
2. Motion Consideration: Transfer of Unused Heroy Avenue — Cary Driskell
Deputy City Attorney Driskell explained that Spokane County Division of Utilities contacted staff to
inquire about the County obtaining an unused portion of City right -of -way that came to the City upon
incorporation, as the County requires some space to site a sewer pump house. Mr. Driskell said that the
City does not have a transportation need for the property, but would like to reserve an easement for a
walking path between Vercler and Plante's Ferry Park. It was moved by Deputy Mayor Taylor and
seconded, to authorize the City Manager or designee to execute any necessary documents to transfer any
interest the City has in Heroy Avenue located between the eastern boundary of Plante's Ferry Park and
Meeting Minutes: 11 -07 -06 Page 1 of 3
Approved by Council: 11 -14 -06
the western boundary of where Vercler Road intersects with Heroy Road, reserving an easement for a
walking path between Vercler Road and the eastern boundary of Plantes Ferry Park. Mayor Wilhite
invited public comment; no comments were offered. Vote by Acclamation: In Favor: Unanimous.
Opposed: None. Abstentions: none. Motion carried.
3. Recreation Programs Update — Mike Jackson /Jennifer Cusick
Recreation Coordinator Jennifer Cusick gave a Summer Program Overview PowerPoint presentation,
including highlights of summer day camps, budget, cost recovery, and recommendations for 2007. Ms.
Cusick remarked that on -line registration worked well. Councilmembers expressed appreciation for the
information on the successful summer programs.
4. CenterPlace Update — Mike Jackson
Parks and Recreation Director Jackson gave an update on CenterPlace, including past successes as well as
future plans for improvement; budget revenues and expenditures, regional marketing plan, mention of the
new website, and that $372,000 remains in the CenterPlace construction fund. Concerning revenues and
expenditures, it was mentioned that there are some items already paid for 2007 events, and some 2006
events not yet paid for, and that he will report back to council with more firm amounts at year's end;
adding that the projections are substantially better than originally proposed. Council /staff discussion
included the desire to better measure the regional impact on CenterPlace; how much the Convention
Visitor's Bureau contributes and to what specifically; meetings with the hoteliers; the positive benefits of
the added sound system in the upstairs lounge; video - teleconferencing in the future; Universal Park
overall funds and matching funds; and how the future use of fiber will greatly increase the Center's
capacity over the current Ti lines.
5. Preliminary Legislative Agenda /Lobbyist Update — Dave Mercier
City Manager Mercier mentioned that this is the time of year Council ponders what, if any, matters to
bring to the attention of state legislators; that there are two topics for consideration: legislative measures,
and lobbyist support. Council discussion identified the following legislative items for consideration: (1)
securing funding for the Universal Park project at Mirabeau Point; (2) encouraging support for Project
Access; (3) streamlined sales tax; (4) road preservation funds to start laying groundwork and get
involvement of other communities, including a presentation to the NE Mayor's Association]; (5)
annexation regulations that would allocate collection of the county road taxes for up to ten years; and (6)
increasing REET funding rather than imposing development related impact fees.
Concerning the lobbyist issue, Mr. Mercier stated that we received two responses to our Request for
Lobbyist, and mentioned that this item is scheduled to appear on next week's agenda to consider
finalizing a professional services contract with a lobbyist. Council discussion included need for a
lobbyist' presence in Olympia to keep Council alerted to pending legislation such as Growth Management
Act revisions, that a lobbyist could help identify new sources of revenue or grant funding opportunities;
and other issues that may have a positive or adverse affect on the City; that Council is willing to proceed
for one year and then further analyze the position to determine investment benefits; and there was
mention of avoiding any conflict of interest. It was Council consensus that staff proceed to craft a
contract.
6. Advance Agenda — Mayor Wilhite
Mayor Wilhite reminded everyone of the November 30 Community Workshop meeting; that there is no
meeting the week of Thanksgiving, and additionally no meeting December 5 as the majority of
councilmembers will likely be attending the Annual Congress of Cities in Reno. Mayor Wilhite
mentioned bringing the voting /tabulating machines to the November 30 meeting and Mr. Mercier said he
will check with the consultants.
Meeting Minutes: 11 -07 -06 Page 2 of 3
Approved by Council: 11 -14 -06
11. Council Check -in — Mayor Wilhite: No added comments.
12. City Manager Comments — Dave Mercier: No added comments.
As the remaining items were for information only, there was no further business and the meeting
adjourned at 7:20 p.m.
ATTEST:
Christine Bainbridge, City clerk
C -Leu . 1,c,.,' W kkirit,
Diana Wilhite, Mayor
Meeting Minutes: 11 -07 -06 Page 3 of 3
Approved by Council: 11 -14 -06
Homelessness Housing and Assistance Ac X2163)
Funding 2006
Alumni Program
St. Margaret's Shelter
Transitions — Chemical Dependency
Program
Case Management/Supportive
Services
CHAS
House of Charity Supportive
Services
Spokane Housing Ventures
Chemical Dependency
Transitions —Chemical Dependency
Program
Children
Transitions — Transitional Learning
Center Educare
YWCA Child & Youth Services
Education/ Employment Training
Goodwill
Spokane Mental Health Outreach
St. Margaret's Shelter
Ho using
YWCA Alternatives to Domestic
Violence
Outreach
CHAS
Spokane Mental Health Outreach
Spokane County
Rental Assistance
Spokane County
Salvation Army & Spokane
Neighborhood Action Program
Rental Assistance
Shelter
House of Charity Shelter
Transitions - Women's Hearth
Program Fame
Program Description
Amount
Requested
Amount
Funded
CHAS
Increase Outreach to rural areas; increase access to services (i.e. substance abuse); coordinate service
delivery between DSHS and SS for GAUIGAX/SSI.
$92,870.00
$45,095.00
Christmas House
Develop safe, affordable and supportive housing at a medium support service level with the creation of
a training and placement program
S149,994.00
Not Funded
Goodwill
Improve linkages with Employment training options
S84,290.00
$48,576.00
Habitat for Humanity
Homeless Prevention - Housing
$25,000.00
Not Funded
i
1-Iouse of Charity Shelter
Increase Emergency Shelter Space - Keep HOC open 5 more months
S102,383.00
$102,383.00
House of Charity Supportive
Services
Supportive Services/Case Management for Shelter + Care Clients
$64,929.00
$39,686.00
New Horizon Care Center
Drug/alcohol assessments conducted in jail; discharge plans for inmates with links to appropriate
services.
S29,540.00
Not Funded
Our Place
Homeless Prevention - rental/utility assistance for the West Central Neighborhood
$17,700.00
Not Funded
Spokane Mental Health
Outreach
Expand Outreach, homeless education to community
5146,071.00
$29,215.00
Spokane Mental Health
Supportive Services
Mental health and related support services to non title I9(non- Medicaid) clients, S +C support services
$94,000.00
Not Funded
; pokane County
Outreach and rental assistance to rural areas in county
543,840.00
543,840.00
r'
Spokane Falls Community
College
Developing a community wide response to homelessness & Developing Champions for the
Homelessness Issues.
$19,080.00
Not Funded
Spokane Housing Ventures
Homeless Prevention Screening fees/damage deposits, on -site case management
$30,505.00
$19,920.00
St. Margaret's Shelter
Expand existing alumni programs; training for tenants
S36,103.00
$33,819.00
Transitions — Chemical
Dependency Pro ram
Alumni programs/ Implement best practice for breaking cycle of child abuse, domestic violence, drug
use, etc. Chemical Dependency counseling/service for woman & families currently enrolled in
•ro_ ams.
536,553.00
$36,422.00
Homelessness Housing & Assistance Act (2163) Taskforce Funding Recommendations
2006
Page 1
Program Vance
Program Description
Amount
Requested
Amount
Funded
Transitions — Transitional
Living Center Educare
Services for homeless/formerly homeless children
S33,160.00
$33,160.00
'Transitions - Women's Hearth
Funding to close gaps in service - Extended Hours for Center
520,000.00
$16,960.00
Salvation Amiy & Spokane
Neighborhood Action Program
Rental Assistance
Homeless prevention, rental/utility assistance
$250,000.00
$145,739.00
Salvation Army S.A.F.E.
Center
Expand ovcmight shelter for homeless families w males and male children 12 and older, and for couples
with no children. Request was for payment of half a roof.
S85,06.00
Not Funded
r
Volunteers of America
Crosswalk
Transitional housing for Youth; improved access to mental health services; supportive services for
underlying causes of homelessness
591,584.00
Not Funded
YWCA Alternatives to
Domestic Violence
Supportive housing for DV victims and families - 4 Units
535,37.00
$31,681.00
YWCA Child & Youth
Services
Increase Access & Availability of Services for Adults; Expand Housin , & Services to Youth.
$42,785,00
$23,504.00
Total
$1,530,819.00
$650,000.00
Homelessness Housing & Assistance Act (2163) Taskforce Funding Recommendations
2006
Page 2