2013, 03-26 Regular Meeting MINUTES
City of Spokane Valley
City Council Regular Meeting
Formal Meeting Format
Tuesday,March 26,2013
Mayor Towey called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
Attendance: City Staff:
Tom Towey,Mayor Mike Jackson, City Manager
Gary Schimmels,Deputy Mayor Cary Driskell, City Attorney
Dean Grafos, Councilmember Mark Calhoun,Finance Director
Chuck Hafner, Councilmember Erik Lamb,Deputy City Attorney
Rod Higgins, Councilmember Mike Stone,Parks&Rec Director
Ben Wick, Councilmember Eric Guth,Public Works Director
Arne Woodard, Councilmember John Hohman, Community Development Dir.
Scott Kuhta,Planning Manager
Steve Worley, Senior Engineer
Rick VanLeuven,Police Chief
Carolbelle Branch,Public Information Officer
Chris Bainbridge, City Clerk
INVOCATION: In the absence of a pastor, Mayor Towey suggested the audience observe two minutes
of silence.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Boy Scouts from Troop 423 led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL: City Clerk Bainbridge called the roll; all Councilmembers were present.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA: It was moved by Deputy Mayor Schimmels, seconded and unanimously
agreed to approve the agenda.
INTRODUCTION OF SPECIAL GUESTS AND PRESENTATIONS:
1. March Community Recognition Presentation of Key and Certificate
Mayor Towey announced that Mike Frucci is this month's recipient of the Community Recognition
presentation. Mayor Towey explained that Mr. Ken Otteman nominated Mr. Frucci, who coordinates the
Valley Book Bank, which is a book bank for young children where teachers can come in and pick up
specific books for their students; adding that last year's distribution was over 16,000 books. Mayor
Towey presented Mr. Frucci with a certificate and a key to the City. Mr. Frucci accepted the gifts and
recognition with thanks, also thanking the Kiwanis Organization for their assistance, whose goal is to
change the world one child and one community at a time. The audience stood and extended applause in
honor of Mr. Frucci's works.
2. Heather Comer, Central Valley University High School Graduate, Winner of Special Olympics Medals
Mayor Towey gave a few statements about Heather Comer, who won several medals in the 2013 Special
Olympics held in South Korea; and then introduced Matt McCoy, her friend and father of one of her
teammates, who then introduced Heather and expounded on her athletic feats. Mayor Towey also
presented Ms. Comer with a City pin. The audience stood and extended applause in honor of her
achievements.Ms. Comer thanked the audience and Council and said her experience was a fun one.
COMMITTEE,BOARD,LIAISON SUMMARY REPORTS:
Councilmember Woodard reported that he attended a Girl Scout fundraiser luncheon today.
Councilmember Wick said he attended last week's Employee Appreciation event and he extolled staff as
Council Regular Meeting 03-26-2013 Page 1 of 4
Approved by Council:04-09-2013
being an amazing asset to our city. Councilmember Grafos said he also attended last week's Employee
Appreciation event as well as the City's Tenth Anniversary party at CenterPlace. Deputy Mayor
Schimmels stated that he attended the City's Anniversary, and said staff did a great job, there were a lot
of volunteers, and it was a great celebration; he also attended a Spokane Regional Transportation Council
(SRTC) Board meeting and a Spokane Transit Authority (STA) meeting; and helped serve lunch at the
Hillard Senior Center. Councilmember Higgins said he also went to the Girl Scout luncheon, and the
City's Tenth Anniversary, which he said was well planned, executed and attended. Councilmember
Hafner reported that he attended a Board of Health meeting and mentioned that they are adopting a
Washington State Revised Food code, and that the public will be notified of those pending changes; they
also discussed regulations concerning service animals; he mentioned their national accreditation process;
and said that fluoridation will be an upcoming topic of discussion as well as the coat trains; said the STA
Operations Committee reports they are in good fmancial condition with increased riderships; mentioned
an upcoming STA meeting tomorrow at the Valley Mall; said he helped serve lunch at the Hillard Senior
Center; also went to a SCOPE Board meeting, as well as a 9-1-1 Emergency Board Meeting.
MAYOR'S REPORT:
Mayor Towey reported that in recognition of our City's Tenth Anniversary, he was interviewed by Q6
Radio; he helped serve meals at Pines Presbyterian Church Meals on Wheels location; he met with the
neighborhoods regarding the Adams sidewalk project and he extended compliments to City Staff for
doing a great job of explaining the project to the community members; had his monthly meeting with
School Superintendent Small and Mayor Pederson of Liberty Lake; and also attended the Girl Scout
Breakfast this morning.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: Mayor Towey invited public comment.
Mr. Lynn Plaggemeier, 11708 E. 19th: said he had made comments previously about our crime stats and
was pleased to get the information, but also found that if our Chief of Police wants to make a media
announcement, it must be done through the Sheriff's Office, and said he would like to see that paragraph
in the contract amended so as not to include non-criminal announcements; he said other announcements
should be the prerogative of the Council to get some positive attention. Regarding ingress and egress to
businesses, he said the radius of the curbs are an issue as he can see black tire marks and chunks of
concrete taken off curbs as it is difficult to enter the businesses without swinging out into an adjacent
lane, and suggested the County have public works study that issue.
1. CONSENT AGENDA: Consists of items considered routine which are approved as a group. Any
member of Council may ask that an item be removed from the Consent Agenda to be considered
separately.
a.Approval of the following claim vouchers:
VOUCHER LIST DATE VOUCHER NUMBERS: TOTAL AMOUNT
03/08/2013 28505-28563; 305130040 $351,152.53
03/18/2013 28564-28626 $239,890.45
03/20/2013 28633-28686 $94,452.46
GRAND TOTAL $685,495.44
b.Approval of Payroll for period ending February 28,2013: $375,057.96
c. Approval of Payroll for period ending March 15,2013: $283,707.89
d.Approval of Resolution 13-002 Specifying Insurance Plans
e.Approval of February 26,2013 Council Workshop Meeting Minutes
f.Approval of March 12,2013 Council Formal Format Meeting Minutes
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Schimmels, seconded and unanimously agreed to approve the Consent
Agenda.
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Approved by Council:04-09-2013
NEW BUSINESS:
2.First Reading Proposed Ordinance 13-002 Amending 2.50.060(B)Pre-employment Physicals-
John Whitehead
After City Clerk Bainbridge read the ordinance title, it was moved by Deputy Mayor Schimmels and
seconded to advance Ordinance 13-002, amending SVMC 2.50.060 Pre-employment Physicals, to a
second reading. Human Resources Manager Whitehead explained that the City had consistently required
pre-employment physicals for all prospective employees and this change would allow the Human
Resources Manager to determine if a pre-employment physical would be required, based on the duties of
the position. Mayor Towey invited public comment; no comments were offered. Vote by Acclamation:In
Favor: Unanimous. Opposed:None. Motion carried.
3. First Reading Proposed Ordinance 13-003 amending Spokane Valley Municipal Code 19.120,
Townhouses in Neighborhood Commercial— Scott Kuhta
After City Clerk Bainbridge read the ordinance title, it was moved by Deputy Mayor Schimmels and
seconded to advance Ordinance 13-003, City initiated amendment CTA 01-03, to a second reading.
Planning Manager Kuhta explained that this is a minor amendment to re-instate townhouses in the
Neighborhood Commercial zone, and to clarify the setbacks and height requirements that would apply in
the commercial zone. Mayor Towey invited public comment; no comments were offered. Vote by
Acclamation:In Favor: Unanimous. Opposed:None. Motion carried.
4.Proposed Resolution 13-003 Adopting Amended 2013 Transportation Improvement Plan(TIP) —Steve
Worley
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Schimmels and seconded to approve Resolution 13-003 adopting the
amended 2013 Transportation Improvement Plan as presented. Senior Engineer Worley explained that
we amend the TIP each year as projects are removed, completed, carried over, or added, as shown on his
Request for Council Action form. Mayor Towey invited public comment; no comments were offered.
Vote by Acclamation:In Favor: Unanimous. Opposed:None. Motion carried.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: Mayor Towey invited public comments; no comments were offered.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS:
5. SEPA(State Environmental Protection Act)Legislation Review Process—Scott Kuhta
Planning Manager Kuhta briefly went over the background of SEPA and of the Round 1 and 2 updates,
with Round 1 completed December 31, 2012, and Round 2 upcoming completion date of December 31,
2013; he said the purpose of the updates and legislative direction is to streamline the regulatory process,
eliminate redundancy while still protecting the environment; he went over Round 1 update and the old
thresholds for new construction, and then explained the new thresholds, as well as what is expected to
occur during the Round 2 update.
6. Advance Agenda—Mayor Towey
Councilmember Hafner suggested adding a report concerning the Comprehensive Plan's Land Use Plan
as well as section 2.2.1 City Center Plan; and Mr. Jackson responded that could come to council in about
three to four weeks. Councilmember Grafos suggested adding a discussion on permitting townhouses in
the Garden Office Zone. Mayor Towey mentioned the upcoming meeting April 4 with Representative
Cathy McMorris-Rodgers to talk about our City's first ten years, and he invited everyone to that open
meeting.
INFORMATION ONLY
The Department Reports and Planning Commission Minutes of February 14, 2013 were for information
only and were not reported or discussed.
Council Regular Meeting 03-26-2013 Page 3 of 4
Approved by Council:04-09-2013
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
City Manager Jackson commented that Council previously received a letter from AWC (Association of
Washington Cities) concerning protecting our state shared revenues, such as liquor taxes and streamlined
sales taxes, and said some of those revenues for Cities are in jeopardy, and that he would like to send a
letter or e-mail from Mayor Towey addressing these concerns. There were no objections. Mr. Jackson
also remarked that our Traffic Engineer Note informs us that the AASHTO (American Association of
State Highway and Transportation Officials) should be making a decision early May concerning our
business route application,and once a decision is made,we will bring that update to Council.
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Schimmels, seconded and unanimously agreed to adjourn. The meeting
adjourned at 7:05 p.m.
61'ATTEST: Thomas E.Towe�,Mayor
_7/1
Christine Bainbridge, City Clerk
Council Regular Meeting 03-26-2013 Page 4 of 4
Approved by Council:04-09-2013
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SPOKANE VALLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING
March 26, 2013
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