2008, 12-23 Special Emergency Meeting MinutesMINUTES
SPOKANE VALLEY CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL EMERGENCY MEETING
Tuesday, December 23 2008
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
11707 East Sprague Avenue, Suite 101
Attendance:
Rich Munson, Mayor
Dick Denenny, Deputy Mayor
Rose Dempsey, Councilmember
Bill Gothmann, Councilmember
Diana Wilhite, Councilmember [arrived at 4:09 p.m.]
ABSENT:
Councilmember Schimmels
Councilmember Taylor
City Staff
Call to Order: Mayor Munson called the meeting to order at 4:05
Special Emergency Meeting 12 -23 -08 Page 1 of 2
Approved by Council: 01 -13 -09
4:00 p.m.
Mike Jackson, Deputy City Manager
Cary Driskell, Deputy City Attorney
Patti McConville, Administrative Assistant
John Whitehead, Human Resources Director
Sarah Richardson, Human Resource Technician
Deanna Griffith, Administrative Assistant
Neil Kersten, Public Works Director
Tim Klein, Maintenance Superintendent
Henry Allen, Engineer
Darla Arnold, Office Assistant
Carolbelle Branch, Public Information Officer
Chris Bainbridge, City Clerk
Agenda Topic: To consider a resolution declaring an emergency or disaster in the City of Spokane
Valley. Proposed Motion: To approve Resolution 08 -023 Proclaiming an Emergency due to severe
winter storms.
Mayor Munson announced that , the purpose of today's meeting is to affirm a proclamation of an
emergency signed by him last night. It was moved by Councilmember Gothmann and seconded, to
approve Resolution 08 -023 proclaiming an emergency due to severe winter storms. Mayor Munson
explained that early yesterday, we began to receive concerning indications from Spokane County that
they had other needs for the equipment that was being used to plow our streets; that he and Mr. Mercier
decided that due to those obvious other needs, we had to protect our City; and after consultation with the
Governor's Office, with Mr. Mercier, and with Mayor Verner and the County Commissioners, Mayor
Munson said we decided to declare a state of emergency for our city which would be effective at 5:00
p.m. yesterday. Deputy City Manager Jackson further explained that it appears there is a limited amount
of equipment available in the area; there was a meeting with the County present as well as the City of
Spokane, and it does not appear there are untapped resources in the area, so even if we were to identify a
need for a specific number of graders or loaders, that type of equipment is most likely not available to us
or to anyone at this time as the snow storm is so widespread; and there might be available to us in the
future, some monetary compensation. Deputy City Attorney Driskell said that in addition to potential
monetary assistance from the State, there may be, depending on the severity of the situation as determined
by the Governor's Office, some Federal funds as well; and that once the Declaration of Emergency is
issued, if there is available equipment, whether from Fairchild Air Force Base or the National Guard, that
could be made available to us if such equipment is not currently in use; and he said the authority under
state law is provided by RCW 38.52.070(2) which identifies that under emergency conditions, the City
can dispense with some of the more formal requirements under the bidding laws, and the City can
therefore do what it needs to do to protect the public health, safety and welfare of its citizens and to take
care of that first and to make sure any formalities of the bid laws are followed up after the fact. Mayor
Munson also stated to Chief Thompson that we are hoping if he needs assistance in four -wheel drive
vehicles in this next upcoming storm, we may be able to get some assistance from Fairchild Air Force
Base, and he asked the Chief to keep everyone informed of his needs. Mayor Munson also mentioned
that a few moments ago he received an e-mail from the National Weather Service in Spokane, indicating a
minimum of eight to ten inches of snow beginning late this evening or early tomorrow morning, which
will turn into a wet snow by the weekend causing even more problems such as ice, all leading to an even
more severe situation. Mayor Munson, on behalf of the Council, thanked all the first responders for their
work, thanked the City workers and said that Mr. Klein and his crews have done a marvelous job; and he
said he realizes that many citizens are helping citizens as well. [Councilmember Wilhite arrived.] Mayor
Munson also voiced his disappointment with the lack of local television coverage of our City's
conditions, and said that the television stations have been contacted and the mix -up on who to send
information to has been straightened out. Mayor Munson also extended thanks to Carolbelle Branch for
her assistance in this situation as well. Vote by Acclamation: In Favor: Unanimous. Opposed: None.
Abstentions: None. Motion carried.
Deputy City Manager Jackson said he also wanted to recognize the work of the entire staff and in
particular Mr. Kersten and Mr. Klein for their efforts during this record snow storm.
In public comment allowed by Mayor Munson, Mr. Abe Ferris, East 11205 7 Street, Spokane Valley,
99206, Phone: 924 -1696 (home): Wife cell 710 -2208 (Barbara), and said he would like to see more sand
put on the streets, and he offered his assistance as someone who has plowed for over twenty years; and
said he would like to volunteer his time for a plan for next year to handle these types of emergencies.
Mayor Munson adjourned the meeting at 4:14 p.m.
_ 4 AP
ATTEST/
• •
■r
ristine Bainbridge, City lerk
ichard Murser1ayor
Special Emergency Meeting 12 -23 -08 Page 2 of 2
Approved by Council: 01 -13 -09