2002, 12-03 Regular Meeting Minutes City of Spokane Valley
City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting
December 3, 2002
The regular meeting of the Spokane Valley City Council was called to order by Mayor
Mike DeVleming at 6:00 p.m.
Councilmembers present: Mayor Mike DeVleming, Deputy Mayor Diana Wilhite,
Councilmembers Steve Taylor, Gary Schimmels, Rich Munson, Mike Flanigan and Dick
Denenny.
Staff present: Interim City Manager Lee Walton, Interim City Attorney Stanley
Schwartz, Interim Finance Director Robert Noack, Interim Public Works Director Dick
Warren, Interim Receptionist Karin Bosworth, and Interim City Clerk Ruth Muller.
Invocation: Councilmember Munson gave the invocation.
Roll Call: Interim City Clerk called roll.
Approval of Agenda: Interim Attorney Schwartz answered questions posed by Council
relating to process for agenda items, suggesting that Council may wish to suspend their
rules on Ordinances No. 01 through No. 04 to waive requirement for first reading and
move to final action this meeting. Councilmember Denenny moved to approve the
agenda as printed and Deputy Mayor Diana Wilhite seconded the motion. The motion
carried unanimously.
Public Comments: The Mayor opened the meeting for public comments.
Glen Kivett, 17 North Walnut Road, stated that he is a 40-year resident of the Valley and
did not support incorporation. He questioned (a) if the City could address the need for
more frequent pedestrian crosswalks on Sprague Avenue, since there is a great distance
between intersections; and(b) whose responsibility it is to clear sidewalks of snow.
Councilmember Munson requested that the City Manager contact the County and respond
to these questions.
Council Reports: Councilmember Denenny noted that the City Council of Liberty Lake,
in their November 14, 2002 correspondence, suggested a joint meeting with Spokane
Valley and that there is a December 5, 2002, Mayor's meeting in Cheney.
Councilmember Munson stated that the Council should begin thinking about transitioning
from the preincorporation committee structure to address how the City will address
certain areas.
Approved by Council on December 10,2002
Action Items:
A) Consent Calendar
Mayor DeVleming requested that the November 26, 2002 minutes be corrected on
Page 5, Resolution 02-05, for public notice posting at Trentwood rather than
Opportunity post office in accordance with Council agreement. Councilmember
Denenny moved and Councilmember Flanigan seconded to approve the consent
calendar, (1)Nov. 26, 2002 City Council minutes and(2) no claims obligations.
The motion carried unanimously.
B) Motions
(1) Request For Proposal(RFP) for Legal Publications. Interim Attorney
Schwartz stated that state statute sets out requirements for official publication
of city notices and it is necessary to establish an official newspaper for legal
notices of the City. Councilmember Flanigan moved to approve the RFP for
Newspaper Publication Services and Councilmember Denenny seconded the
motion. The motion carried unanimously.
(2) Contract for Interim Management Services and Contract for City Manager
Search. Councilmember Munson moved and Deputy Mayor Diana Wilhite
seconded that the agenda be amended to remove Contract for Interim
Management Services from this agenda and schedule for action at the
December 10, 2002 meeting. The motion carried unanimously.
Greg Prothman, of The Prothman Company, reviewed the process and
timetable he has prepared to start the search for the first City Manager for
Spokane Valley with final interviews planned in mid-March 2003.
Mr. Prothman responded to several questions of councilmembers relating to
this contract, steps and actions required in the timetable, materials used in the
search process, and types of employment contracts. Councilmember Taylor
moved and Councilmember Denenny seconded that the Council authorize
Prothman Company to proceed with the search to develop criteria for a City
Manager search. Following brief discussion, the motion and second were
withdrawn. Councilmember Taylor moved and Councilmember Denenny
seconded that the Council authorize the mayor to execute agreement with
Prothman Company as presented in the letter of submittal dated December 2,
2002. The motion carried unanimously.
(3) Interim Legal Services. Councilmember Munson moved and Councilmember
Taylor seconded that the Mayor be authorized to execute Contract with
Witherspoon, Kelley, Davenport & Toole, P.S. for Interim Legal Services.
The motion carried unanimously.
Approved by Council on December 10,2002 2
C) Ordinances
(1) Ordinance No. 01 Establishing Interim Staff Positions.Interim City Clerk
introduced Ordinance No. 01 by reading the title. Councilmember Munson
moved and Councilmember Taylor seconded that City Council suspend its
rules for two readings of this ordinance and proceed to final action at this
meeting. The motion carried unanimously. Councilmember Flanigan moved
and Councilmember Taylor seconded adoption of Ordinance No. 01
Establishing the Positions of Interim City Attorney, Interim City Manager,
Interim City Clerk, and Other Positions Including Appointments Plus
Providing for Other Matters Related Thereto. Interim Attorney Schwartz
reviewed contents of the ordinance, noting that he has included a City Policy
in Section 8 of this ordinance that shall be deemed incorporated into all
contracts and agreements made during the interim period. Mr. Schwartz
responded to questions from councilmembers relating to adding new
positions, difference between this ordinance and agreement with Prothman
Company, and use of individual names. The motion to adopt Ordinance No.
01 carried unanimously.
(2) Ordinance No. 02 Setting Days and Hours of Operation of City Hall.
Interim City Clerk introduced Ordinance No. 02 by reading the title.
Councilmember Munson moved and Councilmember Schimmels seconded
that City Council suspend its rules for two readings of this ordinance and
proceed to final action at this meeting. The motion carried unanimously.
Councilmember Munson moved and Deputy Mayor Diana Wilhite seconded
that City Council adopt Ordinance No. 02 Setting the Days and Hours of
Operation of City Offices. The motion carried unanimously.
(3) Ordinance No. 03 Authorizing Payment of Claims. Interim City Clerk
introduced Ordinance No. 03 by reading the title. Councilmember Denenny
moved that City Council suspend the rules for two readings of this ordinance
and proceed to final action at this meeting. The motion and second were
withdrawn. Interim Attorney Schwartz summarized content of this
ordinance. Councilmembers discussed who should sign checks and how
many signatories should be designated. Interim Attorney Schwartz suggested
an amendment to Section 1 authorizing City Manager, two designated
Councilmembers and Finance Director to sign checks with all checks to be
signed by one authorized councilmember and one staff member.
Councilmember Taylor moved and Councilmember Flanigan seconded that
City Council suspend the rules for two readings of this ordinance and proceed
to final action at this meeting. The motion carried unanimously.
Councilmember Munson moved and Deputy Mayor Diana Wilhite seconded
that Ordinance No. 03 as amended be adopted Authorizing the Payment of
Claims or Other Obligations by Check Pursuant to RCW 35A.40.020. The
motion carried unanimously.
Approved by Council on December 10,2002 3
(4) Ordinance No. 04 Appointing an Auditing Officer. Interim City Clerk
introduced Ordinance No. 04. by reading the title. Councilmember Denenny
moved and Councilmember Flanigan seconded that City Council suspend the
rules for two readings of this ordinance and proceed to final action at this
meeting. At the request of two Councilmembers to postpone this action until
after the discussion, the motion and second were withdrawn. Interim Attorney
Schwartz summarized content of this ordinance. Interim Finance Director
Noack and Interim City Manager Walton reviewed with councilmembers the
process for auditing purchase/service invoices submitted to the City and the
need for checks and balances to assure that public money is being properly
expended. Councilmember Taylor moved and Councilmember Flanigan
seconded that City Council suspend the rules for two readings of this
ordinance and proceed to final action at this meeting. The motion carried
unanimously. Councilmember Denenny moved and Councilmember Munson
seconded that Ordinance No. 04 Appointing an Auditing Officer be adopted.
The motion carried unanimously.
(5) Ordinance No. 05 Adopting Interim 2002 Budget. Interim City Clerk
introduced Ordinance No. 05 by reading the title. Interim Finance Director
Noack reviewed the operating budgets that will be necessary during the period
prior to and after incorporation, and that this 2002 Interim Budget does not
need to have the detail required for other budgets, noting that the summary
provided to Council includes expected expenditures through 2002.
Councilmember Munson moved and Councilmember Taylor seconded that
City Council suspend the rules for two readings of this ordinance and proceed
to final action at this meeting. Councilmember Munson questioned if it is
necessary for a public hearing prior to adoption of this budget. Interim
Finance Director Noack stated that information from the state auditor
indicates that for this short-term budget, since the proposed budget had been
published on the agenda and reviewed publicly at this meeting, no public
hearing is necessary; however, Council is free to hear public comments on the
proposed budget.
The Mayor opened the meeting for public comments on the proposed interim
budget for the period November 20 through December 31, 2002.
Bob Davis, 1020 North Sargent Road, questioned whether Council can
approve a budget without details. Interim Manager Walton responded that
this is an estimated budget and the proposed Finance Committee will have
responsibility for review of detailed expenses submitted for approval.
Dan Meckel, 1022 South Veradale, suggested that the City use Quickbooks
for payroll in-house rather than a payroll company. Interim Manager Walton
said that cities are required to adhere to certain state requirements relating to
expenditures that are not available in Quickbooks.
Approved by Council on December 10,2002 4
Tony Lazanis, 10625 East Trent, questioned if the City will secure bids when
purchasing. Interim Manager Walton said that the first priority will be to use
local businesses, then to secure the best value, and for many large items cities
can use the State purchasing contract that provides very economical
purchasing.
Bob Blum, 12722 East 15th Avenue, said that he understands the need for
adoption of many ordinances during this interim period prior to incorporation,
and can see the reason for suspension of rules for two readings of ordinances,
but is concerned that Council may be moving too hastily especially on
financial issues. He cautioned that attention to detail is a necessary
requirement for members of the proposed Finance Committee to have.
Question was called for and the motion to suspend rules on this ordinance
carried unanimously.
Councilmember Taylor moved and Councilmember Munson seconded to
approve Ordinance No. 05 Adopting an Interim Budget for the Interim Period
Through December 31, 2002 With Exhibit"A" Incorporated as a Part of the
Ordinance. The motion carried unanimously. Councilmembers expressed
agreement with cautions expressed by citizens, but this is urgent and all items
included as proposed expenses have been discussed at this meeting.
D) Resolutions
(1) Resolution No. 02-07 Establishing Interim Depository Bank. Interim City
Clerk introduced the Resolution by reading the title. Since the agenda
included a different resolution title than this proposed resolution, Deputy
Mayor Diana Wilhite moved and Councilmember Munson seconded to amend
the agenda to add Resolution No. 02-07 Establishing Interim Depository
Bank. The motion carried unanimously. There was brief discussion as to
differences between a resolution and ordinance, and that this is an interim
requirement to allow for payment of City obligations; the City is seeking
banking Request for Proposals (RFP) from banks for an official bank
depository after incorporation. Councilmember Munson moved and
Councilmember Taylor seconded that Resolution No. 02-07 Establishing an
Official Interim Depository Bank for the City of Spokane Valley be approved.
The motion carried unanimously.
City Manager and Staff Reports
Interim Manager Walton reported that Spokane County Commissioners have approved a
$1 million line of credit from the County Road Fund to the City at no interest until
Spokane Valley's road taxes are collected in 2003.
Approved by Council on December 10,2002 5
Interim Public Works Director Dick Warren reported that he has had a number of
meetings with County and State officials to determine what contracts will be necessary
for execution. These items will be on Council agendas sometime after the first of the
year.
Public Comments
The Mayor opened the meeting for public comments.
Bill Gothmann, 10010 East 48`"Avenue, referred to the timeline discussed for the City
Manager search and questioned if there is a problem if the City has not hired a Manager
by date of incorporation.
Duane Schofield, 16317 East Main representing the Spokane County Property and
Business Owners Association, submitted a memorandum addressing the need for the City
of Spokane Valley to preserve the Valley business cores and prevent urban sprawl. The
Association offers assistance as the City begins addressing these issues.
Tony Lazanis, 10625 East Trent said that since Spokane Valley is a pretty good sized
city, the Council should consider developing a city charter to include protection by
establishing requirement for super majority vote. Interim Attorney Schwartz explained
that a non-charter code city has every power of all other cities and towns, but there is no
charter required; the majority of emergency actions taken by a non-charter code city
require a majority plus one vote.
Mayor DeVleming recessed the meeting at 7:50 p.m. for a ten-minute recess.
The meeting reconvened at 8:10 p.m. and Council went into Study Session.
The Study Session was completed at 9:12 p.m.
Adjournment
There being no further business, Councilmember Flanigan moved and Councilmember
Taylor seconded that the meeting adjourn. The motion carried unanimously and the
meetingadjourned at 9:15 p.m.
ATTEST: APPROVED:
Q4:vviti
Interim City Clerk Mayor Michael DeVlemi
Approved by Council on December 10,2002 6