2003, 03-20 Regular Meeting Minutes CITY OF SPOKANE VALLEY
City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting
March 20, 2003
Mayor Michael DeVleming called the special meeting of the Spokane Valley City Council
to order at 6:04 p.m.
Councilmembers present: Mayor Michael DeVleming, Deputy Mayor Diana Wilhite,
Councilmembers Dick Denenny, Mike Flanigan, Richard Munson, Gary Schimmels, and
Steve Taylor.
Staff present: Interim City Manager Lee Walton, Interim Finance Director Robert
Noack, Interim Community Development Director Jim Harris, Interim Building Official
Bob Ely, Interim City Engineer Dick Thiel, Interim City Clerk Ruth Muller, and Interim
Administrative Assistant Karin Bosworth.
Invocation: Councilmember Taylor gave the invocation.
Pledge of Allegiance: Councilmember Denenny led the pledge of allegiance.
Roll Call: Interim City Clerk called roll.
Presentations: Councilmember Munson suggested that Spokane Valley join other
organizations in support of our United States Military and read a proposed proclamation.
Councilmember Flanigan moved and Councilmember Taylor seconded that Spokane
Valley proclaim March 23-29, 2003 as "Support Our Troops Week". The motion
carried unanimously.
Approval of Agenda: Councilmember Taylor moved and Deputy Mayor Wilhite
seconded that the Agenda be approved as submitted. The motion carried unanimously.
Council Reports: Deputy Mayor Wilhite reported that the Finance Committee has
reviewed expenditures in relation to interim budget appropriations and these are consistent
with estimated expenses; expenditures for the past two weeks were recommended for
approval.
Councilmember Flanigan reported that community response to the events during the
incorporation celebration is very good and tickets for all events are available.
Councilmember Flanigan reported that Senate Bill 6026 and its companion House Bill
1581 relating to formation of Parking and Business Improvement Districts are moving
through both houses. An amendment to House bill 1581 removing County legislative
authority to form these districts within corporate boundaries of cities is still being
considered.
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Approved by Council April 22,2003 Page 1 of 6
Councilmember Taylor reported that he met recently with Justin Morris of the Child Home
Society regarding the capital campaign for building at Mirabeau Center in regard to a
request submitted to Representative George Nethercutt's office for $500,000. Council
concurred that a letter stating Spokane Valley's support of this request be prepared for
signature.
Councilmember Denenny reported on the Spokane Transit Authority (STA) task force
activity noting that there is a different attitude at STA now with the hiring of a new
manager and a new communications firm. There is a new approach to actively involve the
public regarding the needs for public transit, which is very encouraging.
Mayor DeVleming reported that today, he and Councilmembers Flanigan, Munson, and
Schimmels attended an emergency management workshop. A committee will be
appointed in the near future to begin work on preparing an emergency plan for the City as
required by law.
Mayor DeVleming noted that all Planning Commission applications are to be submitted by
March 21, 2003 at 5:00 p.m.
Agenda Bill No. 2003-058 (Property Tax): Interim City Clerk introduced Ordinance
No. 55 by reading the title. Councilmember Flanigan moved and Councilmember Taylor
seconded that the rules be suspended for two readings of this ordinance and to adopt
Ordinance No. 55 Levying the Regular Property Taxes for the City of Spokane Valley,
Washington in Spokane County for the Year Commencing January 1, 2004 to Provide
Revenue for City Services as Set forth in the City Budget. Interim Manager Walton said
that adopting this ordinance gets information on the County books regarding the Spokane
Valley tax levy rate. This levy rate is actually a decrease to property taxes of City
residents of approximately $0.24 per $1000 of assessed valuation.
Annette Remshard, 1705 North McMillan Lane, said that there is a great deal of concern
among residents about any increase to taxes, and urged the Council to include information
to the public about the decrease so that there is a better understanding by the community.
The motion to adopt Ordinance No. 55 carried unanimously.
Agenda Bill No. 2003-078 (Animal Control Regulations): Interim City Clerk introduced
Ordinance No. 56 by reading the title. Councilmember Flanigan moved and
Councilmember Munson seconded to suspend the rules for two readings of this ordinance,
advance to second reading and adopt Ordinance No. 56 Adopting by Reference Chapters
5.04 and 5.12 of the Spokane County Code as the Animal Control Regulations for the City
of Spokane Valley. Interim Manager Walton said that this ordinance, with the removal for
licensing of cats,provides for animal regulations until the City has time to develop its own
regulations.
Tony Lazanis, 10625 East Trent, suggested that an ordinance be created for barking dogs.
The motion to adopt Ordinance No. 56 carried unanimously.
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Approved by Council April 22,2003 Page 2 of 6
Agenda Bill No. 2003-079 (Hearing Examiner Jurisdiction): Interim City Clerk
introduced Ordinance No. 57 by reading the title. Councilmember Flanigan moved and
Councilmember Denenny seconded to suspend the rules for two readings of this ordinance,
advance to second reading and adopt Ordinance No. 57 Establishing the Office of Hearing
Examiner, Adopting a Hearing Examiner System, Conferring Jurisdiction and Providing
for Rules and Regulations. Interim Manager Walton said that his ordinance has been
reviewed by the County Hearing Examiner who will be hearing Spokane Valley appeals.
Interim Community Development Director Harris said that use of a hearing examiner helps
to relieve the volume of work before the Council, as the land use appeals are heard before a
professional. Harris responded to questions of the Council relating to language in the
ordinance and the appeal process.
Tony Lazanis, 10625 East Trent, said this process should be carefully explained to the
public.
The motion to adopt Ordinance No. 57 carried unanimously.
Agenda Bill No. 2003-041 (Employee Personnel Policies and Benefits): Interim City
Clerk read the title of Ordinance No. 44 for second reading. Councilmember Munson
moved and Councilmember Flanigan seconded to adopt Ordinance No. 44 Establishing a
Human Resources System for the City and Outlining the Basic Personnel Policies and
Employee Benefits of City Employees. The motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Bill No. 2003-080, Pre-Trial Services Interlocal (Agreement No. CO3-21)
Deputy Mayor Wilhite moved and Councilmember Schimmels seconded that the Interim
City Manager be authorized to execute Agreement No. CO3-21 for Pretrial Services in the
City of Spokane Valley. Interim Manager Walton said that this agreement has been
negotiated between City staff and Spokane County staff and it is recommended for
execution. Walton responded to Council questions relating to procedures for indigent
counsel appointment. The motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Bill No. 2003-067, Probation Services Interlocal (Agreement No. CO3-17)
Deputy Mayor Wilhite moved and Councilmember Taylor seconded that the Interim City
Manager be authorized to execute Agreement No. CO3-17 for Probation Services for the
City of Spokane Valley. Interim Manager Walton said that this agreement has been
negotiated between City staff and Spokane County staff and is recommended for
execution. The agreement is at no cost to the City, as assessments are levied by the Court
that cover costs for service. The motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Bill No. 2003-066 Jail Services Interlocal (Agreement No. CO3-16)
Councilmember Denenny moved and Councilmember Flanigan seconded to authorize the
Interim City Manager to execute Agreement No. CO3-16 Between Spokane County and
City of Spokane Valley Regarding Cost Sharing for Jail Services. Interim Manager
Walton said that this agreement has been negotiated between City staff and County staff
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Approved by Council April 22,2003 Page 3 of 6
and is recommended for execution. Councilmember Munson questioned if the City can
bill prisoners for any of the jail housing costs; staff will research this question.
Annette Remshard, 1705 North McMillan Lane, stated her concern about the relationship
between the City and County regarding law enforcement services, and urged the Council to
assure that the City is not unfairly represented in these agreements.
Councilmembers Munson and Denenny noted that there will be on-going review of how
these agreements are working and that in the case of the law enforcement services
agreement, Spokane Valley has taken control and there must be accountability to Spokane
Valley Council.
Tim Rose, 904 North Phelps, questioned when Spokane Valley becomes responsible since
it appears in his neighborhood that deputies seem to be resentful and are not respectful to
the citizens. Interim Manager Walton explained that after incorporation on March 31,
2003, Spokane Valley is responsible and the deputies will be assigned specific areas to
help them become more knowledgeable and responsive to their assigned area; any action
by a deputy that is of concern by a neighborhood should be reported to the City and to the
Sheriff Valley precinct.
The motion to authorize execution of Agreement No. CO3-16 carried unanimously.
Agenda Bill No. 2003-081, Building and Construction Permit Transition (Agreement
No. CO3-20). Deputy Mayor Wilhite moved and Councilmember Schimmels seconded to
authorize the Interim City Manager to execute agreement No. CO3-20 Between Spokane
County and the City of Spokane Valley Relating to Processing of Building and
Construction Permit Applications. Interim Manager Walton said that this agreement
minimizes inconvenience to people by providing that Spokane County will complete all
building permits presently in work. New permits as of March 31, 2003 will be issued by
Spokane Valley. The motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Bill No. 2003-083, Roads Maintenance,WSDOT (Agreement No. CO3-24)
Councilmember Flanigan moved and Councilmember Taylor seconded to authorize the
Interim City Manager to execute agreement No. CO3-24 for State Department of
Transportation Maintenance of City of Spokane Valley Owned Roadway on State Route
27 (Pines) and State Route 290 (Trent). The motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Bill No. 2003-084, Sign and Signal Maintenance,WSDOT (Agreement
No. CO3-25) Councilmember Flanigan moved and Councilmember Taylor seconded to
authorize the Interim City Manager to execute agreement No. CO3-25 for State Department
of Transportation Maintenance of City of Spokane Valley Owned Traffic Signals and
Illumination on State Route 27 (Pines) and State Route 290 (Trent). Interim Manager
Walton said that electrical power for these signals is the responsibility of the City, and that
these two agreements with the State are very clear agreements. The motion carried
unanimously.
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Approved by Council April 22,2003 Page 4 of 6
Agenda Bill No. 2003-082, Engineering Services Memorandum of Understanding
(Agreement No. CO3-23). Councilmember Munson moved and Councilmember Denenny
seconded that the Interim City Manager be authorized to execute agreement No. CO3-23,
Memorandum of Understanding Between the City of Spokane Valley and Spokane County
for Engineering Services. Interim Manager Walton said that this MOU will allow projects
to continue until such time as the City and County have approved a contract for
engineering services.
Tony Lazanis, 10625 East Trent, asked if this is for the rest of 2003, and was advised that
the MOU covers projects presently underway or about to bid.
The motion to authorize execution of CO3-23 carried unanimously. .
Agenda Bill No. 2003-085, Hearing Examiner Services Interlocal (Agreement
No. CO3-22) Councilmember Munson moved and Councilmember Schimmels seconded
to authorize Interim City Manager to execute agreement No. CO3-22 Between City of
Spokane Valley and Spokane County for Hearing Examiner Services. Interim Manager
Walton said this agreement has been negotiated by City staff and County staff with input
from the County hearing examiner. The agreement provides for Spokane Valley to use the
County hearing examiner who has been very responsive to the City's needs. The motion
carried unanimously.
City Manager & Staff Reports: Interim City Manager Walton reported that the permit
center is on schedule to begin operation March 31, 2003; the Council is in step to get the
critical laws in place by date of incorporation and can complete others that are necessary
following incorporation. Council Chamber remodeling is nearly complete and will be
ready for meetings following incorporation.
Public Comments: Annette Remshard, 1705 North McMillan Lane,thanked the Council
for doing a miraculous job during this interim period to get the City ready for
incorporation, saying that she is very proud of them and that as elected officials they
deserve to be treated respectfully.
New Business: Deputy Mayor Wilhite requested that Council excuse herself and
Councilmember Denenny from the March 25, 2003 Council meeting, as they will be in
Washington D.C. on official business.
Mayor DeVleming adjourned the meeting to Study Session at 7:08 p.m.
ATTEST: APPROVED:
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In erim City Clerk Mayor Michael De eming
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Council Minutes,March 20,2003
Approved by Council April 22,2003 Page 5 of 6