2003, 03-18 Study Session Minutes INFORMATION ONLY—NO ACTION REQUIRED
City of Spokane Valley
City Council
Study Session Notes
March 18, 2003
Mayor Michael DeVleming opened the Study Session at 6:00 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 Manager Lee Walton, Interim Deputy Manager Stan McNutt,
Interim Community Development Director James Harris, Interim Public Works Director
Richard Warren, Interim City Engineer Dick Thiel, and Interim City Clerk Ruth Muller.
Bridging the Valley presentation: Mayor DeVleming introduced Frank Tombari and
Glen Miles who will present an overview and update on this project. Tombari said that
approximately five years ago this concept was developed for combining the two railroad
lines that travel through the valley and on into Idaho into one corridor. A study of the
feasibility of this concept has been completed with participation from State of
Washington, State of Idaho, and the Federal Government that indicates this is a plausible
concept. The railroads have been contacted and are willing to work with this concept,
and the trip to Washington D.C. next week with the regional Chambers of Commerce will
be an opportunity to request support from the agencies and legislators for this project.
Miles said that there are 72 crossings along this 22-mile corridor with some of them
deficient. It is anticipated that this will be an 8 to 10 year project at an estimated cost of
$270 million with approximately one-half for moving Union Pacific tracks and one-half
for grading, separation and closing crossings. Agencies that will be contacted for
possible funding are the Federal Highway Administration and Railroad Administration
with local matches from both states and regional agencies. There is good support from
Idaho and the Spokane area.
There was brief discussion of the support of the two railroad lines, efficient operations of
trains, ownership of abandoned railroad lines, and effect of funding for this project on
other state funding. Councilmembers indicated that Spokane Valley is very interested in
supporting this project.
Pre-trial services agreement: Interim Manager Walton reviewed provisions of this
agreement with Spokane County that provides assessment of defendants that may meet
qualifications as indigents and be assigned for public defense. Any overpayment by the
City for these services will be refunded to the City. Councilmembers agreed that they are
not pleased with how costs have been determined for this and other County agreements,
and direct staff to do a thorough analysis during the agreement period to develop a true
accounting of costs for services. Council agreed that this agreement be included on the
March 20, 2003 agenda for action.
Council Study Session Notes,Mar. 18,2003 1
INFORMATION ONLY—NO ACTION REQUIRED
Hearing Examiner Agreement: Interim Community Development Director Harris said
that because there will be many project appeals requiring hearings, staff is proposing the
use of a hearing examiner for these land use issues. There have been meetings with the
Spokane County Hearing Examiner who is willing to work with Spokane Valley in the
capacity as the City's pro-tem hearing examiner. This agreement has been negotiated
between the City and County to provide the services that will be necessary to process the
administrative and quasi-judicial hearings of the City. The consensus of the Council is to
have this agreement included on the March 20, 2003 agenda for action.
Hearing Examiner Juridsiction: Interim Community Development Director Harris said
that this proposed ordinance creates an office of hearing examiner and establishes the
authority and process for regulatory hearings that may be assigned to the hearing
examiner. The consensus of the Council is to have this ordinance on the March 20, 2003
agenda for action.
State Roadway Maintenance Agreement: Interim Public Works Director Warren said
that after incorporation Spokane Valley is responsible for roadway maintenance of state
highways within the boundaries of the City. This proposed agreement with the
Washington State Department of Transportation provides for maintenance of State Route
27 (Pines) and State Route 290 (Trent)by the state under the supervision of the City's
Public Works Department. Council agreed that this agreement be included on the March
20, 2003 agenda for action.
Signs and Signals Maintenance Agreement: Interim Public Works Director Warren
said that Spokane Valley is also responsible for all traffic signals and illumination on the
state highways following incorporation. The state has a different controlling system for
its signals than the County, so it is proposed that Spokane Valley contract with State
Department of Transportation for the maintenance of the signals on state highways.
There was brief discussion relating to payment for electrical power (paid directly by the
City), cost for services that is for actual cost of materials,provision for some
discretionary requests by the City, and that no overhead is included in this agreement as
the State and City have entered into a reciprocal agreement not to charge for overhead.
Council consensus is to include this agreement on the March 20, 2003 agenda for action.
Engineering Services Memorandum of Understanding: Interim Public Works
Director Warren said that staff is negotiating with Spokane County for development of an
agreement for the County to continue providing engineering services for certain capital
facilities, grant management, and other projects that are currently in progress. Even
though street maintenance will be provided by Spokane County following incorporation
until May 10, 2003, engineering services will be the responsibility of the City as of
March 31, 2003. This memorandum of understanding is proposed until the final
agreement has been completed and ready for action. The consensus of Council is to
include this memorandum of understanding on the March 20, 2003 agenda for action.
Council Study Session Notes,Mar. 18,2003 2
INFORMATION ONLY—NO iON REQUIRED
Solid Waste Management Agreement: Interim Public Works Director Warren said that
staff recommends that Spokane Valley join as a participant in the regional program for
solid waste management. Council discussed the need to have Spokane Valley as a voting
member on the Liaison Board and the role of the Solid Waste Advisory Committee made
up of citizens giving input on the comprehensive solid waste management plan. Council
agreed that action on this agreement will be deferred until April, and that a request be
made to the Liaison Board that Spokane Valley be granted two voting positions on this
Board.
Presentation, Community Development Transition Committee: Gene Apedaile,
Chair of the Transition Committee introduced committee members George Koehler,
Peggy Doering, and Mollie Dalpae who will provide information gathered by this
committee. Apedaile said that there are a variety of community services, but this
committee focused on three—community development, human services and community
identity.
George Koehler provided information gathered from 12 other state cities of comparable
size and makeup as Spokane Valley and services that these cities provide. Mollie Dalpae
reviewed the Valley Community Center and agencies housed at this facilityand services
provided to the community. Peggy Doering discussed methods for establishing a
community identity. Gene Apedaile reviewed the existing County programs and the
committee recommends that Spokane Valley join the County consortium to continue the
CDBG funding to the community.
Community Development Block Grant(CDBG): Interim Community Development
Director Harris reviewed the options for Spokane Valley for use of federal CDBG
funding. There was brief discussion about these options and the steps the City needs to
take to continue this funding for the community.
Deputy Mayor Wilhite noted that during the Valley Regional Chambers trip to
Washington D.C., there will be opportunity for an introduction of the new City of
Spokane Valley to representatives of the Housing and Urban Development department.
Mayor DeVleming closed the study session at 7:30 p.m. to executive session for
approximately 15 minutes for discussion of personnel matters. There will be no action
taken following the executive session.
Interim City Clerk Ruth Muller
NOTE: It is our practice to provide Study Session Notes for information, but these
are not included as action items on Council agendas.
Council Study Session Notes,Mar. 18,2003 3