2003, 03-04 Study Session Minutes INFORMATION ONLY—NO ACTION REQUIRED
City of Spokane Valley
City Council
Study Session Notes
March 4, 2003
Mayor Michael DeVleming opened the Study Session at 6:03 p.m.
Councilmembers present: Mayor Michael DeVleming, Deputy Mayor Diana Wilhite,
Councilmembers Dick Denenny, Mike Flanigan, Rich Munson, Gary Schimmels, and
Steve Taylor.
Staff present: Interim City Manager Lee Walton, Interim Public Works Director Dick
Warren, Interim Community Development Director James Harris, Interim Parks and
Recreation Consultant Bill Hutsinpiller, Interim Building Official Robert Ely and Interim
City Clerk Ruth Muller.
City Newsletter: Councilmember Munson reported that he has contacted The Valley
Herald and Spokesman-Review Valley Voice to obtain information about publishing a
City newsletter as a pull-out section in their publications. He has information from the
Valley Voice and will report further when he has received a proposal from the Valley
Herald.
Transportation Improvement Board: Interim Public Works Director Warren
explained that approximately 40 years ago the state legislature created an urban arterial
board to oversee distribution and operation of transportation projects funded on a
competitive basis through a small percentage of the gas tax revenue.
Warren introduced Bob Morehead, from the state Transportation Improvement Board
(TIB) who is also the president this year of the Washington State Association of Public
Works Officials. Mr. Morehead provided a map identifying various current projects
within Spokane Valley noting that Spokane County has been very successful in obtaining
funding for projects through the TIB. Morehead reviewed funding for the TIB
competitive projects that comes from three cents of the twenty-three cent gas tax; makeup
of the TIB Board and staffing responsibilities; funded projects and timing for completion;
application process; and project program distribution. The TIB has agreed to keep
funding available for the Valley Couplet project until Spokane Valley has an opportunity
to complete its Comprehensive Plan.
Interim Public Works Director Warren said that Spokane County has done a great job of
assessing the needs for transportation improvements and to seek funding for projects.
The County has agreed to continue engineering of in-work projects through completion
and then the projects will transition to Spokane Valley for the construction phase.
Roads Transition Committee: Interim Public Works Director Warren said that the
Roads Transition Report submitted to the Council was very logical and complete.
Warren introduced Ross Kelley, Spokane County Engineer, Jim Haines, Deputy County
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Engineer, Ted Trepanier, Washington State Department of Transportation Regional
Traffic Engineer and Transition Committee members Doug Daveny and Randy Noble.
Committee members provided a written summary of the formal report commenting on
some of the more important points included in the report. Warren congratulated the team
members on this report noting that most of their suggestions have been worked into the
three contracts presently being negotiated with Spokane County.
State Environmental Protection Act (SEPA): Interim Community Development
Director Harris said that the State SEPA is a mandated policy that all governmental
entities must use when processing certain types of applications and/or laws. Spokane
County has adopted the state SEPA law establishing a uniform environmental review
requirement between the City of Spokane, Spokane County, Regional Health District, and
Spokane County Air Pollution Control Authority. Harris recommends that the City adopt
the County's SEPA ordinance by reference with no changes. Councilmembers agreed
that an ordinance adopting Spokane County SEPA ordinance by reference be prepared for
action at the March 11, 2003 meeting.
Floor Hazard Plan: Interim Community Development Director Harris said that
flooding is not a major problem in Spokane Valley, but there are identified flood hazard
areas. Adoption of a flood hazard plan ordinance provides compliance with the National
Flood Insurance Program, which then allows local property owners within the designated
flood hazard areas to obtain flood protection insurance. Harris reviewed the identified
flood hazard areas included on the federal mapping documents. Councilmembers agreed
that an ordinance adopting Spokane County flood protection ordinance by reference be
prepared for action at the March 11, 2003 meeting.
Critical Areas: Interim Community Development Director Harris said that one of the
requirements of the state Growth Management Act is that governmental agencies
inventory critical areas (wetlands, geologically hazardous area, frequently flooded areas,
fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas, areas with a critical recharge effect on
aquifers used for potable water). Councilmembers agreed that an ordinance adopting
Spokane County critical areas ordinance by reference be prepared for action at the March
11, 2003 meeting.
Incorporation Celebration: Bill Burke of Burke Marketing presented information on
budget revenue and expenses for the proposed celebration and requested that Spokane
Valley contribute $5000 towards this celebration to supplement revenue from the various
business and individual sponsor contributions. Burke responded to questions from
councilmembers relating to cost of specific events during the celebration and projected
revenue to be gained from sponsor contributions. Following this discussion,
Councilmember Munson suggested that the City could possibly contribute $3000 for this
celebration plus a $2000 match if there is equal amount secured from business
advertisements for the celebration. Councilmembers agreed that there be a specific
proposal presented for action at the March 6, 2003 special meeting.
The mayor recessed the study session for approximately ten minutes at 7:45 p.m.
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The mayor reconvened the study session at 7:55 p.m.
Parks and Recreation Transition Committee: Interim Parks and Recreation
Consultant Hutsinpiller introduced Transition Committee Chair Glen Clapper, Ann
Matthews and Jim Huttenmeier who prepared the Committee report. Huttenmeier said
that the Committee is pleased to see that the Council has recognized the importance of
parks and recreation to the overall quality of life in the community as it moves towards
providing youth activities this year, and implementing some of the other
recommendations of the Committee. The Committee urges the Council to consider
establishing a Parks and Recreation Director position on its staff.
Arts and Culture Transition Committee: Interim Parks and Recreation Consultant
Hutsinpiller introduced Committee Co-Chairs Joyce Cameron and DeeDee Loberg, and
Karen Mobley, art consultant. Loberg and Cameron reviewed information considered by
the Committee from various community organizations. The Committee asks that the
Council consider budget funding for arts and culture and that staff work to engage the
arts and culture community through possible in-kind or dollar contributions. Mobley
noted that on March 17, 2003, 1:30 p.m. at the Spokane Community College there is a
seminar that Spokane Valley may wish to attend to determine if there could be funding
available for furthering arts and culture in the City.
Law Enforcement Ordinances: Interim Manager Walton briefly reviewed three
proposed ordinances covering state model traffic regulations, state criminal violation
regulations, and general penalty and infractions that will provide regulations within
Spokane Valley that are consistent with other jurisdictions within the state.
Councilmembers agreed that the proposed ordinances be included on the March 6, 2003
agenda for action.
Master Fee Schedule: Interim Manager Walton said that in response to citizen demand
for restrictions on taxes, municipalities are increasingly authorizing the use of"user fees"
to defray the cost of services provided to individuals and organizations. Staff has
prepared a master fee schedule that provides fees based largely on existing Spokane
County fees, and it is suggested that this fee schedule be reviewed on an annual basis to
assure that fees are sufficient to offset costs for providing services. Interim Building
Official Ely responded to questions relating to certain fees, and Councilmember Munson
noted that this Council's stance is to provide equal or better service to the community at
no increase in cost.
Councilmember Travel Expenses: Councilmember Denenny reported that he and
Deputy Mayor Wilhite will be traveling to Washington D.C. in late March with Chamber
representatives. During this conference it is their intent to meet with state legislators to
raise awareness of the community of Spokane Valley and specifically to address funding
for Bridging the Valley and concern about the high rates for medicare coverage. Deputy
Wilhite said that there is money in the budget for travel expense and it is requested that
consideration for paying a portion of these travel expenses be authorized since there will
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be a benefit to the community by contacts made during the trip. Following brief
discussion as to total travel cost,the need to know more specifics before authorization,
and that dollars should be expended only when there is a direct benefit to Spokane
Valley, councilmembers agreed that this item be included on the March 6, 2003 agenda.
Staff Recruitment: Interim Manager Walton said that it is necessary to begin the
recruitment process for the positions of Parks and Recreation Director and City Clerk,
and Council should determine if this will be done in-house or by Prothman Company.
Councilmembers agreed that this item be included on the March 6, 2003 agenda.
Mayor DeVleming closed the Study Session at 8:30 p.m.
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.
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