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2003, 02-20 Study Session Minutes INFORMATION ONLY—NO ACTION REQUIRED City of Spokane Valley City Council Study Session Notes February 20, 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, Rich Munson, Gary Schimmels and Steve Taylor. Staff present: Interim City Manager Lee Walton, Interim City Attorney Stanley Schwartz, Interim Deputy Manager Stan McNutt, Interim Public Works Director Richard Warren, Interim Finance Director Robert Noack, Interim Building Official Bob Ely, Interim Community Development Director James Harris, Interim Long Range Planning Manager Greg McCormick, Interim Current Planning Manager Kim Lyonnais, and Interim City Clerk Ruth Muller Animal Control Transition Committee presentation: Interim Manager Walton introduced John W. Haley, Chair of the Animal Control Transition Committee, who reviewed contents of the Committee's report. Haley said that the Committee viewed three options and determined that the only viable option for Spokane Valley at this time is to contract for services with Spokane County. Even though there was some concern about the cost, the County has an excellent facility. The Committee recommends a five- year contract, with fees remaining in the City. Spokane County Animal Services presentation: Interim Manager Walton introduced Nancy Hill, Director of County Animal Services, who presented to Councilmembers an information manual summarizing the County department and its operation. Hill reviewed the Department operation and services with a power point presentation highlighting various services available through the department, and how this department compares to other county departments in the state. Responding to questions of councilmembers, Hill said that the County's ordinances have recently been updated and it is hoped that Spokane Valley will adopt these by reference, that there are designated patrol areas in the total County covered by staff, and that the County is embarking on a licensing campaign patterned after the Calgary model. Planning, Zoning and Building Transition Committee presentation: Interim Community Development Director Harris introduced Francine Shaw, Chair of this Committee, along with members Howard Herman and Sam Campbell. Herman and Campbell drew attention to copies of the County zoning map and Comprehensive Plan map,pinpointing areas that the Committee considers to be problems associated with the new zoning included in the County 2002 Comprehensive Plan. In discussions with the City's interim Planning Staff, it appears that there could be some changes made to better Council Study Session Notes,Feb.20,2003 1 INFORMATION ONLY—NO ACTION REQUIRED reflect Spokane Valley uses, since the new zoning affects flexibility in certain zones. The Transition Committee recommends that the City provide zoning that maintains a vibrant tax base and is more flexible. Interim Attorney Schwartz said that much of the criticism voiced against the County 2002 Comprehensive Plan is not on sections of the Plan mandated by the state Growth Management Act, so that it is possible for the City to propose modifications to these sections. Spokane Valley is subject to plan under the Growth Management Act, so the City can start with the County Plan and then adjust to better meet our community needs. Schwartz said that a Comprehensive Plan is a planning blueprint and a Zoning Map regulates use. Growth Management Act requires critical areas, subdivision, shoreline, SEPA, and development regulation ordinances and Spokane Valley can start with the County ordinances, review and modify to address the community needs, but must assure that these ordinances comply with the state laws. Planning and Zoning Program Review: Interim Community Development Director Harris said that he has thoroughly reviewed the County's Comprehensive Plan which is a very good valid plan. The Comprehensive Plan is a vision for a 20-year period for Spokane Valley and as the area matures there can be modifications to address changes that may be necessary. Harris suggests that the City not spend money to redo what has been accomplished by the County and represents a very good starting point for Spokane Valley. Harris introduced Interim Long Range Planning Manager McCormick who reviewed the Comprehensive Plan map showing properties that would be non-conforming under the County zoning. The City's Planning Commission can look at these identified areas and possibly recommend some fine tuning to allow the City to continue to have a good tax base along with good zoning. Interim Manager Walton noted that the City needs to retain viable zoning to encourage business and industrial development, and Interim Community Development Harris added that a city cannot have all service industries since these businesses are not money producers. Interim Public Works Director Warren said that the City needs to address transportation in its Comprehensive Plan. To answer questions relating to the possibility of adjusting the urban growth boundary, Mayor DeVleming requested Spokane County Commissioner Kate McCaslin to address this issue. McCaslin said that state law requires Counties to establish urban growth boundaries (UGA) and Spokane County recently adopted UGAs with input from all municipalities within the County. This UGA can be adjusted but needs to meet state requirements, and the County must review these boundaries at certain time intervals established by state law. Interim Attorney Schwartz said that state law requires Counties to review the UGA at least every ten years and there needs to be a public process for making any changes once a UGA is adopted by a County. Although, during the interim period for newly incorporated cities, it is possible to make some minor changes, and no annexations may be processed of areas that are not included in an adopted UGA. Council Study Session Notes,Feb.20,2003 2 INFORMATION ONLY—NO ACTION REQUIRED Councilmembers concurred that the City proceed with adoption of the County's Comprehensive Plan and Zoning regulations asking that Staff propose some minor changes that would address the non-conforming zoning of existing developed properties. Shorelines and Subdivision ordinances: Interim Community Development Director Harris said that he recommends that Spokane Valley modify the County's zoning ordinance governing variances and conditional use permits to allow for administrative variances and reviewed the proposed modification. It is recommended that Spokane Valley adopt the County's subdivision ordinance with modification to allow a five to nine lot shortplat to be administratively approved; such a shortplat will still need to meet all requirements of a full subdivision. Harris recommends that Spokane Valley adopt the County's shoreline master program ordinance without modifications, but staff will begin a review of shoreline designations to determine their applicability to the City's designation as an urban area under the Growth Management Act. After brief discussion, councilmembers agreed that staff continue to prepare ordinances as recommended. Mayor DeVleming recessed the Study Session at 7:45 p.m. for five minutes. The Study Session reconvened at 7:50 p.m. Information Technology Hardware: Mayor DeVleming said that the Finance Committee has requested review of this item. Councilmember Munson said that the Finance Committee reviewed information relating to acquiring computer hardware and there is an immediate need to purchase some critical hardware to assure that City staff is trained for the ability to access permits and information at Spokane County. Total cost for all hardware required is $245,700, but the immediate need to be ready March 31, 2003 is for authorization of a $70,000 expenditure. The Finance Committee is asking that Council consider agreeing to proceed with this initial expenditure tonight, with a full review and appropriation action at the Feb. 25, 2003 regular meeting. The Finance Committee also requests that the Committee be given authorization to approve such emergency expenditures. There was discussion on the need to acquire this hardware and technology in order to assure that the one-stop permit center is ready to operate on March 31, 2003, the fact that there is some unused appropriated funds in the interim budget, the need for a full review of all hardware included in the Information Technology package, and if a budget amendment is appropriate. The Council concurred that Staff proceed with ordering the initial computer hardware contingent on appropriation at the February 25, 2003 regular meeting and that a budget amendment to the Interim Budget be prepared in amount of$70,000. The Council agreed that the Finance Committee has authority to approve expenditures in an emergency during this interim period, but this approval will sunset as of March 31, 2003. Council Study Session Notes,Feb.20,2003 3 INFORMATION ONLY—NO A__10N REQUIRED Public Works Interlocal Agreements: Interim Public Works Director Warren reviewed a memorandum detailing the status of interlocal agreements for engineering design standards, solid waste, roads/state highways, roads/engineering for capital projects, roads/maintenance, stormwater services, step sewer program, and wastewater treatment. Councilmembers concurred that negotiation continue on these agreements as presented. Building Code Ordinances: Interim Building Official Ely advised that the codes are presented for adoption in three ordinances. He has had opportunity to review these with members of the Homebuilders Association who had some suggestions that have been incorporated into these ordinances, and the water availability form has been changed. Interim Attorney Schwartz advised that fees for all services provided by the City will be covered by a general fee ordinance with a fee schedule resolution that will be updated on a regular basis. Interim Manager Walton said that the Council needs to determine what percentage of recovery there should be through these fees. Other Items: Councilmember Munson reported that he reviewed the information on the May 2002 election for the Public Facilities District projects. There were two propositions with a total of 12,000 voters from Spokane Valley. The building proposition was approved by Spokane Valley voters with a vote of 54% in favor and 46% against; the extension of taxes proposition was approved by a vote of 62% in favor and 38% against. Mayor DeVleming closed the Study Session at 8:25 p.m. • /L.) 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,Feb.20,2003 4