2003, 02-04 Study Session Minutes INFORMATION ONLY—NO ACTION REQUIRED
City of Spokane Valley
City Council
Study Session Notes
February 4, 2003
Mayor Michael DeVleming opened the Study Session at 6:05 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 Deputy City Manager Stan
McNutt, Interim Finance Director Robert Noack, Interim Public Works Director Dick
Warren, Interim Community Development Director Jim Harris, Interim Building Official
Bob Ely, and Interim City Clerk Ruth Muller.
Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT): Interim Public Works
Director Warren said that since Spokane Valley has an interstate highway and two major
state roads within the City, staff is presently working on agreements with WSDOT to
cover maintenance of the roads (SR290 and SR27) until the City has staff and equipment
to service these facilities. Warren introduced Jerry Lenzi from WSDOT who recognized
Mike Griffeth, Glen Wademan, and Al Gilson on his staff attending this evening to
respond to questions Council may have. WSDOT officials provided a handout of the
US395 North Spokane Corridor and summarized this project that was conceived in 1946,
and has been in the planning stage for a number of years. WSDOT is preparing to submit
requests for funding of the project in the near future. WSDOT officials responded to
questions of Councilmembers and staff on the proposed project.
Review Building codes and policies: Interim Building Official Ely provided draft
documents relating to required building codes and procedures for operating a building
department within Spokane Valley. Ely reviewed these documents noting additions,
changes or deletions that he is proposing to the standard documents. Ely responded to
questions of councilmembers on these documents and operation of a building department.
Cable TV City/County Citizen Advisory Board: Mayor DeVleming said that Spokane
County entered into a cable TV franchise agreement in the mid-1990's and Spokane
Valley will soon be responsible for this franchise. The mayor introduced Laura
DeVarney, Chair of the City/County Cable TV Advisory Board. Ms. DeVarney said that
we are now coming into the renewal window, that the FCC encourages beginning the
process three years prior to renewal to allow time for assessment and evaluation; there are
62,000 miles of cable within the County and approximately 35,000 miles within Spokane
Valley; there have been some problems and fiber is very costly to upgrade; the cable
company can be very difficult to deal with, but they are using the public right-of-way and
the City should consider what it needs for allowing use of the public right-of-way;
municipalities are only allowed to impose a 5% franchise fee for cable and the FCC does
Council Study Session Notes,Feb.4,2003
INFORMATION ONLY—NO ACTION REQUIRED
not allow tax for internet use. Responding to questions of the Council, Ms. DeVarney
said that the City can issue a request for proposal for a consultant to do a section by
section evaluation of performance in the City, that there are huge areas in Spokane Valley
without cable service, and that some cities do operate their own cable systems. The
Council concurred that the mayor should appoint an ad-hoc Cable TV Committee to
address the renewal process for cable franchise; and that a letter be sent to City of
Spokane and Spokane County requesting that the City/County Cable Advisory Board be
expanded to include Spokane Valley representatives.
Business registration: Interim Manager Walton suggests that the Council consider a
business registration program, not a licensing and taxing program. Such a registration
program will provide information to public safety agencies relating to businesses within
the City, help to avoid problems with"non-conforming"business or building alterations
that violate zoning or building code requirements since with registration the City can
confirm that the business conforms to zoning and building regulations; allows the City to
insure that all businesses in Spokane Valley are properly coding sales taxes collected to
be credited to the City; and for public information for confirmation that a business exists.
Councilmembers concurred that staff prepare a business registration ordinance, with the
possibility that they will determine no registration fee be imposed for some period of
time.
Planning Commission: Interim Community Development Director Harris presented a
proposed ordinance establishing a City Planning Commission. Harris said that this body
can free up time for the Council by taking on the task of holding hearings on certain land
use projects such as comprehensive plan and amendments, area wide zoning, annexation
zoning, zoning code, subdivision code and other assigned code formulations and
amendments. A Planning Commission makes a recommendation to the Council who then
has final action on any of these issues. Councilmembers concurred that they will
consider approving a Planning Commission, but that there needs to be very careful
attention paid to appointments made to this body.
Police Cars and Special Staffing: Interim Manager Walton presented several colors
that are available for the City's police cars and Council agreed that an ice blue is the
preferred color. Cal Walker, from the Spokane County Sheriff Department, explained
about a grant program that provides funding for additional road officers for three years
with the City responsible for the full cost of these officers beginning with the fourth year.
Council Chambers Project: The Council ad-hoc chambers remodel committee reported
on selection of sound system/recorder/chairs/projector/wiring, etc. for an estimated cost
of$16,500, with agreement on blue church chairs for seating in the chambers. After
discussion as to the need for a portable sound system in addition to the permanent system,
councilmembers agreed that staff needs to do more research as to cost for rental of a
system before they can agree to a second system.
Council Study Session Notes,Feb.4,2003
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INFORMATION ONLY—NO A__ION REQUIRED
City Hall Security System: Deputy Manager McNutt explained that for an estimated
cost of nearly $3000 the existing security system in the City Hall leased space can be
restored. Councilmembers concurred that such a system should be in place for City Hall.
Mayor DeVleming closed the study session at 9:20 p.m.
Q.:e'_701)(72
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.4,2003