2015, 03-17 Study Session Meeting MINUTES
SPOKANE VALLEY CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
STUDY SESSION FORMAT
Spokane Valley City Hall Council Chambers
Spokane Valley,Washington
March 17,2015 6:00 p.m.
Attendance:
Councilmembers Staff
Dean Grafos,Mayor Mike Jackson, City Manager
Arne Woodard, Deputy Mayor Mark Calhoun, Deputy City Manager
Chuck Hafner, Councilmember Erik Lamb, Deputy City Attorney
Rod Higgins, Councilmember John Hohman, Community Development Dir.
Ed Pace, Councilmember Mike Stone, Parks & Recreation Director
Ben Wick, Councilmember Eric Guth, Public Works Director
Lori Barlow, Senior Planner
ABSENT: Chris Bainbridge, City Clerk
Bill Bates, Councilmember
Mayor Grafos called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL: City Clerk Bainbridge called the roll; all Councilmembers were present except
Councilmember Bates. It was moved by Councilmember Pace, seconded and unanimously agreed to
excuse Councilmember Bates from tonight's meeting.
1. Beekeeping—Lori Barlow
Senior Planner Barlow explained the background of the proposal as noted in previous meetings, and in the
accompanying PowerPoint, adding that the Planning Commission approved the Findings of Fact at their
March 12 meeting. There was some brief discussion about other minor changes to the text, and Ms.
Barlow noted that the text would change slightly for the first reading to change I4 to read, "beekeepers
shall maintain an adequate supply of water for bees located close to the hive" instead of"close to each
colony." There was Council consensus to bring this forward for a first reading consideration.
2. City Hall Architectural Services—John Hohman
Director Hohman explained that a City Hall has been a Council goal for many years; with the acquisition
of almost four acres at U-City last year, the City Manager designated a project team to work on moving
this project forward; he said the team members are well qualified and bring a lot of expertise to this
project; said the team meets weekly to work through details; that timing was a concern as our current
lease expires in two years. Mr. Hohman explained that through the years we have learned what we like
and don't like about how to set up a city hall and conduct our operations; and said that we also wanted
control of the project so they decided on the traditional design-bid-build process; that an RFP (request for
proposal) was developed for design and construction services which was completed last December; that
he received four submittals; the team conducted interviews and met and designated the leading contender
as the most qualified firm, as per state law. Mr. Hohman said additional reference checks were conducted
as were site visits to recently constructed projects, and that team members even walked into several
recently constructed buildings and asked the employees what they liked or didn't like; he said he also
talked to our own plans examiner to see which firms tended to go through the process without too many
problems; that all that worked into a recommendation to the City Manager who then authorized the team
to begin negotiation with Architects West. Mr. Hohman then presented a quick video showing the
conceptual design of the project; and as can be seen, the video displays some of the creativity of the
company. Mr. Hohman noted a public process will be included to gain public input about conceptual
design; said he feels comfortable with the scope and effort and is looking for consensus to move this
Council Study Session:03-17-2015 Page 1 of 2
Approved by Council:03-24-2015
forward at next week's Council meeting for a motion consideration to authorize the City Manager to
finalize and execute a contract with Architects West. Council concurred.
3. Advance Agenda—Mayor Grafos. There were no suggested changes to the Advance Agenda.
4. Council Comments—Mayor Grafos. There were no comments from Council.
5. City Manager Comments—Mike Jackson
City Manager Jackson explained that connected with our Solid Waste Plan prepared by public Works,
having such a plan makes us eligible for Department of Ecology Coordinated Prevention grants; he said
that process is now open with grans due March 31; said potential grant funds total $260,000 and include a
25% match from the City, which he said could be handled by either in-kind match or through the
$125,000 administrative fee we collect from Sunshine; said the grant can be used for such things as
recycling, education, or household hazardous waste; and due to the time factor, Mr. Jackson suggested
moving forward with the grant applications, and if we are awarded any contract in excess of$200,000 or
an amount that would need further appropriation of funds, that could come to Council at that time.
Council concurred for staff to move forward and apply for the grants.
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Woodard, seconded and unanimously agreed to adjourn. The meeting
adjourned at 6:35 p.m.
ATT S Dean Grafos,Mayor
1/A L /4
pristine Bainbridge, City Clerk
Council Study Session:03-17-2015 Page 2 of 2
Approved by Council:03-24-2015