2015, 09-01 Study Session MINUTES
SPOKANE VALLEY CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
STUDY SESSION FORMAT
Spokane Valley City Hall Council Chambers
Spokane Valley,Washington
September 1,2015 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 Cary Driskell, City Attorney
Rod Higgins, Councilmember Erik Lamb, Deputy City Attorney
Ed Pace, Councilmember Eric Guth, Public Works Director
Ben Wick, Councilmember Sean Messner,Traffic Engineer
Bill Gothmann, Councilmember Pro Tem Chelsie Taylor, Interim Finance Director
Doug Powell, Building Official
Carolbelle Branch, Public Information Officer
Rick VanLeuven, Police Chief
Christine Bainbridge, City Clerk
Mayor Grafos called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL: City Clerk Bainbridge called the roll; all Councilmembers were present.
1. Outside Agencies Presentations—Chelsie Taylor
After Finance Director Taylor gave an overview of the process for Outside Agency funding,the following
organizations gave a brief presentation in response to our call for Outside Agency Funding: A. Economic
Development Agencies: (1) Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce; (2) Spokane Valley Arts
Council; (3) Spokane Valley Heritage Museum; and (4) Valleyfest. B. Social Services Agencies: (a) Arc
of Spokane; (b) Big Brothers and Sisters of the Inland NW; (c) Children's Home Society of Washington;
(d) East Central Community Center; (e) Goodwill Industries of the Inland NW; (f) Greater Spokane
County Meals on Wheels; (g) Greater Spokane Substance Abuse Council; (h) Hearth Homes; (h) Inland
NW Fuller Center for Housing; (j) New Horizons; (k) Rotary Club of Spokane Valley; (m) Spokane
Valley Partners; and (n) YWCA. There was no presentation from Safety Net (1). After the last
presentation, Ms. Taylor reminded Council to please return their funding recommendations to her by
Friday, September 11, in order to have ample time to incorporate everything into the Council packet for
the September 22 Council meeting.
2. Property Tax—Chelsie Taylor
Finance Director Taylor briefed Council concerning the proposed ordinance levying 2016 regular
property taxes; she explained the estimated rate per$1,000 of assessed value, noted we have not received
final figures from the County Assessor's office, and said that once those figures are received, rates could
change; she explained the idea of"banked capacity" and noted that the passage of this ordinance, which
does not levy the 1% increase in property tax allowed by State law, does account for revenues resulting
from new construction, and that the ordinance is required as per state law.
3. LED Lights—Eric Guth, Sean Messner
In response to Council's previous inquiry of staff about what, if anything, is being done regarding
installation of light emitting diodes (LED) street lights within the City, Director Guth explained that
currently the majority of street lights are high pressure sodium lists, which are about 100 or 200 watt
Council Study Session:09-01-2015 Page 1 of 2
Approved by Council:09-08-2015
bulbs and not very energy efficient. Mr. Guth said that staff asked the four major electric utilitiy
companies about their plans for replacing the streetlights with LED fixtures, and discovered that each
company has a different approach for replacing those inefficient fixtures. Mr. Guth went over the current
inventory and conditions of the city's 2300 streetlights, explained the differences between and advantages
and disadvantages of the LED and a High Pressure Sodium light; and explained the conversion programs
of the utility companies. Mr. Guth said there are no funds budgeted for a light conversion so the City's
maintained lights would be updated to LED when feasible. Mr. Guth also noted it is not recommended to
mix LED and HPS lights. There was some discussion about utility company construction and upgrading
to LED lights, with Mr. Messner stating that we used the LED lights for the Appleway Trail; that they are
good fixtures and in terms of lifespan, rank up with the top of the line although priced substantially lower.
Mayor Grafos asked if we could influence Avista concerning where they might start the conversion, and
Mr. Guth said he had not broached the subject with Avista, or knows if they have solidified their plans,
but that Avista let us know that when they change a light to LED, there is no additional charge for the
streetlight.
4. Advance Agenda—Mayor Grafos
Councilmember Gothmann asked to bring back the topic of bike helmets to see how the present Council
feels about the topic.
5. Council Comments—Mayor Grafos
Councilmember Gothmann suggested a change in the method of allocating funds for outside agencies
when it comes to the "remainder" of the fees, and said it should be proportional instead of simply splitting
the amount evenly. Councilmember Wick said he is not opposed to having that discussion, but when it
comes to looking at the dollar amount involved, it is almost "splitting hairs" at that point.
6. City Manager Comments—Mike Jackson
City Manager Jackson said staff is working to make our website completely mobilized to make it easier
for smart phones, said there are funds in the budget and we intend to have that completed by the end of
the year. Mr. Jackson noted that Human Resources Manager Whitehead is working on renovating our
website for a less cluttered home page and that we should have examples later as that develops. Mr.
Jackson mentioned that he has a copy of a draft interlocal agreement concerning us participating with
Spokane County, Liberty Lake and others to conduct a study and performa on two potential sports
projects or facilities; i.e. Plantes Ferry Stadium, and Liberty Lake Regional Sports Complex; said the
intent is to have the document reviewed by staff, discuss the issue with the County, and get some basic
information about how we want such an interlocal structured. Mr. Jackson said more information would
come to Council at a future Council meeting.
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Woodard, seconded and unanimously agreed to adjourn. The meeting
adjourned at 8:08 p.m.
ATTESie Dean Grafos, Mayor
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ristine Bainbridge, City Clerk
Council Study Session:09-01-2015 Page 2 of 2
Approved by Council:09-08-2015