2015, 09-11 Special Council of Governments MINUTES
Special Regional Council of Governments Meeting
Hosted by Spokane County Board of County Commissioners
Friday, September 11, 2015
10:00 a.m.—12:30 a.m.
Spokane County Fair and Expo Center, Conference Facility
404 N Havana Street, Spokane Valley, Washington
Attendance:
Spokane Valley Council Staff
Mayor Dean Grafos Mike Jackson, City Manager
Deputy Mayor Arne Woodard Erik Lamb, Deputy City Attorney
Councilmember Chuck Hafner Chris Bainbridge, City Clerk
Councilmember Ed Pace
Councilmember Bill Gothmann, Councilmember Pro-tem
Absent:
Councilmember Higgins
Councilmember Wick
Others in Attendance: Spokane County Commissioners Todd Mielke and Shelly O'Quinn; and various
elected officials and staff members from within and around the region.
1. Welcome and Review of Meeting Agenda—Spokane Co. Commissioner Shelly O'Quinn
Commission Chair O'Quinn welcomed everyone to the meeting.
3. Fairchild AFB 92 AWR Vice Wing Commander Colonel Matthew Fritz
As Mayor Condon had not yet arrived, this agenda item was next with Colonel Fritz who gave a brief
introduction of himself and explained the mission and vision of the 92"d Air Refueling Wing; spoke a
little about their local partnership, and mentioned that Fairchild is the largest employer of the Inland
Northwest.
2.Job Initiatives and Veterans Monument—David Condon, Spokane Mayor
Mayor Condon explained that one of the topics of a Northeast Mayor's Association meeting was the
growing issue of jobs and an economic development program, which he said will be scheduled soon for
adoption by the Spokane City Council. He spoke of the jobs initiative and government investing in
infrastructure and other incentives to developers. Mayor Condon also mentioned the Veterans Memorial
Arena to honor the 9/11 fallen heroes who died in the line of duty.
4. City and Town Updates—Priorities from each jurisdiction.
After self-introductions from everyone in the room, Commissioner Todd Mielke spoke briefly about
criminal justice reform; Liberty Lake Administrator Ms. Katy Allen gave an update on transportation
economic development, Parks & Recreation, and mentioned that Comcast has joined their community
with about 600 employees. Ms. Micki Harnois, representing the Town of Rockford, said that their
upcoming County Fair is dedicated to Edward L. "Chuck" Crockett of Latah who passed away tragically
last spring; also spoke about their wastewater treatment plant multi-million dollar grant from the
Department of Ecology. Fairfield's representative stated that their population is growing.
Special Regional Council of Governments Meeting 09/11/2015 Page 1 of 2
Approved by Council: 09/22/2015
5. Marijuana Legislations—Erik Lamb, Deputy City Attorney Spokane Valley
Mr. Lamb gave an update on marijuana legislation for both recreational and medical marijuana; said
Senate Bill 5052 was signed into law, which is aimed at reconciling the generally unregulated medical
marijuana and folding it into the existing, more controlled recreational market; said that collective
gardens are no longer permitted and instead there are co-ops. Mr. Lamb also spoke about the partnership
of various agencies when it comes to dealing with license applicants, which includes the Clean Air
Agency, Public Health, and Building Permits. Mr. Lamb said the new law is scheduled to go into effect
July 1, 2016.
6. Riverfront Park—Leroy Eadie—Spokane City Parks Director
Mr. Eadie spoke of the $64 million bond that passed with about 67% approval for the renovation of
Riverfront Park; he showed examples of plans for renovation including the Carrousel building, ice rink,
skyride, and park facilities and said this would be accomplished with no net increase in the current annual
tax levy for Parks.
7. City and Town Updates—Priorities from each jurisdiction
A representative from Millwood mentioned their nonprofit informal business group working to get people
to slow down on Argonne; said that abandoned railroad tracks run through the middle of their town and
they are working to develop those tracks into a trail. Spokane Valley Mayor Grafos spoke of upcoming
comprehensive plan amendments; railroad safety issues and economic development; new tenants to the
Spokane Valley Mall; and that Valleyfest begins next weekend. Cheney Mayor Trulove spoke of their
industrial park; mentioned the Medical Lake interchange;the levy lift for November for public safety, and
of re-aligning a railroad track.
8. Downtown Spokane Partnership Updates—Partnership President Mark Richard
Mr. Richard spoke about the regional gateway and wayfinding approach, which is a sign program to
create symmetry among principals; showed some examples of various signs and where they might be
placed.
9. Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce Big 5 Update—Chamber CEO Katherine Morgan
Ms. Morgan spoke of the "Big 5" concept, and of the upcoming reveal.
10. Business Recruitment Updates—Greater Spokane Inc. Vice President Robin Toth
Ms. Toth spoke about development in general and of their efforts for business recruitment; keeping in
mind the 80/20 rule; i.e. devoting 80% of their time on existing businesses, and 20% for new businesses;
mentioned there are some companies at risk of going to Idaho; also said that Comcast has opened an
office in Liberty Lake resulting in about 750 jobs.
11. City and Town Updates—Priorities from each jurisdiction
Members from the Spokane Tribes spoke about development in the West Plans and Airway Heights areas.
Commissioner O'Quinn said if anyone has ideas for the next Council of Governments meeting, to please
feel free to contact her. There being no further business, at approximately 12:45 p.m., the meeting
adjourned.
7 /
ATT S . Dean Gca os, Mayor
Christine Bainbridge, City Clerk
Special Regional Council of Governments Meeting 09/11/2015 Page 2 of 2
Approved by Council: 09/22/2015