Loading...
2015, 09-29 Study Session MINUTES SPOKANE VALLEY CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING STUDY SESSION FORMAT Spokane Valley City Hall Council Chambers Spokane Valley,Washington September 29,2015 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 John Hohman, Community Development Dir. Bill Gothmann, Councilmember Pro Tem Chelsie Taylor, Interim Finance Director Mike Stone, Parks & Recreation Director Jenny Nickerson, Senior Plans Examiner 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. City Hall Design—John Hohman It was moved by Deputy Mayor Woodard and seconded to approve the conceptual design of City Hall as presented. Director Hohman explained that this important project represents a celebration of our potential while establishing a sense of place and identity and act as much needed economic impetus for the corridor; he explained that no expensive certifications like LEEDS (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) are being proposed, but we will look into all opportunities to make sure the building is designed with the most energy efficient materials possible. After introducing members of his team, Architects West Project Manager Steve Roth went through the PowerPoint explaining the process for the design of the new city hall. After the PowerPoint presentation, Mr. Hohman explained that the next steps include receiving Council and public feedback, with a hopeful bid in February or March of 2016, and construction beginning April with an anticipated opening date of late spring or early spring 2016. Mr. Hohman also noted that he will bring Council periodic updates as the project progresses. In response to a question from Councilmember Gothmann about the design of the Council Chambers,Mr.Hohman stated that we received some concerns from the police chief about security and that the orientation of that room will not have the Council up against glass, but rather will be against a solid wall, but windows will be there to provide light and views across the park, adding that there are many design and material details to finalize.Councilmember Hafner stated that he feels it would be more efficient to have a full basement and perhaps that could be an option or part of the initial bid; and to let the traffic professionals design where the walk in traffic should be,then put in sidewalks. Mayor Grafos invited public comments. 1. Mr. Lynn Plaggemeier: said he has been watching the design process and that he read the 2008 and 2013 documents; said the architects started with a big disadvantage and he asked if this design includes men's and women's locker rooms; mentioned the city would be responsible for a larger segment of sidewalk; asked about runoff from the building and drainage, how the trash would be taken out of the building, and Council Study Session:09-29-2015 Page 1 of 3 Approved by Council: 10-13-2015 how would we take deliveries; asked if the power comes from the spaces above or the floor, and said all those issues need to be looked at and that every supervisor should sign off on the space required. 2. Mr. Chuck Simpson: asked what is the actual cost difference between option 1 and 2; said there were no pictures of the interior of option 1;that he knows it's too late now,but he liked the Horizon Building which was sold in 2009 for$6 million,and liked the design of the American West building at Brown and Sprague; said he is glad there will not be a LEEDS certification; asked about the trees along Sprague eventually obstructing the view; said administrative offices and Council offices needs to be on the main floor and that the Chamber should be enclosed with no glass, with the Council offices off the chamber. Said he doesn't like the trail so close and envisions someone exiting the building and being run down by a bicycle;and said he feels we need a full basement. 3.Ms.Nina Fluegal: said she has seen a lot of carports collapse due to snow and she asked about the weight of snow as one walks into the building; asked if solar would be involved as she thinks we could harness a lot of that. 4. Ms. Susan Scott: said she would have preferred option 1 as she thinks it is more classic that suits the essence of the Valley; said she is disappointed we are not going with a LEEDS certification as we could use the saved money to finance a full basement; expressed concern about exterior wood as well as so many corners on the building; and said we could probably cut a few and save money again to help finance the basement; said the round smooth river rock should be used somewhere. 5. Mr. Ron Schmidt: said based on the building the Fire Department recently had built, you can't have enough storage and that we would be surprised how quickly the storage area fills up; suggested we check to make sure there is enough wiring to do everything; an efficient heating system is needed also; and he welcomed everyone to come look at the Fire Department's new building. 6. Ms. Heather Graham: said she likes the overall design and feels it represents many structural features of our city; that she feels that even though she realizes they are not full time, putting the Mayor and Council on the third floor isn't a welcoming message. There were no further public comments. Councilmember Pace said that he meets with a lot of people but never meets at City Hall;that Council serves the public and needs to be out there with them. Deputy Mayor Woodard said he realizes details have not been worked out yet and he did not except to hear those details tonight; that he agrees the Chambers and Council offices should be accessible on the first floor, but also mentioned the idea of having a room off the main reception desk where Council could meet with the public as needed; said he agrees with the idea of using river rock;that he received a suggestion to go to the owner of the Old Plantation and negotiate getting that landmark moved to our site,along with an interpretive sign. Councilmember Hafner said Council is part time and is very seldom at City Hall,even for part of a day;but when people call to meet, he agreed with the need for a conference room; said the cubicles for Council are adequate and the first floor should be the permitting area, which is a most important area. Mayor Grafos agreed with having the public space/meeting room on the first floor; said he doesn't have a problem with the design and maybe we could do a tradeoff to have a half basement and said Council needs to look at the different options as those designs for heating, HVAC, etc. come in. Councilmember Pace said it is his desire to keep the project on schedule and within budget. Vote by Acclamation: In Favor: Unanimous. Opposed:None. Motion carried. 2.Advance Agenda—Mayor Grafos There were no suggested changes to the Advance Agenda. 3. Council Comments—Mayor Grafos There were no additional Council comments. Council Study Session:09-29-2015 Page 2 of 3 Approved by Council: 10-13-2015 4. City Manager Comments—Mike Jackson Mr. Jackson said that he spoke with members of the City's Finance Committee regarding the solid waste transfer station contract with Sunshine, whereby an administrative fee was built into the contract based on $2.75 per ton with an expectation of 45,500 tons of waste;said they have exceeded that and as a result there is about$40,000 more generated in 2015 than needed to fulfill the contract of$125,000; said the Sunshine contract has a CPI (Consumer Price Index) increase of.9% each year; that he proposes, and the Finance Committee supports using that $40,000 to level out the rate for 2016 with maybe a small increase, but leaning toward no increase in the second year of the contract,which he said is all within the City Manager's authority; which means that the total gate fee would remain the same or nearly the same for our citizens and others who use the facility. Councilmember Gothmann mentioned that we are not competitive on our clean green fee and that he would like to see that lowered or change the minimum poundage,and suggested changing the fee from$10.00 to$5.00. Mr.Jackson said he heard that the County will be doing a rate study perhaps later this year; said we are contracting with a private vendor and he is reluctant to artificially subsidize the clean green rate as it would be increasing solid waste fees to make that change; also said that the County chose to tax all citizens to pay for their transfer station so everyone can use the County's transfer station as we are all paying for it through property taxes. Mr. Jackson said that it costs as much to process clean green as it does to process solid waste. Council agreed with Mr. Jackson suggestion and liked the idea of keeping the rates flat or nearly flat. Mr. Jackson mentioned our new permit advertisements, and the two different ads were shown on the television screens. It was moved by Deputy Mayor Woodard, seconded and unanimously agreed to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 7:21 p.m. 7- ATTEST: Dean Grafos, Mayor ..// 22i , ' / , .. Christine Bainbridge, City Clerk Council Study Session:09-29-2015 Page 3 of 3 Approved by Council: 10-13-2015