2016, 09-06 Study Session MINUTES
SPOKANE VALLEY COUNCIL
MEETING STUDY SESSION
Spokane Valley City Hall Council Chambers
Spokane Valley, Washington
September 6, 2016
Attendance:
Councilmembers Staff
Rod Higgins, Mayor Mark Calhoun,Deputy City Manager
Arne Woodard, Deputy Mayor Cary DriskeIl, City Attorney
Caleb Collier, Councilmember Erik Lamb, Deputy City Attorney
Pam Haley, Councilmember Eric Guth,Public Works Director
Mike Munch,Councilmember Mike Stone, Parks &Recreation Director
Ed Pace, Councilmember John Hohman, Community&Eco. Dev. Director
Sam Wood, Councilmember Mike Basinger, Senior Planner
Gloria Mantz,Development Engineer
Mark Werner,Police Chief
Christine Bainbridge, City Clerk
Mayor Higgins called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL: City Clerk Bainbridge called the roll; all Councilmembers were present.
PROCLAMATION: Legislative Delegation Recognition
After Mayor Higgins made some introductory comments welcoming the 4th District Legislators to the
meeting, he read the Legislative Delegation Recognition Proclamation, a copy of which was handed to
Senator Padden, and Representatives Shea and McCaslin. Representative McCaslin thanked everyone for
the recognition and thanked City staff; said this City is known in Olympia as the Capital of Free
Washington. Representative Shea also extended his thanks and said Spokane Valley has a great team,with
balanced budgets; and said the City doesn't raise taxes or do things other cities and regions do, and said it
is a pleasure to work with everyone. Senator Padden also extended his thanks; said he thinks this Council
is very progressive in looking ahead for Spokane Valley's future; said $100,000 in grant funds will go to
the Spokane Valley Police Department to fight property crimes;said there are not many cities who for seven
years in a row, didn't take the 1% permitted increase in property taxes and still have a healthy reserve and
a balanced budget. Councilmembers extended their thanks to the Legislators.
ACTION ITEMS:
1. Legislative Agenda—Mark Calhoun
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Woodard and seconded to approve the proposed 2017 Legislative agenda
as drafted. Mr. Calhoun went over each agenda item pausing between each item for Council comments or
questions. Mr. Calhoun also noted that our lobbyists Ms. Briahna Murray and Chelsea Hager of Gordon
Thomas Honeywell are in attendance tonight. Mayor Higgins invited public comment; no comments were
offered. Vote by Acclamation: In Favor: Unanimous. Opposed: None. Motion carried Copies of the
finalized Legislative Agenda were given to the 4`11 District Legislators.
2.National Endowment of the Arts Our Town Grant,Arts Masterplan—John Holtman
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Woodard and seconded to approve staff applying for Our Town grant to
assist in funding an arts master plan. After Mr. Hohman described the issue as stated in the September 6,
2016 Request for Council Action form, a question arose about using Lodging Tax funds. Mr. Hohman
explained that it might not be best to look forward to using those funds on this, but perhaps more on the
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Approved by Council:0943-2016
tourism study. Mr. Calhoun added that typically the lodging tax funds go toward programs that put heads
in beds; he also noted that in the budget we have a$150,000 contingency that normally goes to studies yet
unforeseen, so this would not represent an increase to the 2017 budget. Councilmember Wood said that it
has been said that public art can be used as a vehicle to express our identity, and the asked if we have an
identity; said we have a company out there now in the process of developing that; and we have a tourism
study to also help with that;that he thinks this masterplan is premature and we should wait for those studies,
then analyze the studies and develop the identity.Director Hohman said we believe the timing for this grant
dovetails with those studies; and said that the marketing firm will come to Council within the next six
months or so and the goal is to have the tourism study completed by the end of this year; said we won't
hear until well into 2017 on this grant effort, and if successful, it wouldn't start until later. Mayor Higgins
invited public comment; no comments were offered. Vote by Acclamation: In Favor: Mayor Higgins,
Deputy Mayor Woodard, and Coanrcihnembers Munch, Pace, Haley, and Collier. Opposed:
Councilmember Wood. Motion carried.
NON-ACTION ITEMS:
3.Introduction of Draft Comprehensive Plan—John Hohman, Mike Basinger
Director Hohman explained that tonight is an opportunity for an overview of the draft Comprehensive Plan,
and that detailed refinements continue; said the final draft should be completed and available toward the
end of next week,and once that draft is completed, staff will work on the overview of the pieces and work
on finishing the final details and putting the entire package together,starting with the Planning Commission.
Mr. Hohman mentioned that there have been numerous public meetings,and he expressed his appreciation
to City team members Mike Basinger, Gloria Mantz, and Chaz Bates, and to the consultants from
Community Attributes; said that the objective is to have this adopted before the end of this year,hopefully
by Thanksgiving. After Mr. Basinger went through the PowerPoint presentation, Deputy Mayor Woodard
asked if written comments are still being accepted, and Mr. Hohman assured him that they are and will be
through the process;said the process if very fluid and staff receives community input often.There was brief
discussion about concurrency,impact fees,coordinating with water districts,and levels of service standards.
Councilmember Wood said the document is easy to read and follow,and lie likes the organization. Deputy
Mayor Woodard agreed, said he likes the layout, it is easy to read, and the data is evident.
4. Iron Horse State Park/John Wayne Pioneer Trail—Cary Driskell
City Attorney Driskell said that Councilmember Wood had previously brought up the issue, after being
contacted by someone from the City of Tekoa,about our Council having a resolution in support of the Iron
Horse Trail. Mr.Driskell said there were some concerns and discussion about impacts to adjoining property
owners; said the draft resolution is similar to other jurisdictions and he brought Council's attention to the
map in the Council packet. Councihnember Pace said he likes the idea of supporting small cities;
Councilmember Collier asked about cost to taxpayers on trail maintenance; and Deputy Mayor Woodard
said the also supports the resolution and supports the small towns, and feels the adjoining property has not
been used for about one hundred years,so this would be the better good for the general public.Mr.Driskell
said he will research the question of maintenance costs. There was Council consensus to move this forward
for motion consideration.
5. City Hall Update—Eric Guth
Public Works Director Guth gave his PowerPoint presentation on the progress of the new City Hall, and
said we remain on schedule for completion.
6. Advance Agenda—Mayor Higgins
Deputy Mayor Woodard asked if it is possible to include an ordinance concerning utilities being prohibited
from abandoning facilities in public property, and Mr. Driskell confirmed that is possible. Deputy Mayor
Woodard said he would like such a code adoption to be considered by Council, and Council concurred.
Councilmember Munch asked about the status of a TPP (Trans Pacific Partnership) discussion, and Mr.
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Approved by Council:09-13-2016
Calhoun said he sent an e-mail to Ms. Morgan of the Chamber of Commerce and it appears they are
interested; he said he will follow up on this topic.
7. 2017-2022 Stormivater Capital Improvement Plan—Eric Guth
This was for information only and was not reported or discussed.
8. Council Check-in—Mayor Higgins
Mayor Higgins said that while he was in Spokane last week he visited a park there,and said he was surprised
at what he saw; and mentioned that our parks are much better maintained and he expressed appreciation
and thanks to our Parks Department as well as to Senske.
9. Acting City Manager Comments—Mark Calhoun
Mr. Calhoun mentioned that all departments have been working on the budget and that next week will
represent the second of seven planned budget presentations, including his presentation of the preluninaty
budget September 27,two budget hearings, and budget adoption set for November 8, 2016.
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Woodard, seconded and unanimously agreed to adjourn. The meeting
adjourned at 7:34 p.m.
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Christine Bainbridge, City Cl rk
Council Study Session:09-06-2016 Page 3 of 3
Approved by Council:09-13-2016