2016, 11-22 Regular Formal MINUTES
City of Spokane Valley
City Council Regular Meeting
Formal Meeting Format
Tuesday,November 22, 2016
Mayor Higgins called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
Attendance: Staff
Rod Higgins,Mayor John Hohman, Comm&Eco. Dev. Director
Arne Woodard, Deputy Mayor Cary Driskell, City Attorney
Caleb Collier,Councilmember Mike Stone, Parks&Ree Director
Pam Haley, Councilmember [arrived 6:51 p.m.] Eric Guth, Public Works Director
Ed Pace, Councilmember Mark Werner, Police Chief
Sam Wood, Councihnember Carrie Koudelka, Deputy City Clerk
Absent:
Councilmember Munch
} INVOCATION: Pastor Al Hulten from Valley Assembly Church gave the invocation.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Council, staff and the audience stood for the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL: Deputy City Clerk Koudelka called the roll; all Councilmembers were present except
Councilmember Munch. It was moved by Deputy Mayor Woodard, seconded and unanimously agreed to
excuse Councilmember Munch from the meeting.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA: It was moved by Deputy Mayor Woodard, seconded and unanimously
agreed to approve the agenda.
INTRODUCTION OF SPECIAL GUESTS AND PRESENTATIONS:N/A
COMMITTEE,BOARD,LIAISON SUMMARY REPORTS:
Councilmember Haley: no report.
Councilmember Pace: said lie attended the STA(Spokane Transit Authority)and SRTC(Spokane Regional
Transportation Council) Board meetings, the Spokane Valley Chamber animal meeting, and the first
Sidewalk Task Force meeting to address clearing the sidewalks of snow.
Councilmember Wood: said he attended the Spokane Valley annual convention where he heard we can
expect some growth in the valley;he also attended the Liberty Lake Chamber of Commerce meeting where
they talked about the sports complex, and dealing with the river and other resources.
Councilmember Collier: said he toured the HUB Sports facility.
Deputy Mayor Woodard: said he went to the Connect meeting and said another is scheduled at Progress
Elementary in November to view a variety of schools and what they are doing. He said he went to the
meeting for the Euclid from Flora to Barker Sewer and Paving project,the animal Spokane Valley Chamber
of Commerce meeting and the Big 5 meeting at Liberty Lake.
MAYOR'S REPORT:
Mayor Higgins reported that he attended the Washington State Department of Transportation meeting to
discuss the progress of the North/South freeway, concluding with no resolution. He said he also attended
water meetings, a Greater Spokane Inc. meeting, and the annual Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce
meeting.
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Minutes Regular Council Meeting: 11-22-2016 Page I of 4
Approved by Council: 12-13-2016
PROCLAMATION: Small Business Saturday
Mayor Higgins read the proclamation and encouraged citizens to support small businesses.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: After Mayor Higgins went over ground rules for public comments, he invited
general public comments.
Mr. Tony Lazanis, resident of Spokane Valley: said last week Steve Worley spoke about Barker, but he
wants to mention that Pines has more traffic and the City should do Pines before it does Barker.
Mr. Steve O'Meara, resident of Spokane Valley: said the roadwork done in front of his house is "really
nice"on 8th Avenue but the issue has been with people driving too fast on McDonald. He said a week ago
when he got home, students got off the bus on McDonald and one kid crossing the street nearly got hit by
a car going too fast. He said they need a four-way stop or a traffic signal at 8th and McDonald. Mayor
Higgins asked if the bus driver left the Stop sign out while the kids crossed the intersection. Ms. Andrea
O'Meara, on behalf of Mr. O'Meara,said that kids are crossing the street after the bus leaves.
Mr.Frank Roberts, resident of Greenacres: said he read an article in the paper that the Council proposed to
increase utility taxes by six percent without a vote of the taxpayers and he said that would be a monumental
increase on all utilities, not just the landline phone tax. He said he is generally against taxes and the six
percent proposed would actually be more than six percent. He said with the hiring of a new city manager,
the City increased the pay of the new city manager in excess of$30,000 to $175,000 and that does not
represent the best interests of the city. He said he called and asked for a computer printout of all City
management employee wages and he was told the request must be submitted in writing. He said he will
submit a request in writing and find out how much everybody makes and how much everybody spends.
Ms.Katherine Morgan,President and CEO of Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce: said she appreciates
the opportunity to engage in a community conversation about the proposed utility tax and said the Chamber
is hosting its meeting on Tuesday, December 6,2016 at Spokane Valley Tech.
I. CONSENT AGENDA: Consists of items considered routine which are approved as a group. Any
member of Council may ask that an item be removed from the Consent Agenda to be considered separately.
Proposed Motion:I move to approve the Consent Agenda.
a. Approval of claim vouchers on Nov 22, 2016 Request for Council Action Form Totaling: $5,123,048.14
b. Approval of Payroll for Pay Period Ending November 15,2016: $383,426.09
c. Approval of November 1,2016 Council Meeting Minutes, Study Session Format
d.Approval of November 8,2016 Council Meeting Minutes, Special 4:30 p.m. Meeting
e. Approval of November 8,2016 Council Meeting Minutes, Special 5:00 p.m. Meeting
It was proved by Deputy Mayor Woodard, seconded and unanimously agreed to approve the Consent
Agenda.
NEW BUSINESS:
2.Motion Consideration: Parks Maintenance Contract—Mike Stone
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Woodard and seconded to approve the 2017 Park Maintenance contract to
Senske Lawn and Tree Care in the amount of 5758,310.01 and authorize the City Manager to finalize and
execute the contract.Parks&Recreation Director Stone said the history of this contract process and the bid
package details were discussed with Council at last week's meeting. He said after advertising the project,
we only received one bid, which was from our current vendor. Going back to 2005, the increase in the
contract has been between zero to two percent except for the years when the contract was amended to add
services so this has been a good contract over the years with this vendor. Councilmember Collier asked
what the cost would be if we went to an organic weed killer. Mr. Stone responded that he did not find out
the answer to that; however,the weed killer Senske uses is fifty percent organic. He said the contract is for
Minutes Regular Council Meeting: 11-22-2016 Page 2 of 4
Approved by Council: 12-I3-2016
one year with up to two three-year renewals. Mayor Higgins invited public comment; no comments were
offered. Vote by Acclamation:In Favor: Unanimous. Opposed:None. Motion carried.
3. Motion Consideration: CenterPlace Catering Contract—Mike Stone
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Woodard and seconded to award the 2017 CenterPlace Food and Beverage
Services contract to Le Catering and authorize the City Manager to finalize wird execute the contract.Parks
and Recreation Director Stone reminded Council that this item was discussed last week with Council
outlining the process. He said we received three respondents to the RFP and conducted interviews with all
three, which included a taste test. He said the interview panel unanimously agreed to move forward with
Le Catering. Mayor Higgins invited public comment; no comments were offered. Vote by Acclamation:In
Favor: Unanimous. Opposed:None. Motion carried.
4. Motion Consideration: 2017 FASTLANE Grant Opportunity—Eric Guth
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Woodard and seconded to authorize staff to apply for FASTLANE II grant
funds for the Barker Rd/BNSF Grade Separation project and the Pines Rd(SR-27)/BNSF Grade Separation
project, and to apply for FASTLANE 11 grant funds through the GNCC if the GNCC elects to submit five
grade separation projects together in one multi-state grant application. Public Works Director Guth said
the FASTLANE II grant is the second in the five-year program, of which ten percent of the funds will be
recommended for their small project category and the rest of the funds will be used for the large project
category. He said our proposals fall into the small project category, which has a smaller dollar amount
available. He said the GNCC has decided not to pursue grant funds at this time because they felt they did
not have the adequate time and resources necessary, but he said he is hopeful they apply for the 2018 grant.
He said staff recommends we submit grant applications for the Pines and Barker overpass projects. Mayor
Higgins invited public comment; no comments were offered. Vote by Acclamation:In Favor. Unanimous.
Opposed:None. Motion carried.
4a.Added Item: City Hall Holiday Closure
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Woodard and seconded to close City Hall at noon on TVednesday,November
23, 2016, to allow staff time to prepare for their Thanksgiving holiday. Vote by Acclamation: In Favor:
Unanimous. Opposed:None. Motion carried.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: Mayor Higgins invited public comments.
Nina Fluegal, resident of Spokane Valley: said she is looking for clarity in comparing commercial zoning
to multi-family zoning. She asked what the likelihood would be if a property is zoned commercial that the
person could put apartments there as well and she said the City should establish infrastructure and attract
businesses before allowing apartments go up.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS:
5. State Supreme Court Decision: Whatcom Co.vs.Hirst John Hallman, Tadas Kisielius
Community and Economic Development Director Hohman introduced Tadas Kisielius of Van Ness
Feldman who is the lead consultant for our Comprehensive Plan update and is heavily involved with land
use and water issues. He said Mr. Kisielius will provide Council with background on water law and give
specifics on the case of Whatcom County v Hirst, which has changed the obligations of local jurisdictions.
Mr.Kisielius went through his presentation and invited questions.
6.Advance Agenda—Mayor Higgins
Councilmember Wood said he would like staff to provide Council with an administrative report on road
preservation PCI and how it is calculated, with numbers included that show the differences if the PCI is
maintained at 70,60 and 50 levels and showing the cost of each.He said he has seen it before but he would
like to see it again. Mr. Hohman said the City Manager is working on bringing this material back to Council
on a future agenda. City Attorney Driskell said this topic will be part of the December 6, 2016 meeting the
Chamber is hosting as part of the utility tax proposal and Mr. Hallman said he thinks we are looking to have
Minutes Regular Council Meeting: 11-22-2016 Page 3 of
Approved by Council: 12-13-2016
presentations at other community forums and workshops as well as council meetings, and that this will be
a focus throughout 2017.
INFORMATION ONLY (will not be reported or discussed):
The (7) Department Reports; (8) Street Maintenance Contract Renewal; (9) Street Sweeping Contract
Renewal;and(10)Consultant Agreement Design Barker Rd/BNSF Separation Project were for information
only and were not reported or discussed.
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
Community and Economic Development Director Holman said we received TIB funds for
Sullivan/Euclid/Conklin Intersections, the reconstruction of Mission from Flora to Barker and sidewalk
installation on 32nd from SR-27 to Evergreen and that we received funding for the Department of Commerce's
environmental permitting grant.He mentioned our consultant is continuing to work on the new City logo and he
passed around two samples for Council to review.
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Woodard, seconded and unanimously agreed to adjourn. The meeting
adjourned at 7:35 p.m.
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ATTEST• L.R. Higgin 7/11Y4 eJ
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Minutes Regular Council Meeting: 11-22-2016 Page 4 of 4
Approved by Council: 12-13-2016
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT
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SPOKANE VALLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday, November 22, 2016
6:00 p.m. Regular Meeting
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RECEIVED
Nov 2 2016
Dear councilmember's. City of Spokane Valley
Office of the City Clerk
This is about the utility tax for the roads, I went to the last meeting but this meeting is too early for me
to attend. It was not clear about how much tax increase was being asked for, I have a big problem with
that for the following reasons.
1. If it is 6%you said it does not have to be voted on but if it is more than 1%on each utility that is
over 6%and has to be put to a vote by the people, 6%increase on each utility is an 36%tax
increase.
2. We the people are being taxed too much already, taxed on the money we earn, taxed to drive a
vehicle(which keep going up), taxed on gasoline, taxed on things we buy, taxed on some foods,
taxed on our businesses, taxed on phones and utility's already, and the list goes on.
3. When you give the government an inch, before you know it the way it was written they have
now taken a mile,so not to be trusted in what is being said.
4. The road department is not very efficient in the work that is being done,the road that they are
in charge of now are not very good shape and is easy to see after a short drive and the roads
that are redone are not very good and look bad, the potholes repaired are very bad and most of
the time worse in few days after a repair or tearing up roads just done and why? Bad planning.
5. Road department wants more money to do an over or underpass, should they not take better
care of what they already have responsibility over before going to something else, maybe they
should learn to stay within their own budget and save like the people have to that they are
trying to get more money out of.(that are already taxed to death and makes it hard for us to
save any money)
6. Why not go after Gambling, cannabis tax(where does that tax money go that is bragged over so
much) tax the lotto.
7. Why not make a bill for Spokane County to keep more of the taxes here that are collected
instead of sending most of it to Olympia,
8. The people are already taxed too much,we have some of highest taxes in the nation, Did we not
come here in the beginning to get away from being taxed to death? And here we are right back
where we started being taxed on everything we do,what we earn and what we eat or buy.
Thank You for your time
Richard Allen
A/4 c /140%-e