2017, 06-27 Formal Format MINUTES
City of Spokane Valley
City Council Regular Meeting
Formal Meeting Format
Tuesday,June 27,2017
Mayor Higgins called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
Attendance: Staff
Rod Higgins,Mayor Mark Calhoun,City Manager
Arne Woodard, Deputy Mayor John Hohinan,Deputy City Manager
Caleb Collier, Councilmember Cary Driskell, City Attorney
Pam Haley,Councilmember Chelsie Taylor, Finance Director
Mike Munch, Councilmember Mark Werner,Police Chief
Ed Pace, Councilmember Mike Stone, Parks &Ree Director
Sam Wood, Councilmember Ray Wright, Sr. Traffic Engineer
Carolbelle Branch,Public Information Officer
Christine Bainbridge, City Clerk
INVOCATION: Pastor Isaac Hebden of The Intersection Church gave the invocation.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Council, staff and the audience stood for the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL: City Clerk Bainbridge called the roll; all Councilmembers were present.
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 Wood: had no report.
Councilmember Collier: said he attended the Fire Station #1 Open House; went to the Spirit of America
Rally; and said that he attended Sue Passmore's retirement party and that it will be sad to see her go.
Councilmember Munch:reported he attended the CRAVE Festival and was very impressed.
Councilmember Haley: reported that she also attended the CRAVE Festival; went to a couple STA
(Spokane Transit Authority) meetings where they discussed using electric buses; went to the AWC
(Association of Washington Cities) Conference in Vancouver and mentioned the impressive keynote
speaker who is an inventor who spoke among other things, of the impact of technology changes over time.
Councilmember Pace: said he attended a neighborhood watch group meeting at Seth Woodard Elementary
School and listened to residents' concerns, and said there were two individuals from the Sheriff's office
who gave a talk about how to protect home and self from property crimes;and that he also attended an STA
Board meeting.
Deputy Mayor Woodard: stated that although there were no evening Council meetings for the past two
weeks, Council and staff attended the all-day budget workshop of June 13; said he went to a Chamber
business connection meeting and they had a great motivational speaker;went to the CRAVE event and the
AWC Conference and said the speaker Councilmember Haley spoke of was a futurist, and a master hacker
as well and that Microsoft hired him to come up with new inventions.
MAYOR'S REPORT
Mayor Higgins reported that lie also attended the CRAVE NW event,the AWC Conference, and went to a
farewell for Colonel Fritz, Vice Commander of Fairchild Air Force Base, said that since new tankers were
added at Fairchild, that makes Fairchild the largest Air Force KC-135 base in the country, which has the
added bonus of adding a thousand jobs.
Minutes Regular Council Meeting:06-27-2017 Page I of S
Approved by Council:07-11-2017
PROCLAMATION:National Parks and Recreation Month
After Mayor Higgins read the proclamation for July as National Parks and Recreation Month, the
proclamation was accepted with thanks and brief comments by Parks&Recreation Director Stone.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT:
Mayor Higgins announced that some items have been changed around a little on tonight's agenda; that we
will first have an administrative report on the Pines/Grace Project,after which there will be an opportunity
to speak about the project, and he asked how many people were here tonight to speak about that project.
No one raised their hand.
1. Pines/Grace Project—John Hohman
In response to no one indicating a desire to speak about this project, Mr. Hohman said that apparently the
mailers staff sent out explaining that the project is going to be put on hold, were effective. Mr. Hallman
explained that the purpose of this project was safety oriented to improve that intersection;said they received
a federal grant to move forward and began the design last year, but there were some difficulties in getting
right-of-way on the southwest corner of the intersection, which was needed to allow a clear view triangle
to be established and allow left turns out; said the idea was a"pork chop" configuration, and at the time,
the previous Public Works department had been requested to go to the public to discuss this and over the
last few months, it was determined that message didn't get to the project manager, so, Mr. Hohman
explained, we conducted that meeting June 12 and no one was happy with that approach to restrict left-
turns as members of the community said it would just move the problem to a different street and that area
already doesn't have a lot of access to it. Mr. Hohman said staff conducted the public meeting, listened to
the input,and this project has now been removed from the schedule and will not be bid this summer; instead,
he explained, we will wait and review some alternatives, one of which was submitted to the Washington
State Department of Transportation for their approval; which means this project is on hold, which is the
message relayed via a mailer to those residents. Mr. Hohman said once we have an approved solution,this
will be brought back to Council, and staff will conduct another public meeting to make sure we have the
community's support.Councilmember Wood extended compliments to Mr.Hohman in notifying the people
about the project prior to the project's start.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: Mayor Higgins explained that tonight there will be just this one opportunity for
public comment,and he explained the rules for giving public comments,and then invited public comments.
Mr. Ed Batchelder, Spokane Valley: spoke about his opposition to permitting more small farm animals in
residential areas in Spokane Valley; said neighbors already fight the smell and the flies as some people who
own the animals don't clean up after the animals; and to allow more in residential yards is a disaster; said
when people are approached by the City about cleaning up a problem, most of them do so but before long,
the problem starts all over again; said lie realizes Council will be considering this in a few weeks and he
asked Council to please consider the problem that exists now and if this multiplies by allowing more, it will
be worse for a lot of people.
Mr. Gary Edwards, Spokane County: said he wanted to talk about "the swamp;" and he then explained
about an experience lie had while traveling and of the humiliation he experienced in dealing with a TSA
agent; said he is a little hard of hearing and the TSA agent showed very little respect for him; said he had
heard that people will be searched depending on what they are reading, and that he was searched, as was
his early-on bag which had the book "The Making of the President." Said the experience was very
humiliating.
Ms.Nina Fluegal, Spokane Valley; said she would like to find out if we have parks for children ages one
to three; said there are parks for all age children except the young and suggested maybe having some kind
of rubber flooring playground so if the child falls down they won't get hurt. She mentioned there was
another accident at 8th and McDonald and wants to see this rectified. Said Browns Park splash pad is not
finished; and mentioned that she was talking to a Councilmember at her home and they both witnessed two
Minutes Regular Council Meeting:06-27-2017 Page 2 of 5
Approved by Council:07-11-2017
cars racing down her single lane road as if there were two lanes; said she would like to have the speed limits
enforced.
Mr. Rocky Samson, Spokane Valley: said there are reports that the CEO of Uber had to either step down
or did so voluntarily because of twenty-seven counts of sexual harassment; said this is a public safety issue
and he wants something done about that company.
2. 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 June 27,2017 Request for Council Action Form,Total: $3,174,267.00
b. Approval of Payroll for Pay Period Ending May 31,2017: $404,544.28
c. Approval of Payroll for Pay Period Ending June 15, 2017: $359,193.83
d. Approval of May 23, 2017 Council Meeting Minutes, Formal Meeting Format
e.Approval of May 30, 2017 Council Meeting Minutes, Study Session Format
f.Approval of June 6, 2017 Council Meeting Minutes, Study Session Format
g.Approval of June 13, 2017 Council Meeting Minutes, Special Workshop Meeting
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Woodard, seconded and unanimously agreed to approve the Consent
Agenda.
NEW BUSINESS: n/a
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS:
3.Browns Park Volleyball Activities—Mike Stone; Volleyball Assoc, Commissioner Meredith Coupland
Parks and Recreation Director Stone introduced representatives from the Evergreen Regional Volleyball
Association(ERVA),and said we have had a very successful partnership with them over the last few years,
and this Association is the group we contract with to oversee and manage that facility,maintain it,and make
sure it is used in the proper way. Volleyball Commissioner Coupland then introduced other members of the
Association,and thanked Council for the opportunity to give tonight's update.Ms. Coupland went through
her presentation explaining about ERVA including some basic demographics;spoke of the Master Plan for
Browns Park and of the numerous volleyball courts; showed a chart explaining their annual growth, and
via the City Clerk,distributed a copy of a picture of what the courts look like on non-tournament weekends.
Council thanked Ms. Coupland and the other Volleyball representatives for their update.
4. 8th &McDonald Traffic Update—Ray Wright,John Holman
Deputy City Manager Hohman explained that this issue has been further analyzed since the last time it was
brought to Council June 6; and that there was another accident yesterday about 2:30 p.m.; it was similar to
other accidents but this time the car was travelling eastbound on 8th and had stopped, but went into the
intersection and his car hit a car southbound on McDonald. Mr. Hohman said that staff feels action is
necessary, that this is a safety issue, and staff has prepared an action plan and are prepared to stand by it,
and he went over the seven parts of the recommended approach,as noted on his June 27 Request for Council
Action form. Mr. Hohman then referenced the handout showing the clear view triangles for the area, and
he mentioned the areas of impact highlighted in red and also referenced SVMC(Spokane Valley Municipal
Code)Chapter 22.70 dealing with fencing, landscaping and screening;he explained that some of the issues
are vegetation,which is also the case on many of our intersections; said vegetation obscures stop signs and
signs for stop sign ahead; said that it is a challenge to stay ahead of the growth and our Code Enforcement
Officer is out today working with property owners, adding that some people are receptive and others are
not.
Mr, Hohman said the plan is to make the changes, continue monitoring, and come back to Council in
October to report if we see any changes; and if there are no changes to the crash rate, he said at that time
he would recommend the four-way stop sign, adding that if we do that, there is a concern about traffic
awareness as most traffic will not be expecting to see a four-way stop on McDonald. Mr. Hohman also
noted that after the last article in the newspaper, staff heard from some members of the public, and Mr.
Minutes Regular Council Meeting:06-27-2017 Page 3 of 5
Approved by Council:07-11-2017
Wright added that he received about five calls and all five calls said they were not in favor of a four-way
stop.Mr. Wright added that another concern is even volumes on the side street; said there are about 6,000
daily trips on McDonald, and 8''' has a little over 2,000; said the level of service at that intersection would
be reduced from a B to a C if the four-way stop sign were added, and again said he has not heard from
anyone in favor of the fora'-way stop. Mr. Holtman said that he received a phone call from one person in
favor of the four-way stop;and he also explained about the flashing lights and that they can be relocated if
necessary,so we would not be wasting money by using the flashing lights,which he said are solar-powered.
There was some discussion about cost of the flashing lights; that using overhead lights represents a
challenge due to interference with wires and the need of another pole on the east side. Councilmember
Munch said lie is in favor of staff's approach to this and when this comes back to Council,he suggested the
idea of a city-wide resolution to change the speed limit on all two-lane residential streets to 30 mph. Mr.
Hohman replied that the idea has been discussed and lie will research that to see if it can be done efficiently.
The enforcement issue was also raised. The accident from yesterday was again mentioned and Mr.Hohman
said he would need further research to see if there were contributing factors. City Attorney Driskell added
that the site distance triangles were established for safety; sometimes it is a bush that needs to be removed
or trees trimmed,and citizens must do those things for safety reasons; said sometimes people are not happy
with us when we ask them to remove vegetation. Mayor Higgins remarked that similar to snow removal, it
is a safety issue and basic enforcement. There was Council consensus to move forward as recommended.
Councilmember Wood said lie also agrees with the idea of changing those residential streets to 30 mph city-
wide.
5.Progress and Trent Intersection Improvement—Ray Wright
Traffic Engineer Wright explained the need for this project, which is also due to safety issues and past
history of accidents; said out of twenty-four accidents over the last four years, eighteen were left-turn
accidents at that intersection; said they have worked with WSDOT, spoke with the management at Zip Trip,
and had a public meeting with about twenty people;said from correspondence and phone calls,the residents
are all in favor of the island; said WSDOT drafted an intersection plan and in order for them to move
forward, they need our concurrence. He said the island will be constructed by WSDOT combined with a
project of their own; and the hope is to have it installed by the end of July or early August. There was
Council consensus to move forward with the plan, and that Mr. Hohman will do the plan's design. Mr.
Driskell said he will check with WSDOT to see if anything else is required.
6. Sidewalk Snow Removal—Cary Driskell
City Attorney Driskell recapped the background of this issue, including the aspects of this program which
Council have generally agreed on; and mentioned the displayed map on the whiteboard showing the Safe
Routes to School.He then explained the unresolved issue of removing snow where there is a fence adjacent
to the sidewalk at the rear of a property; said some members of Council expressed concern that it would be
more difficult for many of those residents to access the rear sidewalks because there is no rear gate; so the
issue is now, whether to exempt those certain property owners and or include any qualifying property not
on a corner.
Councilmember Munch said his main concern was that those back sidewalk areas were being buried by our
plows,but now that shouldn't be as big of a concern as the snow can be put on the bike lanes instead of the
sidewalks; he said many of those sidewalks are on safe routes, and that we need to educate the citizens that
they are responsible for their own back sidewalk. Mr.Driskell said we will also go slower in some of those
areas so we will be doing our part, but the adjoining property owners need to do their part as well as this
has to be done and the shared approach is probably the best solution. Councilmember Pace said he agrees
and feels this solution is better than raising taxes. There was Council consensus to go with the uniform
application and that an adjacent property owner has the obligation to keep their sidewalk clear. Mr.
Driskell said that for those areas without a bike lane, putting the snow next to the curb and not on the
sidewalk or into the travel lanes is a solution; and said he will think about language to make it clear that
this is a policy that during winter months, the bike lanes will be used to store snow removed from the
sidewalks, adding that the snow will need to be removed from any sidewalk when there is an accumulation
Minutes Regular Council Meeting:06-27-2017 Page 4 of 5
Approved by Council:07-11-2017
of at least three inches. Mr. Driskell added that the ordinance will also grant the City Manager the ability
to grant amnesty periods.
Mayor Higgins called for a recess at 7:32 p.m.; he reconvened the meeting at 7:45 p.m.
7. Parking Restrictions General Authority—Cary Driskell
After City Attorney Driskell explained the purpose of the proposed resolution as noted on his June 27,2017
Request for Council Action, and there was Council consensus that staff include the resolution for Council
consideration on the July 11 Council agenda.
8. Police Dept.Monthly Report—Chief Werner
Police Chief Werner went over the highlights of his May monthly report; mentioned SCOPE volunteer
hours and of the dedicated SCOPE SIRT volunteer team which assists with many things including parade
support; spoke of the two life-savings efforts that occurred in May; briefly went over the crime statistics;
and mentioned that scams are still prevalent and stressed that no one from the Police Department or Sheriffs
Office will ever call someone asking for money to prevent that person from going to jail; said law
enforcement is seeing a lot of stolen guns, many of which are stolen from vehicles, and he stressed that
vehicles are not a safe and secure place to store weapons; he suggested citizens have the make,model and
serial number in a safe place for quicker recovery if the weapon is stolen; he also mentioned there have
been some counterfeit $100 bills in the area, some of which were discovered in yard sales. Chief Werner
also mentioned that the property crimes task force will conclude the end of the month; and that law
enforcement officials have been working together and from March to June,they had 633 new felony charges
with 58 people booked and 90 summons or warrants issued;,adding that many of these people are transients.
9.Advance Agenda—Mayor Higgins
There were no suggested changes to the Advance Agenda.
The(10) Department Reports, and the (11)Audit Engagement Letter were for information only and were
not reported or discussed.
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
Mr. Calhoun reminded everyone that next Tuesday is July 4t°'so there will be no Council meeting. He also
noted that the state legislature has not yet wrapped up their business or adopted the budget and at this point
it is unknown what will happen and whether there will be a shut down; said he was informed by the
Department of Revenue that they will maintain a skeleton crew to do the normal remittance, and he
expressed concern about the revenue sharing. Mr. Calhoun said that City Administrative Assistant Sue
Passmore will be retiring next week after working for the City for ten years, that July 3rd will be her last
day,and he encouraged everyone to come say goodbye to her,and said that she will be missed.Mr.Calhoun
also noted that we have many capital projects which are in part,grant financed with an 80/20 split of costs;
and said in reality we spend millions in the summer as we wait for those reimbursements.
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Woodard, seconded and unanimously agreed to adjourn. The meeting
adjourned at 8:04 p.m.
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A VI L.R. etlitr.Odr:
Christine Bainbridge, City Clerk
Minutes Regular Council Meeting:06-27-2017 Page 5 of 5
Approved by Council:07-11-2017
GENERAL ERAL PIIBJLI[C COMMENT
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SPOKANE VALLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING
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6:00 p.m. Regular Meeting
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•`:'fl Hank E Lunsford Brown's Park
A Sand VB courts
May 21 near Spokane,WA-
Thls is what the courts look like on non tournament
weekends We need more courts. Lol
Like Comment Share
Kelsey Solberg,Monica Erickson and 22 others
ei Jeff Witherow Just left at 8:00 on a Sunday.Still
only one court available.
Like•Reply• 2•May 21 at 8:35pm
Chantalle Kilnkhammer That's awesome)
Like•Reply•May 21 at 5:18pm
Ili Abby Tompkins We getting more courts
i <4 i. . next year?
g'e.1001P'ft . .: { i p�-4}' • a`. , Like-Reply 1 May 21 at 10:12pm
1.y - �� ';- fri Write a reply...
T'!yl Write a comment...
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