2018, 07-31 Study Session MINUTES
SPOKANE VALLEY COUNCIL MEETING
STUDY SESSION
Spokane Valley City Hall Council Chambers
Spokane Valley,Washington
July 31,2018
Attendance:
Councilmembers Staff
Rod Higgins, Mayor Mark Calhoun, City Manager
Pam Haley,Deputy Mayor John Hohman,Deputy City Manager
Brandi Peetz, Councilrnember Cary Driskell, City Attorney
Linda Thompson, Councilmember Erik Lamb,Deputy City Attorney
Ben.Wick, Councilmember Chelsie Taylor,Finance Director
Sam Wood, Councilmember Bill Helbig, City Engineer
Arne Woodard, Councilmember Marty Palaniuk, Planner
Lori Barlow, Senior Planner
Mike Basinger, Economic Dev. Manager
John Whitehead, Human Resources Manager
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.
ACTION ITEMS:
1. Second Reading Ordinance 18-014 Comp Plan Amendment—Lori Barlow
After City Clerk Bainbridge read the ordinance title, it was moved by Deputy Mayor Haley and seconded
to approve Ordinance 18-014, Comprehensive Plan Amendments. Senior Planner Barlow explained that
this is the third time this has come before Council;and at the July 17 Council meeting,Council by consensus
determined to accept all the Planning Commission recommendations associated with this comp plan
amendment, including the denial of CPA-2018-0003, all of which is reflected in the Ordinance. Mayor
Higgins invited public comments; no comments were offered. Councilmember Thompson said for CPA-
2018-0004,the University and 7"`Avenue,that there was a lot of discussion about the potential of increased
traffic in the area, and she would like us to watch that, and if needed, make any improvements after this
change to help ease traffic issues. Vote by Acclamation: In Favor: Unanimous. Opposed: None. Motion
carried.
2. Second Reading Ordinance 18-015 Comp Plan Amendment, Zoning Map—Lori Barlow
After City Clerk Bainbridge read the ordinance title, it was proved by Deputy Mayor Haley and seconded
to approve Ordinance 18-015, Official Zoning Map Amendments. Planner Barlow said the annual
amendment process has two parts, the first is land use designation changes, and the second is the official
zoning map which reflects those changes on our official zoning map,except as noted CPA 2018-003,which
was denied. Mayor Higgins invited public comment. Ms. Jayne Seybert, Spokane Valley: regarding the
zoning map for CPA 2018-0004, she asked for consideration of adding a note on the map about the
covenants,as their neighborhood attorney had previously asked; said he had cited two cases in Washington
where if that is not added,we could be liable; and she asked to please look into putting that notice on that
map.There were no further public comments. Vote by Acclamation:In Favor: Unanimous. Opposed:None.
Motion carried.
Council Study Session:07-31-2018 Page 1 of 4
Approved by Council:08-14-2018
3. Second Reading Ordinance 18-016 ExteNet Wireless Franchise Agreement—Cary DriskeIl
After City Clerk Bainbridge read the ordinance title, it was moved by Deputy Mayor Haley and seconded
to approve proposed Ordinance 18-016 granting a wireless telecommunications franchise to ExteNet
Systems, Inc. After City Attorney Driskell briefly explained about the proposed ten-year franchise, Mayor
Higgins invited public comments.No comments were offered. Vote by Acclamation:In Favor: Unanimous.
Opposed:None. Motion carried.
4. Second Reading Ordinance 18-017 ExteNet Fiber Franchise Agreement Cary Driskell
After City Clerk Bainbridge read the ordinance title, it was moved by Deputy Mayor Haley and seconded
to approve proposed Ordinance 18-017 granting a fiber telecommunications franchise to ExteNet Systems,
Inc. After City Attorney Driskell briefly explained about the proposed franchise, which works in tandem
with the previous ordinance,Mayor Higgins invited public comments.No comments were offered. Vote by
Acclamation:In Favor: Unanimous. Opposed.'None. Motion carried.
5. Motion Consideration: Council Goals/Priorities For Lodging Tax—Chelsie Taylor
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Haley and seconded to approve Council goals and priorities for the use of
lodging tax revenues as written. Director Taylor went over the information contained in the Request for
Council Action Form,including the suggested edits to the goals and priorities. Mayor Higgins invited public
comment. Ms. Barb Howard, Spokane Valley: said she would like to see some of the money go to
CenterPlace to finish it and help Valleyfest; said if there is a consideration of a sports complex, she would
like to know the amount to be spent, and where it would be built. There were no other public comments.
Vote by Acclamation:In Favor: Unanimous. Opposed:None. Motion carried.
NON-ACTION ITEMS:
6.Retail Recruitment Plan—Mike Basinger, and Scott VonCannon of Retail Strategies
Economic Development Manager Basinger gave a brief background leading up to the retail recruitment
plan, and of the City engaging Retail Strategies in that regard, and he introduced Retail Strategies Chief
Operating Officer Mr. Scott VonCannon, who in turn introduced Vice President of Development Mr. Joe
Strauss. Mr. VonCannon went through his PowerPoint explaining what it is that they do, including their
data collection and tracking, identification of primary trade area, determination of total market supply and
demand, and discovering the opportunity gap; they talked about existing real estate and real estate under
construction, as well as development of a higher and better use; they discussed building relationships
locally, regionally and nationally on our City's behalf and mentioned some of the retail conferences they
attend. Councilmember Thompson asked if our City having free parking helps in attracting retail, and Mr.
VonCannon said it doesn't hurt, and is just one more positive on our end as retailers know that parking is
important. Other discussion included our low crime rate,types of retailers, our City's expedited permitting
process and "business friendly" atmosphere. Mr. Basinger said staff did extensive research to find a
company to help implement our program as we needed a firm with a background of relationships,and said
this firm does that for us. Mr. Calhoun said although we are not seeking any action at this time, we do
recommend Council continue this relationship in the future. Council agreed.
7. Minor Stormwater Property Acquisition(Barker Road)—BilI Helbig
City Engineer Helbig explained that our city manages an extensive stormwater management system, and
part of the system was acquired and developed since our City's incorporation, but part was constructed by
Spokane County prior to incorporation; that while most of the parcels previously owned by the County
were transferred to us, several parcels have been located that for unknown reasons,were never transferred.
Mr. Helbig said the parcel in question is a narrow strip of property that includes the sidewalk of an existing
swale, is critical for maintenance of the facility, is approximately seven feet wide by 220 feet long, and
Spokane County informed us the cost to acquire the property is roughly $200.00, which includes a $100
recording fee. Mr. Helbig said if Council agrees, this property acquisition can be placed on the August 14
consent agenda. Council concurred.
Council Study Session:07-31-2018 Page 2 of 4
Approved by Council:08-14-2018
8. Ouarterly Police Department Report Inspector Lyons
Inspector Lyons went over the highlights of the quarterly report,including data on SCOPE's efforts,average
patrol staffing per shift, patrol statistics, a brief explanation that the increase in citizen calls for service is
largely due to the Pope Francis Haven Apartments,adding that Catholic Charities has been very responsive
and proactive in addressing these issues; data on the Spokane Valley Investigative Unit of persons charged
and booked;amount of stolen property recovered;and property crimes reviewed.There was brief discussion
about SCOPE and how tremendously important they are, especially since the Police Department is short-
staffed; mention that the calls for service data does not include Crime Check; and recruitment and
retirement. Council thanked Inspector Lyons for the report.
9. Recap of Association of Washington Cities Yakima Conference—CounciImembers Wick and Peetz
To recap some of the workshops attended by several Councilmembers during the AWC Yakima
Conference, Councilmember Peetz spoke about Community Engagement and the Case Study of the Cities
of Burien, Olympia and Sequim; followed by discussion by Councilmember Wick on the Road Map to
Washington's Future, which included information about the GMA (Growth Management Act), and
redevelopment ideas such as the tour of empty buildings, pop-up businesses, and paint by numbers. In
connection with the GMA,Councilmember Wick also mentioned the information item included in tonight's
agenda packet.Other Councilmember's discussion about that conference included the values of networking,
leadership and cohesiveness, working as a team, goals and values, and the idea of remote testimony, 21'
Century policing, police bike patrols, and mention of the overall great conference.
10.Advance Agenda—Mayor Higgins
Councilmember Wick said he attended a Health Board meeting where they were discussing health statistics
in the region; and said Dr. Lutz would be interested in giving us a presentation on health statistics for
Spokane Valley; and suggested that perhaps this fall would be a good time. Mr, Calhoun said he will place
that item on the Advance Agenda pending list, and try to set something in the near future.
11. Growth Management Planning Report
This report was for information only and was not discussed or reported.
12. Council Check-in—Mayor Higgins
Councilmember Peetz stated that she was on the 911 board and what she didn't know until recently, was
that the last meeting she attended was the last meeting of that board; that with the integration combining
fire, dispatch and 911 under one umbrella,there is no longer a 911 board; that with the combination this
policy board is now known as the SpoCom Executive Board, and said she believes they are not looking for
elected officials to serve on that board; and since she no longer has any board assignments, she is willing
to help with other boards.
13. City Manager Comments—Mark Calhoun
In connection with the previous comments of Couneilmember Peetz,City Manager Calhoun said that Chief
Werner and Chief Collins will give Council a report at the September 4,2018 Council meeting concerning
the integration of the Combined Communication Center. Mr. Calhoun noted that as mentioned previously,
we have an opportunity to apply for a JAG grant and due to the compressed time schedule,that will appear
on the August 14111 agenda as a motion consideration; and he added that Chief Werner is working on what
equipment purchases they would like to make with the approximate$27,000 grant funds. Mr. Calhoun also
mentioned that during a previous Council meeting, there was a citizen comment about Council wages and
that the citizen felt those wages should be reviewed. Mr. Calhoun said that last time those salaries were
reviewed was 2006, so if Council is interested, we can bring forward a future administration report on
methods to be used to change Council salary. They agreed. Mr. Calhoun also reminded everyone that next
Council Study Session:07-31-2018 Page 3 of 4
Approved by Council:08-14-2018
week's council meeting of August 7 will be cancelled so Councilmembers can participate in National Night
Out.
14.Executive Session: Review the Performance of a Public Employee [RCW 42.30.110(1)(g)]
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Haley, seconded and unanimously agreed to adjourn into executive session
for approximately sixty minutes to review the performance of a public employee, and that no action will he
taken upon return to open session. Prior to adjourning into executive session,Mayor Higgins said Council
will take a ten-minute recess, which they did at 7:50 p.m. At approximately 8:50 p.m., Councilmember
Woodard returned to open session and announced the executive session would be extended another thirty
minutes.
At approximately 9:15 p.m. Mayor Higgins declared Council out of executive session, at which time it was
moved by Deputy Mayor Haley, seconded and unanimously agreed to adjourn.
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.istme Bainbridge, City Clerk
Council Study Session:07-31-2018 Page 4 of 4
Approved by Council:08-14-2018