Loading...
2019, 07-30 Study SessionMINUTES SPOKANE VALLEY COUNCIL MEETING STUDY SESSION Spokane Valley City Hall Council Chambers Spokane Valley, Washington July 30, 2019 Attendance: Councilmembers Staff Rod Higgins, Mayor Mark Calhoun, City Manager Pam Haley, Deputy Mayor Chelsie Taylor, Finance Director Brandi Peetz, Councilmember Cary Driskell, City Attorney Linda Thompson, Councilmember Mike Stone, Parks & Rec. Director Ben Wick, Councilmember Mark Werner, Police Chief Sam Wood, Councilmember John Hohman, Deputy City Manager Arne Woodard, Councilmember Bill Helbig, City Engineer Adam Jackson, Planning/Grants Engineer Gloria Mantz, Engineering Manager Henry Allen, Senior Engineer Carol Carter, CenterPlace Coordinator Patty Bischoff, Administrative Assistant Tina Gregerson, Recreation Coordinator 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. APPROVAL OF AMENDED AGENDA: It was moved by Deputy Mayor Haley, seconded, and unanimously agreed to approve the amended agenda. PROCLAMATION: Goodguys Great NWNational Rod & Custom Show After Mayor Higgins read the proclamation, it was accepted with thanks by Dukes Auto Club President Mr. John Clarizio, and by Auto Club Member Mr. Jack Guinnane. ACTION ITEMS: 1. Motion Consideration: Bid Award, Appleway Trail Project, Everereen to Sullivan — Gloria Mantz It was moved by Deputy Mayor Haley and seconded to award the Appleway Trail, Evergreen to Sullivan 40268 to WM Winkler Company in the amount of $1,931,986.60 plus applicable sales tax which includes the Base Bid, Alternate I and Alternate 2, and authorize the City Manager to finalize and execute the construction contract. Engineering Manager Mantz explained the background of the project and of the excitement in getting this project underway. Mayor Higgins invited public comments; no comments were offered. Vote by acclamation: in favor: unanimous; opposed: none; motion carried. 2. Motion Consideration: Council Goals/Priorities, Lodging Tax Advisory Committee - Chelsie Tatylor It was moved by Deputy Mayor Haley and seconded to approve the Council goals and priorities for the use of lodging tax revenues as written. Finance Director Taylor went over the background of the goals and priorities, including Council's consensus at the last meeting to delete goal #6. Director Taylor then read the following remaining goals: (1) Council desires to direct awards toward funding new and innovative projects, activities, events or festivals that will distinguish Spokane Valley as a tourism destination and result in increases to Spokane Valley tourism. As part of this goal, Council will use lodging taxes for the Council Study Session: 07-30-2019 Page 1 of 4 Approved by Council: 08-13-2019 purposes allowed in State law, which include: a. tourism marketing, b, the marketing and operations of special events and festivals, c. the operation and capital expenditures of tourism related facilities owned or operated by a municipality or public facility district, d. the operation (but not capital expenditures) of tourism related facilities owned or operated by non-profit organizations; (2) Council will emphasize the utilization of funds for capital expenditures to develop tourism destination facilities or venues within the City of Spokane Valley as a means of drawing additional visitors to the City (recognizing that this option is limited to facilities owned by a municipality or public facility district). Council would like to move in the direction of allocating a majority of lodging taxes toward this purpose; (3) Council recognizes that lodging nights are an important measure of a successful event or marketing program and will place higher consideration on events or programs with a demonstrable history of increasing overnight stays. Council may also take into consideration to a lesser degree the economic impact of all major components of our tourism -based economy including shopping, dining and overnight visits; (4) Council will take into consideration revenues derived from lodging sources within Spokane Valley received by applicants from other municipal entities and agencies such as the Spokane County Tourism Promotion Authority and Spokane Public Facilities District; and (5) an award to any particular applicant cannot be greater than the dollar amount requested in that applicant's application. Mayor Higgins invited public comment; no comments were offered. Vote by acclamation: in favor: unanimous; opposed: none; motion carried. 2a. CenterPlace West Lawn Project Phase 2 — Mark Calhoun, Mike Stone (previous nonaction item #5) It was moved by Deputy Mayor Haley and seconded to authorize that the project begin in 2019 with a goal of completing the project by July 1, 2020, and to split the cost between the 2019 and 2020 budget. City Manager Calhoun briefly went over the background of this issue, explaining that Council has discussed this topic on numerous occasions starting about spring of 2016; and that Council appeared to be collectively interested when this was discussed during the 2020 budget workshop. Mr. Calhoun mentioned the approximate $2 million cost; said if we wait until January to start the process, we face the likelihood of putting the west lawn out of commission for 2020; but if we begin in the near future, we could have the project designed by October of this year, put out to bid, and have construction begin in 2019 with a goat to complete the project by July 1, 2020, which he said would be in time for most of the major events. Parks & Recreation Director Stone went through the PowerPoint and explained that phase 2 includes everything south of the north meadow, and would include demolition and earthwork, including water and other utilities; he mentioned the various areas of the lawn; and showed the cost breakdown and proposed timeline. The budget for this project was briefly discussed and Mr. Calhoun said it would be a nonrecurring item for a total of about $2 million; but how much to allocate in 2019 and 2020 has not yet been decided as those figures will be determined as we work through the budget process. Mayor Higgins invited public comment; no comments were offered. Vote by acclamation: in favor: unanimous; opposed: none; motion carried. Mr. Calhoun also mentioned that we will work toward how much to allocate for 2019, and can make corrections through a budget amendment once we get to 2020. NON -ACTION ITEMS: 3 Spokane Conservation District Project Update —Vicki Carter Spokane Conservation District Director Ms. Vicki Carter introduced Mr. Walt Edelen, the District's Water Resource Program Manager. Ms. Carter explained that conservation districts were formed on a national level following the Dust Bowl of the 1930s, which brought attention to the need to conserve natural resources, particularly soil; said that the first Spokane County Conservation District for locally led conservation was formed in 1941; she mentioned that Spokane County includes over one million acres with over 500 miles of rivers, streams and tributaries, 68 lakes, wide landscape and habitat diversity, approximately 500,000 citizens, and one Conservation District. Mr. Edelen then discussed some of the projects including the on-site septic program along with repairs and replacements; connections to sewer, River projects such as Islands Trailhead, Stateline, and Sullivan Park; he mentioned their voluntary stewardship program; the Regional Conservation Partnership Program cost -incentive program for Council Study Session: 07-30-2019 Page 2 of 4 Approved by Council: 08-13-2019 agricultural producers; the Farmer SMART Certification; the Commodity Buffer Program; stream bank stabilization and riparian habitat program as well as the Hangman Creek River Mile 17 project; he mentioned the Family Forest Fish Passage Program which involves 22 landowners; and the Deer Creek project. Ms. Carter talked a little about the forestry programs including their annual tree sale, Tree City USA, and Leave a Legacy project; she mentioned the Vets on the Farm and the Farm Food Expo, which is currently scheduled for October 25-26, 2019; she also mentioned future programs such as ditch management, home ignition zone fire prevention, and their water quality volunteer program. Councilmember Wick asked about the benefits of becoming a Tree City USA, and she replied that trees are good for the community; that it would be a source of pride; and that she would he happy to have a forester come out here and give a presentation on the process. Council thanked Ms. Carter and Mr. Edelen for an informative presentation. 4 Proposed Second Amendment 2019 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) — Adam Jackson Mr. Jackson briefly went over the proposed changes for this second amendment to the TIP, which included among those changes, the addition of several new projects; he noted that the refund of the federal funds (Surface Transportation Block Grant) for the Park Road Reconstruction is also anticipated to occur by the end of 2019. There was Council consensus to proceed with the upcoming public hearing and resolution amending the 2019 TIP. 6. Advance Agenda—Mayor Higgins Councilmember Peetz asked about adding a Tree City USA item to the advance agenda, and Councilmembers agreed. 7. Information Only The (a) Neighborhood Restoration Pilot Event, (b) Admin Quarterly Report, (c) Police Department Monthly Report, and (d) Homelessness Shelter Meetings items were for information only and were not discussed or reported. 8 Council Check-in — Mayor Higgins Deputy Mayor Haley said she visited Project ID and met with its founder; that there about 100 people in that building, about half are Spokane Valley residents; that the building includes a coffee shop, a movie theater; she said they feed the participants dinner; and give them job skills like working in a kitchen or coffee shop; that the place also includes a quiet room for people who have trouble handling noise and commotion; she said they have an amazing program and they manage to do everything for $250,000 a year; she said Project ID outgrew its former space at Spokane Valley Partners; she said they are extremely concerned about the homeless shelter going in next door to them; that they don't have a lot of money to move and they will have to move; she said that volunteers have already said that because they were attacked by a homeless man a few weeks ago; she said the homeless person told the volunteer that they should just get out because they were going to be there soon and it was going to become theirs. Deputy Mayor Haley said she feels Council should know what that Project ID is before making a determination on the homeless shelter; she said currently the space for Project ID is perfect; they hold Friday night movie night, they hold talent shows, they have games, art, crafts, and it is a place for people to just go hang out, and was told that is something they just don't get to do; that when they graduate from high school a lot of the socialization opportunities are gone and some become very withdrawn; but in coming to this facility, some have become more outgoing and gotten jobs. Deputy Mayor Haley said the people at Project ID were told that Spokane Valley had given $1.5 million and the County also gave $1.2 million and it was a `done deal;" but Ms. Haley said in reality, neither the County nor our city gave any money or voted on anything; and she said all that information is coming from the City of Spokane's council. Several Councilmembers said they would like to take a tour of the facility, and Mr. Calhoun said he will have Executive Assistant Ms. Marci Patterson check Councilmember's availability and then contact Project ID. Council Study Session: 07-30-2019 Page 3 of 4 Approved by Council: 08-I3-2019 Councilmember Thompson mentioned there is a community meeting tonight about that shelter and she expressed frustration about schedules conflicting with our Council meeting; she said it is not just for this meeting but for other committees as well; for example, an STA meeting conflicting with a Board of Health meeting; and said there needs to be something done so as to avoid these conflicts; and that she would have liked to have been at the meeting tonight. Mr. Calhoun mentioned tonight's agenda packet item #7d about the homeless shelter meetings; and said that report mentions two meetings; that the first was yesterday morning, which was an invitation from the Board of County Commissioners directly to elected officials, which meeting's purpose was to talk about the City of Spokane's plans to acquire that former Grocery Outlet building, and related to that is the City of Spokane's request of the County for $1.2 million to facilitate that purchase; and he said of that $1.2 million, some proceeds come from homeless housing dollars collected from filing fees that are in part paid by Spokane Valley residents; said he attended that meeting which included Al of the Spokane County Commissioners and some County staff; Mayor Higgins and Councilmembers Woodard and Peetz, and Senior Administrative Analyst Morgan Koudelka as well as Deputy City Attorney Erik Lamb; he said there were members from the Continuum of Care and the HCDAC (Housing and Community Development Advisory Committee), and a few staff from the City of Spokane; he said the meeting lasted about an hour and forty-five minutes, and it ended up being a dialogue between Mr. Morgan Koudelka and City of Spokane staff Kelly Keenan talking about the City of Spokane's plans. Mr. Calhoun said the second meeting is scheduled to be held at the Project ID tonight at 6 pm, called by the City of Spokane, the purpose of which is to gather input from the public. Mr. Calhoun noted that Mr. Lamb and Mr. Koudelka will be giving Council an administrative report on this issue at the August 13 Council meeting. Councilmember Thompson said she appreciates other Councilmembers being able to attend that meeting, but feels there is a need for more respect of partnerships and to have more open dialogue so as not to set meetings when Councilmembers cannot go; and that when meeting conflicts occur, she will advocate for better scheduling. On another topic, Councilmember Thompson said she went to the parks celebration Sunday afternoon and that the Parks & Recreation put on a fun event. 9. City Manager Comments — Mark Calhoun Mr. Calhoun noted that next week's Council meeting will be cancelled so Councilmembers can participate in National Night Out; and that our employee appreciation barbeque, hosted by the City Directors, will be held tomorrow beginning at 11:30 a.m., and he extended an invitation to Councilmembers to attend. 10. Executive Session [RCW 42.30.1 10(l) (b)] Acquisition of Real Estate It was moved by Deputy Mayor Haley, seconded and unanimously agreed that Council adjourn into executive session for approximately thirty minutes to discuss acquisition of real estate, and that no action will be taken upon return to open session. Council adjourned into executive session at 7:13 p.m. At 7:37 p.m. Mayor Higgins declared Council out of executive session, at which time it was moved by Councilnnember Wick, seconded and unanimously agreed to adjourn. A T• � 1 Christine BainbeidgY, City Cleric Council Study Session: 07-30-2019 Approved by Council: 08-13-2019 L � � - ol u. . Page 4 of 4