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2019, 08-27 Regular Formal Format MINUTES SPOKANE VALLEY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING FORMAL FORMAT Spokane Valley City Hall Council Chambers Spokane Valley, Washington August 27,2019 Mayor Higgins called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Attendance: Councilmembers Staff Rod Higgins,Mayor Mark Calhoun, City Manager Pam Haley,Deputy Mayor John Hohman,Deputy City Manager Brandi Peetz, Councilmember Cary Driskell, City Attorney Linda Thompson, Councilmember Chelsie Taylor,Finance Director Ben Wick, Councilmember Mike Stone,Parks &Recreation Director Sam Wood, Councilmember Erik Lamb, Deputy City Attorney Arne Woodard, Councilmember Bill Helbig, City Engineer Karen Kendall, Planner Shane Arlt, Street Superintendent Mike Basinger, Economic Development Mgr Christine Bainbridge, City Clerk INVOCATION: In the absence of a pastor, a moment of silence was observed. 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 Haley, seconded and unanimously agreed to approve the agenda. INTRODUCTION OF SPECIAL GUESTS AND PRESENTATIONS n/a COMMITTEE,BOARD,LIAISON SUMMARY REPORTS Councilmember Wood: no report. Councilmember Peetz: said she attended the Multi-Care luncheon; went to the Selkirk school dedication; the Paws in the Pool Parks & Recreation event; ladies night out at Spokane Gymnastics; and the Spokane Valley Farmers Market,which has had almost 14,000 people attend since it began. Councilmember Woodard: reported that he went to Project ID to see the facility, which he said could be heavily impacted by the homeless shelter; went to an event by the National Association of Realtors where they discussed `zombie' and nuisance homes; attended the Multi-care event; and the Selkirk School dedication. Councilmember Thompson: said she worked on the Health District Policy Committee where they have been advocating to look at the AWC (Association of Washington Cities) legislative agenda and compare that with the Department of Health and others to see how they can work together; went to a two-day training event about community partnerships held at the Coeur d'Alene Casino; went to a workshop with the NAACP to also look at policy issues; spoke about some initial planning for a youth town hall event to be held in October,and mentioned Ms. Christine Dugger, a Spokane Valley Youth Voice senior graduate who was chosen as one of the YWCA's 2019 Woman of Achievement Honorees, which will have an event this fall to honor her and others. Regular Formal Council Meeting: 08-27-2019 Page 1 of 4 Approved by Council: 09-10-2019 Councilmember Wick: said he is working to get ready for the interstate fair and Valleyfest; went to the Farmer's Market;and attended the Health Board meeting where they are getting ready for the new executive director who will start her job in September. Deputy Mayor Haley: said that she was invited to the 116'`Air Refueling Squad's BBQ;went to Project ID last Friday and reported that they have 200 people in their Special Olympic groups and at least 100 people at the organization, and that they are having a hard time finding an equivalent space; said she also attended the Multi-care luncheon,and extended congratulations on them achieving their five-star rating. MAYOR'S REPORT Mayor Higgins reported that the newspaper,The Exchange changed their location and he attended the open house&ribbon cutting;and he extended kudos to Multi-care for their tremendous impact since change of owners. 1. 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 Aug 27, 2019,Request for Council Action Form Total: $2,344,423.68 b. Approval of Payroll for Pay Period Ending August 15, 2019: $395,740.47 c. Approval of Council Meeting Minutes of August 13, 2019, Formal Format d. Approval of Council Meeting Minutes of August 20, 2019, Study Session Format It was moved by Deputy Mayor Haley, seconded and unanimously agreed to approve the Consent Agenda. NEW BUSINESS nfa PUBLIC COMMENTS: After Mayor Higgins explained the process, he invited public comment. Mr. Don Meier, Spokane Valley: he voiced his concern about the commentary he has heard regarding a new state of"Liberty" and that he wanted to find out where the Valley stands on these issues; mentioned comments about Matt Shea and his `radical objectives' and said he has not heard from Council or the City on these issues and needs to know where the Council and the City stand and that there should be a clear published statement on positions; asked if the Council supports the City of Spokane Valley breaking away from the County Sheriff's Office and starting our own Police Department; said it is his understanding that the current arrangement is the lowest cost in Washington State; said he realizes tonight probably is not the time to get an answer, but said perhaps within the next week or so. It was at this point that Mr. Meier's three-minutes ended and after numerous requests from Mayor Higgins that Mr. Meier stop talking and to please sit down, and Mr. Meier ignoring those requests,Mayor Higgins called a ten-minute recess at 6:18 p.m. Mayor Higgins reconvened the meeting at 6:24 p.m. and announced that the public comments section was over and that Council would move to the next agenda item; adding that whenever people keep talking after their three minutes is over and refuse to sit down or stop talking, that a recess will be called and upon the meeting reconvening, Council will start with the next agenda item. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS: 2. Private Street Vacation (2019-0003)Broadway and Thierman—Karen Kendall Planner Kendall explained the background of this privately-initiated street vacation on Broadway and Thierman; she explained the estimated value of the vacation, and that the Planning Commission recommended approval with conditions. There was complete Council consensus to proceed to a future Council meeting for an ordinance first reading. 3. Streets and Sidewalks Snow Removal—John Hohman Deputy City Manager Hohman introduced City Street Superintendent Shane Arlt, and Economic Development Manager Mike Basinger. Mr. Hohman noted that tonight marks the fifteenth time this issue has been before Council over the last few years; he gave some statistics on snowfall; enforcement process; and history of the plowing processes over the last few years. Mr. Basinger then went over the Safe Routes Regular Formal Council Meeting: 08-27-2019 Page 2 of 4 Approved by Council: 09-10-20I9 to School and referenced the two maps included in tonight's Council packet materials; said that all sidewalks have been identified,except those sidewalks in the commercial areas since they would be cleared by the businesses; and he explained the different statistics on the two maps, adding that the Safe Routes to Schools do not include those sidewalks around the schools. Councilmember Thompson asked if STA (Spokane Transit Authority) clears around the bus stops and Mr. Basinger said they will come out to the shelters and clean up. Mr. Hohman said staff is asking for Council's consideration and direction on the process to use for this winter;should we enforce the sidewalk snow ordinance as written which makes every property owner responsible, or put other criteria Council wants on the Safe Routes to School sidewalks. Mr. Hohman also noted that the question came up about doing just one side of the street or both sides, and does Council want us to find a contractor for this winter; he said Mr.Arlt reached out to those he contacted last year to see if there was interest; and said we would also have to put out a bid package and prepare a 2019 budget amendment to include the purchase of snow removal equipment and hire seasonal employees, if that is the direction Council desires. Councilmember Peetz said she heard complaints on various issues, including some from business owners who shoveled their sidewalk,just to have to shovel it again with the continuing show; that there are pros and cons to both buying a plow and doing that ourselves, or contracting out the service. Mr. Hohman explained the process used now concerning back-to-back snow falls and acknowledged it is sometimes difficult to determine when an event ends; and there were times when staff determined it did not end until the temperatures warmed up after a few days; adding that not clearing those sidewalks in the meantime means buildup of freezing snow and ice,thereby making it almost impossible to clear; said we recommend the public do their best and we understand; said we control the warning notices and fines and were very reasonable this year; he noted again the scope of work is wide open at Council's direction;that concerning the impact to the budget of$80,000 for two pieces of equipment, it is hard to speculate how many times it would be used; said we tried last year but were unable to find a contractor so we would likely just have an hourly rate for an equipment operator, but we would have to determine some kind of budget; and he mentioned we could not guarantee that every sidewalk would be cleared every time. Mr. Hohman said there decisions are up to Council and staff is looking for guidance. Councilmember Wick suggested going back out for a bid and target the circles shown on the map to take care of the Safe Routes to Schools;he asked if the schools have a contractor or staff to clear their sidewalks and suggested the idea of partnering with their crew, and maybe they could extend their area and we could extend ours; said he would like to focus on the residential area and also enforce the policy we have. There was some discussion about partnering with schools, including mention from Councilmember Woodard that we would have to keep in mind that the schools would be closed around the Christmas vacation. Mayor Higgins suggested using the baseline of what we are doing now,and talk to the schools and other contractors to see what beyond that baseline they might be willing to do.In response to Mr. Hohman's questions about clearing one side of the street or both,Councilmember Woodard suggested starting with one side and letting the people in those areas know which are the Safe Routes to School, and to encourage people to assist as they can, which evidentially was done last year. Several Councilmembers agreed with the idea of starting with one side of the street. Councilmember Thompson suggested staff be more proactive in talking about snow plowing, to include the hours the plows work and to ask for respect for the workers out in the community. Mr. Basinger stated that he has been working with City's Public Information Officer to let people know what we are trying to accomplish. 4.Advance Agenda—Mayor Higgins Councilmember Peetz asked about an update on the North Pines Middle School crossing, and Mr.Hohman said that is still in the works; that the equipment was ordered by the school,the developer of the apartment complex is putting in the foundations and ramps, and we'll do the installation; said he'll check on the status of construction and ordering of equipment and will get back to Council on a projected completion date. Councilmember Thompson asked about the Tree City USA option and said we are one of the larger cities Regular Formal Council Meeting: 08-27-2019 Page 3 of 4 Approved by Council: 09-10-2019 that is not a tree city, adding that she'd be willing to volunteer in that regard. Mr. Calhoun said that topic is on the pending list and we work through that list as we have available resources. Councilmember Thompson also asked about graffiti, and City Attorney Driskell said that is a coming attraction as staff are working to identify the most effective way to address the issue,and noted having a second code enforcement officer will also be of assistance. 5.Department Reports The Department Reports were for information only and were not reported or discussed. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS Mr. Calhoun noted that since 2007 we have contracted with Gordon Thomas Honeywell as our state lobbyists, and that contract ends the end of 2019; said they are actively working with us on our 2020 legislative agenda and will be at the September 10 Council meeting; said it is unusual to have gone so long without going out for a Request for Qualifications,and that will be issued next Friday with a September 26 due date; and that it would be beneficial to have Council representation on that review committee to look at responses; and perhaps the Mayor could appoint a Councilmember or two between now and September 26. It was moved by Deputy Mayor Haley, seconded and unanimously agreed to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 7:11 p.m. 414' ATTE L.R. Hig: , a or Christine Bainbridge, City Clerk Regular Formal Council Meeting: 08-27-2019 Page 4 of 4 Approved by Council: 09-10-2019 SPOKANE VALLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING Tuesday, August 27, 2019 6:00 p.m. Regular Meeting GENERAL CITIZEN COMMENTS SIGN-IN SHEET YOUR SPEAKING TIME WILL GENERALLY BE LIMITED TO THREE MINUTES This sign-in sheet is for making comments not associated with an action item on tonight's agenda. If you wish to comment about an individual action item on tonight's agenda (such a motion to approve an ordinance or resolution) when appropriate, the Mayor will ask r co ments on those items once that item is reached on the agenda. Please sign in if you wish to make public comments. NAME TOPIC OF CONCERN YOU YOUR CITY OF RESIDENCE PLEASE PRINT WILL SPEAK ABOUT Aar v--7/ .=.56/4„ze,N. rfa,, \fib ( L,12,-1, a,„it, _fro „e D\ (NW -1(\'I 1-Te S Please mote that once information is entered on this form, it becomes a public record subject to public disclosure.