2009, 08-04 Study Session MinutesAttendance:
Councilmembers
Rich Munson, Mayor
Dick Denenny, Deputy Mayor
Rose Dempsey, Councilmember
Bill Gothmann, Councilmember
Gary Schimmels, Councilmember
Diana Wilhite, Councilmember
Council Meeting Minutes: 08 -04 -09
Approved by Council: 08 -11 -09
MINUTES
STUDY SESSION MEETING
SPOKANE VALLEY CITY COUNCIL
Spokane Valley City Hall Council Chambers
Spokane Valley, Washington
August 4, 2009
Staff
6:00 p.m.
Dave Mercier, City Manager
Mike Jackson, Deputy City Manager
Mike Stone, Parks & Rec Director
Mike Connelly, City Attorney
Cary Driskell, Deputy City Attorney
Rick VanLeuven, Police Chief
Carolbelle Branch, Public Information Officer
Chris Bainbridge, City Clerk
Mayor Munson opened the meeting at 6:00 p.m. and welcomed everyone to the study session.
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Denenny, seconded and unanimously agreed to accept the amended
agenda as presented.
ACTION ITEM:
1. Mayor and Councilmembers: Appointment of Candidate to Council Position #2
a. Nomination and second of candidate; vote
b. City Clerk Administers Oath of Office
c. New Councilmember Takes Position at the Dais
After Mayor Munson explained the procedure for nominations, he opened the floor for nominations and
the following candidates were nominated: Ian Robertson was nominated by Councilmember Wilhite and
seconded by Deputy Mayor Denenny; Ben Wick was nominated by Councilmember Dempsey and
seconded by Councilmember Schimmels; and Diana Sanderson was nominated by Mayor Munson and
seconded by Councilmember Dempsey. Mayor Munson then opened the floor for comments. Each
Councilmember commented that the decision was difficult as the candidates were great candidates and
each had something to bring to the council; they each thanked the candidates for stepping forward, for
participating in the interview process, and for their dedication and commitment.
Results of the votes by show of hands are as follows: For Ian Robertson: Mayor Munson, Deputy
Mayor Denenny, and Councilmembers Gothmann and Wilhite. For Ben Wick: Councilmembers Dempsey
and Schimmels; and for Diana Sanderson: there were no votes. Ian Robertson was declared the new
Councilmember and after the City Clerk administered the oath of office, Councilmember Robertson was
welcomed by all and took a seat at the dais.
State law authorizes voters to approve the imposition of a one -tenth of one percent county -wide sales and
use tax, the proceeds to be used by Spokane County and the Cities and towns therein exclusively for
Criminal Justice and Public Safety purposes. Should the Board of County Commissioners of Spokane
County, as authorized by RCW 82.14.450, renew the imposition of a one -tenth of one percent county-
wide sales and use tax commencing January 1, 2010 and terminating March 31, 2020, the proceeds to be
Page 1 of 2
used by Spokane County and the Cities and Towns therein exclusively for Criminal Justice and Public
Safety Purposes ?"
Mayor Munson explained that this proposition is about the renewal of this sales tax for public safety; and
he asked if Council wanted to consider passing a motion in support of that renewal. Mr. Mercier said that
six years ago voters approved this 1/10 of 1% on sales tax; and the division of assets resulted in 60% to
Spokane County, and 40% distributed among the remaining communities, with Spokane Valley's share
approximately $750,000; and that in the last six years those funds were all allocated to the law
enforcement contract. Mr. Mercier said expenses have risen annually well in excess of funds generated
and said that public safety has been identified by this Council as their top priority for Spokane Valley.
Councilmember Gothmann said he was under the impression that considering a ballot provision requires a
hearing with opportunity for proponents and opponents to speak. City Attorney Connelly said that the
Statute requires that an opportunity be provided for members of the public to speak for and against the
issue, and his concern is that notice of tonight's meeting did not include this item. After brief council
discussion, council determined not to take action on this issue tonight, but rather schedule it for the
August 11 meeting.
There being no further business, it was moved by Councilmember Wilhite, seconded and unanimously
agreed to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 6:24 p.m.
A
Kristine Bainbridg
, City Clerk
Richard ' son, M. or
Council Meeting Minutes: 08 -04 -09 Page 2 of 2
Approved by Council: 08 -11 -09