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2009, 03-10 Regular Meeting MinutesMayor Munson called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and welcomed everyone to the 155th meeting. Attendance: Rich Munson, Mayor Dick Denenny, Deputy Mayor Rose Dempsey, Councilmember Bill Gothmann, Councilmember Gary Schimmels, Councilmember Steve Taylor, Councilmember Diana Wilhite, Councilmember MINUTES City of Spokane Valley City Council Regular Meeting Tuesday, March 10, 2009 City Staff Mike Jackson, Deputy City Manager Mike Connelly, City Attorney Kathy McClung, Community Development Dir. Ken Thompson, Finance Director Neil Kersten, Public Works Director Rick VanLeuven, Police Chief John Whitehead, Human Resources Manager Carolbelle Branch, Public Information Officer Bill Miller, IT Specialist Chris Bainbridge, City Clerk INVOCATION: Pastor Al Hulten of Valley Assembly Church gave the invocation. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Councilmember Taylor led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL: City Clerk Bainbridge called roll; all Councilmembers were present. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: It was moved by Councilmember Taylor, seconded and unanimously agreed to approve the amended agenda. INTRODUCTION OF SPECIAL GUESTS AND PRESENTATIONS: n/a COMMITTEE, BOARD, LIAISON SUMMARY REPORTS: Councilmember Wilhite: explained that she attended the Rotary Club meeting where Councilmember Gothmann gave a presentation on the panhandling issue; she attended our Mayor's State of the City Address; and in connection with her involvement with the Spokane Regional Transportation Committee, she was invited to attend Idaho's equivalent of SRTC in Coeur d'Alene to hear about Idaho's transportation needs. Councilmember Gothmann: reported he attended a SNAP meeting where they are initiating a new program for the benefit of helping neighbors; attended the Spokane Regional Health Department regular meeting where Senator Marr's bill for re- organization was discussed; also attended the day -long Health Department strategic meeting where they discussed their goals and a mission/value statement; mentioned he gave a report on panhandling to the Rotary Club as well as to his church; attended the State of City Address; and a Community Development Block Grant Hearing where people could appeal the preliminary grants that the Committee made regarding the HUD funding. Councilmember Dempsey: said that she attended the Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency meeting; and although she could not attend the Mayor's State of the City address, Mayor Munson gave the address to her individually. Deputy Mayor Denenny: reported he attended the Health District meeting. Councilmember Taylor: stated that he attended the Mayor's State of the City Address; an open house at CenterPlace where Beacon Hill Catering showed off their products; that this Saturday the Fourth District Legislators will hold a Town Hall meeting at CenterPlace; and said that today and tomorrow he will be Council Regular Meeting: 03 -10 -2009 Page 1 of 4 Approved by Council: 03 -24 -09 attending a retreat meeting of the Board of Convention and Visitor's Bureau where they will discuss their future direction and how they want this region to be seen as a destination. Councilmember Schimmels: said he attended the State of the City Address; and a Solid Waste Liaison board meeting a few weeks ago and said he has a CD he will distribute to Council on the draft Solid Waste Management Plan MAYOR'S REPORT: Mayor Munson reported that last week he participated as a Judge for the Chase Youth Commission competition for "Youth of the Year "; attended a GMA Steering Committee of Elected Officials meeting and said they are working with the Board of County Commissioners to complete their update of their Comprehensive Plan; attended the monthly Spokane Transit Authority Meeting; a monthly transportation committee meeting sponsored by the three area Chambers where the topic was the stimulus transportation package, and said Spokane County is slated to receive $10.6 million and of that, Spokane Valley should receive $1.9 million to resurface Sprague; attended a Boy Scouts breakfast presentation; chaired the Operations and Administrative Subcommittee for the STA; and gave the State of the City Address, and mentioned he will be giving that again April 9; that he hosted the NE Mayor's Association meeting at CenterPlace; and said that he attended a breakfast Friday for Commissioner Richard where they mentioned the Sprague Appleway Corridor; and that today he had lunch with the Superintendent of the Central Valley School District. Mayor Munson then read a proclamation for "National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month," which was received ay Pat Johnson; and read another proclamation for "Absolutely Incredible Kid Day," which was received by Elizabeth Giles. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Mayor Munson invited general public comment. Fire Chief Thompson introduced his new Deputy Andy Hail and Councilmembers then greeted and welcomed Deputy Hail. 1. CONSENT AGENDA: Consists of items considered routine which are approved as a group. A Councilmember may remove an item from the Consent Agenda to be considered separately. a. Claim Vouchers, Voucher # 16596 through # 16794; $2,799,915.57 b. Payroll for pay period ending February 28, 2009: $336,803.05 c. Approval of Council /County Board Joint Meeting Minutes of February 23, 2009 It was moved by Councilmember Taylor, seconded, and unanimously agreed to approve the consent agenda. NEW BUSINESS: 2. First Reading Proposed Ordinance 09 -004 Amending Ordinance 08 -028, Amended Legal Description — Mike Connelly After City Clerk Bainbridge read the ordinance title, it was moved by Councilmember Taylor and seconded to suspend the rules and adopt Ordinance 09 - 004. City Attorney Connelly explained that the only change from the original ordinance is to correct an error in the legal description, including Exhibit A; and mentioned the importance of having the legal description exact when filed with the County Assessor's office as they transfer the property. Mayor Munson invited public comment; no comments were offered. Vote by Acclamation: In Favor: Unanimous. Opposed: None. Abstentions: None. Motion carried. 3. Motion Consideration: Indiana Avenue Extension Project, TIB Grant — Steve Worley It was moved by Councilmember Taylor and seconded to authorize the Mayor to sign the TIB Fuel Grant Distribution Agreement for the Indiana Avenue Extension Project. Public Works Director Kersten explained that this is the third touch and approval of a grant for the TIB which was submitted last fall; and said this project is the extension of Indiana Avenue east to the Mission /Flora intersection as a three -lane roadway including a center left turn lane, sidewalks, curbs, gutters, bike lanes, an drainage improvements; Council Regular Meeting: 03 -10 -2009 Page 2 of 4 Approved by Council: 03 -24 -09 and said this should improve the congestion on Broadway in front of the new Lowe's; he mentioned that the grant is over $1.5 million with a city match of about $314,000; and contributions from developers of over $700,000. In response to Council question, Attorney Connelly said staff made inquiry about the railroad 30' strip to be dedicated, but has had no response yet. Mayor Munson invited public comment; no comments were offered. Vote by Acclamation: In Favor: Unanimous. Opposed: None. Abstentions: None. Motion carried. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Mayor Munson invited general public comment. Craig Homes, 11219 E 25 Spokane Valley: Mr. Homes shared a photograph of his wife catching a steelhead; he explained that regarding tax rates, it has more to do with how things are presented; he said he was a pastor twenty years ago; and mentioned the situation we are in as a nation; he said voters are concerned about losing their homes, jobs, retirements, and savings, and he appreciated the Council talking with the County; said citizens are concerned about the basics and this is a huge opportunity for Spokane Valley to create jobs; that California's tax rates are large, and those same people can live here without that additional tax burden; so he wants us to go fishing as he feels there will be a migration of higher income people moving here; and said we should try to find the small fish in California to make them a big fish here; and have jobs here so our kids won't have to move away from Spokane Valley. Mayor Munson said staff would contact him to discuss that further. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS: 4. Spokane Transit Authority (STA) Fare Structure Report — David Swalling, Steve Blaska STA Director of Operations Steve Blaska explained that they are here to solicit feedback and input on a proposal of their Citizen's Advisory Committee (CAC), and via his PowerPoint presentation, he and CAC Chair David Swalling explained the formation and duties of the CAC, what they've accomplished, where they are in the process of the fare structure proposal, i.e. no formal recommendation at this time but are developing a draft proposal for public comment; mentioned the planned public outreach with various meetings end events, and said their ridership -based philosophy is "to encourage increased ridership by providing a convenient and reasonably priced method for citizens to enjoy the advantages of public transportation." Discussion followed concerning the proposed fare changes with phase 1 and phase 2, of the affect for those on fixed or low income; the monthly fee and the per ride fee structure for the paratransit riders; that the group is still gathering questionnaire responses; mentioned the "smart cards" to help drivers handle the problem of having to handle making change; and of subsidizing the fares. Mr. Blaska and Mr. Swalling said that the group will meet again tomorrow night before next week's final recommendations to the Board; and Council commended the committee on their balancing of the issues and fares. 5. City Hall Design Services — Neil Kersten Public Works Director Kersten said that this item was brought before Council several weeks ago for the new city hall; he said this effort encompasses about 20% of the engineer and architecture effort to get the project ready for bid; that although the total proposal is an estimated $377,000; that staff will include in the contract a limit of $50,000 in expenditures until the City has control of the site; and once the site is under City control, that staff would proceed with the remainder of the design services. Councilmember Taylor said he feels it would be prudent to move forward and get those services completed, and appreciates that staff will manage the expenses on this contract accordingly; and said he does not see anything to hold us back from getting the specific work done and to have an agreement in Place. Councilmember Gothmann concurred and said that at the end of this recession, if we aren't ready to move forward, we will likely pay higher costs so it would be beneficial to be prepared now so we can make a decision. Councilmember Schimmels said he would not support spending the $50,000 at this time; that the schematic is very descriptive but we should not spend more on engineering or architecture fees until there is a need for such. Councilmember Dempsey agreed and said she realizes funds were set aside, but said that doesn't mean we have to spend those funds; and said she would like to wait until we have the Council Regular Meeting: 03 -10 -2009 Page 3 of 4 Approved by Council: 03 -24 -09 land or have the land designated. Mayor Munson asked Council if they would like a future motion to put a $50,000 stop -loss on the development of the plan until we know more, or own the land. Deputy Mayor Denenny expressed his desire to move forward as there is greater criticism for not being ready to proceed, and said we cannot communicate to the public about this layout without having the sense of direction, but would agree to limit the funds at this time to $50,000. In response to Council question of how staff arrived at the $50,000; Mr. Kersten said that was as a result of discussions with the design firm of what work could be done without having a specific site. There was Council consensus to bring this forward on the March 24 council agenda, to include an initial spending limit of $50,000 at this time. INFORMATION ONLY: N/A EXECUTIVE SESSION: It was moved by Deputy Mayor Denenny, seconded and unanimously agreed to adjourn into Executive Session to discuss pending litigation and land acquisition; and that no action is anticipated thereafter. Council adjourned into executive session at 7:19 p.m. Mayor Munson declared Council out of Executive Session at 7:55 p.m. It was moved by Councilmember Wilhite, seconded and unanimously agreed to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 7:56 p.m. ATTEST: 1, Christine Bainbridge, Clerk hard M , Ma. or Council Regular Meeting: 03 -10 -2009 Page 4 of 4 Approved by Council: 03 -24 -09 NAME PLEASE PRINT TOPIC OF CONCERN YOU WILL SPEAK ABOUT ADDRESS TELEPHONE "- 2 � �, y�,� A T A ; NN s �S e . 3a 4 A kr 4 sL. T 50 4 - - i 6 go 56 9 �3? y 00 6 (i 2 (c12,0 &i (.e3 W,OlAA-1-(-AAT ` ^ .' / , f - u ►Lt of c p '-Y l+ N i'mt-i l t r. r eya is . v�ti (te.c� 61 4 z')- b -/ [ y • ( 4 i U3/9' C 9' - 0i., 94 F- F -7- X - C ) SIGN-IN SHEET SPOKANE VALLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: March 10, 2009 GENERAL CITIZEN COMMENTS YOUR SPEAKING TIME WILL BE LIMITED TO THREE MINUTES Sign in if y ou wish to make public comments.