2020, 01-07 Study Session MINUTES
City of Spokane Valley
City Council Regular Meeting
Study Session Format
Tuesday, January 7, 2020
In the absence of a mayor, City Clerk Bainbridge called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
Ben Wick,Mayor Mark Calhoun City Manager
Brandi Peetz,Deputy Mayor John Holvnan, Deputy City Manager
Pam Haley, Councilmember Cary Driskell, City Attorney
Tim Hattenburg, Councilmember Erik Lamb,Deputy City Attorney
Rod Higgins, Councilmember Chelsie Taylor,Finance Director
Linda Thompson,Councilmember Mike Stone,Parks & Rec Director
Arne Woodard, Councilmember Bill Helbig, City Engineer
Gloria Mantz,Engineering Manager
Adam Jackson, Planning/Grants Engineer
John Whitehead,Human Resources Manager
Mark Werner, Police Chief
Christine Bainbridge, City Clerk
ROLL CALL: City Clerk Bainbridge called the roll; all Councilmembers were present.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA: It was moved by Councihnember Thompson, seconded and unanimously
agreed to approve the agenda.
ACTION ITEMS:
1. Council Officer Selections for Mayor and Deputy Mayor- Chris Bainbridge
After City Clerk Bainbridge explained the process of selecting council officers, as noted in the Council's
Governance Manual and the council packet's Request for Council Action form,Ms.Bainbridge opened the
floor for nominations for mayor. Councilmember Thompson nominated Councilmember Wick.
Councilmember Haley nominated Councilmember Thompson, who declined the nomination. There were
no further nominations and the nominations were closed. Since there was only one nomination, written
ballots were not necessary. In a request by City Clerk Bainbridge for a show of hands for Councilmember
Wick for Mayor, all Councilmembers raised their hand except Councihnember Higgins. Ms. Bainbridge
announced that Councilmember Wick has been chosen as Mayor.
City Clerk Bainbridge asked Mayor Wick if he wished to conduct the voting for Deputy Mayor or if he
preferred she do so, and he asked that she continue. Ms. Bainbridge then opened the floor for nominations
for deputy mayor. Councilmember Hattenburg nominated Councihnember Peetz. Councilmember
Woodard nominated Councilmember Thompson who declined the nomination. Councilmember Higgins
nominated Councilmember Hattenburg who also declined the nomination. There were no further
nominations and the nominations were closed. Since there was only one nomination, written ballots were
not necessary. In a request by City Clerk Bainbridge for a show of hands for Councilmember Peetz for
Deputy Mayor, all Councilmembers raised their hand except Councilmember Higgins and Councilmember
Woodard. Ms. Bainbridge announced that Councilmember Peetz has been chosen as Deputy Mayor.
2. Motion Consideration: CenterPlace West Lawn Contract Award—Mike Stone, Gloria Mantz
It was moved by Councilmember Woodard and seconded to award the CenterPlace West Lawn Phase II
Project CIP #0304 to Wm. Winkler Company in the amount of$1,229,347.00, plus applicable sales tax,
and authorize the City Manager to finalize and execute the construction contract. Engineering Manager
Council Meeting Minutes:01-07-2020 Page 1 of 3
Approved by Council:01-14-2020
Mantz explained about the project as noted in the January 7, 2020 Request for Council Action form, and
said that staff recommends awarding this bid to William Winkler for all of the schedules except schedule
E. Mayor Wick invited public comment. Ms. Sherri Robinson, Spokane Valley: said she attended the park
meetings and thinks this improvement will be great and perhaps even lend itself to expanding the farmers
market area. Ms. Wilma Koski, Spokane Valley: stated that she would like the area to have full handicap
access and feels that Spokane Valley is lacking in handicap access. Mr. Stone said that accessibility is a
key focus for this space and everything will be designed to be ADA (Americans with Disability Act)
accessible. Councilmember Hattenburg said he spoke with Mr. Stone last summer and is aware of and
supports this project. Vote by acclamation: in fervor: unanimous. Opposed: none. Motion carried.
PUBLIC COMMENTS Mayor Wick invited general public comments.
Mr. John Harding, Spokane Valley: spoke about his concern with safety issues and suggested Council look
up resiliency and the concept of being pro-active;he mentioned the fires in Australia and said they are quite
likely terrorist caused; said we have numerous Iocations in this state where we have terrorists;and there are
billions of federal funds available for grants to address safety issues.
Mr. Grant Rodkey, Spokane Valley: voiced his appreciation for the roads being taken care of; said he
appreciates the City leadership having value on that issue,as well as being fiscally sound with their budget,
which he said results in us having a high bond rating; said he hopes to maintain that and not become like
the City of Spokane where they have squandered the taxpayer's money and spent million on things that
aren't needed,which he said is why their roads are not in good condition.
Mr.Jeff Beaulac, Spokane Valley: said he is pleased with the new leadership and excited to see the changes
that will be coming forward.
NON-ACTION ITEMS:
3.New Employee Quarterly Report—John Whitehead
Mr.Whitehead said that we have had two new employees over this last quarter,and that each new employee
takes the place of an employee who left the City's employ, so there are no additional employees.
4. Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)2020 Amendment—Adam Jackson
Mr. Jackson explained about the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and of our need for a 2020
amendment, as noted in his Request for Council Action. Mr.Jackson also noted that this issue will be back
before Council in two weeks for a public hearing as well as a proposed resolution to consider adopting the
TIP amendment. There were no objections to moving forward as noted.
5. Valley Mission Park,Horse Arena—Mike Stone
Parks and Recreation Director Stone explained about the proposal to remove the horse arena as noted on
his Request for Council Action form; said he feels people stopped using the horse arena for various reasons,
some aged-out of the activity, and some found other locations that suited their needs; and he added that
there have been no rentals for the last six years. Councilmember Woodard asked how much total space is
involved,and Mr. Stone estimated there is an acre;he said that area could be used perhaps for a combination
of skates and bikes,and said he is looking forward to going through the process with the citizens.A question
arose about insurance and Mr. Calhoun said our insurance carrier is WCIA and such a small area would not
have an impact on premiums, whether we kept the area as is or not. There were no objections to moving
forward as requested.
6. Advance Agenda—Mayor
There were no suggested changes to the Advance Agenda.
7. Department Monthly Reports
The Department monthly reports were for information only and were not reported or discussed.
Council Meeting Minutes:01-07-2020 Page 2 of 3
Approved by Council:01-14-2020
8. Council Check-in—Mayor
Councilmember Thompson said she has been asked to be on the Federal Priorities Committee and that they
are looking at the federal agenda for AWC(Association of Washington Cities)to make sure they align with
NLC (National League of Cities) as well; said they discuss among other things, infrastructure, investing in
safe communities, and affordable housing and said she thinks we have good leadership. Councilmember
Haley said she was appointed to the nomination committee for AWC; that they meet in Olympia on
Tuesdays so there will likely be some Tuesday night council meetings that she will miss.
9. City Manager Comments—Mark Calhoun
City Manager Calhoun said he learned that Councilmember Thompson has been re-appointed to the NLC
2020 public safety and crime prevention committee which serves us as well as the entire state; said he was
informed by Moody's that they have reaffirmed our high bond rating;that we have a healthy fund balance,
low debt, and there is a strong economy, and Mr. Calhoun extended congratulations to all.
It was moved by Councilmember Thompson, seconded and unanimously agreed to adjourn. The meeting
adjourned at 6:36 p.m.
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ATTES . Ben Wick,Mayor
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Christine Bainbridge, City Clerk
Council Meeting Minutes:01-07-2020 Page 3 of 3
Approved by Council:01-14-2020