2020, 03-31 Study Session MINUTES
City of Spokane Valley
City Council Regular Meeting
Study Session Format
Tuesday, March 31, 2020
Mayor Wick called the meeting to order at 6 pm. The meeting was held in City Hall with Council and staff
participating via ZOOM.
Ben Wick, Mayor Mark Calhoun City Manager
Brandi Peetz, Deputy Mayor John Hohman,Deputy City Manager
Pam Haley, Councilmember Cary Driskell, City Attorney
Tim Hattenburg, Councilmember Erik Lamb,Deputy City Attorney
Rod Higgins, Councilmember Mike Stone, Parks&Rec Director
Linda Thompson, Councilmember Mark Werner,Police Chief
Arne Woodard, Councilmember Bill Helbig, Senior Engineer
Jenny Nickerson, Building Official
John Whitehead, Human Resources Manager
Carrie Koudelka, Deputy City Clerk
ROLL CALL: Deputy City Clerk Koudelka called the roll; all Councilmembers were present.
APPROVAL OF AMENDED AGENDA: It was moved by Deputy Mayor Peetz, seconded and
unanimously agreed to approve the amended agenda.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: Pending Litigation [RCW 42.30.110(1)(1)]
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Peetz, seconded and unanimously agreed to adjourn into executive session
for approximately 15 minutes to discuss pending litigation and that no action will be taken upon return to
open session. Council adjourned into executive session at 6:05 p.m. At 6:11 p.m. Mayor Wick declared
Council out of executive session.
ACTION ITEMS:
I. Proposed Resolution 20-004, Surplus Equipment--Chelsie Taylor
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Peetz and seconded to approve Resolution 20-004 declaring as surplus,
certain personal property of the City. Finance Director Taylor explained the procedures for declaring items
surplus,which is set out in the City's Code;and that if approved,the Resolution authorizes the City Manager
to dispose of the listed items. Ms. Taylor mentioned there was earlier discussion about the possibility of
disposing of some lumber from the horse arena that was removed, but staff found that was not possible.
There were no public comments. Vote by acclamation: in favor: unanimous. Opposed: none. Motion
carried.
This item was previously removed from the agenda.
3.Motion Consideration: Spokane Valley Partners Contract—Cary Driskell
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Peetz and seconded to authorize the City Manager to.finalize and execute
the grant finding agreement with Spokane Valley Partners to provide emergency finding relating to
emergency assistance to City residents in need. City Attorney Driskell said that we were approached by the
Spokane Valley Partners to see if we could provide some assistance to their clientele due to the impacts of
COVID-19; said the term of the contract would run through the end of August,that an initial installment to
them would be $25,000 with any additional installments to be in a similar amount, up to a maximum of
$50,000; and that the funds would come from the General Fund 001; he also noted these funds would need
Council Meeting Minutes:03-31-2020 Page 1 of 4
Approved by Council:04-14-2020
to be included in a budget amendment since they were not in the originally approved 2020 budget. Mr.
Driskell also noted that the Partners would supply monthly reports to the City regarding specifically how
the money is being spent. There were no public comments. Vote by acclamation: in favor: unanimous.
Opposed: none. Motion carried.
4. Motion Consideration: Bid Award,Adams Sidewalk Project—Bill Helbig
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Peetz and seconded to award the Adams Road Sidewalk Project CIP#0291
to William Winkler Company in the amount of$334,541.65 including applicable sales tax, and authorize
the City Manager to finalize and execute the contract pending TIB approval. City Engineer Helbig gave a
brief explanation of the project and accompanying bids. There were no public comments. Vote by
acclamation: in favor: unanimous. Opposed: none. Motion carried.
5. Motion Consideration: Bid Award,Ella/Conklin Project—Bill Helbig
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Peetz and seconded to award the Ella and Conklin Road Sidewalk Projects
CIP #0302 and 0303 to National Native American Construction, Inc., in the combined total amount of
$452,008.00 and authorize the City Manager to ,finalize and execute the construction contract. City
Engineer HeIbig gave a brief explanation of the project and accompanying bids. There were no public
comments. Vote by acclamation: in favor: unanimous. Opposed: none. Motion carried.
6. Motion Consideration: Bid Award, Sullivan Road ITS Project—Bill Helbig
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Peetz and seconded to award the N Sullivan ITS Project UP #0259 to
Power City Electric in the amount of$729,981.50 plus applicable sales tax, and authorize the City Manager
to finalize and execute the construction contract. City Engineer Helbig gave a brief explanation of the
project and accompanying bids. There were no public comments. Vote by acclamation: in favor:
unanimous. Opposed: none. Motion carried.
7. Motion Consideration: Bid Award, Barker/BNSF Grade Separation Project Avista Utility Construction
Agreement—Bill Helbig
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Peetz and seconded, to authorize the City Manager to finalize and execute
the Utility Construction Agreement with Avista Corporation with a contract amount not to exceed
$748,992.63. City Engineer Helbig gave a brief explanation of the project, and after brief Council
discussion,it was noted there are no public comments. Vote by acclamation:in favor: unanimous. Opposed:
none. Motion carried.
NON-ACTION ITEMS:
8. Street Vacation 2019-0005—Lori Barlow
City Engineer Helbig, standing in for Senior Planner Barlow, explained that this street vacation was
proposed by the developer back in October; he said the Planning Commission held a public hearing. Mr.
Helbig went through the PowerPoint and referenced the Commission's Findings and Recommendation, as
well the minutes which were all part of tonight's Council agenda packet. Mr. Helbig noted the
Commission's recommendation is to approve with the conditions that staff amend the proposal to vacate a
portion of 13t'' Avenue, the alleyway between 12th and 13th Avenue, and Chronicle Road; and that the 12th
Avenue right-of-way should be retained to support future high density development of the multifamily
properties immediately to the north. Mr. Helbig also mentioned an easement and dedication would be
required. There was Council consensus to move forward as recommended.
9. Washington State Dept. of Transportation Property Acquisition: Flora Road—Cary Driskell
City Attorney Driskell said that when this issue was presented to Council at the March 17 meeting, which
was also at the start of the increased effects of the pandemic, Council asked him to check with the
Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) about putting this property acquisition on hold
for six months; he said he did that and WSDOT said they feel the property would likely be okay for six
Council Meeting Minutes:03-31-2020 Page 2 of 4
Approved by Council:04-14-2020
months without them selling to a third party.Mr. Driskell also noted in connection with the RCO recreation
Conservation Office grant application due May 1,there should be consideration of what impact putting this
on hold might have on that grant application.There was discussion about the possible effects of waiting,
with Mr. Driskell expressing his concern that if we waited six months, he feels we would be less likely to
be awarded the grant; and City Manager Calhoun added that if we do wait six months and pass on the 2020
grant cycle, we could apply for reimbursement in the 2022 grant cycle. City Attorney Driskell asked for
Council direction.
Discussion included mention by Mr. Stone that we could still apply for the grant and purchase the property
later and that he would like to continue working with WSDOT.There was a suggestion by Councilmember
Thompson to wait six months and also maybe hold off on some of the improvements for Balfour;A question
arose from Councilmember Higgins about the state still being in a position to award the grant with Mr.
Driskell confirming that the state is; there was mention from Councilmember Hattenburg that even if we
bought the property, it would be an investment for the future and could be sold if necessary; and comment
from Councihnember Haley about this year's lack of funding due to low tax revenues. Mayor Wick asked
about the six month hold and Mr.Driskell explained that would be an informal agreement and not a contract.
Deputy Mayor Peetz added that she hopes Council is not making decisions based on fear as there were
overwhelming comments from citizens about the need for park property; and that she would like to move
forward as she feels the citizens want some normalcy from Council. Councilmember Haley remarked that
we are not making decisions based on fear, but from a practical standpoint.
Finance Director Taylor spoke about the general fund summary information in the packet,and that revenue
figures are very optimistic, but we will know in future months how that might look; and she noted the
worksheet concerning the upcoming and pending projects.Mayor Wick stated that he thinks everyone wants
to continue this, but said he doesn't want to wait six months as he feels the state could change their mind
if they need cash, and as a result we could lose the property; said he is not opposed to a small delay but not
for six months. Finance Director Taylor said she feels two months is a good time period as if we wait for
just one month,we won't know much about revenue changes. City Manager Calhoun said that by the end
of May, we will know how much the month of March was impacted by the pandemic; and said that City
Attorney Driskell can keep in contact with WSDOT and if needed, can report back sooner; and he
recommended applying in 2020 and 2022. Mr. Stone said that staff has put a lot of work into the grant and
he would like to move forward. There was Council consensus to move this forward and have staff report
back in two months.
10. Proposed Resolution Delegating Authority—Cary Driskell
City Attorney Driskell explained about the limitations of the City's Resolution from 2008 regarding
granting authority to the City Manager regarding real property acquisition in conjunction with capital and
other development projects; and that this proposed resolution will minimize the amount of time Council
has to spend on very routine items; he mentioned the threshold of this authority is proposed to be set at
$100,000 for any one parcel or connected parcels; but that as staff has done in the past, staff will keep
Council appraised of high level project status reports as they occur. After brief discussion about the dollar
amount threshold, it was agreed that staff will bring this forward at an upcoming meeting for Council to
consider approval of the draft resolution.
11. End of Legislative Session Wrap-Up—Lobbyist Briahna Murray
Gordon Thomas Honeywell Governmental Affairs Lobbyist Ms. Murray went through her PowerPoint
giving an overview of the 2020 legislative session,including a summary of the state's supplemental budget,
and of Spokane Valley's priorities and of the progress made on each item on the City's legislative agenda.
12. Advance Agenda—Mayor Wick
There were no suggestions for changes to the Advance Agenda.
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Approved by Council:04-14-2020
13. Council Check in—Mayor Wick
Deputy Mayor Peetz mentioned she attended a meeting and that the health site at the Fairgrounds will be
re-opening soon and that they received more supplies. Mayor Wick mentioned the likelihood of future
conversations about an alternative care facility at the fairgrounds, but that he is unsure how those funds will
come together.
14. City Manager Comments—Mark Calhoun
City Manager Calhoun said that there were lots of moving parts to set up this type of meeting tonight, and
that staff worked hard to get this going and functional;he noted the virus will have a significant impact on
the economy and hence on our revenues, but our budget is healthy; he noted the awarded projects at the
beginning of tonight's meeting and that those projects will help keep people in our community employed.
He also noted that Mr.Driskell reminded him that tonight is the 17'x'anniversary of the City's incorporation.
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Peetz, seconded and unanimously agreed to adjourn. The meeting
adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
4LJJ
Ai Wick, Mayor
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Council Meeting Minutes:03-31-2020 Page 4 of 4
Approved by Council:04-14-2020