2020, 05-05 Styudy Session MINUTES
City of Spokane Valley
City Council Regular Meeting
Study Session Format
Tuesday,May 5, 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 Chelsie Taylor, Finance Director
Arne Woodard, Councilmember Bill Helbig, City Engineer
Morgan Koudelka, Sr.Administrative Analyst
Christine Bainbridge, City Clerk
ROLL CALL: City Clerk Bainbridge called the roll; all Councilmembers were present.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA: It was moved by Deputy Mayor Peetz, seconded and unanimously agreed
to approve the agenda.
ACTION ITEMS:
1. Motion Consideration: Pines Road Grade Separation Project,Final Engineering Design Contract—Bill
Helbig
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Peetz and seconded to authorize the City Manager to finalize and execute
the contract with HDR in an amount not to exceed$2,062,269.14 for the Pines Road/BNSF Grade
Separation Project Phase II. City Engineer Helbig gave an explanation of the project and design as noted
on his Request for Council Action form. He also noted that we received two submittals for contract and
HDR was selected as the most responsive and qualified to help us through this next phase;he noted the
plan requires WSDOT approval as well and that we hope to have the plan submitted to WSDOT this fall.
It was noted there were no public comments. Vote by acclamation: in favor: unanimous. Opposed. none.
Motion carried.
NON-ACTION ITEMS:
2. Six-Year Proposed Transportation Improvement Program—Adam Jackson
After Mr.Jackson gave a brief background explanation on this process,he noted there are 68 total projects,
and as shown on his PowerPoint, they are divided according to categories: closeout projects; bridge and
grade separation projects; intersection improvement projects; the large list of reconstruction/preservation
projects; Citywide projects; and sidewalk, trail and stonnwater projects. After briefly going through the
projects, he noted this will come back to Council May 26 with a formalized document and resolution, as
well as a public hearing. There were no objections to proceeding as noted.
3. Lodging Tax Advisory Committee Update--Chelsie Taylor, Erik Lamb
Finance Director Taylor explained that this is a follow-up discussion stemming from questions that came
up during the April 7 Council meeting relative to COVID-19 and outstanding Lodging Tax awards; that
Council has asked staff to contact all award recipients to see if they were going to go forward with their
specified activities; she said staff contacted all recipients and only Crave NW and Oktoberfest will not be
held,adding that there will be ample funds to fully fund the remaining grant recipients for 2020 but possibly
Council Meeting Minutes:05-05-2020 Page 1 of 3
Approved by Council:05-12-2020
not enough funds to transfer the $450,000 to Fund #104. Mr. Lamb sated that there is no action needed
from Council tonight unless Council wants to do other than what was already awarded. There was some
discussion about funds relative to NW Winterfest and whether that activity would actually occur, and Ms.
Taylor said the funding is based on reimbursement of costs, and some of the award was for marketing the
event; she noted staff will keep Council updated on these issues if things change. There were no objection
to fully fund the grantees and to transfer any additional 2020 lodging tax collections to Fund#104.
4. Commute Trip Reduction Five-Year Plan Update—Morgan Koudelka
Senior Administrative Analyst Koudelka explained the background of the Commute Trip Reduction Plan
as noted in his Request for Council Action form;said this plan sets goals for all employers in our jurisdiction
for the next five years; it allows us to demonstrate how we have incorporated items form the state CTR
plans and goals into our planned documents such as our TIP (Transportation Improvement Program) and
Comprehensive Plan; said the goals for this time include reduction of vehicle miles and greenhouse gas
emissions by 13%; and a 6% increase of commute alternatives; said they apply to all effective employers,
and he explained that this law designates that all organizations in specified counties that employ 100 or
more employees, are required to participate in the CTR program. Mayor Wick asked who comes up with
the goals and Mr.Koudelka explained that a state CTR Board starts by getting together every few years and
reviewing funding from state legislature,and then tries to establish achievable goals;he said the 6%matches
the previous plan but the 13% reduction in miles travelled is reduced from 18% in the previous five-year
plan as they wanted to give more employers an opportunity to achieve that goal. There were no objections
to moving this forward to a motion for next week's Council meeting.
5. Commute Trip Reduction Interlocal Agreement—Morgan Koudelka
Mr. Koudelka explained that this agreement is for two years and expires June 30,2021;that it aligns with
the state budget cycle but each new agreement come out a few months after the previous cycle has ended,
adding that the County continues to provide services through the interim period so there is no gap of
services. He further noted that the agreement allows the Spokane County Commute Trip Reduction
department to retain the City's state-issued CTR funds in return for developing, implementing, and
administering CTR plans and ordinances for all affected employers within the City of Spokane Valley.
There were no objections to moving this forward to a motion for next week's Council meeting.
6.Advance Agenda—Mayor Wick
Councilmember Haley said she is uncomfortable not having public comment and that while receiving e-
mails is good, it would be nice to hear some of those comments at a meeting. Mr. Driskell said staff can
research that idea, adding that the OPMA (Open Public Meetings Act) stipulation was extended until the
end of May. There was general Council consensus in support of bringing back the general public comment
period.
7. Finance Monthly Report
This report was for information only and was not reported or discussed.
8. Council Check-in—Mayor
Councilmember Woodard announced that he would be out of the area next Tuesday and therefore will not
be in attendance at the May 12 meeting. City Manager Calhoun said that there is a possibility of cancelling
the May 19 meeting, but will let Council know for sure next week. Mayor Wick said he had been on a call
with the Governor's office encouraging him to look at hospitalization data, as the number of patients in
hospitals has typically been in single digits, and there is currently an estimated 20% patient availability in
hospitals and ICUs; said he asked the Governor's office to maybe look at those counties in connection with
that data with the idea of opening a little faster; Mayor Wick said the Governor seemed receptive to that
idea and is looking forward to hearing our proposal; he said he and others are trying to put together
something to move forward with Phase 2 opening; and there were no objections from Council.
Council Meeting Minutes:05-05-2020 Page 2 of 3
Approved by Council:05-12-2020
9. City Manager Comments—Mark Calhoun
Mr. Calhoun had no further comments.
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Peetz, seconded and unanimously agreed to adjourn. The meeting
adjourned at 6:48 p.m.
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Council Meeting Minutes:05-05-2020 Page 3 of 3
Approved by Council:05-12-2020