2020, 07-21 Study Session MINUTES
City of Spokane Valley
City Council Regular Meeting
Study Session Format
Tuesday, July 21, 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 Holtman, Deputy City Manager
Pam Haley, Councilmember Cary Driskell, City Attorney
Tim Hattenburg, Councilmember Mike Stone, Parks &Rec Director
Rod Higgins, Councilmember Erik Lamb,Deputy City Attorney
Linda Thompson, Councilmember Chelsie Taylor,Finance Director
Arne Woodard, Councilmember Bill Helbig,City Engineer
Morgan Koudelka, Sr. Admin. Analyst
Christine Bainbridge, City Clerk
ROLL CALL City Clerk Bainbridge called the roll; all Councilmembers were present.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA: It was moved by Councilmember Hattenburg, seconded and unanimously
agreed to approve the agenda.
ACTION ITEM:
I. Resolution 20-011 Declaring Horse Arena Property Surplus—Chelsie Taylor, Erik Lamb
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Peetz and seconded to approve Resolution 20-011 declaring the property
known as Spokane County parcel number 45291.9003 surplus to the needs of the City and authorize the
City Manager to dispose of the property pursuant to SVMC 3.49.020. City Attorney Driskell gave a brief
re-cap of the property and stated that we can't find suitable municipal use for that property. There were no
public comments. Vote by acclamation: in favor: unanimous. Opposed: none. Motion carried.
NON-ACTION ITEM:
2. Washington State Department of Commerce Shelter Program Grant—Morgan Koudelka,John Hohman,
Erik Lamb
Mr. Koudelka started by explaining that a few weeks ago, Council heard a discussion about a$2.7 million
grant that we and the City of Spokane and Spokane County were jointly going to apply for from the
Department of Commerce, that the purpose of the funds was to acquire and operate a young adult shelter
for homeless individuals ages 18 through 24; he said tonight is another opportunity to comment regarding
the use of the funds before we sign on to the joint application; said he wanted to provide some additional
clarification regarding the specifics of the use of the funds.Mr.Kundela explained that originally all funds
were being considered to operate a young adult shelter but other options have been identified for acquisition
and remodel, such as use of COVID-related funds, and of the idea of finding a facility for the interim; he
said there is a short timeline with the grant in that there must be beds built by December 1 of this year,
which he said is going to be difficult to accomplish.Mr. Koudelka said that yesterday the Board of County
Commissioners agreed to provide $2 million for acquisition and remodel of the former housing authority
building off of Division for the remodel costs associated with the Cannon Street facility; and that they
thought that once the use of the arena for COVID-related sheltering ends August 13,that those folks would
be moved to the Mission Avenue facility; and if that was no longer needed, that facility could transition
into the Bridge shelter for adults, which he said was discussed previously and is a separate use from
tonight's conversation. With that being said,Mr.Koudelka said there is now a need to find a facility for the
Council Meeting Minutes:07-21-2020 Page L of 3
Approved by Council:08-25-2020
young adult shelter; he said the application in the packet has been revised to include some funding for
capital purposes with $430,000 identified to be used for capital funding, which per the grant guidelines,
includes up to $10,000 per bed. Mr.Koudelka further explained about the operating fund, and said that the
City of Spokane would be the only entity with staff knowledgeable enough and have the expertise to serve
as the lead applicant for the grant for the young adult shelter.Mr. Koudelka added that the deadline to apply
for the grant was extended to the end of this month.
Mr. Hohman went through the major points of the July 16, 2020 Memorandum from Ms. Nickerson and
Mr. Basinger which outlines the three primary components to siting and operating a youth adult shelter;
that of zoning compliance,project permitting, and building modifications; said while we all recognize the
importance of having a facility, the existing requirements we have to meet in our code means the only
allowed zone is Multi-Family Residential; and it would be allowed only by going through the conditional
use permit process,which he said is conducted before the Hearing Examiner; said this would be much like
a normal subdivision process which includes noticing requirements, review time,hearing, appeal, etc., and
that the quickest time would be about 18 weeks; said the issue is to locate a facility but those conversations
have not been held in the community. Mr. Hohman also noted we could look at the code text amendment
process and at the comp plan, but those modifications take a long time and include such things as SEPA
(State Environmental Protection Act) review and public notice, and is a longer process of about 22 weeks.
Lengthy discussion included the conditional use permit process, which would also be about 18 weeks just
to get on the Hearing Examiner's schedule;possible locations near community colleges,bus lines and other
services;the idea of putting youth in hotel rooms which it was mentioned, didn't seem prudent or plausible
since it wouldn't be a normal short-time hotel stay; and that this is a complicated and confusing process
and that the bottom line is, we don't want young adults homeless as we move into winter, and it is likely
that COVID will still be here. Mr. Koudelka also mentioned that Spokane was using a realtor to search
throughout the entire county for a location, but that properties are hard to come by and we need to establish
parameters for this shelter. It was also noted that if a hotel was used as a temporary shelter, it would have
to meet zoning criteria. Deputy City Attorney Lamb said there may be some flexibility when it comes to
hotels as a temporary shelter, and that perhaps an entity could provide a voucher, but he added it would be
a challenge. Mayor Wick said there will be opportunities for further discussion as everyone wants to find
a way to make this work. Mr.Koudelka said that the City of Spokane and Spokane County are listening to
us now;that this is great dialogue and that this helps him go back and work with staff and other jurisdictions
as everyone works to figure out a way to make this work and that moving forward, we will sign the joint
application; and said the terms of the grant require the facility to be full scale by December 1; he also noted
that starting with ten hotel rooms and working up to 43 beds would be a problem, and that he and others
will continue to explore all options.
3. Splashdown Contract Amendment—Mike Stone, Cary Driskell
Parks &Recreation Director Stone explained that our current lease with Splashdown requires them to pay
the City$15,000 in three payments of$5,000 each through the summer, and to maintain liability coverage
for any claims that may be made; however,with the COVID situation, Splashdown is not going to open so
they will not generate any revenue. Mr. Stone said he checked with the City's insurance carrier,WCIA who
indicated that the Splashdown facility could be covered by the City's pool coverage provided it remained
closed, and posted with appropriate "No Trespassing" signs, which Mr. Stone said has been done.
Councilmember Thompson asked if the owners of Splashdown tried to take advantage of any of the COVID
relief funds and Mr. Driskell said he hasn't talked to them about any of those efforts; he said we consider
the facility very important to our families and this is an unusual and unique position; said this waiver of
fees and insurance would be at no cost to us, and is our attempt to help the situation. There was Council
consensus to place an amended lease agreement on the next Council Consent Agenda.
Council Meeting Minutes:07-21-2020 Page 2 of 3
Approved by Council:08-25-2020
4. Advance Agenda—Mayor Wick
Councilmember Thompson mentioned CDBG(Community Development Block Grant)funds,and the idea
of looking at the process and investing in resources in becoming our own entitlement city. Mayor Wick
said our current situation is good for three more years, and that this is perhaps something which can be
addressed during the budget retreat. Mr. Calhoun said he and staff are in the process of putting together
the budget workshop materials, and this was a topic he was going to initiate with Council as part of the
budget workshop, including the use of HB 1406 funds. Councilmembers agreed.
5. Council Check-in Mayor Wick
Councilmember Hattenburg mentioned the positive way an officer checked on a homeless person who
seemed to be loitering on a bench near a business,and how nice it is to hear such positive outcomes.
6. City Manager Comments-Mark Calhoun
City Manager Calhoun reminded everyone of the upcoming August 4 budget workshop for the 2021 budget;
said it will be an all-day workshop beginning at 8:30 a.m. and going to about 2:30 p.m.; that it will be done
in the familiar Zoom format, the public will be able to watch, but there will be no public comments;
however, he said there will be three public hearings on the 2021 budget as we move through the process.
He also noted the regular evening August 4 council meeting has been cancelled.
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Peetz, seconded and unanimously agreed to adjourn. The meeting
adjourned at 7:04 p.m.
(11
ATTES : Ben Wick,Mayor
istine Bainbridge, City Clerk
Council Meeting Minutes:07-21-2020 Page 3 of 3
Approved by Council:08-25-2020