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2021, 03-16 Study Session MINUTES City of Spokane Valley City Council Study Session Meeting Tuesday, March 16,2021 Mayor Wick called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. The meeting was held remotely via Zoom meeting. Attendance: Councilmembers Staff 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 Chelsie Taylor, Finance Director Linda Thompson, Councilmember John Bottelli, Parks and Recreation Director Arne Woodard, Councilmember Bill Helbig, City Engineer Gloria Mantz,Engineering Manager Jerremy Clark, Sr. Traffic Engineer Christine Bainbridge, City CIerk 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. Mayor Wick announced that out of respect for the City's, Washington D.C. Lobbyist Mr. Bennett Resnik with Cardinal Infrastructure who is on the East Coast,this item will be taken up first. 3. Federal Legislative Update—Mark Calhoun, John Hohman City Manager Calhoun said our federal legislative agenda was last updated March 2020; mentioned the upcoming GSI (Greater Spokane, Inc.) virtual fly-in and that we want to be prepared for those Councilmembers who want to participate; that tonight Mr. Hohman will be talking about a variety of familiar capital projects proposed to include in this federal agenda. Deputy City Manager Holunan said we have included several capital projects and policy items on previous federal agendas, and that the policy items were included to streamline the federal process in the implementation of the projects; he noted we are looking for Cardinal to schedule some one-on-one discussions;that we are also working with GSI and are looking to have our information to them to include in their own information when they do the Washington, D.C. fly-in.Mr. Hohman explained that tonight he feels it would be prudent to go back to the five projects for community solicitation as noted on the RCA and selected by Council. He also mentioned that we feel there will be changes coming with the new administration,but that doesn't mean Council shouldn't look at other items they might want to add and then work to lobby for those projects; and that Council can talk through any additions then Mr. Resnik can weigh-in to help share those items to move forward with our delegation. Councilmember Thompson said she likes the idea of showing support for the railroad crossing program and having a statement of policy and acknowledge that our congressional delegation is working on that. Councilmember Woodard said he agrees about encouraging these projects, including the Sullivan/Trent railroad crossing; said we have thee of the top nineteen grade crossings in the state so it's nice to have the acknowledgement that we have a serious issue that needs to be taken care of; he also mentioned the need Council Meeting Minutes, Study Session:03-16-2021 Page 1 of 3 Approved by Council: 04-13-2021 to clarify the $22.3 million and of the need to finish sewering some areas of the city, especially if we can help the homeowners. Mayor Wick said that having the dedicated funding source for the grade separation project will benefit us and that it would be good to help advocate for that. Mr.Resnik said there have been overall significant differences to the political Iandscape from that of last years and of the idea of updating the federal agenda to reflect these new political realities; he mentioned our support for Senator Cantwell's efforts to provide additional funding for grade separation projects, and that we support additional funding to the FRA (Federal Railroad Administration) on their marketing campaigns to help community safety policies as they cross at the grade. There was also some discussion about including the corridor realignment where two major railroads will align into one corridor. Councilmember Higgins said that the congressional delegation has represented us well and perhaps a letter from the Mayor to outline these in detail might serve us better.Mr.Hohman said we have a one-page description but that can be modified.Mayor Wick suggested the idea of explaining why these two top policies considerations are included. Councilmember Thompson said she like having a more detailed explanation from the Mayor and stating that we stand ready to bring more data to include the impact of what's happening in our city. Deputy Mayor Peetz said she also agrees with these suggestions as did Councilmember Hattenburg and Councilmember Haley; Councilmember Woodard added that he likes what Mr. Resnik added about the press-release announcement in support as we need those public service announcements. Mr. Calhoun said staff will try to bring something to Council by next week for a motion consideration. Mr. Resnik also spoke about the American Rescue Plan and eligibility and that he awaits the Department of Treasury to provide guidelines on how funding will be issued; he mentioned the three areas of water, sewer and broadband, that they won't make a leap to apply it to other infrastructure investments although the Department of Treasury has some flexibility. There was also some discussion on defining water, with Mr. Resnik adding that he feels the River Loop Trail won't be included, but we need to wait and see how that is defined; and one he has a comprehensive definition of water, he will send that to Mr. Calhoun and Mr. Hohman in order to develop guidelines and avoid ambiguity. Mr. Hohman also noted staff will bring back more information as soon as possible. Council and staff thanked Mr. Resnik for joining the meeting tonight. 1. 2021 Construction Projects Update Bill Helbig, Gloria Mantz After City Engineer Helbig explained that this agenda item is an opportunity for Council to receive an update on the 2021 construction projects, Engineering Manager Mantz went through the PowerPoint explaining the Barker Road corridor projects, intersection improvement projects, pavement preservation projects,pedestrian improvement projects,stormwater improvement projects,bridge maintenance projects, safety projects, and park projects. 2. Parking Evaluations—Bill Helbig,Jerremy Clark City Engineer Helbig explained that tonight's presentation is an extension of the presentation given to Council February 16; he mentioned the methods used to bring attention to a parking request, as well as some of the more typical concerns such as parked cars blocking a driveway or infringing upon private property. Traffic Engineering Manager Clark then went through the remaining PowerPoint slides and discussed current evaluations on three specific areas: (1) Conklin Road Valleyway to Broadway, (2) 4th Avenue west of Thierman, and (3) Jackson Avenue west of Wilbur. Regarding Conklin Road, Mr. Clark mentioned that the City received a letter that stated the multifamily development in that area has resulted in on-street parking; he mentioned the authority of a traffic engineer per the State's WAC, and that given the paved width,parking restrictions by the Traffic Engineer may only be placed on one side of the roadway, and a review of crash history shows no crashes on this section of Conklin Road in the past five years. He also noted that based on site visits and evaluation, there is no operational or safety need for parking restrictions along Conklin Road in this area, adding that he is not planning on putting no parking signs on Conklin. Concerning 4th Avenue west of Thierman, he said there was a citizen complaint of someone parking adjacent to the sidewalk causing obstructions to traffic; and that after multiple field visits,vehicles Council Meeting Minutes, Study Session: 03-16-2021 Page 2 of 3 Approved by Council: 04-13-2021 were observed parked adjacent to the north curb and they did cause an obstruction to traffic. Mr. Clark explained that a review of crash history shows that one of the three crashes was caused by a vehicle parked on 4'h' Avenue. He also noted there have been reported concerns regarding parked cars when the City performs winter maintenance on 4th Avenue. Per the information noted on slide 10, Mr. CIark said a proposed solution is to install no parking signs on both directions of 4`li Avenue. Regarding Jackson Avenue west of Wilbur, Mr. Clark noted we have received complaints of junk vehicles and of extended parking along both sides of the signed no-parking zone. Of note, he said that although there is no operational or safety need for a no-parking zone in this area, it is codified in Spokane County's Code and no parking signage has been maintained on both sides of Jackson Avenue. Council and staff discussion included people placing their own no parking signs and questioning the reasons for doing that; cars belonging to people in apartment complexes are parking along the street, but that the City right-of-way on Conklin for example, accommodates on-street parking. Further discussion included people parking on other people's lawn, and that other than parking based on required spaces within the complex based on a particular complex,that we do not have parking requirements for apartment complexes for such things as street parking.It was mentioned that some apartment complexes charge for an apartment if a parking garage is included,which motivates some people not to accept those garages and instead, park on the streets.Councilmember Woodard stated that around 2016,the idea was to create an incentive to have apartments along bus routes and it would be interesting to see if that did create an incentive. There was also Council discussion about safety issues and no-parking signs;whether an apartment complex owner has responsibility to enforce code enforcement issues such as junk vehicles and whose responsibility is it to do something about parking on private property.Mr. Driskell said staff could examine development standards regarding parking;and he also cautioned Council as per training from WCIA(Washington Cities Insurance Authority),to avoid political engineering, and instead listen to the traffic engineer and our other professionals.Mr. Clark said he is not proposing any no-parking zones and currently there is nothing in our code on no-parking zones. There was Council consensus to place the issue of parking on the advance agenda. 4. Advance Agenda—Mayor Wick There were no suggested changes to the advance agenda other than the previously mentioned parking topic, 5. Council Comments—Mayor Wick Councilmember Thompson extended thanks for the Department of Health's excellent job getting out information regarding vaccines. 6. City Manager Comments--Mark Calhoun Mr. Calhoun had no additional comments. It was moved by Councilmember Woodard, seconded and unanimously agreed to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 7:38 p.m. A .• f � Ben Wick, Mayor ` rd ristine Bainbridge, City Cl Council Meeting Minutes, Study Session: 03-16-2021 Page 3 of 3 Approved by Council: 04-13-2021