2021, 08-17 Study Session MINUTES
City of Spokane Valley
City Council Study Session Meeting
Tuesday, August 17, 2021
Mayor Wick called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. The meeting was held in person in Council Chambers,
and also remotely via Zoom meeting.
Attendance:
Councilmembers Staff
Ben Wick,Mayor Mark Calhoun, City Manager
Pam Haley, Councilmember John Hohman,Deputy City Manager
Tim Hattenburg Councilmember Bill Helbig, City Engineer
Rod Higgins, Councilmember John Bottelli, Parks, Rec &Facilities Director
Linda Thompson, Councilmember Erik Lamb, Deputy City Attorney
Arne Woodard, Councilmember Cary Driskell, City Attorney
Dave Ellis, Police Chief
Absent: Adam Jackson, Planning/Grants.Engineer
Brandi Peetz,Deputy Mayor Christine Bainbridge, City Clerk
ROLL CALL: City Clerk Bainbridge called the roll; all Councilmembers were present except Deputy
Mayor Peetz. It was moved by Councilmember Thompson, seconded and unanimously agreed to excuse
Deputy Mayor Peetz from the meeting.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA: It was moved by Councilmember Hattenburg, seconded and unanimously
agreed to approve the agenda.
ACTION ITEM:
1. Motion Consideration: Interlocal Agreement Fire District 8 Ponderosa Park Property—Cary Driskell
It was moved by Councilmember Haley and seconded to approve the Interlocal Agreement for Acquisition
of Real Estate with Fire District 8, and authorize the City Manager to finalize and execute any paperwork
necessary to accomplish the same. City Attorney DriskelI briefly went over the background of our property
purchase from Central Valley School District and of the Fire District's interest in purchase of a portion of
that property to construct a new fire station. Mr. Driskell stated that the draft interlocal would start the
process for the City to sell approximately three acres to the District. There were no public comments. Vote
by acclamation: in favor: unanimous. Opposed: none. Motion carried.
NON-ACTION ITEMS:
2.Balfour Park Design Update—John Bottelli,John Lohman
Parks, Recreation & Facilities Director Bottelli introduced Mr. Craig Andersen, Director of Landscape
Architecture with AHBL, Inc. In looking at how this project progressed, and to clear up any confusion
about where this project came from, Deputy City Manager Hohman provided some history of this project
as noted on his Request for Council Action, including that the project began about nine years ago; said the
Library District approached us in April 2012 and asked us to consider purchasing the property, which we
did in September of that year; he said the masterplan was approved December 2013; an ad hoc committee
was formed that ran from about the end of 2016 into January 2017, which met about eight times to discuss
how to move the library and the park forward, and at that time then Mayor Higgins and Deputy Mayor
Woodard were on that ad hoc committee.Mr.Bottelli then stated that the August 10 community workshop
was well attended with about 40 members of the public who were very much engaged; he mentioned that
AHBL has been working to formalize the Balfour Park Masterplan into a final design for final construction,
and that we are trying to get to 90% park design so we will be well positioned to go out for bids next year
Council Meeting Minutes, Study Session: 08-17-2021 Page 1 of 3
Approved by Council: 09-14-2021
for the initial phase of the project, which he added, will also set us up well for possible RCO (Recreation
and Conservation. Office) grant finding. Mr. Anderson then went through the PowerPoint presentation
talking about the workshop results, infrastructure budget, and park conceptual drawings. Council/staff
discussion included park features, amphitheater, budget, parking lot, playgrounds, splash pad, veterans
memorial area and statues,a covered STA bus shelter, and winter events such as a possible Christmas tree
lighting.
3. Complete Streets—Adam Jackson
Mr.Jackson said that parallel to elements included in the City's Comprehensive Plan,the Complete Streets
Grant Program encourages local governments to adopt street ordinances designed to provide safe access to
all users, and that through an adopted ordinance, which can be tailored to meet the needs of each
community, it would allow local governments the flexibility to deviate from standards to better provide
transportation facilities for users; and that such an ordinance would also serve as an eligibility tool for state
and federal funding programs such as grants,and said that this tool will maximize program's impact across
all transportation users. Mr. Jackson noted that the Community and Public Works Department already
considered complete streets best practices when developing capital improvements projects, but without an
adopted ordinance,we are not eligible for, and would not score as well when competing for state or federal
grants.
Council discussion included questions about traffic safety, cost, and flexibility, and Mr. Jackson explained
that there is no cost except for staff time,that elements of safety are included, and the ordinance can be as
strict or lenient as Council desires. There was unanimous Council consensus for staff to bring an ordinance
for Council consideration,at a future Council meeting.
4. State Legislative Impacts on Law Enforcement—Chief Ellis
Chief Elis went through his PowerPoint explaining about the changes in various new laws, including HB
(House Bill) 1054 regarding banning or restricting certain tactics such as use of certain equipment,
processes,types of restraints, and vehicle pursuits; HB 1310 regarding use of force; SB (Senate Bill) 5052
which establishes criteria for mandatory WSCJTC (Washington State Criminal Justice Training
Commission) De-certification of peace officers, including allegations of improper conduct, and requiring
personnel to consent to a review of an officer's personal social media accounts; HB 1267 which creates the
Office of Independent Investigations and requirements of that office; HB 1223 regarding recording of
custodial interrogations; HB 1140 concerning giving juvenile access to attorneys for consultation prior to a
juvenile waiving their rights; SB 5055 concerning grievance arbitration panels; SB 5259 regarding the
creation of a law enforcement use of force reporting system through the Attorney General's office; and SB
5476 in response to State v. Blake regarding controlled substances. Chief Ellis mentioned some additional
considerations include that there will be an increase in required training for all personnel, including
requiring additional reporting demands as well as additional staff for de-escalation tactics.
Council discussion included comments with these changes, people won't want to be in law enforcement
and that we run the risk of losing officers. Chief Ellis stated that he has enacted a $5,000 hiring bonus,
which will not affect the budget as it will be done through salary savings in vacant positions. There was
also discussion about concerns with law enforcement personnel's private social media accounts and how
that affects their personal rights. City Attorney Driskell mentioned that there are some elements of what
was passed that are subject to interpretation; and the question is how to train to these things; he also stated
that we are waiting for an Attorney General's opinion, and that he (Mr. Driskell) hasn't heard about any
special legislative sessions;but that the realization is that some bills have shown they have some unintended
consequences.
Council Meeting Minutes, Study Session: 08-17-2021 Page 2 of 3
Approved by Council: 09-14-202I
S. Council 2022 Budget Goals--Mark Calhoun
City Manager Calhoun explained the process and background of including Council goals into the annual
budget. After he went over each goal, Councilmember Thompson suggested changing #10 to read:
"Prioritize involvement in public safety,in particular discussions regarding major policy consideration from
the 2021 state legislative session and the jail and the criminal justice system, in order to maintain an
understanding of options to keep our costs under control." There were Council no objections to the
proposed change.
6. Advance Agenda—Mayor Wick
There were no suggested changes to the Advance Agenda.
7. Council Comments—Mayor Wick
There were no additional Council comments.
8. City Manager Comments—Mark Calhoun
Mr.Calhoun mentioned that City Clerk Bainbridge received word that the Council of Governments meeting
has been tentatively set for September 10,with more information to come in the near future.
It was moved by Councilmember Thompson, seconded and unanimously agreed to adjourn. The meeting
adjourned at 7:31 p.m.
AT Ben Wick, Mayor
hristine Bainbridge, City Clerk
Council Meeting Minutes, Study Session: 08-17-2021 Page 3 of 3
Approved by Council: 09-14-2021