Loading...
2021, 09-28 Formal Meeting MINUTES City of Spokane Valley City Council Regular Formal Meeting Tuesday, September 28,2021 Mayor Wick called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. The meeting was held in City Hall with Council, staff and some members of the public participating in person; and some members of the public participating 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 Chelsie Taylor, Finance Director Rod Higgins, Councilmember Chaz Bates, Senior Planner Linda Thompson, Councilmember Karen Kendall,Planner Gloria Mantz,Engineering Manager Absent: Christine Bainbridge, City Clerk Arne Woodard, Councilmember INVOCATION: Pastor Danny Shultz of Sun City Church gave the invocation. FLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Council, staff and the audience stood for the Pledge of Allegiance, ROLL CALL: City Clerk Bainbridge called the roll; all Councilmembers were present except Councilmember Woodard. It was moved by Councihnember Thompson, seconded and unanimously agreed to excuse Councilmember Woodard from tonight's meeting. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: It was moved by Deputy Mayor Peetz, seconded and unanimously agreed to approve the agenda. INTRODUCTION OF SPECIAL GUESTS AND PRESENTATIONS: Covid Status Update Mr.Greg Repetti,President Multicare Deaconess and Spokane Valley Hospitals,and Dr. David Chen,Chief Medical Officer for MultiCare Deaconess and Spokane Valley Hospitals gave a brief update on the status of the Covid-19 in our area.Mr. Repetti mentioned that for our region, about 92% of those in the hospitals in September are unvaccinated, and only 8%were vaccinated; said with all the hospitals in our country,the vaccines have had a huge impact on keeping people out of the hospital; said the Valley Hospital is starting to see a flattening off of previously very rapidly rising curve; they talked about number of patients in the hospitals and of the suspension of all elective and non-urgent surgeries at Valley Deaconess and Providence; but said they hope to be back to doing outpatient elective surgeries by October 1 I; said when people need surgery they want to be able to have that done, but the problem is staff is needed on the floor to augment the services needed, said it is overwhelming as people are working long hours and staff sees more patients die in a very short time period then they ever have, which he said is mentally straining. Mr. Repetti added that they are very strongly supportive of wearing masks in public and very strongly support the vaccine. Dr. Chen said that they feel it is their responsibility to continue to educate staff, public, family and friends of safe practice for prevention,which is wearing masks, getting vaccinated, and social distancing; and said people have often times admitted when they get the virus, they had Iet their guard down by not wearing masks or otherwise doing due diligence. Mr. Repetti stated that the data is their data; said he's been in the business for 40 years and has never been more frustrated as they can't help their team as much as they like to; said staff is dedicated and working hard and doing all they can and many are also frustrated when they see this data as they know the vaccine is available.Mr.Repetti stated that last week there were no ICU beds in Spokane for about ten days,so if there had been a major trauma they would have not had a bed available; Council Meeting Minutes,Formal: 09-28-2021 Page 1 of 4 Approved by Council: 10-12-2021 said they are opening spaces for in-patient care and they want the public to know that this is important. Mr. Repetti again mentioned that he worries about the long-term impact on the nursing teams and on their ability to continue to do their job; and that we are about to enter flu season, and said that is concerning and he is asking for the community's help. There was further discussion about the availability and short supply of Covid testing, and of hospital staffing. Mayor Wick said the City has ARPA funds to try to help mitigate Covid, and he asked if there is a current unmet need. Dr. Chen said they had a meeting today with their CEO and some of their doctors about what can be done; said the pandemic has caused a lot of emotional stress with all staff but in particular,the front- Iine staff; said people go into health care to get people get well and they are seeing morbidity and mortality like they have never seen; said there has been a lot of conversation about how to provide support as that is an area where they can make some progress. Deputy Mayor Peetz sked if funding is an issue, and Mr. Repetti said that funding of staff is always an issue; he said hospitals rely on surgical volume to help the losses they have on medical patients, and that for the first time in his more than eight years at Valley Hospital, they lost money in the month of August and will again lose money in September; said he isn't looking for a hand-out in that way; said they will get back; that the Valley Hospital has done well and has been able to reinvest in their organization; that Multi-Care is well financed; said he feels there are a lot of things that are more important in the public domain, whether that be education or supporting people with testing; said working on the mental health side is very important. Deputy Mayor Peetz explained that she was referring to testing, and if we could get more people tested. Mr. Repetti said for hospitals, what they really need now is just 'a big hug' as people as just tired, and they need to know they are appreciated by the community,and that appreciation gives them the stimulus to continue. Repetti said they probably have not been reflective enough of the damage in their ICU units where many patients pass;where there are five to eight patients on a vent and have two people die within twenty-four hours,all of which takes an emotional toll on nurses who really want to see their patients walk out of the ICU. Said they are looking for ways to give them an opportunity to re-charge; and that is one of the things they are talking about. COMMITTEE,BOARD,LIAISON SUMMARY REPORTS: Councilmember Thompson: reported that she listened to a Washington State Transportation Commission meeting discussing regional efforts;mentioned a great presentation from STA(Spokane Transit Authority) on challenges they had met, along with their innovations; went to SRTC's (Spokane Regional Transportation Council)2020 audit exit conference which indicated no deficiencies or findings;went to the State of the County; said the AWC (Association of Washington Cities) Board of Directors meeting talked about a lot of the legislative work going on preparing for the new year and looking at having to replace their retiring CEO. Councilmember Higgins: said he also attended the State of the County;went to a ribbon cutting at Bigelow Gulch which he said will be important to us once completed; attended the City's exit audit which was an extremely clean audit,and he extended congratulations to the City Manager and our Chief Financial Officer. Councilmember Haley: said she also attended the City's exit audit and she too extended congratulations to the City Manager and Finance Director, and said they always do an amazing job; attended the Continuum of Care Homeless Committee where they discussed the hardship of the City of Spokane with their shortage in their housing department; said there has been a 32% increase in rentals since January, adding that HUD used old data so their numbers are lower, and that there is no senior housing program in the County for homeless seniors, so they are researching that issue; mentioned the Bridge Shelter will be opening November 1st Councilmember Hattenburg: mentioned that STA ridership is up 4% compared to last year, and said there were 250 youth passes in Spokane Valley. Deputy Mayor Peetz: said she attended the Visit Spokane board meeting where our Parks & Rec Director Bottelli gave a great presentation about the trail concept; mentioned the Airport and our partnership with them; said Mayor Wick did a great job introducing SRTC at the transportation meeting; and said she also went to the Fairchild Air Force Base Refueling Wing take-off procedures. Council Meeting Minutes, Formal: 09-28-2021 Page 2 of 4 Approved by Council: 10-12-2021 MAYOR'S REPORT: Mayor Wick said he also attended the City's exit audit where our CARES and TIGER funds were audited with a clean audit and he extended congratulations to staff; said he attended the State of the County; went to the Bigelow Gulch ribbon cutting; said an all-mayor meeting was held at Fairchild Air Force Base where they heard about their housing and rent issues; went to the SRTC meeting and mentioned the approved interlocal agreement which now allows for tribal members on the board; said the Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board (FMSIB) met in Walla Walla there they heard about the ports of Seattle issues; said our Board of Health is working on their budget as they estimate they are facing a$3 million deficit. PROCLAMATIONS: Proclamations:Fire Prevention Week;Source Water Protection Week After Mayor Wick read the proclamation for Fire Prevention Week, it was received with thanks from Fire Commissioner Burch and Community Risk Reduction Specialist Caroline Kusher. Mayor Wick then read the Source Water Protection Week proclamation. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT OPPORTUNITY Ill: After explaining the process, Mayor Wick invited public comments. Mr. John Harding Spokane Valley: spoke of his strong opposition to mandated vaccines. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Consent Agenda: Consists of items considered routine which are approved as a group. Any member of Council may ask that an item be removed from the Consent Agenda to be considered separately. Proposed Motion:I move to approve the Consent Agenda. a.Approval of CIaim Vouchers on September 28,2021,Request for Council Action Form:$5,351,671.74 b. Approval of Payroll for Pay Period Ending September 15,2021: $404,697.29 c.Approval of Council Meeting Minutes of September 7,2021, Study Session Format d. Approval of Council Meeting Minutes of September 14,2021,Formal Format e.Approval of Council Meeting Minutes of September 21,2021,Study Session It was moved by Deputy Mayor Peetz, seconded and unanimously agreed to approve the Consent Agenda. 2. First Reading Ordinance 21-014 Adopting 2021 Comprehensive Plan Amendments—Chaz Bates After City Clerk Bainbridge read the ordinance title, it was moved by Deputy Mayor Peetz and seconded to advance Ordinance No. 21-014, Comprehensive Plan Amendments, to a second reading as proposed. Mr. Bates and Ms.Anderson went through his PowerPoint explaining the amendments.There were no questions from Council. Vote by acclamation: in favor: unanimous. Opposed: none. Motion carried. 3. First Reading Ordinance 21-015 Adopting 2021 Comprehensive Plan Zoning Map Amendments—Chaz Bates After City Clerk Bainbridge read the ordinance title, it was moved by Deputy Mayor Peetz and seconded to advance Ordinance No. 21-015, Official Zoning Amendments, to a second reading as proposed. Mr. Bates explained that this is the companion ordinance to those changes just discussed in the previous agenda item. There were no questions from Council. Vote by acclamation: in favor: unanimous. Opposed: none. Motion carried. 4. Resolution 21.007 Setting Public Hearing for Appleway Street Vacation—Karen Kendall It was moved by Deputy Mayor Peetz and seconded to approve Resolution No. 21-007, setting October 28, 2021 as the date for apublic hearing before the Planning Commission on Street Vacation application STV- 2021-0001. Ms. Kendall explained that this is the resolution to set a public hearing before the Planning Commission on the street vacation along the south side of Appleway, requested by the owner of Derek Apartments. There were no public comments. Vote by acclamation: in favor: unanimous. Opposed: none. Motion carried. Council Meeting Minutes,Formal: 09-28-2021 Page 3 of 4 Approved by Council: 10-12-2021 5.Motion Consideration:Bid Award,Barker Road Trail at Union Pacific Crossing,Phase 1 --Gloria Mantz It was moved by Deputy Mayor Peetz and seconded to award the Barker Road Widening Project CIP#313- Phase 1, to Barcolt Construction LLC, in the amount of$301,966.00, including Washington State sales tax, and authorize the City Manager to finalize and execute the contract. Ms.Mantz explained about the project concept, scope and funding,revision due to Union Pacific delays, bid award, and next steps.There were no public comments. Vote by acclamation: in favor: unanimous. Opposed: none. Motion carried. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT OPPORTUNITY 121: There were no public comments offered. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS: 6. Draft 2022 Legislative Agenda—Cary Driskell,John Hohman, Briahna Murray City Attorney Driskell began by explaining that this is a first touch on the draft 2022 State Legislative Agenda; which was followed by our lobbyist Ms. Briahna Murray, Vice President of Gordon Thomas Honeywell Governmental Affairs, who went over the outcomes of the 2021 legislative session; she also gave an overview of the 2022 legislative session format and focus. Mr. Driskell then went over the items on our City's draft legislative agenda. Mr. Driskell noted that the `support and protect law enforcement' item is a placeholder until we are able to gather more information on the interpretations on the various issues falling under this item.Concerning the Growth Management Act,Mr. Hohman said that we will need to monitor and weigh-in to make sure we can be in a position to expand our boundaries, and work toward growing and maintaining affordable housing in our area. Deputy Mayor Peetz asked about the issue of licensure compacts, which would allow a licensee to have one multistate license or a Iicense that is valid across several states;she said in particular this would help spouses of service people at Fairchild,to be able to work/practice under a multi-license. Mr. Driskell said he had no information on that but will speak with Ms. Murray to see if that is something the state could do. Councilmember Thompson asked about GSI's (Greater Spokane,Inc.)legislative agenda so we might compare and come united as a region on these issues. Mr. Driskell said staff routinely communicates with GSI and other groups to identify where we can have a combined strength and opportunity, and will continue to do that; and said he will talk to GSI, Councilmember Thompson also asked about utility taxing authority and if there is any way to have that be retroactive. Mr.Driskell said he would have to research that issue.It was agreed that if not adding compact license to the agenda,perhaps a letter of support could be submitted.Mr. Driskell said he will research that issue to get more information. 7.Advance Agenda—Mayor Wick There were no suggested changes to the Advance Agenda. 8.Department Monthly Reports The Department Monthly reports were for information only and were not reported or discussed. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS Mr. Calhoun announced that his retirement will be effective the end of this year; and next week, Human Resources Manager Whitehead will discuss the process to recruit the next city manager; and to facilitate smooth transition of the position, Mr. Calhoun said he will continue to work with Human Resources and Council to recruit the city manager that best suits our needs. It was moved by Deputy Mayor Peetz, seconded and unanimously agreed to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m. Li) 6 AT S Ben Wick, Mayor Christine Bainbridge, City Clerk Council Meeting Minutes,Formal: 09-28-2021 Page 4 of 4 Approved by Council: 10-12-2021 q`-2 i0, . y MultiCare Inland Northwest Hospital Group PRESENTATION TO SPOKANE VALLEY OTY COUNCIL SEPTEMBER 28,2021 MultiCare 67 COVID-19 Cases (current Sept 21) INLAND NORTHWEST COVID-19 Hospitalizations(current Sept 21) INLAND NORTHWEST 1