2021, 10-12 Formal Meeting MINUTES
City of Spokane Valley
City Council Regular Formal Meeting
Tuesday, October 12, 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 [left meeting 7:19 pm] Chelsie Taylor, Finance Director
Rod Higgins, Councilmember Chaz Bates, Senior Planner
Linda Thompson, Councilmember Erik Lamb, Sr. Deputy City Attorney
Arne Woodard, CounciImember John Bottelli, Parks, Rec&Facilities Director
Jenny Nickerson, Building Official
John Whitehead, Human Resources Manager
Christine Bainbridge, City Clerk
INVOCATION: Pastor Mathew Larson of Advent Lutheran Church gave the invocation.
PLEDGE 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.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA It was moved by Deputy Mayor Peetz and seconded to approve the agenda.
Vote by acclamation: in favor:Mayor Wick, Deputy Mayor Peetz, and Councilmembers Hattenburg, Haley,
Higgins, and Thompson. Opposed: CounciImember Woodard. Motion passed.
INTRODUCTION OF SPECIAL GUESTS AND PRESENTATIONS: n/a
COMMITTEE,BOARD,LIAISON SUMMARY REPORTS
Councilmember Woodard:no report.
CounciImember Hattenburg: talked about the STA (Spokane Transit Authority) meeting where they
mentioned a delay in building bus shelters due to shortage of materials, but said the STA remains $11
million under budget; attended a Board of Health meeting where there was an unanimous vote to appoint
Dr, Velazquez as the permanent health officer; said he attended the educator air lift and got to fly in a
helicopter and meet members of the National Guard.
Councilmember Thompson: said she also attended the educator lift and mentioned many of the benefits to
being in the National Guard; attended the Law Enforcement Annual Awards and said it was excellent to
sec so many of our officers up for awards.
Councilmember Higgins: reported that he attended former Councilmember Sam Wood's memorial service
which he said was very well attended; went to the Clean Air Board meeting and said that the sale of their
former building is now complete; mentioned that the Department of Ecology gave them a $305,000 grant
to continue the program for replacement of wood stoves; and said he attended the Spokane Valley Arts
Council auction, which he said was also very well attended.
Councilmember Haley: stated that she attended the STA Planning and Development meeting where they
mentioned that the Central City line will be delayed about a year; stated that she also attended the National
Guard event and that she too was surprised at the many benefits available for people in the Guard, and that
Council Meeting Minutes,Formal: 10-12-2021 Page 1 of 5
Approved by Council: 10-26-2021
they will even cover tuition for a trade school; said she also attended the annual Sheriff's Awards and was
very proud of our Police Officers who received many awards.
Deputy Mayor Peetz: said she virtually attended the HUB all-star breakfast;went to the Government Action
committee where they talked about the upcoming legislative agenda and of their need to receive our agenda;
said she is chair of the Visit Spokane nominations committee and they conducted nine interviews,three of
which were moved forward.
MAYOR'S REPORT
Mayor Wick said he received many compliments about our new health officer; went to the Arts Auction;
attended the Law Enforcement awards and was impressed with the amazing stories; said that SRTC
(Spokane Regional Transit Council) is working on their budget and they now have a board of 21 members,
said they welcomed the tribal members; mentioned FMSIB's budget series of meetings, and of investing
into future benefits and of what percentage should go into which category; and that he also attended the
Educator Lift with the National Guard.
PROCLAMATIONS: Proclamations;; (1)Safe Infant Sleep Awareness Month; (2) Domestic Violence
Awareness Month
Mayor Wick read the Safe Infant Sleep Awareness Month proclamation, which was accepted with thanks
from Ms. Katie Brown of that organization; and then read the Domestic Violence Awareness Month
proclamation.
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT OPPORTUNITY [11: Mayor Wick invited public comments. The
following comments were given via zoom: Ms. Pam Marlow, Spokane Valley: said she is concerned about
the increase in crime in connection with a nuisance property in her neighborhood; said they paid for street
lightening and have a neighborhood watch,but are not sure of what else can be done. It was noted someone
from the City will contact her after tonight's meeting. Ms. Barb Howard, Spokane Valley: mentioned
frustrations with our court system and of a `revolving door' policy where the officers arrest people and the
courts let them out; mentioned the Spokane County Regional Emergency where she called them to do a
welfare check on a man sleeping in a truck, but that the man ended up in the hospital; adding that when she
called she was asked why she thought the man needed a welfare check.
1.PUBLIC BEARING: #2 Hearing: 2022 Budget—Chelsie Taylor
Mayor Wick opened the public hearing at 6:31 p.m. Finance Director Taylor went over the budget summary
including number of FTEs (full time equivalent) employees; mentioned the addition of a police officer
position to serve as part of a multi-disciplinary team working on homeless issues; briefly discussed the
general fund revenues and expenditures; mentioned other funds such as real estate excise tax and motor
vehicle fuel tax; mentioned declining revenues in the Street O&M Fund 101 as well as impacts due to
Covid-19; and noted upcoming Council budget discussions including the adoption of the 2022 budget
scheduled for November 9, 2021. Mayor Wick invited public comment; no comments were offered and
Mayor Wick closed the public hearing at 6:41 p.m.
NEW BUSINESS:
2. 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 nave to approve the consent Agenda.
a. Approval of Claim Vouchers on October 12, 2021,Request for Council Action Form: $411,461.32
b. Approval of Payroll for Pay Period Ending September 30,2021: $566,697.10
c. Approval of Council Meeting Minutes of September 28, 2021,Formal Format
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Peetz, seconded and unanimously agreed to approve the Consent Agenda.
Council Meeting Minutes,Formal: 10-12-2021 Page 2 of 5
Approved by Council: 10-26-2021
3. Motion Consideration: City Manager Recruitment—John Whitehead
Prior to a motion, there was Council/staff discussion about the process to recruit a new city manager,
including an objection from Councilmember Woodard about discussing this now since our current City
Manager will be on the job until December 31,and that we have a Deputy City Manager who can run things
until a decision is made, said he feels it would be better to put this issue on an agenda for a meeting in late
December, and that he is opposed to the process. The timeline was discussed including mention of trying
to work around the holidays at the end of the year; mention of the importance of the committee and to have
Mr. Calhoun's inclusion; and to hire a city manager who understands Spokane Valley; there was also
discussion about the salary and the job description, where it was determined to have job description edits
from individual Councilmembers as well as from Mr.Calhoun,given to Mr.Whitehead by next Wednesday.
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Peetz and seconded to (1) utilize an external firm to lead the recruitment
process to fill the City Manager position, and(2) appoint a small committee comprised of Mayor Wick,
Deputy Mayor Peetz, Councilmember Haley, and city staff Mark Calhoun, Chelsie Taylor, someone from
the City Legal office and Mr. Whitehead, to analyze options from qual wing recruitment firms and to make
day-to-day procedural decisions relating to the recruitment for expediency purposes; and(3)authorize the
committee to choose the firm it believes is most qualified to fulfill the needs of the city in this recruitment,
and(4) directly authorize John Whitehead, Human Resources Manager, to finalize and execute a services
agreement with the recruitment firm chosen by the committee, and(5) instruct staff to use the advertised
salary range of$14,558.51 to $17,793.73. Mayor Wick invited public comment; no comments were
offered. Vote by acclamation: in favor:Mayor Wick,Deputy Mayor Peetz, and Councilmerrrbers Thompson,
Haley, and Hattenburg. Opposed: Councihnernbers Woodard and Higgins. Motion passed. [It was noted
Councilmember Higgins did not vote; which according to the Governance Manual, an abstention is a nay
vote.]
4. Second 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
adopt ordinance 21-014, comprehensive plan amendments as proposed. After Mr. Bates gave a brief
presentation, it was noted there would be no public comments as a public hearing had been held previously.
Vote by acclamation: in favor: unanimous. Opposed: none. Motion carried.
5. Second 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
adopt ordinance 21-015, official zoning amendments as proposed. Vote by acclamation: in favor:
unanimous. Opposed: none. Motion carried.
6.First Reading Ordinance 21-016 Property Tax- Chelsie Taylor
After City Clerk Bainbridge read the ordinance title, it was moved by Deputy Mayor Peetz and seconded to
advance ordinance 21-016, levying regular property taxes for 2022, to a second reading. Finance Director
Taylor gave a brief overview of the ordinance required by law, and that as we have done in several years
past, this does not include the increase allowed by state law. There were no public comments. Vote by
acclamation: in favor: unanimous. Opposed: none. Motion carried.
7.Mayoral Appointment: Deputy Mayor to Spokane Regional Law &Justice Council—Mayor Wick
It was moved by Councilmember Hattenburg and seconded to confirm the Mayor's recommended
appointment of Deputy Mayor Peetz to the Spokane Regional Law and Justice Council for a two-year term
beginning October 13, 2021 through October 12, 2023. Mayor Wick gave a brief explanation of this
committee and its reorganization, and that this position will represent all cities, and Mr. Driskell noted that
we will trade off with the City of Spokane every two years. Mayor Wick invited public comment.Mr.John
Harding, Spokane Valley: said he would like more information about the purpose of this committee, to
maybe get a mission statement or where this concept started. It was noted staff will follow-up with Mr.
Council Meeting Minutes,Formal: 10-12-2021 Page 3 of 5
Approved by Council: 10-26-2021
Harding.There were no other public comments. Vote by acclamation: in favor: unanimous. Opposed.'none.
Motion carried.
Councilmember Hattenburg asked to be and was excused, and he left the meeting at 7:19 p.m.
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT OPPORTUNITY 121: Mayor Wick invited public comment.
Mr.John Harding, Spokane Valley: expressed his concern about the dramatic input the Covid-19 mandate
will have on all public safety services; said the hospitals will be in dire straits and we will lose police and
firefighters; and expressed that there needs to be some truth telling about this issue and its impact.
At 7:23 p.m.,Mayor Wick called for a five-minute recess; the meeting was reconvened at 7:30 p.m.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS:
8. Draft 2022 State Legislative Agenda—Cary Driskell, John Hohman
City Attorney Driskell briefly went through the draft, proposed items included on the City's 2022 State
Legislative Agenda, and mentioned that this item will come before Council for a motion at the November
9 meeting. There were no suggested changes.
9. Spokane Valley Arts Council, Sculpture Discussion—John Bottelli
Parks, Recreation and Facilities Director Bottelli said that he previously met with members of the Arts
Council to discuss this process; said they have a project in mind and have therefore been invited to discuss
this with Council to. give Council an opportunity to ask questions. Mr. Bottelli then introduced Spokane
Valley Arts Council President Mr. Marc McIntosh, and his daughter Ms.Liz McIntosh, also on the board.
Mr. McIntosh and his daughter spoke about the sculpture of the Owl Woman, and showed a miniature of
that piece;mentioned costs associated with this piece,and of a funding commitment of$7,000 from another
entity toward this sculpture; said the final piece will be about seven feet tall; and explained that the Owl
Woman is a guide to those just before or after they pass,to bring them to their resting place;said it is a very
spiritual piece; said there were three different pieces for the Arts Council to choose from,and this won;that
although this piece could be seen as a `dark piece' it was noted that people don't have to know the story or
history to appreciate the beauty of the piece. Councilmember Woodard said that he likes the piece and feels
there are several places where it would go well, including CenterPlace or even the veterans memorial. Ms.
McIntosh mentioned they expect the sculpture to be completed in 2022. It was also noted that this piece is
included in the Arts Council proposed grant through the City's Outside Agency process.Mr. Calhoun noted
that historically,the placement has been at the expense of Spokane Valley.
10. Code Enforcement Program Follow-up Topic 2: Camping on Private Property-Jenny Nickerson
After Building Official Nickerson went through her PowerPoint presentation,there was lengthy discussion
with Council and staff concerning how to enforce regulations once made; what if any restrictions does
Council want concerning camping on private property; that proving that someone is living in an RV could
be challenged as some might say they are using it as office space; before going to enforcement, regulations
have to be in place and the question was asked of Council, what is Council comfortable with, or what is
and is not acceptable. The idea of having a permit for an RV was also brought up but Councilmember
Woodard said he feels a permit is not needed for storing an RV; however perhaps we should limit owners
to one RV that one could live in; that others could be screened behind a fence or in a garage; or maybe take
amount of acreage into consideration. Councilmember Woodard also mentioned that a lot of enforcement
would have to be done after hours as most issues don't occur between normal work hours; and the idea of
having times to correspond with the noise ordinance was also mentioned. Ms.Nickerson said it is clear staff
needs to clearly what is or is not allowed. Councilmember Higgins suggested staff bring back a draft in
order to have something to work from. Mr. Driskell agreed that we get a lot of complaints and what we
currently have, doesn't work as regulations must be enforceable; adding that duration is also something to
consider. Mr. Driskell said staff will work on a draft code and include options for Council to consider;
Council concurred.
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Approved by Council: 10-26-2021
11. 2021 Budget Amendment—CheIsie Taylor
Finance Director Taylor went over the items which will be included in the 2021 budget amendment, all as
noted on her Request for Council Action form.
12. Advance Agenda—Mayor Wick
There were no suggested changes to the Advance Agenda.
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
Mr. Calhoun had no additional comments.
It was moved by Councilmember Woodard, seconded and unanimously agreed to adjourn. The meeting
adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
A ESUi
Ben Wick, Mayor
Christine Bainbridge, City Cle
Council Meeting Minutes,Formal: 10-12 2021 Page 5 of 5
Approved by Council: 10-26-2021