2021, 11-16 Study Session MINUTES
City of Spokane Valley
City Council Study Session Meeting
Tuesday,November 16,2021
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
Brandi Peetz,Deputy Mayor John Hohman, Deputy City Manager
Pam Haley, Councilmember Cary DriskeIl, City Attorney
Tim Hattenburg Councilmember Chelsie Taylor, Finance Director
Rod Higgins, Councilmember Erik Lamb,Deputy City Attorney
Linda Thompson, Councilmember Chaz Bates, Senior Planner
Arne Woodard, Councilmember [via telephone] John Bottelli, Parks, Rec, Facilities Director
Christine Bainbridge, City Clerk
ROLL CALL: City Clerk Bainbridge called the roll; all Councilmembers were physically present except
Councilmember Woodard. As it was expected that Councilmember Woodard would be participating by
zoom or phone,it was moved by Councilmember Higgins,seconded and unanimously agreed to temporarily
excuse Gouncilmember Woodard.
Mayor Wick asked for a moment of silence in recognition of the passing of Donna O'Leary,who frequented
many Council meetings.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA: It was moved by Deputy Mayor Peetz, seconded and unanimously agreed
to approve the agenda.
PROCLAMATIONS: Honoring Recipient of Girl Scout Gold Award;National Apprenticeship Week
After Mayor Wick read the proclamation honoring Girl Scout Gold Award Recipient Kayla Priebe, it was
accepted with thanks from Mr. Brian Newberry and from Kayla as well, who also spoke a little about her
project to help raise awareness and understanding of the homeless situation. [Councilmember Woodard
joined the meeting via phone.]
Mayor Wick then read the Proclamation for National Apprenticeship Week,which was received with thanks
by Mi-. Tim Barnett, certified instructor who accepted the proclamation on behalf of over 8,000 members
of the electrical union.
ACTION ITEMS:
1. First Reading Ordinance 21-021 Amending SVMC 2.40.010 Oath of Office—Chris Bainbridge
After City Clerk Bainbridge read the ordinance title,it was moved by Deputy Mayor Peetz and seconded to
suspend the rules and approve Ordinance 21-021 as stated. City Clerk Bainbridge explained that this
change does not change the actual oath, only eliminates the need to have the oath given before the mayor,
as every other year, there is no mayor at the time the oath is given, and that there is no state law requiring
the oath be given before the mayor. There were no public comments. Vote by acclamation: in favor:
unanimous. Opposed: none. Motion carried.
Council Meeting Minutes, Study Session: 11-16-2021 Page 1 of 3
Approved by Council: 12-14-2021
2. Motion Consideration: Adopting 2022 State Legislative Agenda—Cary Driskell,John Hohman
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Peetz and seconded that Council approve the 2022 State Legislative Agenda
as presented. City Attorney Driskell stated that there have been no changes since Council last saw this.
There were no public comments. Vote by acclamation: in favor: unanimous. Opposed: none. Motion
carried.
NON-ACTION ITEMS:
3.Lodging Tax Advisory Committee(LTAC)Recommendations to Council—Chelsie Taylor
Finance Director Taylor gave the history and background of discussions held so far for the 2022 LTAC
awards; she gave a brief background of the committee and some past actions, mentioned the October 13,
2021 LTAC meeting which resulted in two motions—one for allocation to the applicants, and the second
to fund the new Expo Center at the Fairgrounds, which is the City's project; said the first motion, which
did not include the City's project, passed unanimously, and the second motion which was for the City's
project, passed four to one, with Mr. Repetti in opposition, to recommending $3.5 to the Expo Building.
Director Taylor said this issue will come to Council in December as two separate motions. There were no
objections from Council in moving this forward as stated.
4. 2022 Comp Plan Docket—Chaz Bates
Senior Planner Bates briefly explained the comp plan docket process, went over the suggested comp plan
amendments, and noted this issue is scheduled to come before Council next week as a motion. There were
no objections from Council in moving this forward as stated.
5. Yellowstone Pipe Line Franchise Update—Cary Driskell
City Attorney Driskell explained the history of the 50-year franchise Spokane County entered into with
Yellowstone Pipe Line Company, which expired in 2007, and that the parties have been negotiating for a
replacement franchise even prior to its expiration. He also noted the matter of liability insurance and that
the $5 million at the time of the original franchise would likely be insufficient to handle any catastrophic
event now. He indicated that the parties reached agreement and that we would like to get this finalized so
the terms are in place, including the significantly increased insurance coverage, in the event of a disaster.
He noted this franchise is for 25 years, includes $100 million in liability coverage, and requires a one-time
franchise fee of$5,000,which is reflective of the large amount of time staff has worked on this issue. There
was Council consensus to move forward with this franchise ordinance.
b. Salary Commission—Cary Driskell
City Attorney Driskell gave some background on the previous Salary Commission which was formed to
consider and review Council's salary, and that during the last Commission meetings, which ended three
years ago, there was a suggestion to have council's salary reviewed every three years. Council agreed to
have Mr. Driskell start the process to have a commission formed.
7. Advance Agenda—Mayor Wick
There were no changes to the Advance Agenda.
8. Council Comments—Mayor Wick
Deputy City Mayor Peetz reported that she attended her first Spokane Regional Law and Justice Council
meeting last week where they chose a chair and vice chair, and talked about priorities and suggested she
and Councilmember Haley and City Attorney Driskell could work together to come up with some priorities,
and Mr. Driskell said they will work to come up with a short list to bring back to get Council consensus.
Council concurred. Mayor Wick also reminded everyone about the scholarship opportunities for high
school seniors and said if anyone would like to be part of the review process,to please let him know.
Council Meeting Minutes, Study Session: 11-16-2021 Page 2 of 3
Approved by Council: 12-14-2021
9. City Manager Comments—Mark Calhoun
Mr. Calhoun mentioned that the Greater Spokane Valley Rotary Club will hold a celebration of lights in
front of City Hall this December 2, beginning at 5:30; and that the celebration will include among other
things, a band and the lighting of the Christmas tree, and he extended many thanks to the Rotary Club and
others for putting on this event.
10. Executive Session: Litigation [RCW 42.30.110(1)(i)]; and Evaluate the Qualifications of an Applicant
for Public Employment [RCW 42.30.110(1)(g)]
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Peetz and seconded that Council adjourn into executive session for
approximately one hour to discuss litigation, and also to evaluate the qualifications of an applicant for
public employment; and that no action will be taken upon return to open session. Council adjourned into
executive session at 6:48 p.m. At 7:38 p.m. City Attorney Driskell returned to the Council Chambers and
announced the extension of the executive session to 8:15 p.m. At 8:05 p.m. Mayor Wick declared Council
out of executive session, at which time it was moved, seconded and unanimously agreed to adjourn.
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A S . Ben Wick, Mayor
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Christine Bainbridge, City Clerk
Council Meeting Minutes, Study Session: 11-16-2021 Page 3 of 3
Approved by Council: 12-14-2021