2022, 01-18 Study Session MINUTES
City of Spokane Valley
City Council Study Session Meeting
Tuesday,January 18,2022
Mayor Haley called the meeting to order at 6 p.m. The meeting was held in person in Council Chambers,
and also remotely via Zoom meeting.
Attendance:
Councilmembers Staff
Pam Haley,Mayor John Hohman, City Manager
Rod Higgins, Deputy Mayor Cary Driskell, City Attorney
Tim Hattenburg, Councilmember Erik Lamb,Deputy City Attorney
Laura Padden, Councilmember Bill Helbig, City Engineer
Brandi Peetz, Councilmember Chelsie Taylor,Finance Director
Ben Wick,Councilmember Chaz Bates, Senior Planner
Arne Woodard, Councilmember Christine Bainbridge, City Clerk
ROLL CALL: City Clerk Bainbridge called roll; all Councilmembers were present.
APPROVAL OF AMENDED AGENDA It was moved by Deputy Mayor Higgins, seconded and
unanimously agreed to approve the amended agenda.
PROCLAMATION: Community Risk Reduction Week
After Mayor Haley read the proclamation, it was received with thanks from members of the Spokane Valley
Fire Department.
ACTION ITEMS:
I. Mayoral Appointments: Planning Commissioners—Mayor Haley
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Higgins and seconded to confirm the Mayor's nomination of Susan
Delucchi, Karl Granrath, and Robert McKinley to the Planning Commission for terms beginning
immediately and ending December 31, 2024. Mayor Haley invited public comments.No public comments
were offered. Vote by acclamation and a show of hands: in favor: unanimous. Opposed: none. Motion
carried.
2. Mayoral Appointments:Lodging Tax Advisory Committee Members -Mayor Haley
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Higgins and seconded to confirm the Mayor's appointments to the Lodging
Tax Advisory Committee, of Amanda Alcamo, representing a member authorized to collect the tax; and of
Greg Repetti, representing a member involved in activities authorized to be funded by the tax, with each
appointment's term beginning immediately upon appointment and expiring December 31, 2023. Mayor
Haley invited public comments. No public comments were offered. Vote by acclamation and a show of
hands: in favor: unanimous. Opposed: none. Motion carried.
3. Mayoral Appointments: Salary Commission—Mayor Haley
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Higgins and seconded to confirm the Mayor's appointments to the Salary
Commission of the following individuals: Daniel Allison, Charles Dowers, Tes Sturges, Kathe Williams,
and Steven Wareham, and Paul Eric Rieckers as an alternate, each for a term of not more than one year
from date of appointment. Mayor Haley invited public comments.No public comments were offered. Vote
by acclamation and a show of hands: in favor: unanimous. Opposed: none. Motion carried.
Council Meeting Minutes,Study Session:01-18-2022 Page 1 of 4
Approved by Council:02-08-2022
4. Mayoral Appointment: Citizen to Housing and Community Development Advisory Committee
(HCDAC)—Mayor Haley
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Higgins and seconded to confirm the Mayor's recommended appointment
to the HCDAC of Eric Robison, with a term effective immediately upon appointment, and expiring June 30,
2024, pending final approval from the Spokane County Board of County Commissioners. Mayor Haley
invited public comments.No public comments were offered. Vote by acclamation and a show of hands: in
favor: unanimous. Opposed: none. Motion carried.
5. Mayoral Appointment: Spokane Hotel/Motel Association(TPA)Appointment--Mayor Haley
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Higgins and seconded to confirm the Mayoral re-appointment of Andy
Rooney, Mirabeau Park Hotel General Manager, to the Spokane Hotel/Motel Commission for a term
beginning immediately upon appointment and expiring December 31, 2024. Mayor Haley invited public
comments. No public comments were offered. Vote by acclamation and a show of hands: in favor.'
unanimous. Opposed: none. Motion carried.
6.Mayoral Appointment: Aging and Long Term Care Board—Mayor Haley
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Higgins and seconded to confirm the re-appointment of Ms. Jean Kindem
to the Eastern Washington Area Agency on Aging Planning and Management Council as Spokane Valley's
representative,for a term of three years beginning with this appointment and ending December 31, 2024.
Mayor Haley invited public comments.No public comments were offered. Vote by acclamation and a show
of hands: in favor: unanimous. Opposed: none. Motion carried.
7.Mayoral Appointments: Councilmembers to Committees and Boards—Mayor Haley
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Higgins and seconded to confirm the Mayoral appointments of
Councilmembers to the committees and boards as listed on the January 18, 2022 Request for Council Action
form. At Mayor Haley's request, City Clerk Bainbridge read the list as follows:
Aging&Long Term Care of Eastern Washington, Rod Higgins;Arne Woodard as alternate.
Valley Chamber of Commerce Board, Laura Padden.
Clean Air Agency,Rod Higgins;Arne Woodard as alternate.
Continuum of Care, Arne Woodard;Brandi Peetz as alternate.
City Finance Committee, Lauda Padden,Arne Woodard, Brandi Peetz.
GMA(Growth Mgmt Steering Committee of Elected Officials), Rod Higgins,Arne Woodard.
Governance Manual Committee,Rod Higgins,Pam Haley,Brandi Peetz.
GSI, Pam Haley.
Lodging Tax Advisory Committee,Rod Higgins.
Mayors' Association of Northeast Washington,Pam Haley.
Spokane Regional Law and Justice Council,Laura Padden.
SRTC,Pam Haley,Rod Higgins;Arne Woodard as alternate.
STA,Pam Haley,Tim Hattenburg;Brandi Peetz as alternate.
Hotel/Motel.Association,Arne Woodard.
Visit Spokane, Ben Wick; Brandi Peetz as alternate, and
Wastewater Policy Advisory Board, Arne Woodard, Rod Higgins.
Councilmember Peetz mentioned having an alternate on the SRLJC and after brief discussion,Mayor Haley
said that she would prefer keeping it as stated for now.Mayor Haley invited public comments;no comments
were offered. Councilmember Wick stated that he thought he did a good job previously representing the
City on several boards,and that he was hoping for a little more equitable distribution.Councilmember Peetz
commented about the appointments and stated that she doesn't need to be an official board member to
represent the city that elected her, and that she will do what she has always done, which is continue being
involved and find other ways to collaborate, attend meetings, in order to best serve the needs of Spokane
Valley;that if this is the vote of the Council, said she accepts the process. Councilmember Hattenburg said
he is disappointed with Councilmembers Peetz and Wick not being on other regional boards, especially
Council Meeting Minutes,Study Session:01-18-2022 Page 2 of 4
Approved by Council:02-08-2022
with their leadership, experience and background. Mayor Haley stated that she realizes Councilmember
Wick is a commander for Fairchild,which is a very important, and very time-consuming role; and that she
was conscious of the fact that Councilmember Wick and Councilmember Peetz both mentioned that in their
role of Mayor and Deputy Mayor they had to spend a lot of time away from their family; which she said is
appreciated, and that is partially one of the reasons she made the appointments as she did, to give them
some time off, and that there will be more appointments in a year. Vote by acclamation and showing of
hands: in favor: Mayor Haley, Deputy Mayor Higgins, and Councilmenzbers Padden and Woodard.
Opposed: Councilrnernbers Wick, Hattenburg, and Peetz. Motion carried.
8. Motion C Helbig,Gloria MaiiLL
public comme„t^^"^"turn"l (This had been removed from the agenda.)
NON-ACTION ITEMS:
9. Shoreline Master Program Amendments For Department of Ecology's Final Approval—Chaz Bates
Mr. Bates explained the purpose of the amendments to the Shoreline Master Program, as noted on his
Request for Council Action form; after which, there were no objections from Council to move this item
forward as noted.
10. Advance Agenda—Mayor Haley
Deputy Mayor Higgins said he would like to see the literature racks at the entrances of Cit Hall,only contain
city materials. A majority of Councilmembers agreed, and Mr. Hohman said that topic will be included on
the advance agenda.
11. Council Comments—Mayor Haley
Councilmember Peetz stated that comments were made a week or so ago from a member of the public about
hotel/motel compression,and she distributed copies of a chart showing that there was compression in 2020
and 2021. Councilmember Peetz also mentioned that she sat in on the interviews for the new Fire
Department chief, and said she feels that there were some great candidates, Mayor Haley said she also sat
in on those interviews and agrees with that statement. Councilmember Wick said that at the last SRTC
Board meeting, they awarded $57,000 of the STBG funds for the Wilbur sidewalk project in Spokane
Valley; and also $824,000 for the Evergreen Preservation Project.
Councilmember Woodard said he was asked to represent the valley by remotely testifying on two testimony
items at the House and the Senate;said the initial testimony was to be on Senate Bill 5670,which mandates
that for cities over 20,000 population, that wherever residential single-family is permitted, you cannot
disallow multi-plexes up to six depending on where it is; said we took the position in opposition because
that is not who we are; and some of the other enacting data includes some things that we have already done
in our Housing Plan and other actions. Councilmember Woodard said House Bill 1782 is an identical bill,
that he got in all our talking points, and had the opportunity to get into some of our recommendations for
the housing action plan which addressed some of the mandates which would supersede cities' authorities
throughout the state, such as decreasing minimum lot sizes and modifying lot coverage ratios, adjust
flexibility in open space requirements and setbacks for cottages. Councilmember Woodard mentioned that
these two bills would mandate that any property over an acre would allow 25 units per acre; which is not
in keeping with the character of our neighborhoods; said he took strong opposition in the House meeting
along with about 45 other cities. Councilmember Woodard also noted other bills of concern where we need
more information, including House Bill 1981 which includes many new taxes such as excise taxes on sale
of homes and many other things;House Bill 2020 is a companion to the other house bills he testified against,
that for those within one-half mile of a transit service system,a minimum of nine stories is required; said it
would be a disaster to our City if these things go through; said these would be required for cities with
populations of over 20,000; said he thinks we need more information, but these things are not the answer
on how to solve the housing crisis.
Council Meeting Minutes,Study Session:01-18-2022 Page 3 of 4
Approved by Council:02-08-2022
Councilmember Hattenburg said that he was on the Growth Management Committee last year, and
addressing the issues of Spokane County, our city was complimented as being ahead of the curve on our
zoning and how we are adapting in things such as in-fill; said we can also encourage home ownership to
allow cottages and townhouses to make owning a home more affordable; adding that he too does not care
for the housing mandates.
12. City Manager Comments—John Hohman
Mr. Hohman said we want to follow-up on the conversation on all the House and Senate bills,that staff is
reviewing those as quickly as they come in and there is a flurry of activity at the state legislature, and he
extended thanks to Councilmember Woodard for today's testimony; and that one of the concerns is the
zoning change that could happen which would supersede our ability and our local authority to have our
own zoning; and he turned the discussion over to City Attorney DriskeIl.
Mr.Driskell said his office has been working on Senate Bill 5621 sponsored by Senator Padden,which bill
relates to the city of Spokane to impose wastewater utility tax on the county facility,which would be rolled
down to our residents and businesses;that this bill was given a hearing last Wednesday where Mayor Haley
and our special lobbyist Chelsie Hager testified;said the committee deadline to get this bill out of committee
is February 3 and we will continue to work to make that happen. Mr. Driskell also noted that Senate Bill
5155 allows someone who believes they were injured due to actions or inaction of a city,if they wait a year
or two to file a claim, and then file suit, they would be entitled to pre judgment interest back to the date of
the loss, rather than by the filing date, which is how that is now; said this would encourage people to wait
a year or two to file a claim and that new language could cost cities a lot of money; he asked if Council is
agreeable to having Lobbyist Briahna Murray sign in, in opposition, and Councilmembers nodded in full
agreement.
Mr. Hohman thanked Councilmember Wick for the information on the SRTC awards; said he wanted to
stress the importance of and to thank the engineering staff under City Engineer Helbig's and Engineering
Manager Mantz' leadership,to have projects shelf ready so when SRTC is in a position to have extra money,
that we are ready to put one of our projects;and again mentioned his appreciation to the staff for their ability
to have a suitable project ready in a quick manner. Mr. Hohman also noted that January 27 will be City
Action Days, and if Councilmembers are interested in attending this virtual conference, to let Executive
Assistant Marci Patterson know so she can get you signed up.
13.Executive Session: [RCW 42.30.110(1)(i)l Litigation
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Higgins, seconded and unanimously agreed to adjourn into executive
session for approximately 45 minutes to discuss pending litigation and that no action will be taken upon
return to open session. Council adjourned into executive session at 6:41 p.m. At 7:25 p.m., City Attorney
Driskell announced that the executive session would be extended until 7:40 p.m. At 7:35 p.m.Mayor Haley
declared Council out of executive session, at which time it was moved by Deputy Mayor Higgins, seconded
and unanimously agreed to adjourn.
ATTES Pam Haley,Mayor
Kristine Bainbridge, City Clerk
Council Meeting Minutes,Study Session:01-18-2022 Page 4 of 4
Approved by Council:02-08-2022
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