2022, 09-06 Study Session MINUTES
TTES
City of Spokane Valley
City Council Study Session Meeting
Tuesday, September 6, 2022
Deputy Mayor Higgins called the meeting to order at 6 p.m. The meeting was held in person by Council
and staff in Council Chambers, and also remotely via Zoom meeting.
Attendance:
Councilmembers Staff
Rod Higgins,Deputy Mayor John Hohman, City Manager
Tom Hattenburg, Councilmember Cary Driskell, City Attorney
Laura Padden, Councilmember Erik Lamb, Deputy City Manager
Brandi Peetz, Councilmember Chelsie Taylor, Finance Director
Ben Wick, Councilmember Dave Ellis,Police Chief
Arne Woodard, Councilmember Tony Beattie, Sr. Deputy City Attorney
Bill Helbig, Community& Public Works Dir.
Adam Jackson, Planning/Grants Engineer
Absent: Mike Basinger, Economic Development Dir.
Pam Haley, Mayor John Whitehead, Human Resources Director
Christine Bainbridge, City Clerk
ROLL CALL: City Clerk Bainbridge called roll; all Councilmembers were present except Mayor Haley.
It was moved by Councilmember Woodard, seconded and unanimously agreed to excuse Mayor Haley.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA: It was moved by Councihnember Woodard, seconded, and unanimously
agreed to approve the amended agenda.
PROCLAMATIONS: (1) 9-1-1 Emergency Telephone Systems Day; (2) Patriot Day
Councihnember Woodard read the Emergency Telephone Systems Day Proclamation; and Deputy Mayor
Higgins read the Patriot Day proclamation.
ACTION ITEMS:
1. Motion Consideration: Attorney general's Opioid Settlement Agreement—Tony Beattie
It was moved by Councihnember Woodard and seconded to approve the Allocation Agreement for the
Distributors Washington Settlement and authorize the City Manager to finalize and execute the same.
Attorney Beattie gave a brief re-cap of the settlement agreement. Deputy Mayor Higgins invited public
comment; no comments were offered. Vote by acclamation: in favor: unanimous; opposed: none. Motion
carried
2. Motion Consideration: Expo center,Department of Commerce Scope Change John Hohman
NON-ACTION ITEMS:
3.Homeless Program Update—Eric Robison
Housing and Homeless Coordinator Robison introduced Homeless Outreach Officer,Officer Pratt,and Ms.
Amanda Boyer, the Homeless Outreach Specialist for Spokane Valley Partners. In going through the
PowerPoint slides,Mr.Robison noted that there were no Point-in-time counts last year,but the chart shows
the trends; he mentioned the unsheltered survey showing 74% of the people residing in Spokane County
prior to becoming homeless, and that 13% of the homeless people lived in Spokane Valley; he mentioned
the data collection and that about 3% of respondents reported having some sort of income. Concerning the
Police Department stats,Officer Pratt said that the information includes about eight months of data; he also
went over some of the challenges including an increasing caseload;said that he is the only officer for towing
of vehicles and enforcement of properties in Spokane Valley, and that there is a lot being done with sparse
Council Meeting Minutes,Study Session:09-06-22 Page l of 4
Approved by Council: 09-27-2022
resources. Ms. Boyer added that other challenges include no parking at the treatment centers, and that
bringing pets into a shelter is usually not permitted,which means one more barrier;she added that affordable
housing is a huge barrier even with those getting a small salary of about $950 a month, and there are no
resources to help pay rent in Spokane, Mr. Robison also noted for the men's shelter, there are time
constraints of when to enter and leave and that people cannot stay within two blocks of the shelter all day,
which presents a problem of what people do with their belongings; he also said that he is working with the
Chamber of Commerce to develop information on resources to hand out to businesses so they can better
understand what to do if they experience homelessness on their property; and Officer Pratt finished their
presentation with the accomplishments so far this year for just this team.
There was discussion about having more information on our website with Mr. Robison stating that he
monitors the inquiries; funds we contribute via the recording fee we pay to have documents recorded; that
the time is coming up for people to apply for those HHAA (Homeless Housing and Assistance Act) funds
again, and that the current Request for Proposals includes the need to spend more time in Spokane Valley;
mention from Mr. Hohman of continued discussions with.WSDOT and mention of a Iarge homeless camp
on the Department of Natural resources property near Mirabeau, and that work is in progress to get that
resolved as soon as possible. Mr. Hohman added that staff is following the policy direction Council has to
treat all equally, and that we are working to get all issues resolved as quickly as possible regardless of who
owns the property. Councilmember Woodard also discussed the HCDAC (Spokane Housing and.
Community Development Committee) application for funding process, and said that if there is a Spokane
Valley issue,our representatives don't get to vote on that as it is deemed a conflict of interest. Mr. Hohman
stated that staff plans to bring a discussion to Council on the recording fees and contracting for beds within
the next few months, and Mr. Lamb noted staff is working to get further input on our action plan.
4. Potential Grant Opportunity: Electrification of Transportation Systems, Clean Energy Fund 5 —Adam
Jackson
Mr. Jackson went over the information contained in his Request for Council Action form concerning the
potential grant opportunity for the electrification of transportation systems grant, which program is funded
from the state's Clean Energy Fund and is intended to support eligible entities' participation in the state's
clean energy transition by funding projects for early state transportation market electrification adoption and
planning; and that tonight he seeks Council consensus for staff to submit a Phase 2 application and that
staff would return to Council for a motion consideration to apply for funding if appropriate. Mr. Hohman
added that there is a lot of push from the state and federal level for electrification of vehicles, but there is a
lot unknown to show if this transition will be practical and mentioned the concern with the electrical
network;he suggested we might want to look at variety of things that needs to be addressed before moving
forward with this grant application; he also noted there is probably a bigger picture to consider including
electrical companies that would need to support inventory and capacity. After further brief discussion,
including mention of several unknown factors,there was unanimous Council consensus that staff not apply
for this grant.
5. Potential Grant Opportunity: Water Quality Combined Funding Program—Adam Jackson
Mr. Jackson explained about the potential grant opportunity through the State Department of Ecology; of
the funding programs available and asking for Council consensus that staff pursue this grant opportunity
and return to Council with a proposed list of project applications, including estimated costs. There was
Council consensus for staff to proceed.
6. Proposed Amendments to Spokane Valley Municipal Code (SVMC) 3.46, Consulting Services
Agreements—Cary Driskell
City Attorney Driskell gave a brief explanation of the proposed amendment to SVMC chapter 3.46
concerning the amount for contracts for services, and some edits on the exception to selection processes
language. There was Council consensus to bring this forward for an ordinance first reading.
Council Meeting Minutes,Study Session:09-06-22 Page 2 of 4
Approved by Council: 09-27-2022
7. Proposed Amendments to SVMC 3.47 Relating to Purchase of Goods—Caty Driskell
City Attorney Driskell went over the suggested edits to SVMC chapter 3.47 concerning purchase of goods,
equipment and supplies, most as a result of the significant increase in the cost of such goods. There was
Council consensus to bring this forward for an ordinance first reading.
8. Proposed Amendments to SVMC 2.35.010 Relating to Audit Officer Responsibilities—Caty Driskell
City Attorney Driskell mentioned that the only suggested change to SVMC 2.35.010 is to change the
auditing officer from having to perform all duties according to state statute, to having the auditing officer
be responsible for ensuring compliance of those duties.There was Council consensus to bring this forward
for an ordinance first reading.
9. Capital Reserve Fund#312 Reserves—Chelsie Taylor, John Holunan
Referring to the spreadsheet showing the allocation of 2022 General Fund Transfers to Capital Reserve
Fund#312,Finance Director Taylor explained some of the figures, including the$950,000 which had been
proposed for the Expo center, which is now proposed for Balfour Park; and the $4.5 million for City Hall
repairs,as well as the$200,000 for City Hall basement improvements.Discussion included Councilmember
Wick's mention of surface treatment and the idea of a pilot program, and whether $1 million would be
sufficient. Mr. Hohman explained that he would not recommend that much; that he would be hesitant to
gamble that$1.5 million street wear fee as we need to be careful with those funds and agreed a pilot program
is a good idea. Councilmember Wick also mentioned the snowplow replacement program and of the idea
of buying four now and putting some capital upfront and he also mentioned the Fitness Court idea for
perhaps the Appleway Trail. Mr. Hohman remarked about the pre-manufactured restroom for Balfour Park
and that perhaps this is an opportunity to order that; said it would be a supplemental budget item.
Councilmember Peetz said she has no problem with the items discussed, and supports the $200,000 for
basement improvement; that there is space for showers and lockers and feels the staffs health should be a
priority; and agreed with the idea of discussing the snowplow replacement program. There was also
discussion about the City Hall repairs and of not wanting to short that fund. Mr. Hohman said if Council
would like a surface treatment pilot program, lie and Director Taylor said staff can do that and bring that
back shortly. Councilmember Woodard said he feels the City Hall repair money is a must and to perhaps
add funds to a pilot program; but feels that it is more economical to pay for employees to join a gym rather
than have a weight room here; that he prefers to go with a pilot program, and concerning the City Hall
repairs,we already know we will find other things that need repair.
City Manager Hohman said staff will bring back a list of items for further detailed discussion; adding that
for the City Hall basement, the plumbing and venting is already installed, and there is some workout
equipment which was donated by staff, so we are not using City funds for that workout area.
10. Advance Agenda—Mayor Haley
Councilmember Woodard said he would like a report on the requirements for street soaping that is publicly
owned; he mentioned trees blocking business signs, and said he would like to see what the regulations are
within our Code and perhaps there is a need for modification. Mr. Hohman said he will look into the
development code and perhaps include an informational item in an upcoming agenda packet.
Councilmember Wick mentioned the National Fitness Campaign and having them come give a presentation
on their Fitness Campaign, which includes building outside fitness courts in parks. At least four
Councilmembers agreed to scheduling such a presentation.
11. Council Comments—Mayor Haley
There were no additional Council comments.
12. City Manager Comments—John Hohman
Mr. Hohman had no additional comments.
Council Meeting Minutes,Study Session:09-06-22 Page 3 of 4
Approved by Council: 09-27-2022
It was moved by Councilmeinber Woodard, seconded and unanimously agreed to adjourn. The meeting
adjourned at 7:51 p.m.
ATTES) 2
63,5-7
Pam Haley, Mayor
Christine Bainbridge, City Clerk d
Council Meeting Minutes,Study Session:09-06-22 Page 4 of 4
Approved by Council: 09-27-2022