2022, 09-20 Study Session MINUTES
City of Spokane Valley
City Council Study Session Meeting
Tuesday, September 20, 2022
Mayor Haley 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
Pam Haley,Mayor John Hohman, City Manager
Rod Higgins,Deputy Mayor Erik Lamb, Deputy City Manager
Tom Hattenburg, Councilmember Cary Driskell, City Attorney
Brandi Peetz, Councilmember Chelsie Taylor,Finance Director
Ben Wick, Councilmember Bill Helbig, Community&Public Works Dir.
Arne Woodard, Councilmember Tony Beattie, Sr. Deputy City Attorney
Mike Basinger, Economic Development Dir.
Absent: John Whitehead,Human Resources Manager
Laura Padden, Councilmember Lori Barlow, Senior Planner
Dan Domrese,Accounting Manager
Sarah Farr,Accountant/Budget Analyst
Virginia Clough,Legislative Policy Coordinator
Christine Bainbridge, City Clerk
ROLL CALL: City Clerk Bainbridge called rolI; all Councilmembers were present except Councilmember
Padden. It was moved by Councilmember Woodard, seconded and unanimously agreed to excuse
Councilmember Padden.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:It was moved by Deputy Mayor Higgins, seconded, and unanimously agreed
to approve the agenda.
ACTION ITEMS:
1. Second Reading Ordinance 22-016 Re TPA Formation—Mike Basinger
After City Clerk Bainbridge read the ordinance title, it was moved by Deputy Mayor Higgins and seconded
to adopt Ordinance 22-016 establishing a City-wide Tourism Promotion Area. Economic Development
Director Basinger went over the background for forming the TPA, as included in his Request for Council
Action form.As a public hearing was previously held,public comments were not solicited. Councilmember
Wick asked about the version of this ordinance, and Deputy City Manager Lamb confirmed that what
Council has in their packet tonight is the correct version. Vote by acclamation: in favor: unanimous;
opposed: none. Motion carried.
2. Second Reading Ordinance 22-019 Amending SVMC 2.35.010—Cary Driskell
After City Clerk Bainbridge read the ordinance title,it was moved by Deputy Mayor Higgins and seconded
to approve Ordinance 22-019 amending SVMC 2.35.010 relating to audit officer responsibilities. City
Attorney Driskell briefly noted that this is more of a technical amendment to clarify that the responsibilities
may be delegated. Mayor Haley invited public comment.No comments were offered. Vote by acclamation:
in favor: unanimous; opposed: none. Motion carried
NON-ACTION ITEMS:
3. Proposed Ordinance Adopting 2023 Property Taxes—Chelsie Taylor
Finance Director Taylor went over the information contained in her Request for Council Action form for
the proposed property tax ordinance, including an overview of Washington State property taxes, which
Council Meeting Minutes, Study Session:09-20-22 Page 1 of 3
Approved by Council: 10-11-22
included a chart showing several tax code areas (TCA), and of those, the City of Spokane Valley receives
9%of the taxes,while the two largest taxing districts are the Central Valley School District,and the Spokane
Valley Fire District, with 31.9% and 23.5% respectively; she said our proposed property tax levy includes
the allowed 1% increase, which is equal to about $131,000 total. Director Taylor also explained banked
capacity,which means that the City may only take the banked capacity up to a level where the levy rate per
$1,000 of assessed value does not exceed$1.60. There was brief Council discussion about the proposed 1%
property tax with Councilmembers Wick and Peetz voicing opposition to the tax. Councilmember Woodard
explained that our City has not taken that 1% for the last 12 years in an effort to keep businesses here and
keep money in resident's pockets through the Great Recession; but that we also put a policy in place that
helped generate new businesses to continue to help grow the economy; he mentioned that out City has one
of the highest bond ratings in the State;but that the bonding companies want to see if there are other sources
of income that haven't been collected, and if we haven't collected them, it starts to hurt our bond rating;
said he has always been against raising the tax but intends to consider strongly going for it; said we need to
look at the health of the City along with its bond rating; and that taking it now doesn't mean we have to do
so in subsequent years; but that we have to think about the rest of the issues that are not being considered.
Councilmember Hattenburg said a perfect example of being able to sell bonds is the new library which will
be across the street;that they were able to sell bonds because of their bond rating, and said he agrees with
the comments of Councilmember Woodard. Deputy Mayor Higgins said that not taking the 1% cost us
money, for example, when we go to the legislature and look for grants; said a chair of the House
Transportation Committee commented that if we are not taking everything we can, why would they (the
Committee) bother giving a grant; and said it is time to consider taking the 1%property tax. Mayor Haley
said she feels the property tax would be a great increase for citizens, so she is waiting until later to make a
decision. Director Taylor said she will leave the I% in the budget and will return October 11 for the next
discussion on the 2023 budget.
4. Sleet Vacation STV 2022-0002, Cameo Lofts—Lori Barlow
After Senior Planner Barlow went through the PowerPoint presentation explaining the proposed Cameo
Lofts Street Vacation,there were no objections from Council to proceed to an ordinance first reading.
5. Outside Agency Presentations—Dan Domrese, Chelsie Taylor
Mr. Dornrese noted that the organization Naomi withdrew their request, as per the letter at the Council dais,
and he asked that Council not award them any funding. Mr. Domrese noted the three-ring binder with the
grant materials; mentioned the awarding methodology which is the same as used in the past, and asked
Councilmembers to put their name on their allocation sheet and submit it to him by 4 pin October 14, and
to please make sure the total amount awarded adds up to$182,000.
Representatives from the following organizations gave a brief presentation in response to our call for
Outside Agency Funding:
1. Be Balanced: $30,000 to provide students professional counseling outside of school hours.
2. Beyond Pink Spokane: $25,000 to procure auction items for their annual 2023 fundraising event.
3.Elevations A Children's Therapy Resource Foundation: $15,000 for their therapy grants program.
4. Filipino-American NW Association: $20,893 to assist Filipinos and other minorities facing economic
hardships, health and wellness issues.
5. Greater Spokane County Meals on Wheels: $23,010 to supply meals to Spokane Valley seniors.
6. Idaho Central Spokane Valley Performing Arts Center: $20,000 to assist with creation, printing and
mailing of updated public prospectus to 15,000+potential donor recipients.
7. Inland Chess Academy: $2,200 to provide an after school chess program to two, Title I schools in
Spokane Valley for 2023 winter-spring semester.
8. JAKT Foundation: $42,450 to continue work for the Farmers Market at CenterPlace.
9. Jr. Achievement of Washington: $13,563 to underwrite costs associated with participation of 200
Spokane Valley students in JA's K-12 financial literacy, entrepreneurship and career readiness programs.
Council Meeting Minutes,Study Session:09-20-22 Page 2 of 3
Approved by Council: 10-11-22
10. My Turn Theatre: $10,000 to assist with expenses related to productions in 2023.
12.Northwest Winterfest: $15,000 to market and promote their Winterfest festival.
13. Spokane Valley Arts Council: $60,900 to help with administrative expenses, continued improvements
to their website, printing, advertising and production of a statute,Sun Blessing, that will be donated to the
City of Spokane Valley upon completion.
I4. Spokane Valley Heritage Museum: $18,650 to preserve, digitize and maintain access to their historic
records.
15. Spokane Valley HUB: $5,000 to assist with their Career Pathways event for students in grades 6-8.
16. Spokane Valley Partners, Food Bank: $91,000 in general operating support to help them continue to
provide vital resources (food, clothing, diapers, etc.).
17. Spokane Valley Summer Theatre: $20,000 to assist with set rental for one or more of their 2023
productions.
18. Teen&Kid Closet: $10,000 to help them make sure the Spokane Valley children in need have at least
one pair of brand new shoes.
19. Transitions: $40,000 to help support their New Leaf program operations to expand training to help
women gain professional skills necessary for economic self-sufficiency.
20. Valleyfest: $70,000 to market and advertise Cycle Celebration and the three-day Valleyfest Festival.
21. Widows Might: $30,000 to go toward housing needs of widows.
22.YMCA of the Inland Northwest: $25,000 to be used for the"Membership for all"program to cover fees
for membership of those unable to pay due to financial constraints and barriers.
After the final presentation,Mr. Domrese reminded Council about the scoring sheet included in the binder
for Council's recommended funding,and to please return that to him no later than 4:00 p.m. October 14.
6.Advance Agenda—Mayor Haley
There were no suggested changes to the Advance Agenda.
7. Council Comments—Mayor Haley
There were no additional Council comments.
8. City Manager Comments—John Hohman
Mr.Hohman had no comments.
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Higgins, seconded and unanimously agreed to adjourn. The meeting
adjourned at 8:09 p.m.
Q.,N. )1/446.>
A Pam Haley,Mayor
hristine Bainbridge, City Clerk
Council Meeting Minutes,Study Session:09-20-22 Page 3 of 3
Approved by Council: 10-1 1-22