2022, 11-01 Study Session MINUTES
City of Spokane Valley
City Council Study Session Meeting
Tuesday,November 1, 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, Couneilmember Tony Beattie, Sr. Deputy City Attorney
Brandi Peetz, Councilmember Bill Helbig, Community&Public Works Dir.
Laura Padden, Councilmember John Bottelli, Parks,Ree&Facilities Director
Ben Wick, Councilmember Kevin Richey,Assistant Police Chief
Arne Woodard, Councilmember Mike Basinger, Economic Develop.Director
John Whitehead,Human Resources Manager
Virginia Clough, Legislative Policy Coordinator
Christine Bainbridge, City Clerk
ROLL CALL: City Clerk Bainbridge called roll; all Councilmembers were present.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA: It was moved by Councilmember Wick, seconded, and unanimously agreed
to approve the agenda.
PROCLAMATION:Native American Indian Heritage Month
The Native American Indian Heritage Month proclamation was accepted with thanks from DAR members
Ms. Janet Ulbright and Ms.Rae Anna Victor.
ACTION ITEM:
1. Motion Consideration: City Hall Holiday Closure—John Whitehead
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Higgins and seconded to authorize the closure of City Hall and CenterPlace
at noon Wednesday, November 23, 2022; and the entire day on Friday, December 23, 2022; to allow staff
time to prepare for their Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays. Mayor Haley invited public comments; no
comments were offered. Vote by acclamation: in favor: unanimous; opposed none. Motion carried.
NON-ACTION ITEMS:
2. Spokane Regional EnterEmergency Communications (SREC}—Erik Lamb;Assistant Police Chief Richey
Deputy City Manager Lamb introduced SREC Executive Director Ms.Lori Markham,Deputy Director Ms.
Kim Arredondo, and Assistant Police Chief Richey. Mr. Lamb said that tonight's presentation is an
informational piece.Ms. Markham stated that as of about 6 pin last night,the Spokane Fire Department has
been added to their member agency list; and stated that the City of Spokane handles their own police calls;
she briefly went over the organization, its history, and members and partners list. Ms. Arrendondo then
talked about the call stats, including average time before a 911 and crime check call is answered; call trends
and types, showing the increase of calls since 2020; the 911 call process and that calls are routed to fire,
medical, or law enforcement. Assistant Police Chief Richey also mentioned the process for crime check,
and afterwards there was brief discussion about when to call crime check and when to call 911.In response
to Councilmember Woodard's question as to dispatcher qualifications, Ms. Arredondo explained that the
initial training is about seven weeks, followed by twelve to sixteen weeks of full training before the
dispatcher is on their own; said the current probation period is twelve months. She also noted the job is
stressful, the shift schedule is usually twelve hours, and those who might be considering applying for the
Council Meeting Minutes,Study Session: 11-01-22 Page 1 of 3
Approved by Council: 11-22-22
position need to be aware that they would be giving up holidays and weekends.There was some discussion
on complaints reported to Council and Ms. Arredondo said that when someone calls crime check that a
report technician will take the report or the caller can submit their report on line; said they will get a return
phone call but there are times when leaving a message is a problem due to the caller not having voice mail,
or their mail box being full. Council thanked everyone for their presentation and information.
3. Engineering Manager Position—Bill Helbig
Director Helbig explained that tonight he seeks Council consensus to add an additional full-time
Engineering Manager for the CIP group; he said that the current Capital Improvement Program (CIP)
Engineering Manager position is still vacant and that two very qualified and capable internal applications
were received for the position; that after a subsequent review of the overall CIP group and its workload, a
new group structure is proposed.Mr. Helbig said that rather than have a single Engineering Manager with
the CIP group which includes 14 staff positions, the proposal is to have two Engineering Managers. Mr.
Helbig further explained that the Engineering Manager's responsibilities have historically been more
administrative, but the proposed staffing plan with two Managers is to have the individuals as working
managers; so in addition to administrative and oversight responsibilities, they would be responsible for
managing projects;he noted this method would provide for more available project managers to address the
continuing increase in project workload; and the cost for both would be equally borne between the General
Fund and the Street Capital Project Fund so this change assures there is no additional cost to the General
Fund with the addition of the second CIP Manager.
Mr. Helbig mentioned the Memorandum distributed to Councilmembers tonight that addresses the CIP
group workload, and includes a list of active assigned projects, assigned projects on hold, those awaiting
closure,and those currently unassigned. Councilmember Hattenburg said the workload is amazing as is the
list of projects, Councilmember Woodard said he agrees with this change especially since it would be a
savings for the unit, and he asked if this would cover us or are there any projections for more engineers.
Mr. Helbig replied that he doesn't expect a slowdown in the workload and that they monitor it continually.
Councilmember Wick said he realizes there are a lot of projects and asked why this didn't come up during
the budget. Mr. Helbig said staff has been addressing the issue and wanted to see how the group operated
with the vacant engineering manager position; he said staff has been buried and he didn't have time to go
through the recruiting process, and that the timing didn't coincide with the budget development.
Councilmember Wick encouraged staff to try to include these kind of conversations with the budget
process; said he realizes this saves the general fund but the money still comes from somewhere. On the
question of seeking Council consensus to authorize the hiring of an additional full-time Engineering
Manager, all Councilmembers concurred except Councilmember Peetz.
4. Advance Agenda—Mayor Haley
There were no suggested changes to the Advance Agenda.
5. Department Reports
These reports were for information only and were not reported or discussed.
6. Council Comments—Mayor Haley
There were no further Council comments.
7. City Manager Comments—John Hohman
City Manager Hohma❑ mentioned that two letters were distributed at the Council dais tonight; one is
concerning the upcoming legislative session, and is from the Spokane Mayor Woodward asking our and
other city mayors to participate and sign;said he doesn't need an answer tonight and he encouraged Council
to review this and it can be discussed more next week. He said that the next is about a letter of support for
the State Parks & Recreation grant application, in support of the RCO Grant application to fund one full-
Council Meeting Minutes,Study Session: 11-01-22 Page 2 of 3
Approved by Council: 11-22-22
time education and enforcement ranger,said this has been funded in the past and they are seeking continued
funding; and if Council is comfortable, we can get that signed and sent to the State Parks and Recreation
Commission. Mayor Haley asked if there were any objections from Council in signing the state parks letter,
and no objections were voiced. Mr. Hohman stated that there was a press release recently from Spokane
County announcing that they have allocated American Rescue Plan funds to Plantes Ferry; that it is
combined with a new park on the West Plains; that they are allocating $11 million for both projects; said
he received a follow-up e-mail from Spokane County Parks Recreation & Golf Director Mr. Doug Chase
noting that $5 million has been allocated for Plantes Ferry,so it appears there will be a significant amount
of money for a phase 1 project for Plantes Ferry.
8.Executive Session: [RCW 42.30.110(1)(0)] Review Performance of a Public Employee
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Higgins and seconded that Council adjourn into executive session for
approximately 60 minutes to review the performance of a public employee, and that no action will be taken
upon return to open session. Council adjourned into executive session at 6:57 p.m.
At 7:52 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.
C4\- 001,1
ATTES : Pam Haley,Mayor
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thristine Bainbridge, City Clerk r
Council Meeting Minutes,Study Session: 11-01-22 Page 3 of 3
Approved by Council: 11-22-22
B a c k g ro u n d e r Providing financial sustainability
Emergency Communications through 2028 for improvements
in emergency communications
Sales Tax including integration.
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Overwhelming voter support Integration & enhancement
In 2017, 83% of Spokane County voters Spokane County law and fire agencies
approved Proposition 1, which continued are able to maintain the emergency
the already existing 1/10th of 1% of local communications system that integrates
sales and use tax that keeps Spokane 911 , Police, Fire, EMS staff, and Crime
County's emergency communication Check, as well as enhance the system's
systems and services functional. technology and capabilities.
The Emergency Communications Sales Tax funds:
C")) Operations
Keeps current emergency communications systems functioning and reliable.
r------) Continues operations for Crime Check, which handled 278,550 calls in 2021, and
continues to trend upward in 2022. That's an average of 763 calls each day. Crime
Check serves as an additional way to reach public safety 24/7 and provides an
overflow system for 911 during high-need situations.
Maintenance
— Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) computer system for Police, Sheriff and Fire/EMS
. agencies which shortens dispatch times and provides first responders with detailed •
information before they arrive on the scene. 22 radio sites that keep emergency
agencies connected.
W►' Improvements
Implemented an updated ALERT Spokane, our region's citizen emergency notification
Imo` system. Integrates computer aided dispatch (CAD) for Police, Sheriff, Fire and EMS.
Expands the County's radio channel capacity to accommodate high-use times such as
extreme weather or regional emergencies. Enhances a modernized 911 system,
including the future capability to send photos or video to accompany an emergency
call. Replaces emergency communication equipment that has reached the end of
its useful life. Upgrades computer software for our Integrated Police, Sheriff and
Fire/EMS radio communication system. .i));F.F-r
911
Funding the future of integrated • -
emergency communications / .T-
In 2019, as a direct result of the voter's preference, ,, '
Spokane Regional Emergency Communications (SREC) .•.
was formed. SREC now maintains and updates our
reliable emergency communication system on behalf of
our partner agencies as part of an integration of
services. When people call for assistance, this system
seamlessly collects imperative information, sends help
and coordinates first responder resources to ensure
residents get the emergency services they need.
With this funding, Spokane County now has:
• Integrated Police/Sheriff, Fire and EMS radio
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communication systems (SREC managed and Ij, •
maintained) .
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• Crime Check reporting system where reports are
taken by SREC Report Technicians or made directly ' \
online by citizens and sent to law enforcement 1 ,
agencies for follow up
• Established ALERT Spokane, our region's citizen
emergency's notification system SPOKANE REGIONAL
i 'Frc EMERGENCY
• Built towers and structures to expand coverage and 911
bandwidth for communications (SREC managed and �\11111/ COMMUNICATIONS
maintained)
How is Emergency Communications funded?
911 Excise Tax 1/10th of 1% Sales and Use Tax
Residents of Spokane County pay 95 cents per Spokane County is allocated 1/70th of 7% of local
month on their cell phone, landline, or pre-paid sales tax to fund the County's Public Safety
mobile phone bill to fund emergency Communication System, which includes Crime
communications. These funds pay for both present Check. For every ten-dollar retail purchase,
and future 911 phone system enhancements and Spokane County receives one cent in sales tax. An
maintenance, as well as staffing to manage average Spokane County household contributes
emergency communications. about$1/month.
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SPOKANE REGIONAL Spokane Regional Emergency Communications gets the right
I r,,,Illion.q>> EMERGENCY
resources to the right location with an uncompromising focus on
COMMUNICATIONS responder and citizen safety.
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SREC Partner Agencies see significant improvement in fire insurance ratings
Positive ratings from the Washington Surveying and Rating Bureau (WSRB) influence insurance rates for home and business
owners—the better the rating, the more they can save.The Cheney Fire Department and Spokane Valley Fire Department's
ratings improved significantly, with the communications score being a significant contributor.This is a direct reflection of
SREC's hard work and dedication.
"I wanted to take an opportunity to share some amazing news that quantifies and validates the importance of
lo why SREC was born out of a desire to improve and modernize our county dispatch. For those of you who may
not know, Washington Fire Departments are evaluated every 5 years, which impacts insurance ratings. The
rating impacts both residential and commercial property owners with insurance premiums which could infer
thousands of dollars across jurisdictions."-Chief Tom Jenkins, Cheney Fire Department
"Thank you for all your hard work and dedication into standing up our SREC! The score we received for
Emergency Comms was 96%1 The total amount of points one can receive for Emergency Comms is 450—we /71
received 434 due to SREC's best practices and professionalism with the Comm Center, the use of Comm an
Equipment, and our Telecommunicators!"—Chief Frank Soto, Spokane Valley Fire Department
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Emergency Medical Dispatch times exceed internationally recognized targets
internationally recognized target for "hands on chest", critical to lifesaving efforts, is 120 seconds. SRECs
1ptime averages 55 seconds.
SRECs average time to queue, a measure of how long it takes a communications officer to move a medial call
to a complete dispatchable incident, are also excellent—exceeding the international standard of excellence
by a full 21 seconds.
Moving toward accreditation which opens up additional resources for our community such as a 24-hour
nurse line to triage pre-hospital emergencies.
446,943 ClAfitatikier SerViice,
total calls YTp She was calm, collected and handled the situation
C2with the utmost care and professionalism! I would
231 ,857 like you to please pass on my thanks!
I would like you to pass on my sincere thanks to the operator who handled my 911 call last
emergency 911 calls Thursday morning, October 6. My mother is undergoing cancer treatment, had a fall and could not
get off the ground. I had to call 911. We needed to have her transported due to altered LOC and
215,086 severe dehydration. The communication specialist that took my call did an exemplary job handling
non-emergency my situation. I have been in emergency services in the Spokane area for 30 years now and during
that time I have only had a few situations where i was the person that had to call 911. I have
Crime Check Calls always received'good'service,but this was definitely a notch above!As an Assistant Fire Chief,
and a Board Member of SREC 1 am aware of the changes in the call receiving system that has been
Represents just under 1% implemented since the creation of SREC. This was my first opportunity to experience those changes
increase for the same first-hand'! I can tell you with no reservation that i am impressed. The elimination of the 'hand-
off'from the 911 operator to a fire dispatcher was not only a great time saver, but it greatly
time period last year. reduced the frustration with needing to repeat the information about the situation to another
*Through September 30, 2022
communication specialist! It is humbling to get to experience the'fruits of our labor'with all of the
time and energy spent on enhancing our system. I am very appreciative of your staff that is putting
in all of the effort to make our system great!
G Thanks again and keep up the great work!
�i Howard Johnson III,Assistant Chief,Spokane County Fire District#4
SCITYo�7ane Community& Public Works Department
\7alley
10210E Sprague Ave ♦ Spokane Valley WA 9920b
509.720.5000 ♦ Fax: 509.720.5075 ♦ cityhall@spokanevalley.org
Memorandum
Date: October 18, 2022
To: John Hohman, City Manager Through: Bill Helbig, CPW Director
From: Gloria Mantz
Re: CIP Group Workload
The CIP group is managed by the Engineering Manager- CIP and currently has four project managers that
manage the City's transportation, stormwater,park and facilities projects. In addition, the CIP group has 5
engineering technicians and two engineers. Capital projects are assigned to one project manager who
works with technicians or other engineers to develop the project through the planning, conceptual, design,
permitting, and construction phases. City engineering technicians and engineers develop construction plans
during the winter season, modify construction drawings as needed for changer orders or field modifications
during construction season and also provide some inspection assistant during construction in the summer.
Both engineers review material submittals and documentation full time during the construction season to
ensure compliance with City, WSDOT, and federal requirements. Project managers and supporting staff
also spend a considerable amount of time addressing citizen construction complaints via phone, email and
in the field. During the construction season and due to the size of the CIP group, engineering design slows
down considerably as most of the CIP group staff is supporting the administration of project construction.
Production for the following year resumes in the fall after construction projects are complete.
Over the last three years, the CIP group has assumed the administration of all park, stormwater and
facilities projects. One of the project managers spends half of its time managing these projects. Examples
include two phases of Browns park, CenterpIace Westlawn Expansion, Centerplace Roof Replacement,
Balfour Park, City Hall repairs, and improvements to the White Elephant building. Previous to that,the
CIP program only administered the City's transportation projects. Currently, the CIP program has 35
projects that are in different stages of design,right-of-way or construction, 12 of those projects are
expected to be in construction in 2023. There are also five projects that have been assigned but are not
actively being worked on. Currently, the 2023 preservation projects, and six projects with federal grants or
developer contributions have not been assigned due to the workload of the project managers. See
attachment listing the projects in the CI? workload.
The complexity and size of transportation projects in the CIP program has continued to evolve in the last
five years. Currently,the CIP program workload includes two railroad grade separation projects, one
interchange improvement project, two corridor improvement projects along Barker Road (with several
projects), three intersection improvement projects, one bridge replacement project, one trail project, one
park project, two facilities projects, and various sidewalk and pavement preservation projects. Some of the
projects are multi-year, large scale projects, funded with grants that require additional efforts to administer.
Many of the projects are also located within state routes that require additional WSDOT coordination and
approval. For example, the Barker RoadJBNSF grade separation project ,which is funded in part by a$9
million TIGER grant, was initiated in 2017. Planning, permitting, and right-of-way acquisition commenced
for the next four years and construction began in the spring of 2021 with substantial completion anticipated
by the end of 2022. The Pines Road/BNSF Grade Separation Project was also initiated in 2017, is currently
at 60 percent design and has achieved significant progress in the acquisition of the needed property rights.
The project was delayed during the pandemic as WSDOT did not have the manpower to review submittals
from the City and WSDOT gave it a low priority because it was not fully funded for construction
However, despite those setbacks, the City made significant progress and the City secured over$28 million
in 2022 from federal grants, including a RAISE grant.
In 2022, the City also received an additional $4M for the South Barker Corridor project, $2.5M for the
Sullivan& Trent Interchange project and $1.3M for the Argonne Road/I-90 Bridge in addition to the
typical grants from CDBG, City Safety and Bike and Pedestrian programs. Recently,the City collected
$300K from developer fees for the preliminary design of the Pines & 16th Avenue intersection
improvement project.
As indicated above, the City's CIP program has had huge wins in the last five years, securing and
developing projects that advance Council's goal and legislative agenda. However,the CIP workload is not
sustainable without additional resources to continue to deliver quality projects that meet the required
timelines and standards established by our funding partners and WSDOT Local Programs.
CIP Workload
Assigned Projects (active):
1, Barker RoadfBNSF Grade Separation Project
2. Sullivan and Trent Interchange
3. Barker Road-Union Pacific Crossing
4. Barker Road-Union Pacific Crossing (path)
5. South Barker Corridor-Barker Road Widening-Appleway to Sprague
6. South Barker Corridor-Barker and 4th Avenue Roundabout
7. South Barker Corridor-Barker and 8th Avenue Roundabout
8. South Barker Corridor-Barker Road Widening- Sprague to City Limits
9. Loop Trail-Flora to Sullivan Segment
10. Loop Trail -Bridges
11. Broadway at 1-90 Preservation (Fancher to I-90 &I-90 to Park Road)
12. Park Road Sidewalk-Broadway to Cataldo
13. Park Road Sidewalk-Nora to Baldwin
14. Pines Road/BNSF Grade Separation Project
15. Sullivan & Wellesley Intersection Improvement Project
16. Citywide Reflective Sign Post Panels
17. Pines & Mission Intersection Improvement Project
18. Balfour Park Phase I Project
19. Sullivan Road Preservation and Sidewalk Project- Sprague to 8th
20. City Hall Repairs
21. Sprague Avenue Stormwater & Crossing Project-University to Herald
22. White Elephant Building Improvements
23. Wilbur Sidewalk-Boone to Mission
24. Sullivan Park Waterline
25. Sprague Avenue Preservation--Havana to Fancher
26. Mission Bridge over Evergreen
27. Local Access Street(2022)
28. 8th Avenue Sidewalk-Park to Coleman
29. Bowdish Road Sidewalk- 12th to 22"d
30. Sprague &Barker Intersection Project
Assigned Projects (on Hold)
1. Loop Trail-Sullivan to Evergreen
2. Loop Trail--Evergreen to Plante's Feriy
3. Broadway-Fancher to Havana
4. Argonne Corridor-Knox to Indiana
5. Sprague Avenue Stormwater-Herald to Park
Assigned Projects (Awaiting Closure)
1. Barker Road Widening--Euclid to River
2. Argonne & Montgomery Intersection Improvement Project
3. Buckeye Sewer Extension Project
4. Balfour Park Frontage Improvement Project
5. Evergreen Preservation Project
Unassigned Projects
1. Argonne Rd/I-90 Bridge
2. Barker Road Corridor-Appleway to I-90
3. Barker Road Corridor-1-90 to Mission
4. 16th & Pines Intersection Improvement Project
5, Reflective Signal Backplates (2022 Award)
6. Trent Access Control Projects
7. 2023 Street Preservation Projects
[City LETTERHEAD]
[Date]
Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
Attn: Paul Neddo, Park Ranger,Riverside State Park
9711 W Charles Road
Nine Mile Falls, WA 99026
Re: Letter of Support for Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) Grant Application#22-2141,
Riverside—Education and Enforcement Ranger
Dear Ranger Neddo,
The City of Spokane Valley is writing to express our support for the Riverside State Parks' RCO Grant
application#22-2141 which would provide funding for one full-time education and enforcement ranger
to patrol the Spokane River Centennial Trail, the Little Spokane River Natural Area,portions of
Riverside State Park, and the Columbia Plateau Trail. The City of Spokane Valley helps to manage
approximately 6 miles of the Spokane River Centennial Trail within our municipal boundaries through
an Inter-Agency Cooperative Agreement with State Parks,the City of Spokane, Spokane County, and
the City of Liberty Lake.
This same Park Ranger 1 position as it existed in 2021-22 attended many of the Special Events that
took place on the Centennial Trail within our City, both as a resource and accountability presence.
Going forward this ranger would help to educate users about trail rules and regulations, water safety,
trail etiquette, and Leave No Trace principles. This ranger position plays an important role in helping
to mitigate criminal activity and promote public safety by having a presence in Centennial Trail areas
that have ongoing illicit activities due to the nearby urban interface. With user counts that have
increased more than fifty percent at many of the trailheads, there is need for a ranger presence.
This opportunity to fund a year-round park ranger will help to improve the recreational experience for
visitors and residents along the Centennial Trail and Spokane River by helping to provide safe and
sustainable use of trails, trailheads, water trails, day-use areas, and other State Park facilities within our
municipal boundaries.
Thank you for your consideration of our support. Please feel free to contact Parks &Recreation
Director John Bottelli at 509-720-5400 or jbottelli@spokanevalley.org with any questions.
Sincerely,
Pam Haley
Mayor
City of Spokane Valley, Washington