2023, 03-07 Study Session minutes MINUTES
City of Spokane Valley
City Council Study Session Meeting
Tuesday,March 7, 2023
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
Torn Hattenburg, Councilmember Tony Beattie, Sr. Deputy City Attorney
Brandi Peetz, Councilmember John Bottelli, Parks&Rec. Director
Laura Padden, Councilmember Dave Ellis,Police Chief
Ben Wick, Councilmember Gloria Mantz, City Engineer
Arne Woodard, Councilmember Bill Helbig, Community&Public Works Dir.
Sean Walter,Assistant Police Chief
Mike Basinger,Eco.Development Director
Emily Estes-Cross,Public Information Officer
John Whitehead, Human Resources Director
Virginia Clough, Legislative Policy Coordinator
Chad Knodel, IT Manager
Christine Bainbridge, City Clerk
ROLL CALL: City Clerk Bainbridge called roll; all Councilmembers were present.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA: It was moved by Deputy Mayor Higgins,seconded, and unanimously agreed
to approve the amended agenda.
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT OPPORTUNITY: After Mayor Haley explained the process, she
invited public comment. Ms. Barb Howard, Spokane Valley (via zoom): spoke regarding the Ohio rail
accidents; said if such an accident were to occur here, she would be concerned with how people in her and
other neighborhoods would safely evacuate. There were no other public comments.
ACTION ITEM:
1. Motion Consideration: Spokane County Library District Memorandum of Understanding—Erik Lamb
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Higgins and seconded to approve the Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU) between the City of Spokane Valley and Spokane County Library District for contributions by the
parties to certain improvements at the Library Site located between Balfour Road and Herald Road. Deputy
City Manager Lamb went over the background leading up to this MOU and explained the budget impacts.
Mayor Haley invited public comments; no comments were offered. Vote by acclamation: in favor:
unanimous. Opposed: none. Motion carried.
2. Motion Consideration: ARPA(American Rescue Plan)Police Camera Trailer Erik Lamb, Chief Ellis
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Higgins and seconded to approve the re-allocation of$117,848.22 of CLFR
funds to law enforcement purposes to allow acquisition of a second camera trailer, and to authorize the
City Manager to take such other action necessary to procure the second camera trailer. Deputy City
Manager Lamb explained about the need for this additional camera trailer, and Chief Ellis confirmed the
effectiveness of having this, adding that the community has also expressed thanks for the cameras. Mr.
Lamb also noted that staff is developing a plan for acquisition of cameras for parks, which will hopefully
come forward in the near future.Mayor Haley invited public comment.Ms.Barb Howard,Spokane Valley,
(via zoom): she also expressed appreciation for the cameras and said she would like to see more purchased.
Council Meeting Minutes,Study Session:03-07-2023 Page 1 of 3
Approved by Council:03-21-2023
There were no other public comments. Vote by acclamation: in favor: unanimous. Opposed: none. Motion
carried.
2a. Motion Consideration: Purchase of Real Property—Erik Lamb
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Higgins and seconded to authorize the City Manager to finalize and execute
any documentation necessary to acquire the property located at 10303 East Sprague Avenue, parcel
Number 45174.9033. Mr. Lamb explained that the property in question was a furniture store that went out
of business;that it sits on .62 acres and has about 4800 square feet; said it would need some updating and
minor repairs and staff would go through a process to determine an appropriate use; said there is value to
this property as it sits immediately adjacent to the new Balfour Park, Library, and City I-Tall; also that the
$790,000 purchase would require a budget amendment and be part of the 2023 budget amendment process
should Council approve this motion. Councilmember Peetz asked if we could use roll-over money instead
and Mr.Hohman said that is an option;that staff can bring this back when we bring the budget amendment
forward, and at this time the issue Council is the purchase. It was moved by Councilmember Wick and
seconded to amend the motion to add for a purchase price of$790,000 plus standard closing costs. ' Mayor
Haley invited public comment; no comments were offered. Vote by acclamation on the motion to amend:
in favor: unanimous. Opposed: none. Motion carried. Vote by acclamation on the fully amended motion, to
authorize the City Manager to finalize and execute any documentation necessary to acquire the property
located at 10303 East Sprague Avenue,parcel number 45174.9033,for a purchase price of$790,000 plus
standard closing costs: in favor: unanimous. Opposed: none. Motion carried.
NON-ACTION ITEMS:
3. Sports Commission Update-John Hohman;Ashley Blake w/Sports Commission
Mr. Hohman introduced Ms. Ashley Blake, Spokane Sports' Chief Executive Officer, and Ms. Cherie
Gwinn,Director of Events & Community Engagement; he said that it has been a long time since we have
had an opportunity for dialogue with this very important entity that brings sports tourism traffic into our
area. Ms. Blake said she has been with Spokane Sports for 12 years now, and Ms. Gwinn said she has been
on staff for seven years. The two of them went over their organizational structure, key areas of focus, and
points of collaboration between them and our City,after which Council thanked them for their presentation.
4. Compost Procurement Ordinance—Bill Helbig
Director Helbig explained that per state regulations, we are required to adopt a compost procurement
ordinance to implement RCW 43.19A.120,the use of compost products in projects;he said this code states
that when planning government funded projects or soliciting and reviewing bids, local governments must
consider whether compost products can be utilized;he said the purpose of our proposed Code amendment
is to codify the requirement for the City to adopt a Compost Procurement Ordinance. There were no
objections from Council in bringing the ordinance forward for a first reading.
5. Opioid Settlement Update—Tony Beattie, Erik Lamb
Deputy City Manager Lamb explained about this settlement, and that if we want to participate and receive
funds,there are forms to complete; he said that if a local government does not participate,that government
will not be able to share directly in the settlement funds; said the deadline to participate in Settlement II is
April 18, 2023; and he sked for consensus to place the Participation Forms and AIlocation Agreement for
Settlement II on a future agenda. There were no objections in moving this forward for an ordinance first
reading.
6.Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC)Alternates—Erik Lamb
Deputy City Manager Lamb explained the need for having LTAC alternates, as stated in his Request for
Council Action.There were no objections from Council to bring this forward for an ordinance first reading.
7. Advance Agenda—Mayor Haley
There were no suggested changes to the Advance Agenda.
Council Meeting Minutes,Study Session:03-07-2023 Page 2 of 3
Approved by Council:03-21-2023
COUNCIL COMMENTS
There were no further comments from Council.
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
Mr. Hohman said that Mayor Haley and Councilmember Hattenburg are planning to go to Washington,
D.C.in connection with STA,so next week we will have a reduced number of Councilmembers,and Deputy
Mayor Higgins will preside at the meeting. Regarding the Barker Grade Separation Project, Mr. Hohman
said we are still waiting for fencing;that the last time,fencing was rejected and sent back,and when it came
back, it was rejected again, so we are now at an impasse, said he will let Council know more as soon as
more information is available, but we can't complete the project without the fencing due to BNSF
requirements; said we are looking at all options. Concerning City Hall, Mr. Hohman said he spoke with a
representative from Garco Construction today for repairing construction defects left behind by Meridian
Construction when they constructed City Hall; said Garco is looking at the scope of work including the
curved wall, and that we will be making decisions about relocating Council meetings to CenterPlace,
although the timing is unsure and it could be in April or May;he also noted that a mold for the bricks has
been located and that Mutual Materials and Garco are working together for the exterior of the wall; again,
he will keep Council and the public updated.Mr. Hohman then introduced new Assistant Police Chief Sean
Walter.
ft was moved by Deputy Mayor Higgins, seconded and unanimously agreed to adjourn. The meeting
adjourned at 7:09 p.m.
A , aeib
Pam Haley,Mayor
Christine Bainbridge, City Clerk
Council Meeting Minutes,Study Session:03-07-2023 Page 3 of 3
Approved by Council:03-21-2023
New agenda item 2a for 3/7/2023
•
CITY OF SPOKANE VALLEY
Request for Council Action
Meeting Date: March 7, 2023 Department Director Approval:
Check all that apply: ❑ consent ❑ old business new business El public hearing
❑ information ❑ admin.report ❑pending legislation El executive session
AGENDA ITEM TITLE: Motion consideration—Purchase real property located at 10303 East Sprague
Avenue adjacent to Balfour Park,parcel number 45174.9033.
GOVERNING LEGISLATION: RCW 35A.11.020; SVMC 3.49.010.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION TAKEN:Not applicable.
BACKGROUND: The real property located at 10303 East Sprague Avenue was recently put up for sale
due to the closing of the furniture store previously located there. The site is owned by JFB & Sons, LLP,
is comprised of.62 acres,and includes a building of approximately 4,800 square feet. The building would
need minor repairs and updating before it could be used for municipal purposes. The City would go through
a process to determine an appropriate use or uses for the building following acquisition. The property is
immediately adjacent to the City's existing and expanded Balfour Park.
The parties have negotiated a purchase price of$790,000, which is subject to approval by Council. If
approved, staff will arrange to have the transaction closed in the near future, after which the City would
take possession of the property.
OPTIONS: (1)Authorize the City Manager to complete the proposed acquisition; or(2)take other action
as appropriate.
RECOMMENDED ACTION OR MOTION: I move we authorize the City Manager to finalize and
execute any documentation necessary to acquire the property located at 10303 East Sprague Avenue,parcel
number 45174.9033.
BUDGET/FINANCIAL IMPACTS: $790,000 plus standard closing costs. The funds to purchase this
property would come from the General Fund as a nonrecurring expenditure item. A future budget
amendment would be needed to add this expenditure to the 2023 Budget. With this expenditure and all
other known budget amendment items, the General Fund ending fund balance will still exceed 50% of
recurring General Fund expenditures.
STAFF CONTACT: Erik Lamb, Deputy City Manager.
ATTACHMENTS: