2023, 05-16 Study Session MINUTES
City of Spokane Valley
City Council Study Session
Tuesday,May 16,2023
Mayor Haley called the meeting to order at 6 p.m. The meeting was held in person by Council and staff in
the Great Room at CenterPlace, 2426 N Discoveiy Place, Spokane Valley, 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 Tony Beattie, Sr. Deputy City Attorney
Brandi Peetz, Councilmember Chelsie Taylor, Finance Director
Laura Padden, Councilmember Sean Walter,Assistant Police Chief
Ben Wick, Councilmember John Bottelli,Parks &Rec Director
Arne Woodard, Councilmember Mike Basinger, Economic Dev.Director
John Whitehead, Human resources Director
Others in attendance: Emily Estes-Cross, Public Information Officer
Kelly Konkright,Attorney Jenny Nickerson,Building Official
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 agenda.
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT OPPORTUNITY: After Mayor Haley explained the process, she
invited public comments. Ms. Barb Howard, Spokane Valley [via zoom': asked if there could be a way to
separate out from other crime check items,the abandoned cars in order to get them tagged and towed.
Mr-. Matthew Matthews, Spokane Valley: spoke of a neighborhood problem that has been ongoing since
about 2018,with disturbances during the night due to police and fire activity to address criminal issues and
drug od's; said he would like to see the new ordinance be very clear about what the Police and Fire
Departments can do to make sure the area will be cleaned up.
Ms.Margo Keeney, Spokane Valley: said the residence in question is 13212 E.Heroy,which is her concern
and the address referenced by the previous speaker; said the home owner is in jail and there are or have
been three sets of squatters in the home;said there is garbage,broken down vehicles constantly being tagged
and towed; drugs going in and out of the house; seems there is a police presence there constantly yet it
seems nothing can be done; said she realizes this will go to a hearing in June and she is hopeful the property
will go to auction and be foreclosed. City Clerk Bainbridge stated that written comments concerning this
same residence have been submitted by a Ms. Olivia Jacobus; and that the Clerk will send the comments to
Councilmembers. There were no further public comments.
ACTION ITEMS:
1.First Reading Ordinance 23-010, Chronic Nuisance—Erik Lamb,.Jenny Nickerson
After City Clerk Bainbridge read the ordinance title, it was moved by Deputy Mayor Higgins and seconded
to advance Ordinance 23-010 to a second reading at a fixture Council meeting.Deputy City Manager Lamb
explained that the purpose of this ordinance is to broaden the scope of what constitutes a chronic nuisance
in order to abate chronic nuisance properties more efficiently, as among other things, it adds a shorter time
period option, and expands the definition of nuisance.There was Council discussion concerning provisions
for drug properties, a quicker time period, the process for the property going into receivership, and of
changing the criteria of having four criminal activities down to one. Deputy Mayor Higgins said taken as a
single instance,this might seem harsh, but what we are faced with isn't a single incidence; that there are a
Council Meeting Minutes,Study Session:05-16-2023 Page 1 of 3
Approved by Council: 06-06-2023
number of complaints before arriving at this, and said he feels this regulation is long overdue. Building
Official Nickerson added that our Code Enforcement staff have been having regular meetings with the
Police Department.Mayor Haley invited public comment;no comments were offered. Vote by acclamation:
in favor: unanimous. Opposed: none. Motion carried.
2. Motion Consideration: ARPA Allocations—Erik Lamb, Chelsie Taylor
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Higgins and seconded to approve the proposals in substantially the form
submitted and as identified in the attached worksheet in the amounts as shown, and to authorize the City
Manager to negotiate and finalize contracts for such awards for City Council approval. [Amounts shown
on the worksheet include: (1)Family Promise of Spokane $1,095,078; (2) Volunteers of America Eastern
WA $500,000; (3) Reclaim Project Recovery $1,460,000; (4) Spokane Neighborhood Action Partners
$471,729; and (5) Habitat for Humanity-Spokane $471,728.] Mr. Lamb went over the background of the
ARPA funding as noted on his Request for Council Action form; said given the available funding and the
requests,he presented the top five ranked proposals;and after he briefly explained about the projects,added
that as the City continues to develop its Spokane Valley Homeless Action Plan,we will continue to engage
all of the respondents to see how their services may fit within the needs of the City to provide assistance to
those in need within our community. Mayor Haley invited public comment; no comments were offered.
Vote by acclamation: in favor: unanimous. Opposed:none. Motion carried.
NON-ACTION ITEMS:
3. 2023 Budget Amendment—Chelsie Taylor
Finance Director Taylor went through the information contained in her Request for Council Action form,
explaining the need for a proposed 2023 budget amendment; and that a public hearing is scheduled next
week, as well as the first reading of the proposed ordinance. There was general Council consensus to move
forward as proposed.
4. Drug Possession and Use—Tony Beattie, Erik Lamb
Deputy City Manager Lamb explained that during the regular legislative session, the legislators did not
adopt a permanent fix to the making knowing possession of a controlled substance a crime punishable as
a simple misdemeanor, but they did make a temporary 'fix' which would no longer be in effect July 1.,
2023. However, he explained that prior to our meeting tonight, we have been informed that a bipartisan
effort was passed,which the Governor signed just before our meeting tonight.Therefore,Mr.Lamb stated,
we are pre-empted from adopting and enforcing our own ordinance and as such, an ordinance is not
appropriate or necessary.
5. 2024 Council Budget Goal Priorities—John Holunan
City Manager Hohman said that at the May 9, 2023, Council meeting, he provided an overview of the
current priority projects, and that per Council consensus, Councilmembers added several items to the list,
as shown in his Request for Council Action; and he asked that Councilmembers return the sheets on or
before May 30 so that the priorities can be discussed further at the June 13 budget workshop. Mr. Hohman
further suggested Council use the 1, 2, 3 rankings, and not put any restrictions on the ranking, but merely
indicate what each Councilmember thinks is important.
6. GSI D.C. Fly-In Recap—Virginia Clough
Legislative Policy Coordinator Clough gave a brief re-cap of the Greater Spokane, Inc. (GSI) April 25-28
D.C. fly-in event she and Councilmember Peetz attended.
7. Regional Homeless Update—Erik Lamb
Mr.Lamb introduced Mr.Gavin Cooley, former City of Spokane Chief Financial officer,who is part of the
volunteer group leading the effort for a regional homeless collaboration. Mr. Lamb said as part of the joint
statement,the volunteer group and entities identified a 90-day "due diligence" period for elected officials
and staff of the local governmental entities to meet regularly and study how such a regional collaborative
approach might be organized and how it could work; and said we are almost two-thirds of the way through
that period. Mr. Cooley then spoke about opportunities for collaboration, the idea of having flexibility on
Council Meeting Minutes,Study Session:05-16-2023 Page 2 of 3
Approved by Council:06-06-2023
how this all comes together, and of settling on a public development authority as most dollars are public so
having a municipal corporation leading this is critical, as opposed to using a non-profit. Mr. Hohman
interjected that during last week's regional meeting, our electeds were confused as to the financial
expectations of the regional process, and he asked that Mr. Cooley could perhaps provide some clarity
concerning the CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) and HHAA (Homeless Housing and
Assistance Act)funds.Mr.Cooley said there are lots of various funds from various parts and he is not ready
to go into detail as they are trying to track down jurisdictions and talk about programs; said this is all still
in the conversation phase, that it is very sensitive, but maybe in another week or two he will be able to
provide further information. Mr. Hohman added that our Council is weighing whether to be its own
entitlement, so any information could be pertinent in making such a decision. Mayor Haley stated that it
seems all the money is being poured into chronic homeless; spending a lot of money where chances are
slim in helping people; said there needs to be some responsibility on barriers; some people want to stay on
the street, but it seems we are trying to help those who don't want help while others fall into the cracks;
said millions have been spent on Camp HOPE and we don't know where many of those people are; some
found housing then abandoned it; said she wants to see we are helping people who want it, need it and
appreciate it as the dollars are limited. Mayor Haley said she looks forward to hearing from Mr. Cooley
again in a few weeks to talk about the financial pieces.
8.Advance Agenda—Mayor Haley
Councilmember Wick said he would like to hear a report about what happens when people call 9-1-1 as we
are hearing of people being put on hold, and of delays in response. There was Council consensus to add
that to the Advance Agenda.
COUNCIL COMMENTS
Deputy Mayor Higgins said that a Governance Manual Committee is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Monday;that
the meeting is not open to the public but wanted the public to know that the Manual deals with a lot of
business that needs to be addressed.
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
Concerning the Regional Opioid Abatement settlement, Deputy City Manager Lamb explained that there
have been two settlements so far and we opted into both;that we received a small amount of about$10,000;
that one requirement of the settlement is our region must create a regional Opioid Abatement Council and
that Spokane County is offering to draft a proposed agreement; said he continues working with Spokane
County regarding the creation of the Regional Opioid Abatement Council and as soon as we have something
tangible, staff will bring that forward to Council; said that also the preferred deadline of creating such
structure is June 1,2023, but that is not necessarily an absolute deadline; and said he will forward Council
a copy of the letter from Spokane County.
City Manager Hohman said he has been working with Mike Sparber concerning the County's jail proposal,
and that we will have Mr. Sparber present to Council soon as this will be on the November ballot; said he
also received a letter from the County Engineer that the County is looking to get out of the traffic signal
maintenance provider service and is looking to transfer that to us;adding that we are 80%of their workload;
said he appreciates the County's willingness to work with us on this and that Director Helbig will have
more information on this later.
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Higgins, seconded and unanimously agreed to adjourn. The meeting
adjourned at 8:04 p.m. ..-.?A ,E) ' fa- t'jf .
Pam Haley,M
} /
-
iristine Bainbridge, City Cler
Council Meeting Minutes,Study Session:05.-16-2023 Page 3 of 3
Approved.by Council:06-06-2023
PUBLIC COMMENT SIGN-IN SHEET
SPOKANE VALLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday, May 16, 2023
6:00 p.m.
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT OPPORTUNITY
THIS IS FOR GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS
YOUR SPEAKING TIME WILL GENERALLY BE LIMITED TO THREE MINUTES
You may sign in to speak but it is not necessary, as the Mayor will afford the public the opportunity to speak.
NAME PRINT
OF CONCERN YOU YOUR CITY OF RESIDENCE
PLEASE PRIi�T WILL SPEAK ABOUT
6\-150 AvoisoLy\a_ k-koe_ 9
in
Please mote that once if fOrrrrrrtiou is entered on this form, it becomes a public record subject to public disclosure.
Chris Bainbridge
From: Olivia Jacobus <ojacobus2016@gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, May 16, 2023 3:58 PM
To: Council Meeting Public Comment
Subject: City Council Meeting Comments - 5.16.2023
Attachments: Olivia Jacobus - Spokane Valley City Council Comment 5.16.2023.docx
[EXTERNAL] This email originated outside the City of Spokane Valley.Always use caution when opening attachments or
clicking links.
Hello,
please see the attached for my comment for the meeting today 5.16.2023.
• Date of the meeting which you are providing comment 5/16/2023
• Agenda Item Topic Nuisance Homes
• Your First and Last Name Olivia Jacobus
• City of Residence Spokane Valley
• Your Comment See attached
Thank you,
Olivia
i
I am writing this comment regarding a nuisance home in my neighborhood in
Spokane Valley. The house in particular is directly across from my own. I have lived in my
home for four years. During that time I have witnessed the home across the street raided by
police officers on multiple occasions,broken down vehicle's abandoned (many of which
have leaked fluids onto the road), altercations between individuals in the home (which have
made their way on to my property), and their dogs escaping regularly to chase after
pedestrians or coming to mine or my neighbor's yard to bark at our dogs. The dogs are also
left outside for hours on end barking both in the hot and cold weather and are not provided
any shade or warmth as needed. My husband witnessed two of the dogs hit and dragged
across the yard by an individual in the house.
In summer of 2020,while working from home, I was startled by a young girl that
was banging on my front door. She had fled from an older male at the home and seemed
extremely distressed and panicked. I tried to offer aid and call the police, but she took off
before I could get any information from her. There have also been several stolen vehicles
brought and left at the home as well.
1 know of at least two neighbors who sold their homes in part due to this particular
house.With the barrage of people coming and going at all hours of the night,you never
know what is going to happen.
As a parent of my own two small children, I am concerned for their safety, and
wellbeing.While I think we as citizens deserve privacy in our own homes, once the
happenings within our homes negatively affects those around us to the extent this home
has, it is the duty of the city to step in and take action to resolve these concerns.
Thank you