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2023-10-12 PC APPROVED SIGNED MINUTESMeeting Minutes Spokane Valley Planning Commission Centerplace Regional Event Center October 12, 2023 I. Planning Commission Chairman Gramath called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. The meeting was held in person and via ZOOM meetings. II. The Commissioners and staff stood for the Pledge Of Allegiance. III. Administrative Assistant Marianne Lemons took attendance, and the following members and staff were present: Susan Delucchi Tony Beattie, Senior Deputy City Attorney Val Dimitrov Chaz Bates, Planning Manager Karl Granrath Nikki Cole, IT Manager Walt Haneke Marianne Lemons, Administrative Assistant Bob McKinley Nancy Miller, absent Daniel Wilson There was consensus from the Planning Commission members to excuse Commissioner Miller. IV. AGENDA: Commissioner Delucchi expressed concern about the addition of detail regarding public comment. She requested that the wording be changed for the following meetings. She also asked if it would be possible to add an "advanced agenda" item to the following meetings. Senior Planner Chaz Bates responded that City Administration and the City Council determine the items that are forwarded to the Planning Commission for consideration. Commissioner Delucchi stated that her interpretation of the codes does allow for the Planning Commission to do studies, propose actions, and communicate with the City Council. She doesn't feel that the code states that it should be all directed action and that the Commission would be a more effective board if they were consistently seeking knowledge and information that affects City planning. Commissioner McKinley moved, and it was seconded to approve the October 12, 2023 agenda as presented. There was no discussion. The vote on the motion was six in favor, zero against, and the motion passed. V. MINUTES: Commissioner Haneke moved, and it was seconded, to approve the September 28, 2023 minutes as presented. There was no discussion. The vote on the motion was six in favor, zero against, and the motion passed. VI. COMMISSION REPORTS: Commissioner Delucchi expressed concern about the last meeting, and she did not feel that the items discussed should have been brought up in a public forum. Commissioner Wilson commented that he feels there is frustration from the public about not being 10-12-2023 Planning Commission Minutes Page 2 of 3 able to express their opinions and get their questions answered at Council and Planning Commission meetings. He agreed that there needs to be rules regarding public comment, but he thinks there needs to be other outlets for the public. VII. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT: Planning Manager Chaz Bates stated that he attended the State Planning Convention in Spokane. He stated that there are some exciting things and concepts happening across the State of Washington. VIII. PUBLIC COMMENT: There was no public comment offered. I ►.1 �411Ju 16 1 "1 [I)`►i;M=M*3 a. Study Session: CTA-2023-0004 — Planning Commission Meeting Rules Senior City Attorney Tony Beattie gave a staff report. He stated that CTA-2023-0004 is a city -initiated code text amendment to revise SVMC 18.10.030 to provide flexibility in the number of Planning Commission meetings. Currently, SVMC 18.10.030 requires the Planning Commission to meet at least once every month. This code text amendment provides flexibility when there is no business for the Planning Commission to conduct. The proposed code text amendment would require the Planning Commission to hold at least one regular meeting each month not less than nine months in each year. This is consistent with other state laws related to planning commissions, particularly RCW 35.63.040 which has the same requirement. Pursuant to RCW 35A.63.140, which applies to code cities, "any duties and responsibilities which by other statutes are imposed upon a planning commission may, in a code city, be performed by a planning agency, as provided in this chapter. This code text amendment does not modify the regular meeting schedule of the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission will still have regular meetings scheduled at 6:OOpm every 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month. The proposal will not have an impact on the Planning Commission's responsibilities and duties under Chapter 18.10 SVMC. The public hearing for this item will be held on November 9`h, 2023. Commissioner McKinley expressed concern about reducing the amount to only nine meetings per year because he has seen a lot of organizations only do the minimum number of meetings. He feels that there are a lot of planning issues coming up and the Planning Commission needs the additional meetings stated in the code. Commissioner Haneke, Delucchi, and Wilson expressed that they would like to keep the minimum of twelve in the City code. Chairman Granrath stated that there are benefits of changing the code but can also understand the concern about having a minimum of only nine meetings. X. GOOD OF THE ORDER: 10-12-2023 Planning Commission Minutes Page 3 of 3 Chairman Granath reported that he attended the planning conference and there was a lot of discussion regarding the new House Bills that were approved by Legislation. He said that there are practical hurdles that are going to restrict a lot of the allowances made with the new house bills that will help alleviate some of the concerns that residents have about the implementation. XI. ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Wilson moved, and it was seconded, to adjourn the meeting at 6: 55 p. m. The vote on the motion was six in favor, zero against, and the motion passed. z3 Karl Granath, Chairman Date Signed Marianne Lemons, Secretary