2023, 10-17 Study Session MinutesCity of Spokane Valley
City Council Study Session
Tuesday, October 17, 2023
Mayor Haley called the meeting to order at 6 p,in. The meeting was held in person by Council and staff in
the Great Room at CenterPlace, 2426 N Discovery Place, Spokane Valley, and also remotely via Zoom
meeting.
Aften(lance:
CO Lill ei I members
Paul Haley, Mayor
Rod Higgins, Deputy Mayor
Tim Hattenburg, COUncilmember
Staff
John Holinian, City Manager
Erik Lamb, Deputy City Manager
John Bottelli, Parks & Ree Director
Brandi Pee(z, Councilinernber Mike Basinger, Economic Dev, Director
LaUraPadden, Councilinember, ChelsieTaylor, Finance Director.
Ben Wick, Councilmeiriber John Whitehead, I-JUMan Resources Director
Arne Woodard, COLUICiftnember Gloria Mange, City Services Administrator
Virginia Clough, Legislative Policy Coordinator
Tony Beattie, Sr. Deputy City Attorney
Others in Attendance: Bill 1-felbig, Community & PW Director
Kelly Konkright, Attorney Jill Smith, Communications Manager
Adam Jackson, Engineering Manager
Kendall May, Recreation Coordinator
Pete Fisch, .EnginceringTech 11
Chad Knodel, IT Manager
Sean Walter, Assistant Police Chief
Marci Patterson, City Clerk
ROLL CALL: City Clerk Patterson called roll; all COUncilinembers were present.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA It was movecl / y Depuo) AlIqYor 1figgins, seconded cruel unaniniously ogreed
to q131.)rove the amencled agenda.
11ROCLAMATIONS: n/a
C01INCIL C(')M!V1ENTS:
Mayorl-laley read a letter into the record regarding all incident that occurred between a Spokane County
Sheriffs Office Sergeant and a citizen at Terrace View Park that resulted in allegations of misconduct by
the Sergeant. Public safety is the highest priority of the Spokane Valley City Council, The letter also stated
we will continue working with the Sheriff and our Police Chief to promote the high standards that we desire
and our citizens expect and deserve fi-oni deputies assigned to the Spokane Valley Police Department. No
additional comments were provided.
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT OPPORTUNITY: After Mayor Haley explained the process, she
invited public comment. Ms. Bar b-Howard, Spokanne Valley -(via Zoom): spoke about the apartinents across
the street froul her house and that she may need to put a fence up around her home in order to keep out all
the drug issues in her neighborhood. Ms. Terri Lalonde, Spokane Valley: spoke about transitional home
that was going to be located on Blake and about the number of transitional homes located in the area and
voiced her concerns with the Blake location. Mr. John Harding, Spokane Vall9yLspokcabOUt his C011CMIS,
with building a new jail and what the criminal system looks like in Spokane County, There was also a letter
fi-oni citizen Robert Tupper read into the record regarding property taxes and levy rates,
ACTION ITEMS:
Council Meeting Minutes, Saidy Scssi= 10-17-2023 Page I of 3
Approved by Council: 3-12-2024
1. PUBLIC HEARING: Transportation Benefit District -- Erik Lamb, Adam Jackson
Mayor Haley opened the public hearing at 6:15 p.m. Mr. Lamb Erik lead the public hearing with
background on the TBD the Formation of a transportation benefit district noting that the Public Hearing
was specifically for Ordinance 23-018. Currently at step four for the formation of the TBD per the
PowerPoint presentation. Mr. Jackson reviewed the streets programs including local access streets, arterials,
collectors and Pavement management program. He also noted that the county sewer project left us with
good streets early on and it is now up to us to keep those residential roads in good condition. There are two
key points to review: preservation and maintenance. Mr. Lamb reviewed the maintenance levels and noted
that transfers of funding with the current levels can't be sustained with the budget. Mr. Jackson reviewed
the PMP finding roadmap and what we can do to get funding. They identified the goals from 2021 street
sustainability committee and that a TBD is finding mechanism for our streets. This ordinance provides for
uses of the funding. Mayor Haley invited public comment. Mr. John Harding, Spokane Valley said the
inflation was the highest in years and any funding ideas should be a vote of the people. Council discussed
options for funding including a tax or a tab fee and there was also discussion around the need to have the
fees or tax be voted by the people. Multiple councilmembers agreed that the TBD needed to be created in
order to protect our roads. City Manager Hohman noted that it is difficult to say that we have any extra
money, and that the presentation shows 2019 dollars. Currently there is more money coming from the
reserve fund in order to do less than the bare minimum. Our strong sales tax is the reason we can balance
the budget. Council agreed that our roads have a maintenance need and if we get too far behind on
maintenance, we will never be able to catch up. There were no further comments and Mayor Haley closed
the public hearing at 7:02p.m.
2. First Reading: Ordinance 23-018 TBD Formation Erik Lamb
After City Clerk Patterson read the Ordinance title, it was moved by Deputy Mayor Higgins and seconded
to advance Ordinance 23-018 the TBD, formation to a second reading. After Mr. Lamb gave a brief synopsis
of the purpose of the ordinance, the Mayor called for the vote. Vote by acclaination: in favor: Mayor Haley,
Deputy Mayor Higgins, Councilnaembers Hattenburg, Woodard, Wick and Peetz. Opposed.•
Councilrnernber Padden. Motion carried
NON -ACTION ITEMS:
3, Local Street Program Review -- Pete Fisch, Adam Jackson
Mr. Jackson and Mr. Fisch presented an overview of the current street network. Mr. Fisch reviewed projects
and provided a local access streets 2023 summary. Councilmembers stated that they were pleased that the
pilot project is successful and questioned what the future for surface projects was looking like. Mr. Fisch
good road treatment and would benefit us to do a little each year in order to try to get our 45's to 60's and
keep them up. City Manager Hohman noted that they would review the surface treatments again after the
winter season.
4. 2023 Budget Amendment — Chelsie Tam
Ms. Taylor presented the 2023 budget amendment and noted that it affects 13 funds. $15.5 million within
the 13 minds fund changes per the RCA. Councilmernber Wick questioned the Monsanto funding and if it
was to be used for river clean up. Ms. Taylor stated staff would be following up with a report on those funds
at a later time. Councilmembers discussed that noted changes highlighted in blue in the budget amendments.
Ms. Taylor- also noted that there will be a follow-up discussion at a later date.
5. Rec and Aquatic Season Review —Kendall May
Ms. May reviewed the aquatics and parks arbor day celebration, the summer park meal program, day
camps and swim lesson update. Councilmember Wick questioned the need for maintenance on the pools.
Deputy City Manager Lamb noted that the pool maintenance is on the master plan and that they are
working with YMCA staff to provide some guidance.
Council Meeting Minutes, Shady Session: 10-17-2023 rage 2 of 3
Approved by Council: 3-12-2024
6.Advance A1,1�: MILen&= ay jale — -L -
Councilmember Wick suggested meeting at an earlier time on Halloween to, allow time for families to go
trick -or -treating. Council agreed that perhaps they could begin the meeting at 4:00pm,
COUNCIL COMMENTS
There were no further- Council cornn-ients.
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
Mr, Hohman stated that Barker at Euclid would be open in about a week and that there may be a ribbon
cutting For the event. He also stated that WSDOTEastern Region received $500,000 in funds for a project
Of our choosing and are looking at SR27 and 24"' for a pedestrian crossing to im.grove the statistics.
Executive Session: R was movedby Deputy Miyor Hig d un&unonilnonsly c1greed to a((journ gins, seconde
into executive session.for 60 minutes to revievv the Ivi, fivincince oj'ci public enq)loyee and that no oction
ivill be tense ul)on return to olmnsession. Counci I adjourned into executive session at 8: 09 p,m. At 9:00p.m.
Deputy Mayor Higgins declared COLUICil Out of executive session, at which time it was inoved by
Councilineinher VVick, seeon6led cind wwnimously qgreed to cx1 ourn,
ATTEST:
Marti ), tterson, City Clerk
Pam Haley, Maydr
C0111161 MCelilIg KJIVIIeS, StUdy Session: 10- 17-2023
Approved by Council: 3-12-2024
Page 3 of 3
AMENDEDAGENDA
SPOKANE VALLEY CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING;
STUDY SESSION FORMAT
Tuesday,, October 17, 2023 6:00 p.m.
Remotely via ZOOM Meeting and
In Person at CenterPlace Regional Event Center Great Room
2426 N Discovery Place
Spolcane Valley, WA 99216
Couneil Requests Please Silence Your Cell 11hones During Council Meeling
NOTE: Members of the public may attend Spokane Valley Council meetings in -person at the address
provided above, or via Zoom at the link below. Members of the public will be allowed to comment in -
person or via Zoom as described below. Public comments will o for those items noted on
accepted for
aye Dda as �"tjblic commjgqn�torturrit If making a comment via. Zoorn, comments must be received
by 4:00 pm, the day of the meeting.
SijA
LiZ-n up Provide: Oral Public Comment at the Megfipg -CA1%.y4a
Submit Written Public Cginnient, Prior to the Meeting
Join the Zoorn WEB eet
------------------- I -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
PROCLAMATION:
COUNCIL CI, MMENT'S
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT, OPPORTUNITY: This is an opportunity for the public to speak on any
subject except agenda action items, as public comments will be taken on those items where indicated. Please
keep comments to matters within the jurisdiction of the City Government. This is not an opportunity for questions
or discussion. Diverse points of view are welcome but please keep remarks civil. Remarks will be limited to
three minutes per person. If a person engages in disruptive behavior or makes individual personal attacks
regarding matters unrelated to City business, then the Council and/or Mayor may end that person's public,
comment time before the three -minute mark. To comment via zoom: use the link above for oral or written
comments as per those directions. To comment at the meeting in person: speakers may sign in to speak but it
is not required, A sign -in sheet will be provided at the meeting.
ACTION ITEMS:
1. PUBLIC HEARING — Transportation Benefit District — Erik Lamb, Adam Jackson
[public comment opportunity]
2, First Reading Ordinance 23-018 TBD Formation — Erik Lamb
[13+14344e
NON -ACTION ITEMS:
3. Admin Report: Local Street Program Review Pete Fisch, Adain Jackson
4. Admin Report: 2023 Budget Amendment — Chelsie Taylor
5. Rec & Aquatic Season Review — Kendall May
6, Advance Agenda -- Mayor Haley
COUNCIL COMMENTS
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
Council Agenda October 17, 2023 Pagel of
EXECUTIVE SESSION: [RCW 42.30.110(1)(g)] Review Performance of a Public Employee
Proposed Motion: I move that Council adjourn into executive session for approximately 60 minutes to
review the performance ofapublic employee, and that no action will be taken upon return to open session.
ADJOURN
Council Agenda October I7, 2023 Page 2 of 2
Mayor Haley Statement
October 17, 2023 Council Meeting
As many of you may have seen in the news recently, there was an incident between a Spokane County
Sheriff's Office Sergeant and a citizen at Terrace View Park that resulted in allegations of misconduct by
the Sergeant. We have invited Sheriff Nowels to speak to us about this at our next Council meeting, but
in the meantime, I want to make a statement tonight regarding this incident and the City of Spokane
Valley's views on public safety.
The Sheriff's Office has placed the Sergeant on administrative leave and has requested the City of
Spokane Police Department to investigate the incident. We look forward to learning all the facts
regarding this incident as part of the standard investigative process — first by the Spokane Police
Department and then by the Sheriff's Office internal investigation. Please understand that given the
ongoing investigation, we are unable to comment on the specifics of this incident. However, the findings
and recommendations from the investigation will be shared as allowable when possible.
Public safety is the highest priority of your City Council and the City of Spokane Valley. Public safety
begins with providing superior police services to protect lives and property and maintain a safe and
welcoming community for all. Our desire is for law enforcement officers to provide a common sense and
meaningful approach to protect lives and property, provide accountability, and instill trust in government
through respectful interactions with the public.
The City contracts with the Spokane County Sheriff's Office for law enforcement services, and so we rely
on the Sheriff to ensure that Sheriff's Office Deputies serving the Spokane Valley Police Department
embody those values. We understand that the Sheriff's Office has adopted a mission statement for
deputies to deliver a premier level of public safety through integrity, training, diverse capability,
innovation, accountability, and respect for all. We will continue working with the Sheriff and our Police
Chief to promote the high standards that we, the City Council, desire and our citizens expect and deserve
from deputies assigned to the Spokane Valley Police Department.
Our thoughts are with all those affected by this incident. Thank you.
�Marc�i Patterson
From,: Robert Tupper <tUppertroops@icloud,com>
Sent: Tuesday, October 17, 2023 8A0 AM
To* Council Meeting Public Comment
Subject: Public comment 17 Oct 2023
Attachments: Oct 17 2023 City Council meeting,pdf
[EXTE DIAL] This email originated outside the City of Spokane Valley. Always use caution when opening attachments or,
clicIdng links.
I am traveling and not certain I will be back in town for tonight's meeting.
If I am present at the meeting I will read the first page of this letter.
If not, please distribute a printed copy to each council member.
Thank you, Robert Tupper
10/17/23
Councilmiembers, Mayor, and Deputy Mayor,
As you are aware the City of Spokane Valley is 20-years young; birthed by combining 5 VERY RURAL farming
communities. Very little of those farming townships are visible today. Past leaders (your predecessors) recognized the
winds of change and forged a government to best manage the inevitable. After three attempts to incorporate, a tiny
margin over 50% of voters finally said "we see it, too!" Thanks to their foresight, today we are residents of a mid -sized
city,
Mid -year Spokane County mails out annual property assessments which generate letters -to -the -editor lamenting these
higher valuations will make the property tax bill overly burdensome. The majority of the public does not grasp the "Math
Magic" of the inverse relationship between PROPERTY VALUATIONS and ANNUAL LEVY RATES. To illustrate, I repeat
what I mentioned last week: MY own 2023,property taxes were DOWN $74 even though the assessed value of my home
increased $88,000 from 2022 to 2023,
A repeated (and I must say a vexing) rational for capping our city property tax revenue is that 4 more dollars on a multi -
thousand dollar property tax bill is a burden to our seniors. No such burden exists - I will repeat - MY 2023 property
taxes went DOWN by $74 even though the assessed value of my home increased.
After 14 years of "holding the line on city property taxes" previous members of the city council have forced You - current
Council members - to stretch a 20019 budget to fund ever increasing expenses. You — as a governing body — have
recognized it is fiscally impossible to deny the effects of inflation on the city budget. For example, to address, the funding
gap for road maintenance, you have begun the process to create a Transportation Benefit District.
What other "revenue trick" will be needed to address inflation related cost of public safety? Of Code enforcement? For
Parks and Recreation?
Today, the Council is one week, away from the third and final public hearing regarding the 2024 budget. I am begging you
to proactively manage the upcoming — and all future budgets.
Please - take the easy win — the appropriate action required to maintain and manage our city for the betterment of all
members of the community.
Notes for Councilmember Padden and Councilmember Peetz
2022 statistics from
jjttpjs _/MAW.census.E.qvL uicL(factjs _Dgkar__LeL1L v(j q�_ _
42000 households in Spokane Valley
58% households are owner occupied
58% of 42000 = 24360 households are owner occupied homes
17% of Spokane Valley population is 65+
17% of 24360 homes = 4141 housing units are senior owned and occupied
If each housing unit is occupied by 2 seniors you are unduly weighing a potential hardship for 8282 senior residents over
the needs of approx 100,000 non -senior residents.
(Yes, l realize these are only rough, aipproximations.)
If you could ask a: senior household if their $5 contribution to the City of Spokane Valley budget would provide the city
with additional law enforcement (public safety), what would you expect them to say?
Please consider the above when you vote on the 2024 budget (and future budgets,!)
Robert Tupper
509-9nine9-451seven
couticilmeetitip,p,itiblicommerit(Ost)okanevalley.org