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2024, 01-23 Formal MeetingMINUTES City of Spokane Valley City Council Regular Meeting Formal Format Tuesday, January 23, 2024 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 Pam Haley, Mayor Rod Higgins, Councilmember Jessica Yaeger, Councilmember Al Merkel, Councilmember Laura Padden, Councilmember Ben Wick, Councilmember Absent: Tim Hattenburg, Deputy Mayor Staff John Hohman, City Manager Erik Lamb, Deputy City Manager Chelsie Taylor, Finance Director Gloria Mantz, City Services Administrator Kelly Konkright, City Attorney Bill Helbig, Community & PW Director Tony Beattie, Sr. Deputy City Attorney Dave Ellis, Police Chief Jill Smith, Communications Manager John Bottelli, Parks & Ree Director John Whitehead, HR Director Mike Basinger, Economic Development Director Virginia Clough, Legislative Policy Coordinator Adam Jackson, Engineering Manager Dan Baker, Engineering- Planning and Grants Chad Knodel, IT Manager Marci Patterson, City Clerk INVOCATION: Pastor Darrell Cole with Living Hope Church gave the invocation. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Council, staff and the audience stood for the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL City Cleric Patterson called the roll; all Councilmembers were present except Councilmember Wick. It was moved by Councilmember Higgins, seconded and unanimously agreed to excuse Councilnernber Wick from today's meeting. APPROVAL OF AGENDA It was moved by Councihnember Higgins to approve the presented agenda, seconded and agreed unanimously. INTRODUCTION OF SPECIAL GUEST'S AND PRESENTATIONS n/a COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS Councilmember Yaeger: nothing to report. Councilmember Padden: attended an STA meeting and provided committee reports and traveled to Olympia with other councilmembers. Councilmember Higgins: nothing to report. Councilmember Wick: traveled to Olympia to discuss the city's agenda and thanked Valley Chamber as they mentioned the cross-country course multiple times in presentations. Wick also spoke about HB2211, HB2231 and attended a FMSIB meeting. Councilmember Merkel: spoke about the Olympia trip and a cannabis bill and attended the OAC meeting and testified on HB 1999. He also spoke about the recent all city plow. Council Meeting Minutes, Formal: 01-23-2024 Pagel of4 Approved by Council: MAYOR'S REPORT The Mayor attended the STA committee meeting as well. PROCLAMATIONS: GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT OPPORTUNITY: After Mayor Haley explained the process, she invited comments from the public. Mr. Mike Weissenfels Spokane Valley; provided thank you to the staff working with the homeless individuals and thank you to the staff working with the Flora property and taking care of nature and animals on the property. Mr. Dan Allison, Spokane Valley: spoke about public safety and talk of changing the current form of government. Mr. Bob West, Spokane Valley_: spoke about the city logo and council committee assignments. Mr. John Harding, Spokane Valley: spoke about fire department response times. NEW BUSINESS: I. Consent Agenda: Consists of items considered routine which are approved as a group. Any member of Council may ask that an item be removed from the Consent Agenda to be considered separately. Proposed Motion: I move to a ) rove the Consent Agenda. a. Approval of Claim Vouchers on January 23, 2024, Request for Council Action Form: $1,936,043.92. b. Approval of Payroll for Pay Period Ending January 15, 2024: $580,668.88. It was moved by Councihneinber Higgins, seconded and unanimously agreed to approve the Consent Agenda. 2. Motion Consideration: Potential Grant O ortuni : Ci Safe Prn razor — Adam Jackson Dan Baker It was moved by Coinicilmember Higgins and seconded to approve to authorize the City Manager or designee to apply for the City Safety Program grant for the projects identified in ranked order as shown in Table 1. Mr. Jackson provided a PowerPoint presentation that reviewed the background of the grant and details on the city safe program grant opportunity. Mr. Jackson also reviewed the projects that this particular grant would cover and why those projects were chosen, specifically the roundabouts and the University High School Arterial Safety Improvements. Council discussed the chosen projects and how the funding would be applied if awarded. Councilmember Merkel questioned the sunk costs in the grant process thus far. Mayor Haley stated the city was quite successful with the grant process. Mr. Hohman noted that applying for the grants is an opportunity for the city to apply to get our taxpayer dollars back and if we don't apply for them, there will be another city that will. This is an opportunity to maximize our own dollars. Mayor Haley invited public comment. Mr. John Harding, Spokane Valley said he would like to know why signals aren't funded and wiry they were all roundabouts. Vote by acclamation: in favor: unaniinous. Opposed none. Motion carried. 3. Motion Consideration: Potential Grant O ortunit : RAISE Pro ram — Adam Jackson Dan Baker It was Moved by Councihnember Higgins and seconded to authorize the City Manager or designee, to apply for the RAISE Fiscal Year 2024 grant for the Sullivan & Trent Interchange Project in the amount of $.25, 000, 000. Mr. Jackson and Mr. Baker lead the discussion with a brief background on the RAISE program and what action council has taken in the past on the program. Mr. Jackson reviewed the PowerPoint presentation that included funding the city has already secured for the project and if awarded what the program funding would be used for. Council questioned the scores in previous applications and Mr. Jackson slated that we scored well. Mayor Haley invited public comments; no public comments were offered. Vote by acclamation: in favor: Mayor Haley, Councibneinbers Wick, Padden, Yaeger, and Higgins. Opposed: Councilmeniber Merkel. Motion carried.. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS: 4. Economic Forecast --- Chelsie Taylor, Grant Forsyth Council Meeting Minutes, Formal: 01-23-2024 Page 2 of 4 Approved by Council: Ms. Taylor introduced Avista Corp. Chief Economist Dr. Grant Forsyth. Dr. Forsyth provided a very detailed report and PowerPoint presentation of the current economic forecast that included a 2023 recap and a housing market review stating the growth in the area is contributed to individuals moving into our region. Dr. Forsyth also spoke about supply and demand in our housing market. He spoke about the insurance industry and that some insurance may become more difficult to get in the future. Dr. Forsyth also spoke about inflation, rent, the federal rates, median wages and the ability to get loans for homes, consumer spending, our current hybrid work environment, credit card debt and zoning requirements for commercial space turning into residential space. Council discussed many of these topics in depth with Dr. Forsyth and thanked him for sharing his time and insight with the council. 5. Admin Report: Potential Grant O ortuni - Bridge Investment Program Adam Jackson Dan Baker Mr. Jackson reviewed a PowerPoint presentation that detailed a background on the Bridge Investment Program (BIP), the funding details, what the application considerations would include and what the funding would be used for if awarded. Mr. Jackson noted that the application was almost the same as the RAISE application and there would not be a lot of additional work required for this process. Council provided consensus to continue with the process and return at a later date with a motion consideration. 6. Admin Report: Communications Program & C.ity, Brand Update — Jill Smith Communications Manager Jill Smith lead the discussion with a PowerPoint presentation that included background information, the priorities of the program and a review of the city logo. Ms. Smith noted that communications were identified in the council goals and that the priorities for her department included creating and implementing a strategic citywide communications plan. Ms. Smith also presented a fresh update of the city logo that included new fonts and color opportunities. Implementing a new brand would also include training and new templates and tools for staff to use. Councilmember Merkel questioned changing the name of the city and Ms. Smith noted that had not come up in any of the information she had reviewed. Council discussed costs and the need for community input before implementing a new logo. Ms. Smith agreed that she would share the information with the community moving forward. Council provided consensus to return to a future council meeting with community feedback and a resolution to adopt the new logo. 7. Advance Agenda ---- Mayor Haley Councilmember Yaeger looking into offering a peer court prograrn in our community and would just like more information on that topic. INFORMATION ONLY COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Merkel made a general comment about disenfranchising other member cities to join boards. Councilmember Yaeger questioned the meaning behind the comment. Mayor Haley stated there was not any disenfranchising with the STA appointments as the City of Spokane councilmember Zappone seconded the motion made at the STA meeting and the vote was unanimous. Mayor Haley also stated that she is aware that perhaps philosophically there are differences between the City of Spokane and the City of Spokane Valley, but that we can get along and work well together as it's a regional system and we need to be able to work together. Mayor Haley spoke about her board assignments for STA as well. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS City Manager Hohman thanked Councilmembers Higgins and Merkel for testifying on behalf of the city on some of the bills today and will coordinate further for any additional testimony. Mr. Hohman also provided a reminder about the strategic planning workshop scheduled for the 13"' of February and that the strategic planning committee was working to develop the agenda for the meeting. Council Meeting Minutes, Formal: 01-23-2024 Page 3 of Approved by Council: It was moved b')) Councihnember Tliggins,, seconded and ununhnousl)) agreed to ct(�journ. The ineeling M#011117edca 8.-22 ATTEST: Marci Ntterson, City Clerk Pam HaleyMay6i" Council Meeting Minutes, Formal: 0 1 -23-2024 Approved by Council: Page 4 of 4 Marci Patterson From: b p <bmpeetz@gmaii.com> Sent: Tuesday, January 23, 2024 2:02 PM To: Marci Patterson; City Council Subject: For tonight's council meeting; Public Comment [EXTERNAL] This email originated outside the City of Spokane Valley. Always use caution when opening attachments or clicking links. Hello Councilmembers, In regard to the city logo refresh, I just wanted to give some thoughts. First, the logo that the city has is great and really doesn't need any changes. But, if you were going to change anything I'd say the font could be a little easier to read. That being said, most of the logos on our side of the mountains look very similar to our old logo and the new logo looks more like the west side of the state. We have always wanted to be different and stand out from other cities, so I would hope that we would keep the character we have. As far as colors and branding.... (in regard to the 116 & west presentation) I would hope that we would go in another direction. Those colors and branding don't match our city or our citizens. Please keep the Spokane Valley character and use funds on more important issues. Thank you. Jan. 23, 2024 Bob West, Spokane Valley For many years, it has been interesting to say the least, regarding our City Politics and Community awareness. A good analogy would be from the Wizard of Oz himself, when he states, "Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain!" The word transparency comes to mind, and I feel it is time to pull back the curtain. At the last special meeting, due to a change in the meeting time and deadline to comment, along with the 6-8 inches of snow I was unable to present my concerns. There are exceptions made by this council all the time and rules suspended regularly when it benefits certain councilmember's agendas. Mr. Merkel asked for an exception and was rebuffed. So here I am tonight. I have two comments this evening. My first question is an admin report on the new city logo: 1) How much has it cost the taxpayers in consultation fees and staff time developing this new logo? and 2) How much will it cost the taxpayers in manhours and money in changing over from what we have now? I am thinking that is a chunk of change, especially when our priority is providing more police officers. Secondly, I cannot help but notice what appears to be a concerning and consistent distribution of committee assignments. These assignments are made with retaliation and are all about power and control as evidenced by comments by a councilmember, in a Northwest Grassroots meeting. I would also direct your attention to the recent Range article yesterday, titled "A War of Maneuver." Transparency and the use of individual councilmember skill sets are crucial for maintaining the trust of the community. I urge the City Council to consider a more thoughtful and transparent approach to council and committee assignments. We, the people that have voted you in office, expect reports on the committees that have been assigned. We expect somewhat of a summarized accounting and not, "I have nothing to report!" which is unacceptable. It would be interesting to see if these meetings are attended and if so, that the deliberations are only shared with select council members. Maybe, if one individual has too many committees, then they should be spread out. In addition, it is my recollection there has never been staff appointed to committees in lieu of Council Members. Is this covered in the Governance Manual? If this holds true, then citizens should be able to apply and allowed to represent the city on these committees as well, in my opinion. Thank you for your time. I have created some charts looking at the number of assignments over the years and it shows clear preferential treatment by the majority. Maybe it's time to consider a better way of doing this. 2024 SPOKANE VALLEY COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS COMMITTEES PAM ROD Tim LAURA Jessica BEN Albert HALEY HIGGINS Hattenburg PADDEN Yaeger WICK Merkel Aging and Long ALT X Term Care Valley Chamber of X Commerce Spokane Regional X ALT Clean Air Agency.__ Continuum of Care Gloria Mantz, Eric Robison (alt) - Staff for the Homeless Spokane Count SV Finance X X X Committee Growth Mgmt X X Steering Committee of Elected Officials SV Governance X X X Committee Greater Spokane Inc. X Must be Mayor) Spokane County X ALT Human Rights Task Force Lodging Tax X Advisory Committee Mayors Assoc of NE X Washington (Must be Mayor) Spokane Regional X X ALT Transportation Council Spokane Transit X ALT X ALT Authority Wastewater Policy X X Advisory Board Housing and X X Community Development Advisory Cmte Strategic Planning X X X Committee (New 2024 Opioid Abatement X Council New 2024 Public Safety X X X Committee (New 2024 Spokane Regional Elected not to participate Law and Justice Council Visit Spokane Elected not to participate TOTALS 6 10 1 7 4 1 3 1 4 2 2023 SPOKANE VALLEY COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS COMMITTEES PAM ROD ARNE LAURA TAM BEN WICK BRANDI HALEY HIGGINS WOODARD PADDEN HATTEN PEETZ Aging and Long Term Care .,,,. T X �T L Valley Chamber of T Commerce -„(yl Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency 4 T X ` A �� Continuum of Care for the Homeless Spokane T X ��� County SV Finance Committee T .� .�„� T X Growth Steering Committeeee of of)~tected Officials Co mitteeallee Committee X T T X X Greater Spokane Inc. (Must be Mayor) Spokane County Human Rights Task Force � X Lodging Tax Advisory T Committee X Mayors Assoc of NE Washington (Must be Mayor) eRegional Transpartatia�e Council Transportation T T •,,��[j„ X ALT , Spokane Transit Authority .,,r r .(yam z T LYl Wastewater Policy Advisory Board � X IICBAC � T Spokane Regional Law and Justice Council TOTALS 4 6 g 2 1 4 4 20 9 2022 SPOKANE VALLEY COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS COMMITTEES PAM ROD ARNE LAURA TIM BEN BRANDI HALEY HIGGINS WOODARD PADDEN HATiEN WICK PEETZ Aging and Long Term Care X AT T Valley Chamber of Commerce X Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency ; T X A�T Continuum of Care for the Homeless ametess Spokane County ALT SV Finance Committee T T T � X Growth ee of ,lath Committee of Elected T !yl Officials RV Governance Committee X T ,. z T Greater Spokane Inc. (Must be Mayor) T X Hotel/Motel Association T T 1y),,,. Lodging Tax Advisory Committee X Mayors Assoc of NE Washington (Must be T , X Mayor) Spokane Regional Transportation Council X X r� AT it Spokane Transit Authority X X ALT Wastewater Policy Advisory Board X X Visit Spokane X ALT Spokane Regional Law and Justice Council X HCDAC X TOTALS 4 7 10 3 1 1 5 24 7 2021 SPOKANE VALLEY COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS COMMITTEES PAM ROD ARNE LINDA TIM BEN WICK BRANDI HALEY HIGGINS WOODARD THOMPSON HATTEN PEETZ Aging and Long Term Care ALT Valley Chamber of Commerce T r X Spokane Regional Clean Ali- Agency X 1/""�1 ALT Continuum of Care for the Homeless Spokane T ' X County SV Finance Committee X X � T T X Growth Mgmt Steering Committee ofE[cctcd Officials Governance co Committee X X X Greater Spokane Inc. (Must be Mayor) X TPA T T Lodging Tax Advisory Committee Mayors Assoc of NE Washington (Must be T T X Mayor) Spokane Regional Transportation Council Spokane Transit Authority X ALT B Policy Advisory Board AdvisWastory = T X Visit Spokane ALT T r HTAL'I'H DISTRICT BOARD T T N(��( HCDAC X TOTALS' 4 4 3 3 3 S 4 11 18 "KANE VALLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING Tuesday, January 23, 2024 6:00 p,.m. G]KN EllAl, 13IJB'11.,IC COMM ENT 0Pll"0R'Y(JNJTV THIS IS FOR GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS YOUR SPEAKING TIM] El WILL GENERALLY BE LIMITED TO THREE MINUTES You may sine in to smak but it is not necessary, as the Mayor Nvill afford the public the opportunity to speak. NAME PLEASE PRIN'll TOPIC OF CONCERN YOU WILL SPEAK ABOUT YOUR CITY OF RESIDENCE ......... . . . ( 51m, 7 na �vij -6:1-1(-"WoAP"',�, 'qlvl( 0e, L A) ...... .... . . . ........... ................ . ......... ................... ...... .. .... ...... ........... ... .. .......... Ileicve note thail once iqfimnation is entered on thisfivin, it becoines to, public record subject to public iflyclovire,