2003, 04-15 Study Session MinutesMayor Michael DeVleming opened the Study Session at 6:00 p.m.
Councilmembers present: Mayor Michael DeVleming, Deputy Mayor Diana Wilhite,
Councilmembers Dick Denenny, Mike Flanigan, Richard Munson, Gary Schimmels and
Steve Taylor.
Staff present: Interim Manager Lee Walton, Interim Attorney Stanley Schwartz, Interim
Deputy Manager Stan McNutt, Interim Finance Director Robert Noack, Interim Public
Works Director Richard Warren, Interim City Engineer Dick Thiel, Interim Parks and
Recreation Consultant Bill Hutsinpiller, Interim Recreation Coordinator Shelley Goss,
and Interim City Clerk Ruth Muller.
Planning Commission Appointments: Deputy Mayor Wilhite moved and
Councilmember Denenny seconded that Planning Commission appointments be
approved as follows:
William Gothmann - three -year term
Ian Robertson - three -year term
John Carroll - three -year term
Fred Beaulac - two -year term
David Crosby — one -year term
Gail Kogle — two -year term
Robert Blum — one -year term
Councilmember Taylor moved and Mayor DeVleming seconded to amend the motion to
add one additional individual for the Committee to consider, Lewis Rumpler.
Councilmember Taylor said that Mr. Rumpler is a Spokane Valley resident, and presently
serves as Vice -Chair for the Spokane County Planning Commission. He feels that our
City should take advantage of the experience Mr. Rumpler can bring to this Commission
and it does not appear that there would be any conflict to serve on the two Commissions.
Councilmember Flanigan said that their could definitely be a conflict as Spokane Valley
begins to work on its Comprehensive Plan and may consider re- drawing the Urban
Growth Areas for the City. Councilmember Denenny said that even though there may be
no true conflict, he does have a problem with one individual serving on two Commissions
in the same area. The motion to amend adding Lewis Rumpler to the submitted list failed
with one aye vote — Councilmember Taylor; and six nay votes — Mayor DeVleming,
Deputy Mayor Wilhite, Councilmembers Denenny, Flanigan, Munson, and Schimmels.
Mayor DeVleming introduced the seven individuals nominated for serving on the
Planning Commission. The motion to approve Planning Commission members as
submitted carried unanimously.
Study Session Notes, April 15, 2003
Council Approved: May 27, 2003
City of Spokane Valley
City Council
Study Session Notes
April 15, 2003
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Animal Services: There was brief discussion about elements to be included in a Request
for Proposal for animal services. Councilmembers agreed that staff develop an RFP to
secure proposals for animal control services within the boundaries of the City.
Senior Services Program: Interim Parks and Recreation Consultant Hutsinpiller
reported on status of the CenterPlace project at Mirabeau and said that there will be a
future report to the Council on the design for this facility. Hutsinpiller introduced Karen
Cornell, Coordinator for the Senior Center, who reviewed the programs and operations of
for the Senior Center. There was brief discussion of the differences in the current facility
and the proposed facility at CenterPlace.
Computer Software: Interim Deputy Manager McNutt said that the City has been
carefully reviewing information for a software package that will include financial and
permit system; that will be interactive and web -based in the future. Interim Finance
Director Noack added that staff has reviewed proposals from nine companies and
selected Eden Systems as the firm for providing these services to Spokane Valley. There
was discussion of the capability of this system to interact with other software programs.
A contract for the computer software system with Eden Systems is being developed and
will be ready for the April 22, 2003 agenda.
Cable Franchise Fee Ordinance Amendment: Interim Finance Director Noack said
that Comcast has requested consideration of quarterly rather than monthly payments for
the cable franchise fees. Council concurred that an amendment incorporating this change
be included on the April 22, 2003 agenda.
Street Maintenance Agreement: Interim Public Works Director Warren said that this
proposed agreement has been negotiated with Spokane County and includes ability for
request some discretionary work. There is also money included in the budget to do some
maintenance work with outside contractors. Council agreed that this agreement be
included in the April 22, 2003 agenda.
Engineering Services Agreement: Interim Public Works Director Warren said that this
agreement provides for Spokane County to continue work on projects that are
approximately 90% complete. The County will be acting as a consultant for Spokane
Valley, and this work will phase out over the next few years as these projects are
completed and Spokane Valley begins using its own consultants for engineering services.
Storm WaterAgreement: Interim Public Works Director Warren said that Spokane
Valley staff is doing analysis of this agreement and it should be ready for Council action
some time in May.
Solid Waste Agreement: Interim Public Works Director Warren said that at the
direction of Council, staff submitted the request for Spokane Valley to have to voting
members on the Liaison Board, but the City has only been provided one voting member,
although anyone can attend these meetings. There was discussion of the need to send a
Study Session Notes, April 15, 2003
Council Approved: May 27, 2003
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letter to WUTC advising of the City's intent relating to providing solid waste services.
Council agreed that this agreement will be on the May 13, 2003 agenda and a motion for
WUTC notification on the April 22, 2003 agenda.
Sewer Agreement: Interim Public Works Director Warren reviewed the process that
Spokane County has been conducting this year to communicate with the public for the
proposed construction projects. The County has a large reserve built up in the sewer fund
that will be available to Spokane Valley for subsidizing sewers in the City. Council
agreed that this agreement be on an agenda in May following a meeting with the County
Commissioners.
Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility: Interim Public Works Director Warren
reported on meetings with public works staff from Spokane County, Spokane, and
Liberty Lake for discussion of possible regional facility for wastewater treatment facility.
Bridge the Valley: Interim Public Works Director Warren said that various agencies
have approved resolutions in support of the Bridge the Valley concept that will help in
the search for funding for this project. Following brief discussion, Councilmembers, with
the exception of Councilmember Taylor, agreed that staff develop a resolution in support
of the Bridge the Valley concept.
Street Obstruction Permit Fees and Standards: Interim Engineer Thiel said that there
has been concern expressed about these fees, that are different than what was paid to
Spokane County. There was discussion about the necessity to evaluate the fees for these
permits and cost for providing sufficient inspection services to assure that work is done in
accordance with Spokane Valley standards. Council concurred that this subject should be
included on a special study session agenda April 24, 2003 for a one -hour review.
Governance Coordination Manual: Interim Deputy Manager McNutt said that the
committee has completed its work on development of the manual that is now ready for
full Council review in preparation for approval. Council agreed that this item also should
be on the April 24, 2003 special study session agenda for review.
Support the Troops: Councilmember Munson suggested that the City provide a special
welcome home banner for the troops returning from deployment to the Iraqi conflict at a
ceremony at Fairchild Air Force Base.
Employee Job Descriptions: Councilmember Taylor suggested that the Council needs
to look closely at job descriptions and salary to determine if salary is adequate to cover
the job an employee is expected to do. Council agreed that a committee be appointed to
study this issue Mayor DeVleming appointed Councilmember Taylor, Denenny and
Schimmels to review job descriptions and salary schedule.
Mayor DeVleming announced that the Council will go into executive session for
approximately 30 minutes to review personnel issues with possible action following the
executive session.
Study Session Notes, April 15, 2003
Council Approved: May 27, 2003
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The Mayor recessed the meeting to executive session at 8:18 p.m.
The meeting reconvened at 8:45 p.m.
City Manager Agreement: Deputy Mayor Wilhite moved and Councilmember
Denenny seconded that Council approve Draft No. 6 of Employment Agreement for City
Manager between Spokane Valley and David Mercier. Councilmember Denenny said
that negotiating this contract has involved the most time and energy since the election ,
since this is a most important appointment. Council looked very carefully at every aspect
of this contract and all individuals are satisfied with the final document. Councilmember
Munson said that this has been a very interesting and gratifying process. Deputy Mayor
Wilhit said that this Draft No. 6 is the result of the time and energy spent in discussion of
every single aspect of what the Council wants from an employee in this position, and all
Council are in agreement Councilmembers Munson, Taylor, Flanigan and Schimmels
agreed that this contract meets all requirements of the Council. Interim Attorney
Schwartz said that this motion appoints David Mercier as City Manager under the terms
and conditions as included in Draft No. 6. Employment Agreement, will be on the April
22, 2003 agenda for ratification. The motion to approve Draft No. 6 of Employment
Agreement for City Manager with David Mercier carried unanimously.
Adjournment: Councilmember Flanigan moved and Councilmember Schimmels
seconded that the meeting adjourn. The motion carried unanimously. There being no
further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:50 pm.
ATTEST:
Interim City Clerk Ruth Muller Mayor Michael DeVjeming
Study Session Notes, April 15, 2003
Council Approved. May 27, 2003
APPROVED:
(14 -
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