2003, 04-24 Study Session MinutesINFORMATION ONLY — NO ACTION REQUIRED
City of Spokane Valley
City Council
Study Session Notes
April 24, 2003
Mayor Michael DeVleming opened the study session at 6:04 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: City Manager David Mercier, Interim Deputy Manager Stan McNutt,
Interim Engineer Dick Thiel, and Interim City Clerk Ruth Muller.
Street obstruction permit fees and standards: Interim Engineer Thiel reviewed the
process for handling these permits at Spokane Valley and compared that to Spokane
County. Council and staff discussed the procedures for processing street permits through
Spokane Valley permit center and potential costs involved in the administration and
inspections required. Council agreed that they do not want to subsidize these permits as
this would be a cost to the non -user, and requested that staff establish a permit fee giving
a 20% discount for a short period of time. This will allow staff to establish an accurate
fee once there has been an opportunity to evaluate the true costs associated with the
permits.
Interim Engineer Thiel said that since the construction season is now beginning, use of a
part-time inspector would be beneficial to provide timely completion for the processing
of these permits. The City permit center would benefit from the services of an
engineering technician. City Manager Mercier said that staff will draft a proposal for a
permit specialist and part -time inspector to review at the May 6, 2003 study session.
Governance Manual: Interim Deputy Manager McNutt said that the Council
Committee has thoroughly edited this proposed manual and the City Manager has had an
opportunity to review the document. Interim Deputy Manager McNutt and City Manager
Mercier detailed several proposed minor changes to the document. The consensus of the
Council is to have this document on the May 13, 2003 agenda for action.
Reports: Councilmember Denenny said that Spokane Transit Authority could provide
an update on the new direction of the STA at a future study session.
Councilmember Munson announced that he will be absent for the June 3 and June 10
meetings as he will be out of the country.
Councilmember Taylor said that he has been contacted by a professor at Eastern
Washington Public Policy Research Program and their services are available if Spokane
Valley should need any research.
Council Study Session Notes, April 24, 2003
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INFORMATION ONLY — NO A ON REQUIRED
City Manager Comments: City Manager Mercier reported that he has issued a directive
for a pause in all hiring and appointments to staff effective May 1, 2003.
There being no further business, Mayor DeVleming closed the study session at 8:28 p.m.
Interim Ci
Clerk Ruth Muller
NOTE: It is our practice to provide Study Session Notes for information, but these
are not included as action items on Council agendas.
Council Study Session Notes, April 24, 2003