2024, 11-12 Formal A MeetingCity of Spokane Valley
City Council Study Session Meeting
Formal A Setting
Tuesday, November 12, 2024
Mayor Haley called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. The meeting was held in person in Council Chambers,
and also remotely via Zoom meeting.
Attendance:
Councilmembers
Staff
Pam Haley, Mayor
John Hohman, City Manager
Tim Hattenburg, Deputy Mayor
Erik Lamb, Deputy City Manager
Rod Higgins, Councilmember
Chelsie Walls, Finance Director
Laura Padden, Councilmember
Kelly Konkright, City Attorney
Jessica Yaeger, Councilmember
Tony Beattie, Senior Deputy City Attorney
Al Merkel, Councilmember
Mike Basinger, Economic Development Director
John Bottelli, Parks & Rec Director
Jill Smith, Communications Manager
Absent:
Dave Ellis, Police Chief
Ben Wick, Councilmember
John Whitehead, HR Director
Virginia Clough, Legislative Policy Coordinator
Justan Kinsel, IT Specialist
Marci Patterson, City Clerk
INVOCATION: Father Jeff Lewis with St. Maries Catholic Church provided the invocation.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: The Boy Scout Troop 400 led the pledge of allegiance for council.
ROLL CALL: City Clerk Patterson called roll; all Councilmembers were present except Councilmember
Wick. It was moved by Deputy Mayor Hattenburg, seconded and unanimously agreed to excuse
Councilmember Wick.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA It was moved by Deputy Mayor Hattenburg, seconded and unanimously
agreed to approve the agenda.
SPECIAL GUESTS/PRESENTATIONS:
COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS
Councilmember Merkel: noted that he attended a fentanyl roundtable meeting.
Councilmember Higgins: stated he attended the Bigelow Gulch opening ribbon cutting event, WPAV event,
the Sewer Advisory Committee meeting, LTAC advisory committee meeting and noted that they
recommended awarding $2.5 million for the cross country course.
Councilmember Padden: attended the Conservation District Market ground breaking event, a Leadership
Governance day panel event, Heritage museum fundraiser event, the Chamber Annual meeting, and a regular
Chamber meeting.
Councilmember Yaeger: attended an Aging and Long -Term Care board meeting and noted that neighbors
should be assisting the elderly and disabled with snow removal. She also attended a new freedom program
lunch group meeting, the Annual Chamber meeting, and toured Northwest Offset Printing company.
Deputy Mayor Hattenburg: spoke about the STA meetings, provided STA stat updates and budget
information, attended the Valley Chamber breakfast event, a ribbon cutting event in Ponderosa for the Fire
Station and pushed the new fire truck into the station.
MAYOR'S REPORT
Council Meeting Minutes, Study Session: 11-12-2024 Pagel of 3
Approved by Council: 02-11-2025
The mayor spoke about the Valley Chamber information that was provided by Lukas Garcia regarding the
GSI survey data that was misquoted at a previous meeting and the Mayor noted that for accuracy we need
to do our own survey for the city of Spokane Valley.
PROCLAMATION: National DECA Month & Global Entrepreneurship Week
Mayor Haley read the proclamation, and the Central Valley High School DECA class accepted the
proclamation.
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT OPPORTUNITY: After Mayor Haley explained the process, she
invited public comment; no comments were offered.
CONSENT AGENDA:
1. 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 approve the Consent Agenda.
a. Approval of Claim Vouchers, November 12, 2024, Request for Council Action Form: $2,849,356.24.
b. Approval of Payroll for Pay Period ending October 31, 2024: $825,002.24.
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Hattenburg, seconded and unanimously agreed to approve the Consent
Agenda.
ACTION ITEMS:
2. Ordinance 24-016 First Reading: Public Prope!jy Camping Regulations — Kelly Konkright
After City Clerk Patterson read the Ordinance title, it was moved by Deputy Mayor Hattenburg and seconded
to advance Ordinance #24-016 regarding Public Property Camping Regulations to a second reading. City
Attorney Konkright spoke about ordinance and reviewed the changes to the ordinance from what it read
previously. Mayor Haley invited public comment: no comments were offered. Council spoke about the
ordinance being in compliance with the latest information and how the specifics of this ordinance relate to
our officers handling calls regarding homeless individuals camping on public property. Councilmember
Merkel noted that with the Grants Pass decision that the "gloves are off' and City Attorney Konkright
clarified that the decision does not give cities permission to take whatever action they deem necessary. City
Manager Hohman noted that there are restrictions and that the city does not have an endless supply of funding
to take care of all the current issues and we want to be a city that works with the individuals to find them the
services and resources they need. Vote by acclamation: in favor: Unanimous. Opposed: none. Motion
carried.
3. Motion Consideration: TPA: Spokane Sports & 116 & West proposals — Lesli Brassfield
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Hattenburg and seconded to authorize the City Manager or his designee to
utilize 2025 TPA revenue to execute a contract amendment zip to $875, 000 with 116 & West for destination
marketing services, and a contract amendment up to $400, 000 with Spokane Sports for sports recruitment
and marketing services. Ms. Brassfield provided background details and information on the funding and
TPA work plan for 116 & West and Spokane Sports. It will be funded with 2025 TPA generated revenue.
Mayor Haley invited public comment; no comments were offered. Vote by acclamation: in favor:
unanimous. Opposed.• none. Motion carried
4. Motion Consideration: Adopt the Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) — Virginia Clough
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Hattenburg and seconded to adopt the Spokane Valley Continuity of
Operations Plan as amended. Ms. Clough provided details regarding the updates that were made to the plan
as previously discussed. Council thanked staff for all the hard work in preparing the COOP and look forward
to the next plan. Mayor Haley invited public comment; no comments were offered. Vote by acclamation: in
favor: unanimous. Opposed: none. Motion carried.
NON -ACTION ITEMS:
Council Meeting Minutes, Study Session: 11-12-2024 Page 2 of 3
Approved by Council: 02-11-2025
5 Admin Report: Interlocal Agreement for Recreation Classes w/ City of Spokane Parks & Recreation -
Kendall May
Ms. May outlined the details of the interlocal agreement for outdoor recreation classes with the City of
Spokane Parks Department. Council discussed the costs of the classes and if there were additional costs to
the city. Ms. May noted that they accounted for staff time. Council provided consensus to return with a
motion consideration at a later date.
6 Admin Report: Collective Bargaining Agreement - City Employees Local 270V - John Whitehead
Mr. Whitehead presented the collective bargaining agreement and reviewed some of the agreements that
were reached between the parties. Mr. Whitehead also noted that it was agreed to by employees and will be
a three year contract agreement. Council discussed previous agreements and that there was willingness with
both sides to work together and that council appreciates our city staff. Councilmember Merkel requested
verification that there was no built in COLA or automatic raises for staff. Mr. Whitehead stated that was
correct and that was not in the contract. Council provided consensus to return with a motion consideration
at a later date. .
INFORMATION ONLY (will note be reported or discussed):
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT OPPORTUNITY: General public comment rules apply.
After Mayor Haley explained the process, she invited public comment; no comments were offered.
ADVANCE AGENDA
Councilmember Padden requested additional transparency and that council be provided regular reports from
Chief Ellis on where we are with the 10 new officer positions. Council provided consensus to move forward
with that request.
Councilmember Merkel requested looking at an ordinance to only provide services for legal immigrants.
There was not consensus to move that request forward.
Councilmember Merkel requested implementation of a contractor evaluations system. There was not
consensus to move that request forward.
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
Mr. Hohman noted that he and other staff and a couple of the council attended the new engine push in
ceremony at the fire station in Ponderosa and what an honor it was to attend the ceremony. He also spoke
about the Chamber Annual Meeting and the award to the chamber member for distinguished service was
Phil Champlin at the HUB and that it well deserved.
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Hattenburg, seconded and unanimously agreed to adjourn. The meeting
was adjourned at 7:05 p.m.
TT ST:
Marc' Patterson, City Clerk
Pam Haley, Mayor
Council Meeting Minutes, Study Session: 11-12-2024
Approved by Council: 02-11-2025
Page 3 of 3
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City of Spokane Valrey, WasFiington
NationaC(EC'9 Wonth cs� 06a[Entrepreneurship Week
WHEREAS, DECA, which began in 1946, was originally named the Distributive Education Clubs of
America, known today as an international association of marketing students, which works
to prepare emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance,
hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe; and
WHEREAS, DECA clubs throughout the nation work to instill students with the spirit of enterprise,
civic responsibility, and the complex skills needed to assure the America's strength in
marketing keeps pace with the vast expansion of technology and the increasingly
sophisticated needs of people throughout the world; and
WHEREAS, The City of Spokane Valley recognizes the important role that career and leadership
education plays in preparing students in our high schools to be good citizens and successful
adults; and
WHEREAS, The City of Spokane Valley commends DECA in its work to teach students about the
importance, opportunities and rewards offi•ee enterprise; and
WHEREAS, Local high schools realize that options offered through DECA offer a wide range of high -
wage, high -skill, high -demand careers; and
WHEREAS, Spokane Valley has many high -quality career and technical education professionals in all
types of school settings who are committed to educating our children; and
WHEREAS, Global Entrepreneurship week is an opportunity to celebrate DECA and its
accomplishments over the last 77 years and to raise awareness of the need and value of
preparing students to join the workforce.
NOW THEREFORE I, Pam Haley, Mayor of the City of Spokane Valley, on behalf of the Spokane Valley
City Council and the citizens of the City of Spokane Valley, do hereby proclaim the month of November as
National DECA Month,
and I also proclaim the week of November 18 through 24 as
Global Entrepreneurship Week
and I urge Spokane Valley citizens to learn more about this wonderful and worthwhile organization.
Dated this 12`" day of November 2024.
Pam Haley, Mayo
Mard Patterson
From: Hector Miguel Valencia <valenciamiguelgarza@gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, November 12, 2024 2:35 PM
To: Council Meeting Public Comment
Subject: Request for Ordinance to Protect Against Wage Theft in Spokane Valley
[EXTERNAL] This email originated outside the City of Spokane Valley. Always use caution when opening attachments or
clicking links.
November 12 Meeting
Miguel Valencia
Spokane Country
Dear Spokane Valley City Council,
I am writing to urge the Council to consider adopting an ordinance similar to the City of Everett's recent legislation, which
strengthens protections against wage theft in the city's procurement policies. This ordinance ensures that contractors and
service providers found guilty of wage theft cannot benefit from public funds. Implementing a similar ordinance in Spokane
Valley would be a significant step toward supporting our local economy, protecting workers, and fostering ethical business
practices within our community.
Wage theft —when employers deny workers the compensation they are legally owed —harms individuals, families, and
businesses alike. It impacts workers' ability to provide for their families and reduces their economic participation within our
community. Moreover, employers who engage in wage theft undercut fair businesses that operate with integrity, creating
an unfair marketplace.
A Spokane Valley ordinance targeting wage theft would:
1. Hold contractors accountable by requiring companies bidding on city projects to certify that they have not
committed wage theft in the past five years.
2. Enhance city procurement practices by verifying, through tools provided by the Washington Department of
Labor and Industries, that contractors have followed legal wage standards.
3. Level the playing field for all businesses by discouraging unethical practices and rewarding those that respect
workers' rights.
4. Promote fiscal responsibility by ensuring city funds go only to responsible and law-abiding contractors and
service providers.
This approach benefits our community by fostering economic stability, protecting vulnerable workers, and ensuring
Spokane Valley taxpayer dollars support ethical, lawful business practices. Wage theft has no place in our community,
and we should ensure our policies reflect that commitment.
As I understand it, the city of Spokane Valley at this moment does not have clear criteria with who we contract with other
than cost. I believe the city should also work to develop a list of criteria to weigh whether to contract with a certain
business or not.
Thank you for your attention to this important issue, and I hope to see Spokane Valley leading the way in adopting strong
protections against wage theft.
Sincerely,
Miguel Valencia