2025, 01-07 Formal B MeetingMINUTES
City of Spokane Valley
City Council Meeting
Formal B Format
Tuesday, January 07, 2025
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 Gloria Mantz, City Services Administrator
Laura Padden, Councilmember Kelly Konkright, City Attorney
Jessica Yaeger, Councilmember Tony Beattie, Sr. Deputy City Attorney
Ben Wick, Councilmember John Bottelli, Parks & Rec Director
Al Merkel, Councilmember Jill Smith, Communications Manager
Mike Basinger, Economic Development Director
Dave Ellis, Police Chief
John Whitehead, HR Director
Adam Jackson, Engineering Manager
Sarah Farr, Accounting & Finance Program Mngr
Chad Knodel, IT Manager
Marci Patterson, City Clerk
INVOCATION:
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Council, staff and the audience stood for the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL: City Clerk Patterson called roll; all Councilmembers were present.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA It was moved by Deputy Mayor Hattenburg, seconded and unanimously
agreed to approve the agenda.
CEREMONIAL OATH OF OFFICE FOR COUNCILMEMBERS: Clerk Patterson read the ceremonial
oath and all councilmembers repeated the oath for the new year.
SPECIAL GUESTS/PRESENTATIONS:
PROCLAMATIONS: Fire Prevention Week
Mayor Haley read the proclamation and Deputy Fire Marshall Ken Johnson accepted the proclamation for
the Spokane Valley Fire Department. Mr. Johnson explained the 5 E's of fire management.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: Pending Litigation 1RCW 42.30.110(1)(i)l.
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Hattenburg, seconded and unanimously agreed to adjourn into executive
session for 15 ininutes to discuss the pending litigation, and that action may be taken upon return to open
session. Council adjourned into executive session at 6:10 p.m. At 6:25p.m. Deputy Mayor Hattenburg
declared Council out of executive session and noted that there would be no action taken.
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT OPPORTUNITY: After Mayor Haley explained the process, she
invited public comment. Mr. Bob Conway, Spokane; Mr. Daniel Wilson, Spokane; Mr. Jerry Barbee,
Spokane Valley; Ms. Kendra Rojas, Spokane Valley; and Mr. Don Buehler, Spokane Valley provided
comments on various topics.
Council Meeting Minutes, Study Session: 01-07-2025 Page I of 4
Approved by Council: 01-28-2025
ACTION ITEMS:
1. Motion Consideration: Volunteer Committee Appointments — Mayor Haley
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Hattenburg and seconded to confirm the Mayor's noininations of Robert
McKinley, Emily Meyer and Ann Winkler to the Planning Commission for a three year term, Kary Gibbs
and Grant Guinn to LTAC for a two year term, Jean Kindem to the Aging & Long -Term Care of Eastern
Washington Board for a three year term, Jenny McClenathen to the Spokane Housing Authority Board for
a f ve year term, and Jessica Glasson to the TPA Connnission for a two year term with all terms beginning
January 1, 2025. Mayor Haley explained that there is still a TPA open position as there was not an
application submitted for that open position. She also explained the process for her review of the applications
and the applicants. Mayor Haley invited public comment; no comments were offered. Vote by acclamation:
in favor: Unanimous. Opposed: None. Motion carried.
2. Motion Consideration: Board Appointments — Mayor Haley
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Hattenburg and seconded to confirm the Mayoral appointments of
Councihnembers to the committees and boards as listed on the January 7, 2025 Request for Council Action
form. Mayor Haley explained that she chose to keep the same representatives on the boards and as previously
authorized, Councilmember Merkel was removed from any board(s) he was representing or listed as an
alternate on. Councilmember Yaeger will replace Councilmember Merkel on the Opioid Abatement
Committee (OAC). Mayor Haley invited public comment; no comments were offered. Vote by acclamation:
in fmwr: Mayor Haley, Deputy Mayor Hattenburg, Councihnembers Wick, Padden, Higgins and Yaeger.
Opposed.- Councilmember Merkel. Motion carried
3. Motion Consideration: Lodging Tax Funding Allocation — Sarah Farr
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Hattenburg and seconded to move to make the following allocation of
Lodging Tax fitnds for calendar year 2025 from Fund #1 05from the 2% tax: Spokane Valley HUB - Events
and Tourism — up to $147, 000; 21st USA West Square Dance Convention - Square Dance Convention — up
to $30, 000; Spokane Regional Sports Commission - Sports Request — up to $35, 000; JAKT Foundation -
Crave! Event 2025 — up to $50, 000; Washington State Quilters - Quilt Show Expansion — up to $25, 000,-
Spokane Valley Summer Theatre — Marketing — zip to $35, 000; Spokane Valley Heritage Museum -
Marketing Campaign — up to $27,268; CNC Productions, LLC - Inland Northwest RV Show & Sale — up to
$11, 000; Spokane Corvette Club - Glass on Grass — up to $15, 00; Cody Productions, Inc - Spokane
Motorcycle Show & Sale — $11, 000; and the Spokane Co Fair & Expo Center - Interstate Fair Marketing
and Safety - $6, 732. And a transfer of the remainder of actual lodging tax collections in the amount of
$500, 000 to be moved into the 1.3% Lodging Tax Fund #104. Ms. Farr provided details on the tax and what
the city projects for 2025. She also explained how those funds are received and how the city allocates those
funds to applicants and the transfer of funding from fund 105 to fund 104. Mayor Haley invited public
comment; no comments were offered. Vote by acclamation: in favor: Unanimous. Opposed: None. Motion
carried.
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Hattenburg and seconded to allocate $2, 500, 000 of Lodging Tax fitnds from
Fund #1 04from the 1.3% tax to the design, construction, and other associated costs of the City of Spokane
Valley and Spokane Sports Cross Country Course Project as presented in its 2025 lodging tax application.
Ms. Farr once again explained the use of the funds and how the city received the funds. Mayor Haley invited
public comment; no comments were offered. Vote by acclamation: in favor: Unanimous. Opposed: None.
Motion carried.
4. Motion Consideration: Determining positions for 10 authorized police officers - Erik Lamb Chief Ellis
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Hattenburg and seconded to approve the following dedicated positions as
part of the authorized ten additional positions and authorize staff to finalize and execute an amendment to
the Law Enforcement Services Interlocal Agreement to such effect: Four Patrol Deputies, One Patrol
Lieutenant, One Traffic Deputy, One Homeless Services Deputy, Two Spokane Valley Investigative Unit
Detectives, One Spokane Valley Investigative Unit Sergeant, and Modem One Patrol Sergeant to a Patrol
Lieutenant. Mr. Lamb provided background on the approval of the 10 officers and additional details on how
it was determined where the deputies should placed. Chief Ellis gave an overview on supervision and
Council Meeting Minutes, Study Session: 01-07-2025 Page 2 of 4
Approved by Council: 01-28-2025
management positions and how that would roll out. Mr. Lamb also reviewed the evaluation that was
presented in Nov. 2023 and the phased approach to adding officers has been implemented to date. A staffing
report was provided to show current details on where the city is with the approval of 10 officers and hiring
status. Mr. Lamb and Chief Ellis both spoke to the need to remodel specific areas of the precinct in order to
allow for the new positions in the current phase of hiring. The improvements to the precinct would allow the
city to complete and evaluate the space needs assessment for a new facility while still utilizing the current
space with more organization. Council discussed funding, the current jail cell situation at the precinct and
the need to continue options for the next phase of officers. Mayor Haley invited public comment. Mr. John
Harding, Spokane Valley provided comment. Vote by acclaruation: in favor: Unanimous. Opposed.• None.
Motion carried.
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5. Admin Report: Economic Forecast Presentation — Mike Basinger, Grant Forsyth
Mr. Basinger provided an introduction of Dr. Forsyth, Chief Economist at Avista. Dr. Forsyth detailed the
policy risk considerations that will start in 2025 that included US trade policy, US immigration policy and
US Fiscal policy. Dr. Forsyth also reviewed the GDP growth and CPI inflation with charting, the Fed forward
guidance on interest rates, employment growth, residential units permitted, and regional taxable sales
growth. Council thanked Dr. Forsyth for in depth presentation and were looking forward to having him back
for an update at a later meeting.
Mayor Haley calledfor a recess at 7: 50prn for 10 minutes and that the meeting would resume at 8:06pru.
6. Admin Report: Potential Grant Opportunity: Raise Grant - Adam Jackson
Mr. Jackson presented a PowerPoint presentation that provided details on what Rebuilding American
Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) is and how it works within WSDOT, the grant funding
details, grant application considerations for the Sullivan Rd and Trent Interchange, and funding breakdown
for the proposed project. Council discussed the funding involved with the grant and noted that this was a
large project with the recent completion of the Bigelow Gulch project that feeds traffic to that local area and
that a project of that size takes years to gather funding and move it forward. Council provided consensus to
bring the grant application forward for a motion consideration at a later meeting.
7. Admin Report: Potential Grant Opportunity — Clean Building Performance — Gloria Mantz
Ms. Mantz explained the Clean Building Performance Grant (CBPG) and provided details for the grant
application and that the funds would be used for new chillers for CenterPlace. She stated that the grant does
not require a match for funding purposes. Council provided consensus to return with a motion consideration
at a later meeting for the grant application.
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT OPPORTUNITY: Mayor Haley stated that the general public
comment rules still apply and called for public comments. Mr. John Harding, Spokane Valley provided
comment.
COUNCIL COMMENTS
Councilmember Merkel provided comments welcoming a new officer, spoke about yesterday being a one
of the most awful days for the city as there was a catjacking, a murder and a vehicle accident that
Councilmember Merkel said was due to a timing issue with the lights.
Councilmember Wick spoke about the projects for transportation and their importance, state agencies that
we should include in our conversations about the projects and talk to them about our other projects as well
for legislative session.
Councilmember Padden stated that all of council took the oath of office today and spoke about
Councilmember Merkel and his need to follow the rules and remember that oath.
Deputy Mayor Hattenburg spoke about the Sullivan project and that the on and off ramps are close to not
meeting inspections as well, not just the bridge area.
Council Meeting Minutes, Study Session: 01-07-2025 Page 3 of 4
Approved by Council: 01-28-2025
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
Mr. Hohman noted that it's not just a matter of the bridge, it is the width, the ramps and an overall collective
problem and to dig underneath is not feasible option. Mr. Hohman thanked Councilmember Merkel for the
new Nextdoor account and noted that the city is still waiting on the documents from the previous account.
Mr. Hohman stated that he wanted to end on good news and noted that the city hired a new Public Works
Director, Mr. Robert Blegen and provided details on Mr. Blegen's work background.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: Review Performance of a Public Employee [RCW 42.30.110(1)(2)l.
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Hattenburg, seconded and unanimously agreed to adjourn into executive
session for 60 minutes to discuss the review performance of a Public Employee, and that no action will be
taken upon return to open session. It was moved by Councilmember Wick and seconded to extend the council
meeting by 30 minutes. Vote by acclamation: infavor: Unanimous. Opposed: None. Motion carried.
Council adjourned into executive session at 8: 30p. m. At 9: 30p. m. Human Resources Director John
Whitehead stated that council needed to extend the Executive Session by 30 minutes. At 9:52p.m.
Councilmember Merkel left the Executive Session without completing the Executive Session. At 10: 00p.m.
Human Resources Director Whitehead stated that there would need to be an additional extension of 15
minutes for the Executive Session. At 10:15p. m. Deputy Mayor Hattenburg declared Council out of executive
session and made a motion to adjourn the meeting at that time. Vote by acclamation: in favor: Unanimous.
Opposed: None. Motion carried. Councilmember Merkel was absent and did not vote.
ATTEST:
Mar atterson, City Clerk
94�4-
Pam Haley, Mayor
Council Meeting Minutes, Study Session: 01-07-2025
Approved by Council: 01-28-2025
Page 4 of 4
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,fire prebention Veek
Whereas, every 23 seconds, a fire department in the United States responds to a fire somewhere
in the nation; and
Whereas, fires nationally were responsible for 3,670 civilian deaths and 79% of these fatalities
in 2023 occurred in the home; and
Whereas, fires nationally were responsible for 13,350 civilian injuries and 77% of these
injuries in 2023 were also related to fires in the home; and
Whereas, an estimated $23.2 billion in property damage nationally occurred as a result of fire in
2023,-and
Whereas, wildland/urban interface (WUl) related fires remain a concern nationwide with
multibillion -dollar losses as a result in 2023.; and
Whereas, he fire service responds to a growing number of medical calls for service, surpassing
80% of total call volume in some jurisdictions; and
Whereas, Community Risk Reduction is a data -informed process to identify and prioritize local
risks, followed by integrated and strategic investment of resources to reduce their occurrence
and impact; and
Whereas, the value of community support from local, state, and national partners to address
community risks is recognized to meet the demands on paid, combination, and volunteer
members of the fire service, and
Whereas, the goal of Community Risk Reduction is to reduce the occurrence and impact of
emergency events for both community members and emergency responders through deliberate
action in the areas of the five E's of Education, Engineering, Enforcement, Emergency
response, and Economic incentive; and
Whereas, most fire -related and many medical calls for service are preventable, with the
five E's performed as part of an integrated Community Risk Reduction program; and
Whereas, Monday, January 20, 2025, is Martin Luther King Day and is nationally recognized as
a National Day of Service and an opportunity for communities to reduce the risk in their
community through a series of educational and other programs.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED
That the week of January 20, 2025 — January 26, 2025, be designated as
CRR Week
a grassroots initiative of fire service professionals across the nation to raise awareness of the
importance of CRR in the fire service community and an opportunity to make communities safer.
Dated this 7th day of January, 2025.
Pam Haley, Mayor
PUBLIC COMMENT SIGN -IN SHEET
SPOKANE VALLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday, January 7, 2025
6:00 p.m.
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT OPPORTUNITY
#1
Please sign up to speak for up to THREE minutes and the Mayor will afford the public the opportunity to
speak. The public comment opportunity is limited to a maximum of 45 minutes.
You may only speak at one of the comment opportunities, not at both public comment opportunities.
NAME
PLEASE PRINT
TOPIC YOU WILL SPEAK
ABOUT
YOUR CITY OF RESIDENCE
W C)r'cA0-1
Air
Please note that once in,orinalion is entered on this `orm, it becomes a public record subject to public disclosure.
PUBLIC COMMENT SIGN -IN SHEET
SPOKANE VALLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday, January 7, 2025
6:00 p.m.
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT OPPORTUNITY
#2
Please sign up to speak for up to THREE minutes and the Mayor will afford the public the opportunity to
speak. The public comment opportunity is limited to a maximum of 45 minutes.
You may only speak at one of the comment opportunities, not at both public comment opportunities.
NAME TOPIC YOU WILL SPEAK
PLEASE PRINT ABOUT YOUR CITY OF RESIDENCE
Please note that once information is entered on this foam, it becomes a public record subject to public disclosure.