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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024, 11-26 Formal A MeetingMINUTES City of Spokane Valley City Council Regular Meeting Formal Format A Tuesday, November 26, 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 Staff Pam Haley, Mayor John Hohman, City Manager Tim Hattenburg, Deputy Mayor Erik Lamb, Deputy City Manager Laura Padden, Councilmember Gloria Mantz, City Services Administrator Jessica Yaeger, Councilmember Kelly Konkright, City Attorney Rod Higgins, Councilmember Chelsie Walls, Finance Director Ben Wick, Councilmember John Bottelli, Parks & Rec Director Al Merkel, Councilmember Tony Beattie, Sr. Deputy City Attorney Jill Smith, Communications Manager Dave Ellis, Police Chief Mike Basinger, Economic Development Director Steve Roberge, Planning Manager Marty Plananiuk, Senior Planner Virginia Clough, Legislative Policy Coordinator Julie Meyers -Lehman, Executive Assistant Chad Knodel, IT Manager Marci Patterson, City Clerk INVOCATION: Pastor Matthew Larson, Advent Lutheran Church gave the 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 AMENDED AGENDA It was moved by Deputy Mayor Hattenburg to approve the amended agenda, seconded and agreed unanimously. INTRODUCTION OF SPECIAL GUESTS AND PRESENTATIONS Sheriff Nowels Special Guest Sheriff Nowels and Chief Dave Ellis provided a detailed overview of the Keep Washington Working Act and what that looked like for our community and how the Sheriff's Office was overseeing the act. City Attorney Konkright spoke about discrimination law and that we cannot deny individuals services for housing/shelter whether it be for an emergency or long term. It was moved by Deputy Mayor Hattenburg to amend the amended agenda, to include an action item to verbally reprimand Councilmember Merkel for misrepresenting the city's homelessness program, statements made by our councilinembers, and the law from preventing law enforcement from asking about a person's citizenship or immigration status. The motion was seconded and approved by Mayor Haley, Deputy Mayor Hattenburg, Councilmembers Wick, Padden, Higgins and Yaeger. Opposed by Councilmember Merkel. Motion passed. COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS Councilmember Merkel attended the roundtable event hosted by Dr. Valasquez, and a reimbursement work group meeting. Council Meeting Minutes, Formal: 11-26-2024 Pagel of 4 Approved by Council: 07-08-2025 Councilmember Wick: attended the NLC Conference with roughly 5000 other councilmembers in attendance and sat in transportation infrastructure committee meeting. Councilmember Higgins:stated that he had nothing to report. Councilmember Padden: stated that she had nothing to report. Councilmember Yaeger: attended the CERT (citizen emergency response team) training, round table with Catholic Charities, and a ribbon cutting event. Deputy Mayor Hattenburg: stated that attended an STA meeting and they provided resolution for outstanding work to Cathy McMorris Rodgers for all her work in transportation over her terms in office. MAYOR'S REPORT The Mayor provided an update on the STA meetings she attended. PROCLAMATIONS: Small Business Saturday Mayor Haley read the Proclamation for Small Business Saturday and Mr. Lance Beck with the Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce accepted the proclamation. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT OPPORTUNITY: After Mayor Haley explained the process, she invited comments from the public. Mr. Chuck Simpson, Spokane Valley; Ms. Candy Turner, Spokane Valley; and Michael Kelly, Spokane Valley provided general comments. NEW BUSINESS: 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 26, 2024, Request for Council Action Form: $3,503,714.46. b. Approval of Payroll for Pay Period ending October 15, 2024: $571,935.07. c. Approval of Council Meeting Minutes of August 27, 2024 d. Approval of Council Meeting Minutes of September 3, 2024 e. Approval of Council Meeting Minutes of September 10, 2024 f. Approval of Council Meeting Minutes of September 17, 2024 g. Approval of Council Meeting Minutes of September 24, 2024 h. Approval of Council Meeting Minutes of October 1, It was moved by Deputy Mayor Hattenburg, seconded and unanimously agreed to approve the Consent Agenda. 2A. Motion Consideration: Verbal Reprimand to Councilmember Merkel — Deputy Mayor Hattenburg It was moved by Deputy Mayor Hattenburg and seconded to verbally reprimand Councilmember Merkel for making knowingly and recklessly false statements to the public by emails, social media posts regarding statements made by city staff, Mayor Haley, and Councilmember Padden regarding the city's homelessness program and requirements of the Keep Washington Working Act. City Manager Hohman spoke about the homeless program and the CoC 5 year plan and that both have been spoken about numerous times in past meetings. Mr. Hohman also spoke about the misleading information that was put out to the public by Councilmember Merkel and noted that Sheriff Nowels and City Attorney Konkright spoke about the corrected information earlier in the evening. Mr. Hohman spoke about the homelessness plan and the officers that are trying to assist with our homeless plan and noted that we all need to work collaboratively. Councilmember Merkel said that there is nothing in the Keep Washington Working Act that has to do with social workers and wanted to know specifically what he said was incorrect about what he said. Mr. Hohman noted the outreach efforts and that it does apply to law enforcement officers and most of our outreach team is law enforcement. Councilmember Padden began to speak and Councilmember Merkel poised a point of order and asked if we were doing questions or comments. Mayor Haley noted that she would allow comments or questions at the current time. Councilmember Padden continued and stated information about the Keep Washington Working Act and Councilmember Council Meeting Minutes, Formal: 11-26-2024 Page 2 of 4 Approved by Council: 07-08-2025 Merkel chose to double down and provide false information and that there's never a correction on his false information. Councilmember Merkel began comments to respond to Councilmember Padden and Councilmember Higgins poised a point of order and stated that these are all diversionary tactics. Mayor Haley stated she agreed and that this had to do with Councilmember Merkel's behavior and the need for respect and decorum. Deputy Mayor Hattenburg spoke about Councilmember Merkel making false statements and that he needs to be able to back them up. Councilmember Wick stated that he was unsure what was going on and that he doesn't follow Councilmember Merkel and didn't get the email. Councilmember Yaeger noted that this is not the compassionate way to assist our community and you can't just put them on a bus as you previously stated. We took an oath to uphold the law and apparently Councilmember Merkel does not care about the laws. Mayor Haley invited public comment. Mr. William Neville, Spokane; Mr. John Harding, Spokane Valley; and Becky Hattenburg, Spokane Valley. Councilmember Padden noted that we have a huge problem nationally and the feds need to deport those criminally at a federal level. Locally we are compelled by state law to uphold these laws and we can't choose what laws to uphold. Councilmember Merkel made statements about being confused as to where council is at on the topics and spoke about those that come into the country without proper documentation is illegal and they are camping in our parks or on private property. He noted that he is going to wear his reprimand as a badge of honor and standing up for the citizens that elected him. Councilmember Higgins poised a point of order and noted that Councilmember Merkel is campaigning. Mayor Haley noted that the point was well taken. City Manager Hohman noted that we are doing what we are supposed to be doing and there are a lot of accusations that he has no information on and I suggest we get back to the motion at hand. Deputy Mayor Hattenburg called for the question. Vote by acclamation: in favor., Mayor Haley, Deputy Mayor Hattenburg and Councilrnembers Yaeger, Padden, Higgins and Wick. Opposed: Councihnember Merkel. Motion carried Councilmember Merkel poised a point of order and stated that we voted on calling for the question and now we need to vote on the original motion. Mayor Haley noted that he was not running the meeting and that she was moving on. 2. Motion Consideration: Spokane Regional Emergency Communications Letter — Erik Lamb It was moved by Deputy Mayor Hattenburg and seconded to approve sending the letter in substantially the form provided to the Board of County Commissioners requesting City representation on the SPEC Board, and requesting an interlocal with SPEC. Deputy City Manager Lamb provided updated details on the SREC information with the City of Spokane and where the City of Spokane is currently at in their further communications. Mr. Lamb noted details on the draft letter that our city would like to send regarding terms of board participation and a contract for services for the city. Mr. Lamb also reviewed the funding and operational function for SREC based on information received in a conversation that was had with the Sheriff. Mayor Haley invited public comment. Mr. John Harding, Spokane Valley; Mr. Rick Freier, Spokane Valley provided comments. Council noted that they approved of a letter but that there could be someone that was not an elected official be part of the SREC board that still could be a voice for the Valley and that perhaps they send a letter at a later time. Councilmember Merkel moved to table this item until Spokane finishes its discussions. Clerk Patterson noted that by tabling the item, it would need to be the first motion item voted on at the next meeting. Councilmember Merkel then moved to amend the motion to not send the letter until the conclusion of Spokane's discussions with SREC pending one more review of this action item before sending. Mayor Haley noted the amendment and there was a second on the amended motion. Vote by acclamation: in fcn�or: Mayor Haley, Deputy Mayor Hattenburg, Councilrnembers Higgins, Padden, Yaeger and Merkel. Opposed: Councibnenrber Wick. Motion carried Mayor Haley called for a recess at 7: 45pm for 10 minutes and that the meeting would resrane at 7.•55pm. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS: 3. Admin Report: CTA-2024-0001 Chapter 17.80 permit processing procedures — Marty Palaniuk Mr. Palaniuk provided an update on Code Text Amendment 2024-0001 Chapter 17.80 SVMC - permit processing procedures and gave details on who can initiate the process, the process for the requested amendment, the regulatory framework for the process, why the change for the current requested amendment as it was due to SB 5290, a review of the general permit process, and a summary of the changes required. Council Meeting Minutes, Formal: 11-26-2024 Page 3 of Approved by Council: 07-08-2025 Mr. Palaniuk noted that the Planning Commission recommends that the City Council approve the amendment with a vote. Council discussed the changes and provided consensus to proceed with a first reading of the Ordinance at a future meeting. 4. Admin Report: 2025 Fee Resolution - Chelsie Walls Ms. Walls spoke about the updates to the fees for both the city and CenterPlace and noted that it was a standard review of the resolution. Council discussed various fees such as the ball field rentals, comparison of fees with other jurisdictions, costs for the cross country course and how fees were determined for CenterPlace rentals. 5. Admin Report: Rules for Planning Commission Update — Tony Beattie Mr. Beattie reviewed the updates for the planning commission rules and provided details on the resolution adoption. Council provided consensus to return with the resolution at a future meeting. INFORMATION ONLY (will not be reported or discussed) 6. Department Monthly Reports 7. Fire Dept Monthly Report GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT OPPORTUNITY: After Mayor Haley explained the process, she invited comments from the public. No comments were provided. ADVANCE AGENDA Councilmember Merkel updates on the roundabouts. There was not consensus to move the item forward. Councilmember Wick requested the city do our own citizen survey, similar to what GSI recently did. There was consensus to move forward with the request. Councilmember Yaeger requested that all council retake the oath of office at the first meeting in January. There was consensus to move forward with the request. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS City Manager Hohman noted that the building next to Balfour park has been demolished. He also noted that the celebration of lights would be held at Balfour Park on December 6"' and that there would be no council meeting next week. It was moved by Deputy Mayor Hattenburg, seconded and unanimously agreed to adjourn at 8:24p. in. ATTEST: Marci atterson, City Clerk Pam Haley, Mayor Council Meeting Minutes, Formal: I 1-26-2024 Approved by Council: 07-08-2025 Page 4 of 4 AMEMDED AGENDA SPOKANE VALLEY CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING FORMAL A FORMAT Tuesday, November 26, 2024 6:00 p.m. Remotely via ZOOMMeeting and In Person at Spokane Valley City Hall, Council Chambers 10210 E. Sprague Ave. Spokane Valley, WA 99206 Council Requests Please Silence Your Cell Phones During Council Meeting NOTE: Members of the public may attend Spokane Valley Council meetings in -person at the address provided above, or via Zoom at the link below. Members of the public will be allowed to comment in -person or via Zoom as described below. Public comments will only be accepted for those items noted on the agenda as "public comment opportunity If making a comment via Zoom, comments must be received by 4:00 pm the day of the meeting. • Sign up to Provide Oral Public Comment at the Meeting via Calling -In • Submit Written Public Comment Prior to the Meetine • Join the Zoom WEB Meetins CALL TO ORDER INVOCATION: Pastor Matthew Larson, Advent Lutheran Church PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ROLL CALL APPROVAL OF AMENDED AGENDA SPECIAL GUESTS/PRESENTATIONS: Sheriff Nowels COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS MAYOR'S REPORT PROCLAMATIONS: Small Business Saturday GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT OPPORTUNITY: This is an opportunity for the public to speak on any subject except agenda action items, as public comments will be taken on those items where indicated. Please keep comments to matters within the jurisdiction of the City Government. This is not an opportunity for questions or discussion. Diverse points of view are welcome but please keep remarks civil. Remarks will be limited to three minutes per person. If a person engages in disruptive behavior or makes individual personal attacks regarding matters unrelated to City business, then the Council and/or Mayor may end that person's public comment time before the three -minute mark. To comment via zoom: use the link above for oral or written comments as per those directions. To comment at the meeting in person: speakers may sign in to speak but it is not required. A sign -in sheet will be provided at the meeting. 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. Council Agenda November 26, 2024 Page 1 of 2 PUBLIC COMMENT SIGN -IN SHEET SPOKANE VALLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING Tuesday, November 26, 2024 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 e e /_ VA, l C1 V<nIC` � u, 1ev <L Please note that once information is entered on this form, it becomes a ptthlic record subject to public disclosure. Spokane 'Prom t"atio11 .;oOValley- City of Spokane Va&y, Washington Smad 0usiness Saturday WHEREAS, The City of Spokane Valley celebrates its local small businesses and the contributions they make to our local economy and community; that, according to the United States Small Business Administration, there are 34.7 million small businesses in the United States, small businesses represent 99.7% of firms with paid employees, small businesses are responsible for 61.1 % of net new jobs created since 1995, and small businesses employ 45.9% of the employees in the private sector in the United States; and WHEREAS, 68 cents of every dollar spent at a small business in the United States stays in the local community and every dollar spent at small businesses creates an additional 48 cents in local business activity as a result of employees and local businesses purchasing local goods and services; and WHEREAS, 59% of U.S. consumers aware of Small Business Saturday shopped or ate at a small, independently owned retailer or restaurant on Small Business Saturday 2023; and WHEREAS, The City of Spokane Valley supports its local businesses that creates jobs, boosts our local economy and preserves our neighborhoods; and WHEREAS, Advocacy groups as well as public and private organizations across the country have endorsed the Saturday after Thanksgiving as `Small Business Saturday. ' NOW, THEREFORE, I, Pam Haley, Mayor of the City of Spokane Valley, on behalf of the Spokane Valley City Councilmembers, do hereby proclaim Saturday, November 30, 2024 as SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY for the City of Spokane Valley, and I urge Spokane Valley citizens to join communities across the country in support of small businesses and merchants, on Small Business Saturday and throughout the year. Dated this 26th day of November 2024. (?Q, Hu, — Pam Haley, Mayor Mard Patterson From: William Neville <wneville.iv@gmail.com> Sent: Tuesday, November 26, 2024 10:21 AM To: Marci Patterson Subject: Re: Council Meeting Public Comment [EXTERNAL] This email originated outside the City of Spokane Valley. Always use caution when opening attachments or clicking links. Good morning Marci, Thank you, I will do that. Here is my comments for tonight that I would like to deliver in person: Today, I am here to voice my concern on ordinance 24-016 unanimously passed on 11/19, which essentially criminalizes homelessness. In a time where the contradictions of capitalism are intensifying, the passing of this ordinance is very concerning and does nothing to address this sensitive and important issue in the long-term. Instead, this ordinance will only do harm. It is worth noting that this ordinance fuels the flames for a larger push for a second jail in Spokane County, which is something we do not need. This action to approve this ordinance is actually typical of all City Council members who, despite whatever their differences are, still toe the line of the business class. Only in the United States and many western countries is housing viewed as a commodity; this is absolutely wrong. This ordinance was only possible because of the right-wing Supreme Court decision known as the City of Grants Pass v. Johnson, which overturns decades of precedent that said cities could not fine orjail homeless people unless they had shelter space available because it was cruel and unusual punishment. This Supreme Court decision has allowed municipalities all across the United States to criminalize homelessness, and look no further than the City of Spokane Valley as an example for implementing policies based on this decision. In Spokane County, like many other places in the United States, emergency shelter systems have been stretched beyond capacity, and as of recent, shelter capacity has diminished. The barrier into affordable housing is increasing by the minute; rents are increasing, whereas wages compared to the actual cost of living are considered stagnant. Meanwhile, the billionaire class is seeing their wealth increase by the second. The contradictions of capitalism keep intensifying; as the rich get richer, the poor get poorer. Regarding this ordinance, I would like to see what evidence that ticketing and jailing people experiencing homelessness will solve the problem? We cannot capitalism our way out of poverty. I would also like to bring to your attention that according to the U.S. Campaign for Palestinian Rights, in Spokane Valley Washington, $1,520,857 of the city's tax payer's dollars go to funding towards military aid to Israel. This figure alone could instead fund 180 households with public housing for a year, 529 children receiving free or low cost healthcare, with funds left over that would contribute to the overall well-being of the community. The military industrial complex has been reaping the benefits, while it is working class people domestically and abroad who continue to suffer. 1 In conclusion, I urge you to overturn this ordinance and start thinking of community minded solutions that address the collective well-being of all. I am asking the Spokane Valley City Council to overturn this ordinance, and rather focus on community minded solutions that address the overall collective well- being of others, rather than a punitive approach that would exacerbate problems and reinforce our already broken criminal justice system. Will Neville, Spokane, WA On Tue, Nov 26, 2024 at 8:16 AM Marci Patterson<mpatterson@spokanevalleywa.gov> wrote: Good morning — This is email is the email address to provide written public comment. You may send an email to this email address with your comment if you wish to provide it in written form. If you wish to provide it verbally you will need to sign up via the link provided below before 4:OOpm this afternoon: Remote Public Comment Signup I Spokane Valley, WA If you are signing up to provide verbal comment via Zoom, you will need to be logged into Zoom at 6:OOpm and you will be called on when it is time for public comment. Thankyou, Marci Marci Patterson I City Clerk (509) 720-5102 1 mpatterson@SpokaneValleyWA.gov From: William Neville <wneville.iv@gmail.com> Sent: Monday, November 25, 2024 6:38 PM To: Council Meeting Public Comment<councilmeetinepubliccomment@spokanevalleywa.gov> Subject: Council Meeting Public Comment [EXTERNAL] This email originated outside the City of Spokane Valley. Always use caution when opening attachments or clicking links. Date: Tuesday, November 26th Topic: Ordinance Which Jails Homeless Persons for Camping in Public City of Residence: Spokane, WA Name: William Neville I would like to provide public comment tomorrow at the City Council meeting regarding an ordinance just passed. Do I register here or can I sign in before the meeting in person? Thank you, Will Neville Mayor Lisa Brown November 15, 2024 Scott Simmons Spokane County Chief Executive Officer 1116 W. Broadway Spokane, WA 99260 Dear Mr. Simmons, I remain eager to forge a path forward that leverages consolidated emergency communication to support public safety across the region and address the unique public safety concerns within the City of Spokane ("the City") — Spokane County's largest urban municipality. As you know, the SREC negotiation teams have met twice, for one -hour conversations, to address items highlighted in the City's consultant report. While my team appreciates the significant effort required to gather high level regional officials, the meetings have lacked structure and skilled facilitation. As a result, we have struggled to meaningfully grapple with, much less resolve, remaining areas of misalignment. I am, therefore, writing to request that the transition committee identify and retain a mutually agreeable third -party mediator to craft agendas and productively facilitate further discussions to guide us toward an acceptable agreement. I. The Value of Facilitation The City has consistently identified three areas for discussion in the negotiation meetings: governance structure, financial structure, and service levels. Several questions remain under each category. Mediation could help resolve key concerns in each of the following: a) Governance structure During our most recent meeting on October 14, the City presented an alternative governance structure for the committee's consideration (Attachment 1). We stressed that the proposal, which did not give the City a majority of seats, was merely a starting point to the conversation and I was open to receive or collaboratively craft alternative models. Unfortunately, the Committee dismissed the proposal out of hand and referred it to the SREC Board for a vote. I understand the Board of County Commissioners voted this week to memorialize the SREC Board's governance recommendation through County action. Still, I believe a mediator may help us better articulate the City's proportionality and equity concerns in order to identify relevant solutions that account for the unique needs of the City and ensure elected leaders from all participating agencies and all relevant branches of government retain fiscal oversight for their jurisdictions. b) Financial structure My administration has raised questions to better understand SREC's overarching financial model, which levies user fees to cover operations, while allocating tax revenue (including about 48% of which is A Better Way Starts Here 808 W Spokane Falls Blvd. • Spokane, Wasliuigton 99201-3335 Phone: 509.625.6250 FAX: 509.625.6563 Mayor Lisa Brown generated within the City) to reserves.' My Deputy City Administrator requested at a SREC Board meeting earlier this year that the Finance Committee present different financial models to the SREC Board to consider. You responded during the Board meeting that this is something already considered by the Finance Committee. It would be helpful to share this analysis with my administration to understand the potential and constraints of various financial models. A clearer understanding of the financial model and user fees, is of particular importance at this juncture because it remains unclear 1) how SREC will adequately staff operations to absorb SPD call taking and dispatch, and 2) how the increase in staffing and law enforcement call volume will impact user fee rates for the City of Spokane and other participating jurisdictions. You have suggested that the City permanently waive our ability to negotiate the equitable apportionment of the 1/10 of 1% sales tax revenue per state law, but we cannot in good conscious consider the request without clearly understanding what the City will be obligated to pay in user fees in the near term, as well as how user fees will be calculated in the future. C) Service levels The final, but most important, obstacle to consolidation is guaranteeing that SREC will mirror SPD's dispatch model. This includes, but is not limited to, resolving calls for service over the phone when appropriate, conducting criminal history background checks for officers as a service of dispatch, and completing thorough initial Crime Check reports, consistent with department policy. In order to provide City Police and Fire with adequate assurance of SREC satisfying department priorities and policies, we will need to execute robust Service Level Agreements that — among other things — provide for specific Key Performance Indicator reporting. Please let us know within seven calendar days whether you agree that our negotiation committee meetings would benefit from the support of a neutral, third -party facilitator. If so, we can use the upcoming negotiation meeting on November 25 to select a facilitator and generate a list of remaining questions to be addressed. The City is also amenable to setting aside three, half day -sessions to devote uninterrupted time to resolve the outstanding items outlined above. If we do not hear from you within this timeframe, we will assume that the negotiation committee rejected the proposal. Thank you for your consideration. Lisa Brown City of Spokane, Mayor A SREC document lists current reserves at $33 million. A Better Way Starts Here 808 W Spokane Falls Blvd. • Spokane, Washington 99201-3335 Plnone: 509.625.6250 FAX: 509.625.6563 Docusign Envelope ID: 70C74652-9CE1-462A-8676-358745DADEBE SPOKANE REGIONAL M.. -0 EMERGENCY VNIO'COMMUNICATIONS Mayor Lisa Brown City of Spokane 808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. Spokane, WA 99201-3335 1620 N. Rebecca St. Spokane, WA 99217 SREC91 1.org November 22, 2024 Re: Letter dated November 15 from Mayor Lisa Brown to Mr. Scott Simmons, CEO Spokane County Dear Mayor Brown, Late on November 20, 2024, Spokane Regional Emergency Communications ("SREC") received your letter dated November 15, 2024, addressed to Mr. Scott Simmons. This letter is in response to the issues outlined in your letter. From the outset, please be aware that it would be most efficient to include the SREC Board and Executive Director in any correspondence that concerns the City of Spokane's (the "City") continued discussion regarding joining SREC as a member agency. SREC respectfully declines your offer to participate in any mediation as proposed in your November 15, 2024 letter. SREC and the City have the necessary subject matter experts who can appropriately address any issues remaining for the City. An independent third party, either a mediator or facilitator, will not have the subject matter expertise necessary to properly and timely work through the issues raised in your letter. However, SREC agrees that an agenda will be helpful to facilitate further discussion and maximize efficiency during any future meetings regarding the City's transition to SREC. We are set to meet on Monday, November 25, 2024 at 1:30pm to further discuss the City's transition to SREC. SREC understands that in addition to the SREC Transition Team, County Commissioners John Kerns and Mary Kuney will also be present at that meeting. In the interest of assisting with an agenda and to facilitate discussion at this meeting, each of the three points raised in your letter will be addressed below. 1. Governance Structure The Spokane County Board of County Commissioners has exclusive authority regarding the composition of the SREC Board. On November 12, 2024 the Board of County Commissioners passed Resolution 24-0703 (attached hereto as "Exhibit I") which followed the recommendation of the SREC Board and states in part: Docusign Envelope ID: 79C74652-9CE1-462A-8676-358745DAD EBE SPOKANE REGIONAL EMERGENCY Vbir COMMUNICATIONS 1620 N. Rebecca St. Spokane, WA 99217 SREC911.org ...if the City of Spokane decides to join SREC in conjunction with the City of Spokane Police Department dispatch, the Board of County Commissioners will take the necessary action to amend the documents establishing SREC to add to the present membership of the SREC Board the `City of Spokane Chief of Police' as a voting member. (Exhibit 1). SREC will, of course, implement the decision of the Board of County Commissioners, as outlined in Resolution 24-0703, should the City of Spokane Police Department become a member agency of SREC. Financial Structure Per the SREC by-laws (attached hereto as "Exhibit 2"), and specifically Section 3(8) (including all subparts) of the bylaws, state the following powers regarding the financial structure of SREC: (8) Exercise any powers that are consistent with the purpose for which SREC is organized, and are with the express, or implied authority granted by the County... including but not limited to: (b) determining how allocated revenues by the Board of County Commissioners of Spokane County from County 911 excise tax imposed under chapter 82.14B RCW, and the Communication Tax imposed under RCW 82.14.420, as well as other revenues administered by SREC are expended, (c) approval of operational and capital budgets for dispatch, emergency communications, and other allowable services provided by the County or City of Spokane and paid for in whole or part by revenue sources administered by SREC or SREC employees, and (d) establishment of a fee schedule to users of dispatch, crime check and other communications services to cover costs for such services not paid for from 911 excise tax imposed under chapter 82.14B RCW or the Communications Tax imposed under RCW 82.14.420. (Exhibit 2). As evidenced by the by-laws, SREC (and SREC alone) has the authority to determine the financial structure of SREC; the Board of County Commissioners does not play a role in the financial structure of SREC. SREC remains willing to engage in further discussion regarding the financial structure of SREC to aid in the City's understanding of and transition into SREC. Moreover, SREC continues to work tirelessly to address the concerns/questions raised by the City in its prior correspondence and during the meetings to discuss the transition of the Spokane Police Department to SREC. Docusign Envelope ID: 79C74652-9CE1-462A-8676-358745DADEBE ISPOKANE REGIONAL EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS 3. Service Levels As outlined in section 3(9) of the SREC by-laws: 1620 N. Rebecca St. Spokane, WA 99217 SREC91 1.org SREC shall have authority to make direct operational decisions with respect to the operation of dispatch, crime check or emergency communications. (Exhibit 2). Again, it is SREC (and SREC alone) that has the authority to determine the service levels offered by SREC. SREC remains willing to engage in further Discussions regarding the service levels provided by SREC to its member agencies. 4. Conclusion In summary, SREC will continue to practice transparency, accountability, and ,ollaboration, as it has always done. SREC looks forward to the City becoming a nember agency of SREC, as the City has been invited to do over the past five years. However, SREC has offered the City the same terms and collaboration as all the ether member agencies and continues to work with the City to facilitate its joining SREC. SREC's number one priority remains the safety of our citizens —and 911 calls will ,ontinue to be answered through this transition, regardless of the outcome. As kDCOMM's study points out, for the City of Spokane to establish its own PSAP, t would require a significant initial investment, as well as substantial ongoing ,osts, essentially duplicating a regionalized center that already serves 21 of our 22 agencies across Spokane County. ADCOMM's estimates show that the City's share )f tax revenues would not cover these expenses. We hope the City will keep this in nind as we work toward a regionalized model that creates efficiency of services and tax dollars. iREC has always believed that we are better together and can leverage resources Ind technology to provide efficiency and innovation in service to our community— xeating a strong regionalized model that serves our citizens well. SREC looks orward to continuing discussions with the City regarding its transition to a member Igency of SREC. respectfully, —Iw61� SIgned by: 1 (h J- :hie Co y Rohrbach, Chairman pokane Regional Emergency Communications