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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025, 12-23 Formal A Meeting►10 1►111110 City of Spokane Valley City Council Regular Meeting Formal Format A Tuesday, December 23, 2025 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 Pam Haley, Mayor Tim Hattenburg, Deputy Mayor Jessica Yaeger, Councilmember Ben Wick, Councilmember Rod Higgins, Councilmember Absent: Laura Padden, Councilmember Al Merkel, Councilmember Staff John Hohman, City Manager Gloria Mantz, City Services Administrator Chelsie Walls, Finance Director Kelly Konkright, City Attorney Robert Blegen, Public Works Director Caitlin Prunty, Deputy City Attorney Dave Ellis, Police Chief John Whitehead, Human Resources Director Mike Basinger, Community & Econ. Dev. Director Dan Domrese, Accounting Manager Jenny Nickerson, Building Official Glenn Ritter, Senior Engineer Jonny Solberg, IT Specialist Marci Patterson, City Clerk INVOCATION: Brian Noble with Family Policy Institute of Washington 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 except Councilmember Padden and Councilmember Merkel. It was moved by Deputy Mayor Hattenburg seconded and unanimously agreed to excuse Councilmembers Padden and Merkel. APPROVAL OF AGENDA It was moved by Deputy Mayor Hattenburg, seconded and unanimously agreed to approve the agenda. Councilmember Higgins spoke to the council about the Federal change for the holidays by declaring Christmas Eve and the day after Christmas as Federal Holidays. It was moved by Councihnember Higgins, seconded that we give our employees the same as the feds and the county and that Christmas Eve off in its entirety. Councilmember Wick asked if that would be an issue as it was the following day. Mayor Haley invited public comments; no comments were offered. Vote by acclamation: in favor: Unanimous. Opposed: None. Motion carried. INTRODUCTION OF SPECIAL GUESTS AND PRESENTATIONS n/a PROCLAMATIONS: GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT OPPORTUNITY: After Mayor Haley explained the process, she invited comments from the public. Ben Lund, Spokane Valley; John Robertson, Spokane Valley; Darryl Williams, Spokane Valley; Al & Deb Shrock, Spokane Valley provided general comments. CONSENT AGENDA: Council Meeting Minutes, Formal: 12-23-2025 Page 1 of 4 Approved by Council: 01-13-2026 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, December 23, 2025, Request for Council Action Form: $1,507,125.44. b. Approval of Payroll for Pay Period ending December 15, 2025: $731,880.58. It was moved by Deputy Mayor Hattenburg, seconded and unanimously agreed to approve the ConsentAgenda. ACTION ITEMS: 2. Resolution 25-013: 2026 Master Fee Schedule adoption — Dan Domrese It was moved by Deputy Mayor Hattenburg to approve Resolution #25-013, repealing and replacing Resolution #25-006, and approving the Master Fee Schedule for 2026 Mr. Domrese, Accounting Manager, provided a brief background on the fee changes and the new schedule and noted that nothing had changed since it was last presented. Mayor Haley invited public comments; no comments were offered. Vote by acclamation: in favor: Unanimous. Opposed: None. Motion carried. 3. Motion Consideration: Garco Change Order — City Hall Repairs — Glenn Ritter It was moved by Deputy Mayor Hattenburg to authorize the City Manager to execute Change Order #12 with Garco Construction in the amount of $2,130, 000 for the identified work on City Hall. City Manager Hohman introduced Clancy Welch, CEO Garco Construction, Jenny Nickerson, Building Official, and Glenn Ritter, Senior Engineer. Mr. Hohman provided a detailed background on the litigation and how the city got to where we currently are for the repairs and the need to take action for the next phase. Mr. Ritter provided details on the projects that need to take place for the next phase of repairs that included Five (5) — multi -story storefronts to curtainwall systems $403,949.00, Glulam beams (interior & exterior) and soffits caulking w/sealing $98,136.00, Glulam beams (interior & exterior) repair 13 with epoxy threaded rods $331,889.00, Attic venting and insulation repairs $66,428.00, Window repairs - re -caulk 120 and remove/repair/replace —40 vents $470,068.00, Metal roof repairs including gutters & downspouts at both $59,438.00, Permit Counter security & ergonomic upgrades $158,007.00, Access control additions including new door on 2nd floor $82,963.00, Safety film application at Chambers and East Entry $33,354.00, Add safe attic access ladders and platforms - north & south wings $13,935.00, New 2nd Floor office & move door including HVAC $56,015.00, and roughly 20% Contingency $355,818.00. Council discussed their concerns with the look of the glass partitions in the entry area and wanted to know if there were alternate options. Mr. Hohman explained that since this was a progressive design/build that they would move forward but continue to look at all the options. Mayor Haley invited public comments. Donna Shepard, Spokane Valley; Ben Lund, Spokane Valley; Al Shrock, Spokane Valley provided comments. Council noted that the funds from the litigation allow us to continue to make the necessary repairs to the building and that we continue to look for ways to keep our staff safe while still providing a welcoming and pleasant experience for the public. Vote by acclamation: in favor: Unanimous. Opposed: None. Motion carried. NON -ACTION ITEMS: 4. Admin Report: Kratom Discussion - Caitlin Prunty, Chief Ellis, Lt. Rob Satake (Activated at 01:10:57) Lt. Satake, Chief Ellis, Caitlin Prunty Deputy City Attorney presented a PowerPoint presentation that included an overview of a definition of Kratom, how it's used, the effects of kratom, the legalities, the authority to regulate and options for regulation. Kratom is used as a powder, tea, tablets, drink and extracts and in low doses increases energy, in high doses it produces a sedative effect and overall is starts to work quickly and may last for a few hours. There are multiple effects depending on the individual that is taking the kratom and how it's taken. The FDA/Federal response has listed Kratom as a drug and chemical of concern. Lt. Satake also noted that it is sold online and in stores and sold unregulated. He also noted that there are currently seven other states that regulate or ban Kratom. Ms. Prunty provided details on the authority to regulate the ability for stores to sell Kratom. There can be a civil infraction or misdemeanor or revocation of business license regarding the prohibition on sale and distribution of Kratom. The civil infraction could be non -criminal and include a penalty, escalating penalties and repeat offender provisions, or revocation of business license upon issuance. The second option for regulation could be a misdemeanor Council Meeting Minutes, Formal: 12-23-2025 Page 2 of 4 Approved by Council: 01-13-2026 which is criminal and could include restrictions on local regulatory authority, max penalty is gross misdemeanor, and 364 days in jail and/or a fine up to $5000. The misdemeanor carries a max of 90 days in jail and a $1000 fine. Ms. Prunty went over the enforcement options as well. Council agreed that it should be kept away from minors and that it would most likely be easier to provide for an outright ban on the products altogether. Council provided consensus to return with an Ordinance providing an outright ban on the products. INFORMATION ONLY (will not be reported or discussed) 5. Department Monthly Reports 6. 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 Yaeger spoke about the SCRAPS contract item currently on the advance agenda and asked about removing the item from agenda and noted that if we were to open that contract it would be upwards of $300-500K in additional funds and noted that the current contract runs through 2033. If we open the contract, we could be responsible for a lot of additional funding. Mr. Hohman provided additional details on where the additional funding may come in and explained that the City of Spokane entered into a revised agreement and has paid a much higher rate as a result of opening the contract. Councilmember Wick agreed with the contract portion but asked about a secondary piece regarding the advisory board representatives. Mr. Hohman spoke about the technical advisory committee and noted that the county was going through a process to hire a new director. Mr. Hohman suggested narrowing the SCRAPS discussion to be that of the advisory board representatives. Council approved narrowing the SCRAPS discussion when presented. Councilmember Yaeger would like to see longer study sessions or roundtable discussions to go over more in-depth conversations on some of our more comprehensive topics. Council agreed that longer study sessions done on occasion would be of interest. Councilmember Yaeger spoke about the public safety contract with the county and that she would like to have staff and council look at the public safety contract. She feels that it is time to start considering how much the county is giving us versus how much we are paying for and that we need more local control over our policing services. Deputy Mayor Hattenburg agreed that he would like to look at that and see what the county is charging for the services at a more detailed level. Councilmember Wick agreed that we need to have more conversations. Mayor Haley also agreed that we need more conversations and that we should have a say on some of the large ticket purchases as it notes in our current contract. Council gave consensus to move that request forward. COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS Councilmember Wick: attended an AWC conference board meeting and spoke about troubled times across many of the cities and there were some that were not able to be part of AWC for 2026 due to budgets. Councilmember Higgins: wished everyone a Merry Christmas and happy new year. He also thanked all the people that were at the meeting and said that it shows their interest in city government. He also noted that it was his honor and pleasure to serve with a staff that he believes are second to none. Councilmember Yaeger: attended the opioid taskforce and gave details on the agenda for that meeting. She also thanked Councilmember Higgins for his service and dedication to the city. Deputy Mayor Hattenburg spoke about the giving vending machines and noted the non -profits that were chosen for this area. He also noted that we are the 27th city to have that kind of vending machines. Mayor Haley noted that she attended the vending machine ribbon cutting as well and the Crosby family sang at the event and it was a great turnout. She also wished everyone a Merry Christmas. Council Meeting Minutes, Formal: 12-23-2025 Page 3 of 4 Approved by Council: 0 1- 13-2026 CITY MANAGER COMMENTS City Manager Hohman spoke about the AWC CQC scholarships and that the application process is open and that the city is accepting applications. Mr. Hohman asked council how they want to do the process for the review of the applications. Councilmember Wick offered to work with another councilmember and do an interview panel to review the applications and Councilmember Yaeger offered to assist as well. The rest of the council members agreed that Councilmember Wick could review the applications with another council member and report back on the applications. City Manager Hohman wished Councilmember Higgins a farewell and noted that he had worked with him since 2011 and thanked him for the tremendous amount of time he dedicated to this community and gave details on many of the various projects that Councilmember Higgins helped bring to our community. Mr. Hohman spoke about the times where difficult decisions had to be made and that Councilmember Higgins helped navigate through those decisions and has always has the best interest of the city at heart. Mr. Hohman closed by reminding everyone that this would be the last meeting of the year and wished everyone a Merry Christmas. EXECUTIVE SESSION It was moved by Deputy Mayor Hattenburg, seconded and unanimously agreed to adjourn at 8: 04p.m. ATTEST: Marc Patterson, City Clerk (?Ja- Pam Haley, Mayo Council Meeting Minutes, Formal: 12-23-2025 Approved by Council: 01-13-2026 Page 4 of 4 PUBLIC COMMENT SIGN -IN SHEET SPOKANE VALLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING Tuesday, December 23, 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 TOPIC YOU WILL SPEAK PLEASE PRINT ABOUT FOUR CITY OF RESIDENCE Please note that once information is entered on this form, it becomes a public record subject to public disclosure. Mard Patterson From: K Sue <kelliejeansuenkel@gmail.com> Sent: Wednesday, December 17, 2025 8:56 AM To: Council Meeting Public Comment Subject: Public Comment: Follow-up Questions for the Record - Sullivan Road Ice Arena Project (Dec 16 Meeting) [EXTERNAL] This email originated outside the City of Spokane Valley. Always use caution when opening attachments or clicking links. I am submitting these specific questions for the official record regarding the December 16, 2025, vote on the Sullivan Road Ice Arena infrastructure grant. QUESTION 1: Regarding the $2 million infrastructure grant in Item 4: Since this project relies on public tax dollars for roads and operations, will the Council add a binding clause tonight requiring Innovia to use a Public, Competitive Bidding Process for the construction contract? Or are we writing a check that allows a pre - selected contractor to build this without competition? QUESTION 2: A simple Yes or No for the Council: Has any member here signed a Non -Disclosure Agreement (NDA) regarding the identity of the 'Anonymous Donor'? If you do know who they are, have you verified that they are not one of your major campaign contributors? If you don't know, how can you responsibly vote to partner with a stranger on a 99-year lease? QUESTION 3: The feasibility study relies on a hotel being built next to the arena. Does the 'Anonymous Donor' or their affiliate retain the development rights for that adjacent land? Is the City paying for the infrastructure today so a private developer can build a hotel for free tomorrow?