2010, 06-01 Study Session MinutesMINUTES
SPOKANE VALLEY CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
STUDY SESSION FORMAT
Spokane Valley City Hall Council Chambers
Spokane Valley, Washington
Attendance:
June 1, 2010
6:00 p.m.
Councilmembers
Staff
Tom Towey, Mayor
Mike Jackson, Acting City Manager
Gary Schimmels, Deputy Mayor
Mike Connelly, City Attorney
Rose Dempsey, Councilmember
Neil Kersten, Public Works Director
Dean Grafos, Councilmember
Kathy McClung, Community Development Dir.
Brenda Grassel, Councilmember
Mike Stone, Parks & Recreation Director
Greg Bingaman, IT Specialist
Absent:
Rick VanLeuven, Police Chief
Bob McCaslin, Councilmember
Carolbelle Branch, Public Information Officer
Bill Gothmann, Councilmember
Chris Bainbridge, City Clerk
Mayor Towey called the meeting to order at 6 p.m. It was moved by Councilmember Grafos, seconded
and unanimously agreed to excuse Councilmembers McCaslin and Gothmann from tonight's meeting.
1. Greenacres Park Design Presentation — Mike Stone
Parks and Recreation Director Stone explained that staff and the consultant have been working with the
neighborhood citizens for some time in developing the masterplan, and Mr. Stone introduced Mike
Terrell, Design Consultant. Mr. Terrell went through the PowerPoint presentation explaining the
Greenacres Neighborhood Park Master Planning process; he said over 500 surveys were mailed out and
about 109 returned; and as noted the wall charts, which were as a result of the public meeting, were used
as a way to determine what citizens and neighbors perceived as priorities for the park, and the dots on
each section indicate the prioritizing of the elements of the conceptual plan; and he added that there are
8.3 acres of park land and the phase 1 cost is an estimated 1.5 to 1.6 million dollars, which includes a
contingency of about $216,000. Mr. Stone mentioned that staff is in the process of applying for a
development grant through the Recreation Conservation Office, which has steep competition but staff felt
it important to go through the process; he said they are working on potential funding options and hope to
present more to Council after the July finance meeting. There was also brief discussion about the
previously granted $500,000 state grant, that the land was purchased and paid for in 2007; what is
included in the play areas, and that the skate park is included in phase 2; adding that additional phases
could be implemented based on available funding options. Mr. Stone said we won't know about the grant
until September and if successful, we won't be allowed to break ground until the following July. Mr.
Jackson added that the legislature is considering retracting some of their capital projects they had funded
so there could be a possibility of having to re- examine funding, and said that funding is always at risk
until it is received. Mr. Terrell mentioned some of the aspects of the park, and said that the community
garden is a placeholder, and that and other areas add flexibility to the uses of the park. The question of
security cameras came up and Mr. Stone said it has been discussed, but none of the city's parks have
cameras, although the Discovery Playground would be the most logical place to have such; and
acknowledged that sometimes just having the camera in place can be a deterrent. The number of parking
spaces was also discussed and Mr. Terrell said the park has 30 spaces, but there is ample parking around
the perimeter of the park for over 200 parking spaces. Mayor Towey thanked Mr. Stone and Mr. Terrell
for the information, and for including the neighborhood at the onset.
2. SRTC (_Spokane Regional Transportation Council) Update — Mike Connelly
City Attorney Connelly said there has been ongoing negotiations concerning the interlocal agreement and
went over the proposed changes; he said this agreement will be presented to the SRTC board this month,
and once finalized, will go through the communities for eventual passage. After briefing Council on the
Council Meeting Minutes: 06 -01 -2010 Page I of 2
Approved by Council: 06 -08 -2010
document changes, he said he also received a memo from Attorney Stanley Schwartz indicating these
items have been sent to his client for discussion; and said in closing, that he would report back to council
in about a month after SRTC reviews the document further.
3. Advance Agenda — Mayor Towev There were no advance agenda additions or changes.
4. Broadcasting Option — Greg Bingaman
IT Specialist Bingaman said the agreement between Spokane Valley Business Association (SVBA) and
Community Minded Television (CMTV) expires the end of June, and options for council consideration
include continue as we have been, enter into an agreement with CMTV on a month -to -month basis until
after the retreat when Council has more budget information, or not move forward, or any other option
Council would like to pursue. Mr. Bingaham said the annual cost on a month -to -month basis with CMTV
would be the $36,000 he mentioned previously; and if council desires the monthly contract, staff would
bring such agreement back for council approval. After discussion on having DVDs available, having the
meetings available for replay on internet, and separating PEG fees from broadcasting therefore having the
City purchase the equipment and use staff to run the cameras; it was determined that Mr. Bingaman will
do some additional research concerning hosting this on the internet, including staff costs, and that staff
will move forward with the month -to -month agreement while other options are being considered; it was
mentioned that this issue is set for a motion for next week's council meeting.
5. Computer "Notebook" Training — Greg Bingaman
IT Specialist Bingaman said in response to Council's request, tonight's training is an overview on the use
of the computer "notebook" or "tablet" that council has the option of using during Council meetings. Mr.
Bingaman gave a brief overview of the functions of the tablet, and assisted councilmembers in working
with the computer as a flat tablet or as a computer with the screen up as usual; and mentioned there is
even a feature that he can set up on individual computers whereby councilmembers could "log on" by use
of a fingertip touch, thereby eliminating the need to remember passwords. After moving through the
tutorials, Mr. Bingaham said council has the option of going "paperless" for their council agenda packets,
or could keep the hard copies, or some of each, completely at individual councilmember's discretion; and
said should any councilmember desire further training, he is available for one -on -one training.
6. Information Only: The 2011 Budget, Paperless Council Agendas, and Bicycles on Sidewalks were for
information only and were not reported on or discussed.
7. Council Check in — Mavor Towev. There were no council comments.
8. City Manager Comments — Mike Jackson
Mr. Jackson mentioned the upcoming Comcast agenda items for the June 8 meeting and the suspension of
PEG fees and the motion consideration for CMTV which was discussed tonight.
9. Executive Session: Pending Litigation [RCW 42.30.110(i) The executive session was not held.
It was moved by Councilmember Dempsey, seconded and unanimously agreed to adjourn. The meeting
adjourned at 7:32 p.m.
A f_
E. Towey, Mayor
- hristine Bainbridge, City Clerk
Council Meeting Minutes: 06 -01 -2010 Page 2 of 2
Approved by Council: 06 -08 -2010