2010, 10-19 Study Session MinutesMINUTES
SPOKANE VALLEY CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
STUDY SESSION FORMAT
Spokane Valley City Hall Council Chambers
Spokane Valley, Washington
October 19, 2010
6:00 p.m.
Attendance:
Councilmembers
Staff
Tom Towey, Mayor
Mike Jackson, City Manager
Gary Schimmels, Deputy Mayor
Cary Driskell, Acting City Attorney
Rose Dempsey, Councilmember
Kathy McClung, Community Development Dir.
Bill Gothmann, Councilmember
Mike Stone, Parks & Recreation Director
Dean Grafos, Councilmember
Rick VanLeuven, Police Chief
Brenda Grassel, Councilmember
Neil Kersten, Public Works Director
Scott Kuhta, Acting Planning Manager
Absent:
Lori Barlow, Associate Planner
Bob McCaslin, Councilmember
Carolbelle Branch, Public Information Officer
Chris Bainbridge, City Clerk
Mayor Towey called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. At the request of the Mayor, City Clerk
Bainbridge called roll; all Councilmembers were present except Councilmember McCaslin. It was moved
by Councibnenrher Grafos, seconded and unanimously agreed to excuse Councibnember McCaslin from
tonight's council meeting.
ACTION ITEM:
1. Lease Agreement with Community Colleges of Spokane — Mike Stone
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Schinunels and seconded to authorize the City Manager or designee to
execute the Center Place lease ivith Community Colleges of Spokane as submitted. Parks and Recreation
Director Stone explained the lease proposal as he had during previous meetings; explaining that this is a
one year lease for one room and that the square foot rental rate was determined after negotiation, and
keeping in mind the city can use that space for computer training as well. Mayor Towey invited public
comment; no comments were offered. Vote by Acclamation: In Favor: Unanimous. Opposed: None.
Abstentious: None. Motion carried.
NON - ACTION ITEMS:
2. Community Boulevard, Report to Council —Lori Barlow
Planner Barlow explained that staff is aware that per Council direction, the Community Development
Director has been working on the process to revoke the Subarea Plan, which discussion is scheduled for
next week; but that tonight's discussion staff will continue with this district review as was done with all
other zoning reviews in order to be consistent; and she mentioned that this is the last zoning district to be
reviewed. Via the PowerPoint presentation, Ms. Barlow explained the procedure for conducting the
community meeting, and the topics covered such as the permitted uses, nonconforming uses, business
recruitment, flexibility for developer standards, height requirements, split zoning and residential buffering
north of Apple way and those applicable regulations and appropriate staff comments; and she noted that
concerning the nonconforming uses, council previously determined that nonconforming regulations
would be discussed following the SARP review as nonconforming uses are regulated by the City's
Municipal Code regulations which apply to properties city-wide. Ms. Barlow said normally the procedure
would be for council to consider the comments and whether to send those issues that could be processed
Council Study Session Minutes, October 19, 2010 Page I of 3
Approved by Council October 26, 2010
as a code text amendment, back to the Planning Commission for further review and recommendation; and
to docket any other changes; and said based on next week's outcome, council might consider whether
there would be benefit to pursue any code text amendments. Councilmember Grafos said although this
will be discussed further next week on the entire SARP program, he wanted his concerns to go on record;
that the situation has changed with the economy changing, said he feels a 2500 square feet video or film
processing store in a two -story building on Appleway Boulevard, a road we don't own, isn't feasible; that
he'd prefer to return to pre -SARP zoning, wants to restore the IP zoning on the back part of those
properties which would turn H & H Building and Valley Best Way out of the nonconforming status they
currently hold; he said he would like to have the 70% coverage restriction on the community boulevard
removed; the two -story building restriction removed; return to the pre -SARP sign regulations; wants to
remove the 2500 square foot size restriction; wants to remove the corner lot restriction on retail; wants to
allow residential development on the ground floor; wants to remove the maximum setback of 30'; and
wants to eliminate split zoning and the unique uses restriction. City Manager Jackson asked if Council
would like staff to frame a motion for next week's council meeting, to send those items to the planning
commission and pursue those changes, and Mayor Towey, Deputy Mayor Schimmels, and
Councilmembers Grafos and Grassel concurred. Mr. Jackson said council still might want to consider the
time element as there could be sixty to ninety days where a text amendment could be in effect while
council continues working through the comprehensive plan amendments; and said Ms. McClung will
address that further next week as well.
3 Special Events Code Amendment — Cary Driskell
Acting City Attorney Driskell explained the history of the special event permit ordinance and the need for
the participants to have successfully completed the Spokane County Incident Traffic Control program or
its equivalent; and said that we have since learned that training is not available to the public; hence Mr.
Driskell suggested including the "Washington Department of Transportation Flagger Certification" as
adequate training; and said that change will be reflected in an upcoming ordinance amendment for council
consideration. Councilmember Grassel asked Mr. Driskell how people access the training, whether it is
available via Internet, and the time and cost involved; and Mr. Driskell said he will gather that
information for council at the ordinance's first reading.
4 Panhandling Update — Rick VanLeuven
Police Chief VanLeuven explained the process his department uses in enforcing the panhandling
ordinance, including the importance of the two week warning and educational period; and he said he feels
the ordinance has been extremely effective and his department has had better than expected compliance.
5 Semi -truck Parking — Rick VanLeuven
Police Chief VanLeuven, as per his October 19, 2010 Request for Council Action form, explained his
department's procedure in dealing with complaints about semi -truck and /or trailer parking; and said that
of the 108 calls received, only five referenced a trailer or semi; and of those five, two were found to be
legally parked, one left prior to the officer's arrival; one was involved in an active paving project; and one
was found by the officer who contacted the owner who agreed to move the vehicle. Councilmember
Grafos asked about Chief VanLeuven's authority over noise and Chief VanLeuven explained that this city
has a noise ordinance and the Police Department has not received complaints about noise from semi -
trucks, but that his department more handles parking violations; adding that our Code Enforcement
Department handles various noise complaints.
6 Advance Agenda — Mayor Towey
There were no comments, or suggested changes to the advance agenda.
Council Study Session Minutes, October 19, 2010 Page 2 of 3
Approved by Council: October 26, 2010
7. Information Only
Electronic Cigarettes and Urban Growth Area
or discussed.
Update ivere for information: only and were not reported
8. Council Check In — Mayor Towey
Deputy Mayor Schimmels said that he and the City Manager Jackson and Public Works Director Kersten
would be touring the Fishtrap recycling facility and he would have a further report after the tour.
19. City Manager Comments —Mike Jackson
Mr. Jackson had no comments.
EXECUTIVE SESSION Pending Litigation [RCW 42.30.110(i)
It was proved by Deputy Mayor Schinunels, seconded and unanimously agreed to adjourn into Executive
Session for approximately fifteen minutes to discuss pending litigation, and that no action is anticipated
thereafter. Council adjourned into executive session at 7:00. At 7:35 p.m., Mayor Towey declared
Council out of executive session; after which it was proved by Councihnember Dempsey, seconded and
unarti»rously agreed to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m.
ATTEST:
Christine Bainbridge, City Clerk
Council Study Session Minutes, October 19, 2010
Approved by Council: October 26, 2010
Thomas E. Towey, Mayor
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