2011, 01-11 Regular Meeting MinutesMINUTES
City of Spokane Valley
City Council Regular Meetings
Formal Meeting Format
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Mayor Towey called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
Attendance:
City Staff
Tom Towey, Mayor
Mike Jackson, City Manager
Gary Schimmels, Deputy Mayor
Cary Driskell, Acting City Attorney
Rose Dempsey, Councilmember
Ken Thompson, Finance Director
Bill Gothmann, Councilmember
Kathy McClung, Community Development Dir.
Dean Grafos, Councilmember
Mike Stone, Parks & Recreation Director
Brenda Grassel, Councilmember
Neil Kersten, Public Works Director
Steve Worley, Senior Engineer
Absent:
Carolbelle Branch, Public Information Officer
Bob McCaslin, Councilmember
Chris Bainbridge, City Clerk
INVOCATION: Pastor Jerry Sponseller of Opportunity Baptist Church gave the invocation.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: At Mayor Towey's request, members from Boy Scout Troop 419 led
the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL: City Clerk Bainbridge called the roll; all councilmembers were present except
Councilmember McCaslin. It was then moved by Councilmember Grafos, seconded and unanimously
approved to excuse Councilmember McCaslin from tonight's meeting.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA: It was moved by Deputy Mayor Schimmels, seconded and unanimously
agreed to approve the agenda.
INTRODUCTION OF SPECIAL GUESTS AND PRESENTATIONS: n/a
COMMITTEE, BOARD, LIAISON SUMMARY REPORTS:
Councilmember Gothmann reported that he attended Al French's swearing -in ceremony; attended former
Mayor Munson's funeral and memorial service, and Councilmember Gothmann spoke about Mr.
Munson's various avenues of expertise and dedication, adding that we will miss him, and later said that
Janet Munson was overwhelmed with the amount of support from the City.
Councilmember Dempsey stated that she attended the Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency meeting, that
she served as chair last year and has now turned that responsibility over to the new chair; and said she
attended Mayor Munson's memorial service and echoed the sentiments expressed by Mr. Gothmann.
Councilmember Grafos said he had no report, but has been speaking with the citizens regarding our
snowplow operation and the feeling is we have done pretty well, and can always do better.
Deputy Mayor Schimmels said he attended a solid waste liaison board meeting last week and a few days
later the County Commissioners met regarding the waste -to- energy plant, and reported that they are
planning a summit meeting the first of February; he attended a regional transportation committee special
meeting last week; last night he and Mayor Towey went to the Spokane City Council meeting where that
Council discussed a car tab initiative to raise fees for road maintenance, and said Spokane City decided
not to implement that now; and said he also attended former Mayor Munson's memorial service.
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Councilmember Grassel reported that she attended a Kiwanis Club meeting last Tuesday where she was
asked to speak from a new councilmember's perspective about past, present and future zoning issues for
Spokane Valley.
MAYOR'S REPORT: Mayor Towey stated that he went to Mr. Munson's memorial, and said that the
city is saddened -with the news of his passing. Mayor Towey also extended congratulations to Eastern
Washington University for their football victory.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: Mayor Towey invited general public comments.
Geoff Webb 13303 East Mission Avenue #173: said he is pleased with the plowing in the streets but less
pleased with the state of the sidewalks; that he rides the bus everyday and is forced to stand in the streets
due to snow accumulation; said a lot of sidewalks are icy and some places are almost impassable so
people end up walking in the road, which is dangerous; asked why the ordinance to keep sidewalks clear
is not being enforced; said most businesses don't clear sidewalks at all and that the only places that
reliably clear the sidewalks are the nursing homes and the hospital. City Manager Jackson said that staff
will come back to council with an update and report on the sidewalks, adding that the city has been
strongly encouraging citizens to clear the sidewalks, and said we are currently address code violations of
this type are addressed on a complaint basis.
Steve Neill 10820 East 18 Avenue, 99206: regarding SARP; said it is time for people to come to grips
with the realization that SARP is illusive, dangerous and nearly impossible to kill; he said that those
"clamoring for and feeding this beast have been busy pushing their agenda on us; my response to those
who are endlessly trying to force this upon us are a series of questions: we have been treated to an endless
array of full -page ads of questionable honesty demanding the return to a two -way Sprague. We make
Sprague two -way again, they say, and poof, the businesses will magically appear and be filled with happy
little customers with unlimited credit cards. This is what I call the field of dream syndrome. Can anyone
really believe this will happen with the Valley Mall, Wal -Mart, and Sullivan shopping only a few miles
away? At the City Planning and City Council meetings there is a realtor who has on at least two occasions
told the audience that she and her husband moved here because we love it here; then goes on and on about
the city not having a vision; demands a city center at Sprague and University, and the adoption of SARP
because the future is passing us by. My question to her is, did you move here for what the city is, or what
you are requiring it to become. A local paper certainly seems to be promoting SARP by giving former
Mayor Munson and other proponents many opportunities to speak for it. Not long ago, the Valley Voice
asked five respondents the following question: How do you feel about returning Sprague back to two -
ways? All five were in favor of it. Amazing. Would those same people say yes to a more appropriately
asked question, knowing it will cost the Valley taxpayers $5 million with a direct benefit to only a few
people, are you still in favor of returning Sprague back to a two -way street; or another way to put it would
be to ask, businesses prosper all over America on one -way streets, including Argonne and Mullan, but a
few businesses on Sprague feel they can't. So, they are expecting you to pay for their shortfall. Is this a
good thing to do in today's economy? A possible follow -up question would be, do you feel that the
businesses who directly profit from returning Sprague to a two -way should be required to pay the
additional travel expenses and give a travel allowance to those who are required to crawl down Sprague
again as traffic backs up to pre - couplet levels. City Councilwoman Rose Dempsey also had a recent piece
criticizing those who are not in favor of SARP. As for the realtor, those who oppose SARP are treated
like as being anti - visionary. In this particular case, I could not agree more. I do have a vision problem.
I'm having a hard time seeing why her vision should cost me money and the people of Spokane Valley
future debt. Reality says that by implementing SARP you will not bring Sprague into the promised land
of happy shoppers with lots of credit, nor will you line it with pedestrians basking in the shopping oasis.
If these people insist in living in a fantasy, then let them pay for it." He then asked Council to "enforce
the will of the people and end all possibilities of SARP in the most expedient and legally defensible
means at its disposal."
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John Tiersma 105 N Skipworth Road, 99206 said he just recently found out they're now in a different
zone since they're in the city center; he said he was fine with that until a couple months ago he wanted to
refinance his house and had it appraised, and said he was told the bank will not loan on his house or let
him refinance because of the zoning because they are a single family dwelling; and it says if the house
burns down over 80 %, it can't be re- built, and said a bank won't loan on something like that. He said he
is in limbo because he can't refinance and can't sell it since no bank will loan anyone the money. He said
he heard Council is considering repealing the City Center, and he'd like to know the status of that. Mayor
Towey said that staff can get back with Mr. Tiersma about the difference of the city center zoning and
what Council is doing regarding that evaluation; and Mr. Jackson said that topic is scheduled for next
week's council meeting as well.
Arne Woodward, 2511 S Best Road said he is a real estate broker; said that December was a better month
than he would have anticipated; 336 people bought homes and closed in December, which is an increase
from 279 in November.
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.
a. Approval of the following claim vouchers:
VOUCHER LIST DATE
WNOUCHER NUMBERS:
TOTAL AMOUNT
12/17/2010
21666- 21747, 1217100005, 1217100006
$755,240.49
12/21/2010
21748 -21780
$50,797.28
12/23/2010
21781 -21786
$93,435.06
12/29/2010
21787 -21843
$207,045.65
12/30/2010
5198, 5199, 5200
$258.00
01/04/2011
21844 -21845
$9,353.05
GRAND TOTAL
$1,116,129.53
b. Approval of Payroll for Period Ending December 31, 2010: $357,913.77
c. Approval of City Council Formal Format Meeting Minutes of December 28, 2010
d. Approval of City Council Study Session Meeting Minutes of January 4, 2011
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Schimmels, seconded and unanimously agreed to approve the consent
agenda.
NEW BUSINESS
2 Proposed Resolution 11 -001 Amending; Resolution 08 -024 Petty Cash — Ken Thompson
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Schimmels and seconded to approve Resolution I1 -001 amending
Resolution 08 -024, Petty Cash and Change Accounts. Finance Director Thompson said this was discussed
a week ago, and that the purpose of this amendment is to increase petty cash by $100 so that staff won't
be in a position to have to weekly reimburse the petty cash. Mayor Towey invited public comment; no
comments were offered. Vote by Acclamation: In Favor: Unanimous. Opposed: None. Motion carried.
3. Motion Consideration: 2011 Sensk Park Maintenance Contract — Mike Stone
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Schimmels and seconded to authorize the City Manager or his designee to
finalize and execute the 2011 Senske Park Maintenance contract, entitled 'T nd Amendment to Park
Maintenance Contract, " in the amended contract amount of $606,477.88. Parks and Recreation Director
Stone explained that this also was discussed in some detail last week; that Senske was the low bidder and
had reduced their previous year's bid by almost $85,000; he said the contract allows for six additional
one -year renewals based on satisfactory performance, which has been the case. Mr. Stone said that the
Discovery Playground was added to the contract in 2010, and that the contract represents about 1.5%
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Approved by Council: 01 -25 -2011
increase. Mr. Stone also noted that Appendix B concerning prevailing wage information is included in
the packet information. Mayor Towey invited public comment; no comments were offered. Vote by
Acclamation: In Favor: Unanimous. Opposed: None. Motion carried.
4 Motion Consideration: Appleway Courts Senior Housing Support Letter — Mayor Towey
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Schimmels and seconded to authorize Mayor Towey to sign and send the
attached letter in support of the Appleway Courts Senior Housing Project, second phase, known as
Appleway Court II. " Mayor Towey said that staff received an e-mail on January 4, 2011 from
Community Frameworks, requesting council to consider sending a letter of support for the Appleway
Courts Senior Housing Project; in the letter of support, the Rockwell Retirement Community is seeking
an award of $14 million in low- income housing tax credit to complete a second phase of their
development. Mayor Towey said receiving the letter of support will enhance their scoring ability and for
them, could include $4 million in tax credits, and for the City of Spokane Valley, it would enhance 60
jobs during the construction phase of the project. Mayor Towey said he recommends Council approve the
letter of support.
Councilmember Gothmann said he called the principle man regarding this request, who emphasized that
the competition will be steep and who told him that it is essential they get all the points possible; one of
the reasons they feel it will score high is because the Sprague / Appleway Revitalization Plan is in effect,
and that if it were not in effect, that man felt he would probably lose and be unable to do the project.
Councilmember Gothmann said this is typical of numerous private and public sources of funds that they
want to see a plan; and said he is encouraged it could bring $4.5 million to our city, and favors sending a
letter of support. Councilmember Grassel asked Councilmember Gothmann if he was suggesting that if
we don't have the SARP plan that this would not go through; and Councilmember Gothmann said it was
not a suggestion, but a statement, and that was what he was told by the gentleman applying for the funds
that they could get additional points since they were within a revitalization project, and that without those
points, he would not be as competitive. Councilmember Grafos said that the SARP plan is an overlay of
the comprehensive plan, and if we eliminated SARP we would still have the comprehensive plan which
calls for the low -cost zoning; and said what would be eliminated are the restrictions that are hurting our
citizens, like the man who spoke earlier about not being able to re-finance his home. Councilmember
Dempsey asked for a point of order: she said the letter is the topic of discussion and not SARP. Mayor
Towey said the point of order is well taken; and council should concentrate on the letter of support and
recognize that there are many factors that contribute to the points available for this project's funding.
Councilmember Gothmann said that one of those points is that we have revitalization and not just a comp
plan, but revitalization is the key term used by the gentleman he spoke with concerning this project.
Councilmember Grassel asked if the letter were approved, would this council be "held hostage later" to
say since we signed this letter therefore we have to approve all the regulations in the current zoning.
Councilmember Gothmann responded that he asked, and was told that the City of Spokane Valley would
not be further obligated in any way; but that the issue is of timing, and since SARP presently exists, it
would allow them extra points. Mayor Towey invited public comment.
Chris Venne, Development Finance Manager of Community Frameworks, 315 W Mission Avenue he
said he is the one requesting the letter; that this is a state -wide competition, and the funding will be
awarded until they run out of money, and that it will be awarded to those who apply based on scores, that
there are about 250 points available; no one gets all points; there are seven points available that is
mentioned in his original letter: five points from being in an area targeted for affordable housing, and two
points if in addition to that, it is part of a revitalization plan. Mr. Venne said if he could get those entire
seven points, he feels more confident in receiving funds, and if he received no points, it would be difficult
to compete. He said the current letter addresses the first, which is the five -point category, which is very
helpful. Mr. Venne said neither he nor the Community Frameworks takes a position on SARP; the only
point he was making is that there are two possible points out there; that he wants the money to come here
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Approved by Council: 01 -25 -2011
and not elsewhere; and mentioned that this project is at 95% completion as of last Friday, and they expect
a grand opening in about six to eight weeks; and he said if the zoning were to change, it is not known
what impact that might have as he is applying for grants based on what is in place at this time; keeping in
mind that many things included in the application could change over time. He said he submits his
application tomorrow. Vote by Acclamation: In Favor: Unanimous. Opposed: None. Motion carried
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
5. Advance Agenda — Mayor Towey
Suggested additional topics for future agendas included sidewalks, and solid waste, and it was decided to
include solid waste was an "information only" item on the 18 agenda, and to have an administrative
report on January 25 th .
INFORMATION ONLY: n/a
6. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Pending Litigation
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Schimmels, seconded and unanimously agreed by council to adjourn into
executive session for approximately 45 minutes to discuss pending litigation, and that no action will be
taken upon return to open session. Council adjourned into executive session at approximately 6:50 p.m.
At approximately 8:03 p.m., Mayor Towey declared Council out of executive session, after which it was
moved by Councilmember Dempsey, seconded, and unanimously agreed to adjourn. The meeting
adjourned at 8:03 p.m.
/x7
X Thomas E. Toomey, Mayor
-
nbridge, City Clerk
Council Regular Meeting 01 -I1 -2011 Page 5 of 5
Approved by Council: 01 -25 -2011
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT
SIGN -IN SHEET
SPOKANE VALLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING
DATE: January 11, 2011
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