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2011, 04-05 Study Session Minutes MINUTES SPOKANE VALLEY CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING STUDY SESSION FORMAT Spokane Valley City Hall Council Chambers Spokane Valley, Washington Apri15, 2011 6:00 p.m. Attendance: Councilmembers Staff Tom Towey, Mayor Mike Jackson, City Manager Gary Schimmels, Deputy Mayor Cary Driskell, Acting City Attorney Bill Gothmann, Councilmember Ken Thompson, Finance Director Dean Grafos, Councilmember Kathy McClung, Community Dev Director Brenda Grassel, Councilmember Mike Stone, Parks & Rec Director John Whitehead, HR Manager John Hohman, Senior Engineer Steve Worley, Senior Engineer Carolbelle Branch, Public Information Officer Chris Bainbridge, City Clerk Mayor Towey called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. ACTION ITEMS: 1 Motion Consideration Tabled Motion: Indiana Avenue Extension Bid — Steve Worlev It was moved by Deputy Mayor Schimmels, seconded and unanimously agreed to remove from the table, the motion to award the bid for the Indiana Avenue Extension Project, which was placed on the table during the March 22, 2011 council meeting. City Clerk Bainbridge then re-read the original motion: "to award the bid for the Indiana Avenue Extension Project #0112 to Spokane Rock Products, Inc., in the amount of $1, 049, 282. 20 and to authorize the City Manager to finalize and execute the construction contract. Senior Engineer Worley explained that this motion is for the bid award for the Indiana Avenue Extension Project; that during last week's presentation by Public Works Director Kersten, many concerns were addressed and it was agreed that the topic of the Mission Avenue access improvements and associated options would be brought back to council in the near future, but that tonighYs motion is for the bid award. Mr. Worley said at the last meeting, changes were discussed to be made by change order after the bid is awarded, which is the access road for Appleway Florist, and the conduit underneath the legs of the round-about for future pedestrian lighting if standards change such that those kinds of improvements are required, and the change for the ten-foot wide pathway on the north side of the roadway for improved pedestrian and bicycle access to the Centennial Trail. Mayor Towey invited public comment. Bob Horrocks 8622 Valerie Street, Spokane: voiced his concern that the access to the Centennial Trail be maintained; said he is a member of the Spokane Kayak Club and many use that access, and said if the access were moved south, it would be more difficult to reach; and emphasized his desire that the access on Mission Avenue remains and is not eliminated, and if it could be paved or improved, that would be appreciated as well. He said there were formerly signs at the area showing a map of the Centennial Trail, and said that unfortunately, those signs were vandalized and no one has bothered to put them back. Mayor Towey said that this topic is on the council's April 19 agenda and he encouraged citizens to attend. Council Study Session Minutes Apri15, 2011 Page 1 of 4 Approved by Council: April 12, 2011 Steve Bailev, 17020 East Indiana: said there are many "paddlers" here who are very interested in the access at the end of Mission Road, and he asked if everyone in the audience who is interested, would please stand, and approximately twelve people stood. Mr. Bailey said he appreciates Council slowing this process so that corrections can be made to help with the access and users; he said he spoke with representatives of Centennial Properties and said it appears they have rough drawings showing the intention of dissolving that access point; and said Centennial Properties told him that they intend to improve access with better parking, more parking, better handicapped access, but he asked what direction they have taken to talk to the user groups to determine what really is better access; and said their plans show a site to the southwest, but the paddler user group prefers the current access to the northeast; and said the community likes the current right-of-way. Mayor Towey again reminded everyone this topic is scheduled for the April 19 council agenda. Brian Durheim 2803 W. Euclid Avenue, Spokane: said there is another group here which are the fisherman; he said the river is re-charged at Sullivan from the aquifer which is conductive for trout habitat, which he said does not exist upstream from that point; said he is a member of Spokane Canoe and Kayak Club, Spokane Flyfishers, and said he was talking to a member from Trouts Unlimited this week who applauded council for looking at this access issue, and he thanked Council as well. James Pollard. 17216 E Baldwin Avenue: voiced his concern about changing and enforcing the city's policy on informing the public about major roadway projects prior to the bidding stage; he said that Mr. Kersten had stated he regets that a public meeting was not held on the Indiana Road Extension; and Mr. Pollard said he does not believe this was an oversight but has been a process used by Public Works since the inception of the city, and said this is the third major public works project in his neighborhood which intentionally avoided public input and negatively affected adjoining properties; he said council needs to review a future public works policy which will include the citizens and not just the developer; he said that for this project, Councilmember Gothmann previously pointed out we are past the design stage; but said when this project was received for construction grant, why didn't Councilmember Gothmann, who is part of a Transportation Improvement Board, ask if the citizens were allowed input regarding the road design and cost prior to its approval. Mr. Pollard said that Mr. Kersten's recent apology for not including citizen input, some additional bureaucratic rhetoric and placing band aids over obvious injuries to adjoining properties due to poor city engineering, has somehow made everything right; and said tonight a "yes" vote by council will burden taxpayers with paying 75% of the cost of this construction, this "poorly designed couplet to a private property;" and he asked council to take time to do things right. Mar�Pollard N Greenacres Neighborhood Chair, 17216 E Baldwin Avenue: she thanked council for further examining this process, said that staff didn't use design criteria to include the scope of the local road network and uses; and said the community appreciates the connection, but it fails in all other aspects; she said "we don't have time to re-design a quality project;" and she asked council not to approve the bid without further motions and addendums, and to give the work to Spokane Rock since they are already there; she asked that ADA access be preserved at the Mission Trail with improvements as noted on her handouts; she said she spoke with Bob Smith and understands their intention; she also asked council to initiate a policy to mandate early design stage opporiunities for public comment, initiate budgetary cuts to public works; and said this project should have gone to private consulting engineers as they have more expertise, range of projects and innovation that our public works staff cannot replicate; and said it is bad to take jobs from the private sector; she said staff evaded SEPA required disclosures, again as noted on the materials she handed the clerk; and she urged council not to award the bid as it causes more problems than it solves; and said there is an ethical problem with the design that was for a particular developer rather than the community. Tom Pratt. 20114 E Belmont Road: said he is concerned with the access point; that he uses the site regularly; said the road design has some obvious issues which he understands are being addressed; and Council Study Session Minutes Apri15, 2011 Page 2 of 4 Approved by Council: April 12, 2011 said the 60' right-of-way design is key as it is a public space, and he encouraged council to work with the design team to make sure that space is allowed to remain and become incorporated with the open space requirements that are developed for condo-type projects. Mayor Towey once again reminded everyone of the April 19 meeting which will address the access issue and the trailhead. Richard Behm. 9405 E Sprague Avenue: he applauded the Pollards for their dedication and research; said he wanted to correct something he said two weeks ago: he associated Steve Worley with the County Roads Department in the development of the Sprague/Appleway Couplet; and said that was not quite true as at that time Mr. Worley was working for the stormwater utility of Spokane County; and he said the County built Appleway across the Chester Creek Floodplain without complying with their own regulations and requirements for intruding onto a floodplain; he said those issues have been resolved now, but at that time Dishman Road landowners were ready to file suit against the County; and said that although Mr. Worley did not work for the County Roads Department, at the time he did not catch that Appleway was going across the Chester Creek Floodplain. Gordon Curry, 14313 E Trent: said when he first saw the design he thought "what a monster" and said there would have to be all kinds of ramifications to satisfy and take care of the people that are around it, and when you stop and think, what is a road, he said a road is something that you travel on to get from one point to another; and said that monstrosity has all kinds of inadequacies going different directions and having the people going all kinds of ways; and said he thinks there could be a better design with one- way from Broadway right straight through to Mission, unless this road is built for someone else's benefit. There were no further public comments and Mayor Towey thanked everyone for coming. After brief discussion, Council voted by Acclamation: In Favor.• Unanimous. Opposed: None. Motion carried. 2. Motion Consideration: Greenacres Park Bid Award — Mike Stone It was moved by Deputy Mayor Schimmels and seconded to award the Greenacres Park Phase #1 project which includes the base bid and alternates one through four to Bouten Construction in the amount of $926, 016. 00 and authorize the City Manager to execute the contract. Parks and Recreation Director Stone said as was mentioned last week, the consultant and the neighborhood group worked well together for a strong project, that we received favorable bids, and that the alternates include phase 2 installation of turf and irrigation, adding the sand and water play areas, adding one phase 2 small shelter, and substitute concrete for asphalt on the perimeter path system. Mayor Towey invited public comment. Mary Pollard, N. Greenacres Neighborhood: said they are thrilled about this project and the cooperation between the consultant and the neighborhood community. Vote by Acclamation: In Favor: Unanimous. Opposed: None. Motion carried. 3 Motion Consideration: Hanson Industries Developer Agreement - John Hohman It was moved by Deputy Mayor Schimmels and seconded to approve the Development Agreement with Hanson Industries, Inc., and to authorize the City Manager or designee to execute the agreement. Senior Engineer Hohman gave a brief background on the topic, as noted in his Request for Council Action Form, and said this project will contribute significantly to the City's infrastructure and to the improvement of the flow of traffic. Mayor Towey invited public comment. Bob Boyle, Hanson Industries, 15807 East Indiana Avenue: said this was a wonderful process and collaboration and that this is a perfect example of what can be done on such collaborative projects. Vote by Acclamation: In Favor: Unanimous. Opposed: None. Motion carried. 4 Motion Consideration• Appointment of Candidate to Council Position #3 - Mavor Towev Mayor Towey outlined the procedure for nominations of candidates, and said the vote would be taken by raised hand, and if a candidate receives a majority of votes, that candidate will be the interim councilmember. (1) Deputy Mayor Schimmels nominated Mr. Arne Woodard. The nomination was Council Study Session Minutes Apri15, 2011 Page 3 of 4 Approved by Council: April 12, 2011 seconded and those voting for Mr. Woodard included Mayor Towey, Deputy Mayor Schimmels, and Councilmembers Grafos and Grassel. (2) Councilmember Gothmann nominated Mr. Ben Wick. The nomination was seconded and those voting for Mr. Wick included Councilmember Gothmann. (3) Councilmember Grassel nominated Steven Neill. The nomination was seconded and there were no votes for Mr. Neill. (4) Councilmember Grafos nominated Jennie Willardson. The nomination was seconded and there were no votes for Ms. Willardson. After Mr. Woodard was sworn in by the City Clerk, he was congratulated and he took his seat at the dias. Mayor Towey thanked everyone for applying. Non-Action Items: 5. Advance Agenda — Mayor Towev Questions arose concerning the Indiana Avenue project and Mr. Jackson said staff will come back to council on April 19 for general discussion about the Mission Avenue trailhead; and that a change order may come to council in the future, or could fall within the authority of the City Manager, which is $200,000 or 15% of construction costs, whichever is less. Deputy Mayor Schimmels announced that the April 14"' State of the City Address, initially scheduled for the Greenacres area has been moved to CenterPlace due to construction. Other items mentioned to add to the advance agenda included the idea of Sprague beautification, which needs to be discussed with the Finance Committee as well, and of forming a committee in connection with economic development. 6. Council Check-in — Mavor Towev Councilmember Gothmann mentioned that he attended a Government Affairs meeting today and that the Clean Air Board is going to make a decision in the next few months about whether to fund with 100% from industries as opposed to cities supplementing those funds, and said perhaps we could get a future report from Rose Dempsey. Mayor Towey concurred. Councilmember Grafos voiced his concerns about transit service eliminations in Spokane Valley and said it appears there will no longer be a route through the Industrial Park Loop or to the YMCA, but they have added other routes; and said if we were to complete the connection at Mansfield Road, that might be beneficial in getting another route included; and also mentioned that he attended a grand opening at the Rockwood Low Income Retirement apartments. 7. City Manager Check-in — Mike Jackson City Manager Jackson said he and Attorney Driskell have finalized the purchase agreement on the new street shop. There being no further business, it was moved by Deputy Mayor Schimmels, seconded and unanimously agreed to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 6:58 p.m. � T. omas E. owey, Mayor � AT'I'EST• � �� t hristine ainbri ge, City Clerk Council Study Session Minutes Apri15, 2011 Page 4 of 4 Approved by Council: April 12, 2011 _ ��/ Chris Bainbridge From: Sue Passmore on behalf of mayor/ councilmembers Sent: Wednesday, March 30, 2011 2:25 PM To: City Council; Chris Bainbridge; Mike Jackson; Neil Kersten Subject: FW: Indiana/ Mission Ave. trailhead SccPir�'�Pi Administrntive Assistant to the Mayor and City Council City of Spokane Valley 11707 E. Sprague Avenue, Ste 106 Spokane Valley, WA 99206 509-720-5106 (Phone) New Phone Number 509-688-0194 (Fnx) Unsubscribe: This email is provided as an informational service to those interested in staying informed on City of Spokane Valley programs, projects and issues. If you no longer prefer to receive these emails, please email s�assmore(a�saokanevallev.orq and type "Unsubscribe" in the subject line or call Sue Passmore at 509-720-5106. (Contents of this email and reply are subject to pubfic disclosureJ From: 49cadzook@comcast.net [mailto:49cadzook@comcast.net] . Sent: Wednesday, March 30, 2011 12:44 PM To: mayor/ councilmembers Cc: Mike Stone; Bart Mihailovich; Bailey Steve; Chris Guidotti; Doug Chase; ]ames & Mary Pollard; John Patrouch; Andy Dunau Subject: Indiana/ Mission Ave. trailhead Please read this at the council meeting as public testimony and enter it into the public record. At the council meeting on March 29th (last week) Neil Kersten representing Spokane Valley Public Works Dept. described a path now being included into the project. The multi-use path parallels the roadway and basically connects Flora to the new Parkway. It does not connect to the Centennial Trail! The purpose of the trail seems to be a smokescreen to mislead the public and the council into believing that the Mission Trailhead will be preserved. This trail should connect Flora to the Centennial Trail. Why does the Works Dept. seem to represent the wishes of the developer and to disregard the needs of the citizens of Spokane Valley?? Every public access point the Centennial Trail and to the Spokane River should be preserved for perpetuity! These properties are irreplaceable! This one, in particular, is very important for a large and varied group of people. The developer (with the obvious consent of some Works Dept. employees) seems Hell bent on eliminating this access, while offering up Spokane County property to replace it. A council member and a works dept. employee have told me personally that this project will not eliminate the trailhead, but it is obvious that this project lays the footwork for just that. This sort of word twisting is less than genuine! A lot of statements regarding this project have included this same sort of word twisting that makes me wonder about where the allegiance of the Works Dept. lays. They i ' should be working for the citizens that pay their wages and everything they do should be in the best interest of those citizens. The full council should publicly pledge to the citizens a commitment to preserve this trailhead and to pledge to develop it into a city park with the cooperation of the State Parks Dept. (Whom by the way are committed to save this access) The park need not be built during this road project, but the commitment should occur now. Sincerely Alden Sherrodd 17315 E. Montgomery Ave. Spokane Valley, WA 99016 922-0608 2 Official Public Comment on Indiana Bid Awaxd on tonights Agenda from North Greenacres Neighborho... Page 1 of 8 Official Public Comment on Indiana Bid Award on tonights Agenda from North Greenacres Neighborhood - please include in minutes ]AMES F POLLARD [marjam17216@msn.com] Sent: Tuesday, April 05, 2011 2:52 PM To: Tom Towey; Tom Towey [edward@cet.com]; Dean Grafos; Brenda Grassel; Bill Gothmann; Gary Schimmels April 5, 2011 Honorable Mayor Towey and City Council members, Thank you for the time taken for study, the turnaround for Lewis' and the proposal to improve the rest of Mission to the trail head so late in the process. Please make a motion that guarantees approval of Mission improvements in this contract. More money to fix Lewis' access and a bike path took away the sting of a design riddled with problems. This $2 million dollar project will permanently create adverse impacts the community will live with at a high price. The design criteria failed to avoid conflicts with our local road nefinrork and� uses. Our bedroom community loves the convenience of the connection but it fails in every other aspect. . Spokane Rock is a quality contractor — it's unfortunate we don't have a quality project. This should go back to the design stage. Any Motion to approve this contract needs a directive to staff to prepare a change order and addendum. That addendum should include City funds to complete Old Mission, trail head improvements and built concurrently with this job. l. The ten foot path should be continuous with the northern alignment of Mission to the Centennial Trail. 2. Preserve ADA access at Mission Trailhead with ROW parking/road improvernent for ease of loading wheelchai'rs as well as kayak/canoe/recreational trail use. Additional Motions l. Initiate a policy to mandate early/design stage opportunities for public comment in private or public projects. 2. Initiate budgetary cuts for public works since they created work for themselves that belonged to private consulting engineers. City staff forgot who they work for, evaded SEPA impacts and dismissed their obligation to safeguard our rights. It is not the function of government to create work. Two O�tions for Council — Thinas to consider when makins� vour decision Option #1 Do Not Award the bid. It causes more problems than it solves in its current design https://owa.spokanevalley.org/owa/?ae=Item&t=IPM.Note&id=RgAAAABAXVFGBG9oQKW W6dYA4... 4/5/2011 Official Public Comment on Indiana Bid Award on tonights Agenda from North Greenacres Neighborho... Page 2 of 8 a. Keep $300,000 and use it for the community b. Public Funds should be used oniy for what the community cannot do for themselves. (Centennial Property is very capable of building their own road) c. Allow Regional Transportation Design Criteria to meet needs of neighborhood/Trailhead/Comprehensive Plan objectives and Retain full value of Lewis and Fisher properties. � d. Neighborhood design proposal is a much better solution. It eliminates east bound traffic from entering Mission west of Flora and allows typical three lane roadway. Option #2 Award the bid including the additional motions I mentioned previously. Here's a list of unresolved issues: a. Reduces full economic potential of Lewis and fisher properties property b. There are too many on intersections on Old Mission for all modes of travel — undesirable c. Failure to plan safe routes to school will cost more money in the future. d. This decision also does not address the complete absence of factual impacts that are required by law to be included in SEPA. e. Ethical problems with Public Works designing roads fork the Developer rather than as regional transportation. Design criteria was to serve Centennial Properties rather than meet the entire scope of community needs. f. This is not altruism — Centennial Properties needed a road to serve their property. Our public funds are paying for their road improvements and increased property value. g. Fisher and Lewis properties will lose value due the one way and increased traffic.. h. City should not take jobs from Consulting Engineers by designing roads for private developers. Bad to take jobs from private sector. i. Council should make Public Works Department responsive to citizens not a special interests. Neighborhood Solution - There is an alternative BEST DESIGN by Pete Miller Transportation Chairwoman There is a safer and more sustainable design — Consistent with our comprehensive plan. A Roundabout with 5 entrances at Flora and Mission would bring Centennial Properties eastward parkway directly to the Flora/Mission roundabout, avoiding Old Mission Avenue entirely. By doing this, Old Mission Avenue could retain two- way traffic. https://owa. spokanevalley.org/owa/?ae=Item&t=IPM.Note&id=RgAAAABAXVFGBG9oQKW W6dYA4... 4/5/2011 Official Public Comment on Indiana Bid Award on tonights Agenda from North Greenacres Neighborho... Page 3 of 8 Safely serves the new parkway, local trailhead traffic and would not impact properties to the north. Big Issues SEPA process flawed and inaccurate due to omissions The fact SEPA wasn't followed should make the city tremble. The city staff filled out the environmental check list in such a way that it wouldn't have triggered any serious review of impacts. The Routing Memorandum for the Environmental Checklist Review, Dec. 3, 2010, failed to include Central Valley School District, State Parks, impacted property owners, Spokane Valley Park Director, Mike Stone as well as North Greenacres Neighborhood via Mary Pollard, Neighborhood Chairwoman, and Friends of the Centennial Trail. According to WAC 197-11-060. Content of Environmental Review SEPA RULES, proposals should be described in ways that are encouraging, considering and comparing of all alternatives. It requires alternatives be considered and none were ever offered. Short term and long term effects have to be considered over the lifetime of the proposal. The range of probable impacts —not one was ofFered. DOT did not want a local access road next to the freeway in North Greenacres. They were worried about cars competing for the same intersection at Barker. This is exactly what has been engineered on Mission. Public works design on the existing Mission Ave., a local road with a busy trailhead pits pedestrians, bikers, and children without armor, against a high volume of "freeway like traffic. This is a single family neighborhood. To pretend the project merely changes the Flora/Mission intersection to a roundabout is absurd. This is regional transportation and will only grow in volume. Roads go somewhere! 72 homes befinreen Barker and Flora will be directly impacted as well as the entire neighborhood. Please note, this is the 6th year of harmful exposure to diesel particulate. Greenacres Park and future elementary will be impacted — speed limits will need to be adjusted on Mission. Traffic conflicts with the recreational use of the trailhead and Mission due to high volume traffic will likely create unsafe conditions for use of the trailhead. (Sullivan Park is a specialty park, due to high tra�c volume making it unsafe for kids and poor access. The proposal effects include direct and indirect impact caused by the proposal. Those effects caused by growth from the proposal shall be considered. https://owa.spokanevalley.org/owal?ae=Item&t=IPM.Note&id=RgAAAABAXVFGBG9oQKW W6dYA4... 4/5/2011 Official Public Comment on Indiana Bid Award on tonights Agenda from North Greenacres Neighborho... Page 4 of 8 This was a clear violation of SEPA requirements - that all impacts must be reported. It does not matter if these impacts trigger requirements for fixing — they must be reported. This ensures a fair review process. Public Works did not do their due diligence. The Spokane Valley Park Director was notified of this project by a phone from a concerned citizen after the project was funded and ready for the bid to be awarded. SEPA public notice is to bring forward all impacts. Agencies are encouraged to describe proposal in terms of objectives than in preferred solutions. When the City met with the Lewis and Fisher families, it was only to tell them not discuss alternatives. This violates the intent of SEPA ) Inconsistent with Spokane Valley Comprehensive PIan/GMA This piecemeal project is out of step with several chapters. �� _ "Environmental review at the planning stage allows the GMA city or county to analyze impacts and determine mitigation system-wide, rather than project by project. " It is a serious problem to neglect to ensure the safest route all the way to the trail and for the local patterns of use. This change in Mission, the City staff engineered violated SEPA, and is in in conflict with Spokane Valley's Park Master Plan — part of our Comprehensive Plan that recognized the use of the Centennial trail at this trailhead. This is not merely keeping it open but ensuring the safety of those utilizing this access. List of Comprehensive Plan Policies/Goals — Project Inconsistencies with Plan Neighborhoods 3.2.7.2 Neighborhood/Sub-area Circulation Plans: Much of the future growth within Spokane Valley will occur as infill development or redevelopment. As neighborhoods make a transition from large lots and a rural character to smaller lots and higher density, it will be important to ensure connectivity of local roads and neighborhood collector streets. The purpose of developing neighborhood circulation plans is to determine the location of future local roads while the properties are undeveloped or underdeveloped. Goal TG-2 Ensure that roadway systems are designed to preserve and are consistent with community character. Goal NG-3 Encourage neighborhood/sub-area planning for commercial, industrial and mixed use properties to enhance the quality, vibrancy and character of existing development https://owa. spokanevalley.org/owal?ae=Item&t=IPM.Note&id=RgAAAABAXVFGBG9oQKW W6dYA4... 4/5/2011 Official Public Comment on Indiana Bid Award on tonights Agenda from North Greenacres Neighborho... Page 5 of 8 NP-3.3 Encourage commercial development that is designed and scaled in a manner that is compatible with surrounding neighborhoods � (Certainly more conflicts than compatibility) The Parks, Recreation and the Arts element provides an opportunity to the city to coordinate with other providers of formal and informal recreational opportunities including state, county and adjacent cities. The goals and policies set forth in this section are intended to meet the intent of the GMA in providing for regional coordination of parks and recreation facilities and services. Goal PRG-1 Build a comprehensive parks program that focuses on facilities and services that benefit city residents regardless of location and that provide broad-based opportunities for community involvement. Project interfered with current use of Mission roadway that dead ends into trail and put undue burden on community by permanently detouring tra�c through couplet to return east to F/ora. No opportunity for public involvement of this park of our park system. Policies PRP-1.1 Coordinate the delivery of park, recreation and open space services with other government agencies, private nonprofits, and other partner organizations to maximize opportunities and efficiencies. Goal PRG-2 Based upon budgetary resources, plan, acquire, develop, and maintain within Spokane Valley, a system of parks that provides a broad range of recreational opportunities and access to natural resources. PRP-2.5 Parks should be designed and located to provide ease of access for pedestrians, bicycles, autos and public transit. The Centennial Trail — Spokane River is a natural resource — conceptual design offered by City For project shows structures across roadway. Limitation of access built into design and had to be mitigated with more money to return bikes to Flora with a trail at the Bid stage. Goal PRG-3 Based Upon available budgetary resources plan, acquire, develop, and maintain facilities that meet identified needs and are otherwise unavailable to the community. City Staff acquired money that ignored community interest in Mission Trailhead- mitigation instructions by Council is considering meeting this identified need — Thank you Council! https://owa.spokanevalley.org/owa/?ae=Item&t=IPM.Note&id=RgAAAABAXVFGBG9oQKW W6dYA4... 4/5/2011 Official Public Comment on Indiana Bid Award on tonights Agenda from North Greenacres Neighborho... Page 6 of 8 Goal PRG-4 Based upon budgetary resources, promote, develop, operate, and maintain a comprehensive trail/bicycle system within Spokane Valley that provides non-motorized travel, (walking, bicycling, skating, and horseback riding) to meet city residents recreation, fitness, and commuting needs. Policies PRP-4.1 Strive to develop a network of trails and bikeways within Spokane Valley that will interconnect population centers, community facilities, work places, neighborhoods, recreational opportunities, and natural green spaces. PRP -4.2 Promote appropriate planning and design solutions to avoid adverse environmental impacts on sensitive areas. PRP-4.3 Work with individuals, businesses, private developers, public agencies and other entities to incorporate trails and bikeways, where feasible. Goal PRG-5 Identify, evaluate, and preserve as open space selected undeveloped lands within Spokane Valley. Policies PRP-5.1 Participate in coordination efforts with local, state, regional and federal agencies to protect open space lands to complement acquisition programs and maximize resource potential. PRP-5.3 Work in cooperation with other jurisdictions and agencies to protect environmentally sensitive lands, especially ecosystems that span jurisdictional boundaries. Public Works should have contacted State Parks as an adjacent property. 9.2.6 Greenbelt, Open Space and Linear Parks Preservation of greenbelts improves the quality of the urban environment. Greenbelts link neighborhoods, schools, public facilities and other points of interest. The design of neighborhood, community, regional and linear parks should accommodate hiking/biking paths. Trails and on-street bicycle lanes should be developed in such a way that major parks and destination points are connected to each other and to major residential neighborhoods. Cyclists should be afforded reasonable access to bike paths near residential areas which connect to a destination point. Transportation Mission a minor arterial. Principal arterial system. It accommodates trips of moderate length at a lower level of travel mobility than principal arterials. This system places more emphasis on land access than the principal arterial system. Such a facility may carry local bus routes and provide intra-community continuity, but ideally does not penetrate identifiable neighborhoods. lndiana Extension splifs our community in half with high volumes of traffic. https://owa. spokanevalley.org/owal?ae=Item&t=IPM.Note&id=RgAAAABAXVFGBG W6dYA4... 4/5/2011 Official Public Comment on Indiana Bid Award on tonights Agenda from North Greenacres Neighborho... Page 7 of 8 3.2.4.3 Access Management (Creation of traffic congestion /of uses Access Management is another means to manage traffic flow efficiency, controlling intersection and driveway spacing to improve the safety and preserve capacity of major streets. Traffic conflicts are responsible for a high percentage of roadway crashes. By reducing the number of driveways and turning movements through shared access to multiple parcels, and restricting turning movements in congested areas, the safety and efficiency of the City's streets can be maintained. Access to adjacent property is one (1) of the major factors influencing functional classification. The State of Washington requires that access onto state facilities be granted by permit, and that City of Spokane Valley Comprehensive Plan Adopted April 25, 2006 (Updated 04-27-2010) Chapter 3— Transportation Page 9 of 30 such access conform to an access management classification system.6Access management may reduce the number of driveways, the allowable movements or modify existing access points where recurrent problems have been observed, including those related to safety, traffic flow and maintenance of roadway capacity. 3.2.4.4 Capacity Enhancements Capacity Enhancements typically include Policies TP-2.1 Street design should complement adjacent development Goal TG-4 Minimize the negative impact from transportation systems on the natural environment, air quality, noise levels and fuel consumption. Policies TP-4.1 Restrict high-speed traffic from residential neighborhoods and utilize traffic calming strategies to reduce vehicular speeds where appropriate TP-4.2 Complete local traffic circulation plans for areas experiencing new development. TP-9.11 Reduce obstructions and conflicts between bicycle/pedestrian facilities and vehicular transportation routes. TP-9.12 Develop street, pedestrian path and bike path standards that contribute to a system of fully connected routes for all transportation choices. TP-9.15 Accommodate bicyclists, pedestrians and the physically handicapped in the design of interchanges and intersections in a manner that is safe, accessible and convenient. See Spokane Valley Bike Map Mission is a straight proposed shared use path to the Trail — it does not weave to the CP development https://owa. spokanevalley.org/owaJ?ae=Item&t=IPM.Note&id=RgAAAABAXVFGBG W6dYA4... 4/5/2011 Official Public Comment on Indiana Bid Award on tonights Agenda from North Greenacres Neighborho... Page 8 of 8 Why doesn't isn't city's plan's consistent with the bike path on city map? Grand Poopah of the Economic Development Section of Comp Plan EDP-4.4 Expand and develop neighborhood and regional linkages and improvements to the Centennial Trail and Spokane River frontage. Closing (Spent many hours researching and organizing — thanks for taking the time for reading this.) Thank you for allowing me to present our thoughts on this project. We appreciate the positive difference this Council has made for our lives. It has been reassuring to hear the Council take serious our concerns as well as taken action on our behalf. It is a huge relief to hear Council commit to policy changes to ensure there will be public vetting of designs in the future. Whatever decision you make, you have our sincere thanks for helping the families most directly affected and for providing a safety net for community use of Mission trailhead. It will be enjoyed for generations as a legacy your seat on council has contributed to our community. Mary Pollard North Greenacres Neighborhood Chairwoman 17216 E. Baldwin Ave. Spokane Valley, WA 99016 https://owa.spokanevalley.org/owa/?ae=Item&t=IPM.Note&id=RgAAAABAXVFGBG9oQKW W6dYA4... 4/5/2011 . I C_ r��r�._ �� i COMMU1vITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT ______... _ .._ _ ..� ___ � ; ° ��e PLANI�ING DNISION � s 1 � R4UTING MEMORANDUM �IVIRONMENTAL CHECKLIST REVIE�V Date: December 3, 2010 To: City of Spokane Valley Development Engineering Division Spokane County Fire District No. 1— Rick Freier Spokane Connty Division of Utilities — Information Services; Jim Red Consolidated Irrigation District #19 Avista — Sherry Miller Qwest — Dave Clark Comcast — Rich Bai�nesBryan Richardson SEFNCO Communications (Consultant to Comcast} -- Steven Veeder Washington State Deparhnent of Ecology (Olympia) _ Washington Stete Department of Ecology (Spokane) — Terri Costello Office of Archaeology & Historic Preservation - Stephanie Kramer Spokana Tribe of indians - Randy Abrahamson Spokana County Boundary Revie�� Board — Susan Wmchell Washington State Department of Transportation-Grag Figg From: Micki Harnois, Associate Planner `�'� `�-� 11707 East Sprague Avenue, Suite 106 Spokane Valley, WA 992U6 PH: 509.688-0048 � FX: 509.921.1008 E-MA1L: mharnois@spokanevalley.org SUBJECT: Review and Comraent on Submitted SEPA Checklist for Indi�tna Avenue Extens�on Proiect — The project will consist of construction of a separated 2-lane road extending from tha intersection o£ Indiana Avenue and Desmet Avenue for approximately hvo thousand (2,000) feet northeast to the intersection of Mission Avenue and Flora Raad where a single lane roundabout will also be constructed. LOCATION: Extending from the intersection of Indiana Avenue and Desmet Avenue for approximately #�vo thousand (2,000) feet northeast to the intersection of Mission Avenue and Flora Road, situated in Section 13, To�vnship 25 North, Range 44 East, Willamette Meridian, Spokane County, Washington Please review the attached SEPA Checklist and submit writEen comments via emai�, facsimile, mail or in person by Deeember 17 . 20i0 at S:OOpm to the attention of the staff person identified above. The City of Spokane Valley is the lead SEPA agency and has reviewed the proposaUproject for probable adverse environmental impacts and expects to issue a determination of nan significance (DNS) for this project. The optional DNS process in WAC 197-11-355 is being used .l'HIS MAY BE YOUR. UNLY OPPORTtTNITY TO COMMENT 4N THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF THE PROPOSED PR4JECT. Attachmants: Site Plan of proposal SEPA Checklist 11707 E. Sprague • 5aite 206 • Spokane Valley, WA • 99206 •(509) 921-1000 • Fax (509) 921-1008 � c�' /'�� Indiana Extension SEPA Omissions Routing Memorandum Environmental Checklist Review List of Others this should have been on the List Central Valley School District — impacts to present a future students/future elementary State Park Director — Riverside State Park over Centennial Trail — Mr. Gedoti Monte Lewis — directly impacted Don Fisher — directly impacted Spokane Valley Park Director — trail access of Centennial Trail/ bike impact on Mission due to changes North Greenacres Neighborhood Chairwoman — Mary Pollard (for neighborhood impacts) (courtesy to send this notification) Friends of the Centennial Trail As stated in letter to those who did get public notification — THIS MAY BE YOUR ONLY OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT. April 5, 2011 Honorable Mayor Towey and City Councilmembers, Thank you for the time taken for study, the turnaround for Lewis' and the proposal to improve the rest of Mission to the trailhead so late in the process. Please make a motion that guarantees approval of Mission improvements in this contract. More money to fix Lewis's access and a bike path took away the sting of a design riddled with problems. This $2 million dollar project will permanently create adverse impacts the community will live with at a high price. The design criteria failed to avoid conflicts with our local road network and uses. Our bedroom community loves the convenience of the connection but it fails in every other aspect. . Spokane Rock is a quality contractor — iYs unfortunate we don't have a quality project. This should go back to the design stage. Any Motion to approve this contract needs a directive to staff to prepare a change order and addendum. That addendum should include City funds to complete Old Mission, trailhead improvements and built concurrently with this job. 1. The ten foot path should be continuous with the northern alignment of Mission to the Centennial Trail. 2. Preserve ADA access at Mission Trailhead with ROW parking/road improvement for ease of loading wheelchairs as well as kayak/canoe/recreational trail use. Additional Motions 1. Initiate a policy to mandate early/design stage opportunities for public comment in private or public projects. 2. Initiate budgetary cuts for public works since they created work for themselves that belonged to private consulting engineers. City staff forgot who they work for, evaded SEPA impacts and dismissed their obligation to safeguard our rights. It is not the function of government to create work. Two Options for Council — Thin�s to consider when makins� vour decision Option #1 Do Not Award the bid. It causes more problems than it solves in its current design a. Keep $300,000 and use it for the community b. Public Funds should be used only for what the community cannot do for themselves. (Centennial Property is very capable of building their own road) c. Allow Regional Transportation Design Criteria to meet needs of neighborhood/Trailhead/Comprehensive Plan objectives and Retain full value of Lewis and Fisher properties. � d. Neighborhood design proposal is a much better solution. It eliminates east bound traffic from entering Mission west of Flora and allows typical three lane roadway. Option #2 Award the bid including the additional motions I mentioned previously. Here's a list of unresolved issues: a. Reduces full economic potential of Lewis and fisher properties property b. There are too many on intersections on Old Mission for all modes of travel — undesirable c. Failure to plan safe routes to school will cost more money in the future. d. This decision also does not address the complete absence of factual impacts that are required by law to be included in SEPA. e. Ethical problems with Public Works designing roads fork the Developer rather than as regional transportation. Design criteria was to serve Centennial Properties rather than meet the entire scope of community needs. f. This is not altruism — Centennial Properties needed a road to serve their property. Our public funds are paying for their road improvements and increased property value. g. Fisher and Lewis properties will lose value due the one way and increased traffic.. h. City should not take jobs from Consulting Engineers by designing roads for private developers. Bad to take jobs from private sector. i. Council should make Public Works Department responsive to citizens not a special interests. Nei hborhood Solution - There is an alternative ,, ,,� .,� u �, .,,� ,, by Pete Miller Transportation Chairwoman a. There is a safer and more sustainable design — Consistent with our comprehensive plan. b. A Roundabout with 5 entrances at Flora and Mission would bring Centennial Properties eastward parkway directly to the Flora/Mission roundabout, avoiding Old Mission Avenue entirely. c. By doing this, Old Mission Avenue could retain two- way traffic. d. Safely serves the new parkway, local trailhead traffic and would not impact properties to the north. Big Issues SEPA process flawed and inaccurate due to omissions a. The fact SEPA wasn't followed should make the city tremble. b. The city staff filled out the environmental check list in such a way that it wouldn't have triggered any serious review of impacts. c. The Routing Memorandum for the Environmental Checklist Review, Dec. 3, 2010, failed to include Central Valley School District, State Parks, impacted property owners, Spokane Valley Park Director, Mike Stone as well as North Greenacres Neighborhood via Mary Pollard, Neighborhood Chairwoman, and Friends of the Centennial Trail. d. According to WAC 197-11-060. Content of Environmental Review SEPA RULES, proposals should be described in ways that are encouraging, considering and comparing of all alternatives. It requires alternatives be considered and none were ever offered. e. Short term and long term effects have to be considered over the lifetime of the proposal. The range of probable impacts —not one was offered. f. DOT did not want a local access road next to the freeway in North Greenacres. They were worried about cars competing for the same intersection at Barker. This is exactly what has been engineered on Mission. Public works design on the existing Mission Ave., a local road with a busy trailhead pits pedest�ians, bikers, and children without armor, against a high volume of "freeway like traffic. This is a single family neighborhood. To pretend the project merely changes the Flora/Mission intersection to a roundabout is absurd. This is regional transportation and will only grow in volume. Roads go somewhere! 72 homes between Barker and Flora will be directly impacted as well as the entire neighborhood. Please note, this is the 6 year of harmful exposure to diesel particulate. g. Greenacres Park and future elementary will be impacted — speed limits will need to be adjusted on Mission. h. Traffic conflicts with the recreational use of the trailhead and Mission due to high volume traffic will likely create unsafe conditions for use of the trailhead. (Sullivan Park is a specialty park, due to high traffic volume making it unsafe for kids and poor access. i. The proposal effects include direct and indirect impact caused by the proposal. Those effects caused by growth from the proposal shall be considered. j. This was a clear violation of SEPA requirements - that all impacts must be reported. It does not matter if these impacts trigger requirements for fixing — they must be reported. This ensures a fair review process. Public Works did not do their due diligence. The Spokane Valley Park Director was notified of this project by a phone from a concerned citizen after the project was funded and ready for the bid to be awarded. SEPA public notice is to bring forward all impacts. k. Agencies are encouraged to describe proposal in terms of objectives than in preferred solutions. I. When the City met with the Lewis and Fisher families, it was only to tell them not discuss alternatives. This violates the intent of SEPA ) �� '�� .....� :� . � .+�t+�� 1� �� ;�:s�p �`��r� �:; , r�. a. "Environmental review at the planning stage allows the GMA city or county to analyze impacts and determine mitigation system-wide, rather than project by project. " b. It is a serious problem to neglect to ensure the safest route all the way to the trail and for the local patterns of use. This change in Mission, the City staff engineered violated SEPA, and is in in conflict with Spokane Valley's Park Master Plan — part of our Comprehensive Plan that recognized the use of the Centennial trail at this trailhead. This is not merely keeping it open but ensuring the safety of those utilizing this access. List of Comprehensive Plan Policies/Goals — Project Inconsistencies with Plan Neighborhoods 3.2.7.2 Neighborhood/Sub-area Circulation Plans: Much of the future growth within Spokane Valley will occur as infill development or redevelopment. As neighborhoods make a transition from large lots and a rural character to smaller lots and higher density, it will be important to ensure connectivity of local roads and neighborhood collector streets. The purpose of developing neighborhood circulation plans is to determine the location of future local roads while the properties are undeveloped or underdeveloped. Goal TG-2 Ensure that roadway systems are designed to preserve and are consistent with community character. Goal NG-3 Encourage neighborhood/sub-area planning for commercial, industrial and mixed use properties to enhance the quality, vibrancy and character of existing development NP-3.3 Encourage commercial development that is designed and scaled in a manner that is com atible with surroundin nei hborhoods The Parks, Recreation and the Arts element provides an opportunity to the city to coordinate with other providers of formal and informal recreational opportunities including state, county and adjacent cities. The goals and policies set forth in this section are intended to meet the intent of the GMA in providing for regional coordination of parks and recreation facilities and services. Goal PRG-1 Build a comprehensive parks program that focuses on facilities and services that benefit city residents regardless of location and that provide broad-based 0 ortunities for communi involvement. Policies PRP-1.1 Coordinate the delivery of park, recreation and open space services with other government agencies, private nonprofits, and other partner organizations to maximize opportunities and e�ciencies. Goal PRG-2 Based upon budgetary resources, plan, acquire, develop, and maintain within Spokane Valley, a system of parks that provides a broad range of recreational opportunities and access to natural resources. PRP-2.5 Parks should be designed and located to provide ease of access for pedestrians, bic cles, autos and ublic transit. Goal PRG-3 Based Upon available budgetary resources plan, acquire, develop, and maintain facilities that meet identified needs and are otherwise unavailable to the communi . Goal PRG-4 Based upon budgetary resources, promote, develop, operate, and maintain a comprehensive trail/bicycle system within Spokane Valley that provides non-motorized travel, (walking, bicycling, skating, and horseback riding) to meet city residents recreation, fitness, and commuting needs. Policies PRP-4.1 Strive to develop a network of trails and bikeways within Spokane Valley that will interconnect population centers, community facilities, work places, neighborhoods, recreational opportunities, and natural green spaces. PRP -4.2 Promote appropriate planning and design solutions to avoid adverse environmental impacts on sensitive areas. PRP-4.3 Work with individuals, businesses, private developers, public agencies and other entities to incorporate trails and bikeways, where feasible. Goal PRG-5ldentify, evaluate, and preserve as open space selected undeveloped lands within Spokane Valley. Policies PRP-5.1 Participate in coordination efforts with local, state, regional and federal agencies to protect open space lands to complement acquisition programs and maximize resource potential. PRP-5.3 Work in cooperation with other jurisdictions and agencies to protect environmentally sensitive lands, es eciall ecos stems that s an 'urisdictional boundaries. 9.2.6 Greenbelt, Open Space and Linear Parks Preservation of g�eenbelts improves the quality of the urban environment. Greenbelts link neighborhoods, schools, public facilities and other points of interest. The design of neighborhood, community, regional and linear parks should accommodate hiking/biking paths. Trails and on-street bicycle lanes should be developed in such a way that major parks and destination points are connected to each other and to major residential neighborhoods. Cyclists should be afforded reasonable access to bike paths near residential areas which connect to a destination point. Trans ortation Principal arterial system. It accommodates trips of moderate length at a lower level of travel mobility than principal arterials. This system places more emphasis on land access than the principal arterial system. Such a facility may carry local bus routes and provide intra-community continuit , but ideall does not enetrate identifiable nei hborhoods. 3.2.4.3 Access Management (Creation of tra�c congestion /of uses Access IVlanagement is another means to manage traffic flow efficiency, controlling intersection and driveway spacing to improve the safety and preserve capacity of major streets. Traffic conflicts are responsible for a high percentage of roadway crashes. By reducing the number of driveways and turning movements through shared access to multiple parcels, and restricting turning movements in congested areas, the safety and efficiency of the City's streets can be maintained. Access to adjacent property is one (1) of the major factors influencing functional classification. The State of Washington requires that access onto state facilities be granted by permit, and that City of Spokane Valley Comprehensive Plan Adopted April 25, 2006 (Updated 04-27-2010) Chapter 3— Transportation Page 9 of 30 such access conform to an access management classification system.6Access management may reduce the number of driveways, the allowable movements or modify existing access points where recurrent problems have been observed, including those related to safety, traffic flow and maintenance of roadway capacity. 3.2.4.4 Capacity Enhancements Capacity Enhancements typically include Policies TP-2.1 Street design should complement adjacent development Goal TG-4 Minimize the negative impact from transportation systems on the natural environment, air quality, noise levels and fuel consumption. Policies TP-4.1 Restrict high-speed traffic from residential neighborhoods and utilize traffic calming strategies to reduce vehicular speeds where appropriate TP-4 2 Complete local traffic circulation plans for areas experiencm new development 4 �` ,� ��' ' � ; � �.,, . �� s . . �� F . �. ., .. � . �� . TP-9.12 Develop street, pedestrian path and bike path standards that contribute to a system of fully connected routes for all transportation choices. TP-9.15 Accommodate bicyclists, pedestrians and the physically handicapped in the design of interchanges and intersections in a manner that is safe, accessible and convenient. Grand Poopah of the Economic Development Section of Comp Plan EDP-4.4 Expand and develop neighborhood and regional linkages and improvements to the Centennial Trail and Spokane River frontage. Closing (Spent many hours researching and organizing — thanks for taking the time for reading this.) Thank you for allowing me to present our thoughts on this project. We appreciate the positive difference this Council has made for our lives. It has been reassuring to hear the Council take serious our concerns as well as taken action on our behalf. It is a huge relief to hear Council commit to policy changes to ensure there will be public vetting of designs in the future. Whateve� decision you make, you have our sincere thanks for helping the families most directly affected and for providing a safety net for community use of Mission trailhead. It will be enjoyed for generations as a legacy your seat on council has contributed to our community. Mary Pollard North Greenacres Neighborhood Chairwoman 17216 E. Baldwin Ave. Spokane Valley, WA 99016