2008, 11-04 Study Session MinutesMINUTES
CITY OF SPOKANE VALLEY
CITY COUNCIL STUllY SESSION
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Mayor Munson called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and welcomed everyone to the meeting.
Present:
Counci1mcmbers:
Rich Munson, Mayor
Dick Denenny, Deputy Mayor
Rose Dempsey, Councilmember
Dill Gothmann, Councilmember
Gary Schimmels, Councilmember
Steve Taylor, Councilmember
Diana Wilhite, Councilmember
Staff:
Mike Jackson, Deputy City Manager
Mike Connelly, City Attorney
Ken Thompson, Finance Director
Neil Kerstcn, Public Works Director
Kathy McClung, Cornmunity Development Dir.
Mike Stone, Parks Rc Rec Director
John Hohman, Senior Engineer
Gloria Maniz, Stormwater Engineer
Lori Barlow, Associate Planner
John Whitehead, HR Manager
Greg McCormick, Planning Manager
Henry Allen, Development Engineer
Morgan Koudelka, Sr. Administrative Analyst
John Pietro, Administrative Analyst
Dan Domrese, Accountant/Budget Analyst
Carolbelle Branch, Public Information Officer
Bill Miller, IT Specialist:
Chris Bainbridge, City Clerk
Employee Introductions:
Finance Director Thompson introduced new Accountant/Budget Analyst Dan Domrese, graduate of
Eastern Washington University, who is a CPA and the father of twins with twins on the way. Deputy
City Manager Jackson then introduced new Administrative Analyst John Pietro, who is from Ohio, and
who will be working with Morgan Koudelka. Council greeted and welcomed the new employees.
ACTION ITEMS:
1. Motion Consideration: Total Maximum Daily Load aMDL) Legislative Agenda — Mayor
Munson /Deputy Mayor Denenny
11 was moved by Council,nenlber Taylor, seconded, and unanimously agreed that Council add
"Consideration of Methods to advance the Spokane County Wastewater Treatment Plant" to the City of
Spokane Valley's legislative agenda. Mayor Munson invited public comment; no comments were offered,
and there was no council discussion.
REGULAR STUDY SESSION ITEMS:
2. 2008 Budget Amendments — Ken Thompson
Finance Director Thompson explained that staff generally brings forth budget amendments twice a year as
needed; and this budget amendment is due to the harsh winter in early 2008 where we spent $1 million in
two months for snow removal. Mr. Thompson mentioned that the first reading of the ordinance to amend
the 2008 budget would be brought to Council at the mid - November meeting.
3. Street Vacation Request STV 02 -08 — Lori Barlow
Associate Planner Barlow explained the purpose of this street vacation request for an unimproved section
of 5 Avenue, and via her PowerPoint presentation, showed the area in question and the abutting
properties. Ms. Barlow explained that while staff recommended denial of the request on the basis that the
criteria set forth in Section 22.120.030 of the Spokane Valley Municipal Code has not been met based
Study Session Meeting Minutes: 1 1 -04 -08 Page 1 oft
Approved by Council: 11 -18 -08
upon findings as shown, she said that the Planning Commission had no recommendation due to their split
vote. Upon further discussion, Ms. Barlow speculated that those Commissioners who disagreed with the
denial, would have preferred a solution to the issue rather then deny the request. Per Council request, the
minutes from that meeting will be provided at the first reading of this proposed ordinance.
4. Street Design Standards and Uniform Development Code (UDC) Recommended Changes —John
Hohman /Gloria Mantz
As a preview of the Street Standards document which staff has been working on for the least two years,
Engineers Hohman and Mantz gave a PowerPoint presentation explaining the Street Standards manual
objective, reasons for updating the standards and the UDC, the adoption schedule, the process
requirements, explanation of current versus the new requirement for typical improvements, and a brief
synopsis of each chapter, which include traffic analysis, plan submittal, clearing and grading, utilities,
street elements, private streets and driveways, public streets, access management, sight distance, traffic
calming, pavement design, inspection and certification, and maintenance responsibilities for private and
public systems. Mr. Hohman stated that for the developers, the construction of improvements would
increase the cost, but that many requirements and processes will remain the same, overall there is not a
substantial change, and added that this presentation is an attempt to identify where and what changes staff
recommends. Councilmember Gothmann mentioned his concern with the time of day to allow
construction, along with the construction's dust and noise; and Mr. Hohman said that is not addressed but
staff can research that issue. Other council discussion included mention that the intent of connectivity was
that neighborhoods should be connected but not necessarily every street; and brief discussion of the
difference between private and public streets. City Attorney Connelly said that once Council begins to
address policy issues, it would be appropriate to compare standards with the Comprehensive Plan to
insure consistency. Councilmember Taylor voiced his disappointment with segments of Chapter 7 Public
Streets, concerning the requirements for pavement width, curb, 1:ype, sidewalk, right -of -way and border
easements remain unchanged for all public street classifications; and Mr. Hohman indicated that in his
discussions with developers, the concern is to make sure people park on the street, and added that one of
the issues with a flat curb is it becomes a juggling act for how narrow can you go and keep adequate
parking. Mr. Hohman explained the detailed list of recommendations, and mentioned that Mr. Kersten
would be discussing street elements in the near future as part of the Street MasterPlan update.
5. Advance Agenda — Mayor Munson
Mayor Munson mentioned the upcoming meetings have been restructured as an attempt to allocate more
Council deliberation time for the Sprague Appleway Revitalization Plan, specifically December 2, 16, 30,
and January 6.
6. information Only: The Splashdown and YMCA Aquatics Update and Community Survey were for
information only and were not reported or discussed.
7. Council Check -in — Mayor Munson. In the interest of time, this was not addressed.
8. City Manager Comments — Mike Jackson In the interest of time, this was not addressed.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: It was moved by Councilmember Dempsey, seconded and unanimously agreed
to adjourn into executive session for approximately thirty minutes to discuss land acquisition, and that no
decision would be made thereafter. Council adjourned into executive session at 7:25 p.m. At 7:59 p.m.,
Mayor Munson declared Council out of Executive Session, and it was /2,d ved by Deputy Mayor Denenny,
seconded and unanimously agreed to adjourn. The meeting adj. r car 8:00 p.m.
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ATTEST:
Christine Bainbridge, City Clerk
Study Session Mccting Minutes: 11 -04 -08
Approved by Council: 11 -18 -08
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