2012, 08-14 Regular Meeting Minutes MINUTES
City of Spokane Valley
City Council Regular Meeting
Formal Meeting Format
Tuesday,August 14, 2012
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 Mark Calhoun,Finance Director
Dean Grafos,Councilmember Mike Stone, Parks&Recreation Director
Brenda Grassel, Councilmember John Holman, Community Development Dir.
Chuck Hafner, Councilmember Lori Barlow, Senior Planner
Ben Wick, Councilmember Rick VanLeuven,Police Chief
Arne Woodard, Councilmember Steve Worley, Senior Engineer
Carolbelle Branch,Public Information Officer
Christine Bainbridge, City Clerk
INVOCATION: Pastor Mike Graef of Valley United Methodist Church gave the invocation.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Towey led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL: City Clerk Bainbridge called the roll; all Councilmembers were present.
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 Woodard: no report
Councilmember Wick: said he attended several National Night Out barbeques; participated in the
Economic Development Ad Hoe Committee meetings;and is busy preparing for the Interstate Fair.
Councilmember Grafos: said he attended several National Night Out celebrations.
Deputy Mayor Schimmels: reported that he went to the Solid Waste Liaison Board Meeting; hosted a
National Night Out at his home; went on a bus tour with about 21 others to the Tri-Cities,which included
the Walla Walla Port District meeting; said he also attended the State Auditor's Exit Meeting for SRTC's
(Spokane Regional Transportation Council)audit.
Councilmember Grassel: said she attended several National Night Out events and extended thanks to all
the SCOPE volunteers.
Councihnember Hafner: stated that he attended the STA (Spokane Transit Authority) budget discussions
meeting; went to the Regional Health Board meeting where they are also examining their budget to
determine how to meet services with current funding; said the coal train situation has become more
prominent and that there could be an additional 80-100 trains coming through our area hauling coal to the
west side, with no cover over the cars, and said it could be a health concern; attended the 9-1-1 Board
meeting; went to several National Night Out events, and thanked the SCOPE volunteers, and said the
SCOPE volunteers have saved the Sheriff's Office approximately $2 million, and he mentioned SCOPE
volunteers are also seeking donations for pickup truck purchases.
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MAYOR'S REPORT: Mayor Towey send he went to the Chocolate Miracles open house, and he
encouraged businesses holding an open house or ribbon cutting ceremony, to contact City Hall as
Councilmembers enjoy welcoming new businesses; went to the Clear Air Committee meeting where the
main issue was evaluating several options concerning the burn ban in the unincorporated areas; said he
and Director Holtman and Councilmember Grafos met with the Appleway Group for a breakfast meeting
and said that Mr. Hohman had an excellent presentation; attended the Change of Command at Fairchild
Air Force Base with new Commander Brian Newberry; went to the Harley Davidson flag dedication of a
flag that is travelling around the nation in honor of servicemen and women and veterans and said it was a
very moving ceremony; said he went to a ribbon cutting at the Cancer Care Center on Vercler; and
attended several National Night out events and he too extended congratulations and praise to the SCOPE
volunteers.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: Mayor Towey invited general public comments; no comments were offered.
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 VOUCHER NUMBERS; TOTAL AMOUNT
07-20-2012 3998-4001;26568 $59,625.73
07-20-2012 26457-26567 $960,173.36
08-01-2012 26569-26634; 9667202; 731120025 $1,651,017.25
08-01-2012 26635-26639 $125.00
08-02-2012 26640 $5,575.06
08-07-2012 4018-4021; 4038; 26641-26645 $233,719.71
08-07-2012 5450-5477 $2,919.00
GRAND TOTAL $2,913,155.11
b.Approval of Payroll for period ending July 31, 2012: $390,287.29
c. Approval of Minutes of July 24, 2012 Special Council Meeting
d.Approval of Minutes of July 24,2012 Regular,Formal Council Meeting
e.Approval of Minutes of July 31, 2012 Study Session Meeting
Councilmember Wick asked to have Consent Agenda item le removed to be discussed separately. It was
then moved by Deputy Mayor Schimmels, seconded and unanimously agreed to approve the Consent
Agenda with the exception of item le. Councilmember Wick explained that for Consent Agenda item le,
under agenda item#9 on page 6 of those minutes, that he did not state that directors would not need Ipads,
and said the City Clerk also checked the video to determine what he stated; therefore, it was moved by
Councilmember Wick, seconded and unanimously agreed to approve the July 31, 2012 minutes with the
following change:page 6 of 7 item #9 about line 13 to replace "the directors would not need 1-Pads"
with "we probably wouldn't replace laptops for the directors."
NEW BUSINESS:
2. Proposed Resolution 12-004 Accepting Shoreline Master Program Goals and Policies—Lori Barlow
Prior to council making a motion, Senior Planner Barlow explained that this resolution, if approved,
would informally accept the draft goals and policies for the Shoreline Management Plan; and she gave a
brief recap of the extensive amount of review of this draft as noted in her August 14, 2012 Request for
Council Action(RCA)Form, Ms, Barlow also noted that the change under SMP 5.2 Design of Economic
Development on page five of the draft, should also include the stricken verbiage as shown on that same
section explained on her RCA, therefore, the words "Give preference to water oriented economic
development" should be removed." It was moved by Deputy Mayor Schimmels and seconded, to approve
Resolution 12-004 it formally accepting the City Council Draft Recommended Goals and Policies, with
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the change as noted by Senior Planner Barlow. Mayor Towey invited public comment; no comments
were offered. Vote by Acclamation:In Favor: Unanimous. Opposed:None. Motion carried.
3.Motion Consideration: Settlement Agreement on Law Enforcement/Jail Interlocals—Kelly Konkright
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Schimmels and seconded to authorize the City Manager to execute and
finalize the "Settlement Agreement and Mutual Release of All Claims With Regard to Interlocal
Agreement for Law Enforcement Services in the City of Spokane Valley (2003-2009) and Interlocal
Agreement for Jail Services in the City of Spokane Valley (2005-2009)." Consulting Attorney Kelly
Konkright explained that this was a billing dispute between the County and the City for contract years
2003-2009, and that negotiations to solve the issue that lead to this billing have resulted in this agreement
whereby neither party owes the other party any money, and whereby the matter is put to rest. Mayor
Towey invited public comment; no comments were offered. Vote by Acclamation: In Favor: Unanimous.
Opposed: none. Motion carried
PUBLIC COMMENTS: Mayor Towey invited general public comments; no comments were offered.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS:
4. Library District Update--Executive Director Nancy Ledeboer, and Board Chair Tim Hattenburg
Library Board of Trustees Chair Tim Hattenburg introduced new Director Nancy Ledeboer, Mr.
Hattenburg explained that regarding the materials, they are fairly consistent, that the timelines haven't
changed from the previous presentation, but the new building proposal is for a one-story building with a
large meeting room instead of the previously mentioned a two-story building with an auditorium, and said
the large meeting room gives greater flexibility since an auditorium would have fixed seating. Ms.
Ledeboer continued the presentation by explaining that one floor is more flexible, that the new proposal
will include a type of community connection site with a work area where they will have coaches to help
people with job resumes, and writing and computer skills; she said many people are now working at home
and since it is difficult to meet customers in one's home, the library would provide space for those types
of meetings, so the library, she said, would be a part of the economic development. Ms. Ledeboer
mentioned with one story, there would be no need for elevators or fire stairwells; and she then continued
with the presentation, and as noted in her additional handout, showed examples of 30,000 square foot
libraries. Mr. Hattenburg added that the bond ballot issue would have a better chance of passing with
these costs trimmed down. Concerning the current Spokane Valley Library, Ms. Ledeboer said that
building is very inefficient, the roof needs replacing, and said they would like to explore the option to use
that building as a service center, thereby keeping shelving volumes in the new library low for better
visibility. Other brief discussion included mention of landscape concepts, with Ms. Ledeboer stating that
if the City approves the Interlocal, they would work with our Parks Department where activities in the
library could flow out in the park, and she mentioned the concept of a farmer's market. Mayor Towey
thanked Ms. Ledeboer and Mr. Hattenburg for the additional information; said Council has a decision to
make as based on information as early as April, the Library District plans have been the same, but that
tonight's proposal is different, and said Council would be wise to step back and take a good look at what
was presented, and come back later with further discussion and decision; and reiterated that the previous
decision made to go forward and the monies already spent and set aside to go forward were based on
different information, and Council now needs the opportunity to absorb tonight's information. Ms.
Ledeboer said she would be happy to provide further information if Council desires.
5. Calendar Year 2013 Budget—Mark Calhoun
Finance Director Calhoun said tonight is the second occasion to discuss the upcoming 2013 budget, with
the first occasion at the June retreat. Mr. Calhoun went over the information contained in his August 14,
2012 Request for Council Action, mentioned the upcoming public hearing as a prelude to the City
Manager's Preliminary Budget presentation set for September 11; and said the included worksheets are
just the budget worksheets as opposed to the actual budget; said all revenues are estimated based on
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historical collections and future projections, and that sales tax and property tax collectively account for
approximately 80% of the 2013 general fund revenues; and mentioned the proposal to include the 1%
increase in property tax. Councilmember Grafos said he is not in favor of the 1% property tax increase
and Mr. Calhoun said an administrative report on that is coming in September and October. City Manager
Jackson added that there will be many opportunities for Council to discuss and review the budget.
Councilmember Grassel said she would like to have a clearer understanding of banking that 1%property
tax. Finance Director Calhoun went over the remainder of the budget calendar, said this budget proposes
a decrease of two full-time employees; that staff will be proposing that the Fund #311 name be changed
from "Street Capital Improvements 2011+" to "Pavement Preservation;" and said the final budget
adoption is scheduled for October 23.
There was council discussion about pavement preservation overlapping with maintenance and operation
and of the desire to have further discussion in that regard; and Councilmember Grafos said he would like
to explore the idea of creating a line item in the general fund called pavement preservation, and putting
6% into that line item, with Councilmember Hafner agreed with the need to have a plan to look at road
preservation and of the need for sustainable funds. Mayor Towey added that whether there is a line item
or a separate fund, the need for a revenue source remains, Other Councilmembers agreed with the need
for further discussion on that topic. In response to a council question about the Sullivan Bridge, City
Manager Jackson explained that we currently have about$26 million in the ending fund balance; that we
had $10 million in grants for the bridge so far but need another $10 million; that we could transfer that
money or keep it for solid waste or a city hall or street preservation or use it for the budget, but said that
that's all the money available for the City; and he recommended keeping a minimum 36% in the fund
balance and spoke of the need to maintain the fund balance we currently have; that it could be used for
one-time expenditures like the Sullivan Bridge or a City Hall or Solid Waste rather than use it for
recurring expenses; and said the real challenge is to balance the revenues with the recurring expenses;
said there will be future discussion on this topic, and said we could take an amount equivalent to 6% if
Council feels street preservation is a much more imminent need at this time; and again, said there will be
opportunities for continued discussion. Councilmember Wick said he favors keeping it separate and not
in the fund balance; and agreed with the need to have a dedicated line to transfer to street preservation;
said he recognizes the goal at the retreat was the 6% goal and said that the City Manager met that, but
questioned how long we can maintain that level; that we can move some of the funds around from other
reserves, but said citizens should know that we are reallocating some existing funds but that we can't do
that indefinitely; we see the need now, and are doing what we can, but at some point we won't be able to
do that. Councilmember Grassel said the point of a budget is to determine the City's actual needs; and if
you identified road preservation as a need,we can't constantly be talking about another dedicated revenue
source as there are only"so much tax resources around;" adding that some of our contractors might have
to sharpen their pencils as Council looks at every penny the City spends; she said citizens are already
paying REET, utility and other taxes,and not to use those taxes for the need of the City is misguided.
6. Advance Agenda—Mayor Towey
Councilmember Grafos said he would like to punt the library issue on an agenda as he would like to make
a decision fairly quickly, and Councilmember Woodard agreed for the need for further discussion and
said he would rather have it sooner than later. City Manager Jackson said we can also invite the Library
Board back later for subsequent discussion, and noted for Council that on the Advance Agenda, that the
Sprague Property update is #7 on the August 21 agenda. Councilmember Grassel said she would like to
have a future discussion on the lodging tax funds in order to get some ideas from Council prior to the
Lodging Tax Committee meetings, to discuss what those funds can be used for and to perhaps look at
other options. Councilmember Woodard agreed and said perhaps there is more flexibility within the law.
Councilmember Grafos said he would like to include discussion on the revision of the 2013 comp plan so
that it accurately reflects the changes made in the City over the last eight to ten years, as most of the
information is outdated, such as 2004 surveys, and said he feels that now is the time to stall that work,
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Councilmember Wick added that with the Economic Development Ad Hoc Committee's forthcoming
report, that perhaps that topic could wait and then tie-in with the committee's report. Councilmember
Grafos agreed. Councilmember Hafner asked about the issue of semi trucks in residential neighborhoods,
and Mr. Jackson remarked that City Attorney Driskell is out this week.
7.Department Quarterly Reports were for information only and were not reported or discussed.
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS. City Manager Jackson had no additional comments.
Mayor Towey called for a recess at 7:35 p.m., and reconvened the meeting at 7:45 p.m.
8.EXECUTIVE SESSION: [RCW 42.30.110(1)(g)]
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Schinm els, seconded and unanimously agreed to adjourn into Executive
Session for approximately forty-five minutes to review the performance of a public employee, and that no
action would be taken upon return to open session. Council adjourned into Executive Session at 7:46 p.m.
At approximately 9:40 p.m. Mayor Towey declared Council out of Executive Session. It was then moved
by Deputy Mayor Schimmels, seconded and unanimously agreed to adjourn. (It was noted that
Councilmembers Grasse) and Wick were not in the room at the time of this motion and vote.) The
meeting adjourned at approximately 9:41 p.m.
ATTE Thomas E. owe , Mayor
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- Christine Bainbridge, City Clerk /
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Approved by Council:08-28-2012