2013, 01-29 Study Session MINUTES
SPOKANE VALLEY CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
STUDY SESSION FORMAT
Spokane Valley City Hall Council Chambers
Spokane Valley,Washington
January 29,2013 6:00 p.m.
Attendance:
Con ncilmembers Staff
Tom Towey,Mayor Mike Jackson, City Manager
Gary Schimmels,Deputy Mayor Cary Driskell, City Attorney
Dean.Grafos; Councilmember Mark Calhoun,Finance Director
Chuck Hafner, Councilmember John Hallman, Community Development Dir.
Ben Wick, Councilmember Mike Stone,Parks &Recreation Director
Arne Woodard, Councilmember Steve Worley, Senior Engineer
Morgan Koudelka, Sr.Administrative Analyst
Rick VanLeuven, Police Chief
Carolbelle Branch,Public Information Officer
Chris Bainbridge, City Clerk
Mayor Towey called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
Roll Call: City Clerk Bainbridge called the roll; all Councihnembers were present.
ACTION ITEMS:
1. Interlocal Agreement,Decant Facility--Steve Worley
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Schimmels and seconded to authorize the City Manager to finalize and
execute the "Interlocal Agreement GCB 1358 between WSDOT and the City of Spokane Valley for a
Regional Decant Facility." Senior Engineer Worley explained that we have finalized the interlocal
agreement with Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), and he went over the
highlights of the agreement and noted the few minor changes, i.e. the new language about termination of
the agreement and repayment of grant and city invested funds if that were to occur, that the numbering
down the side of the pages will be removed, and the signature space will be modified to make it more
conducive for actual signatures. Mayor Towey invited public comment; no comments were offered. Vote
by Acclamation:In Favor: Unanimous. Opposed: None. Motion carried.
NON-ACTION ITEMS
2, January Community Recognition--Mayor Towey
Mayor Towey explained that our City is beginning its tenth-year and as part of that celebration, said he
would like to recognize individuals, organizations and businesses that have made a positive impact on our
community;and said he plans to make such a recognition once a month during a council meeting. Mayor
Towey said that it is his hope that we get many recommendations as there are thousands of people who do
great things in our community, and said he would like to recognize those efforts, present them with a
certificate and a key to the city, and thank them for their contributions. Mayor Towey said that he is
proud to announce the first recipient, JoAnn Dowling, nominated by Kim Johnson, who in making this
nomination, explained that Mrs. Dowling"makes Spokane Valley a better place through her talent as an
educator, her positive, encouraging spirit, and her zest for life." Mrs. Dowling expressed her appreciation
for the honor and she received a round of applause from those in attendance.
3. Sewer Billings,Payments and Liens—Bruce Rawls, Spokane County Utilities Division
Mr, Bruce Rawls, of the Spokane County Utilities Division, said that he gave this presentation to the
Board of County Commissioners a few weeks ago, and that after speaking with City Manager Jackson,
thought it would be beneficial to present to this Council as well. He gave an update on the sewer account
Council Study Session Minutes 01-29-2013 Page 1 or2
Approved by Council:02-19-2013
delinquencies and via his PowerPoint presentation, explained some of the recent problems on E-Sill
accounts,went over the billing process, and discussed liens and proposed actions, Mr. Rawls said that as
of December, the total past due balance is over $4 million, and that interest on delinquent payments
amounts to approximately $350,000; he said the auditor's office must charge fees prescribed by law; and
explained some of the cost associated with filing liens. In response to a question from Council
concerning liens and foreclosure, Mr. Rawls said that their liens are superior to any lien by a bank doing a
foreclosure. Mr. Rawls also asked how many sewer connections remain, and Mr. Rawls said they are
down to about 4,000; and that out of about 42,000 total customers, most everyone should have sewer
connection by 2015. Mr. Rawls said that this would be the first year to start foreclosures, and via the City
Clerk, distributed a copy of a foreclosure warning form letter they send to delinquent accounts.
4. ESRI Interlocal Agreement(GIS Services)—Morgan Koudelka
Senior Administrative Analyst Koudelka said that the City uses Geographic Information System (GIS)
software for several purposes, such as electronic mapping, plotting, and measuring geographical data;that
since 2005, the City has used a regional enterprise license agreement negotiated between Spokane County
and Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc. (ESRI); which allows us to use GIS software licenses
without the upfront purchase cost, and said we pay for only the amount of time the software is needed.
Mr.Koudelka said the agreement also includes fees to online and in-person training and conferences; that
this agreement would extend that arrangement for four years; that our cost is determined based upon the
percentage of system licenses we use and with cost changes for upcoming years;this would amount to an
increase of less than $400 annually. Council concurred to have this brought to the February 5 council
meeting for approval consideration.
5. Council Position#1 Candidate Interviews—Mayor Towey
Mayor Towey explained the process for conducting the interviews; that 30 minutes will be allotted for
each candidate, that each Councilmember will ask one question, and then proceed to the next
councilmember for subsequent questions. Council interviewed Mr. Kevin Anderson, followed by Ms.
Amy Biviano. After Ms. Biviano's interview, at approximately 7:34 p.m., Mayor Towey called for a
short recess. Mayor Towey reconvened the meeting at 7:45 p.m., and Council then interviewed Mr. Rod
Higgins, followed by Ms. Linda Thompson, then by Mr. Samuel Wood. At approximately 9:00 p.m., it
was moved by Deputy Mayor Schimmels, seconded and unanimously agreed to extend the meeting for
one hour. Mayor Towey thanked all the candidates for coming.
6. Advance Agenda—Mayor Towey. There were no suggestions for agenda items.
7. Greater S okane Inc. •:tarter] Re.ort—was or in or ration onl and was not re orted or discussed.
8. Council Check-in—Mayor Towey. There were no council comments.
9. City Manager Comments—Mike Jackson
City Manager Jackson said he wanted to update Council concerning the idea of sending the legislature a
letter requesting they examine funding methods for transportation needs, and referenced a copy of the
draft letter he distributed to Council previously.
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Schimmels, seconded and unanimously agreed to adjourn. The meeting
adjourned at 9:02 p.m.
11111"
AT ,_ �-
hbmas E. Towery,M yor
ristine Bainbridge, Crty Clerk
Council Study Session Minutes 01-292013 Page 2 of 2
Approved by Council:02-19-2013
Y
SioK� i :;t;�i' � Gout'
.+tea i�l 3fr��`
Tyr
UTILITIES DIVISION
N. BRUCE RAWLS, P.H.. Di RECTOR
A DIVISION OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
January 31, 2013
NAME:
ADDRESS
CITY,STATE ZIP
SUBJECT: LIENS FOR DELINQUENT SEWER CHARGES—FORECLOSURE WARNING LETTER
SITE ADDRESS:
PARCEL NUMBER:
SEWER ACCOUNT NO.:
LIEN AMOUNT:
Dear Spokane County Sewer Customer and Other Interested Parties:
According to our records,you have an interest in,or you own real property in Spokane County and are a
sewer customer of the Spokane County Division of Utilities. Our records also show that the sewer account
for this property has significant delinquent charges that have been secured by a lien, in accordance with
RCW 36.94.150.
This letter is to give you advance notice that Spokane County is considering foreclosure on properties with
liens for delinquent sewer charges. The foreclosure process could begin this spring,which would result in
a foreclosure auction of your property later this year, unless the lien and all associated fees are paid.
Once the foreclosure process starts you will receive formal notification of the foreclosure action, and
additional fees and charges authorized under state law will accrue.
We are sending you this letter to give you the opportunity to pay off the lien and to avoid foreclosure.
Please contact the Division of Utilities, Customer Service,at(509)477-3604 if you would like to make
arrangements to pay off the lien on your sewer account.
Sincerely,
N. Bruce Rawls, P.E.
Spokane County Utilities Director
1 026 WEST BROADWAY AVENUE, 4TH FLOOR • SPOKANE, WA 99260-0430
PHONE: (509) 477-3604 • FAX: (509) 477-4715 • TDD: (509) 477-7133
/ .._ 9- 61t$