2013, 07-23 Regular Meeting MINUTES
City of Spokane Valley
City Council Regular Meeting
Formal Meeting Format
Tuesday,July 23,2013
Mayor Towey called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
Attendance: City Staff:
Torn Towey,Mayor Mike Jackson, City Manager
Gary Schimmels,Deputy Mayor Cary Driskell, City Attorney
Dean Grafos, Councilmember Erik Lamb,Deputy City Attorney
Chuck Hafner, Councilmember Mike Stone,Parks &Rec Director
Rod Higgins,Councilmember John Holman, Community Dev Director
Ben Wick, Councilmember Eric Guth,Public Works Director
Arne Woodard, Councilmember Mark Calhoun,Finance Director
Marty Palaniuk, Planner
Chris Bainbridge,City Clerk
INVOCATION: Pastor Mike Graef,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:
COMMITTEE,BOARD,LIAISON SUMMARY REPORTS:
Councilmember Hafner: reported that he attended a SCOPE Leadership meeting and picnic.
Councilmember Higgins: no report
Deputy Mayor Schimmels: said he attended the "Phillips 66 Spokane Terminal Star Celebration"
recognizing their volunteers who have shown their commitment to employee protection.
Councilmember Grafos: said he toured the Sunshine Solid Waste Disposal Facility.
Councilmember Wick: mentioned the upcoming Cycle Celebration this Sunday.
Councilmember Woodard: no report.
MAYOR'S REPORT: Mayor Towey reported that he attended the Northeast Mayor's Meeting where
Mr. Holman gave a presentation about our permitting process; said he attended the Spokane Valley
Veteran's Center where World War II Veteran Del Casper, an Army Air Corps Veteran, was honored 70
years after the War, and where Honorary Consul to France From Washington State, awarded Mr. Casper
with the French Legion of Honor Medal. Mayor Towey said he returned to the Veteran's Center again for
the 20th annual Women's Recognition Day. Mayor Towey reported that he also met with Spokane County
Commissioner Chair Shelly O'Quinn.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: Mayor Towey invited public comments.
Don Meier, 3910 S Eagle Lane and Gerald Snow, 3938 S Eagle Lane spoke, with Mr. Meier speaking
first concerning the Painted Hill Trustee Sale; they both urged the City to move forward to purchase the
golf course; said this is a great opportunity to purchase a fully developed golf course; said we should
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Approved by Council:08-13-2013
purchase this to preserve the quality of life now enjoyed within our City; and should take action prior to
the September 13 trustee sale at the County Courthouse.
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 VOUCHER NUMBERS TOTAL AMOUNT
07/03/2013 5590-5605 $1,164.00
07/03/2013 29579-29599 $41,923.18
07/03/2013 29600-29627 $1 13,276.59
07/08/2013 29629 $404.96
07/10/2013 4375, 4399-4402; 4419; 29630-29634 $276,264.84
07/12/2013 29635-29671 $142,477.99
07/12/2013 29672-29734; 705130017 $1,657,588.74
07/15/2013 5606-5615 $892.00
GRAND TOTAL $2,233,992.30
b. Approval of Payroll for Pay Period Ending July 15, 2013: $303,929.95
c. Approval of June 18,2013 Council Workshop Meeting Minutes
d.Approval of July 2, 2013 Council Meeting Minutes, Study Session Format
e.Approval of July 9,2013 Council Meeting Minutes,Formal Meeting Format
f.Approval of July 16,2013 Council Meeting Minutes, Study Session Format
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Schimmels, seconded and unanimously agreed to approve the Consent
Agenda.
NEW BUSINESS:
2.First Reading Proposed Ordinance 13-010, Sign Code Revisions-John Holtman
After City Clerk Bainbridge read the ordinance title, it was moved by Deputy Mayor Schimmels and
seconded to advance Ordinance 13-010, City Initiated Amendment CTA 2013-0004, sign regulation
amendments, to a second reading. Community Development Director Holtman went over the highlights
of the code changes, which he said were initiated to provide flexibility to the regulations while keeping
consistent with the Cities of Spokane and Cheney. Mayor Towey invited public comments; no comments
were offered. Councilmember Wick voiced his opinion at keeping the temporary signs to one, adding that
he realized he was in the minority. Vote by Acclamation:In Favor: Unanimous. Opposed:None. Motion
carried.
3. First Reading Proposed Ordinance 13-011,Zayo Franchise—Cary Driskell
After City Clerk Bainbridge read the ordinance title, it was moved by Deputy Mayor Schimmels and
seconded to advance Ordinance 13-011, granting a telecommunications franchise to Zayo, to a second
reading. City Attorney Driskell displayed the route map on the screens; said this franchise has been
discussed previously, that it would be a renewal similar to other franchises, and would also be for a ten-
year period. Mayor Towey invited public comments; no comments were offered. Vote by Acclamation:
In Favor: Unanimous. Opposed.' None. Motion carried.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: Mayor Towey invited public comments.No comments were offered.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS:
4. Geology of Mirabeau Point Park—Mike Stone,Andy Buddington
Parks and Recreation Director Stone introduced Mr. Andy Buddington, Spokane Community College
Earth-Science Instructor, whom Mr. Stone explained has formed an alliance with him to examine
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Approved by Council:08-13-2013
Mirabeau Park natural history; and said the project Mr. Buddington is about to describe, is an
undergraduate service-learning research project, and was conceived as a cooperative between the City of
Spokane Valley and the Spokane Community College. Mr. Buddington went through his PowerPoint
presentation showing various examples of the natural history contained at Mirabeau Park, including areas
of bedrock, and boulders brought into the area as a result of the Missoula flood that occurred at the end of
the last ice age; natural potholes, and the beautiful waterfall. Mayor Towey thanked Mr. Buddington for
an informative report.
5.Lighting Code Revisions—Marty Palanink
Planner Palaniuk gave the history of the proposed amendments to the lighting regulations, and then
briefly explained those changes, which include eliminating redundant references, height restrictions,
requirement for a lighting plan, and the watts per square foot standard as a means to limit luminosity; and
establishes two new outdoor lighting exemptions. Mr. Palaniuk also explained that these amendments
would not apply to one and two-family dwellings, or to public street lighting. There were no objections
to moving this forward to a first reading.
6. Council Goals for 2014—Mike Jackson
City Manager Jackson said that this topic is typically handled during the summer retreat/workshop, but
was postponed in the interest of time; that tonight represents the "first touch" for eventual 2014 Council
Goals; he said there will be subsequent discussions with the goals ultimately being adopted by Council as
part of the 2014 budget. To start the discussion, Mr. Jackson went over the current 2013 budget goals,
Mr. Jackson mentioned today's newspaper article concerning Spokane's discharge permit under appeal,
wherein the article said the permit is now "compromised" and the said therefore, the County will have
another thirty days in which to appeal. After discussion on this goal, it was decided to omit most of the
verbiage so that the goal would be written as "Continue to monitor the discharge permit process for the
Spokane County wastewater treatment plant." Mr. Jackson noted that Mr. Holman will make a
presentation to council next week concerning the floodplain study. There was some Council discussion
regarding prioritizing the goals,and it was decided that the idea is not to prioritize goals, but to have them
listed in no particular order.
The next goal of solid waste was discussed, with mention by Mr. Jackson of an upcoming meeting this
Thursday to conduct a first review of the consultant's report; he said after that meeting work will begin on
the Performa to include actual annual costs; and said all data will be released to elected officials in
August. It was suggested to keep the goal but to re-word it to include mention of alternatives for
collection, transport and disposal. It was decided to remove the goal of developing a shoreline master
program since that program is scheduled for completion this year. The goal concerning a legislative
capital budget request was discussed and it was decided since a decision must be made by November
concerning the Sullivan Bridge,to remove that part of the goal. After further discussion it was decided to
include such things as seeking budget requests or funding for the Appleway Trail project, parkland
acquisition, the Barker Road grade separation, and purchase of a transfer station. Mr. Jackson also noted
he has not seen any grants thus far that might assist with the Appleway Trail project. The goal concerning
creating an economic development plan was discussed and Mr, Jackson stated that Mr, Holtman will also
give an update next week on this topic; he said the short term goals of the ad hoc committee have been
implemented, and concerning regional tourism partners, said we continue to work with such entities as
GSI (Greater Spokane, Inc.) and Visit Spokane and funding through the Lodging Tax process. It was
decided to edit the goal slightly to "continue and expand" an economic development plan. Mr. Jackson
said we have much to take care of now, and that during 2014 we could work on a scope of work for an
economic development plan to take place in 2015; and Councilmember Grafos agreed that we are not
ready to formalize a plan and should have a "better picture" in another year. Mr. Jackson asked Council
if they had any other goals they wished to include. After discussion, it was decided to include a goal of
Council Regular Meeting 07-23-2013 Page 3 of 4
Approved by Council:08-13-20I3
focusing on sustainability of the street preservation program beyond 2016, and to evaluate the law
enforcement needs. Mr. Jackson said he will put together another draft for future discussion.
Mayor Towey called for a recess at 7:30 p.m., and reconvened the meeting at 7:40 p.m.
7. WUTC Grade Crossing Protective Fund,Railroad Safety Improvement Grants--Eric Guth
Public Works Director Guth explained that the Washington State Utilities and Transportation
Commission (WUTC) through its Grade Crossing Protective Fund has an open call for projects for
railroad safety improvement grants of up to $20,000 per project; he said the grants are for projects to
eliminate or mitigate public safety hazards at railroad crossings and along railroad rights-of-way. Mr.
Guth explained that a citizen contacted the City regarding the Vista Road/Trent Avenue crossing for the
BNSF Railroad; he said staff checked with WUTC and they suggested the crossing at Vista would be a
strong candidate for safety funding; he also noted that BNSF has recorded six close calls at this location
over the past five years from vehicles driving around down crossing gates as trains approached. Mr. Guth
further explained that this crossing has two main lines so it would be a possible total of$40,000 in grant
fimds. Director Guth said that these grants are 100% funded up to the maximum amount if design and
construction management is contracted out; and based on the current preliminary estimate, the City match
would be approximately $11,000, and he proposed using REET funds to provide that match. Mr. Guth
said this would be a quick turnaround as the project would be designed this fall and winter and put out to
bid in spring for a spring project. Councilmember Wick asked if we are designing those improvements to
meet the criteria for quiet zones and Mr. Guth said he would have to research that. Mr. Guth
recommended staff bring this issue to Council at next week's Council meeting as a motion consideration,
and there were no objections.
8.Advance Agenda—Mayor Towey There were no suggested changes to the advance agenda.
INFORMATION ONLY Item #8 Department Reports; #10 Planning Commission Minutes; and #11
Justice Assistance Grant were for information only and were not reported or discussed.
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS Mr. Jackson had no comments.
12. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Pending/Potential Litigation; and Potential Acquisition of Real Estate
[RCW 42.30.110(l)(i)]; and RCW 42.30.110(1)(b)]
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Schilrmtels, seconded and unanimously agreed to adjourn into executive
session for approximately thirty minutes to discuss pending/potential litigation and potential land
acquisition, and that no action would be taken upon return to open session. Council adjourned into
Executive Session at 7:51 p.m. At approximately 8:12 p.m., Mayor Towey declared Council out of
Executive Session. It was moved by Deputy Mayor Schimmels, seconded and unanimously agreed to
adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 8:12 p.m.
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Minas E. owey, Mayot G/
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Christine Bainbridge, City Clerk "�-
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Approved by Council:08-13-2013
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