2013, 10-08 Regular Format MINUTES
City of Spokane Valley
City Council Regular Meeting
Formal Meeting Format
Tuesday,October 8,2013
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 Cary Driskell, City Attorney
Dean Grafos, Councilmember Mark Calhoun,Finance Director
Chuck Hafner, Couneilmember Erik Lamb,Deputy City Attorney
Rod Higgins,Councilmember John Hohman, Community Dev Director
Ben Wick, Councilmember Eric Guth,Public Works Director
Steve Worley, Senior Engineer
Absent: Scott Kuhta,Planning Manager
Arne Woodard, Councilmember Rick VanLeuven,Police Chief
Chris Bainbridge,City Clerk
INVOCATION: Pastor Bill Dropko of Greenacres Christian Fellowship Church gave the invocation.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Towey led the Pledge of AIlegiance.
ROLL CALL: City Clerk Bainbridge called the roll; all Councilmembers were present except
Councilmember Woodard. It was moved by Councihnember Grafos, seconded and unanimously agreed
to excuse Councilmember Woodard from tonight's meeting.
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 Wick: reported that he attended the GSI Big Tent transportation meeting; said he heard
public testimony at the transportation committee meeting at Central Valley High School; and attended the
fall fundraiser for the Spokane Neighborhood Action Partners where they raised over$100,000.
Councilmember Grafos: said he also attended the regional transportation meeting at Central Valley High
School,and mentioned that there are some challenges with the upcoming 2014 State budget as they try to
resolve transportation needs; and said he participated in this Council's special meeting last Thursday
concerning Solid Waste.
Deputy Mayor Schimmels: mentioned the wonderful crowd at the Valleyfest parade and event this year;
said he went to the Valley Chamber Transportation meeting concerning ideas from the SRTC (Spokane
Regional Transportation Council); and also attended the listening session at Central Valley High School,
Councilmember Higgins: said he also attended the transportation meeting, as well as the VisitSpokane
Big Tent meeting.
Councilmember Hafner: mentioned the City booth at the fairgrounds during the fair; attended an STA
(Spokane Transit Authority) meeting where they discussed budget issues and the idea of a future sales tax
increase; said he went to a Washington Education Association meeting dealing with class size; attended
an all-day meeting with the Transportation Committee, and said he is happy to see how we are handling
our roads; went to a SCOPE fundraiser meeting; and to a SCOPE pancake breakfast; and attended the
Special Olympics Breakfast held at the Davenport; and also participated in this Council's special meeting
concerning the issues of solid waste,and the baristas espresso stand.
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Approved by Council: 10-22-2013
MAYOR'S REPORT: Mayor Towey reported that he attended a meeting where Dr. Grant Forsyth from
Avista talked about the state of the economy and coming out of the recession, and who said he feels the
economy will improve substantially toward the end of 2014; attended the ribbon cutting of the new cancer
care facility on Vercler; partnered with the Sheriff and Mayors from Spokane and Liberty Lake for a
meeting concerning the "Way of Business" which was for the business community and elected officials,
with the theme of how together we can improve our communities. Mayor Towey then read the "Careers
in Energy Week" proclamation, which was received with gratitude from Avista Business Manager Ms.
Latisha Hill and SAWDC (Spokane Area Workforce Development Council) Coordinator Patricia
Robinson.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: Mayor Towey invited public comments. No comments were offered.
1. PUBLIC HEARING: Community Development Block Grant(CDBG)Pro'ects—Scott Kuhta
Mayor Towey opened the public hearing at 6:24 p.m. Planning Manager Kuhta explained that the
purpose of tonight's hearing is to hear public testimony concerning the project list. He explained the
background of the process as noted on his October 8, 2013 Request for Council Action Form, and said
that we expect this year's allocation to be about$260,000, and he brought Council's attention to the listed
projects, adding that we have consulted with the Central Valley School District on the sidewalk projects
and they expressed support for the Sprague/Long proposal. Mayor Towey invited public comment; no
comments were offered and Mayor Towey closed the public hearing at 6:27 p.m.
2. PUBLIC HEARING: 2013 Budget Amendment—Mark Calhoun
Mayor Towey opened the public hearing at 6:28 p.m. and Finance Director Calhoun went over the needed
amendments to the budget,all as shown on his October 8, 2013 Request for Council Action Form. Mayor
Towey invited public comment; no comments were offered and Mayor Towey closed the public hearing
at 6:34 p.m.
3. 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
07/08/2013 29628 $33,333.33
09/23/2013 30273-30307 $139,907.65
09/26/2013 5676-5681 $675.00
09/26/2013 30308-30375 $437,989.35
09/27/2013 30376-30387 $51,1 86.40
GRAND TOTAL $663,091.73
b. Approval of Payroll for Pay Period Ending September 30,2013: $400.319.41
c. Approval of Council Meeting Minutes of September 24,2013,Formal Format Meeting
d. Mayoral Appointment Recommendation,Tom Hormel to Housing and Community Development
Advisory Committee
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Schimmels, seconded and unanimously agreed to approve the consent
agenda. Prior to the motion and vote, Mayor Towey extended his thanks to Kristi Kerkuta for her
previous service on the Spokane Housing and Community Development Committee.
NEW BUSINESS:
4. Second Reading Proposed Property Tax Ordinance 13-014—Mark Calhoun
It was moved by Coanacilmember Wick and seconded to reschedule the second reading of the proposed
properly tax ordinance 13-014, to October 22. Mayor Towey invited public comment; no comments were
offered. Councilmember Wick said he feels there are still a Iot of decisions to make and he is asking for a
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Approved by Council: 10-22-2013
little more time to consider this, adding that the final budget was only in the black by about $500.00.
Mayor Towey said he would like to see this decision made by the full council. Vote by Acclamation: In
Favor; Mayor Towey, Deputy Mayor Schimmels, and Councilmembers Hafner, Grafos, and Wick.
Opposed: Councilmember Higgins. Motion passed and this ordinance reading will be rescheduled to
October 22, 2013.
5.First Reading Proposed Ordinance 13-015 Amending 2013 Budget—Mark Calhoun
After City Clerk Bainbridge read the ordinance title, it was moved by Deputy Mayor Schimmels and
seconded to advance Ordinance 13-015 amending the 2013 budget, to a second reading. Finance
Director Calhoun explained the necessity of the budget amendment as noted on his October 8, 2013
Request for Council Action form. Mayor Towey invited public comment; no comments were offered.
Vote by Acclamation: In Favor: Unanimous. Opposed:None. Motion carried.
6. First Reading Proposed Ordinance 13-016 Adopting 2014 Budget—Mark Calhoun
After City Clerk Bainbridge read the ordinance title, it was moved by Deputy Mayor Schinunels and
seconded to advance Ordinance 13-016 adopting the 2014 budget, to a second reading. After Finance
Director Calhoun went over the highlights of the 2014 budget, Mayor Towey invited public comment.
No comments were offered. In response to a question from Councilmember Grafos concerning whether
our budget is balanced, Mr. Calhoun replied we have a balanced budget and confirmed that recurring
revenues currently exceed recurring expenditures by $490.00, and that we have moved some of the
reserves as well. Councilmember Higgins asked about the large increase in the public safety budget, and
Mr. Calhoun said he would have to research that question in order to fully answer it with correct figures
as the public safety budget includes many areas of public safety. Vote by Acclamation: In Favor;
Unanimous. Opposed:None. Motion carried.
7.Motion Consideration:Approval of CDBG List of Projects—Scott Kuhta
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Schinnnels and seconded to direct staff to prepare CDBG applications for
the first two projects as proposed, in the following prioritized order: (1) Sprague Avenue/Long Road; and
(2) Farr Road, Planning Manager Kuhta stated he is available to answer any questions. Mayor Towey
invited public comment; no comments were offered. City Clerk Bainbridge read the following e-mail she
received today from Councilmember Woodard: "I am enthusiastically supporting the two recommended
projects (Sprague/Long and Farr Road) sidewalk projects. These are very important for those areas and
for our citizens that will be using them. As the appointed representative for the Council [in the Spokane
County Housing and Community Development Advisory Committee] and of our citizens, I will do
everything in my power to get these two priorities for our citizens in the 2014 cycle." Vote by
Acclamation:In Favor: Unanimous. Opposed:None. Motion carried.
8.Motion Consideration: Site Selector Agreement Amendment--Cary Driskell
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Schimmels and seconded to authorize the City Manager to finalize and
execute the Agreement for the Spokane Regional Site Selector. City Attorney Driskell explained that the
main reason for this amendment is that the new agreement replaces Washington State University with
Eastern Washington University, as the person involved form the University, moved from WSU to
Eastern. Mayor Towey invited public comment; no comments were offered. Vote by Acclamation: In
Favor: Unanimous. Opposed`None. Motion carried.
9.Motion Consideration: Bid Award,Argonne Rd. and Sprague Ave.—Eric Guth
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Schimmels and seconded to award the Argonne and Sprague Street
Preservation Project, #0179 to Inland Asphalt Co. in the amount of$1,199,568.57 and to authorize the
City Manager to finalize and execute the construction contract. Public Works Director Guth explained
that phase 2 includes those four projects shown on the October 8, 2013 Request for Council Action form,
and added that he anticipates construction to begin next spring. Mr. Guth also mentioned the bid is about
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Approved by Council: 10-22-2013
$200,000 under the engineer's estimate. Mayor Towey invited public comment; no comments were
offered. Vote by Acclamation:In Favor: Unanimous. Opposed:None. Motion carried.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: Mayor Towey invited Public Comment. No comments were offered
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS:
10.Update, SRTC's (Spokane Regional Transportation Council)Horizon 2040 Project—Steve Worley
Senior Engineer Worley said that a few weeks ago, he gave a presentation on the SRTC 2040 Horizon
Plan and Council was interested to see his comments after they had an opportunity to review the first
draft; lie said the Transportation Technical meeting was held the following day and almost all members
received an updated copy of the Horizon 2040 Project Chapter 4, and said there have been several
revisions that have taken place since the previous presentation. Mr. Worley said the biggest change is
that now some of the corridors outlined previously, are gone, including the fright and neighborhood
corridor, which only leaves the urban corridor. Mr. Worley said Sprague/Appleway is still identified as
an urban corridor. Mr. Worley asked Council what comments they would like to propose sending back to
SRTC. There was some discussion about each of the four comments included on Mr. Worley's Request
for Council Action form, and notice made that comment #2 is no longer an issue since the category
Freight Corridors has been eliminated. The focus of discussion centered around comment #4 and of
possible adjustments to those percentages. Mr. Worley said there is still time for public comment as the
SRTC Board will meet Thursday and will be asked to approve this draft to go out for public comment;
that no decision is needed from Council tonight as the goal is to have this adopted at the SRTC December
meeting; and said even once adopted, it can still be updated at any time as it is a planning document to
help guide the region in its use of federal funds. Council agreed more dialogue is needed.
11.Advance Agenda—Mayor Towey
City Manager Jackson said that Briahna Taylor will be here October 29 to talk about what we can expect
at the 2014 legislative session and will talk about some capital projects for 2015. Mr. Jackson said the
listening session was interesting about the uncertainty of where money will come from to support that
legislative agenda; and added that stated shared revenues is also a future topic of discussion as well as a
proposal for recovering code enforcement actions we might take.
INFORMATION ONLY The following items were not reported or discussed and were for informational
purposes only: (12) Finance Monthly Report; (13) Planning Commission Minutes of August 22, 2013;
(14)Balfour Park/Library Concept Plan; and(15)Regional Storfnwater Grants.
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS Mr.Jackson had no further comments.
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Schlemiels, seconded and unanimously agreed to adjourn. The meeting
adjourned at 7:19 p.m.
ATTEST: 'Thomas E.TOWey, Mayor
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Christine Bainbridge, city Clerk
Council Regular Meeting 10-08-2013 Page 4 of 4
Approved by Council: 10-22-2013