2016, 11-22 Special Legislative MeetingAGENDA
CITY OF SPOKANE VALLEY
SPECIAL MEETING
Tuesday, November 22, 2016 3:30 — 5:00 p.m.
SPOKANE VALLEY CITY HALL
11707 East Sprague Avenue
2nd Floor Conference Room
(Please Silence Your Cell Phones During the Meeting)
DISCUSSION LEADER SUBJECT/ACTIVITY GOAL
CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL:
WELCOME: Mayor Higgins
DISCUSSION:
City of Spokane Valley Legislative Agenda:
1. Support Legislation Clarifying Valley Water Providers' Water Rights — Cary Driskell
2. Transportation Funding Request — Barker Road/BNSF Grade Separation Project — Eric Guth
3. Funding Appleway Trail Park Amenities — Mike Stone
4. Protect the Local State- Shared Revenues — Mark Calhoun
5. Protect Businesses by Reforming State Regulatory Burden — Cary Driskell
ADJOURN
Special Agenda, November 22, 2016
2017 Legislative Agenda
The following is the City of Spokane Valley's 2017 legislative agenda adopted by Council at their
September 6, 2016 Council meeting:
Support Legislation Clarifying Valley Water Providers' Water Rights
The City of Spokane Valley residents and businesses receive water through multiple regional water
providers. To ensure adequate water supply for the growing Valley community, current law needs to be
changed to clarify these water providers' water rights are for municipal water supply purposes and are not
subject to relinquishment. The water providers are using water rights currently designated for agricultural
irrigation and dairy purposes, rather than for municipal water supply. The Department of Ecology has
indicated that agricultural irrigation and dairy water rights held or acquired by a municipal water supplier
cannot be considered municipal water supply water rights without filing for a change of use permit. A
change of use permit process is slow, costly, and may diminish the overall water right. The City supports
legislation that clarifies that the water rights held by water providers serving the Spokane Valley region can
be changed to municipal water supply purposes without going through the change of use permitting process.
Transportation Funding Request — Barker Road /BNSF Grade Separation Project
The City of Spokane Valley respectfully requests that the state invest in Phase 1 of Bridging the Valley by
allocating funds to the Barker Road/BNSF Grade Separation project. The Barker Road/BNSF Grade
Separation Project replaces an at -grade crossing with an overpass of BNSF's railroad tracks and Trent
Avenue (SR 290). The project will eliminate two at -grade crossings, eliminating train/vehicle crash risks.
The project will improve train travel through the Spokane region, which is a bottleneck of the Great
Northern Corridor. The total project cost is $36 million The City has already secured $9.8 million. The
City is seeking $26.2 million in future funding for the Barker Road/BNSF Grade Separation.
Funding Appleway Trail Park Amenities
The City of Spokane Valley requests $1,185,655 in the 2017-2019 Capital Budget for park amenities for
the first mile of the Appleway Trail. These amenities include a restroom, picnic shelter, play equipment,
splash pad, interpretative signage, tables, and benches along with an increased square footage of irrigated
turf and trees. The City previously funded, designed and constructed the paved portion of the first mile with
over $1 million without these amenities. The state has allocated funding for the remaining 3.25 miles
(including amenities), scheduled over the next two years. This funding will bring amenities to the entire
4.25 -mile trail, realizing the full conceptual plan and orienting future economic development.
Protect the Local State -Shared Revenues
The City of Spokane Valley requests that the Legislature preserve and restore local state -shared revenues.
These funds include the Liquor Excise Tax Account ($303,724 in 2015), Liquor Board Profits ($806,570
in 2015), Streamlined Sales Tax Mitigation ($572,577 in 2015), Municipal Criminal Justice Assistance
Account ($273,160 in 2015), City -County Assistance Account, and Marijuana Revenues ($37,912 in
2015). Specifically, the City supports legislation that removes the 2011 cap on Liquor Profit revenues to
restore the 50/50 revenue sharing relationship between the state and local governments.
Protect Businesses by Reforming State Regulatory Burden
The City of Spokane Valley strongly supports small and large businesses in our City and across the state,
because they are the lifeblood of our economy. Unfortunately, these businesses are forced to compete in a
state regulatory environment that is increasingly burdensome, making it difficult to compete with
businesses in neighboring states. Of most urgent concern is the regressive state business & occupation tax,
with the current Labor & Industries program close behind, and both need significant reform before they do
irreparable damage to commerce in Washington. Spokane Valley supports rebalancing the statewide
regulatory framework to encourage and support business development and retention.
The City supports the Association of Washington Cities' legislative agenda items
that serve the best interests of Spokane Valley.
BARKER ROAD GRADE SEPARATION - SPOKANE VALLEY, WA
"A Bridging the Valley" Project
Spokane Industrial
Business Park
FUNDING REQUEST:
$26.2 Million
DESIGN, RIGHT OF
WAY, AND
CONSTRUCTION
Total economic output in
the state:
New jobs in the state:
New general fund taxes to
the City:
New general fund taxes to
Washington State:
Industrial acres opened for
development in Spokane
Valley:
* ECONorthwest
$2
Billion
9,800
$12.3
Million
$40.4
Million
500
Background:
Bridging the Valley is a proposal to separate vehicle traffic from train traffic
in the 42 mile corridor between Spokane, WA and Athol, ID. This study
outlined the need for a grade separation at this location as well as others
along the corridor.
The separation of railroad and roadway grades in this corridor is intended to
promote future economic growth, traffic movement, traffic safety, and train
whistle noise abatement. Barker Road is one of the primary freight routes
from State Route 290 (Trent) to Interstate 90 for trucks traveling to and from
north Idaho and Canada.
Total Project Cost: $36.0 Million
• Design & ROW Phase:
0 30% Design completed, Federally Funded
♦ Construction Phase:
0 Environmental clearance received for this project
Secured Funds: $9.8 Million
+ Washington State FMSIB—$7.2 Million
♦ City of Spokane Valley—$1.53 Million
♦ 2009 Earmark—$720,000
• BNSF—$346,000
Project Benefits:
• Improve public safety by reducing rail/vehicle collisions
• Enhance development opportunities with a single rail corridor and
Improve access
• Improve emergency access to residents and businesses
• Eliminate waiting time for vehicles at the rail crossing
• Reduce noise levels—no more train whistles near the crossing
• Improve traffic flow due to a separated grade crossing
BARKER ROAD GRADE SEPARATION - SPOKANE VALLEY, WA
"A Bridging the Valley" Project
Why Now?
The current intersection has a Level of Service (LOS) of 'F' due to
current vehicle traffic, design, and train volumes. The failing LOS has
severely limited development and growth in this important industrial
zoned area.
Currently 5100 vehicles and an average of 55 trains per day cross this
intersection, 19 of which are unit oil trains. WA State Department of
Ecology projects oil train numbers to exceed 100 unit trains per day
within the next 10 years.
This project benefits multiple jurisdictions including Spokane Valley,
Spokane County and the Washington State Department of
Transportation.
The return on investment with the project is significant. Greater
Spokane Inc., our Economic Development Council is constantly
having to turn businesses away from this area due to lack of
infrastructure.
The City of Spokane Valley has been following the potential issues
and concerns raised by the proposed train traffic increase on coal
trains along the BNSF mainline, which bisects our City. In particular,
the City is concerned about the potential impacts on the SR290/
Barker Rd intersection and railroad crossing.
The proposed grade separation is a mutually beneficial project for
the City, the State and BNSF. The project helps address several areas
of concerns, helps improve the efficiency of the rail movements
along the corridor, and addresses environmental, safety and
congestion related issues impacting the City's street network.
Development of the surrounding industrial zone may have additional
benefit to BNSF by attracting companies dependent upon rail for
shipping to relocate or develop.
PROJECT SUPPORT
Barker Properties LLC
BNSF Railway
Freight Mobility Strategic Investment
Board
Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of
Commerce
IEDS Logistics
Kestell Company, Property Owner
Kiemle & Hagood Company
City of Liberty Lake
Spokane County Commissioners
Spokane County Engineers
Spokane Regional Transportation
Council
Spokane Valley Fire Department
Spokane Valley Police Department
Village Square Realty, Inc., Property
Owner
Ray Villanueva, Property Owner
Senator Mike Padden
Washington State Department of
Transportation
Washington Trucking Associations