2017, 03-14 Formal Format MINUTES
City of Spokane Valley
City Council Regular Meeting
Formal Meeting Format
Tuesday,March 14, 2017
Mayor Higgins called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
Attendance: Staff
Rod Higgins,Mayor Mark Calhoun, City Manager
Arne Woodard,Deputy Mayor John Hohman, Deputy City Manager
Caleb Collier, Councilmember Cary Driskell, City Attorney
Pam Haley, Councilmember Erik Lamb, Deputy City Attorney
Mike Munch, Councilmember Chelsie Taylor, Finance Director
Ed Pace, Councilmember Mike Stone,Parks&Rec Director
Sam Wood, Councilmember Mark Werner,Police Chief
Carrie Koudelka,Deputy City Clerk
INVOCATION: Councilmember Pace gave the invocation.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Council, staff and the audience stood for the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL: Deputy City Clerk Koudelka called the roll; all Councilmembers were present.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA: It was moved by Deputy Mayor Woodard,seconded and unanimously agreed
to approve the agenda.
INTRODUCTION OF SPECIAL GUESTS AND PRESENTATIONS: n/a
COMMITTEE,BOARD,LIAISON SUMMARY REPORTS:
Councilmember Wood:No report.
Councilmember Collier:No report.
Councilmember Munch: said he attended the Spokane Regional Health budget meeting and reported they
are expecting a cut from the federal government of close to fifty percent for 2019 and that similar cuts could
be happening to agencies across the board.
Councilmember Haley: said she travelled with the Spokane Transit Authority to Washington D.C. and
reported that agencies applying for grants will need to be "shovel-ready" in order to be considered for
funding,
Councilmember Pace:No report.
Deputy Mayor Woodard: said he attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the new North Pines Middle
School and reported that with the relocation of the building no longer facing Pines,the school will be much
safer for the students. He said he also attended the Spokane County Housing CDBG (Community
Development Block Grant) public hearing and said he expressed our gratitude for the funds we received
for the 8th Avenue sidewalk project.
MAYOR'S REPORT
Mayor Higgins said he attended the 75th Anniversary of Fairchild Air Force Base,a meeting with Spokane
Clean Air, an event at The HUB, and he said he gave an address at the meeting of the Japanese American
Citizens League.
PROCLAMATION: Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
Mayor Higgins read the proclamation and Brian Holloway of The Arc, with his son Adam, accepted the
proclamation and said he appreciates the efforts of the Council and the community.
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Approved by Council:03-28-2017
PUBLIC COMMENTS: Mayor Higgins explained the process,and then invited public comments.
Tony Lazanis, Spokane Valley: said he would like Council to put a couple hundred thousand dollars from
the Hotel/Motel funds toward expanding the convention center.
Phillip Tyler, Spokane Valley: asked Council for a showing of shared values and asked that they denounce
hateful behavior.
Chris Palmer, Spokane Valley: said that with regard to the small livestock ordinance, he would like to own
goats. He said Spokane has changed their ordinance to allow small livestock on less than an acre and he would
like Spokane Valley to do the same, as it would have many benefits such as children's involvement with raising
animals, 4-H Club involvement to help build character, and goats help with weed control and their manure is
good for gardening.
Laura Renz, Spokane Valley: said she is here to update and invite Council and the public on upcoming service
animal events. She said they are meeting with Mike Fagan on March 17th at the West Central Community Center
at 6:00 p.m., March 24th at the Southside Community Center at 11:00 a.m., and March 31st at Spokane City
Hall at 4:00 p.m.
Wanda Smith,Spokane Valley:said she is the CMO of Northwest Service Dog AIIiance and invited Council and
the public to listen to their interview with Mike Fagan on ACN Radio on issues facing service dog handlers and
business concerns with ill-behaved and fraudulent service animals. The interview is Wednesday, March 15 at
9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.
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.
Proposed Motion;I move to approve the Consent Agenda.
a.Approval of claim vouchers on March 14, 2017 Request for Council Action Form, Total: $4,252,625.79
b. Approval of Payroll for Pay Period Ending February 28, 2017: $394,960,15
c. Approval of February 14, 2017 Council Meeting Minutes, Special Meeting,Workshop
d. Approval of February 21,2017 Council Meeting Minutes, Study Session Format
e. Approval of February 28,2017 Council Meeting Minutes, Formal Meeting Format
f. Approval of March 7, 2017 Council Meeting Minutes, Study Session Format
it was moved by Deputy Mayor Woodard, seconded and unanimously agreed to approve the Consent Agenda.
NEW BUSINESS:
2. First Reading Proposed Ordinance 17-004, Reorganization--Mark Calhoun
After Deputy City Clerk Koudelka read the ordinance title, it was moved by Deputy Mayor Woodard and
seconded to advance Ordinance 17-004 as drafted to a second reading. City Manager Calhoun said that due to
the recent timing of losing top-level staff in our Community Development and Public Works departments, he
and staff have looked at changing the structure of our organization to provide more effective and efficient
delivery of service to the community.He said the proposed reorganization consolidates the two departments and
should meet that goal, resulting in a net FTE (full time equivalent) reduction of.65 positions. He said the
reorganization eliminates the Public Works and Community and Economic Development Director positions,the
CIP Manager and Development Services Manager positions, and adds an Assistant Building Official, a City
Engineer, an Engineering Manager and increases the Economic Development Specialist from .65 to I.0 FTE.
Mr. Calhoun said the proposed changes will also reclassify a number of existing staff positions to mid-level
management that will create better coordination between city staff and he said there will be no position
downgrades and no Lost positions other than those currently vacant positions already mentioned.
Deputy City Manager Holtman said this plan consolidates Public Works and Community and Economic
Development into three divisions.He said the engineering branch consolidates CIP with Development Engineers
and includes street maintenance,traffic engineering,and an expanded group of employees to look at water issues.
Minutes Regular Council Meeting:03-14-2017 Page 2 of 4
Approved by Council:03-28-2017
The Building Division would include planning components and he said the centerpiece of the proposal is an
elevation of the existing Economic Development program with Mike Basinger managing that program.
City Attorney Driskell said in order to carry out the proposed reorganization,we need to make changes to the
City code to be true to our Council-Manager form of government. He said he recommends repealing chapter
18.30 relating to the duties of the Community Development director and chapter I8.50 relating to the duties of
the Public Works director, and instructing our code publisher to change those terms to "City Manager or
designee" throughout our Municipal Code. Mr. Calhoun said this proposal will deliver better customer service
to the public and to Council, reducing top-heavy upper management with mid-level management. He said this
change will have little or no impact on the 2017 budget but could save$200,000 in future budgets.Mayor Higgins
invited public comment; no comments were offered. Vote by Acclamation: In Favor: Unanimous. Opposed:
None.Motion carried.
3. First Reading Proposed Ordinance 17-005,Travel Policies—Cary Driskell
After Deputy City Clerk Koudelka read the ordinance title, it was moved by Deputy Mayor Woodard and
seconded to advance Ordinance 17-005 Travel Policies and Procedures to aAttire agenda for a second reading.
City Attorney Driskell said this proposed amendment addresses travel reimbursement for Council and Staff. He
said the current policy is not very specific and does not provide adequate guidance and the changes will require
that the City Manager maintain appropriate policies and procedures that comply with accounting policies.Mayor
Higgins invited public comment; no comments were offered. Deputy Mayor Woodard said he is glad we are
doing this because it will alleviate questions as to whether an expense is reimbursable. Vote by Acclamation:
In Favor: Unanimous. Opposed:None. Motion carried.
4. Motion Consideration: Bowdish and 12'r'Avenue Bid Award John Hohman
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Woodard and seconded to award the Bowdish Road and 1211r Avenue Sidewalk
Project#0239 to WM Winkler Company in the amount of54117,122.50 and authorize the City Manager to finalize
and execute the construction contract. Deputy City Manager Hohman said this is a follow up to the Bowdish
project connecting to Opportunity Elementary school funded with state TIB (Transportation Improvement
Board)funds and City matching funds.He said we received four bids and the low bidder was within one percent
of our engineer's estimate. He said staff recommends we award the contract to WM Winkler for construction
this year.Mayor Higgins invited public comment;no comments were offered. Vote by Acclamation:In Favor:
Unanimous. Opposed:None. Motion carried.
5. Mayoral Appointment:Hotel/Motel Commission—Mayor Higgins
Mayor Higgins said Liz Beck resigned from the commission effective January 16, 2017 because she is no
longer employed by a lodging business. He is appointing Lori Cook, General Manager of the Residence
Inn, to complete Ms. Beck's unexpired term. It was moved by Deputy Mayor Woodard, seconded and
unanimously agreed to confirm the Mayoral appointment of Lori Cook to the Tourism Promotion Area
Commission for a term effective immediately and ending May 31, 2018.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: Mayor Higgins invited public comments; there were no additional public
cotmnents.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
6. City Hall Supplemental Design Efforts—John Hohman
Deputy City Manager Hohman said at previous meetings staff and Council have discussed integrating art at the
new City Hall and that we are now at the point in our construction project where we need to move forward so
the contractor can move ahead with the site work. Mr. Hohman said the art plan is a supplemental effort to the
project and it was issued to Architects West in September. He said as the plan developed, we had a different
sculpture in mind but the Arts Council has since suggested a different piece by Jerry Keller, pictured in the
packet materials. He said in January Councilmembers were taken on one of three tours to look at the proposed
site placements for each sculpture and he would like to know if there is consensus among Council to move
forward with this plan. He said he does not have a cost yet for implementing the sculptures in the plan, but he
Minutes Regular Council Meeting:03-14-2017 Page 3 of 4
Approved by Council:03-28-2017
said it may be supplemental to some of the landscaping cost. It was the consensus ofCouttcil to have staff obtain
the cost to implement the sculptures into the plan and provide to Council at a future meeting.
Mr,Hohman said the basement at the new City Hall is currently planned as a lobby and records storage area but
we have the ability to create a 2000 square foot multipurpose room that could be used for training,large meetings,
or art display.As part of those improvements,he said we would need to improve the lobby area and the entrance,
as well as installing public restrooms and a drinking fountain to accommodate any functions in this area. Mr.
Hohman said we asked for a cost proposal from Meridian Construction and he said the estimate included a
movable wall feature that adds to the functionality of the room. When we received the cost proposal, it was
higher than the architect's estimate and he said staff thinks we could get a lower cost for the improvements if
the bid is put out later as a new and separate contract. He said we also do not want to extend our lease in this
building due to the increased cost of fifty percent after April 1st and one hundred percent after September 30th.
Councilmember Munch said he noticed a lot of electrical j-boxes were being moved in the plans. Mr. Hohman
said staff talked with the contractor to get the bare minimum fixtures so we would not have to redo anything
later. In addition, and in reference to the art placement plan, Mr. Hohman said all of the sculptures are being
donated so there is no cost to the City for the sculptures.
7. Advance Agenda- Mayor Higgins
There were no suggestions for the advance agenda.
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
Mr. Calhoun said last week AWC (Association of Washington Cities) announced the City of Spokane Valley
has been designated as a Well City for the seventh consecutive year, one of 115 cities in the state of Washington
to receive the award. He said the wellness efforts are led by our Human Resources department and by having
the Well City designation,we receive a two percent discount on insurance premiums.
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Woodard seconded and unanimously agreed to adjourn the meeting. The
meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m.
AT v.T• L.R. Higgins, lVZay3 •
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Minutes Regular Council Meeting: 03-14-2017 Page 4 of 4
Approved by Council:03-28-2017
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