2017, 05-16 Study Session MINUTES
SPOKANE VALLEY COUNCIL MEETING
STUDY SESSION
•
Spokane Valley City Hall Council Chambers
Spokane Valley, Washington
May 16, 2017
Attendance:
Cauncilmembers Staff
Rob Higgins,Mayor Mark Calhoun, City Manager
Arne Woodard, Deputy Mayor Chelsie Taylor, Finance Director
Caleb Collier, Councilmember Cary Driskell,City Attorney
Pain Haley, Councilmember Erik Lamb, Deputy City Attorney
Mike Munch, Councilmember Morgan Koudelka, Sr.Admin. Analyst
Ed Pace, Councilmember Mike Stone,Parks&Recreation Director
Sam Wood, Councilmember Ray Wright,Traffic Engineer
Mike Basinger, Economic Development Mgr.
Mark Werner, Police Chief
Christine Bainbridge, City Clerk
Mayor Higgins called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL: City Clerk Bainbridge called the roll; all Councilmembers were present.
PROCLAMATION:National Prevention Week
Mayor Higgins read the proclamation for National Prevention Week which was received with thanks from
Ms. Becky Swan.
1. East Valley Community Coalition for Prevention and Wellness — Mayor Higgins; and Becky Swan,
Certified Prevention Professional, Spokane Community Services
Spokane Community Services, Housing and Community Development's Certified Prevention Professional
Ms. Becky Swan went through her PowerPoint explaining the background of the Coalition, who they are,
what they do and how they are funded; she explained about the results of their Healthy Youth Survey of
last October;went over the Coalition's impact on the community including some of their project successes;
explained about their public awareness efforts; mentioned the Washington Drug Free Youth Program
(WDFY); and spoke about their strengthening families program and some of their education and training
methods. Ms. Swan and members of the Coalition were thanked for their informative presentation.
2. Medical Reserve Corps--Mark Calhoun; and MRC Coordinator David Byrnes
Via his PowerPoint,Mr.David Byrnes, Coordinator of the Medical Reserve Corps of Eastern Washington,
explained that they are a volunteer group of medical and non-medical professionals who respond to disasters
and assist in community events; said they conduct training, exercises, community events, activities, and
monthly meetings; that some of their training includes basic disaster life support as well as American Red
Cross shelter fundamentals and psychological first aid; that their exercises include communication drills
and alternate care facility equipment full-scale exercises. He mentioned that some of their community
events include having an aid station at Bloomsday, and assisting at numerous vaccination clinics. He also
mentioned their hospital emergency response training, and their log of volunteer hours.Mr. Calhoun noted
that this agenda item was in response to Councilmember Munch's comments about the City considering
the formation of a group of medical volunteers, and that staff researched this and discovered the existence
of the Medical Reserve Corps. Council thanked Mr. Byrnes for his presentation.
Council Study Session:05-16-2017 Page I of 3
Approved by Council:06-06-2017
3.Police Officer Recruitment,Retention,Safety—Chief Werner,Lt,Szoke, Sgt Gores, Deputy Chamberlin
Police Chief Werner gave a brief explanation of the background of recruitment and retention issues, and
then introduced Lt. Szoke, Sgt. Gores, and Deputy Chamberlin,who then went over some of the recruiting
and retention challenges, including mention that this is a nationwide issue, and they face competition with
the private sector as well as with low unemployment; said they have created a recruiting team as well as
partnerships with colleges and career fairs, and that they speak to local high school students; but that they
experience generational differences and disqualification due to drug use; said future enhancements to the
recruiting efforts include professional marketing efforts, a recruiting Facebook page, streamlined hiring
process, and an increased signing bonus for lateral hires.
Mayor Higgins called for a recess at 7:14 p.m.; he reconvened the meeting at 7:23 p.m.
4. Six-Year(2018-2023)Transportation Improvement Plan(TIP)--Mike Basinger
Mr. Basinger went over the various projects included in the draft six-year TIP and explained that projects
must be listed in the TIP in order to be eligible for grants and the use of our REET(real estate excise tax)
funds; and that we are required by state statute to have this planning document, which can be amended at
any time.Mr. Basinger noted there were some errors on the sheets concerning the lanes,and that he would
have corrected information to Council next week. Staff and Council had further discussions on some of the
projects, including project#13 where it was mentioned we have a maintenance agreement with WSDOT,
which prompted a question from Deputy Mayor Woodard concerning who would have control of the
concrete structure, and Mr. Wright said he would research that issue; and the use of overloading the
structure concerning project#20 was also mentioned with staff indicating they would research that as well.
Mr. Basinger noted an error on project #25 concerning the lane, which he said he will correct for next
week's public hearing. There was also discussion about project#12 and the sidewalk, which it was noted
will go from the school to Sprague and Appleway. Councilmember Collier said he likes the idea of pursuing
federal grant money,and Mr.Basinger said staff would have to look into that further as they are just getting
familiar with the available federal grants, Coordination of projects was also discussed, with the City
coordinating our projects with those of utility companies. Councilmember Munch mentioned that there are
some residential streets in bad condition and Mr. Calhoun noted that grants for residential streets are rare,
and these issues were discussed during last winter's workshop; said he has been working to hire a city
engineer and once that position is filled, these types of projects can be looked at further, including a street
condition report to include residential streets..
5. Budget Amendment for 2017—Chelsie Taylor
After Finance Director Taylor explained the proposed changes to the 2017 budget as outlined in her May
16, 2017 Request for Council Action form, she mentioned that there will be one additional item, that of an
additional snow plow blade of about$12,000.
6. Advance Agenda—Mayor Higgins
Councilmember Pace said he wants to add as a future administrative report,or even for the June 13 budget
workshop, any policy or budget changes that might need to be made to support our police department, and
Mr. Calhoun said we will all go through each line item in the budget. Councilmember Pace also said he
wants some of the advance agenda items related to public safety to perhaps include those as budget changes
in order to support the police department in all those areas, which was so noted by Mr. Calhoun,
Councilmember Munch said he would like the City's Public Information officer to look into grants for
broadcasting on radio and different media about our public safety,and Mr. Calhoun noted that as well;and
Councilmember Munch also asked that City Attorney Driskell and Police Chief Werner give Council a
report on how prepared we are for any mass protests and damaged infrastructure, as well as issues about
not requiring any public demonstrators to cover their face, which was so noted by Attorney Driskell.
Council Study Session:05-16-2017 Page 2 of 3
Approved by Council:06.06-2017
7. Poe Asphalt Paving, Inc., Contract Amendment
This item was for information only and was not reported or discussed.
8. Council Check in-Mayor Higgins
Councilmembers had no comments.
9. City Manager Comments—Mark Calhoun
Mr. Calhoun mentioned tomorrow morning's development forum in Council Chambers beginning at 7:30
a.m. At Mr. Calhoun's request, the drone video of the new city hall was shown.
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Woodard, seconded and unanimously agreed to adjourn. The meeting
adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
ATT S L.R.Higgins �y•r
P
pristine Bainbridge, City Clerk
Council Study Session:05-16-2017 Page 3 of 3
Approved by Council:06-06-2017