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2017, 08-22 Formal Format MINUTES City of Spokane Valley City Council Regular Meeting Formal Meeting Format Tuesday,August 22, 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 Carolbelle Branch, Public Information Officer Christine Bainbridge, City Clerk INVOCATION: Pastor Danny Schultz of Sun City Church gave the invocation. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Council, staff and the audience stood for the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL City Clerk Bainbridge called the roll; all Councilmembers were present except Councilmember Haley. It was moved by Deputy Mayor Woodard, seconded and unanimously agreed to temporarily excuse Councilmember Haley until her return from her speaking engagement at the dedication of Evergreen Junior High School. APPROVAL OF AGENDA It was moved by Deputy Mayor Woodard, seconded and unanimously agreed to approve the agenda. INTRODUCTION OF SPECIAL GUESTS AND PRESENTATIONS COMMITTEE,BOARD,LIAISON SUMMARY REPORTS Councilmember Wood and Munch had no report. Councilmember Collier mentioned the Spokane Home Builders Car Show; and his tour of the Spokane Valley Police Precinct. Councilmember Pace mentioned he also attended the car show. Deputy Mayor Woodard stated that he attended several Chamber of Commerce groundbreakings and ribbon cuttings; had a meeting with John Colton and Josephine Eckert, who is the Legislative Assistant for Patty Murray and said they continue to look for ways to help us get grants for the Pines and Barker projects;and he met today with our Legislative Delegation for an update on legislative issues. MAYOR'S REPORT Mayor Higgins reported that he also attended the Home Builders car show. PROCLAMATION:Legislative Delegation Recognition Mayor Higgins read the Legislative Delegation Recognition proclamation; and after a copy was given to Senator Padden,and Representatives Shea and McCaslin,each of the legislators expressed their thanks and appreciation to Council for having a great working relationship and of its profound positive impact on the community. Mayor Higgins also extended thanks to our Lobbyist Chelsea Hager. Minutes Regular Council Meeting:08-22-2017 Page 1 of 4 Approved by Council:09-12-2017 PUBLIC COMMENTS: After Mayor Higgins explained the procedure,he invited public comments. Mr. Henry Valde: said he listened to the Mike Fagan show about grants and how the County pulled$1 million for the homeless, and $6 million by the City of Spokane; spoke about someone breaking into his store and of being assaulted by Rocky Samson and said he ended up in the hospital; said he contacted the police department;mentioned some homeless people sleeping on benches on the trail;said some money was stolen from him while he was in the hospital; said he watched the Cop Show all week and wants a copy of that video; said he was at Ruby Ridge and not much has changed since then and the laws aren't enforced. Mr. Bill Gothmann read his statement concerning criteria for grants associated with"heads in beds." 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 Aug 22,2017 Request for Council Action Form,Total: $4,046,872.88 b. Approval of Payroll for Pay Period Ending August 15,2017: $380,304.34 c.Approval of August 8,2017 Formal Council Meeting Minutes It was moved by Deputy Mayor Woodard, seconded and unanimously agreed to approve the Consent agenda. Mayor Higgins announced that Council is going to take a departure from the agenda and will reverse the New Business and Administrative Reports, so the next agenda item will be item#4. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS: 4. 2018 Budget: Estimated Revenues/Expenditures—Chelsie Taylor Finance Director Taylor went over the background of the estimated 2018 revenues and expenditures; mentioned that the spreadsheets are still a work in progress and while she expects changes, said she is not aware of any material changes at this point; mentioned that slide 3 has an error in the number of full time equivalents(FTE)as it did not include the half-time attorney position,which was mentioned at the budget workshop; she also brought attention to the limited term position becoming a regular full time position, which is entirely funded by capital projects,and noted we have had that position for almost five years now. Mr. Calhoun stated that following the re-organization effective last April 1St, we have been analyzing a variety of positions in community development and public works, and we discovered that the limited term position has been here almost since the city's inception, but never included as an FTE since it's position was billed 100% against projects; and said in order to be as straightforward as possible, we wanted to include that number in the FTE count. Director Taylor also mentioned the potential projects lists, which she said has changed since the June workshop. Concerning more concrete numbers for construction property tax,Director Taylor said we will receive those numbers after our budget has been passed later this fall,and Mr.Calhoun added that we estimate high,as if we estimate too low,we are held to a lower number; said it is an interesting game we have to play; and he added that we will not be taking the 1%property tax permitted by law, but we don't want to leave any of the new construction taxes. 5. Police Dept.Monthly Report—Mark Werner Police Chief Werner went over the highlights of his monthly report; mentioned the SCOPE volunteers' amazing job in July with 559 volunteer hours in support of law enforcement; he spoke of the SIRT team who are the ones who actually go out and provide traffic control for big scenes or major collisions; said last month several K9s completed their qualifications, and said they were instrumental in catching a felony domestic violence suspect, as well as a stabbing and robbery suspect. Chief Werner said that they hired seven entry-level officers who will start the Academy August 1St;said they have implemented a majority of recruitment strategies which has resulted in lateral transfers in as well as new hires; also mentioned the re- accreditation of the Airborne Law Enforcement Association(ALEA); and that all the pilots are volunteers. Minutes Regular Council Meeting:08-22-2017 Page 2 of 4 Approved by Council:09-12-2017 6. Donation to City—Mike Stone Parks and Recreation Director Stone explained that over the past year,a relationship has developed between his department and Mr. Porter, and of his desire to give back to our community; said the donations have been mutually agreed upon based upon need and community benefit; and said we are extremely grateful for Mr. Porter's generosity and willingness to enhance Spokane Valley. Deputy Mayor Woodard asked if there are any plans for a way to commemorate these gifts, and Mr. Stone said that some ideas have been discussed, including a donor wall at CenterPlace. Although this item required no Council action tonight, Mr. Calhoun said this will be included as a future budget amendment for 2017, and will likely be included in fund 309—Parks Capital Projects. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Mayor Higgins invited public comment. Ms. Nina Fluegal: said she noticed a sign on Pines indicating a new traffic light ahead, and said that perhaps that kind of sign could be used at the corner of 8th and McDonald; she also voiced concern about parts of the Appleway Trail being closed off but said people are still using the trail;and said she wondered who might be liable if something happens. At 7:00 p.m.Mayor Higgins called for a recess. Mayor Higgins reconvened the meeting at 7:15 p.m. and it was noted that Councilmember Haley was in attendance. NEW BUSINESS: 3.Motion Consideration: Consultant Contract,Barker Grade Separation Phase 1 —Gloria Mantz It was moved by Deputy Mayor Woodard and seconded to authorize the City Manager to finalize and execute a contract with DEA in the amount of$172,535 for the Barker Road/BNSF Grade Separation Project Phase 1 design services. Deputy City Manager Hohman,standing in for Ms.Mantz,explained about the background of this project and the reasons it was postponed was to give time for further research as Council had previously chosen not to advance this forward; said there had been some resistance by the transportation community and we were strongly encouraged to look at different alternatives; and in consultation with WSDOT,tonight is the result of many months of work to narrow this down to phase one study and look at the various options, all as explained in the Request for Council Action. Mr. Hohman briefly went over option 4; he said this is about a four-month process and the application for the grant is due December 2. Mr. Hohman explained some of the funding; that about a year ago we were looking at about$36 million, but the range is now between$8 and$20 million, and said those figures will be refined until we have a fairly solid number at the end of this four-month process. After brief discussion about building over or under, and that option 4 does doesn't require any new facilities over the track, and that Flora could remain open,Mayor Higgins invited public comment. Mr. Tony Lazanis: said Pines should be a priority as Barker doesn't have that kind of traffic; and reminded everyone that he was the person who initiated the Bridging the Valley. There were no further public comments. Vote by Acclamation:In Favor: Unanimous. Opposed:None. Motion carried. 2. Second Reading Proposed Ordinance 17-010, Snow Removal—Cary Driskell It was moved by Deputy Mayor Woodard, seconded, and unanimously agreed to amend the agenda and take this off the agenda for further deliberation in the next thirty days or so, in order to "hammer out"a couple things still in question. 7. Advance Agenda—Mayor Higgins Councilmember Wood said a constituent asked him to put on an agenda, 19.70.050(g)from the Municipal Code that deals with open space in the mixed use zoning district; and after he read that portion of the Code, there was Council agreement among at least three Councilmembers to add that to the advance agenda. Councilmember Collier said he had a tour of the police precinct and he would like to discuss the option of taking some of the"money draining off for development"and buying some vehicles for our police officers, about$36,000 for a fully equipped vehicle; and to use some funds for a stipend for recruiting and retaining officers, and about $4600 for carpet for the remodel of the facility, for a total of about $210,000; and at Minutes Regular Council Meeting:08-22-2017 Page 3 of 4 Approved by Council:09-12-2017 least three Councilmembers nodded in agreement to add that to the advance agenda. Deputy Mayor Woodard said he would like a discussion on options for donor recognition; and would like a resolution hopefully next week,which would identify the negative impacts of the state Supreme Court's recent Hirst decision regarding water rights,and to urge the state legislature to adopt a legislative fix;he said this is an issue that has impacted property owners throughout the state,including some in our City. Council agreed. 8. Department Reports Department reports were for information only and were not reported or discussed. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS City Manager Calhoun mentioned the deadline for submitting the JAG grant is September 5; that Mr. Koudelka and Police Chief Werner have been working along with finance to identify what they would like to apply for with the grant funds;said this is coming before Council next week and will be the first and only touch on this item; said there is a very limited period of time, and this is usually done in June but was pushed later for this year; and said that Mr. Koudelka will have a list for Council's approval, prepared by the police department of what to include in the JAG grant request. Mr. Calhoun also noted the upcoming move to the new city hall; said some of the equipment in this room will be moved to the new building, so there is a possibility of having a meeting or two without video recording, but the meetings will be audio recorded at the least; said as soon as we know a definite date, we will issue media releases; said we had hoped for a grand opening/dedication September 30, but that might be moved to October 7; again those dates are not yet fixed. Mr. Calhoun also noted there will be no September 5 Council meeting as there are several projects and administrative reports in the works, but they will not be ready for the September 5 meeting. EXECUTIVE SESSION: 9.Pending Litigation [RCW 42.30.110(1)(1)1 It was moved by Deputy Mayor Woodard, seconded and unanimously agreed to adjourn into executive session for approximately thirty minutes to discuss pending litigation, and that no action will be taken upon return to open session. Council adjourned into executive session at 7:41 p.m. At 8:02 p.m.,Mayor Higgins declared Council out of executive session,at which time it was moved by Deputy Mayor Woodard,seconded and unanimously agreed, to adjourn. di 006 A j./ L.R. Higgins, •W ristine Bainbridge, ity Clerk Minutes Regular Council Meeting:08-22-2017 Page 4 of 4 Approved by Council:09-12-2017 SPOKANE VALLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING Tuesday, August 22, 2017 6:00 p.m. Regular Meeting GENERAL CITIZEN COMMENTS SIGN-IN SHEET YOUR SPEAKING TIME WILL GENERALLY BE LIMITED TO THREE MINUTES This sign-in sheet is for making comments not associated with an action item on tonight's agenda. If you wish to comment about an individual action item on tonight's agenda (such a a otion to approve an ordinance, resolution, or contract) the Mayor will ask for comme s on •ose items once that item is reached on the agenda. Please sign in if you wish to make public comments. NAME TOPIC OF CONCERN YOU YOUR CITY OF ' IDENCE PLEASE PRINT WILL SPEAK ABOUT Please note that once information is entered on this form, it becomes a public record subject to public disclosure. Good evening: Bill Gothmann, Spokane Valley. The following views are my own. I am representing no one, but am testifying as a citizen of Spokane Valley. I note that Council is using heads in beds as a criterion for grants. This reminds me of an old joke about a boy who lost a coin on corner A and was looking for it on corner B. When asked why, he replied, "There is more light here." Figures do make it easy to compare, but their basis can be very shaky. I have noted five different methods of determining heads in beds by agencies. Some use actual registrations. Others use independent surveys. Others use a formula by Visit Spokane. I have seen independent evidence that others double count or triple count. The agency counts, the promoter counts, and the hotels count; then all three are added together and these given to Council. I have also seen a Council member— no longer on the Council -- make a Wild Assuasive Guess, a WAG, and substitute that for registration or survey data. Council went on to make their decision based upon the WAG and not the real data. The funds you spend are City funds. They do not belong to hotels, activities, or promoters. As such, they should be given only to those whose applicants in whom we can have high confidence in their data. Although it may take a bit more digging, it is beneath you to do otherwise and your position of fiduciary responsibility demands it. I therefore ask two things of you. First, please examine the heads in beds data of each applicant carefully to determine how the figures were developed and whether they have merit. Don't just take them for granted. Second, please provide guidance to all applicants as to what methods are acceptable and then apply these same standards to all applicants. It is grossly unfair to apply one criterion to one applicant and another criterion to a different applicant. In summary, please do not be like the boy looking for his coin and just accept data because it saves the trouble of digging for the truth. Please make these changes so that we can all have confidence in the choices you make. Thank you. Bill Gothmann Aug. 21, 2017 6 zz--/