2017, 12-12 Formal Format MINUTES
City of Spokane Valley
City Council Regular Meeting
Formal Meeting Format
'I'uesday, December 12,2017
Mayor I Iiggins called the meeting to order at 6:00 p:m_
Aitendance: Stir(
Rod I liggins, Mayor Mark Calhoun,City Manager
Arne Woolard, Deputy Mayor Cary Driskoll,City Attorney
Pain I Ialey, Councilmember Che[sic Taylor, Finance Director
Ed Pace, Councilmember Erik Lamb, Deputy City Attorney
Brandi Pcet7} Councilmember Henry Allen, Senior t ngincering
Linda'I'hompson, Councilmember Morgan Koudelka, Sr. Admin. Analyst
Sam Wood, Couneilrnembcr John Holtman, Deputy City Manager
John Pietro, Administrative Analyst
Bill Helbig, City Engineer
John Whitehead, Human Resources Manager
Mark Werner, Police Chief
Carolbelle Branch, Public Information Officer
Christine Bainbridge,City Clerk
INVOCATION: Pastor Brad Bruszer of Genesis Church gave the invocation.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Council, staff, and members of the audience stood for the Pledge of
Allegiance.
ROLL CALL City Clerk Bainbridge called the roil; all Councilincmbcrs were present.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA It was moved by Deputy Mayor Woodard, seconded and urnanarrmoiis/y agreed
10 approve the agenda.
INTRODUCTION-OF SPECIAL GUESTS AND PRESENTATIONS ilia
COMMITTICI:, BOARD, LIAISON SUMMARY REPORTS
Councilmemlicr Thompson: reported that she attended a Board. of Health meeting where they passed a
resolution in suppoit of raising the legal age to buy tobacco to 21 and said she will bring this up again later
in our agenda.
Councilmember l laleyr said she attended two committee meetings this week on the STA (Spokane Transit
Authority) operations; went to the Visit Spokane Holiday House; attended a ribbon cutting ceremony for
the grand opening of the Ice Ribbon at R iverfiont Park, and said they had the Lilac: City ice skaters come
skate,and it was a very nice opening.
C ouncilmembcrs Pace. Pcetr and Wood had no report.
Deputy Mayor Woodard: said he attended come Chamber of Commerce ribbon cuttings, including the
CHAS opening on Indiana;went to the open house al Visit Spokane;attended the Spokane Valley exit audit
last Friday and said everything is fine; went to a Government Affairs Committee with the Chamber and
said they are trying to finalize their legislative agenda and have incorporated parts of ours into theirs; and
met with our State i.ogislators and lobbyist here this afternoon.
MAYOR'S REPORT
M ayo r I liggins reported that he attended the Naval Reserve Change of Command;went to the Liberty Lake
Fire Station Ribbon Cutting; said Spokane Regional Clean Air Board is working through some regulations
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Approved by C nuncil.01-09-2018
dealing with regulating agricultural grows; mentioned the state auditor and the exit audit last Friday and
read a brief excerpt from that report showing a "clean opinion" and he congratulated Finance Director
Taylor and her staff on a job well done.
PROCLAMATION In Appreciation ojS.C.O.P.!.
After Mayor Higgins read the proclamation in appreciation of S.C.O.P,I:., Director Scott accepted the
proclamation with thanks;he mentioned some of the S-C-O-P-L.volunteers are here tonight,and he thanked
them for their support throughout the years,as well as the support of the Spokane Valley Police Department;
kind said the goal is community safety, and that they can always use more volunteers, and said tonight's
proclamation is an honor and he again thanked Council on behalf of the volunteers and the Board of
Directors.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: Mayor Higgins explained the process, and then invited public comment.
Mr. Tim Lape, Spokane Valley: said he attended the legislative meeting earlier and seems that Legislative
Agenda was adopted prior to [he three new Couneilmemhers being seated; said that should be a product of
the Council that will have to deal with the legislature during their term and he recommends any action on
that legislative agenda be delayed until the new Couneilrncmhers have an opportunity to pug their ideas into
it; said they may or may not agree with this or could have new items to include; and that working from an
old City Council agenda doesn't speak well in representing new Councilmembers.
Ms. Carol Allen, Spokane Valley: said she understands the health policy for Counci[members differs from
full time employees;said she feels it is important for the community to understand how those policies differ
from one another,and whether one policy provides more benefits than others; she also stated that as a nurse
educator, she asked Council not to talk about nurses being trained; she said nurses aren't trained they are
educated.
Ms. Laura Rentz, Spokane: said she represents the Northwest Service Dog Alliance; that she spoke with
Councilmembers Pace and Wood on previous occasions and they have given her many fantastic ideas and
her organization is now a nonprofit organization; said she appreciated partnering with community leaders,
and she wanted to present [he Council and the individual Councilmembers with an award of excellence for
their time concerning her organization.
Ms. Paula Smith, Spokane Valley: said she attended last'f'huasday's Spokane Regional ]lealth Department
meeting and they passed their legislative agenda, which she read (in part): "protect the public from
communicable diseases by increasing immunization rates including through restrictions on exemptions to
immunization requirements;" said she would expect [hat to be on their agenda, but to do that in a way of
pushing to take away exemptions would be going against what Council passed on their legislative agenda
concerning parental rights; said she just wanted to make sure Council was aware that was on their agenda
so if they do aggressively start fighting [hat, said she would expect that our city would be fighting against
them on that issue.
1.PUBLIC HEARING; Proposed fee Resolution [7-019—Chelsie'l'aavlor
Mayor Higgins opened the public hearing at 6:24 p.ni., and invited Finance Director Taylor to explain the
proposed fee resolution. Director 'Taylor said based on changes to the public records act, and as we are
making changes based on that act, a public hearing on our fees is required; said she asked each department
to review their section and send any proposed changes to her; and she briefly explained the proposed
changes in Parks and Recreation, changes initiated by the City Attoniey's office, administrative copy fees
in association with the aforementioned Public Records Act, false alarm recovery fee changes to comply
with Ordinance 17-00] which eliminated the registration tees, and other minor wording changes. Mayor
l iiggins invited public eomrnent; no comments were offered and Mayor Higgins closed the public hearing
at 6:29 p.m,
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la. Resolution 17-019 Fee Resolution—(helsie Taylorn
it was moved by Deputy Mayor Woodard and secondeto approve Resolution 17-019 amending the Master
Fee Schedule for 2018_ Since the public hearing on this was just held, no comments were solicited. Vote
by Acclamation: In Favor: Unanimous, Opposed'None. Motion ccwt*d,
2. CONSENT AGENDA: Consists of items considered routine which arc approved as a group. Any
member of Council may ask that an item be removed from the Consent Agenda to be considered separately_
Protrwsed Miction:I move to approve the Consent Agenda_
a. Approval of claim vouchers on Dec 12, 2017 Request for Council Action Form, 'Total; 3,378,686.05
b. Approval of Payroll far Pay Period ending November [5, 2017: $372,952.27
e. Approval of Payroll for Pay Period ending November 30, 2017: $402,131,65
d. Approval ofNnvemher 14, 2017 Council Meeting Minutes, regular Formal Format
e.Approval of November 21, 2017 Council Meeting Minutes, Study Session Format
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Woodard, seconded and unanimously agreed to approve the Consent
Agenda.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT.:
3. Legislative Update——Mark Calhoun; and Chelsea Hager of Gordon Thomas Honeywell
City Manager Calhoun introduced Ms. Chelsea Hager, Consultant with Gordon 'Thomas Honeywell
Governmental Affairs,who will give a review of the recent legislative session,Ms.Hager went through her
PowerPoint presentation explaining when the session starts, the makeup of House and Senate members,
and that it is cunnlly+ a Democratic-controlled Legislature. She briefly addressed the McCleary decision
concerning funding for education, and said that this will he the second year of the two-year cycle which
means fess budget opportunities, Ms, I lager went over a list of recent years' successes such as funding for
the Appleway Trail and Greenacres Park, changes in the marijuana lounge regulations, and the nuisance
abatement cost recovery. Ms, Hager said this session will be challenging and she encouraged members of
Council to travel to Olympia for hearings,to send consistent messages to the legislators,and to make phone
calls and send emails when requested as there is of course, no guarantee of suecess, Ms. I lager mentioned
the session begins January 8, the AWC City Action Days arc scheduled for January 24 through 25; and the
end of the regular session will be March 8, 2018, Council thanked Ms. Hager for her report.tonight as well
as her input in the earlier meeting today.
NEW BUSINESS:
4. Resolution 17-020 Updating Insurance and Health Related benefits—John Whitehead
Human Resources Manager Whitehead explained that this was brought to Council at last: week's study
session when he spoke of the change the Association of Washington Cities is making, to be effective
January, 2018, and will fell eliminates two health plans so this reso[ution reflects those changes. Mr.
Whitehead mentioned there are also changes consistent with past decisions of Council;he said the proposed
resolution includes the eligibility for Counci[members to participate in a health reimbursement arrangement
account with contributions that are equal [o the deductible for the plan chosen and the number of persons
covered on that plan. Mr. Whitehead said that staff would like to amend section 7 to strike references to
city employees in that section. Deputy Mayor Woodard asked if the amendment is because we already have
it for employees, and Mr. Whitehead said we do already have it for those employees and their benefits are
specifically laid out in the agreement between the exclusive bargaining representative. It was then moved
by Deputy Mayor Woodard and seconded to approve as roodyied, Resolution 17-020.specifYing insurance
Plans and health related bendi'ds fir r Crr uncihnembers and staff
Councilmemher Pace said, for the sake of the citizen who asked about the health plan, what are the
differences, if any, between the health benefits that Councilmeinbers get and the health benefits that City
staff gets.Mr.Whitehead said this change brings together Council and city employees onto the same plans.
Councilmember Thompson said she appreciates that there is the Employee Assistance Program as part of
the coverage,and she appreciates that our Human Resources Department has done a great job to make sure
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we have counselling availability; that it is a good benefit and helps reduce the stigma of needing help; and
Mr. Whitehead agreed it is an excellent benefit. Mayor-Higgins invited public comments.
Mr. Tim Lape, Spokane Valley: said he thinks all of our citizens should have affordable health care and
insurance; said he has a problem with this resolution in that be believes that all city employees, whether
Cuuneilmcmbers or other full time employees,. should have the exact same heath care and insurance
coverage; said he doesn't think anyone runs for a council position hoping they get 100% Cadillac health
care insurance; said Couneilmembers are part-lime employees, and for the Council to approve themselves
100% Cadillac health insurance coverage where fuEl-time employees have less health care insurance
coverage, is wrong. Mayor Higgins asked if Mr. Whitehead would care to address Mr. Lape's comments,
Mr. Whitehead said that. the City has a collection of five plans which are offered to city employees. and
Councilrncrrrbers, and the benefits in those plans arc the same depending on which plan they choose; said
there is a cost share that is built into employees on those plans, but the plan coverages are the same.
Ms. Carol Allen,.Spokane Valley: she said in reading the material,that the City shall provide I 00% of the
premium of either health plan for Couneilmembers, and 80% of the premium increases in addition to the
amount the City pays, so they may have the same plan, but they don't have the same costs.
Mr- Whitehead staled that the plans are the same as far as the health coverage, and will be as of 2018, but
through labor negotiations we negotiated a cost.share with employees, so you'll see a difference there but
the plans are the same. There were no further comments. Vole by Acclamation: In Favor; Unanimous,
Opposed. None. Motion carried
5. Motion Consideration: CenterPlace West Lawn MasterPlan—Mike Stone
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Woodard crud seconded to approve the Cenlet'Plcwe West Lawn MasterPlan.
Director Stone briefly went over the materials explaining the plan. There was brief discussion about
potential safety problems near the north meadow, and comment from Mr. Stone that we will he able to
assess any safety problems once the area is completed and landscaped. Mayor IIiggins invited public
comment. Nina Flucgal, Spokane Valley: asked about extra parking to accommodate all those people.
Deputy Mayor Woodard mentioned that.without a master plan, we can't get grants, and noted that we are
starting to see private individuals ask about contributions for projects- Concerning parking, Mr. Stone said
the area has almost 400 parking spots and to date, parking has been adequate. Vote by Acclamation: In
Favor_ t Unanimous. Opposed: None, Motion carried
6. Motion Consideration: Police Precinct I ease Agreement—John Pietro
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Woodard and seconded to authorize the City Manager to finalize and
execute the Precinct Lease Amendment. Mr. Pietro briefly explained the reasons for the lease agreement,
to extend the term of the lease, and to formally recognize the County's use of 15% of our building as
opposed to 44%.Mayor Higgins invited public comment;no comments were offered. Vote by Acclamation:
In Favor: Unanimous. Opposed.-None. Motion carried
7.Motion Consideration: Commute Trip Education Interlocal Approval- Morgan Koudelka
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Woodard and seconded to authorize the City Manager to.finalize and
execute the Interlocal Agreement Between Spokane County and the City of Spokane Valley regarding
Commute Trip Reduction Miplerraernlation. Mr- Koudelka briefly explained the Commute Trip Reduction
(C'l'lr) program, and of our participation in that program; he mentioned that incentives to encourage
participation had been proven very successful and increased participation,but he learned last year that those
funds cannot be used for that purpose, so there are now no funding for incentives, which he said, resulted
in reduction in participation.Mr. l(oaudelka said that the County has asked all local contributors to contribute
some funds for those incentives, that our share would be a few hundred dollars, and that Mr. Calhoun has
agreed to contribute that for one year and then get some data to see if it was successful, and to give the
County time to try to secure other funding to re-establish that incentive lilnding program, which Mr.
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Koudelka said is separate from this agreement- Mayor I liggins invited public comment; no comments were
offered. Vote byAcclaarrat on:In Favor: Unanimous, Opposed: None. Motion carried.
8, Motion Consideration. Solid Waste Drop Box Contract- Erik Lamb
Deputy City Attorney Lamb said that there have been a few minor modifications to the contracts since the
December 5 meeting as staff and the contractors have finalized contract negotiations. Mr. Lamb mentioned
that section 3.1.10 addresses recyclablcs and obvious contaminants and said the previous rate was in the
main contract, but the desire was to keep it all self-contained; he said if the hauler has to pick it up as
garbage, that$10,00 rate has been included in the contract's Attachment B, which was the same rate as in
the main contract.. Mr. Lamb said the second change deals with notices in section 6 which had referenced
he old city hall; and the third change is in section 7.1 Collection Right; he said previously that stated this
was a general non-exclusive contract, which wasn't what the RFP (request for proposal)provided for; said
this contract recognizes those who went through the effort,and is a ten-year c:untract with a limited universe
of othercompetitors;so now there is a provision for two,non-exclusive contractors; that default occurs and
we need to bring in another to replace them, it limits it to two to maintain competitiveness; he said that as
noted in 7,I, if an emergency exits, we could go outside two providers if they weren't able to meet that
need; but Mr. Lamb noted that even during the 2015 windstorm, we would not have had a need to invoke
that provision,
Mayor Higgins invited public comment. Ms.Nina Fluegal: asked about Waste Management and using all
the same garbage cans; asked when does that happen and that it would be nice to have uniformity- Mr.
Lambsaid that is provided for in the niain contract which was approved last May for residential pickup;
that Council selected the universal carts and that takes effect April 1,2018 so there will be uniformity; but
tonight's contract is for drop box services,and the large containers don't have aunWorm ity provision. There
were no further public comments,
a.—Contract with Sunshine Disposal
It.was moved by Deputy Mayor Woodard and seconded to authorize the City Manager to finalize and
execute the contract with Sunshine Disposal, Inc.for .comprehensive drop-box contained collection
services in substantially the PPM ocpresented Vote by Acclamation:h Acclamation:In Favor: UnanimodiS. Opposed:
None- Motion carried.
b,—Contract with Waste Management
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Woodard and seconded to authorize the City Manager to.finalize and
execute the contract with Waste Management for comprehensive chop-box contained collection
,services in substantially the form as presented. Vole byrice_lamatkm. : In Favor: Unanimous. Opposed'
None. Motion carried.
PUBLIC COMMENTS; Mayor Higgins explained the process, and then invited public comment.
Ms. Peggy Doering: spoke about nuisances and of RVs parked on the street;said she and her husband have
seen four RVs that use their street through the summer and fall; she said the RVs have expanded sides,
stairs, electrical cords, and said there is also a reasonable amount of concern they could be used as off-site
storage,
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS:
9. Nuisances(yard sales, properties). .Cary Driskell, Erik Iamb
Mr. Driskell and Mr. lamb went through their PowerPoint explaining proposed Municipal Code revisions
dealing with nuisances including information on our current provisions, how a case is initiated and
subsequent steps, along with minor and substantive revisions- They also ta[ked about chronic nuisances,
noise and odor complaints associated with animal keeping,yard sales,and camping/residing in motorhomes
located on the public right-of-way as well as on private property- There was some discussion about chronic
nuisances and the possibility of a homeowner losing their home, with Mr. Driskell explaining that such
outcome would not automatically occur and would likely lake six months as the owner, Mr. Driskell's
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Approved by Council:01-09-2018
office,and law enforcement would work to mitigate the problem- While Councilmember Wood said he felt
such action might be too harsh or rash Councilmember Pace said all one need do is talk with the neighbors
who arc tired of such criminal activity;he said he thinks people will like it but the criminals won't. Deputy
Mayor Woodard agreed) such action might be rash, but said we can't afford to have these types of activities
continue.
Mi-. Driskell asked Council if they would entertain a motion concerning whether to continue exploring the
issue of nuisances re[ating to urban animal keeping. After further discussion, it was moved by
('rt'amcilramerr:ber• Wood and seconded to leave the animal code the way it is today. Mayor Higgins invited
public comment; no comments were offered. Vote by Acclamation: In Favor: Mayor Higgins, Deputy
Mayor Woodard, and Councilmembers Thompson, Haley, Peet. and Wood. Opposed: Coundiilmerrrber
Pace. Motion carried.
Deputy City Attorney Lamb discussed other noise complaints, specifically as shown on slide 18, that staff
recommends in this instance, SVMC 7.05.040(L), to list the entire regulation for clarity, and to add to the
state requirements, to exempt organized activities at public parks, playgrounds, swimming pools, schools,
etc., during hours of operation, which will exempt things like high-school football games, marching band
practice, etc. Council agreed.
Concerning yard sales, Attorney Driskell asked if Council was inlcrestcd in bringing this back for further
discussion to include a total cap for the number of yard sales permitted. Councilmembers nodded in
agreement. Council also nodded in agreement, as noted on slide #20, to consider prohibiting camping in
molorhomes in the rights-of-way. Deputy City Lamb noted likely the more correct term would be"living'
and not camping; and said there has been a large increase in the number of complaints about people living
in an RV on someone else's property; said there are numerous issues dealing with such activity including
the possibility of people squatting and other illegal activity; inadequate fire protection, electricity, water,
and means to dispose human waste; and that an RV is not designed for permanent living. Mr. Lamb said.
staff would like to modify the Code for a clear solution,as currently all that someone need do is simply say
they are not living in the RV, then move out and come back later and start the pro ess all over again, Mr.
Driskellasked if Council is amenable to looking at a creative approach to address this,and they nodded in
agreement.
10. Advance Agenda—Mayor Higgins
Councilmember Thompson asked that Council examine the idea of support to the idea of changing the age
to 21 for purchase of tobacco; that she would also like to connect with our young people and encourage
them to engage with city government so would like to explore ideas about youth activities to start growing
young leaders. Mr. Calhoun asked for Council consensus on these items and Council agreed to add them to
the advance agenda- As a side note, Deputy Mayor Woodard mentioned the Wreaths Across America
ceremony will be held Ibis Saturday, noon at the Pines Cemetery.
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS:
Mr. Calhoun reminded Council and the community that the December 26 Council meeting has been
can cel l ed_
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Woodard, seconded and unanimously agreed to adjourn, The. meeting
adjourned at 8:19 p.m. •
r1TT L.R. Higgins,
Arct:00:4
1.446,171)\--g. 'j
Christine Bainbridge, City Clerk
•
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SPOKANE VALLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday, December 12, 2017
6:00 p.m. Regular Meeting
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