Spokane Valley City Council Highlights

Your Connection to the Spokane Valley City Council

September 19,  2023

 

 

This Study Session of the Spokane Valley City Council opened with two action items before listening to the Outside Agency Presentations from 19 agencies applying for grants under the City’s revised Outside Agency Program. The first action item was a motion consideration to adopt the City’s Tourism Promotion Marketing Service Proposal.

On September 20th, 2022, Council adopted Ordinance 22-016 establishing a Spokane Valley Tourism Promotion Area (TPA). Pursuant to the TPA, the Spokane Valley Hotel Commission (Commission) was formed. The Commission, with Council approval, hired 116 & West as consultants to develop a five-year destination marketing plan starting with an 18-month marketing service plan.

This evening Council was presented for its approval: 1) a five-year Destination Marketing Strategic Plan, 2) a contract with 116 & West for $813,500 to provide destination marketing services through December 31, 2024, and 3) its approval of “Discover THE VALLEY and Spokane Valley, WA” (tagline) for branding the City’s tourism initiatives.

An outline of year one of the five-year plan includes development of: a brand and identity package, to include a total campaign, asset library, virtual visitor center, concepts, and a website. Also planned are social media properties, reputation management, local brand launch campaign, Spokane Sports support, paid media campaigns, earned media, and strategic account management. Progress checkpoints are outlined to monitor the progress and success of the program. A three-part motion, to 1) approve the five-year Destination Marketing Strategic Plan, 2) authorize the City manager to execute the contract with 116 & West for $813,500 for services through December 31, 2024, and 3) approve the selection of “Discover THE VALLEY” and Spokane Valley, WA for branding the City’s tourism initiatives passed 6-2, Wick and Peetz voting no.

For a complete presentation of the plan(s), please go to the City website: www.spokanevalleywa.gov. 

In June, Council approved a contract with Spokane Sports for $300,000 to provide sports recruitment and marketing services for 2023 in conjunction with the marketing services provided by 116 & West. Under that contract, Spokane Sports is working with City staff to research and plan for a 2-kilometer cross-country course of city-owned park property together with adjacent Washington State Parks-owned property at Flora Road on the north side of the Spokane River. The course is intended to host a wide variety of events from premier competitions to serving the community’s needs.

The project cost is estimated to be $7 million. City staff are seeking $4.4 million from the Lodging Tax fund. The unfunded portion of the total will be requested through other granting agencies. The motion to authorize staff to submit a 2024 Lodging Tax Grant application in partnership with Spokane Sports for $4.4 million to partially fund construction of the planned cross-country course passed 6-1. Wick voting no.

Since its incorporation, the City has provided partial funding for local economic development and social services. By doing so, the City is contracting for services that it might not otherwise provide. Earlier this year, Council decided to increase the dollar amount of the available funding to a total of $200,000. That amount was split into two categories with separate consideration: $100,000 for Economic Development and $100,000 for Social Services.

The City has received proposals from 19 agencies for a total funding request of $557,864. These include eight Economic Development applications adding up to $235,000, and eleven Social Services applications totaling $322,864. Clearly not all grants can be awarded and, in most cases, requests cannot be awarded in full.

At this Council meeting each agency was permitted five minutes to present its case for funding. Council members individually consider the amount to award each applicant. If an agency does not get four or more votes, it will not get further consideration for funds.

The applicants requests in their categories are:

Economic Development ($)

APPLICANT REQUEST

  1. Idaho Central Spokane Valley Performing Arts a 10,000
  2. JAKT Foundation—CRAVE 40,000
  3. JAKT Foundation—Farmers Market 30,000
  4. SNAP Financial Access 75,000
  5. Spokane Valley Arts Council 26,000
  6. Spokane Valley Heritage Museum 19,000
  7. Spokane Valley Summer Theatre 20,000
  8. Spokane Workforce Council 15,000

Total Economic Development Funding Requested 235,000

Social Services ($)

  1. Christ Kitchen 10,000
  2. Elevations Childrens Therapy Resource Foundation 20,000
  3. Greater Spokane Meals on Wheels 32,850
  4. Inland Chess Academy 2,500
  5. Joya Child & Family Development 14,300
  6. NAOMI 20,000
  7. Spokane Neighborhood Action Partners (SNAP) a 9,914
  8. Spokane Valley Partners 100,000
  9. Teen & Kid Closet 12,000
  10. Widows Might 52,500
  11. YMCA of the Inland Northwest 8,800

Total Social Services Funding Requested 322,864

Grand Total of both categories 557,864

Councilmembers will deliver their recommendations to the City’s Finance Director for grant awards for each agency selected. The total amount of the Councilmember’s awards cannot exceed $100,000 in either category. Agencies receiving four or more votes for a grant will be awarded the average of Council’s specific recommendations; however, an agency cannot receive more money than it applied for.

Council will make its final decision at its October 24th meeting.

City Council meetings are held in the Great Room at CenterPlace until further notice. City Hall, however, is open for business during normal business hours. The Public is invited to Council meetings to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions. Council meetings are broadcast on Comcast channel 14.

September 12,  2023

 

 
This regular session of the Spokane Valley City Council commenced with a proclamation commemorating the 236th anniversary of the framing of the Constitution of the United States. This was followed by a public hearing, scheduled for tonight at Council’s August 29th meeting, on the revenues for the City’s 2024 Budget. This hearing, required by state law, is the third of eight opportunities for discussion of various aspects of the budget enroute to its final adoption. Of note: The City will once again forego the one percent automatic property tax increase. The $19,420,397 in budgeted capital expenditures will be partially offset by $9,507,426 in federal and state grants.
 
The 2024 recurring revenue estimate is $62,366,100 which is 10.54% greater than 2023 budget. The recurring expenditure estimate of $57,545.147 is 7.76% more than the 2023 budget of $53,260,793. Estimated budgeted recurring revenues currently exceed recurring expenditures by $4,820,953 or 7.73% of recurring revenues. 

The full-time employee count will rise to 116.25, an increase of four employees. Three of those employees will be utilized in administering the Stormwater commitments authorized by Council earlier this year. The fourth will assume additional duties in the accounting department and our recording fee administration program responsibilities.

Funding Challenges: 
The national economy continues to experience volatility, especially the effect of inflation on City projects.
Revenue levels insufficient to directly cover street operations and maintenance requiring augmentation from the City’s General Fund.
Pavement preservation and railroad crossing projects (overpasses and underpasses) and other large street projects require funding beyond the City’s capabilities to provide.
Establishing a Homeless program and identifying dedicated funding for the program.

This hearing was to gather information, so no action was taken.
On July 25th, 2003, Council approved Resolution 23-009, which declared its intention to assume responsibility for and establish a homeless housing program within Spokane Valley. The resolution further authorized the City to take over administration of recording fees related to housing and homeless services. State law requires that the City create a homeless and housing task force to administer the program. The task force is then required to develop a five-year plan for Council consideration and provide recommendations of the use of the recording fees to fund the program. The task force is to consist of:
Spokane Valley City Council member
County Representative
Business representative
School Representative
Housing Authority representative
Lived Experience representative
Lived Experience representative

The motion to adopt Resolution 23-010 passed unanimously. 

With the passage of Resolution 23-010 and the brief time frame in which to complete the required planning process Mayor Haley has recommended the following partial list of individuals to fill the task force appointments:
Spokane Valley City Council member: Mayor Pam Haley
County Representative: George Dahl or Chris McKinney
Business representative: Lance Beck, Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce
School Representative: John Parker, Central Valley Superintendent
Housing Authority representative: Arielle Anderson, Director of Housing Assistance
Lived Experience representative: Daniel Aga
Lived Experience representative: Kody Jerred.

The motion to approve the Mayoral appointments passed 5-1.
 
The Legislature has provided one-time funding in the 2024-2025 operating budget to help local parks departments maintain their parks. The Washington State Recreation & Conservation Office (RCO) has a new grant program under which we can request up to $100,000 to address deferred maintenance of local parks. The City would like to request an RCO grant to repair and resurface concrete courts at Edgecliff and valley Mission Parks to bring both facilities up to ADA standards. The motion to approve applying for the grant passed unanimously.
 
A US Department of Transportation (USDOT) program aimed at supporting projects in economically disadvantaged communities to increase affordable, assessable, and multimodal access to daily, regular destinations is accepting grant applications. Staff were approached by Spokane Transit Authority to develop a joint application with the City of Spokane to cover its Route 94 in the Valley. A letter of intent is required from the Mayor. The motion to approve submittal of a joint application together with a letter of intent from Mayor Haley passed unanimously.
 
Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is anticipating the awarding of $150 million of National Highway Performance Program federal funds for preserving roadways that are part of the National Highway System (NHS). For Spokane Valley, eligible street segments are Principal Arterial Streets. Emphasis is on rehabilitation over reconstruction with safety as a consideration. The maximum funding award per project is $10 million. A maximum of three projects can be submitted by an agency. No local match is required. The City has identified three eligible projects.
 
     Project Est. Total Est NHS Req
Sprague Preservation (Bowdish to McDonald) $3,100,000 $1,400,000
N. Sullivan Preservation (River to Kiernan Ave.) $3,200,000 $1,500,000
S. Sullivan Preservation (8th to 24th Ave.) $4,000,000 $3,000,000-$3.5 mil
The motion to approve applying for the listed grants passed unanimously.
 
An opportunity to apply for a Department of Ecology Water Quality Combined Funding Program (WQC) grant. If successful, the application would be for the design of stormwater improvements between Argonne Road and the Mansfield/Montgomery Roundabout. The estimated project cost would be $250,000 funded by an 85% WQC grant ($212,500) and a $37,500 City match. The design would be approved by DOE in 2026; the City would apply for a DOE construction grant with construction work starting in 2028. Consensus was unanimous to pursue the grant.
 
On September 20th, 2022, Council adopted Ordinance 22-016, establishing a Spokane Valley Tourism Promotion Area (TPA). Pursuant to the TPA, the Spokane Valley Hotel Commission (Commission) was formed. The Commission, with Council approval, hired 116 & West as consultants to develop a five-year destination marketing plan with an 18-month marketing service plan. Council reached unanimous consensus to bring back a motion at its next meeting to 1) present its five-year Destination Marketing Strategic Plan, 2) execute a contract with 116 & West for $813,500 to provide destination marketing services through December 31, 2024, and 3) secure approval of “Discover THE VALLEY and Spokane Valley, WA” (tagline) for branding the City’s tourism initiatives.
 
The City has, since its inception, been struggling with the problem of dealing with homelessness. Over the past few months, staff and Council have been jointly working on a Spokane Valley Homeless Action Plan (Plan). The intent of the Plan is to provide a roadmap to address, reduce, and prevent homelessness in the City. While the Plan was being developed, Council passed Resolution 23-005 declaring its intention and commitment to operate its own homeless housing program in order to eventually be the direct recipient of federal and state homeless funds.

The Plan’s introductory pages discuss guiding principles and the three primary objectives:
To prevent homelessness from occurring in the first place whenever possible.
To reduce existing levels of homelessness.
To improve the quality of life for all Spokane Valley residents.
The Plan will continue to be developed for achieving the above strategies, including background information related to data, funding, and existing interventions, etc.
 
To review the full draft of the City’s Plan, please go to www.spokanevalleywa.gov. 
 
City Council meetings are held in the Great Room at CenterPlace until further notice. City Hall, however, is open for business during normal business hours. The Public is invited to Council meetings to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions. Council meetings are broadcast on Comcast channel 14.pokane Valley City Council member 
 

September 1,  2023

 

 
This first Spokane Valley City Council meeting opened in the study session format with three action items topping its agenda. The first agenda item was a Motion Consideration to address the Ridgemont Estates Stormwater Improvements consultant contract. In 2023 the City’s annual stormwater utility rate increased from $21 to $58 per year, driven by stormwater demands established by the Department of Ecology (DOE). A portion of the revenue raised (approximately $350,000) is needed for designing a system for stormwater runoff in the Ridgemont Estates neighborhood in the southeast corner of the City east of Sullivan Road between 16th and 24th Avenues.
 
Residential development in this neighborhood has been increasing since the 1970s. Early construction  of stormwater facilities was done in a patchwork system of ponds, catch basins, pipes, and ditches. Staff maintains an inventory of known structures and facilities in the area, but knowledge of the entire system is incomplete. What is a regular occurrence is flooding streets, washouts, and property damage when stormwater systems overflow.
The area is a candidate for street repair and replacement, but unknown stormwater and groundwater challenges have held those repairs in abeyance. An analysis of the existing stormwater facilities is needed and the new funds from the increase in stormwater assessments will provide much needed help to address the problem. The motion to approve a contract with Osborn Consulting Incorporated in an amount not to exceed $379,397 for the Ridgemont Estates Stormwater Improvement project passed unanimously.
 
In the fall of 2022, Spokane Regional Transportation Council (SRTC) was awarded funding from the US Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets and Roads for all (SS4A) program. The purpose is to improve roadway safety by lowering or eliminating roadway fatalities. SS4A funds will provide for the creation of a regional, comprehensive safety action that uses recorded crash data to evaluate our transportation network to identify safety trends, risks, and recommended improvements. A regional plan will enable data to be evaluated with the goal of identifying additional trends or “hot spots.” 
A $400,000 grant to SRTC requires a $100,000 match which is proposed to be divided: $55,000 from SRTC and $15,000 each from Spokane, Spokane County, and Spokane Valley. The motion to approve the City’s participation with $15,000 was approved unanimously.
 
At Council’s August 15th meeting, a Motion Consideration on a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Water District #3 (WD#3) regarding the Wardson Road and Buttercup Street Waterline Replacement Project which overlaps City street segments that are eligible for improvement work was proposed.
 
Water District #3 will pay for the costs to upgrade their water main plus a portion of the construction management and material testing costs of the project. The goal of the MOU is to avoid the patchwork applications of repairs to streets when performed without coordination. The total combined cost is estimated to be $408,622. The City’s share is approximately $197,941, WD#3’s share is estimated to be $210,681. The motion to authorize the City Manager to finalize the MOU with Water District #3 passed unanimously.
 
Each year the City, together with its lobbyist, Briahna Murray, develops a draft legislative Agenda. This year, as in the past, the City continues to elevate public safety, including the enactment of serious policies to address the fentanyl crisis.
Other items of interest on the City’s list are:
1. Request to ensure the state’s policy on possession  of controlled substances can be implemented with readily available treatment services and swift and 
meaningful consequences for those who fail or  lack the willingness to complete treatment.
2. Continued request to increase investments in  alternative response teams.
3. Continued request to re-establish ‘reasonable  suspicion’ as the standard for vehicle pursuits.
4. Request to further modify condominium regulations and liability in support of removing barriers to the construction of housing.
5. Explore potential changes to the Growth Management Act related to simplifying land swaps and  allocating adequate funding to effectively imple-
ment state planning directives.
6. Explore workable solutions to reform regulations that cause increases to project costs such as establishing Disadvantaged Business Enterprise 
(DBE) goals that consider the availability of DBEs regionally rather than state-wide.
7. Continued commitment to providing tax relief to our citizens, defending local control, and protecting and enhancing local state-shared revenues.
No action was taken. The item will be returned for discussion.
 
On a different note, a discussion of City sponsorship of City-wide events (Signature Event Program) was introduced. Such events create a sense of identity and place, offering opportunities for citizens to interact and celebrate their city. Such events have included Valleyfest, Tree Lighting Ceremony, Farmers Market, and car shows. 
 
The City has traditionally provided some funding through two competitive grant programs: the Outside Agency Grants and Lodging Tax Allocations. Other non-cash support comes in the form of field lighting, marketing, road closures, street sweeping and/or use of City facilities. The City is exploring the possibilities of such a program to assist in planning and financing ‘cornerstone’ events to provide consistency and dependability.
 
Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is anticipating the awarding of $150 million of National Highway Performance Program federal funds for preserving roadways that are part of the National Highway System (NHS). For Spokane Valley, eligible street segments are Principal Arterial Streets. Emphasis is on rehabilitation over reconstruction with safety as a consideration. The maximum funding award per project is $10 million. A maximum of three projects can be submitted by an agency. No local match is required. The City has identified three eligible projects. (see chart below)
 
Consensus was unanimous to proceed to a recommendation to apply for the three projects. Final cost estimates will be provided prior to action.
A regional coalition to address homelessness has been the subject of meetings over the past several weeks. Mayor Pam Haley, Councilman Tim Hattenberg, Deputy City Manager Eric Lamb, and City Engineer, Gloria Mantz have been in attendance on behalf of the City. The group is attempting to form a public development authority (PDA) named Spokane Regional Authority for Homelessness, Housing, Health, and Safety.
 
It is proposed to be funded with all the funds currently dedicated to homelessness by the various group participants. An interlocal agreement (ILA) will be prepared to form the PDA. The ILA will require a commitment from the participants to within a 90-day startup period, transferring their funding, staff, and contracts to the PDA. However, last week the Spokane City Council passed a resolution that substantially places the coalition in doubt. The issue is under consideration.
 
City Council meetings are held in the Great Room at CenterPlace until further notice. City Hall, however, is open for business during normal business hours. The Public is invited to Council meetings to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions. Council meetings are broadcast on Comcast channel 14.
 
 
 

August 29, 2023

 

 
This meeting of the Spokane Valley City Council opened with a motion consideration to establish the City’s participation in the Spokane Regional Opioid Abatement Council (OAC). In 2022, the State announced successful settlement with several opioid distributors to apply to abatement of opioid caused privations. The settlement is for approximately $518 million. Approximately half of that amount was set aside for local governments. Under that agreement, the City is scheduled to receive $147,000 (Settlement I) over 17 years. That will, of course, be minus deductions for attorneys’ fees and settlement expenses. The actual amount the City will receive each year is estimated to be $5,000-$7,000.
 
A second settlement (Settlement II) will result in an additional $217 million to local governments for ‘abatement of opioid related problems’. Approximately the same annual amount as Settlement I is expected. In order to participate, separate forms must be submitted for each settling company by April 31st. 
Because of the small amounts each city will receive, discussions have taken place to pool the funds for regional substance abuse use. Administration of that fund requires formation of a ‘Regional Opioid Abatement Council’ (OAC) to oversee monitoring, reporting, and dispute resolution. Spokane County will take the lead in establishing the OAC. Approval of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) establishes the City’s participation. The motion to approve the MOU passed unanimously. 
 
The Barker Road/BNSF Rail Crossing project was awarded to the Max J. Kuney Company (Kuney) for construction on January 28, 2021, by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), the project manager. 
 
Although the project is largely completed, change orders still remain. The City and WSDOT coordinate on all change orders for the project with Kuney regardless of the amount. The total of those change orders number 67 with a cumulative total of $13,627,059.66 for the entire project which is 17.1% over the original contract of $11,637,134.
 
The Contractor’s successful low bid was $2,000,000 below the next lowest bidder. That bid must be accepted under the rules for selecting the successful bidder. However, a low bid can often be enhanced by the change order process and the project cannot move forward without approval of the change orders. The motion to approve change orders numbers 29, 41, and 68 totaling $137,846.53 was approved unanimously.
As part of the City’s annual budget process, each department establishes goals for Council to consider for the upcoming year. The following goals were presented for Council consideration and were agreed upon. This discussion is one of the eight times Council will discuss various sections of the 2024 Budget enroute to final adoption on November 21st.
 
1. Public Safety: Council’s highest priority is providing superior police services.
2. Pavement Preservation: Maintain and sustain a  safe and resilient transportation infrastructure using cost effective means and methods.
3. Transportation and Infrastructure: Strengthen and  improve transportation infrastructure to safely 
connect the community while supporting a diverse and robust economy. 
4. Economic Development: Actively support existing  businesses and industries using retention and 
expansion strategies to facilitate employment  growth. 
5. Communications: Increase community interactions, share information, and obtain feedback in  providing awareness that makes the City a great 
place to live, work, and play.
 
The motion to include those goals in the 2024 Budget passed unanimously.
The action portion of the agenda was followed by a presentation by Brian Talbott, East Valley School District Superintendent, updating the disturbing events of the past two months where student suicides, and other incidents have drawn attention to the emotional condition of students in the district. 
After Superintendent Talbott’s report, Council heard an administrative report from Virginia Clough, City Coordinator, and Justin Johnson, Director of Spokane County Community Services Department and Regional Behavioral Health. The presentation was an overview of behavioral health programs and priorities in Spokane County as well as a list of the programs and initiatives and efforts currently being implemented by the County in the region.
One of the pilot programs currently underway in the County School Districts is the Initiative for Student Wellness, Screening Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment Program. The program was developed to address the need for children/youth behavioral health services in Spokane County. Over the past week there was discussion about the possibility of expanding this program to the East Valley School District. The County Commissioners unanimously expressed interest in exploring a potential partnership with the City of Spokane Vallely and East Valley School District. Mr. Johnson spoke about what a partnership could look like if there is interest from Council,   prompting discussions with Spokane County on combining ARPA funds to achieve maximum effect in addressing mental health assistance.
 
City Finance Director, Chelsie Taylor, presented the 2024 Budget Estimated Revenue and Expense forecast. This is the second of eight occasions where Council will discuss items in that budget. State law requires that the City hold a public hearing on revenue sources and expenditures to consider public input. That hearing is scheduled to take place on September 12th at the regular Council meeting.
 
The 2024 recurring revenue estimate is $62,366,100 which is 10.54% greater than 2023 budget. The recurring expenditure estimate of $57,507,948 is 7.76% more than the 2023 budget of $53,368,284. Estimated budgeted recurring revenues currently exceed recurring expenditures by $4,858,152 or 7.79% of recurring revenues. The full-time employee count will rise to 116.25, an increase of four employees. Three of those employees will be utilized in administering the Stormwater commitments authorized by Council earlier this year. The fourth will assume additional duties in the accounting department and our recording fee administration program responsibilities.
 
City Council meetings are held in the Great Room at CenterPlace until further notice. City Hall, however, is open for business during normal business hours. The Public is invited to Council meetings to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions. Council meetings are broadcast on Comcast channel 14.
 

August 22, 2023

 

 
This meeting of the Spokane Valley City Council convened in formal session to address five action items ranging from clearing up right-of-way issues at the Pines/BNSF rail crossing to finalizing grants made with American Rescue Plan money.

Starting with Ordinance 23-014 which action, if implemented, would use eminent domain to complete acquisition of the properties needed to finalize the right-of-way necessary complete the Pines/BNSF Rail Crossing. The City will continue to reach a mutually agreeable result with the property owners through negotiations.

However, if negotiations are not successful, the City will pursue, under Ordinance 23-014, the measures to acquire the necessary property, or portions thereof, for the project. During those proceedings, the owners will have the ability and opportunity to provide their rationale for what they believe is fair compensation for their property.

The motion to waive the rules and adopt Ordinance 23-014 without a first reading passed unanimously.
The City, in July, advertised a contract to repair and replace damaged facilities, and improve locations that increase the overall level of service for the small works projects of the stormwater system that was adopted on November 8, 2022. On May 30, 2023, Council approved $350,000 to cover the proposed improvements. The successful bidder on the improvement contract was Cameron-Reilly, LLC. The motion to authorize execution of a contract not to exceed $350,000 passed 6-1.

On May 16, 2023, Council approved an allocation of $471,728 of the City’s ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funding to Habitat for Humanity for land acquisition for the future development of affordable housing units to expand the Home ownership Program in the City of Spokane Valley. Habitat is to acquire 2 to4 properties within the City. The grand agreement outlines the project scope, property, affordability requirements, and the timeline for the purchases and occupancy of the home units. The motion to approve the grant agreement and execution for $471,728 passed unanimously.

Continuing with the awarding of ARPA funding, Council addressed the grant for $1,460,000 to Reclaim Project Recovery (Reclaim) for providing housing and support to those progressing away from homelessness, addiction, and incarceration by providing a clean and safe place to live and an opportunity for employment and programming in an active, sober community.

The funds will be used to acquire property to provide transitional housing, operation, and administration for a Home Base multi-use facility, including a thrift store for job training. The grant agreement provides for budget and expense reporting and progress reporting. The motion to approve and execute the grant agreement with Reclaim for $1,460,000 was approved unanimously.

Council has had several discussions regarding use of federal funds (Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund-CLFR). A set-aside of $842,857 of those CLFR funds was made for law enforcement purposes from which $100,000 was allocated to provide for overtime patrols.

The original memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the City and the sheriff’s office allowing for the use and allocation of the funds is set to expire on August 31, 2023. The City has thus far billed $28,379 and Police Chief, Dave Ellis, is asking for an extension of the MOU to December 31, 2023. Consensus to approve an extension letter passed unanimously.

Vicki Carter, Director of the Spokane Conservation District (SCD) provided an update on the District’s programs and projects and future construction of the Scale House Market on their 50-acre campus at 4420 Eighth Avenue in Spokane Valley. SCD has been active since 1941 providing conservation services for more than 80 years to Spokane County. Those services include water resources, Forestry programs, Agriculture Programs and Projects, Environmental Education and Outreach, and Education Programs. A special “Vets on the Farm Program” is designed to teach agriculture and conservation education, food systems and small acreage technical assistance together with beekeeping and pollinator programs. Future projects include a Scale House Market and Kitchen with a year-round farmers’ market composed of seasonal vendors. The Spokane Conservation District will be holding an open house on August 31st.

On July 25th, Council adopted a resolution to assume control over its document recording fees and establish a homeless housing program. In order to put the resolution into effect, the City must create a homeless task force and develop a five-year homeless housing plan and guidelines for emergency shelters, short-term housing needs, temporary encampments, and supportive housing for long term homeless housing. That plan will have to be updated by the end of 2024 in order to qualify for federal assistance.

The region’s current five-year plan is built around the five required objectives included in Department of Commerce’s guidelines. Those are:
1. Identify and engage homeless people and all unaccompanied youth.
2. Prioritize homeless housing according to highest need.
3. Operate an effective and efficient homeless crisis response system to swiftly move people into stable permanent housing.
4. Assuming existing resources and state policies, consider the impact of fully implemented local plans on the number of housed and unhoused.
5.  Address racial disparities among homeless people.

The plan is to use the ‘Housing First’ and ‘Low Barrier’ strategies which assume that housing is the first priority of dealing with homelessness. The low barrier means that sobriety is not required to receive services, including housing, which would appear to be counter-intuitive to a long-term solution. Other steps are required which would seem to indicate a lack of commitment to a workable solution.
This year’s Valleyfest on September 24th will feature a celebration of the City’s 20th anniversary.

City Council meetings are held in the Great Room at CenterPlace until further notice. City Hall, however, is open for business during normal business hours. The Public is invited to Council meetings to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions. Council meetings are broadcast on Comcast channel 14.
 

August 15, 2023

 

 
This Study Session of the Spokane Valley City Council was initiated with a Motion Consideration on a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Water District #3 (WD#3) regarding the Wardson Road and Buttercup Street Waterline Replacement Project which overlaps City street segments that are eligible for improvement work.

Water District #3 will pay for the costs to upgrade their water main plus a portion of the construction management and material testing costs of the project. The total combined cost is estimated to be $408,622. The City’s share is approximately $197,941, WD#3’s share is estimated to be $210,681. The motion to authorize the City Manager to complete the interlocal agreement with Water District #3 was amended to move consideration of the issue to next week’s meeting.

In an action continued from last week, MultiCare Valley Hospital desires to participate in a drug discount program established under Section 340B of the Public Health Service Act. That program allows eligible entities to acquire outpatient drugs at significantly reduced rates. As a private non-profit hospital, MultiCare must have an agreement with a local government whereby it commits to provide healthcare services to low-income patients who are not eligible for Medicare or Medicaid. The agreement is in the form of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) authorizing the commitment. There is no financial commitment from the City. The motion to approve the MultiCare Valley Hospital MOU and authorize the City Manager to finalize the agreement passed unanimously. 

In a late addition to the agenda, Council was presented a proposal to create two new staff position classifications: 1) City Services Administrator. This new position would perform supervisory work in planning, organizing, directing, and supervising priority initiatives for the community. The position will report directly to the City Manager. 2) Communications Manager. This person will serve as the primary spokesperson for the City; independently responding to news media requests for information, interviews, and providing City perspectives and opinions. This person will work under the broad policy guidance and direction of the City Services Administrator. The motion to create the two new positions passed unanimously. 

On September 20th, 2022, Council approved Ordinance 22-016, establishing a Spokane Valley Tourism Promotion Area (TPA) withdrawing from the County TPA effective December 31,2022. That Ordinance also requires an annual report providing information on TPA activities in addition to acting as an advisory body to make recommendation to Council on the use of revenue derived from TPA fees collected from the various participating hotels. At its latest meeting, the Spokane Valley TPA considered a draft of the five-year destination and marketing plan in preparation for submitting a recommendation to Council. 

In 2022, the State announced successful settlement with several opioid distributors to apply to abatement of opioid caused privations. The settlement is for approximately $518 million. Approximately half of that amount was set aside for local governments. Under that agreement, the City is scheduled to receive $147,000 (Settlement I) over 17 years. That will, of course, be minus deductions for attorneys’ fees and settlement expenses. The actual amount the City will receive is estimated to be $5,000-$7,000.

A second settlement (Settlement II) will result in an additional $217 million to local governments for ‘abatement of opioid related problems’. Approximately the same annual amount as Settlement I is expected. In order to participate, separate forms must be submitted for each settling company by April 31st. Because of the small amounts each city will receive, discussions are taking place to pool the funds for regional substance abuse use. 
The administration of the fund requires formation of a ‘Regional Opioid Abatement Council’ (OAC) to oversee monitoring, reporting, and dispute resolution. Spokane County will take the lead in establishing the OAC. Consensus was reached to place consideration of the memorandum of understanding through which the City would join the OAC on a future agenda.

An issue that has prompted several discussions, ‘junk cars,’ on private property, is once again up for consideration. In prior Council discussions, action was deferred to address Council concerns about definitions used to determine actionable offenses. The question before Council this evening was whether to authorize staff to proceed with drafting language that would address specific problems with junk vehicles and parking on private property. Consensus was reached to proceed with drafting sample legislation.

City Council meetings are held in the Great Room at CenterPlace until further notice. City Hall, however, is open for business during normal business hours. The Public is invited to Council meetings to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions. Council meetings are broadcast on Comcast channel 14.
 

August 8, 2023

 

 
Spokane Valley City Council, having taken last Tuesday off to celebrate National Night Out, reconvened in formal format to conduct City business. Its first agenda items were consideration of adjustments to the City’s Comprehensive Plan through Ordinances 23-015 and 23-016 which encompass the single code change filed this year. 
 
In the Annual Comprehensive Plan Amendment cycle (CPA), applications for modification of the CPA must be entered for action on the docket prior to November 1st of any year. There was a single amendment for 2023 proposed by the City. That amendment is listed below at the bottom of the article.
The motion to approve the 2023 Comprehensive Plan Amendment Docket as proposed passed unanimously. The docket was forwarded to the Planning Commission for its consideration and action. The Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend Council approve the docket change. Council, waiving the rules, adopted Ordinances 23-015 and 23-016 unanimously.
 
Council annually reviews its adopted goals and priorities for how it uses lodging tax revenues, encouraging the Lodging Tax Committee to consider those when making award recommendations. In summary, those goals and priorities are: 
1. To direct awards toward funding projects, activities, events, or festivals that will highlight Spokane Valley as a tourism destination. Lodging taxes will be used for purposes allowed by State law including:
a. Tourism marketing
b. Marketing and operation of special events and festivals
c. Operation and capital expenditures for tourism related facilities owned or operated by a municipality or public facilities district
d. Operation of tourism related facilities owned or operated by non-profit organizations
2. Prioritize funding for destination marketing projects that promote the City as a tourist destination and for capital expenditures to develop tourism destination facilities or venues within Spokane Valley as a means of drawing additional visitors to the City. 
3. Priority consideration will be given to projects with a history of increasing overnight stays and the shopping, dining, and overnight visit components in that category.
4. Council will take into consideration revenues received by applicants that were derived from other sources within Spokane Valley and other municipal entities and agencies such as any standing Tourism Promotion Authority and the Spokane Public Facilities District.
5. The City will now accept applications from applicants other than non-profit entities for tourism promotion projects.
 
The schedule for the 2023 awards is:
Notice to any parties interested in applying for tourism grants will be made by newspaper, city website, and letters to past award recipients on August 25th. 
Applications will be due to the City by 4pm, Friday, September 29, 2023.
Candidates will present their applications to the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) in mid-October (tba).
LTAC will make its recommendations for awards to Council at its November 7th meeting. 
Council will approve the final awards for 2024 on December 12th, 2023.
The motion to approve Council goals and priorities for the use of lodging tax revenues passed unanimously.
The federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) provided for a wide variety of funding options to state and local governments to apply toward a broad range of purposes. From that program, the City received approximately $16 million from the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (CLFR). One of the uses of CLFR funds is to replace the City’s lost revenue from COVID. The City has determined that amount to be $10.8 million. 
After several discussions, Council decided to retain $2 million for potential land acquisition. The remaining allocations of CLFR funds will be made to various eligible entities selected by Council for the remaining $4 million. Each of the entities applying for CLFR funds made a presentation to Council. Family Promise of Spokane is awarded $1,095,078 for its program to provide community benefits in support of the poor or infirm. It is also committed to reducing the number of Valley school district students exposed to homelessness and reducing the average length of homelessness. The motion to approve that award passed unanimously.
 
A second part of the CLFR funds allocation was $500,000 to Volunteers of America (VOA) to assist in its construction of its Crosswalk 2.0 Teen Shelter which is an emergency shelter for youth aged 16-20. That grant will serve 12% or more of Spokane Valley youth. The motion to approve the VOA grant of $500,000 passed unanimously.
 
On December 13, 2022,  the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee  (LTAC)  recommended that Council grant and pay $2,000,000 in 2023 from the City’s lodging tax capital account to Spokane County for the design, construction, and associated costs of the Avista Stadium Project. On January 31, 2023, Council approved the award. The motion to approve the agreement with the County for the transfer of the funds passed unanimously. 
Chris Duff, President of Spokane Indians Baseball, briefed Council on the Spokane Indians’ 2023 season, stadium Investment progress, the celebration of the City’s 20th anniversary at the stadium on August 16th, and the team’s relationship with the Colorado Rockies. The briefing also included information on the selection of the contractor to perform the stadium upgrades and sequence of future events.
 
MultiCare Valley Hospital desires to participate in a drug discount program established under Section 340B of the Public Health Service Act. That program allows eligible entities to acquire outpatient drugs at significantly reduced rates. As a private non-profit hospital, MultiCare must have an agreement with a local government whereby it commits to provide healthcare services to low-income patients who are not eligible for Medicare or Medicaid. The agreement will be in the form of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Council reached consensus to bring forward a motion consideration for approval of the agreement at a future meeting.
 
The current Parks Maintenance contract, which is concluding its second renewal out of three, has prompted a discussion on how best to proceed with the changing park circumstances. Staff provided  a report to council outlining two alternatives for future maintenance contracting. The first possibility is the status quo, using a single contractor for all City park needs. This option would likely not require extra staffing.
 
Alternative 2 would separate the City’s parks by type, i.e., general parks of the usual type, trails parks such as Appleway and Centennial, and a third category for Balfour, CenterPlace, and City Hall. Such a plan would require multiple contractors and two additional employees to provide daily observation for park operations and maintenance coordination. Council reached consensus to explore the multiple provider model.
 
City Council meetings are held in the Great Room at CenterPlace until further notice. City Hall, however, is open for business during normal business hours. The Public is invited to Council meetings to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions. Council meetings are broadcast on Comcast channel 14
 
 

July 25, 2023

 

 
After a proclamation recognizing National Night Out, on August 1st, this formal meeting of the Spokane Valley City Council began with consideration of Resolution 23-009 which declares the City Council’s intention and commitment to operate a local homeless housing program and will partially fund it by assuming control of available document recording fees. 
 
Council had previously opted to remain with the County for receipt and administration of the federal Community Development Block Grant funds it receives. That also includes collecting and administering recording fees. Adoption of Resolution 23-009 enables the City to access its portion of document recording fees that accompany the CBDG funds. 
 
New state legislation has imposed a single surcharge of $183 per recorded document (deeds, notices, etc.), collected and distributed by county auditors per the schedule below.
1% for county auditor’s fee for collection
30% retained by the County.
69% to the State
54.1% to be used for the state home security fund account.
13.1% to be used through its affordable housing account.
1.8% to be used through its landlord mitigation account.
 
The state portion of recording fees is not directly available to the City. By electing to operate its own homeless housing program, the City can receive a percentage of what the County charges, equal to the percentage it collects on real estate taxes. The City can then use those funds for its homeless program when it establishes one. 
 
The rules and procedures together with the probable need for additional staff for establishing and administering a program are extensive. At this time, the estimated cost of establishing and maintaining a Homeless Housing Program is $132,000 per year. Estimated reimbursement from the county’s collection of recording fees is $64,000. The City will  directly fund $68,565. Staff will prepare an interlocal agreement with the County in anticipation of the accord. Resolution 23-009 is the first step in that process.
 
The City participates in an interlocal agreement with Spokane County for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds distributed by the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The agreement runs in three-year increments with 2023 as the final year of the current agreement. This being the final year of the agreement, Council has decided to renew its agreement with the County for another three years. A new agreement has been negotiated providing for a set-aside based on population. The City’s population is 33.3% of the county’s population not including the City of Spokane which entitles it to $780,597 for 2023. 
 
There is a concurrent movement to form a regional homelessness group which as part of its formation is requesting all of the funding that is currently being applied to homelessness in the county be turned over to it as well as the personnel to administer its program. 
 
Part of the City’s agreement with the County specifies that the City will maintain control over where its money passing through the County is directed or allocated.
 
Since the most expedient way for the City to continue is to partner with the County for distribution of its allocated funds, Council decided unanimously to renew the agreement for three more years.
 
The City is a partner in the Spokane County Emergency Management (SCEM) plan which includes functions that support community response to emergency situations. Those functions include planning, alert and warning, resource management, training, exercises, public education and outreach, and policy support. There are four phases to the statutorily mandated emergency management: 
Mitigation. To reduce the severity or lessen the impacts of a situation or event.
Preparedness. Taking action to achieve a state of readiness.
Response. Taking action to address a disaster or other emergency that has already happened.
Recovery. The process of restoring normalcy through repair and/or restoration of infrastructure.
The City’s primary point of contact for emergency management planning will be Project Manager Virginia Clough.
 
In the Annual Comprehensive Plan Amendment cycle (CPA), applications for modification of the CPA must be entered for action on the docket prior to November 1st of any year. There was a single amendment for 2023 proposed by the City. That amendment is:
File No. : CPA-2023-01  Land use map
Applicant: City
Description: Change land use designation and zoning for 5 parcels totaling 29.51 acres from Single Family Residential & Neighborhood Commercial to Parks and Open Space 

The motion to approve the 2023 Comprehensive Plan Amendment Docket as proposed passed unanimously. The docket was forwarded to the Planning Commission for its consideration and action. The Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend Council approve CPA-2023-01. Council consensus was unanimous to accept the recommendation and proceed to a first reading of the ordinance.
 
As part of the City’s annual budget process, each department establishes goals for the upcoming year. The following goals were presented for Council consideration. 
 
Public Safety: Council’s highest priority is providing superior police services.
Pavement Preservation: Maintain and sustain a safe and resilient transportation infrastructure using cost effective means and methods.
Transportation and Infrastructure: Strengthen and improve transportation infrastructure to safely connect the community while supporting a diverse and robust economy. 
Economic Development: Actively support existing businesses and industries using retention and expansion strategies to facilitate employment growth. 
Communications: Increase community interactions, share information, and obtain feedback in providing awareness that makes the City a great place to live, work, and play.
 
Council reached consensus on pursuing those goals as well as including them in the 2024 Budget.
 
On April 18th, 2023, Council agreed by consensus to review its City Code owner-occupied requirement for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU). CTA-2023-0002 (Code Text Amendment) would accomplish that. ADUs are defined as a freestanding or attached structure “incidental to the primary dwelling unit,” located on the same property, providing complete, independent living facilities in a single housekeeping unit, including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, cooking, and sanitation. Such a unit has been referred to as a ‘mother-in-law’ unit. 
 
The move is intended to increase the available housing but might also have the opposite effect. Too, the state legislature has been steadily moving toward making the action a state law. The City Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend Council deny the code amendment. By consensus, Council concurred with the Planning Commission.
 
The legislature seems intent upon not finding a solution to the Supreme Court's Blake Decision which broadly decriminalized drug possession and usage. After failing in two regular sessions to put into place any sort of vehicle for enforcement, it finally passed Senate Bill 5536 which makes it a gross misdemeanor to 1) knowingly possess counterfeit and controlled substances; or 2) knowingly use controlled substances in a public place. The holes in the legislation which serve to make enforcement more difficult, appear to demonstrate the non-seriousness with which the legislature is addressing the problem.
 
The RAVE Foundation, the official charitable arm of the Seattle Sounders professional soccer team is donating a “soccer mini pitch” field which will be installed in Balfour Park. The value of the donation is estimated to be $150,000.
 
The August 1st City Council meeting will be cancelled in observance of National Night Out in support of our First Responders.
 
City Council meetings are held in the Great Room at CenterPlace until further notice. City Hall, however, is open for business during normal business hours. The Public is invited to Council meetings to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions. Council meetings are broadcast on Comcast channel 14.
 

July 18, 2023

 


This Study Session of the Spokane Valley City Council commenced with a Motion Consideration to amend the Street and Stormwater Maintenance & Repair Services Contract with Poe Asphalt, adding $317,208.89. The additional money will address two problems: 1) The failing roads on Koren Road, Rocky Ridge Drive, and 19th Avenue. All have Pavement Condition Indexes of less than 35%. 2) Avista Corporation has been upgrading its services along those roads creating patchwork repairs that contribute to the road failures. Avista will share in the repair costs. The motion to approve the contract amendment passed unanimously.
 
In December 2022, Council reached consensus to allocate $785,714 to the Idaho Central Spokane Valley Performing Arts Center for use toward construction of its new facility for the purposes of “….providing musical, theatrical, educational, and cultural programming for the Spokane Valley Community.” Approval of this agreement formalizes the grant award. The motion to approve the agreement passed unanimously.
 
An administrative report on City efforts to clean up graffiti summarized the work performed thus far. Led by SCOPE volunteers together with Horizon Credit Union and Fairchild volunteers, and City sponsored workers, the groups have cleaned up 15 sites to date and continue to expand their coverage. The clean-up has addressed graffiti on both public and private property. 
 
The City has employed the services of Revival, its contracted right-of-way maintenance team, to address graffiti on City property. For graffiti on private property, the volunteers will team with SCOPE, get locations from Crime Check and, after receiving consent from the property owner, will perform the clean-up. Funding for the project is coming from a grant from the Washington State Department of Commerce.
 
As the commencement of construction on the Pines/BNSF Rail Crossing approaches next year, all of the elements necessary to actually begin construction must be in place. Foremost among those considerations is acquiring and consolidating all of the rights-of-way. Staff has coordinated with and is negotiating an agreement which will include construction of the BNSF’s parallel bridges, property rights, and a permanent easement for the project.
 
Seven properties were acquired earlier in the process, including three donated by Avista. However, another twelve remain. Of those, the City has finalized negotiations with five, and three others are considered low risk for problems in reaching agreement. However, three other owners might be problematical. Negotiations will continue, but in the meantime, a Final Action Ordinance necessary to proceed with eminent domain will be put in place.
As all pieces come together, the schedule to begin construction is slated to begin early to mid-year in 2024.
 
Council annually reviews its adopted goals and priorities for how it uses lodging tax revenues, encouraging the Lodging Tax Committee to consider those when making award recommendations. In summary, those goals and priorities are: 
1. To direct awards toward funding projects, activities, events, or festivals that will highlight Spokane Valley as a tourism destination. Lodging taxes will be used for purposes allowed by State law including:
a. Tourism marketing
b. Marketing and operation of special events and festivals
c. Operation and capital expenditures for tourism related facilities owned or operated by a municipality or public facilities district
d. Operation of tourism related facilities owned or operated by non-profit organizations
2. Prioritize funding for destination marketing projects that promote the City as a tourist destination and for capital expenditures to develop tourism destination facilities or venues within Spokane Valley as a means of drawing additional visitors to the City. 
3. Priority consideration will be given to projects with a history of increasing overnight stays and the shopping, dining, and overnight visit components in that category.
4. Council will take into consideration revenues received by applicants that were derived from other sources within Spokane Valley and other municipal entities and agencies such as any standing Tourism Promotion Authority and the Spokane Public Facilities District.
5. The City will now accept applications from applicants other than non-profit entities for tourism promotion projects.
The schedule for the 2023 awards is:
Notice to any parties interested in applying for tourism grants will be made by newspaper, city website, and letters to past award recipients on August 25th. 
Applications will be due to the City by 4pm, Friday, September 29, 2023.
Candidates will present their applications to the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) in mid-October (tba).
LTAC will make its recommendations for awards to Council at its November 7th meeting. 
Council will approve the final awards for 2024 on December 12th, 2023.
 
In the continuing efforts to effectively cope with the City’s homeless problem, it participates in an interlocal agreement with Spokane County for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds distributed by the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The agreement runs in three-year increments with 2023 as the final year of the current agreement. This being the final year of the agreement, the City must decide if it wishes to continue as part of the consortium or go its own way. 
 
If the City were to remove itself from the County consortium, it appears that the City could perform the administrative duties associated with a direct payment from HUD but probably not for less than the 20% administrative fee the County charges. Other considerations, such as startup expenses and ongoing administrative costs above those allowed, puts the City in the position of having to continue with another three-year membership in the consortium or make the necessary moves to administer the program within the City staff. 
 
Concurrently, there is a move to form a regional coalition for the purpose of centralizing the effort to combat homelessness. Indecision on the group’s parameters and participation together with uncertainty on funding sources have thus far hampered those negotiations. 
 
However, the most expedient way for the City to participate is to continue partnering with the County for distribution of its allocated funds. Council decided unanimously to renew the agreement for three more years assuming that the County continues with largely the same contract. If the County chooses not to renew the contract under the same terms, it will be necessary for Council to consider other arrangements for its HUD allocated funds.
In other action, Council reached consensus to replace three staff vehicles at approximately $60,000 per unit, plus a snowplow, and a backhoe. Because of supply backlogs, permission by consensus to purchase the vehicles when available was approved.
 
City Council meetings are held in the Great Room at CenterPlace until further notice. City Hall, however, is open for business during normal business hours. The Public is invited to Council meetings to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions. Council meetings are broadcast on Comcast channel 14.
 

July 11, 2023

 


After proclaiming July 2023 as Parks and Recreation Month, the Spokane Valley City Council commenced its business meeting. First on its agenda was a Motion Consideration for a Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) Grant opportunity. The proposed projects for City application are those presented at Council’s May 22nd meeting announcing the Washington State Transportation Improvement Board’s call for projects for its Urban Arterial Program (UAP) and its Active Transportation Program (ATP). The UAP has historically funded our City’s street-related projects. The ATP is newly revised to deliver more broadly used transportation projects such as non-motorized uses rather than sidewalk-only use. 
 
The proposed UAP grant requests for projects are a) Barker Roundabout at 8th ($550,000-city match); b) Argonne Concrete Reconstruct-Indiana to Knox ($700,000-city match). The sole proposed ATP project grant request is the Sprague Ave. Pedestrian Crossings (near Chronicle, McKinnon-Howe) with a $196,000-city match. The motion to approve the application for the TIB grant passed unanimously.
 
Another project, the Pines and Mission Intersection Improvement Project was posted for bid. That project will add a southbound right turn lane and provide two eastbound left turn lanes to the existing signalized intersection at Pines Road (State Route 27) and Mission Avenue. Sidewalk improvements, stormwater improvements, pavement preservation, and revisions to the signal system are included. 
 
The winning bid (there was only one) was submitted by N. A. Degerstrom, Inc. at $1,549,863.60, which was 37.9% over the engineer’s estimate. The reason for the discrepancy was most notably the delay in final approval from Washington Department of Transportation which moved construction into next year. Funds are available to move ahead with the project, however. The motion to award the contract for construction of the project passed unanimously.
On May 10, 2022, Council reached a general agreement to allocate an annual portion of revenues from solid waste collection toward a new unit-priced bid contract for payment preservation purposes. Such a contract would be very similar to the already existing Street and Storm Water Maintenance & Repair Contract but would focus primarily on local access roads. Those funds have been very successfully utilized for design-build capital preservation projects. The new unit-priced contract provides various options for roadway preservation treatments. Using this type of contract, work has been assigned to the contractor by work orders for each individual location. The contract original contract with Inland Asphalt Paving Company was for $1,500,000. That amount has been used to re-pave 33 residential streets, but the cost has gone beyond the contract by almost $30,000. Additional, easy-to-implement improvements, should funds become available, could be made. That would be cost effective since the contractor is already deployed and the projects identified. The additional cost would be $345,000. The motion to authorize a change order to the existing contract in the amount of $345,000 passed unanimously.
 
A report from Spokane Valley Police Chief, Dave Ellis, covered statistics such as a 37% increase in robberies, a 41% increase in garage burglaries, and a 10% increase in commercial burglaries. Those were offset by a17% decrease in vehicle thefts, an 8% decrease in miscellaneous mischief, a 5% decrease in assaults, and an 18% decrease in vehicle prowls. The reinstituted bike patrols are proving effective, as are the camera trailers set up randomly to control traffic.
 
The City of Spokane Valley participates in the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG). In 2005, the City qualified to become an ‘entitlement community.’ As such, it is authorized to receive federal funds for capital projects in the City. The interlocal agreement with the County continues the City’s acceptance of its entitlement status under federal guidelines and cedes administration of the program to the County. 
 
Council members have requested information on the recording fees available for homelessness and affordable housing related purposes. If the City chose to directly accept CDBG funds, it would have to assume responsibility for homeless housing within its border to receive those recording fees. Last week, Council opted to remain with the County for receipt and administration of CDBG funds. However, there remains the question of whether the City might have access to document recording fees. New state legislation has imposed a single surcharge of $183 per recorded document, collected and distributed by county auditors per the schedule below.
 
1% for county auditor’s fee for collection
30% retained by the County
69% to the State
        • 54.1% to be used for the state home security fund account
        • 13.1% to be used through its affordable housing account
        • 1.8% to be used through its landlord mitigation account
 
The state portion of recording fees is not available for the City to directly access. If the City elects to operate its own homeless housing program, the city can receive a percentage of the what the County charges, equal to the percentage it collects on real estate taxes. The City can then use those funds for its homeless program if it establishes one. 
 
The rules and procedures together with the probable need for additional staff for establishing such a program are extensive and although questions remain, staff will prepare papers for an interlocal agreement with the County in anticipation of a possible agreement.
 
The potential for a regional coalition to address homelessness has been the subject of meetings over the past several weeks. Mayor Pam Haley, Councilman Tim Hattenberg, Deputy City Manager Eric Lamb, and City Engineer, Gloria Mantz have been in attendance on behalf of the City. The group is intending to form a public development authority (PDA) named Spokane Regional Authority for Homelessness, Housing, Health, and Safety. It is proposing to be funded with all the of funds currently dedicated to homelessness by the various group participants. An interlocal agreement (ILA) will be prepared to form the PDA. The ILA will require a commitment from the participants to within a 90-day startup period, transferring their funding, staff, and contracts to the PDA. 
 
Since the City is not fully committed to participating in the PDA, the issue is still under consideration. The Council’s consensus is that the City must be represented at such a gathering, but with both Spokane and Spokane County meeting to consider their strategies, the Valley City Council needs more information before it gets more involved.
 
City Council meetings are held in the Great Room at CenterPlace until further notice. City Hall, however, is open for business during normal business hours. The Public is invited to Council meetings to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions. Council meetings are broadcast on Comcast channel 14.
 

June 26, 2023

 


The last item of business in last week’s Spokane Valley Council meeting was addressing a notation from the last State Auditor’s briefing. In an entirely new finding, The auditor concluded that the City’s procurement policies did not meet Federal standards. The staff has created policies that address the Auditor’s concerns (Ordinance 23-013).  It should be noted that Staff was already following procurement guidelines as stated in the Federal Uniform Guidelines. However, Ordinance 23-013, memorializing the adoption of Federal Procurement Regulations, was adopted unanimously by Council.
 
The City uses high resolution aerial imagery in its Planning, Permitting, Economic Development, and Public Works departments in a multitude of ways which benefit those departments. The City partners with Spokane County in an interlocal agreement for those services. A mutually acceptable revised and updated agreement has been worked out between the entities. The motion to approve the Interlocal Agreement with Spokane County for Imagery License and authorize the City Manager to execute the same passed unanimously.
 
In the continuing struggle to effectively cope with the City’s homeless problem, it participates in an interlocal agreement with Spokane County for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds distributed by the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The agreement runs in three-year increments with 2023 as the final year of the current agreement. This being the final year of the agreement, the City must decide if it wishes to continue as part of the consortium or go its own way. The date for final notification to the County is July 7. The City’s 2023 HUD distribution is $605,710. Per the interlocal agreement, the County takes a 20% administrative fee, leaving $484,568 for the City’s set-aside. 
 
If the City were to remove itself from the County consortium, it appears that the City could perform the administrative duties associated with a direct payment from HUD but probably not for less than the 20% administrative fee the County charges. Other considerations, such as startup expenses and ongoing administrative costs above those allowed, puts the City in the position of having sign on for another three-year membership in the consortium or make the necessary moves to administer the program within the City staff. 
 
Concurrently, there is a move to form a regional coalition for the purpose of centralizing the effort to combat homelessness. Indecision on participation and uncertainty on funding sources have thus far hampered negotiations. The City channels its funding sources through the County, which, in turn, directs that money to the City of Spokane for application and administration. In the process, not only does the City assign control of the application of its money, but the current participants and the media seem not to appreciate the considerable funding that comes from the City of the Valley.
 
However, the most expedient way for the City to participate is to continue partnering with the County for distribution of its allocated funds. Council decided unanimously to renew the agreement for three more years assuming that the County continues with largely the same contract. If the County chooses not to renew the contract under the same terms, it will be necessary for Council to consider other arrangements for its HUD allocated funds.
The City contracts with Spokane County for the City’s criminal detention services pursuant to an interlocal agreement. Spokane County operates the Geiger Corrections Center as part of that agreement. Recently, the County Commissioners passed a resolution to place a 0.2% sales tax increase on the November election ballot for criminal justice, public safety, and behavioral health purposes from 2024 through 2054 with the understanding that a new jail would be constructed.
 
Pursuant to state law, Spokane County would, if the ballot measure is approved, receive 60% of the total sales tax collected. The remaining 40% would go to the incorporated cities based on population. By that measure, the city would receive approximately $3 million based on 2022 sales tax collections. That number is, of course, subject to economic fluctuations.
 
City Hall was completed and occupied in early September 2017. Since that time many significant constructions and/or design defects have been discovered. The City hired various consultants to identify the nature and extent of the defects. Based on their findings, the City filed suit in Spokane County Superior Court on April 27th, 2020, naming as defendants, Meridian Construction (prime contractor), Architects West (architect and project manager), Allwest Testing & Engineering (materials testing), and Eight31 Consulting (owner’s representative to assist in overseeing the project).
 
The City has completed some of the necessary repairs since the initial discovery of the defects. To date, the City has installed temporary micro piles (concrete pillars) along the curved wall in the building’s front (Council Chambers) to arrest further settling. Fire stopping processes have been installed in the north and south end staircases. Extensive repairs to the HVAC system were also necessary. During the staircase work, structural members were found missing above the ceiling, and have been added to bring the building into the condition it should have contractually been.
 
Further necessary repairs may not be completely known until walls and ceilings are further exposed. To that end, the City has opted for a non-standard delivery method for the major repairs that are known or may be needed. The method is known as the Progressive Design Build (PDB) process. PDB is a process in which both the design and construction of a project are procured from a single design-build entity that is selected competitively by the City. Under this process, Garco Construction has been chosen as the contractor. 
Garco’s phased scope of work includes these key elements and planned time.
 
1.  Council Chamber’s Exterior Wall
Demolition is currently underway (started June 12)
Reconstruction should be complete in September.
2.  Council Chamber’s Interior Space 
Demolition is ongoing and should be complete by August.
Reconstruction of the interior space is anticipated for completion in November.
3.  Interior Building Doors. Throughout City Hall there are 10 interior doors that will be removed and replaced/reinstalled with new framing and connections.
Removal/replacement to begin in late July.
Efforts will take place while chamber’s work is occurring.
4.  Roof and Attic Repairs/Replacement 
Required work to secure the roofing for this coming winter is minimal and will be complete this fall.
Full roof and attic work is anticipated for spring and summer of 2024.
 
Staff will continue to update Council and the City frequently as the project continues.
Please note: There will be no Council meeting on Tuesday, July 4th. 
 
City Council meetings are held in the Great Room at CenterPlace until further notice. City Hall, however, is open for business during normal business hours. The Public is invited to Council meetings to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions. Council meetings are broadcast on Comcast channel 14.

June 20, 2023

 


This Study Session of the Spokane Valley City Council opened with a public hearing in preparation for adoption of the City’s 2024-2029 Six-Year Transportation Program (TIP). State law requires that the City prepare and, after holding a public hearing, adopt a comprehensive transportation program for the ensuing six calendar years.
 
The TIP is comprised of transportation projects intended to be implemented in the next six years that address the City’s transportation needs. Delivery of the proposed projects depends on outside funding support. Staff constantly monitors the City’s REET (Real Estate Excise Tax) fund balances throughout the scheduled years to ensure that there are sufficient funds to satisfy the fiscal requirements for planned projects. The required City match on federal and state funded projects is typically between 10% and 20%. 
 
The program includes 41 projects planned over the six years the project categories encompass: 2024 Closeout Projects (8); Bridge & Grade Separation Projects (4); Intersection Improvement Projects (11); Annual Local Access Street Projects (1); Annual Arterial Preservation Projects (1); Safety, Sidewalk, Trail, and Stormwater Projects (9); and Other Reconstruction/Preservation Projects (7).
Resolution 23-007 encompasses the state mandated requirements for the City to adopt and implement its TIP. The motion to approve Resolution 23-007 passed unanimously.
 
With the remediation work ongoing at City Hall, the Planning Commission finds itself in the same situation as City Council per the labeling of its meetings, i.e.: Notice of its meetings must be labeled “special” meetings unless and until a resolution (Resolution 23-008) temporarily establishing CenterPlace as its regular meeting place is adopted. The motion to adopt Resolution 23-008 passed unanimously.
The Barker Road/BNSF Rail Crossing project was awarded to the Max J. Kuney Company (Kuney) for construction on January 28, 2021, by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), the project manager. 
The City and WSDOT coordinate on all change orders for the project with Kuney regardless of the amount. The total of those change orders number 67 with a cumulative total of $13,489,213.13 for the entire project which is 15.92% over the original contract of $11,637,134.
 
The Contractor’s successful low bid was $2,000,000 below the next lowest bidder. That bid must be accepted under the rules for selecting the successful bidder. However, a low bid can often be enhanced by the change order process and the project cannot move forward without approval of the change orders. The motion to approve various change orders totaling $192,936.33 was approved unanimously.
 
On September 20th, 2022, Spokane Valley City Council adopted Ordinance 22-016, establishing a Spokane Valley Tourism Promotion Area (TPA). Pursuant to the TPA, the Spokane Valley Hotel Commission (Commission) was formed. 
 
The Commission chose to hire 116 & West as their marketing consultant. However, 116 & West did not have the qualifications to provide sporting events recruitment and marketing services for the City. Recognizing that, the Commission selected Spokane Sports to provide sports recruitment services. Spokane Sports, by request from the Commission, submitted a proposal to work with 116 & West to round out the package to brand the City as a “host city” for future sports events. The additional cost will be $300,000. The motion to approve the City Manager executing a sports recruitment contract not to exceed $300,000 with Spokane Sports passed unanimously.
 
In a late addition to the agenda, Council approved a lease to the new owner of Splashdown Family Water Park located in Valley Mission Park. The previous leaseholders were caught in the COVID shutdown causing severe hardship. The new owner, a Valley resident, plans to open Splashdown later this summer. 
The City participates in an interlocal agreement with Spokane County for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds distributed by the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The agreement runs in three-year increments with 2023 as the final year of the current agreement. This being the final year of the agreement, the City must decide if it wishes to continue as part of the consortium or go its own way. The date for final notification to the County is July 7. 
 
The City’s 2023 HUD distribution is $605,710. Per the interlocal agreement, the County takes a 20% administrative fee, leaving $484,568 for the City’s set-aside. 
 
If the City were to remove itself from the County consortium, it does not appear that the City could perform the administrative duties associated with a direct payment from HUD for less than the 20% administrative fee the County charges. Other considerations, such as start up expenses and ongoing administrative costs above those allowed, dictate that the City will likely sign on for another three-year membership in the consortium. However, the City may augment its participation through its Outside Agency fund, providing additional funds for local use.
 
On May 22, 2023, the Washington State Transportation Improvement Board issued a call for projects for its Urban Arterial Program (UAP) and its Active Transportation Program (ATP). The UAP has historically funded our City’s street-related projects. The ATP is newly revised to deliver more broadly used transportation projects such as non-motorized uses rather than sidewalk-only use. 
 
The proposed UAP grant requests for projects are a) Barker Roundabout at 8th ($550,000-city match); b) Argonne Concrete Reconstruct-Indiana to Knox ($700,000-city match).
 
The sole proposed ATP project grant request is Sprague Ave. Pedestrian Crossings (near Chronicle, McKinnon-Howe) with a $196,000-city match.
Since early 2022, the Economic Development Department has been working a new city website to improve city communications and public engagement. In late August, CivicPlus  was selected to complete the project. The total charges for the project are $59,365.80. The target date for start up is June 21. The new site features a home page as well as five department subsites with unique navigational menus including:
Permit Center, allowing for a “one stop” that provides permitting, building and land use/planning guidance and documents.
CenterPlace Regional Event Center which allows marketing as an event and small conference venue.
Economic Development, allowing for in-depth business and industry data and demographics to support the selection of Spokane Valley for business recruitment and enhancement.
Parks and Recreation, which positions the department to brand its programs and services, providing a single point of entry where citizens can access information.
Spokane Valley Police Department, which presents the department services, many of which are offered at the city precinct building but are not well known to city residents.
 
The new site will use a new domain/URL: spokanevalleywa.gov The City’s old domain, spokanevalley.org will redirect messages to the new domain  until eventually being retired. City employees will begin using the new domain in their email; name@spokanevalleywa.gov. 
 
The City uses high resolution aerial imagery in its Planning, Permitting, Economic Development, and Public Works departments in a multitude of ways which benefit those departments. The City partners with Spokane County in an interlocal agreement for those services. A revised and updated agreement as been worked out between the entities. Council reached consensus to bring the revised agreement to a future meeting for action.
 
At the last State Auditor’s briefing, in an entirely new finding, the auditors stated that the City’s procurement policies did not meet Federal standards. The staff has created policies that should address the Auditor’s concerns. Staff is already following procurement guidelines as stated in the Uniform Guidelines.
City Council meetings are held in the Great Room at CenterPlace until further notice. City Hall, however, is open for business during normal business hours. The Public is invited to Council meetings to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions. Council meetings are broadcast on Comcast channel 14.
 

June 13, 2023

 

 
This meeting of the Spokane Valley City Council was a special budget workshop which occurs each year at about this same time as City staff prepares next year’s budget. This is the first of the eight times (including three public hearings) that Council will address various items or sections of the budget enroute to its final adoption on November 7th, 2023.

There was an increase in the employee count in the amended 2023 budget to accommodate compliance with mandated reporting and expense requirements such as stormwater tracking and implementation. The 2024 Proposed Budget calls for two additional employees who are needed for compliance with Department of Ecology mandates, bringing the total employee count to 113.25. 
 
An important note: A transfer from the General Fund to the Street Maintenance Fund was necessary to cover the 2024 cost of street maintenance. That transfer is an increase of $1.2 million from $3.5 million to $ 4.7 million, highlighting the alarm that without a constant, dependable source of revenue for street maintenance, the City is on an unsustainable trajectory.  
 
A recap of income for 2024 compared to 2022 and 2023 thus far is informative to gain a perspective on likely trends for the future. Taking the City’s major sources of income in order of importance:
 
Sales Tax. In 2022, sales tax collections grew by 2.69% over 2021 which was a recovery year from COVID. Inflation in Washington state continues to track higher than the national average while growth in personal income is lower than the national average. Growth in sales tax collection statewide seems to indicate that consumers are beginning to adjust spending habits in anticipation of continued inflation. Statewide numbers tend to bear this out.
 
Real Estate Taxes. The City had record collections of real estate excise taxes (REET) in 2021, increasing nearly 70% after a 40% decrease in 2020. That increase brought REET revenues to an historical high in 2022. Thus far in 2023, REET collections are returning to pre-pandemic levels of around $3 million. State projections appear to be following that same path. 
 
Permitting Revenues. Spokane Valley has seen record highs for permitting and development as the City continues to grow. 2021 was the highest to date for permitting revenue, with 2022 declining after the burst of development activity in the northeast industrial area. In the first four months of 2023, permitting continues to see a high number issued paralleling historical numbers. This analysis is based on average permitting revenues collected over the past six years.
Motor Vehicle Fuel Taxes. Just as every other source of revenue was impacted by COVID, so was fuel tax revenue by nearly 14% in 2020. The trend in driving habits was altered by COVID and has been further changed by the high price of fuel. The City’s fuel tax revenues are based on the number of gallons of gasoline sold rather than the dollar amount of the sales which means that a reduction in the number of gallons sold adversely impacts fuel tax collections. The number of electric vehicles mandated and now on the road will also have a deleterious effect.
 
Lodging Taxes. Lodging taxes were heavily affected by COVID. The direct impact in 2020 was a decrease of more than 40%. However, these revenues bounced back to pre-pandemic levels in 2021 and reached a record high in 2022. January through April of this year has seen a slight decrease compared to the same time in 2022. Inflationary pressures continue to affect travel habits, which in turn, impact revenues.
 
Telephone Utility Taxes. The Telephone Utility Tax which was, at its inception, supposed to solve the City’s road maintenance and preservation problems. However, since it was adopted, it has had a steady downward trajectory. In 2022, the collection decreased by 3% from the previous year, which is the lowest decline since 2011. Collections have dropped just over one percent from the same period the previous year.
 
Taken in their entirety, the above summaries would indicate fairly level revenues and expenses for the City in the face of international turbulence. National and state politics affecting inflation and levels of taxation from higher levels of government will, of course, also play an important role in impacting City revenues. 
 
City Council meetings are held in the Great Room at CenterPlace until further notice. City Hall, however, is open for business during normal business hours. The Public is invited to Council meetings to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions. Council meetings are broadcast on Comcast channel 14. 
      

June 6, 2023

 

 
After two weeks of intensive agendas, the Spokane Valley City Council enjoyed a rather light program. This meeting was a Study Session with only two action items, other than the Consent Agenda where the bills are paid, and only two non-action items. However, next Tuesday, June 13th, Council will be in its annual Budget Retreat starting at 8:30am at CenterPlace. That meeting will last until mid-afternoon and will be followed by a regular meeting of City Council after a short break.
 
The evening’s business opened with a Motion Consideration to award the bid to complete the Barker at Union Pacific Crossing Project. In 2018, the City was accorded multiple grants to reconstruct the Barker Corridor and provide a multi-use route from the Spokane River to the Barker/BNSF Grade Separation Project on the north end of Barker. The project is the last segment of the total project and will construct the remaining road improvements from Euclid Avenue (east) to Euclid Avenue (west), including the UP rail crossing and the multi-use path from Euclid Avenue (east) to the Barker/BNSF Grade Separation Project limits.
 
Consolidated Irrigation District No. 19 will install a water main within the roadway project and is partnering with the City to include that construction as part of the City’s project. Spokane County will also install a sewer main within the roadway project and is partnering with the City on that segment. The budget for the total combined project is $4,402,550. The Engineer’s Estimate for the City’s road construction share was $2,649,536. The motion to award the bid to Corridor Contractors, LLC in the amount of $2,727,828.20 passed unanimously. 
 
On May 18th the Spokane Regional Transportation Council announced their call for projects to be included on its Unified List of Regional Transportation Priorities. The primary function of the Unified List is to communicate SRTC’s regional priorities to state legislators and federal congressional members. The City’s existing list, adopted on December 20, 2022, included:
Sullivan/Trent Interchange
South Barker Road Corridor
Argonne Road Bridge at Interstate 90
 
At its May 30th meeting, Council voted to include the Barker Road/Interstate 90 interchange (I-90). Adding I-90 to the City Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) and adding it to the Unified List. The motion to add I-90 to the TIP and Unified List passed 5-1.
 
In 1965, Congress enacted the Older Americans Act to organize community-based programs for older adults. Amendments to the Act added a nutritional program for the elderly and required states to form Area Agencies of Aging. Ms. Lynn Kimball, Executive Director of Aging & Long Term Care of Eastern Washington (ALTCEW), updated Council on the agency and its work to help older adults and adults living with disabilities find and access the resources needed to plan, prepare for , and support living independently.
 
The primary goal of ALTCEW is to help people stay in their homes if that is their choice. ALTCEW served more than 2,000 Valley residents in the past year, offering counselling and direction services and working directly with such agencies as Meals on Wheels and Frontier Behavioral Health to provide assistance. Approximately 56% of ALTCEW’s clientele are females. ALTCEW can be reached for assistance or to answer questions at 509-960-7281.
On September 20th, 2022, Spokane Valley City Council adopted Ordinance 22-016, establishing a Spokane Valley Tourism Promotion Area (TPA). Pursuant to the TPA, the Spokane Valley Hotel Commission (Commission) was formed. The Commission developed and sent out requests for qualifications (RFQ) to develop a five-year destination marketing plan with an 18-month marketing service plan.
 
After interviewing qualified candidates, the Commission recommended 116 & West as the most qualified. Council concurred with the Commission’s recommendation and 116 & West was hired. The five-year marketing plan will identify strategies, tactics, and costs for the initial 18-month service plan for Council approval. The campaign will feature paid digital advertising reaching the Seattle region, western Montana, and Canada focusing on the City’s newly developed tourism website. 
 
Subsequently, it was recognized that 116 & West did not have the qualifications to provide sporting events recruitment and marketing services for the City. The Commission recognized that Spokane Sports, who also responded to the RFQ did qualify to provide sports recruitment services. Spokane Sports, by request from the Commission, submitted a proposal to work with 116 & West to round out the package to brand the City as a “host city” for future sports events. The additional cost will be $300,000. Consensus was reached by Council to bring this action at a future Council meeting.
 
At its Budget Workshop on June 13th Council will spend most of its day considering and discussing budget priorities for 2024. That meeting will begin at 8:30 AM at CenterPlace. It is open to the public. The retreat will be followed, after an intermission, by a regular Council meeting.
 
City Council meetings are held in the Great Room at CenterPlace until further notice. City Hall, however, is open for business during normal business hours. The Public is invited to Council meetings to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions. Council meetings are broadcast on Comcast channel 14.
 

May 30, 2023

 

 
This Study Session of the Spokane Valley City Council commenced with seven action items, largely aimed at clearing up unfinished business. In order they are:
 
The second reading of Ordinance 23-011 amending the City’s 2023 budget. The amendments increase revenues and expenditures by $20,175,745 and $29,131,846 respectively spread across 12 accounts. The motion to approve passed 5-1. (Councilmember Woodard was excused.)
 
The Oaks Education Association requested the vacation of 6,970 square feet of public right-of-way in the alignment for Glenview Circle located south of and adjacent to 22nd Avenue. The proposed vacation is approximately 315 feet east of Sunview Circle. The right-of-way is adjacent to two properties, both of which are owned by the Oaks Education Association. Under new City rules, the calculated cost to the Oaks Education Association for the vacated land is estimated to be $15,112.51. The motion to waive the rules and adopt Ordinance 23-012, approving the street vacation, passed unanimously.
 
The Broadway and Park Intersection Project bid Award was made to Cameron Reilly, LLC with a bid of $2,396,434.76. The project improvements include road reconstruction, sidewalk replacement, installation of sidewalk on the west side of Park Road from Broadway to Cataldo and an upgrade of stormwater facilities. The project will also include upgrades to Water District #3’s water main in conjunction with the City’s work per an interlocal agreement. Total project costs are an estimated $3,162,800. The motion to award the contract to Cameron Reilly passed unanimously.
 
The interlocal agreement with Water District #3 mentioned above followed the action on the Cameron Reilly bid award. Water District #3 will pay for the costs to upgrade the water main plus a portion of the construction management and material testing costs of the project. The cost is estimated to be $172,800. The motion to authorize the City Manager to complete the interlocal agreement with Water District #3 passed unanimously.
 
The Summerfield  Neighborhood project, a part of the City’s local access street projects, was advertised on May 5th. The City received four bids with Inland Asphalt submitting the low bid of $1,407,000 for the construction segment. The total project cost is estimated to be $1,700,000. The motion to award the contract to Inland Asphalt passed unanimously.
 
The Broadway at I-90 Preservation Project-Phase 1 will grind and overlay Broadway Avenue between Fancher Road and Thierman Road. The project includes additional pavement repairs and extends the concrete pavement at signalized intersections. The total budgeted costs are estimated at $1,805,000. Inland Asphalt’s bid for the construction segment is $1,282,828.00. The motion to award the contract to Inland Asphalt passed unanimously.
 
In 2022, the Spokane Regional Transportation Council created its first Unified List of Regional Transportation Priorities (Unified List) to inform state and federal legislators of the current regional priorities with the intent to strategically position projects and requests for future funding opportunities. In updating SRTC’s Unified List, City Staff is recommending the City’s 2023 projects are the Sullivan/Trent interchange, the South Barker Road Corridor, and the Argonne Road/I-90 Bridge project. The 2023 requests are due by June 2nd. The amended motion to authorize the City Manager to submit the City’s list to SRTC passed unanimously.

In a review of the just ended legislative session, Briahna Murray, the City’s Olympia lobbyist, and Virginia Cough, the City’s Legislative Affairs coordinator, reported on how the City fared in the session. Greenacres Park scored $1.5 million for various improvements, the Performing Arts Center received just over $3 million, $5.8 million was allocated to Avista Stadium plus an additional $543,000 repurposed from the discontinued Expo Center. The South Barker Corridor received a FMSIB (Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board) grant. Modifications to state laws that seriously affected public safety were modified but not fully returned to levels prior to COVID.
 
Patrick Roewe, Spokane County Library District Executive Director presented an update on the status of the Library being built in Balfour Park. It is a $15 million project funded by a $9 million loan from a Washington State agency, other library improvement funds, and contributions of nearly $1 million from the City. A public opening and ribbon cutting are scheduled for June 17th at 9:30am.
 
In a briefing on the City’s updating of its homeless plan, a discussion on the current draft’s three primary goals:
Preventing homelessness. Adopting a pro-active approach focusing on self-sufficiency and stabilization.
Reducing Homelessness. Transitioning from homelessness to stable housing with interventions where necessary at all stages.
Improved Quality of Life. The objective is to work toward eliminating substance abuse and improving mental health, together with improved physical health thus reducing the negative impacts of homelessness to themselves as well as the surrounding community.
 
The City’s draft plan continues as a work in progress effort both within the City and as a participant monitoring and attending regional homeless meetings.
The City’s diverse system of parks and trails requires constant maintenance and attention. The contract for those services since 2005 has been held by Senske Services. The contract is up for renewal and the City is examining its options on how best to continue maintaining its parks and trails in good working condition.
 
City Council meetings are held in the Great Room at CenterPlace until further notice. City Hall, however, is open for business during normal business hours. The Public is invited to Council meetings to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions. Council meetings are broadcast on Comcast channel 14.

May 16, 2023

 

 
This meeting of the Spokane Valley City Council was in a Study Session format; however, two action items led off the agenda. The first deals with a persistent problem: nuisance properties.
 
With the rise in homelessness and drug use, Council has been wrestling with the nuisances and criminal (activities?) that accompany those activities (actions?). Existing City Code has proven to be inadequate to address the problem. With proposed Ordinance 23-010, Council is taking action to strengthen the City’s ability to address and deal with chronic nuisances. That constantly recurring problem has led to the changes introduced in Ordinance 23-010.
The ordinance’s tiered approach allows the City to focus not only on criminal activity but also on the overall character of the nuisance property and the effect it has on the community. To implement this approach, definitions of ‘nuisance activities’ and ‘chronic nuisance property’ are added to include a broader set of circumstances. These changes add a second, shorter time period for violations and inclusion of general nuisances, not just criminal activity. The tighter limits allow action on abandoned properties where nuisance activities exist under the definition and add a provision exclusively for drug properties with a stricter violation time limit, i.e., two in twelve months.
 
The proposed definition changes also tighten the regulation of criminal activity on nuisance property and redefine criminal activity to allow for speedier addressing of violations. Enforcement is broadened to monitor agreements to abate so that those are more closely supervised and enforced. 
 
A ‘receivership’ program that has been successfully tried in surrounding municipalities is added which allows the City, upon determination by the Superior Court that a property is a chronic nuisance, to close the property, board it up and sell it through receivership so that it can be returned to productive use. This process eliminates the possibility of the property being inundated with squatters and/or eventually returned to the persons responsible for the nuisance situation in the first place. The motion to move Ordinance 23-010 to a second reading passed unanimously.
 
The federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) provides for a wide variety of funding to state and local governments for a broad array of purposes. From that program, the City has received approximately $16 million from the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (CLFR). One of the uses of CLFR funds is to replace the City’s lost revenue from COVID. The City has determined that amount to be $10.8 million. 
 
After several discussions, Council has decided to retain $2 million for potential land acquisition. The remaining allocations of CLFR funds will be made to various eligible entities selected by Council for allocation of the remaining $4 million. Each of the entities applying for CLFR funds made a presentation to Council. The selected applicants are:

Applicant; Requested; Awarded 
Family Promise of Spokane;  $1,095,078 ; $1,095,078
Volunteers of America;  $500,000;  $500,000
Reclaim Project Recovery;  $4,000,000;  $1,460,000
SNAP $2,300,000;  $471,729
Habitat for Humanity;  $1,600,000;  $471,728
TOTAL;  $$9,495,078;  $$3,998,535
 
The motion to approve the amounts awarded above passed unanimously.
 
During the year, it’s not uncommon for Council to address budget amendments to accommodate changes from the initial adopted budget. Overall, the changes to the budget reflect revenue increases in various accounts of $19,375,745 and expenditure increases of $29,131,846. For details in each category, please note there will be a public hearing at CenterPlace on May 23rd. A first reading of Ordinance 23-011 (amending the budget) will immediately follow the public hearing. The second reading will take place the following week on May 30th. Details, which are to voluminous to recite here can be heard at the public hearing.
 
The Washington State Supreme Court in 2021 ruled that the State’s drug possession statute was unconstitutional. That dubious decision has been followed by the state legislature finding neither the means nor fortitude to correct the problem. Thus, the Spokane Valley City Council has determined that within the scope of available law, it will move to clarify and amplify the penalties for possession and dealing of drugs in the City. 
 
A draft ordinance will make the penalty a gross misdemeanor. A gross misdemeanor carries a maximum of 364 days in jail and a fine of up to $5,000. Cities cannot make drug possession a felony. Council reached unanimous consensus to place the draft ordinance on a future agenda for a first reading.
At last week's meeting Council heard the City Manager’s 2024 budget priorities. Council members suggested various additions which have triggered a priority list for individual action and/or inclusion.

The City’s Legislative Manager, Virginia Clough, gave a report on her attendance at Greater Spokane Incorporated’s DC Fly-In on April 25-28. This is an annual visitation which includes various meetings and receptions with Senators Cantwell and Murray, and Representative McMorris-Rodgers as well as selected departmental representatives.
 
The possibility of a regional coalition to address homelessness has been meeting over the past weeks. Mayor Pam Haley and Councilman Tim Hattenberg have been in attendance on behalf of the City. A ‘due diligence’ group has been working to arrive at a “unified comprehensive” approach to dealing with the region’s homeless problem. Its goals are:
What type of entity would be appropriate.
Development of draft authorization documents such as ordinances and/or regulating enabling requirements.
Identifying regional performance goals with associated strategies, timelines, and outcomes.
Framework for participation, coordination, and communication between stakeholders.
Identification of possible funding mechanisms and a system-wide funding plan aligning public, private and other resources to meet the regional performance goals.
Recommendations regarding a centralized homeless management information system.
Development of a comprehensive system of analytics, data assessment and reporting.
 
The Council’s consensus is that the City must be represented at such a gathering, but with both Spokane and Spokane County meeting to consider their strategies, the Valley City Council needs more information before it gets more involved.
 
City Council meetings are held in the Great Room at CenterPlace until further notice. City Hall, however, is open for business during normal business hours. The Public is invited to Council meetings to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions. Council meetings are broadcast on Comcast channel 14.
 

May 6, 2023

 

 
The Spokane Valley City Council opened its meeting with three proclamations. The first was recognition of Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month, the second was Provider Appreciation Day in recognition of childcare providers, and the third directed notice to National Travel and Tourism Week.
At its April 18th meeting, Council heard an administrative report on an expanding problem in the City. State law requires that massage therapists and reflexologists be licensed to perform their respective services. The City has experienced a steady increase in the number of massage parlors identified by law enforcement as employing unlicensed or uncertified service providers. Some of those businesses are also known to have violated laws relating to prostitution and human trafficking. 
 
City Code doesn’t currently provide specific grounds for denying, suspending, or revoking business license registrations nor is it up to date with the City’s Hearing Examiner procedures. Proposed Ordinance 23-008 adds a new section to the City Code to adopt the State law provisions related to the unlicensed practice of professional services. The new ordinance will provide clear bases for denial, suspension or revocation including instances where the license was procured by fraud or is inconsistent with applicable land use regulations. This also includes when law enforcement issues citations related to the business activity or purpose for which the license was issued. All of this is to provide additional tools to protect the health, safety, and welfare of Valley citizens.
The goal is to provide law enforcement and the City another means to ensure the massage businesses are following applicable licensing requirements. Violations are prosecuted by the Spokane County Prosecutor’s office; thus, the City has been working closely with that office. Other changes clarifying the procedure to revoke licenses will further define illegal activities. The motion to move Ordinance 23-008 to a second reading passed unanimously. 
In an accompanying move, Council heard the first reading of Ordinance 23-009 which amends parts of chapter 5.05 of the City’s code, clarifies the procedure to revoke business licenses generally, and will assist in addressing illegal activities at massage businesses. The motion to move Ordinance 23-009 to a second reading passed unanimously.
 
On January 24th, 2023, the City contracted with Cameron Reilly, LLC for construction of its Balfour Park expansion. Phase 1 of that contract covers the main park excavation and grading, water, electric and sewer utilities pathways, and lighting. Phase 2 of the project includes an events plaza, playground, splash pad, picnic shelter, sports courts, veterans’ memorial, amphitheater, and a walking/interpretive trail.
 
Construction began on April 3rd and Cameron Reilly is progressing with the planned demolition, excavation, and underground utility installation. However, as construction moves ahead, additional ideas and considerations have come to the City’s attention. 
Cameras for the security of the park facilities are recommended. Additional connections and wiring are necessary to accommodate the setup. Estimated cost is $90,000.
The RAVE Foundation, a charitable arm of the Seattle Sounders, wants to donate assistance for a soccer ‘Mini-pitch” court. This proposal came after the initial plans for the park. The cost to the City would be approximately $21,000. RAVE would do the court upkeep and supply soccer balls.
The recently acquired Leather Gallery building adjacent to the park requires upgrading in the form of removing bushes, trees, a shed, and other improvements to provide a seamless connection to the park. Estimated cost: $41,000.
The Daughters of the American Revolution (DSAR) volunteered to assist with input in the design and construction of the Veterans’ Memorial. They would like to provide a plaque in remembrance of those who died in our country’s past conflicts. Estimated cost: $2,100.
 
The City received a legislative grant of $201,143 to apply to the Veterans’ Memorial. Using that money, the cost of the change order ($170,000) to perform the outlined changes and other ancillary costs can be met. The motion to approve the allocation of the state grant and the change order required to implement the changes passed 6-1.
 
Council’s action taken on the Cameron Reilly contract necessitates a change order in the City’s design contract with AHBL, the project designer. That change is for an additional $25,141.95. The motion to approve the amendment passed 6-1.
 
The Spokane Valley Parks Department has a diverse set of programs, events, equipment, and staff for City residents’ use. However, the larger City of Spokane Parks Department offers additional programs such as guided hikes and therapeutic recreation classes which are not currently provided in the Valley but would benefit Valley residents. With this idea in mind, an interlocal agreement with the City of Spokane’s parks department which provides for offering recreational program classes and programs has been negotiated between the two parks departments. Motion to approve the interlocal agreement between the parks’ departments passed unanimously.
 
The City contracts with Spokane County for its Emergency Management Services. Those services administer and coordinate the region’s and City’s emergency management programs in the event of catastrophic events. Under state law, each political subdivision must establish or be a member of a joint local organization for emergency management and prepare and submit an emergency plan, including a communications plan. The City’s current agreement with the County is for a three-year term with one three-year renewal together with other administrative terms. Staff have indicated satisfaction with the services provided, and since the renewal deadline is May 15th, recommends renewal for a second three-year period. The motion to authorize the City Manager to sign the renewal letter passed unanimously.
 
The City participates in an interlocal agreement with Spokane County for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds distributed by the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The agreement runs in three-year increments with 2023 being the final year of the current agreement. This being the final year of the agreement, the City must decide if it wishes to continue as part of the consortium or go its own way. The date for final notification to the County is June 12. 
 
The City’s 2023 HUD distribution is $605,710. Per the interlocal agreement, the County takes a 20% administrative fee, leaving $484,568 for the City’s set-aside. Since 2003, the City has received an average of $593,306 per year after the final distribution of CDBG funds is made. The discrepancy lies with how the funds are allocated by the HCDAC (Housing and Community Development Advisory Committee).
 
If the City were to remove itself from the County consortium, it does not appear that the City could perform the administrative duties associated with a direct payment from HUD for less than the 20% administrative fee the County charges. Other considerations enter into the discussion which render a decision by June 12th improbable, so the City will likely sign on for another three-year membership in the consortium.
 
City Manager John Hohman presented the Council Budget Goal Priorities for 2024. This is the first step in formulating the 2024 City Budget. Police and Public Safety head the list of concerns followed by Economic Development, Housing and Homelessness, Community Development, Facilities, and Legislative Engagement, among others. At its June Budget Workshop on June 13th Council will spend most of its day considering and discussing those priorities. That meeting will begin at 8:30 AM at CenterPlace. It is open to the public.
 
City Council meetings are held in the Great Room at CenterPlace until further notice. City Hall, however, is open for business during normal business hours. The Public is invited to Council meetings to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions. Council meetings are broadcast on Comcast channel 14.
 

May 2, 2023

 

 

This Study Session of the Spokane Valley City Council opened with a proclamation recognizing May as “Older Americans’ Month.” This was followed by a series of action items starting with approval of change orders on the Barker/BNSF Rail Crossing Project. The Barker Road/BNSF Rail Crossing project was awarded to the Max J. Kuney Company (Kuney) for construction on January 28, 2021, by the
Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), the project manager. 

The City and WSDOT coordinate on all change orders for the project with Kuney regardless of the amount. To date the total of those change orders number 37 with a cumulative total of $13,296,282.74 for the entire project which is 14.26% over the original contract of $11,637,134.

The Contractor’s successful low bid was $2,000,000 below the next lowest bidder. That bid must be accepted under the rules for selecting the successful bidder. However, a low bid can often be enhanced by the change order process and the project cannot move forward without approval of the change orders. The motion to approve Change Orders #57 ($1,370.00) and #24 ($6,219.77) was approved unanimously.

The original agreement for management of the project between the City and WSDOT called for contractual payments to be made by the City as the recipient of grant funds. However, the unanticipated length of the contract has, for expediency, compelled the transfer of grant funds to WSDOT who then pay the bills. Any outside expenses incurred by the City will be reimbursed by WSDOT. That move has necessitated an amendment to the interlocal agreement with WSDOT. The motion to approve the amendment passed unanimously.
The City’s Park Road Sidewalk Project, Nora to Baldwin, will install new sidewalk along the west side of Park Road, upgrade curb ramps to current ADA standards, provide stormwater conveyance and treatment facilities and install intelligent transportation services (conduit and junction boxes for future connectivity of the signal system to the city network). The Engineer’s Estimate for construction was $609,682. The low bid by Red Diamond Construction, Inc. was $513,820.50, approximately 16% lower than the Engineer’s estimate. The motion to award the contract to Red Diamond Construction, Inc. passed unanimously.

The Spokane Housing Authority (SRA), comprised of six commissioners, is established by state law to “….help people with low incomes get access to safe, healthy, affordable homes so that they live better, healthier and more satisfying lives.” Recently, the City’s representative on the SRA resigned. The position is appointed by the Mayor with Council approval. Mayor Haley appointed Jacqueline Babol to fulfill the unexpired term which runs from now to December 6, 2027. The motion to approve Ms. Babol passed unanimously.

On September 20th, 2022, Spokane Valley City Council adopted Ordinance 22-016, establishing a Spokane Valley Tourism Promotion Area (TPA). Pursuant to the TPA, the Spokane Valley Hotel Commission (Commission) was formed. The Commission has developed and sent out requests for qualifications (RFQ) to develop a five-year destination marketing plan with an 18-month marketing service plan.
After interviewing qualified candidates, the Commission recommended 116 & West as the most qualified. The five-year marketing plan will identify strategies, tactics, and costs for the initial 18-month service plan for Council approval. The campaign will feature paid digital advertising reaching the Seattle region, western Montana, and Canada focusing on the City’s newly developed tourism website. The motion to select 116 & West as the consultant for the City’s five-year Destination Marketing Plan was passed unanimously.

The Spokane Valley Parks Department has a diverse set of programs, events, equipment, and staff for City residents’ use. However, the larger City of Spokane offers additional programs such as guided hikes and therapeutic recreation classes which are not currently provided in the Valley but would benefit Valley residents. With this idea in mind a plan for an interlocal agreement with the City of Spokane’s parks department which would provide for revenue sharing and collection is being considered. Offerings such as Wildflower Walks (with transportation); James T. Slavin Conservation Area; McKenzie Conservation Area; Canfield Gulch with transportation; TRS Biking Program, and TRS Paint & Taste, have been identified for partnership. Council reached consensus to place the item on the May 9th agenda for motion consideration.

The RAVE Foundation is the charitable arm of the Seattle Sounders professional soccer team. Its mission is to build small fields (soccer mini pitch) for free play that use soccer as a vehicle to inspire youth and encourage younger citizens to participate in soccer. Thus far, RAVE has built 13 fields with plans for seven more. RAVE would like to partner with the City to build a mini pitch field in the Balfour Park expansion project at minimal cost to the City (estimated $11,500). RAVE, after donating the field, would provide free soccer balls, replacement nets, curriculum materials, educator training, and special events to assist the community. Council reached consensus to pursue the donation opportunity and have Public Works bring back details about how the field would work into current development plans. 

In 2012, the City entered an interlocal agreement with the County to provide Emergency Management Services. Those services include administration and coordination of emergency programs to preserve life in the event of a catastrophic event. On May 11, 2021, a new interlocal agreement updating the terms of service, participation, program administration, and optional services was adopted. The revised agreement includes a three-year term with one three-year renewal. 
The agreement ended on December 31, 2022, but by mutual agreement was extended until May 15th. After review and negotiation, staff are satisfied that services are being sufficiently provided. Further, the City does not currently have the staff or resources to provide these services in-house. Council reached consensus to place this item on next week’s agenda.

Council meets at CenterPlace each Tuesday further notice. City Hall is otherwise open for business during normal business hours. The Public is invited to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions. Council meeting are broadcast on Comcast channel 14.

April 25, 2023

 

 

With a proclamation designating April 28th as Arbor Day and recognizing that Spokane Valley is now a Tree City, this Formal Meeting of the Spokane Valley City Council commenced.

There were no action items except the Consent Agenda, where the City’s bills are paid and other administrative items are addressed, the main agenda contained only Administrative Reports. The first of those was a report on local access street preservation projects scheduled for construction in 2023.

Earlier this year, Inland Asphalt was awarded a $1.5 million contract for maintenance and repair of local access streets. Among the projects was the Hillview Estates project which included replacement of pavement, stormwater improvements and ADA required additions.

Summerfield Estates is a project carried over from 2022. This project also replaces pavement and adds ADA improvements at an estimated cost of $1.8 million. The anticipated bid award date will be made in May.

Included in the plan is a forward-looking test of road surfacing methods ($250,000 budget) using three types of sealing techniques to ascertain the most cost-effective method.

On July 24th, 2015, the City received the Painted Hills Planned Residential Development (PRD) application. Since that time, staff has updated Council four times on the progress of that application. Currently, the project is in the final stages of completing the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process. Additional documentation for processing has been requested and within the next few months, a public hearing is expected to occur before the Hearing Examiner. However, that public hearing will not be scheduled until after the issuance of the final EIS and the close of the appeal period of the final EIS. It should be clearly understood that the City’s Hearing Examiner has the sole decision-making authority over this project.

The US Department of Energy (DOE) has its Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program to assist states, local governments, and tribes in planning and implementing programs and policies to reduce energy use, reduce fossil fuel emissions, and improve energy efficiency. There are three pathways for local governments to access funding: formula grants, applications through the state, or a competitive grant through the DOE.

A review of the program’s guidelines and funding uses has indicated several types of projects and programs that the City might use. These include streetlights, traffic signal interconnection and coordination, or building energy audits. After submission of its Pre- Award Information Sheet to DOE, staff will identify and develop likely projects for submittal in its Project Application. Consensus was unanimous to pursue the allocated funds from the EECBG program.

With the rise in homelessness and drug use, Council has been wrestling with the nuisances and criminal activity that accompany those activities. The City Code has proven to be inadequate to address the problem. Council has voiced a desire to beef up the City’s ability to address and deal with chronic nuisances. That desire has led to changes that if/when implemented offer solutions.

A tiered approach allows the City to focus not only on criminal activity but also on the overall character of the nuisance property and the effect it has on the community. To implement this approach, definitions of ‘nuisance activities’ and ‘chronic nuisance property’ would be added to include a broader set of circumstances. These changes would add a second shorter time period for violations and inclusion of general nuisances, not just criminal activity, abandoned properties where nuisance activities exist under the definition, and adding a provision exclusively for drug properties with a stricter violation time limit, i.e., two in twelve months.

Proposed definition changes would tighten the regulation of criminal activity on nuisance property and redefine criminal activity to allow for more speedy addressment of violations. Enforcement would be broadened to monitor agreements to abate so that abatement agreements are enforced.

A ‘receivership’ program is being considered which would allow the City, upon determination by the Superior Court that a property is a chronic nuisance, to close the property, board it up, and sell it through receivership so that it can be returned to productive use. This process eliminates the possibility of the property being inundated with squatters and/or eventually returned to the persons responsible for the nuisance situation in the first place. Consensus to bring the proposed code amendments forward for a first reading was unanimous.

City Hall is open for business during normal business hours. City Council meetings are held in the Great Room at CenterPlace until further notice. The Public is invited to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509- 720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions. Council meetings are broadcast on Comcast channel 14.

 

 

April 18, 2023

 

 

The movement of City Council meetings to CenterPlace has created some minor administrative problems. Pursuant to state law, the City is required to identify and fix the date, time, and location of its regular meetings. Historically, that information has been included in the Council’s Governance Manual. The current situation necessitates that the Governance Manual be amended, at least temporarily, to reflect that Council meetings are held at CenterPlace on Tuesdays beginning at 6:00 PM. Unless that change in location is formally made, each meeting must be noticed as a ‘Special Meeting’ to comply with legal noticing regulations. A motion to adopt Resolution 23-006 to temporarily relocate regular Council meetings at CenterPlace Regional Event Center, 2426 N. Discovery Place, Spokane Valley Washington passed unanimously.

In November 2022, the City renewed its interlocal agreement (ILA) with Spokane County to continue providing law enforcement services through December 31, 2027. During those discussions, the City voiced a desire for a staffing assessment to assist the City Council in identifying appropriate levels of staffing and service.

Pursuant to the ILA, there are 91 dedicated Spokane Valley Officers and 37 investigative officers shared between Spokane Valley and Spokane County. In late 2022, Matrix Consulting Group Ltd (Matrix) was retained to evaluate the increase in police service calls in order to assess the need for service levels that best serve the City. That assessment includes evaluation of best practices and innovative service delivery strategies. The cost of that study is budgeted at $85,000.

The objectives of the study are:

• An analysis of police workloads and service levels.

• A comparison of police services in Spokane Valley to best practices and service of other agencies in Washington.

• An evaluation of staffing levels and operations.

• An evaluation of opportunities to improve the ef-ficiency and effectiveness of the City’s police services.

Matrix expects to complete that study by the end of May. This presentation is an update on the current status of the evaluation.

State law requires that massage therapists and reflexologists be licensed to perform their respective services. The City has experienced a steady increase in the number of massage parlors identified by law enforcement as employing unlicensed or uncertified service providers. Some of those businesses are known to have violated laws relating to prostitution and human trafficking.

The City proposes adding a new section to the City Code to adopt the State law provisions related to the unlicensed practice of professional services. The goal would be to provide law enforcement and the City another tool to ensure the massage businesses are following applicable licensing requirements. Violations are prosecuted by the Spokane County Prosecutor’s office; thus, the City has been working closely with that office. Other changes to clarify the procedure to revoke licenses will assist in addressing illegal activities. Consensus to proceed to a first reading was unanimous.

Additional City Code amendments to strengthen enforcement of its other licensing requirements also received unanimous consensus for Council action.

Each year the City prepares its annual budget beginning with the first of eight separate occasions on June 13th and ending with adoption of the finalized budget on November 7th. As part of that process, Council discusses the Potential and Pending Projects worksheet, prioritizing how money in its Capital Reserve Fund 312 is to be allocated.

The new source of revenue to Fund 312 is available from the excess above the 50% reserve kept in the general fund for year 2021. The two-year interval is to allow for all accounts from that year (2021) to clear, ensuring that the money is not encumbered by late arriving expenses.

The breakdown of funds is:

Transfer from the general fund of 2021 funds: $5,358,054

Less: 2023 Allocations and adjustments: ($1,000,000)

Add: Adjustments from other capital projects: $39,631

Total allocations and adjustments: $960,369

Remaining to be allocated: $4,397,685

Identified potential uses for the funds are $500,000 for matching funds applicable to a grant for Greenacres Park improvements, City Hall repairs, and Balfour Property Repairs and Equipment.

On March 28th and 29th, Mayor Pam Haley, Deputy Mayor Rod Higgins, Councilmember Laura Padden, City Manager John Hohman City Engineer Gloria Mantz, Engineering Manager Adam Jackson, and Legislative Policy coordinator Virginia Cough traveled to Washington, D.C. to solicit financial assistance for the Pines Grade Separation Project, Sullivan/Trent Interchange, South Barker Road Corridor Project, and Argonne Bridge Improvements at I-90.

That group, escorted by Sherry Little and Mike Pieper from Cardinal Infrastructure, the City’s federal lobbying firm, conferred with the Federal Railroad Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. In addition, they also met with Senator Patty Murray, representatives from Senator Maria Cantwell’s office, and Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers. Our federal officials were all invited to the April 18th ribbon cutting to open the Barker Grade Separation.

Overall, the trip was a success. Although success is often measured by subsequent events, this trip was especially educational in discovering avenues for dealing with homelessness that were not previously known.

City Hall is open for business during normal business hours. City Council meetings are held in the Great Room at CenterPlace until further notice. The Public is invited to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions. Council meetings are broadcast on Comcast channel 14.

April 11, 2023

 

 

This Special Meeting* of the Spokane Valley City Council at CenterPlace began with the acceptance of the bid for the Sullivan Road Improvement project. That project, which extends from Sprague Avenue south to Eighth Avenue, is funded by grants from several federal and state agencies together with $3.2 million of City funds.

*Meetings not held at City Hall are designated ‘Special’ meetings. 

The engineer’s estimate for the total project cost was $4,437,115. Two bids were received. The lowest bid was from North Fork Enterprises, LLC for $3,820,971.36, approximately 14% less than the engineer’s estimate.
The project calls for reconstruction of the asphalt pavement, improving the intersection at 4th Avenue and Sullivan, extending the concrete of the Sprague intersection, installing of new sidewalk on the west side of Sullivan, upgrading curb ramps to current ADA standards, providing stormwater treatment facilities, and installing intelligent transportation services (ITS) conduit and fiber optic cable for connectivity of the signal system to the city network. The motion to award and execute the contract with North Fork Enterprises, LLC, in the amount of $3,820,971.36 passed unanimously.

The City of Spokane Valley is a member of the Spokane County Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Consortium. Each year the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development provides CDBE funding through Spokane County. By interlocal agreement in 2020, the City increased its participation in the CDBG Consortium through more representative members, its funding set aside, and opportunities for project recommendations that benefit Valley citizens.

This evening’s presentations reviewed proposals for the use of CDBG funds for 2023. Council reviewed applications to provide guidance to the City’s representatives on the Spokane County Housing and Community Development Advisory Committee (HCDAC). Currently, those representatives are Councilman Arne Woodard, Housing and Homeless Coordinator Eric Robison, Tom Hormel, and Amanda Tainio.
The federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) provides for a wide variety of funding for a broad array of purposes to state and local governments. From that program, the City has received approximately $16 million from the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (CLFR). One of the uses of CLFR funds is to replace lost revenue from covid. The City has determined that amount to be $10.8 million. 
After several discussions, Council has narrowed the remaining allocations of CLFR funds to retaining $2 million for potential land acquisition. The city has requested proposals from the various eligible entities around the city for allocation of the remaining $4 million. Each of the entities applying for CLFR funds made a presentation to Council. The applicants are: (see below chart)
After the presentations, each council member will be provided with a ranking sheet to complete. Results will be compiled for consideration of their awarding funding. The awards will be announced at a future Council meeting.

City Hall is open for business during normal business hours. City Council meetings are held in the Great Room at CenterPlace until further notice. The Public is invited to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions. Council meetings are broadcast on Comcast channel 14

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April 4, 2023

 

 

Starting with the (April 4th) meeting, Spokane Valley City Council has relocated to CenterPlace Regional Event Center (2426 N. Discovery Place, Spokane Valley) to accommodate repair and construction work on Council Chambers at City Hall. Contractors anticipate that work and resultant impacts to Council Chambers may last through year end.

Options for citizens to attend and participate in public meetings will remain the same, only the venue will change. In-person meetings will take place in the Great Room at CenterPlace, located at 2426 North Discovery Place in Spokane Valley. Remote participation is available through Zoom, and council meetings will be livestreamed and archived on the City SVTV WebChannel and aired live on Xfinity cable channel 14. More information and links to Zoom and viewing options are available at www.SpokaneValley.org/SVTV.

This Study Session commenced with a motion to approve Resolution 23-005, business continuing from Council’s March 23rd meeting. The Oaks Education Association has requested the vacation of 6,970 square feet of public right-of-way in the alignment for Glenview Circle located south of and adjacent to 22nd Avenue. The proposed vacation is approximately 315 feet east of Sunview Circle. This leg of Glenview remains unbuilt and does not extend further south. No utilities are located within the vacated right-of-way. The right-of-way is adjacent to two properties, both of which are owned by the Oaks Education Association. The motion to approve Resolution 23-005 setting April 27th as the date for the public hearing before the Planning Commission was unanimous.

On September 20th, 2022, Spokane Valley City Council adopted Ordinance 22-016, establishing a Spokane Valley Tourism Promotion Area (TPA).

Prior to that, on October 26th, 2020, Council approved Resolution No. 21-008 which served as a formal notice of the City’s withdrawal from its participation in Spokane County’s Regional Tourism Promotion Area (TPA) effective December 31, 2022.

With the withdrawal from the County’s TPA, on September 20th, 2022, Council adopted Ordinance 22-016 establishing a citywide TPA which became effective January 1, 2023. The City received authorization for the TPA to collect lodging charges to be used exclusively for tourism promotion. On that same date, the Spokane Valley Hotel Commission (Commission) was established.

On January 30th, 2023, the Commission held its first meeting, electing Grant Guinn as its Chair. It proceeded to purchase the VisitSpokaneValley.com domain for $10,000 along with seven other “Valley” specific domains that Visit Spokane owned. Requests for proposals have been sent out to develop a spring digital marketing campaign that will begin later this month and continue for 6-8 weeks. The campaign will use video streaming in the Seattle region, western Montana, and north into Canada. The goal is to promote the City as a great location to come, stay for a weekend, and enjoy all the City’s attractions.

The City’s Parks and Recreation Department presented an update on its 2023 recreation program offerings. The spring and summer seasons offer numerous programs and events to create affordable activities for youth and adults. Here’s a brief list of those programs:

• Arbor Day Celebration, Friday, April 28th, 10am- 2pm, CenterPlace West Lawn Plaza.

• Healthy Kids Day, Friday, June 9th, 5:30-7:30pm, Valley YMCA.

• Summer Park & Meal Program, June 20-August 10, Edgecliff, 11;00-11:30; Terrace View, 11:15-11:45; Valley Mission, 11:30-12:00.

• Summer Day Camp, June 20-August 25, Ages 6-12, Weekly Field trips, Registration begins April 3rd.

• Outdoor Movies at Mirabeau Meadows, Friday July 28th, Friday, August 11th; movies begin at sunset.

• Youth Sports; soccer, basketball, tennis volleyball, baseball, flag football, track & field, cheering.

• Sand Volleyball at Brown’s Park

• Western Dance, at Sullivan Park, 66th Annual Summer Square Dance Festival & Salmon BBQ, August 25-28.

• Radio Controlled Car Club of Spokane (RCCS). Located at Sullivan Park. Open to the public.

This is only a partial list of activities and events. Aquatics listings and events will be presented in May. For complete information please call 509-720-5200 or visit www.spokanevalley.org.

City Hall is open for business during normal business hours. City Council meetings are held in the Great Room at CenterPlace until further notice. The Public is invited to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509- 720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions. Council meeting are broadcast on Comcast channel 14.

 

March 21, 2023

 


Hope Week: Philippine Embassy Outreach Days; National Public Health Week; and Spokane Valley’s 20th Anniversary were all proclamations read this evening celebrating events taking place in this time frame to open this week’s Spokane Valley City Council Meeting.
 
City Code currently provides for a process for selection of the five members of the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) but does not contain a process for selecting alternates in case the appointed committee person is unable to attend the lodging tax allocation meeting. Amendments in Ordinance No. 23-007 provide for selection of two alternates: one representing a recipient of the collected tax, and one representing businesses collecting the tax. Those selections would occur at the same time the regular committee members are selected.
 
Another change clarifies that a quorum consists of at least three members including at least one tax fund recipient, one hotelier, and the identified City Council member. The motion to waive the rules and adopt Ordinance No. 23-007 passed 6-1.
 
The City advertised a request for bids for its Storm Drain Cleaning contract on February 23rd. Three bids were received with Badger Daylighting Corp’s bid of $232,670.50 being the lowest. Badger is a nationwide company with a branch office in Airway Heights. The contract may be extended up to three additional years by mutual agreement with escalation limited to the Consumer Price Index percentage change. Motion to award the 2023 Storm Drain Cleaning Service contract to Badger Daylighting Corp in an amount not to exceed $232,670.50 passed unanimously.
 
In 2022, the State announced successful settlement with several opioid distributors for approximately $518 million. Approximately half of that amount was set aside for local governments. Under that agreement, the City is scheduled to receive $147,000 (Settlement I) over 17 years. That will, of course, be minus deductions for attorneys’ fees and settlement expenses. The actual amount the City will receive is estimated to be $5,000-$7,000.
 
A second settlement (Settlement II) will result in an additional $217 million to local governments for ‘abatement of opioid related problems’. The same annual amount as Settlement I is expected. In order to participate, separate forms must be submitted for each settling company by April 31st. Because of the small amounts each city will receive, discussions are taking place to pool the funds for regional substance abuse use. The motion to approve participation in Settlement II and authorize the City Manager to execute the participation forms passed 6-1.
 
As part of the City’s ongoing discussions regarding its homelessness response, the City has had a variety of discussions with the City of Spokane and Spokane County regarding a regional approach to addressing the problem. A work group consisting of two elected officials, a senior administrative staff member, and a subject-matter expert from each entity has been identified. Mayor Haley has appointed herself and Councilman Tim Hattenburg as the City’s elected representatives and Deputy City Manager Eric Lamb and Homeless Coordinator Eric Robison as staff representatives. The motion to approve the Mayoral appointments passed unanimously.
 
The Spokane Transit Authority (STA) presented its two phase plan for its Connect 2035 strategic roadmap and strategies for bus, paratransit, and rideshare service through 2035. Phase I reviews regional and national conditions and trends influencing STA’s future actions. Phase II will kick off this summer and focus on evaluating services, projects and actions for implementation in the 10-year horizon.
 
The Oaks Education Association has requested the vacation of 6,970 square feet of public right-of-way in the alignment for Glenview Circle located south of and adjacent to 22nd Avenue. The proposed vacation is approximately 315 feet east of Sunview Circle. This leg of Glenview remains unbuilt and does not extend further south. No utilities are located within the vacated right-of-way. The right-of-way is adjacent to two properties, both of which are owned by the Oaks Education Association. Consensus to advance Resolution 23-005 to the April 4, 2023, Council meeting to set the public hearing date for the Planning Commission to consider the request was unanimous.
 
In 2012, the City entered an interlocal agreement with the County to provide Emergency Management Services. Those services include administration and coordination of emergency programs to preserve life in the event of a catastrophic event. On May 11, 2021, a new interlocal agreement updating the terms of service, participation, program administration, and optional services was adopted. The revised agreement includes a three-year term with one three-year renewal. The agreement ends on December 31, 2023, unless it is renewed. Notice must be given by March 30, 2023, to add an additional 3-year term. Discussions resolving outstanding reconciliations and other determinations are moving toward finalization. Both parties have agreed to a 45-day extension of the notice period. 
 
Since its inception in 2003, the City has provided partial funding for local economic development and social service agencies. The total amount of the City allocation is $182,000, divided between the two categories. Covid and inflation have expanded the need for more money. Too, consideration has been given to dividing the funds into separate categories between economic development and social services for more directed use of the available funds. The questions before Council were:
To split the funding into economic development and social services or not. Council reached consensus to divide the money equally.
If the categories remain the same, is $182,000 adequate for our needs. Council reached consensus to increase the funding to $200,000 in the 2024 budget.
 
As most are aware, City Hall has been undergoing work to repair problems in the construction of the building. That work is moving to council chambers which will require that Council meetings be moved to CenterPlace starting with the April 4th meeting at 6:00pm. All other city hall functions will remain the same. 
 
Special note: The March 28th Council meeting is cancelled. As noted above, the next Council meeting will take place at CenterPlace on April 4th.
City Hall is otherwise open for business during normal business hours. The Public is invited to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions. Council meeting are broadcast on Comcast channel 14.
 

March 14, 2023

 


This Spokane Valley City Council meeting agenda was shortened in anticipation of two members being called away on administrative business. However, that trip didn’t materialize. The resulting agenda contained just a few action items.
 
The first item was an item from last week’s meeting: Recent state law requires government agencies to “…procure more compost product and finished products made from organic wastes.” Under that law, the City is required to adopt a compost procurement ordinance to implement the state law not only in acquiring compost but in using it to the maximum extent possible. A motion to waive the rules and adopt Ordinance 23-006 which provides for accomplishing to the extent possible, the City’s acquisition and use of compost passed unanimously.
 
As the work to complete the BNSF/Trent Avenue Rail Crossing nears completion, the final details of the project are being wrapped up. After the Barker overpass is open to traffic, the contractor will proceed with permanently closing Flora Road from Garland Avenue to Trent Avenue as required by BNSF and the terms of the Federal Grant. A resolution is required to legally close that portion of Flora Road to public use. Resolution 23-004 fulfills that requirement. The motion to adopt Resolution 23-004 passed unanimously.
 
Attention is now focusing on funding for the Sullivan/Trent Interchange with Council’s approving an application for a $10 million Federal Local Bridge Program (FLBP) grant in February. In preparing that grant application, staff has been advised by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) that the funding request should be increased to $13,851,343 to accommodate a change in grant limits to a maximum award of $25 million. 
The construction cost to replace the bridge over Trent is higher than anticipated and falls within the grant criteria. Because this grant program has no match requirement, the increase in the requested amount will not increase the City’s financial exposure. The motion to authorize the City Manager to apply for the increased amount passed unanimously.
 
The Spokane Regional Transportation Council (SRTC), on February10th, issued a call for projects. The funds are limited to highway preservation treatments only, which include grind/overlay or surface treatment projects such as chip seals or slurry seals. Project awards are capped at $1.5 million, and each applicant agency is capped at $3 million. A non-federal match of 13.5% is required but additional application scoring points can be earned with a higher match.
 
The City, with Council consensus, will apply for the following projects in the order of ranking:
Project Name;   Rank;   Requested Funds; City Funds;    Eligible Project Cost
Sullivan Road (River to Euclid);  1;  $1.5 million; $1.7 million; $3.2 million
Fancher Road (Sprague-Trent);  2 ; $1.5 Million; $  .6 million; $2.1 million
Fancher Road (Sprague-Broadway); 3; $1.5 million; $  .55 million; $2.05 million
Sprague @ Hwy 27 (Bowdish to McDonald); 3; $1.5 million; $1.6 million; $3.1 million
 
In a prior staff report, three projects were recommended. Since then, a review has suggested a more competitive presentation would be to split the Fancher Road project into separate projects. The motion to authorize the City Manager to apply for the SRTC Preservation call for projects listed above passed unanimously.
 
City Hall is open for business during normal business hours. The Public is invited to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions. Council meeting are broadcast on Comcast channel 14.
 

March 7, 2023

 


With March entering lion-like, Spokane Valley City Council’s first meeting of the month opened with action on a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Spokane County Library District (SCLD).
In 2012 the SCLD and the City of Spokane Valley entered into an interlocal agreement with the intent that SCLD would construct a new central library facility. Pursuant to that agreement, the City sold a total of 2.72 acres to SCLD upon which to build its new facility. After two failed attempts to pass a bond issue for construction funds, SCLD in 2021 determined it could arrange financing through the state for its new facility.

As part of the original agreement in 2012, the City is required to contribute $1.3 million toward site improvements to the Library Project. The City had previously paid $254,024 in 2021 for frontage improvements. SCLD has now constructed improvements that qualify for an additional $799,093. Approval of this agreement would authorize the City manager to reimburse SCLD for those costs by April 1, 2023, leaving a balance of $246,883 of the originally agreed $1.3 million.

Staff expects the remaining funds to be applied to landscaping, trees, irrigation, and other part projects complimenting the library. The City and SCLD will negotiate a separate joint use agreement relating to allocation of operation and maintenance expenditures for these joint use facilities. Motion to approve the memorandum of understanding between the parties passed unanimously.

On May 31st of last year, Council allocated $79,000 of ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds to the Valley Police Department to acquire a camera trailer. The trailer has a tall pole with a camera and blue light mounted to provide intelligence on activities around the area its located in. That camera has proven highly effective in its usage.  

At the same time last year, Council also allocated funds for a sewer project on Buckeye. All of those funds weren’t used, leaving a residual in the amount of $117,850. Staff has requested that this amount be reallocated to our police department to purchase a second camera trailer costing approximately $80,000. The remainder of the money would be used for other law enforcement needs as identified. Motion to approve the re-allocation of the funds for purchase of a second camera and other law enforcement uses of funds passed unanimously.
A late addition to the agenda addressed the City’s purchase of an existing building at 10303 E. Sprague Avenue. The building is a 4800 square foot facility on six tenths of an acre on the north side of Sprague. Specific plans for the building have not been disclosed. The motion to purchase the building for $790,000 passed unanimously.

Spokane Sports is an economic development organization whose mission is to attract and coordinate bringing sports events to the Spokane area. Those on-staff efforts include Sports Development, Marketing & Communication, and Event Logistics, Other essential parts that are contracted out include Game day Management and Contract Services. Beneficiaries of these sporting events are hotel partners, local businesses, regional sports clubs, and other business venues. 

Spokane Valley benefits by being positioned as a recreation destination through marketing campaign focusing on outdoor recreation while advertising the City’s facilities to house and support sporting events.

Recent state law requires government agencies to “…procure more compost product and finished products made from organic wastes.” Under that law, the City is required to adopt a compost procurement ordinance to implement the state law. Consensus was reached to place such an ordinance on a future Council agenda.

In 2022, the State announced successful settlement with several opioid distributors for approximately $518 million. Approximately half of that amount was set aside for local governments. Under that agreement, the City is scheduled to receive $147,000 (Settlement I) over 17 years. That will, of course, be minus deductions for attorneys’ fees and settlement expenses. The actual amount the City will receive is estimated to be $5,000-$7,000.

A second settlement (Settlement II) will result in an additional $217 million to local governments for ‘abatement of opioid related problems’. The same annual amount as Settlement I is expected. In order to participate, separate forms must be submitted for each settling company by April 31st. Because of the small amounts each city will receive, discussions are taking place to pool the funds for regional substance abuse use. Consensus was reached to join in Settlement II.

City Code currently provides for a process for selection of the five members of the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) but does not contain a process for selecting alternates in case the appointed committee person is unable to attend the lodging tax allocation meeting. Proposed amendments would provide for selection of two alternates: one representing a recipient of the tax, and one representing businesses collecting the tax. That selection would occur at the same time the regular committee members are selected.

Another change clarifies that a quorum consists of at least three members with at least one recipient, one hotelier, and the identified City Council member. Consensus was reached to place the changes on a First Reading at a future Council meeting.

City Hall is open for business during normal business hours. The Public is invited to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions. Council meeting are broadcast on Comcast channel 14.

February 28, 2023

 

 

Landlords Letter 
Rod Higgins, Spokane Valley City Council


Throughout history governments have inflated their money supply, be it by clipping coinage (as the Greeks and Romans used to do) or printing worthless paper money (as most governments do today), to generate more money than they could through taxation or borrowing. Inflation is an insidious tax the government uses to fleece its citizens. And, when you look at the Federal Reserve’s “target” inflation, you can’t help but wonder: Why do we need inflation at all?

Generally, inflation is considered to be a rise in the overall price level of goods and services. However, before our government changed its definition, inflation was defined as an increase in the money supply.

Price levels can be manipulated, and in the case of our Consumer Price Index (CPI), is “adjusted” to reflect just about whatever the government wants it to be. The CPI purports to reflect the price level of a basket of consumer goods and services, albeit with important day to day living costs such as food and fuel omitted. The money supply, however, is not so easy to fiddle.

There are several significant flaws with the CPI. First, it assumes that “a rise in the general price level” can be reduced to a single number. But prices don’t increase evenly across the board. Take, for instance, big-ticket items like medical care and housing, which tend to rise more rapidly.

Trying to quantify a general increase in prices as a single number for over 334 million people—as the CPI claims to do—is almost a fool’s errand, unless it can be used for political advantage.

However, be aware that a report of, say, January 2023 price increases of 6.4% means 6.4% above those of January 2022. But 2023’s 6.4% is on top of those of 2022, which is on top of those of 2021, and so on. Therefore, inflation is always far worse than it appears, because it‘s cumulative, not an isolated number. Don’t be lulled into thinking the government has a handle on its problems; far from it.
So, what to do? Become debt free. I know, the general philosophy is go into debt and pay it off with depreciating dollars. Fine, if the government doesn’t change the rules (think FDR and his gold executive order). Lay in stores for at least 3-6 months, have a means to protect yourself, and mentally prepare for some very interesting times.

 

February 21, 2023

 

 

After taking last week off to attend the Association of Washington Cities Legislative Days event where city representatives from across the state travel to Olympia to network and visit their legislators, Council reconvened Tuesday in a Study Session format. Its first order of business was to address a federal funding application.

During the last administration, congressional earmarks (Congressionally Directed Spending Requests) were banned. However, in 2021, they were reinstated. Pursuant to that, our federal congressional delegation, led by Senator Murray, has put out a 2023 call for projects. The City has in the past received: $3 million for South Barker Corridor, 2021; $2.65 million for the Sullivan and Trent Interchange Project, and $5 million for the Pines Rail Crossing Project, 2022.

This year’s request is reflected below.

                            Funding    Secured    Unsecured    Total Project

Rank    Project Name      Requested    Funding      Funding       Cost

  1    Sullivn/Trnt                                             

          Interchange    $3 million      $  6.7 M         $ 35.6 M    $42.29 M

  2    S. Barker           $3 million    $10.3 M         $ 18.3 M    $28.62 M

      Corridor

  3    Argonne I-90    $3 million    $  1.3 M    $ 22.7 M    $24.00 M

       Bridge

The application is due February 28th. Historically, the CDS earmarks have required a 13.5% non-federal match. No change is expected. Motion to authorize the City Manager to submit the above requests passed unanimously.

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) issued a call for projects on February 6th for its Local Bridge Program (FLBP). The purpose of the program is to improve the condition of bridges through replacement, rehabilitation, and preventive maintenance. $150 million is available with a $25 million per project maximum. No local match is required.

City staff has suggested applying for the Sullivan & Trent Interchange Project under the “replacement” category. The project to date has secured approximately $6.6 million in federal grant funds, which will cover engineering and right-of-way acquisition, leaving the construction phase to be funded.

Other grant funding is currently being sought under the WSDOT’s RAISE Program. The City’s RAISE application is for $17.213 million ($40.76% of the estimated project total of $42.625 million). This application is for $10 million (23.68%). The motion to authorize application for the Federal Local Bridge Program grant of $10 million passed unanimously.

Council was updated on the City’s participation in the Centennial Trail. That trail encompasses 40 miles of natural beauty, together with historic and archaeological features along the way, following the Spokane River from the Idaho state line to Nine Mile Falls. The trail’s most urban section is downtown Spokane with continuation both east and west. The eastern branch continues into Idaho for a total of more than 60 miles.

The City is one of five parties (Washington State Parks, City of Spokane, Spokane County, and the City of Liberty Lake comprise the other four) who participate in managing the trail. Spokane Valley’s annual contribution is $20,000. Total contributions are $160,000 to date.

The Spokane Regional Transportation Council (SRTC), on February10th, issued a call for projects. The funds are limited to highway preservation treatments only, which include grind/overlay or surface treatment projects such as chip seals or slurry seals. Project awards are capped at $1.5 million, and each applicant agency is capped at $3 million. A non-federal match of 13.5% is required but additional application scoring points can be earned with a higher match. The City, with Council consensus, will apply for the following projects in the order of ranking: 

Project                    Rank     Requested           City          Eligible

                                  Funds          Funds       Project Cost

Sullivan Road (River to Euclid)               1         $1.5 million       $1.3 million        $2.8 million

Fancher Road (Sprague-Trent)               2         $1.5 Million       $1.5 million        $3.0 million

Sprague @ Hwy 27 (Bowdish to McDonald)  3         $1.5 million       $1.8 million        $3.3 million

Staff presented an overview of the projects scheduled for construction in 2023 and an update on the Pines Road/BNSF Rail Crossing Project. There are in total, 17 projects all with sufficient funds from a mix of different sources including City funds, state grants, and federal grants.

The possibility of a regional coalition to address homelessness has been discussed at some length. A volunteer group has been coordinating those discussions regarding creation of such a group which would consist of elected and volunteer officials from the City of Spokane, Spokane County, and Spokane Valley as well as outside communities. A ‘due diligence’ group is proposed to try to discover a “unified comprehensive” approach to dealing with the region’s homeless problem. The group would be studying:

  • What type of entity would be appropriate.
  • Development of draft authorization documents such as ordinances and/or regulating enabling requirements.
  • Identifying regional performance goals with associated strategies, timelines, and outcomes.
  • Framework for participation, coordination, and communication between stakeholders,
  • Identification of possible funding mechanisms and system-wide funding plan aligning public, private and other resources to meet the regional performance goals.
  • Recommendations regarding a centralized homeless management information system.
  • Development of a comprehensive system of analytics, data assessment and reporting.

Council’s discussion centered on participation in the “due diligence” process and whether to participate in any joint statement coming forth from the group. The consensus was that the City must be represented at such a gathering, but with both Spokane and Spokane County meeting to consider their strategies, the Valley City Council postponed action awaiting further information.

City Hall is open for business during normal business hours. The Public is invited to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions.

 
 

 

February 7, 2023

 
 

This regular meeting of the Spokane Valley City Council, after dispensing with administrative formalities, attended to its business agenda.

A review of past privately initiated site-specific Comprehensive Plan amendments found that two issues needed to be addressed. 1) There are no criteria for privately initiated site-specific Comprehensive Plan land use amendments and 2) A property can be eligible for a site-specific zoning map amendment if it is adjacent to a property zoned the same or higher which includes corner touches or is located across right-of-way.
 
These issues taken together allow for more intense zoning and land use designations to intrude into less intense zones and land use designations. The proposed changes to City Code, incorporated in Ordinance 23-005, identifies additional criteria that shall be considered when reviewing the proposed map amendments. Spokane Valley’s Planning Commission voted to advance the proposed amendment (CTA-2022-0003) with a recommendation to approve. The motion to waive the rules and adopt Ordinance No. 23-005 passed unanimously.
 
The Barker Road/BNSF Rail Crossing project was awarded to the Max J. Kuney Company (Kuney) for construction on January 28, 2021, by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), the project manager. Although the City assembled the funding and remains responsible for accounting for those funds, it has ceded project management to WSDOT for the construction.
 
The City and WSDOT coordinate on all change orders for the project with Kuney regardless of the amount. A cumulative limit of $350,000 in change orders is in place requiring Council approval for anything beyond that amount. To date the total of those change orders number 37 with a cumulative total of $13,293,348.48, which is 14.23% over the original contract.
 
The Contractor’s successful low bid was $2,000,000 below the next lowest bidder. That bid must be accepted under the rules for selecting the successful bidder. However, a low bid can often be enhanced by the change order process and the project cannot move forward without approval of the change orders.
A motion to authorize the City Manager to approve Change Order numbers 27 and 37 with Max J. Kuney Company in the amount of $12,897.11 and $208,953.00 respectively was approved unanimously.
 
The state legislature is once again being hyperactive in the area of intervening in the ability of cities to manage themselves. The latest move is in the form of HB 1110 which states that it “….will increase middle housing in areas traditionally dedicated to single-family detached housing.” While the goal of the bill is to increase density, the bill itself is poorly crafted and the associated impacts on the City are cause for concern.
Highlights of the bill include requirements for the City to:
Authorize development of at least four units per lot on all lots zoned for residential use,
Authorize development of six units per lot in all residential zones if at least two of the units are affordable, and
Authorize six units per lot in all residential zones within one half-mile walking distance of a major transit stop.
Obviously, this bill would preempt a city’s zoning laws rendering a city’s control over its land use uncertain at best. The concern of Valley residents that multi-family housing is overrunning their city will become a reality. If this bill troubles you, contact the legislative hotline to voice your concerns.  support@leg.wa.gov or call 360.786.7573.
 
This year will mark the City’s 20th anniversary. An incorporation celebration is planned for March 31, to kickoff a year-long marketing campaign. A consultant has been retained to coordinate the occasion. The anniversary will also provide an opportunity to implement a refreshed logo, build better brand awareness, and enhance recognition of the state’s 7th largest city.
 
An update on the City’s Homeless Program was presented by Eric Robison, the City’s Homeless Outreach Coordinator. The plan has three goals:
1.  Preventing Homelessness. Targeting those members of the public who are at risk of becoming homeless and focusing on self-sufficiency and stabilization. Prevention is far less expensive than providing shelter beds with accompanying services.
 
2.  Reducing Homelessness. The transition from being homeless to finding stable housing is a process of intervention and finding that suitable housing. Differing and unique strategies are needed for success.
 
3.  Improving Quality of Life. Homelessness affects not only the participants but also the community that surrounds them. Substance abuse, mental and physical health issues, and personal safety are critical issues facing those who are unhoused and, when left unchecked, infects the surrounding community.
 
A draft of the City’s plan has been shared with a wide group of stakeholders including the Chamber of Commerce, housing developers, service providers, Valley residents, schools and other involved/interested citizens.
 
In an item carried over from last week’s Council meeting, the proposed regional coalition to address homelessness and the City’s participation was again discussed. A volunteer group has been coordinating discussions regarding creation of such a group which would consist of elected and volunteer officials from the City of Spokane, Spokane County, and Spokane Valley, as well as outside communities.
 
Two issues were discussed: a) Does the City want to participate in the coalition, and b) whether to participate in the “launch.” The launch is a media conference to announce the program. Some on Council felt that prior to a more detailed definition of the goals and strategies of the group, the media conference is premature. On item b, Council agreed that the City needed to have representation on the committee, but the extent of participation or commitment was not finalized.
 
The meeting concluded with the City Manager’s annual discussion of City accomplishments for the past year. A brief summary of those accomplishments:
Council met 55 times throughout the year passing 23 resolutions and 24 ordinances. 
There were 407 Public Records Requests costing $27,110. 
A second five-year police services contract was researched and renewed.
ARPA and CLFR (Federal funding allocations) were received and partially distributed.
Another state audit was successfully passed.
A new accounting system was purchased.
Numerous capital improvement projects, led by the Barker/BNSF Rail Crossing.
5925 Construction permits issued, valued at $356.4 million.
707 Code Enforcement cases processed.
Parks and Recreation programs back to as normal as can be with staffing challenges.
Police calls needing officer response increased from 28,940 to 29,217.
22 new patrol cars were ordered for 2023 delivery.
Speed patrols increased.
 
Next Tuesday’s Council meeting, February 14th, is canceled. Most Council members will be attending the Legislative Days in Olympia.
City Hall is open for business during normal business hours. The Public is invited to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions.

January 31, 2023

 


This Spokane Valley City Council Study Session began with a list of eight agenda items requiring action. The initial action was on the Second Reading of Ordinance 23-003, an expansion and clarification of the City’s Closed Property Ordinance. The City owns numerous parcels of real property. Although many of those properties are intended for public use, some City properties are not. This Ordinance deals with the City’s ability to keep unwanted occupancy of non-public City property and clarifying the circumstances under which the City can take action to remove unauthorized or unwanted use or residence effectively and efficiently from City property. The motion to adopt Ordinance 23-003 passed unanimously.

A companion resolution, Resolution 23-002, which provides a map of City owned properties closed to public use was adopted unanimously. It will go into effect on February 15th.

The City manages its Stormwater Utility Program pursuant to City Code, the Spokane Regional Stormwater Manual, requirements set forth under the NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System), and the Department of Ecology (DOE) Underground Injection Control Program. DOE serves as the City’s controlling permitting authority which dictates and oversees the City’s compliance with those various permits. 

The City has recently developed a comprehensive stormwater plan to establish goals, strategies, and solutions for compliance with permit requirements, and specific language required by DOE for prevention and elimination of illicit connections or discharges to the City’s stormwater system. Ordinance 23-004, amending the City’s Municipal Code accomplishes that. The motion to suspend the rules and adopt Ordinance No. 23-004 passes unanimously.
The US Department of Transportation (USDOT) issued a call for projects on December 22, 2022, under the RAISE (Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity) grant program. City plans call for applying for A RAISE grant for the Sullivan/Trent Interchange. The Sullivan Road/SR-290 (Trent) Interchange Project connects rural freight traffic with one of the region’s busiest urban corridors. Large employers move their goods and employees via Sullivan Road and Bigelow Gulch within Spokane County. Sullivan Road south of SR 290 is a designated Freight and Goods Transportation System freight corridor carrying over 10 million tons of freight annually. The area along Sullivan Road between I-90 and SR-290 is home to 9,000 jobs, 85% of which are related to freight movement. 

The increase in traffic from Bigelow Gulch, without upgrading the infrastructure, will degrade the level of service to ‘F.’ 

The grant request will be $17,213,169 to complement the possible $10,000,000 from Washington State DOT, $2,552,000 from the National Highway Freight program, $1,367,500 from the Highway Improvement program, and a Federal earmark from the 2023 Congress totaling $33,782,669. That number is a major portion of the estimated total project cost of $42,625,000. The motion to approve applying for the RAISE grant passed unanimously.

In 2021, the City was awarded Federal Highway Bridge Program (FHBP) funds for the Mission over Evergreen Road Bridge Deck Repair. The project will sandblast the bridge deck, apply a primer, and thin polymer overlay. The engineer’s estimate for the project was $216,106. The lowest bid was $349,760. City staff has secured the additional funding from the FHBP staff. The motion to award the Mission Avenue Bridge Deck Repair contract in the amount of $349,760 to NA Degerstrom passed unanimously.

The Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) met on October 20 to review and allocate lodging tax funds collected by hoteliers to benefit attracting tourists to visit and stay in Spokane Valley. One of the grants awarded ($2 million) was to Spokane County for design, construction, and other costs associated with upgrading Avista Stadium in support of the Spokane Indians Baseball Team. The county requested all the funds be available in 2023. A motion to award the funds in 2023 passed unanimously.

The City is continuing to evaluate opportunities for future improvement of tourism. Recently, staff has broadened the tourism evaluation to include Plante’s Ferry Sports Complex in a possible partnership with Spokane County, and an ice facility feasibility study in partnership with Spokane Sports . A consultant, Sports Facilities Company, LLC (SFC), has completed a summary of forecasted revenues, associated costs, and operating expenses pursuant to supporting an indoor ice facility.

In May 2022, Council reached consensus to proceed with the City’s joining with Spokane Arts to coordinate and manage the design and implementation of installing 12 vinyl art wraps on signal boxes in the City. The project is funded by Spokane Teachers Credit Union (STCU). Spokane Arts and STCU have a five-year history of developing and installing art wraps on utility boxes in the region. Installation will begin this spring.

One of the many discussions on the use of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds received from the US Government has centered around using part (approximately $6 million) of those funds for affordable housing/homeless services/land acquisition. This evening’s discussion was to determine if it would be prudent to withhold any portion of the $6 million ($2 million) for potential land acquisitions. Council reached consensus to do so.

The possibility of a regional coalition to address homelessness has recently gained traction. A volunteer group has been coordinating discussions regarding creation of such a group which would consist of elected and volunteer officials from the City of Spokane, Spokane County, and Spokane Valley, as well as outside communities. Two issues were discussed: a) Does the City want to participate in the coalition, and b) whether to participate in the “launch.” The launch is a media conference to announce the program. Some on Council felt that the media conference is premature. There was no clear consensus on participation on either the launch or participation, so the item was deferred until the February 7th meeting.

City Hall is open for business during normal business hours. The Public is invited to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions.
 

January 24, 2023

 


This formal meeting of the Spokane Valley City Council commenced with a list of eight agenda items requiring action. The initial action was on the first reading of Ordinance 23-003, an expansion and clarification of the City’s Closed Property Ordinance. The City owns numerous parcels of real property. Although many of those properties are intended for public use, some City properties are not. The problem lies with the City’s ability to keep unwanted occupancy of non-public City property. This ordinance will clarify the circumstances to remove unauthorized or unwanted use or residence effectively and efficiently on City property. Motion to move Ordinance 23-003 to a second reading passed unanimously.
 
City Hall was completed in September 2017, and since that time significant construction and design defects have been discovered prompting a suit that was filed in Spokane County Superior Court on April 27, 2020, naming the defendants (Meridian Construction, prime contractor, et al) alleged to be responsible for the various defects. Since then, the parties have been engaged in the discovery process, including extensive testing of various systems and areas in the building. 
 
In the meantime, the City has completed some of the necessary repairs i.e., micro piles (concrete pillars) installed along the curved wall on the building’s front to arrest additional settling, fire-stopping in the primary staircases, and extensive repairs on the HVAC system. Missing structural members were also installed.
 
Other necessary repairs will not be completely known until walls and ceilings are further opened. To facilitate the repairs, staff explored the option of using a design-build method of securing a contractor. Design-Build is a delivery process in which both the design and construction of a project are done by a single design-build entity. This avoids the time-consuming process of having to separately design a project then submit that design to the bid process. Time being of the essence, the design-build method was selected.
 
After negotiations, Garco Construction was selected using a time and materials contract to proceed with Phase 1 of remediation. The initial contract amount is $350,000 with a total not to exceed $4 million for additional remediation work. The motion to approve that contract passed unanimously.
That motion was followed by a separate motion to approve selection of CBRE/Heery to be the Project Management/Owner’s Representative for the City Hall Remediation project. That motion passed unanimously.
 
On July 6th, 2021, the City contracted for design services in two phases for its Balfour Park extension. Phase 1 covered the main park infrastructure such as excavation and grading, water, electric and sewer utilities pathways and lighting. Phase 2 of the project would include an events plaza, playground, splash pad, picnic shelter, sports courts, veterans’ memorial, amphitheater, and a walking/interpretive trail. The estimated cost of Phase 1 was $3.1 million but the project was placed on hold when the lowest bid came in at $5.0 million. Inflation, labor shortages, construction cost increases, and bid submission timing all contributed to the problem.
 
The project was submitted for re-design with an eye to significantly cutting the costs. The new base bid estimate is $3,293,218.44. The overall project bid (with amenities) is now $3,810,723.87. This total is below the budgeted funds. Motion to award the Balfour Park Expansion project, with all amenities to Cameron Riley, LLC, the low bidder, was unanimously approved.
 
The multi-purpose building at Balfour Park was originally planned to be site-built but will now be prefabricated and located on site. Council previously approved $950,000 from the City’s capital fund to cover the cost. The alternative would be to have a temporary building that would sit idle awaiting funding and be subject to mischief was not acceptable. The supplier’s quote to deliver and install the building is $850,292. The motion to authorize purchase of the building passed unanimously.
 
The City is currently in the process of implementing a new financial management system. Part of the plan and budget for the software replacement project is to bring in a temporary staff person through the Robert Half temporary employment agency. That person will provide substitute manpower while City employees are trained on the new system. The system, including the temporary substitute, is purchased through an Interlocal Contract for Cooperative Purchasing with the Houston-Galveston Area Council. The motion to approve the interlocal agreement passed unanimously.
 
State law requires that the City’s Solid Waste Management Plan and Moderate-Risk Waste Management Plan be current, reviewed and periodically revised as needed. To accomplish those goals the City, after issuing a Request for Qualifications, chose Great West Engineering as the most qualified. The motion to authorize the City Manager to finalize and execute the agreement with Great West Engineering for updating the City’s Waste Management Plans for a cost not to exceed $269,600 passed unanimously.
 
State law requires that the City’s Solid Waste Management Plan and Moderate-Risk Waste Management Plan be current, reviewed and periodically revised as needed. To accomplish those goals the City, after issuing a Request for Qualifications, chose Great West Engineering as the most qualified. The major tasks associated with the update include:
Project Management 
Project Initiation
Technical Advisory Committee Assistance
Existing Plan and Systems Analysis
Future Needs Assessment
Implementation Activities
Draft Plan Preparation
Final Plan Preparation
 
The plan development will take approximately two years to prepare, including significant public involvement and cooperation with the Department of Ecology.
 
Updates from both the Spokane Valley Police Department and Spokane Valley’s Fire Departments highlighted increased call loads and involvement with homeless. 
 
A review of past privately initiated site-specific Comprehensive Plan amendments found that two issues needed to be addressed. 1) There is no criteria for privately initiated site-specific Comprehensive Plan land use amendments and 2) A property can be eligible for a site-specific zoning map amendment if it is adjacent to a property zoned the same or higher which includes corner touches or is located across right-of-way. These issues taken together allow for more intense zoning and land use designations to intrude into less intense zones and land use designations. The proposed changes to City Code identifies additional criteria that shall be considered when reviewing the proposed map amendments. Spokane Valley’s Planning Commission voted to advance the proposed amendment (CTA-2022-0003) with a recommendation to approve.
 
City Hall is open for business during normal business hours. The Public is invited to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions.
 

January 17, 2023




The Tuesday meeting of the Spokane Valley City Council was in the study session format, although there were three action items on its agenda. The first item was a First Reading of Ordinance 23-001, an application for a street vacation. The application is for vacation of a parcel of right of way located 170 feet south of the intersection of 16th Avenue and University Road. The Planning Commission, after conducting a hearing, voted unanimously to approve the vacation. The motion to waive the rules* and adopt Ordinance 23-001 passed unanimously.
*Waiving the rules refers to a departure from the regular three touch procedure normally followed by Council. This entails adopting the rule in one vote rather than one hearing and two votes. The process is only used on routine items of business.
 
Since 2015, the threshold for city credit limits was $10,000 per card and account. With escalating inflation, that limit has hindered the ability of the City to conduct business. Increasing the codified limit from $10,000 to $25,000 provides adequate safeguards required for normal operations while maintaining adequate internal controls. Ordinance 23-002, in a First Reading of an amendment to City Code, provides the necessary changes. A motion to waive the rules and approve Ordinance 23-002 passed unanimously.
 
The third action item concerns the City’s domain name. Domain names are used to identify entities across the internet. The City of Spokane Valley has, since its inception, used the domain name spokanevalley.org. However, to achieve greater security, top level government organizations use .gov as a suffix. The .gov is more secure and helps make it difficult for malicious actors to co-opt government websites and email communications. Having previously discussed the issue at its last meeting, Council voted unanimously to pursue registration of the City’s new domain name of spokanevalleywa.gov.
A continuing problem confronting the City is how to adequately finance its Pavement Preservation Program (PPP). That program serves two main functions. 1) Preservation: extending the life and preserving the condition of existing paved streets, and 2) Maintenance: the cost of repairs and upkeep of snowplow operations, traffic signals and signs, streetlights, sidewalks, potholes, crack filling and roadside maintenance. 
 
The estimated annual aggregate cost of fully funding PPP is $16 million. The City, through its dedicated sources and grants, covers about half of that. The remaining $8 million is funded either from the City’s general fund, or the program goes unfunded, which means that the level of street condition upon which the City prides itself declines. Staff has crafted a plan using a combination of funding sources to potentially meet the total need. That plan could look
like this:
 
Utility Tax
TBD (Transportation Benefit District): Vehicle License Fee
TBD: Sales and Use Tax
Property Tax Banked Capacity*
Suggestions for a voter-approved revenue package might include:
TBD: Sales and Use Tax
Excess Property Tax*
Levy Lid Lift*
 
*Although a possible option, it is highly unlikely that this method would be used
 
One of the suggestions, a TBD, can be formed for the purpose of acquiring, constructing, improving, providing, and funding transportation improvements within the TBD area. They can be funded by vehicle license fees, sales tax (either voter or non-voter approved depending on size and term), impact fees, bonding, or other voter-approved measures.
 
TBDs can be formed by City Council, after a public hearing or by voter approval, and are separately governed. If formed within the city limits,  the TBD can be governed by the City Council. Depending on the type of TBD formed, other requirements may apply. 
 
The discussions on how to raise the needed funds to keep City roads in good condition continues. The ultimate solution will undoubtedly involve a package of additional taxes, some of which will likely need voter approval.
 
The City owns numerous parcels of real property. Although many of those properties are intended for public use, some City properties are not. The problem lies with the City’s ability to keep unwanted people from occupying non-public City property. This discussion addressed adopting an ordinance to remove unauthorized or unwanted use or residence effectively and efficiently on City property. Consensus was reached to place this item on an upcoming agenda.
 
Council was briefed on the progress of distribution of the $16 million ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) allocation made to Spokane Valley last year.
Obligated or expended funds:
Internal City Costs ($250,000)
Buckeye Sewer Project ($750,000)
Innovia ($1,000,000 for Launch NW)
Spokane Valley Partners ($4,000,000 for real estate purchase)
Law Enforcement ($842, 857 for supplies)
Performing Arts Center ($1,000,000 possible)
Other projects under active consideration:
Affordable Housing ($6,000,000 available)
Homeless Services (Undetermined, awaiting Council ranking)
 
Council reached consensus on ranking criteria for homeless services, and allocation for housing land acquisition.
After its annual refresher training on the Open Public Meetings Act, Council adjourned.
 
City Hall is open for business during normal business hours. The Public is invited to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions.
 

January 11, 2023

 

After opening the Spokane Valley City Council meeting with a Proclamation recognizing January 16th as Martin Luther King Day, Council proceeded to address a series of administrative items left over from last week’s meeting as well as annual councilmember committee assignments.
 
Resolution 23-001 updates and amends the City’s Master Speed Limit Schedule. The City’s Master Speed Limit Schedule was last updated on June 14th, 2022. Since that time, needed changes have been identified for compliance with state law. The opening of the Bigelow Gulch/Sullivan Road addition will change the speed limit to 35 miles per hour (MPH) from Sullivan Road to the north city limit, and from Sullivan Road from Saltese Road to Bigelow Gulch Road. 
 
Two school speed zones of 20 mph have been added: Adams Road from 9th Avenue to 350 feet south of 4th Avenue, and Corbin Road from Appleway Avenue to 300 feet north of Cowley Avenue. The motion to adopt Resolution 23-001 passed unanimously.
 
Property rights necessary to conduct city business such as storm water drainage were not always transferred to the City upon incorporation. Most of that property lies within the County. The City has negotiated with the County to acquire easements to finalize the plan. The agreed price is $252,614 which would be paid from the City’s Storm Utility account. The motion to authorize and approve the finalized Spokane Conservation District drainage easement agreement passed unanimously.
 
In 2021, the City transitioned away from County-provided Geographic Information System (GIS) services electing instead to hire an internal GIS employee. Services formerly provided by interlocal agreement are now performed in-house. However, not all the GIS services provided by the County were able to be transferred to the City. Those services that remained with the County were provided to the City for a nominal fee ranging from $1,000-$1,200 per month. The continuing inclusion of these services under interlocal agreement with the County is recommended. The motion to authorize the City Manager to finalize and execute the amended interlocal Agreement for Data Processing Services passed unanimously.
 
Councilmember committee assignments for 2023 are:
Aging & Long-Term Care of Eastern Washington, Rod Higgins, Arne Woodard, alternate (A)
Valley Chamber of Commerce Board, Laura Padden
Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency, Rod Higgins, Arne Woodard (A)
Continuum of Care for the homeless, Arne Woodard, Brandi Peetz (A)
Finance Committee, Arne Woodard, Rod Higgins, Ben Wick
Growth Management Steering Committee, Rod Higgins, Arne Woodard
Governance Manual Committee, Rod Higgins, Arne Woodard, Brandi Peetz
Human Rights Task Force, Ben Wick, Brandi Peetz (A)
Lodging Tax Advisory Committee, Rod Higgins
Spokane Regional Transportation Council, Pam Haley, Rod Higgins
Spokane Transit Authority, Pam Haley, Tim Hattenburg
Wastewater Policy Advisory Board, Arne Woodard, Brandi Peetz
The motion to approve the Mayor’s Council Committee assignments passed 6-1.
 
Members of the Spokane Valley Planning Commission are appointed by the Mayor with Council Approval. Two members’ appointments expired at the end of 2022. Mayor Haley appointed Daniel Wilson and Valeri Dimitrov to fill the Commission vacancies for terms ending December 31, 2025. Planning Commissioners serve at the pleasure of the Mayor without compensation. The motion to approve the Mayor’s appointments passed unanimously.
 
The Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) is comprised of five members: two representatives of businesses required to collect the tax, two members involved in activities authorized to be funded by the tax, and one City Councilmember who acts as the chair. Two vacancies exist, one from each required category. Mayor Haley appointed Grant Guinn, representing entities which collect the tax, and Kary Gibbs, representing entities involved in activities funded by the tax. Both terms begin immediately and expire on December 31, 2024. Motion to approve the Mayor’s appointments passed unanimously. 
In the fall of 2022, the City received a $3,000 grant funded through the WA State Department of Commerce for community clean-up. The City plans to use the funds for graffiti removal using Revival, a contract right of way maintenance team, SCOPE to maintain a database of graffiti locations, obtain consent from businesses to enter and paint over graffiti, and use supplies purchased by grant funds to eradicate graffiti. The City is using this a pilot program to ascertain the feasibility and costs for a full-time graffiti removal program. That pilot program will commence when the weather warms up.
 
An application for vacation of a parcel of right of way located 170 feet south of the intersection of 16th Avenue and University Road received Council consensus to be place on the January 17th Council Agenda. The Planning Commission had, after conducting a hearing, and deliberating, voted unanimously to approve the vacation. 
 
Domain names are used to identify entities across the internet. The City of Spokane Valley has, since its inception, used the domain name spokanevalley.org. However, to achieve greater security, top level government organizations use .gov as a suffix. The .gov is more secure and helps make it difficult for malicious actors to co-opt government websites and email communications. Therefore, staff asked that a domain change to spokanevalleywa.gov be placed on the next agenda. Consensus to do so was unanimous. 
 
Since 2015, the threshold for credit limits was $10,000 per card and account. With increasing inflation, that limit has hindered the ability of the City to conduct business. Increasing the codified limit from $10,000 to $25,000 provides adequate limits required for normal operations while maintaining adequate internal controls. Council consensus was unanimous to move to a first reading.
 
The County Wastewater Treatment Facility is located just inside the Spokane City limit. It serves 30,009 in Spokane Valley, 15,594 in unincorporated Spokane County, 944 in Liberty Lake, 900 in Millwood, and 24 in the City of Spokane. In 2009, the City of Spokane adopted a 20% utility tax that would apply to any treatment facility in its boundaries. So far it has not attempted to do so. If it did attempt to do so, the revenue generated would be approximately $8 million annually and would raise monthly payments by $12.50. The costs to businesses would be proportionately higher.
 
In anticipation of potential legal action, Spokane County retained the services of Steve DiJulio, a preeminent municipal attorney for advice. Spokane Valley entered into an agreement with Spokane County to pay 17% of Mr. DiJulio’s legal fees, not to exceed $15,000. That agreement has expired. Council consensus was reached to place a new agreement, expiring December 31, 2024, with the same terms on a future agenda. 
 
City Hall is open for business during normal business hours. The Public is invited to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions.
 

January 3, 2023

 
 


This first Spokane Valley City Council meeting for 2023 opened with Council’s confirming Mayor Pam Haley’s appointments of Sara Fesler, Amanda Alcamo, Grant Guinn, Bernadette Crain, and Lee 
Cameron to the City’s newly created Tourism Promotion Area Board.

On October 26th, 2020, Council approved Resolution No. 21-008 which served as a formal notice of the City’s withdrawal from its participation in Spokane County’s Regional Tourism Promotion Area (TPA) effective December 31, 2022.

City staff and hoteliers reached agreement on creation of a petition that met the needs to meet the requirements of state law to form and establish a City TPA.

City Resolution 22-017 formally accepted that petition, followed by adoption of Ordinance 22-016, establishing a City-wide Tourism Promotion Area. The ordinance provides the implementation procedures and policies for the new TPA. The appointment of the TPA Board completes the establishment process. Motion to approve the Mayoral appointments to the TPA Board passed unanimously.

Property rights necessary to conduct city business such as storm water drainage were not always transferred to the City upon incorporation. Most of the property in question lies within the County. The City has lately been engaged with the County to acquire easements to finalize the plan. The agreed price is $252,614 which would be paid from the City’s Storm Utility account. Council reached consensus to bring the easement for action at a future meeting.


The City’s Master Speed Limit Schedule was last updated on June 14th, 2022. Since that time needed changes have been identified for compliance with state law. The opening of the Bigelow Gulch/Sullivan Road addition will change the speed limit to 35 miles per hour (MPH) from Sullivan Road to the north city limit, and from Sullivan Road from Saltese Road to Bigelow Gulch Road. Currently it terminates at Wellesley Avenue.

Two school speed zones of 20 mph have been added: Adams Road from 9th Avenue to 350 feet south of 4th Avenue, and Corbin Road from Appleway Avenue to 300 feet north of Cowley Avenue. Council reached consensus to bring a resolution to amend the Master Speed Limit Schedule to a future meeting.

In 2021, the City transitioned away from County-provided Geographic Information System (GIS) services, electing instead to hire an internal GIS employee. Services formerly provided by interlocal agreement are now performed in-house. However, not all the GIS services provided by the County were able to be transferred to the City. Those services that remained with the County were provided to the City for a nominal fee ranging from $1,000-$1,200 per month. The continuing inclusion of these services under interlocal agreement with the County is recommended. Council reached consensus to proceed with a future motion consideration for approval.

A report from the City’s Housing and Homeless (H&H) Coordinator summarized the area’s homeless situation and its relationship to the City of Spokane Valley. The region’s shelter system has been the topic of discussion over much of the past year. A significant development has been the creation of www.sheltermespokane.org, a collaborative website between the City of Spokane, Spokane Valley, Spokane County, and the Spokane Regional Health District to provide up-to-date information on available places for use by providers, law enforcement, and the public.

The area’s shelters have been at or near capacity for most of the winter. Higher barrier facilities like Union Gospel Mission (UGM) have some space available but low-barrier shelters like the new Trent Resource and Assistance Center (TRAC) are regularly full or nearly full.
Even with the addition of the TRAC shelter, the region’s already stretched budget is not sustainable. Additional support provided by the County (in conjunction with funding from the City of Spokane Valley) and other funding sources does not appear likely to fund all the current shelter needs. This, of course, does not address the Camp Hope dilemma which remains a problem with no clear solution.
The City is finalizing its Community Homeless Plan. It recognizes the need and benefits of a regional approach to solving the homeless problem including drug and mental illness, transitional housing, and affordable permanent housing. The plan is in final discussion among the various stakeholders.

In August of 2020, Council adopted an amendment to the City’s Municipal Code clarifying the process and criteria to annex contiguous areas into the City ensuring fiscal impacts of providing facilities, utilities, services, and maintenance of the identified areas that are adequately considered prior to annexation.

Recently, staff and Council members have been participating in the update of Countywide Planning Policies (CPPs). These policies are intended to guide interaction between the cities, towns, and county government. The CPPs provide the framework for the designation, review, and update of Urban Growth Areas (UGAs). The City of Spokane Valley does not provide water, sewer, power, or gas, leaving the primary street-related services of plowing, maintenance, sweeping, stormwater, etc., and public safety.

To get a better understanding of the broad ramifications of annexation, the City will hire a consultant to analyze the fiscal impact of providing services and infrastructure as well as the value the annexed area(s) will bring to the City and what the advantages might be to those areas.

City Hall is open for business during normal business hours. The Public is invited to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions.

December 20, 2022

 
 
 

Council discussed and voted unanimously on a one year adjustment to the employee compensation and amending the city pay matrix. With inflation ranging from 7-9% in 2022, the effect on the employee compensation in essence and reality had reduced. So to stay competitive and have the ability to retain and recruit quality people, the council directed the city manager to provide 3% compensation increases to city employees, and to increase pay grades by 2%, effective January 1, 2023.

We unanimously voted to pay a claim voucher to HUB Sports Center that included 2 expenses for Wick enterprises totaling $1,000. This was done with no knowledge by Ben Wick and was to eliminate any conflicts of interest.

Council discussed and moved to advance Alternative #2-Diamond Interchange with roundabout to final design. This is an interesting looking roundabout in the shape of a peanut. This is to take care of the deficient overpass at Sullivan and Trent (hwy 290). This overpass is insufficient in clearance height on Trent and dangerous on the turn movements to reach Trent in both directions.

We approved both our State and Federal Legislative Agendas with no changes. We did have some vigorous discussion on some of the word-smithing, but ultimately left them as last discussed and drafted.
 
We had a healthy discussion after staff updated us on the Neighborhood Restoration Program, and council gave some direction on information needed to restart the process to implement and in what areas to concentrate our efforts on for a pilot program, more to come.

Staff gave us some highlights on our code enforcement efforts for 2022. Bottom line, 8 abatements cost the City approx. $220,000 and are very time and energy intensive. But the neighborhoods and public are safer and more attractive because of these efforts. Many of these have been going on for many, many years.

Finally, we had a brief report from the fire Chief on end of the year stats. Like everything, calls for services are up, particularly EMS; house fires are down 5%  
on a high note. 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

December 13, 2022

 
 
 
As 2022 comes to an end, year-end details create very long City Council Meeting agendas. This evening was no exception.
 
The first item of business was approving a renewed franchise with the Coeur d’Alene Tribe of Indians for installation and maintenance of fiber optics telecommunications facilities within the City. That franchise has recently expired, and the Tribe has requested that it be granted a new franchise on the same or similar terms. Ordinance 22-025 accomplishes that objective with minor changes to conform with current City practices, granting a new 10-year franchise. The motion to waive the rules and adopt Ordinance 22-025 passed unanimously.
 
Newly revised fees have been included in the 2023 Budget, but a resolution adopting those changes has not been passed. The proposed changes include the recently adopted Stormwater Fund increases which will move from $1.9 million to $5.6 million. That substantial increase was the result of a directive from the state Department of Ecology significantly changing the capture and treatment of stormwater runoff. Resolution 22-023 will incorporate those fee changes into the City’s Master Fee Schedule, enabling the City to collect them. The motion to adopt Resolution 22-023 passed 6-1.
 
The City has been in discussions with Spokane County on a Master Plan to improve the Plante’s Ferry Sports Complex. The County has dedicated $5 million of its American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds to the project. The cost of a consultant to construct a master is estimated to be $100,000. An interlocal agreement defining the City’s participation in sharing funding for the project, at an approximate cost of $50,000, has been agreed upon. A motion to approve the interlocal agreement to retain the services of a consultant was unanimously approved.
 
The City is exercising its third-year option under a four-year contact which addresses asphalt repair, roadway shoulder repair and grading, gravel road grading, crack sealing, sidewalk and path repair, guardrail repair, fencing repair, drainage structure repair and installation, curb, gutter and inlet repair plus installation and other related work. Poe Asphalt is the contractor working on a labor, equipment, and material rate. The 2023 option renewal is for $1,566,980.77. The motion to approve the contract renewal with Poe Asphalt Paving Inc. was approved unanimously.
 
In 2019, Council awarded AAA Sweeping, LLC a contract with options for up to four one-year renewals if mutually agreed by both parties. This is the third of four renewals. The 2023 option year contract amount will be $602,422.00. Contract specifications note that the parties may negotiate a rate increase for each option year, but it shall not be increased or decreased by more than the percent change in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) or 3% whichever is less. The CPI-U increased 7.7% for the contract period. Prevailing wage rates increased from 7.99% to 11.78%, and increased fuel prices. Those rates are capped at the 3% CPI rate noted above. Motion to approve the 2023 contract renewal passed unanimously.
 
The City’s contract with LeCatering, the CenterPlace food and beverage supplier, expires at the end of this year. An additional one-year extension with minor modifications is recommended by staff. Motion to approve the extended agreement with Le Catering Company was unanimously approved.  
 
The Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) met on October 20 to review and allocate lodging tax funds collected by hoteliers to benefit attracting tourists to visit and stay in Spokane Valley. That committee consists of five members: two from businesses required to collect the tax, two from businesses in activities authorized to be funded by the tax, and one City Councilmember who acts as the committee chair. There were 16 applicants for the $871,000 available 2023 funds. The distributions are as follows:
 
Applicant for 2% Tax Request   Award
All Wheels Swap Meet    $6,000    $4,800
CNC Productions  $10,000     $7,500
Cody Productions  $10,000    $ 6,500
Family Guide  $16,000     $7,000
Filipino-American NW Assn.  $26,140     $9,000
Hatch Advertising  $50,010   $17,002
HUB Sports Center  $55,000   $55,000
JAKT-Crave  $60,000   $35,000
JAKT-Farmers Market  $26,000   $11,000
N American Talk  $40,000     $-0-
NW Winterfest  $55,000   $33,000
Spokane County Fair & Expo Center $100,000   $73,000
Speed & Custom Productions LLC  $10,000     $8,000
Spokane Valley Summer Theatre  $25,000   $24,000
Valleyfest  $30,000   $14,800
Valleyfest Cycle Celebration    $5,000    $ 4,100
Total $524,150 $309,702
A transfer of the remainder of lodging tax collections in the amount of $515,198 will be moved into the Lodging Tax Fund #104.
 
The award of the LTAC funds was done in two motions: Motion #1 was to approve the above allocations. That motion passed unanimously.
Motion #2 accepts the LTAC recommendation to grant and pay $2,000,000 in 2023 from the lodging tax capital account (Fund 104) to Spokane County for the design, construction, and associated costs of the Avista Stadium Project. Because it alters the original suggestion from LTAC, that part of the transaction must be sent back to LTAC for their consideration and comment. That motion passed unanimously.  
 
The City of Millwood does not have the in-house software to process its applications for building permit reviews. They have contracted with Spokane County for their past needs. However, an agreement has been reached for Millwood to contract with the City of Spokane Valley for those services. Motion to authorize the City Manager to execute the interlocal agreement with Millwood passed unanimously.
 
The Innovia Foundation has created an economic development workforce initiative, LaunchNW, intended to provide assistance to Valley youths for various levels of post-secondary education with the goal of increasing the numbers attending vocational/trade education or training. The City has pledged $1,000,000 of its Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery (CLRF) Funds to Innovia’s LaunchNW Initiative. The motion to approve and authorize the City Manager to execute the contract with the Innovia Foundation passed unanimously.
 
In May, Council pledged an allocation of $4,000,000 of CLFR funds to Spokane Valley Partners (SVP) to support its search for a new building from which to operate. This summer, SVP located property and a facility for purchase. The City has negotiated a grant agreement with SVP for distribution and use of the $4,000,000 to acquire the identified property. The motion for approval and execution of the grant agreement with Spokane Valley Partners passed unanimously.
 
The Sullivan Road/SR-290 (Trent) Interchange Project connects rural freight traffic with one of the region’s busiest urban corridors. Large employers move their goods and employees via Sullivan Road and Bigelow Gulch within Spokane County. Sullivan Road South of SR 290 is a designated Freight and Goods Transportation System freight corridor carrying over 10 million tons of freight annually. The area along Sullivan Road between I-90 and SR-290 is home to 9,000 jobs, 85% of which are related to freight movement. 
 
The increase in traffic from Bigelow Gulch, without upgrading the infrastructure, will degrade the level of service to ‘F.’ A public meeting produced a preference for a diamond interchange with an ancillary roundabout. Preliminary engineering costs are $3,052,000. Federal funding augmented by City funds of $500,000 will cover that amount. Council reached consensus to place the design for the Diamond Interchange on the December 20th Council agenda.
 
City Hall is open for business during normal business hours. The Public is invited to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions.
 

December 6, 2022

 
 
 
This meeting of the Spokane Valley City Council was preceded by a meeting with our state legislators. Senator Mike Padden is and has been a friend to the City for several years. The meeting was an introduction to our two newly elected representatives, Suzanne Schmidt, and Leonard Christian, as well as a presentation to them of the City’s 2023 legislative agenda.
 
The regular Council meeting, a Study Session, opened with action on Resolution 22-022 amending the process for handling the petty cash accounts at City Hall and CenterPlace. The resolution reduces the amount of cash on hand at the City Hall front desk to $50 while increasing the amounts available at CenterPlace. The motion to approve Resolution 22-022 was approved unanimously.
 
The City is represented on the Spokane Housing Authority (SHA). SHA is dedicated to providing opportunities to finding adequate housing. SHA is a six-member commission whose members are appointed by the various local jurisdictions. Mayor Haley selected Ms. Kristina Walker to fill a vacancy representing Spokane Valley. The appointment if for a five-year term. The motion to approve the Mayor’s appointment passed unanimously.
 
Council conducted a teleconference with Cardinal Infrastructure, the City’s Federal Lobbyist, to review its Federal Legislative Agenda. The 2023 agenda is similar to last year's but reflects changes such as removal of the now fully funded Pines Road/BNSF rail crossing. Added to the list is the I-90/Argonne bridge widening project.
 
The proposed 2023 Federal Legislative Agenda has requests for funding assistance on:
South Barker Road Corridor Projects. The road south of I-90 provides access to 800 acres of industrial land and 220 acres of homes.
Trent/Sullivan Interchange. The City must redesign and construct a new interchange to accommodate the significantly increased traffic flow from Bigelow Gulch.
I-90 Bridge Widening at Argonne/Mullan Roads Project. That bridge is a choke point for ever-increasing southbound traffic. 
Policy Consideration #1-Reauthorization of the Economic Development Administration (EDA). The EDA promotes innovation and competitiveness in areas countrywide.
Policy Consideration #2-Continue funding at authorized levels for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Policy Consideration #3-Implementation Reforms to the Infrastructure Permitting Process. As the City continues to experience unprecedented growth, it encourages federal agencies to move swiftly to implement reforms required by federal law.
 
Council reached consensus to move the Legislative Agenda for future action.
 
The City of Millwood does not have the in-house software to process its applications for building permit reviews. They have contracted with Spokane County for their past needs. However, an agreement has been reached, but not finalized, for Millwood to contract with the City of Spokane Valley for those services. By consensus, the agreement and details will be placed on the City’s December 13th, 2022, agenda.
 
On May 31st, 2022, the City’s Master Fee Schedule was amended. Newly revised fees since then are included in the 2023 Budget but a resolution adopting those changes has not been passed. The proposed changes include the recently adopted Stormwater Fund increases which will move from $1.9 million to $5.6 million. That substantial increase was the result of a directive from the state Department of Ecology significantly changing the capture and treatment of stormwater runoff. The resolution will be placed for discussion on the City’s December 13th agenda.
 
The Sprague Avenue Stormwater Project-University to Herald will install stormwater treatment facilities to reduce the volume of pollutants that enter the groundwater that eventually reaches the aquifer. Part of that project is a lane reduction to three lanes on Sprague from University to Herald to minimize the distance that pedestrians must walk in crossing Sprague to reach the new library and the bus stop near the library. 
 
A survey to collect data on the lane reduction after the test conducted last month found that traffic volumes were not impeded by the three-lane configuration. The hoped-for speed reduction was not achieved but narrowing the distance for pedestrians to cross Sprague Avenue did make the time to cross considerably less. Funding for the project can come in part from the Federal CLFR (Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery) Fund. Consensus was reached to use CLFR money ($884,445) to fund the construction phase.
 
The contract with LeCatering, the CenterPlace food and beverage supplier, expires at the end of this year. An additional one-year extension with minor modifications was approved by consensus for future action.
 
In the past, Council has identified three primary types of nuisances and code violations related to use of private property. The first is general public nuisances including junk vehicles, garbage and other material accumulated on private property, noise, graffiti, and general development code violations. The second is unfit dwellings/structure violations. These often require legal action to identify and prove sufficient to warrant legal solutions. The third is chronic criminal nuisances. This is a condition where criminal activity reaches a level that creates a public nuisance in the neighborhood. The violation may not be a single or discrete action that can be abated but is likely to be an ongoing situation that is remedied by removing the occupant from the premises for a set period of time. Council will undertake further discussions to revise and improve existing code.
 
In a discussion of right-of-way maintenance, staff presented a review of the City’s 2022 roadside maintenance efforts. Normally, the non-irrigated dryland grass areas are maintained under contract with Spokane County Detention Services. Senske Lawn and Tree Care service the irrigated grass areas. The Clearwater Summit Group handles the weed control (spraying) citywide. In 2022, because of acute labor shortages, some of those areas went unattended. The City’s annual costs for these services was nearly $205,000. While no action was taken, discussion centered on solutions for involving more contractors in the maintenance program.
 
An unsolved problem confronting the City is how to adequately finance its Pavement Preservation Program (PPP). That program serves two main functions. 1) Preservation: extends the life and preserves the condition of existing paved streets, and 2) Maintenance: the cost of repairs and upkeep of snowplow operations, traffic signals and signs, streetlights, sidewalks, potholes, crack filling and roadside maintenance. The estimated annual aggregate cost of fully funding PPP is $16 million. The City, through its dedicated sources and grants, covers about half of that. The remaining $8 million will have to come from sources not currently used, likely through a combination of fees and taxes. Or, the program can go unfunded, which means that the level of street condition upon which the City prides itself will decline proportionately. Staff was tasked with putting together a plan with a combination of funding sources to meet the total need.
 
The City has been in discussions with Spokane County on a joint agreement to improve the Plante’s Ferry Sports Complex. The County has dedicated $5 million of its American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds to the project. Tonight’s Council discussion addressed the City’s participation in sharing funding for a master plan for the project, approximate cost: $50,000. Consensus was reached to do so.
 
City Hall is open for business during normal business hours. The Public is invited to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions.

November 22, 2022

 
 
 
 
This Regular Session (Formal Format) of the Spokane Valley City Council was once again preceded by an Executive Session to discuss the acquisition of real estate. No action was taken at the end of that pre-meeting.
 
Last week, Dan Domrese, City Accounting Manager, presented plans to update the City’s petty cash policies to increase the amounts of cash available at CenterPlace while decreasing the amount available at the City Hall front desk. CenterPlace had no cash on hand while the front desk at City Hall had more than was required for daily operations. Ordinance 22-024 provides for two funds at CenterPlace, creating available funds there. It also reduces the petty cash available at the Main Reception desk to $50. Motion to suspend the rules and adopt Ordinance 22-024 passed unanimously.
 
Also at last week’s meeting, Council heard proposals for modifications to its Governance Manual. That manual is the rulebook for how the Council conducts its business. These changes are suggested for incorporation:
The Manual will follow Roberts Rules of Order with local modifications. In the event that the Manual and Roberts Rules conflict, the Manual prevails.
Retain the “Three Touch” principle. Change to City Code and like legislation requires three Council considerations prior to adoption unless the change bears little or no significant impact on City policy or finances.
Formal meetings: Remove the second opportunity for public comment.
Study Session meetings: Allow a public comment opportunity.
Public Comments: Provide for remedies when public comments violate the decorum of the meeting. 
Remote participation by a councilmember: such participation is updated to include ZOOM or other electronic devices that adequately serve the purpose. However, remote participation in an executive session is not permitted.
Expense reimbursement: A new system of expense reimbursement to Councilmembers to facilitate record keeping for travel and ancillary expenses is included. This includes a stipend for mileage and standard rates for travel.
Executive Sessions: Executive sessions are intended for the conduct of City business which, if open to the public, might offer opportunities for actions disadvantageous to the City. Participants in executive sessions are charged with keeping proceedings in the meeting confidential. A breach of that confidentiality is a breach of trust. The committee is recommending that penalties be prescribed for such a breach. NOTE: This item was postponed for future consideration.
 
These changes have been included in the Resolution to Adopt the Governance Manual as modified. The motion to adopt the resolution passed unanimously.
In the Annual Comprehensive Plan Amendment cycle (CPA), applications for modification of the CPA must be entered for action on the docket prior to November 1st of any year. There was a single amendment for 2023 proposed by the City. That amendment is:

File No. : CPA-2023-01  Land use map
Applicant:  City
Description: Change land use designation and zoning for 5 parcels totaling 29.51 acres from Single Family Residential 
& Neighborhood Commercial to Parks and Open Space Consensus was reached to move the docket  forward for action.
Negotiations have been completed with Spokane County and the Sheriff’s Office on a new 5-year contract, January 1, 2023-December 31,2027, for Police Services in Spokane Valley. While the list of changes is too long to publish here, it can be found in complete form at www.spokanevalley.org. The salient points are outlined below. The most controversial area of the old contract was staffing. That issue is addressed:
The Sheriff shall provide a quarterly list of commissioned officer positions for the entire Sheriff’s Office showing filled and unfilled positions as well as whether any filled position is still in training.
The Sheriff and City Manager shall together decide how best to fill current and upcoming vacancies in a manner that is reasonable and fair to each party.
The Sheriff can only remove the Police Chief for just cause and must consider a formal response from the City Manager. (Requested by Sheriff’s Office)
The City staff will participate in the Sheriff’s Office Strategic Planning Session.
Notification requirement now applies to any shift of officers between units or changes in ranks within units regardless of changes to total number of officers.
Negotiations are completed with Spokane County and the Sheriff’s Office on a new 5-year contract, effective January 1, 2023-December 31,2027, for Police Services in Spokane Valley, it remained only to adopt the new revised agreement. The City’s 2023 budget for Law Enforcement is $27,151,157.  The list of changes is too long to publish here; it can be found in complete form at www.spokanevalley.org. The salient points, however, are outlined below. 
The Sheriff shall provide a quarterly list of commissioned officer positions for the entire Sheriff’s Office showing filled and unfilled positions as well as whether any filled position is still in training.
The Sheriff and City Manager shall together decide how best to fill current and upcoming vacancies in a manner that is reasonable and fair to each party.
At the request of the Sheriff’s Department, this provision is added: the Sheriff can only remove the Police Chief for just cause and must consider a formal response from the City Manager. 
The City staff will participate in the Sheriff’s Office Strategic Planning Session.
Notification requirement now applies to any shift of officers between units or changes in ranks within units regardless of changes to total number of officers.
 
The motion to adopt the amended Interlocal Agreement for Law Enforcement Services passed unanimously. Fire Chief Soto delivered his report on the Valley Fire Department’s monthly activities.
 
In 2012, Council approved a franchise with the Coeur d’Alene Tribe of Indians for installation and maintenance of fiber optics telecommunications facilities within the City. That franchise has recently expired, and the Tribe has requested that it be granted a new franchise on the same or similar terms. Three minor changes have been made to conform with current City practices:
If the Grantee (Tribe) adds more capacity after having the City go to full market rate for use of dark fiber, then the City’s right to access dark fiber is restored under the previous terms.
The grantee cannot abandon its facilities in the right-of-way.
The minimum level of insurance is increased to $2 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate.
 
The Tribe has reviewed this draft and agrees with its terms for a new 10-year franchise. Consensus was reached to place the item on a future agenda.
 
City Hall is open for business during normal business hours. The Public is invited to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions
 

November 15, 2022

 
 
 
With elections over, Spokane Valley City Council, as its first item of business, addressed its state legislative agenda. Its policy proposals are:
Support a commonsense and meaningful approach to public safety policies that protect lives and property and do not erode trust in government. revisit public safety policies, particularly related to the crime of possession of a controlled substance, restrictions on vehicular pursuits and increasing investment in alternative response teams.
Remove barriers to the construction of housing. Revise condominium liability regulations, provide tax incentives, and apply common sense to the state energy and building codes on the cost of construction.
Amend state law regarding municipal utility taxing authority. Clarify the circumstances under which it is legal for a municipality to impose utility taxes on revenues from a county wastewater treatment system.
Requesting changes to the Growth Management Act relating to local flexibility, a change to municipal utility taxing authority, and removing barriers to the construction of housing.
Continue commitment to defending local control and protecting and enhancing local state-shared revenues.
Respect local decision-making especially management of right-of-way and land use decisions.
Provide tax relief. With current revenue surpluses, don’t spend it all.

The motion to adopt the City’s legislative agenda passed unanimously.
 
In 2017 the City retained Retail Strategies, a marketing recruiter, to assist in attracting retail businesses to Spokane Valley. Ms. Brookley Valencia and Mr. Scott vonCannon reviewed their activities on the City’s behalf including their successes, future retail pursuits, and current market trends together with discussions with local developers and brokers. The goals of this program are to maximize use of our resources, increase tax revenue, create jobs, and enhance quality of life. Marketing efforts continue.
 
In October 2021, Council began discussing withdrawing from the City of Spokane Tourism Promotion Area (TPA) and forming its own. The City formally terminated its participation in the Spokane County Regional TPA on October 26, 2021, effective December 31, 2022. From August through September of this year City staff and Valley hoteliers worked together to establish the City-wide TPA which Council adopted on September 20th. It will take effect January 1, 2023, The plan for moving forward is currently being formulated.
 
Dan Domrese, City Accounting Manager, presented plans to update the City’s petty cash policies to increase the amounts of cash available at CenterPlace while decreasing the amount available at the City Hall front desk. Consensus was unanimous to place the item on a future agenda.
As part of the Annual Comprehensive Plan Amendment cycle (CPA), for 2022, proposed amendments made prior to November 1st are listed (docketed) for council action. The single item on the docket is:

File No. : CPA-2023-01  Land use map
Applicant:  City
Description: Change land use designation and zoning for 5 parcels totaling 29.51 acres from Single Family Residential 
& Neighborhood Commercial to Parks and Open Space Consensus was reached to move the docket  forward for action.
 
As a contract city, Spokane Valley has contracted with Senske Services for most of its Parks System Maintenance needs since 2005. The contract(s) is competitively bid with each contract having been awarded to Senske. With escalating costs, that process is being re-examined for cost savings. Those changes will be considered as bids are entertained in 2023.
 
In July 2021, the City contracted with a consultant to design the Balfour Park Expansion. It was to be completed in two phases with Phase 1 to include excavation and grading, water, electric and sewer utilities, some of the park pathways and lighting, some landscaping/irrigation and a new restroom building at an estimated cost of $3.1 million. When bids were entertained, they came in at an unacceptable amount of over $5 million. The project has been on hold pending cost-saving cuts. Consensus was reached to authorize staff to finalize a construction contract with agreed reductions in scope and costs. Discussion on costs and scope continue pending the new round of bids.
 
Negotiations have been completed with Spokane County and the Sheriff’s Office on a new 5-year contract, January 1, 2023-December 31,2027, for Police Services in Spokane Valley. While the list of changes is too long to publish here, it can be found in complete form at www.spokanevalley.org. The salient points are outlined below. The most controversial area of the old contract was staffing. That issue is addressed:
The Sheriff shall provide a quarterly list of commissioned officer positions for the entire Sheriff’s Office showing filled and unfilled positions as well as whether any filled position is still in training.
The Sheriff and City Manager shall together decide how best to fill current and upcoming vacancies in a manner that is reasonable and fair to each party.
The Sheriff can only remove the Police Chief for just cause and must consider a formal response from the City Manager. (Requested by Sheriff’s Office)
The City staff will participate in the Sheriff’s Office Strategic Planning Session.
Notification requirement now applies to any shift of officers between units or changes in ranks within units regardless of changes to total number of officers.
 
The City’s 2023 budget for Law Enforcement is $27,151,157. Council reached unanimous consensus to move for approval at its next meeting.
 
One of the City’s standing committees is the Governance Manual Committee. The Governance Manual is the rulebook for how the Council conducts its business. At several of its meetings the Committee discussed changes and have arrived at a suggested list:
Generally, the Manual follows Roberts Rules of Order with local modifications. In the event that the Manual and Roberts Rules conflict, the Manual prevails.
Retain the “Three Touch” principle. Changes to City Code and like legislation require three Council considerations prior to adoption.
Formal meetings: Remove the second opportunity for public comment.
Study Session meetings: Allow a public comment opportunity. (there is none currently)
Public Comments: Provide for remedies when public comments disregard the decorum of the meeting. 
Remote participation by a councilmember: Such participation is updated to include ZOOM or other electronic devices that adequately serve the purpose. However, remote participation in an executive session is not permitted.
Expense reimbursement: A new system of expense reimbursement to facilitate record keeping for travel and ancillary expenses is proposed.
Executive Sessions: Executive sessions are intended for the conduct of City business which, if open to the public, might offer opportunities for actions disadvantageous to the City. Participants in executive sessions are charged with keeping proceedings in the meeting confidential. A breach of that confidentiality is a breach of trust. The committee is recommending that penalties be prescribed for such a breach. NOTE: This item was postponed for future consideration.
 
Consensus was reached to place the item on the next agenda.
 
City Hall is open for business during normal business hours. The Public is invited to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions
 

November 8, 2022

 
 

After proclamations on Small Business Saturday and Veterans Day, Council conducted a public hearing on its Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) project submittal. The City is a member of the CDBG consortium which receives HUD funding for Spokane County. In this agreement, the City has an automatic set-aside but must apply for its grant under the program. This year, two sidewalk projects were identified for application: 1) 4th Avenue-Eastern Road to Catherine Johnson Apts.; $420,000 and 2) Progress Road-Mission to Broadway; $520,000. Council selected #1 as its priority application for a grant. This public hearing was conducted to solicit public comment on Council’s selections and priorities.
 
The public hearing was immediately followed by Council moving to support the selection of option #1 being the priority option followed by selection #2 as the second priority. The motion to approve the selections as listed passed unanimously.
 
That action was followed by a second public hearing on the City’s 2023 Budget. This hearing was the seventh of eight actions on the budget enroute to final adoption. 
 
The next item of business was the second reading of Ordinance 22-022 amending the 2022 Budget. Since the May 31st, 2022, budget amendment, (the last Council action dealing with the 2022 budget) events have transpired in the normal course of operations that necessitate a second 2022 Budget Amendment. Those changes affect 16 funds resulting in total revenue increases of $8,839,854 and decreases in expenditures of $8,318,416. The affected accounts and balances are covered in Ordinance 22-022. Specific numbers and accounts can be found on the City’s website: www.spokanevalley.org. The motion to approve Ordinance 22-022 passed unanimously.
 
On October 25th, the City Manager presented the City’s 2023 Preliminary Budget (Ordinance 22-023) for Council consideration. That was the fourth of eight budget reviews enroute to final passage.
 
The City budget has two salient parts. Like any business, financial wellbeing depends on cash flow. In City parlance that is demonstrated by: 1) Recurring revenues and expenditures which are the normal sales and property tax collections, paired against the regular expenses of conducting City business, i.e., Public Safety, and 2) Non-recurring expenses such as capital projects like the acquisition of police vehicles or permanent park facilities. 
 
Non-recurring revenues and expenses have largely recovered from the impact of COVID-19. However, the City’s finances are undergoing a new challenge: INFLATION. 
The City’s stable financial condition highlights the consistently prudent management of its revenues and the continuing commitment to fiscal responsibility. That commitment is reflected in the proposed 2023 budget.* Moody’s bond rating service has awarded the City an Aa1 rating, an advancement over last year’s Aa2 rating, which was at that time the highest rating a city of our size could achieve.
 
The City’s full-time employee count will increase in 2023 by 2 to 105.25. 
 
The recurring revenue estimate for 2023 of $56,418,900 is 2.26% greater than the amended 2022 budget of $55,173,500.
The 2023 proposed recurring expenditure total of $52,726,223 is 5.33% greater than the 2022 amended appropriation of $50,058,688.
Budgeted recurring revenues will exceed recurring expenditures by $3,692,677 or 6.55% of recurring revenues.
The motion to approve Ordinance 22-023 adopting the City’s 2023 Budget passed unanimously.
*A more detailed breakdown of this budget analysis can be found at www.spokanevalley.org/agendas
 
A recent street vacation request triggered an analysis of how the City wishes to conduct and pay for property vacations, i.e., should the City be reimbursed for all vacations (yes); should the costs of vacations initiated by the City be borne by the City (yes), should citizen-initiated vacations be paid entirely by the applicant with no administrative fee deduction (yes), and is the formula for compensation fair and accurate (yes, so long as all participants are informed) and the value of property transferred by privately initiated application will be the value assigned by the County Assessor as required by state law. 
 
Resolution 22-020 accomplished all of those concerns and established the City’s process pursuant to state law. Motion to adopt Resolution 22-020 passed unanimously.
 
The City manages its Stormwater Utility Program pursuant to various laws and regulations from the state and county. That program is funded through the collection of 1) Storm and Surface Utility (Utility) fees from developed parcels located within the City, and 2) the Spokane County Aquifer Protection Area (APA) fee.
 
The Utility fee is and has been since 2003 $21 per year on single family residences, duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes. All other developed property is charged $21 for every 3,160 square feet of measured impervious surface area. The Utility fee will generate about $1.9 million in 2022 for the City. 
The APA fee is imposed on each water meter within the City by meter size. That fee is collected by the County and reapportioned among the various participating municipalities. The fee is expected to generate $460,000 for the City in 2022.
 
The City has recently developed a comprehensive stormwater plan to establish goals, strategies, and solutions for compliance with permit requirements and a sustainable plan for future compliance. This study identified two Levels of Service (LOS), Minimum Required and Pro-Active. Public input was solicited and received for guidance. The Minimum Required LOS would increase the Stormwater Utility Rate by $24 per year to $45. The Pro-Active LOS, if adopted, would increase the rate by $37/year to $58. 
 
The problem facing the City is the Department of Ecology’s (DOE) requirements for stormwater disposal. A majority of Councilmembers felt that adoption of the Minimum rate would place the City in arrears in a short time having to play catch-up with DOE’s changing requirements. With the current inflationary economic situation, this is not an easy choice, however, state regulations leave the City little choice. Therefore, Council has chosen to adopt the Pro-Active level of service going forward. The motion to adopt the Pro-Active level of service effective January 1, 2023, passed 5-2.
 
The above policy change requires amending City Code to conform to requirements of the Spokane Regional Stormwater Manual, National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Phase II Municipal Stormwater Permit and DOE Underground Injection Control Program. The City must adopt an ordinance by February 3, 2023 that prohibits illicit discharges on public and private properties and authorizes enforcement actions.
 
The Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) met on October 20 to review and allocate lodging tax funds collected by hoteliers to benefit attracting tourists to visit and stay in Spokane Valley. That committee consists of five members: two from businesses required to collect the tax, two from businesses in activities authorized to be funded by the tax, and one City Councilmember who acts as the committee chair. There were 16 applicants for the $871,000 available 2023 funds. The distributions were as follows:
Applicant for 2% Tax;  Request; Award
All Wheels Swap Meet; 6,000; 4,800
CNC Productions; 10,000; 7,500
Cody Productions; 10,000; 6,500
Family Guide; 16,000; 7,000
Filipino-American NW Assn.; 26,140; 9,000
Hatch Advertising; 50,010; 17,002
HUB Sports Center; 55,000; 55,000
JAKT-Crave; 60,000; 35,000
JAKT-Farmers Market; 26,000; 11,000
N American Talk; 40,000; 0-
NW Winterfest; 55,000; 33,000
Spokane County Fair & Expo Center; 100,000; 73,000
Speed & Custom Productions LLC; 10,000; 8,000
Spokane Valley Summer Theatre; 25,000; 24,000
Valleyfest; 30,000; 14,800
Valleyfest Cycle Celebration; 5,000; 4,100
Total; 524,150; 309,702
 
The 1.3% Lodging Tax Fund, specifically for capital projects to attract hotel guests, saw two actions: 1) The fund had an allocation for the City for $3.5 million for an addition to an expo building at the Fairgrounds. The original estimated price was $10 million, however, inflation escalated construction costs to $14 million at which time the City chose not to pursue the project and returned the $3.5 million to the Lodging Tax Fund. 2) In the meantime, the Spokane County applied for $3,250,000 for improvements to the Spokane Indians’ ballpark. $2,000,000 was awarded.
 
City Hall is open for business during normal business hours. The Public is invited to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions
 

November 1, 2022

 
 

This Spokane Valley City Council study session opened with a proclamation of November being Native American Indian Heritage Month.
 
There was one actionable item on the agenda. Each year during the holiday season, Council sets the holiday schedule for its employees at City Hall. The Thanksgiving schedule will close City Hall and CenterPlace at noon Wednesday, November 23rd and the entire day on Friday, November 25th.
 
With Christmas day falling on a Sunday, that holiday will be observed on Monday, December 26th. However, City Hall will also be closed on Friday, December 23rd, to allow staff to prepare for the Christmas festivities. Motion to make it so passed unanimously.
 
In a presentation of an overview of Spokane Regional Emergency Services (SREC), Assistant Police Chief Kevin Richey and Deputy City Manager Eric Lamb covered the mission, history, and service delivery of the organization. SREC was formed in 2019 to improve the county’s emergency service operations and to prepare for advancing technology. 
• It answers emergency and non-emergency calls.
• Manages GIS data to ensure accuracy of critical response.
• It has 23 radio sites, redundant networking core, and a backup communications center.
• Provides support for 4,911 field radios.
• Has processed 5,028 records requests year-to-date.
• Has currently 105 filled positions (137 authorized).
Members and partners include:
• Airway Heights fire and police
• Cheney fire and police
• EWU police 
• Kalispel Tribe Public Safety
• Liberty Lake police
• Spokane County Sheriff
• Spokane County Fire Districts 1,2,4,5,8,9,10,11,12, and 13
• Spokane Fire Department
• Spokane Valley police
 
There is confusion on whether to call Crime Check or 911 to report an incident. Generally, a citizen should call Crime Check:
To report a crime no longer in progress
As a victim or witness to a previous crime
Information about a previous crime
To add information to an existing crime report
 
911 should be called if/when there is an immediate threat or danger to persons or property. When making a call to 911, share your location and phone number; clearly state your emergency; be prepared to answer questions and follow instructions; if anything changes, be prepared to call back to update.
With recent changes in the Community and Public Works Department, the position of Engineering Manager was left unfilled. In advertising the vacant Engineering Manager position internally, two very well qualified applicants emerged causing a reevaluation of the position. In examining the position requirements, it has been determined that with the current workload and backlog of projects, the position of Engineering Manager should be split into two positions. 
 
The proposed change shifts duties slightly. Both managers would become ‘working’ managers, meaning that each would not only supervise but also deal with individual projects. The proposed change would add one full time employee bringing the City’s total to 104.25. The consolidation will actually reduce the budgetary cost by $60,000 per year. Consensus to proceed with the proposed change was 6-1.
 
City Hall is open for business during normal business hours. The Public is invited to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions.

October 24, 2022

 
 
As the year winds down, the City’s legislative agenda becomes more populated in the rush to complete its business in the remaining time to year end. Chief among items to be finalized are 1) adoption of the 2023 budget, and 2) passage of the 2023 property tax levy. However, changes in the 2022 budget have to be addressed by amending that budget which was the first item of business on tonight’s agenda.
 
Since the May 31st, 2022, budget amendment, (the last Council action dealing with the 2022 budget) events have transpired in the normal course of operations that necessitate a second 2022 Budget Amendment. Those changes affect 16 funds resulting in total revenue increases of $8,839,854 and decreases in expenditures of $8,318,416. The affected accounts and balances are encompassed in Ordinance 22-022, the next order of business on the agenda. Specific numbers and accounts can be found on the City’s website: www.spokanevalley.org. 
In its next action, Council approved moving Ordinance 22-022 to a second reading.
 
Property taxes are the second major source of recurring City Revenue, representing $13,199,900 (25%) of the City’s 2022 budgeted recurring revenue. State law sets the maximum levy rates for property taxes in a jurisdiction. The formula for calculating the rate is to take the total levy, divide it by 1,000 and then divide that number by the total assessed value of the taxing authority. 
 
The County Assessor’s Office determines the assessed value. That value currently stands at $16,306,359,527, producing a levy rate of $0.832138 per $1,000 of assessed value which is $0.187169 less than the $1.019307 rate for 2022. The passage of an ordinance is required to levy and collect 2023 property taxes. Ordinance 22-021 levying the 2023 property tax accomplishes that goal. The motion to advance Ordinance 22-021 to a second reading passed unanimously. 6-1 
 
This evening marked the City Manager's presentation of the City’s 2023 Preliminary Budget. This is the fourth of eight budget reviews enroute to final passage on November 8th.
 
The City budget has two salient parts. Like any business, financial wellbeing depends on cash flow. In City parlance that is demonstrated by: 1) Recurring revenues and expenditures which are the normal sales and property tax collections, paired against the regular expenses of conducting City business, i.e., Public Safety, and 2) Non-recurring expenses such as capital projects like the acquisition of police vehicles or permanent park facilities. 
 
Non-recurring revenues and expenses have largely recovered from the impact of COVID-19. However, the City’s finances are undergoing a new challenge: INFLATION. 
 
The City’s stable financial condition highlights the consistently prudent management of its revenues and the continuing commitment to fiscal responsibility. That commitment is reflected in the proposed 2023 budget.* Moody’s bond rating service has awarded the City an Aa1 rating, an advancement over last year’s Aa2 rating, which was at that time the highest rating a city of our size could achieve.
 
The City’s full-time employee count will increase in 2023 by 2 to 105.25. The two additions are planned to be a paralegal and a Traffic Signal Technician. 
The recurring revenue estimate for 2023 of $56,418,900 is 2.26% greater than the amended 2022 budget of $55,173,500.
 
The 2023 proposed recurring expenditure total of $52,726,223 is 5.33% greater than the 2022 amended appropriation of $50,058,688.
Budgeted recurring revenues will exceed recurring expenditures by $3,692,677 or 6.55% of recurring revenues.
 
*A more detailed breakdown of this budget analysis can be found at www.spokanevalley.org/agendas
 
The City annually provides partial funding for local economic development and social service agencies. By this process, the City contracts for services that it might not otherwise provide. The 2023 budget sets aside $244,000 for this purpose. Deductions for contractual arrangements with Greater Spokane Inc. ($43,000) and Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce ($19,000) leave $182,000 available to applicants.
 
The City received applications from 22 agencies totaling $602,666. At a previous Council meeting each agency was permitted five minutes to present its case for funding. The Council members individually considered the amount to award each agency applicant. If a requesting agency does not get four or more votes, it was not considered further for funds. Agencies finalized for an award are:
   Elevations Children’s Therapy: $11,041
   Meals on Wheels: $21,185
   Inland Chess Academy: $1,457
   JAKT: $10,714
   Junior Achievement: $4,143
   My Turn theatre: $4,286
   Spokane Valley Arts Council: $17,326
   Valley Heritage Museum: $16,469
   Spokane Valley HUB: $4, 286
   Spokane Valley Partners: $46,155
   Spokane Valley Summer Theatre: $10,326
   Teen & Kid Closet: $10,000
   Transitions: $8,571
   Widows Might: $16,041
The motion to approve the awards passed 4-3.
For a list of applicants, amounts requested, and individual councilmember allocations please visit www.spokanevalley.org/council.
 
State law requires that the City’s Solid Waste Management Plan and Moderate-Risk Waste Management Plan be current, reviewed and periodically revised as needed. To accomplish those goals the City, after issuing a Request for Qualifications, chose Great West Engineering as the most qualified. The motion to authorize the City Manager to finalize and execute the agreement with Great West Engineering for updating the City’s Waste Management Plans for a cost not to exceed $269,600 passed unanimously.
 
For years City Council has been studying and considering a variety of potential enhancements and/or improvements to Spokane County’s Plante’s Ferry Sports Complex. Recently, the City was contacted by Spokane County Parks about a funding opportunity for improvements at Plante’s Ferry, that it will be submitting a proposal to use approximately $4 million of County ARP funds for a master plan, design, and construction of improvements at Plante’s Ferry. They have requested a letter of support from the City in proceeding to hire a consultant to begin the master planning study process. The potential cost to the City would be in the neighborhood of $100,000. The motion to submit a letter of support for hiring a consultant to begin the process passed 4-3.
 
The City manages its Stormwater Utility Program pursuant to various laws and regulations from the state and county. That program is funded through the collection of 1) Storm and Surface Utility (Utility) fees from developed parcels located within the City, and 2) the Spokane County Aquifer Protection Area (APA) fee.
 
The Utility fee is $21 per year on single family residences, duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes. All other developed property is charged $21 for every 3,160 square feet of measured impervious surface area. The Utility fee will generate about $1.9 million in 2022 to the City. That fee has not increased since the City’s incorporation in 2003.
 
The APA fee is imposed on each water meter within the City by meter size. That fee is collected by the County and reapportioned among the various participating municipalities. That fee is expected to generate $460,000 for the City in 2022.
 
The City has recently developed a comprehensive stormwater plan to establish goals, strategies, and solutions for compliance with permit requirements and a sustainable plan for future compliance. This study identified two Levels of Service (LOS), Minimum Required and Pro-Active. Public input was solicited and received for guidance. The Minimum Required LOS, if adopted, would increase the Stormwater Utility Rate by $24 per year to $45. The Pro-Active LOS, if adopted, would increase the rate by $37/year to $58. Consensus to bring forward the Pro-Active Required LOS was reached.
 
The City is a member of the Spokane County Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) consortium which receives HUD funding for Spokane County. In this agreement, the City has an automatic set-aside but must apply for its grant under the program. This year, two sidewalk projects were identified for application: 1) 4th Avenue-Eastern Road to Catherine Johnson Apts.; $420,000 and 2) Progress Road-Mission to Broadway; $500,000. Council selected #1 as its priority application for a grant.
 
In another opportunity for grant assistance, the Washington State Recreation & Conservation (RCO) offers a program, “No Child Left Inside,” for outdoor education and recreation experiences for underserved youth. Requests can be for up to $25,000. Spokane Valley’s TEEN (Together Engaging & Exploring Nature) Camp was cancelled in 2020 due to COVID which matches the program goals. Staff is seeking consensus to apply for a $25,000 grant to re-establish the TEEN program. Consensus was unanimous.
 
City Hall is open for business during normal business hours. The Public is invited to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions.

October 18, 2022

 


This Study Session of the Spokane Valley City Council commenced with a long overdue resolution (Resolution 22-018) declaring the termination of Emergency for COVID, effective October 31st. The governor, after nearly three years of “emergency” powers exercised over the state has decreed the official end of the “emergency” on that date. Resolution 22-018 makes it official. The motion to adopt Resolution 22-018 was unanimous.
 
The Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) is meeting to review and allocate lodging tax funds collected to benefit attracting tourists to visit and stay in Spokane Valley. That committee consists of five members: two from businesses required to collect the tax, two from businesses in activities authorized to be funded by the tax, and one City Councilmember who acts as the committee chair.
 
The Committee is scheduled to meet on October 20th; however, it has been discovered that the two representatives involved in activities funded by LTAC would be absent. There is no provision for their replacement and the inequity of representation has necessitated the appointment of alternates. Mayor Haley nominated Ms. Cherne Haskell from the HUB board of directors and Mr. Clint Branz from the County Fair board. The motion to approve the appointments passed unanimously.
 
Councilmember Arne Woodard will be out of town on Council’s October 25th meeting and has indicated his wish to participate remotely in the meeting. The motion to approve his remote participation passed unanimously.
 
The City lobbyist, Briahna Murray, joined the meeting to present potential discussion items for the City’s 2023 State Legislative Agenda. This year’s draft Agenda includes both capital requests and policy priorities. Highlights include:
A Pines Grade Separation Project request made as a placeholder pending final approval of the Move Ahead Washington award expected in the coming weeks.
Request to fully fund grants requested for Greenacres Park, Phase 2.
Consideration of support for minor league baseball stadiums and a request to approve a $1,175,808 grant from the Youth Recreational Facilities (YRF) program and a $1,848,577 grant from the Building for the Arts program for the Idaho Central Spokane Valley Performing Arts Center located in the City.
Request to revisit public safety policies, particularly related to the crime of possession of a controlled substance, restrictions on vehicular pursuit,s and increasing investment in alternative response teams.
Requesting changes to the Growth Management Act relating to local flexibility, a change to municipal utility taxing authority, and removing barriers to the construction of housing.
Continued commitment to defending local control and protecting and enhancing local state-shared revenues.
No action was taken at this meeting. Because discussion revealed a possible need for more forceful language regarding crime and public safety, Staff will return with a subsequent administrative report followed by a November meeting to adopt the agenda.
 
Ann Easterly, trustee of the Ann S. Easterly 2018 Living Trust, has requested the vacation of a 21-square foot piece of public right-of-way located adjacent to University Road. The area was previously the site of a school zone flashing beacon. The beacon has since been relocated to the north and only the foundation remains. Consensus was reached to place proposed Resolution No. 22-019 on the October 25th Council Consent Agenda for setting a public hearing before the Planning Commission.
 
That vacation request triggered an analysis of how the City wishes to conduct and pay for property vacations, i.e., should the City be reimbursed for all vacations (yes); should the costs of vacations initiated by the City be borne by the City (yes), should citizen-initiated vacations be paid entirely by the applicant with no administrative fee deduction (yes), and is the formula for compensation fair and accurate (yes, so long as all participants are informed)? Consensus was reached to place a resolution on compensation for street vacations on a future agenda.
 
The City of Liberty Lake has filed a Notice of Application for a development totaling 98.2 acres, divided into 16 parcels, encompassing residential and commercial properties. The plan calls for 1,176 apartment units and over 1,000,000 square feet of commercial space. The project developer is Centennial properties.
 
The impact on traffic patterns in the area including Barker Road, Country Vista Blvd, Appleway Avenue, and Sprague Avenue promises to be overwhelming, and the City of Liberty Lake appears not to be considering the effect on its neighbors. The City of Spokane Valley and Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) have both filed notice that fulfillment of the plan would produce failures in their respective transportation systems. No action was taken but the issue continues to be reviewed.
 
The contract under which the Sheriff’s Office provides law enforcement for the City of Spokane Valley specifies periodic replacement of vehicles. In the past that has included purchasing new vehicles, used vehicles, and refurbishing current vehicles. The County, through this plan, has financed eleven vehicles per year dedicated to Spokane Valley service. However, that plan has proven to be inadequate to address the aging fleet. 
The City proposed in its 2022 budget that $1.4 million be dedicated for purchasing twenty replacement vehicles: $360,000 for transitional costs for upfront vehicle replacement purchases and $1,040,000 for the initial fleet buys. To keep the fleet up to date, a replacement schedule would apply to all vehicles, placing them on a five-year/100,000-mile replacement cycle. The plan would replace fifteen vehicles per year. 
 
However, because of order backlogs, price changes, etc., Staff has asked that the budget for 2023 be increased to accommodate 1) $150,085 for the 2022 vehicle re-order necessitated by production shortages, and 2) $304,332 for the 2023 purchase of 14 additional vehicles, increasing the 2023 budget by $454,417. Consensus was reached to increase the 2023 budget to accommodate the request.
 
Since 2016, the City has been studying and considering participation in a variety of potential improvements to Spokane County’s Plante’s Ferry Sports Complex. Recently the City was once again contacted regarding support for the County’s plan to use approximately $4 million of its American Recovery Plan (ARP) funds for a master plan, design, and construction of initial improvements at the complex. There would be no City contribution at this stage. Discussion centered on consensus whether to prepare a letter of support, and if so, the content of that support. The letter will be available at the next Council meeting.
 
City Hall is open for business during normal business hours. The Public is invited to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions.
 

October 11, 2022

 
 


This Regular meeting of the Spokane Valley City Council commenced with a Public Hearing on the City’s 2023 Preliminary Budget. This was the fifth of eight visitations on the budget leading up to its adoption. The First Reading on the ordinance adopting the 2023 budget will occur on October 25th. The final public hearing on the 2023 Budget will take place on November 8th followed by the Second Reading of the ordinance adopting the 2023 Budge 

Finance Director, Chelsie Taylor, presented the Supplemental Budget* increases which include:
$353,608 in the General Fund
$207,200 in the Street Fund #101
$160,000 in the Parks Capital Projects Fund #309
$513,000 in the Equipment Rental & Replacement Fund #501
 
The City’s full-time employee count will increase in 2023 by 2 to 105.25. The two additions will be a paralegal and a Traffic Signal Technician. 
The recurring revenue estimate for 2023 of $56,450,500 is $44,200,800 or 8.04% greater than the amended 2022 budget of $52,249,700.
The 2023 proposed recurring expenditure total of $53,731,079 is $3,628,391 or 7.39% greater than the 2022 amended appropriation of $49,102,688.
Budgeted recurring revenues will exceed recurring expenditures by $3,719,421 or 6.59% of recurring revenues.
 
*A more detailed breakdown of this budget analysis can be found at www.spokanevalley.org/agendas
Property taxes are the second major source of recurring City Revenue, representing $13,199,900 (25%) of the City’s 2022 budgeted recurring revenue. While city governments are generally thought to be the culprits setting the tax rates and collecting the larger percentage of property taxes, they actually receive, in most cases, less than 10% of the collected property tax revenues.
 
Who then benefits the most from property taxes? Two taxing entities compete for that title. On a $400,000 home, school districts (education, local and state) and fire districts take the lion’s share. The simplified table below demonstrating collections in the East Valley School District reveals:
Spokane County $411.94   9.5%
City of Spokane Valley $407.72   9.0%
Fire District. $1,082.10 24.9%
East Valley School District $1,218.70 28.0%
State Education Tax $1,063.92 24.4%
 
In a similar scenario, Central Valley School District collects 31.9% of the total, the State Education Tax gets 23.1%, and the Fire District receives 23.5%. 
So, it is very apparent who gets most of your property taxes; it isn’t your City.
 
State law sets the maximum levy rates for property taxes in a jurisdiction. The formula for calculating the rate is to take the total levy, divide it by 1,000 and then divide that number by the total assessed value of the taxing authority. The County Assessor’s Office determines that assessed value. That value currently stands at $15,947,457,031, producing a levy rate of $0.840214 per $1,000 of assessed value. 
 
The passage of an ordinance is required to levy and collect 2023 property taxes. That action will take place on the October 25th Council Agenda.
The Spokane Housing Authority (SHA) is a joint housing authority established under state law to provide affordable housing opportunities within the entire Spokane county region, including within the boundaries of Spokane Valley. Since its establishment in 1971, SHA has worked to provide safe, sanitary, and affordable housing opportunities to low-to-moderate income and senior citizens. 
 
SHA operates several affordable housing facilities and provides other types of assistance as well throughout the region. The SHA operates independently from the City and does not use City funds or staff. However, the City appoints two citizen/members to represent the City on the SHA commission. Ms. Pam Par, SHA Executive Director, provided an update on SHA activities. Ms. Par’s visit was intended to strengthen SHA’s ties with the City and to collaborate on program participation. 
 
In recent years, the City has received an increasing number of complaints regarding on-street parking on streets adjacent to various multifamily developments. The current code allows individual garages and for-fee parking spaces to count toward the number of required parking spaces per dwelling unit. CTA-2022-0002 is a proposed city-initiated code text amendment revising City Code relating to multifamily parking standards that would increase the required number of parking spaces to two.
 
The Planning Commission conducted a hearing and recommended the City Council deny CTA-2022-0002. After discussion of Planning Commission’s recommendation, Council concluded that additional study was needed. CTA-2022-0002 was referred back to the Planning Commission for additional consideration.
 
Since the May 31st, 2022, budget amendment, a number of events have transpired in the normal course of operations that necessitate a second 2022 Budget Amendment. Those changes affect 16 funds resulting in total revenue decreases of $2,260,146 and decreases in expenditures of $15,518,461. Council reached consensus to move forward with the amendments to the 2022 Budget as presented.
 
City Hall is open for business during normal business hours. The Public is invited to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions.
 

October 4, 2022

 
 


This first meeting in October of the Spokane Valley City Council led off with a discussion of the Sullivan/Trent Interchange. The Sullivan Road/SR-290 Interchange Project is rapidly gaining importance because it connects rural freight traffic with one of the region’s busiest urban corridors. As such, it appears to qualify for possible grant assistance. 

The area along Sullivan Road between I-90 and SR-290 is home to 9,000 jobs, 85% of which are related to freight movement. Large employers move their goods and employees via Sullivan Road and Bigelow Gulch within Spokane County. Sullivan Road South of SR 290 is a designated Freight and Goods Transportation System freight corridor carrying over 10 million tons of freight annually.

Traffic is projected to increase in peak hours from 1,400 trips to 2,400 trips once Bigelow Gulch is completed. The current rated level of service on that route is ‘B.’ However, with the increase in traffic, that level without upgrading the infrastructure, will degrade the level of service to ‘F.’ Current estimates to reconstruct the interchange range from $35 to $43 million. Staff will be hosting a public meeting with project stakeholders later this month to gather input on alternatives.

The City manages its Stormwater Utility Program pursuant to various laws and regulations from the state and county. That program is funded through the collection of 1) Storm and Surface Utility (Utility) fees from developed parcels located within the City, and 2) the Spokane County Aquifer Protection Area (APA) fee.

The Utility fee is $21 per year on single family residences, duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes. All other developed property is charged $21 for every 3,160 square feet of measured impervious surface area. The Utility fee will generate about $1.9 million in 2022 to the City. That has not increased since the City’s incorporation in 2003.

The APA fee is imposed on each water meter within the City by meter size. That fee is collected by the County and reapportioned among the various participating municipalities. That fee is expected to generate $450,000 to the City in 2022.

The City is in the process of developing a comprehensive stormwater plan to establish the long-term goals of the Utility, identify solutions to address flooding, water quality issues, and strategies for applying sustainable rates and compliance with pertinent laws and regulations. To that end, the stormwater utility work plan is guiding a Stormwater Utility Rate Study with recommendations for potential stormwater utility rate structures and fees for adoption and implementation for 2023

September 27, 2022

 
 
This last meeting for September began with a proclamation denoting the Week of October 9-15 as Fire Prevention Week urging Valley citizens to practice home fire escape plans and support the activities and efforts of the Spokane Valley Fire Department in serving residents of Spokane Valley.
An application by Cameo Lofts, LLC, to vacate 1,539 square feet of an unimproved alleyway extending from Greenacres Road to Appleway Avenue came before Council. The public hearing required by state law before the City Planning Commission produced a unanimous recommendation for approval. A motion to waive the rules and adopt Ordinance 22-020 was approved unanimously.
 
On August 9th, Washington State Department of Ecology issued a call for Water Quality Combined Funding Program (WQC) projects for fiscal year 2024. Those categories are: 
Clean Water State Revolving Fund – (Loans, $250 million available)
Stormwater Financial Assistance Program – (State Grants, $35 million available)
Clean Water Centennial Program – (State Grants, $20 million available)
Clean Water Act Section 19 – (Federal Grants, $1.7 million available)
Sewer Overflow & Stormwater Reuse Grants – (Federal Grants, $11.4 million available) 
 
The City generally aligns most with Ecology’s Stormwater Financial Assistance Program (SFAP) grants. Those grants require a 15% local match for an 85% Ecology funding award. Staff proposes that we apply for a Sprague Avenue Stormwater Improvements grant covering Herald Road to Mullan Road. 
 
Total project cost is estimated at $2,300,000; City’s grant request would be $1,955,000 (85%), requiring a 15% City match of $345,000 plus $155,000 for engineering, totaling $500,000. Applications are due October 12th with funding awards expected by July 1st, 2023. If funds are awarded, work would start no later than April 2024. The motion to authorize the City Manager to apply for the grant passed unanimously.
 
The City collects a 2% lodging tax on hotels and motels. That tax is used primarily for tourism marketing and operation of dedicated events and festivals. Later, Council adopted an additional 1.3% lodging tax to be used solely for capital expenditures to acquire, construct, and improve large sporting venues or venues for tourism-related facilities that support lodging facilities. 
 
Suggestions for distribution of the Lodging Tax money is made by the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC). The City requested funds from the 1.3% Tax (Fund 104) account to apply to a proposed new Expo Building at the Fairgrounds and all future revenues from that fund until the building is completed. LTAC recommended $3,500,000. Council approved the allocation of $3.5 million from Fund 104 for the design, construction, and other costs associated with building the expansion of the Fairgrounds Expo Center Project as presented in the City’s application.
 
The City applied for an additional grant from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) to cover the then estimated total project cost of $10 million. However, events such as escalating costs associated with the project have caused Council to withdraw the City’s application for the EDA grant and place the entire project on hold.
 
State law requires that any change in the use of lodging tax revenue be submitted to LTAC for review and comment. That money will be returned to Fund 104 in preparation for LTAC’s review. The motion to return $3.5 million in lodging tax proceeds allocated in 2022 be returned to Fund 104 passed unanimously.
 
Police Chief Dave Ellis previously presented to Council an overview of the Regional Safe Streets Task Force including its makeup, statistical trends, recent events, and an update in its effectiveness and needs. Violence is increasing as demonstrated by three recent events involving firefights with suspects and generally rising crime rates.
 
Extra patrols have been successful in mitigating the impact of gang violence; however, the budget funds will end in September. Chief Ellis has asked for an additional $100,000 from the City to extend the patrols through the end of the year. The question before Council was whether to use CLFR (Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery) funds to meet the Chief’s request. Council reached consensus to use CLFR funds already allocated to the law enforcement to satisfy the $100,000 request.
 
S.C.O.P.E. (Sherriff Community Oriented Policing Effort) presented an update of that organization’s efforts. To date SCOPE has volunteers working in stations throughout Valley neighborhoods and events. The presentation was conducted by newly appointed director, Chris Conway, who stated using SCOPE volunteers in place of patrol personnel when permitted has saved Spokane Valley $450,000.
 
Police Chief Dave Ellis updated Council on that department’s status, followed by the monthly report from the Spokane Valley Fire Department.
In a budget review discussion of the City’s Capital Reserve Fund #312, the discussion centered on a reallocation of $950,000 from the proposed Fair and Expo Expansion to Balfour Park. The available money in Fund #312, $5,747,804, minus the $950,000, would leave $4,797,804 in reserve for repairs to City Hall. Those expenses are unknown at this time and are currently being litigated. Any future recovery for damages would be used to replenish Fund #312. 
Other suggestions for the use of the available money included $250,000 for a fitness center in the building basement, a street surface treatment pilot program, acquisition of snowplows, fitness courts on the Appleway Trail, and a premanufactured restroom for Balfour Park. Council reached consensus to hold the $950,000 for Balfour Park in abeyance, not pursue the fitness center at this time, and continue with the pilot street surface program.
 
State law requires that the City’s Solid Waste Management Plan and Moderate-Risk Waste Management Plan be current, reviewed and periodically revised as needed. To accomplish those goals the City, after issuing a Request for Qualifications, chose Great West Engineering as the most qualified. The anticipated fee will be approximately $270,000. No action was necessary at this time.
 
City Hall is open for business during normal business hours. The Public is invited to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions.

 

September 13, 2022

 
 
 
This formal session of the Spokane Valley City Council opened with a proclamation recognizing September 17th through 23rd as Constitution Week. The proclamation was followed by a public hearing on the City’s 2023 budget, the third of eight visits in the budget adoption process. 
 
Finance Director, Chelsie Taylor, presented the Supplemental Budget* increases which include:
$353,608 in the General Fund
$207,200 in the Street Fund, #101
$160,000 in the Parks Capital Projects Fund #309
$513,000 in the Equipment Rental & Replacement Fund #501
 
The City’s full-time employee count will increase in 2023 by 2 to 105.25. The two additions will be a paralegal and a Traffic Signal Technician. 
The recurring revenue estimate for 2023 of $56,450,500 is 44,200,800 or 8.04% greater than the amended 2022 budget of $52,249,700.
The 2023 proposed recurring expenditure total of $53,731,079 is $3,628,391 or 7.39% greater than the 2022 amended appropriation of $49,102,688.
Budgeted recurring revenues will exceed recurring expenditures by $3,719,421 or 6.59% of recurring revenues.
*A more detailed breakdown of this budget analysis can be found at www.spokanevalley.org/agendas

This hearing was immediately followed by a public hearing on Proposed Ordinance 22-016, establishing a Spokane Valley Tourism Promotion Area (TPA). 
On October 26th, 2020, Council approved Resolution No. 21-008 which served as a formal notice of the City’s withdrawal from its participation in Spokane County’s Regional Tourism Promotion Area (TPA) effective December 31, 2022. 
 
With the notice of withdrawal from the County’s TPA, City staff met with hoteliers over the summer to 1) assess their interest in developing a City TPA that would generate funding to promote the City as a tourism destination, and 2) if such interest existed, determine if a petition with enough participating hoteliers to legally create a City TPA was feasible.
 
City staff and hoteliers reached agreement on creation of a petition that met all parties’ needs and worked together to collect the necessary signatures from qualified hotel owners/operators to meet the requirements of state law. The signed petition is the first step in the establishment of a City TPA. City Resolution 22-017 formally accepted that petition, setting September 13th, 2022, tonight, as the date for the public hearing before Council. That public hearing was immediately followed by the first reading of Ordinance 22-016, establishing a City-wide Tourism Promotion Area. This ordinance will provide the implementation procedures and policies for the new TPA. Motion to move Ordinance 22-016 to a second reading passed unanimously.
 
Property taxes are a major source of recurring City Revenue, representing $13,199,900 (25%) of the City’s 2022 budgeted recurring revenue. County Assessor, Tom Konis, explained that while city governments are generally thought to be the culprits setting the tax rates and collecting the larger percentage of property taxes, they actually receive, in most cases, less than 10% of the collected property tax revenues.
 
Who then, benefits the most from property taxes? Two taxing entities compete for that title. On a $400,000 home, school districts (education, local and state) and fire districts take the lion’s share. The simplified table below demonstrating collections in the East Valley School District reveals:
Spokane County $   411.94   9.5%
City of Spokane Valley $   407.72   9.0%
Fire District       $1,082.10 24.9%
East Valley School District $1,218.70 28.0%
State Education Tax $1,063.92 24.4%
 
In a similar scenario, Central Valley School District collects 31.9% of the total, the State Education Tax gets 23.1%, and the Fire District receives 23.5%. 
So, it is very apparent who gets most of your property taxes; it isn’t your City.
 
In procuring consultants for its various projects, the City has in its code a process including financial limitations for those solicitations. Currently, if a contract is expected to exceed $100,000 and/or one year, the contract requires being put out for bid. Agreements for less than $100,000 and one year must get three or more proposals; below $15,000 does not require a competitive process.
 
In light of rapidly increasing costs and the delays created by a very tight labor market in securing bids, staff is recommending that the upper financial limit be increased to $200,000 and dropping the contract length requirement. Anything over $200,000 would require a formal bid process. For contracts between $25,000-$200,000, a request for proposals from three or more vendors is required. Ordinance 22-017 formally makes those amendments. Motion to suspend the rules and adopt Ordinance No. 22-017 passed unanimously.
 
In a parallel move to simplify the process for procuring goods, equipment, and supplies, the top limit of $40,000 above which a formal bid process must be undertaken, Staff proposes to raise that limit to $100,000. Below that amount, three proposals from an approved list of vendors would be required. Ordinance 22-018 enables that facilitation to occur. The motion to suspend the rules and adopt Ordinance No. 22-018 passed unanimously.
 
At its inception, the City’s code identified a City Auditor whose duty was to ensure compliance with state law. Today, the required tasks are conducted by the entire Finance Department staff under the supervision of the Finance Department Director. A minor amendment, changing the Finance Director’s responsibilities from “required to perform all duties set forth in RCW…” to “….shall be responsible for ensuring compliance with…” is accomplished by proposed Ordinance 22-019. Motion to advance Ordinance 22-019 to a second reading passed unanimously. 
 
In the fall of 2019, the City was notified by Tyler Technologies that they would no longer service the Eden financial software used by the City. Recognizing the need to find a replacement, staff commenced a search, first employing BerryDunn, a consultant, to assist in software vendor selection and subsequent implementation. In preparation for the transition, $1 million was set aside in the budget to accommodate the purchase and installation, plus $400,000 per year thereafter for subscription fees.
 
The selection team ultimately settled on the Munis software system from Tyler Technologies, Inc. as the replacement system, and IntelliTime for timekeeping software. The IntelliTime system is expected to be implemented by the beginning of 2023. The Munis software system should be functional in the spring of 2024. The move to finalize the agreement with Tyler Technologies, Inc. for $678,363 plus taxes and licenses passed unanimously. 
 
During the 2022 contract year with Poe Asphalt for providing street and stormwater maintenance services, all contracted work has been completed. However, several local access roads are in immediate need, but sufficient funds are not available for the required reconstruction. The projects are:
Kahuna Drive; Carnahan to End
Stanley Road; 16th Ave to 15 Ave
15th Avenue; Stanley Rd to Howe Rd
15th Avenue; Howe Rd to Fancher Rd
Howe Road; 15th Ave to 14th Ave
Fancher Road; 15th Ave to 14th Ave
 
Avista Corporation has been working in these roadways and in consultation with them they have agreed to share the costs of the reconstruction. The total shared project cost is $421,400 with the City paying $287,486 and Avista $133,914. The motion to approve the Poe Contract Amendment #2 passed unanimously.
 
The Barker Road/BNSF Rail Crossing project was awarded for construction to the Max J. Kuney Company (Kuney) on January 28, 2021, by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), the project manager. Although the City assembled the funding and remains responsible for accounting for those funds, it has ceded project management to WSDOT for the construction. 
 
The City and WSDOT coordinate on all change orders for the project with Kuney regardless of the amount. A cumulative limit of $350,000 in change orders is in place requiring Council approval for anything beyond that amount.
 
The newest change order is for $10,300 to construct a temporary gate and driveway for a business to access their property while the remaining road improvements are completed in front of their property. Large vehicles cannot access the business through the ongoing construction activities. 
The Contractor’s successful low bid was $2,000,000 below the next lowest bidder. A low bid can often be increased by the change order process if the project cannot move forward without approval of the change orders. Motion to approve the $10,300 change order passed unanimously.
 
Police Chief Ellis presented an overview of the Regional Safe Streets Task Force including its makeup, statistical trends, recent events, and an update. Violence is increasing as demonstrated by three recent events involving firefights with suspects.
 
Extra patrols have been successful in mitigating the impact of gang violence; however, the budget funds will end in September. Chief Ellis asked for an additional $100,000 from the City to extend the patrols through the end of the year. 
 
City Hall is open for business during normal business hours. The Public is invited to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions.
 

September 6, 2022

 
 
 
The first and third meetings of each month of the Spokane Valley City Council are scheduled to be study sessions. Items of business requiring action by Council are usually scheduled for the second and fourth meetings each month although items requiring immediate attention are often placed on study session agendas. 
 
Earlier this year, the City was presented with an opportunity to join in a suit with other Washington cities against various companies and individuals involved in the manufacture, marketing, and distribution of opioid products and prescriptions. The suit is based on well-documented harm to citizens and communities resulting from direct use and ancillary illegal activities stemming from the opioid supply chain. A second suit brought by the State Attorney General (AG) has included Johnson and Johnson and Purdue Pharmaceutical (bankrupt). The City has joined in that action as well and is awaiting court action.
 
Each participating municipality seeking to receive funds through the AG’s settlement with Cardinal Health, Amerisource, and McKesson is required to sign the One Washington Memorandum of Understanding, the Subdivision Participation Form, and now, the Allocation Agreement. The Allocation Agreement adopts and incorporates the terms of the One Washington MOU with slight changes. Once the City becomes a party to the MOU it can negotiate for a higher allocation of funds than identified by the preliminary allocation formula. Motion to approve the agreement and authorize the City Manager to execute it passed unanimously. 
 
In the continuing controversy and confusion surrounding addressing the homeless problem in Spokane Valley, the City’s Housing and Homeless Coordinator presented an update on efforts to solve or mitigate the issue. Those efforts include:
Coordination with Spokane Valley Partners to provide a full-time Outreach Specialist to work in the community. The combination of law enforcement and the City’s dedicated personnel are helping to provide solutions and eventual reduction in homeless problems.
Lately, there has been an increase in homeless people in the City due to the opening of a homeless shelter just outside the Valley city limits in Spokane, and the publicized closing of Camp Hope. The residents from the Valley who are currently there will likely return to the Valley.
The increasing use of fentanyl is having a negative impact on the Valley homeless population. The fact that it’s cheap and highly addictive, not to mention the potential lethality, is having a distinct effect on the number and actions of the homeless here.
Efforts to assist in moving homeless persons to stabilization or productive status, including secure housing, has been marginally successful.
The City’s Community Homeless Action Plan (CHAP) is being developed in preparation for review and distribution.
 
On August 1, the Washington State Department of Commerce issued a call for projects under the Electrification of Transportation Systems (ETS) grant program. The ETS program is intended to support eligible entities’ participation in the state’s clean energy transition. Available funding is $970,000, with an award range between $100,000 to $150,000 (up to $400,000 if done with a partner, i.e., the City could partner with a utility). The application deadline is September 15th. Awards would be announced in January 2023. Council reached consensus to delay any action on such a proposal until more information becomes available.
 
On August 9th, Washington State Department of Ecology issued a call for Water Quality Combined Funding Program (WQC) projects for fiscal year 2024. Those categories are: 
Clean Water State Revolving Fund – (Loans, $250 million available)
Stormwater Financial Assistance Program – (State Grants, $35 million available)
Clean Water Centennial Program – (State Grants, $20 million available)
Clean Water Act Section 19 – (Federal Grants, $1.7 million available)
Sewer Overflow & Stormwater Reuse Grants – (Federal Grants, $11.4 million available) 
 
Applications are due October 12th with funding awards expected by July 1st, 2023. A list of projects and estimated costs will be provided to Council for application consideration at the September 20th meeting. Consensus to proceed with the application was reached.
In procuring consultants for its various projects, the City has in its code a process including financial limitations for those solicitations. Currently, if a contract is expected to exceed $100,000 and/or one year, the contract requires being put out for bid. Agreements for less than $100,000 and one year must get three or more proposals; below $15,000 does not require a competitive process.
 
In light of rapidly increasing costs and the delays created by a very tight labor market in securing bids, staff is recommending that the upper financial limit be increased to $200,000 and dropping the contract length requirement. Anything over $200,000 would require a formal bid process. For contracts between $25,000-$200,000, a request for proposals from three or more vendors is required. Consensus to place this on a future agenda for first reading was unanimous.
 
In a companion report, the process for procuring goods, equipment, and supplies has a top limit of $40,000. Above this amount a formal bid process must be undertaken. Staff proposes to raise the limit to $100,000 above which the formal bid process must take place. Below that amount, three proposals from an approved list of vendors would be required. Consensus to place on a future agenda for a first reading was unanimously approved.
At its inception, the City’s code identified a City Auditor whose duty was to ensure compliance with state law. Today, the required tasks are carried out by the entire Finance Department staff under the supervision of the Finance Department Director. A minor amendment, changing the Finance Director’s instructions from “required to perform all duties set forth in RCW…” to “….shall be responsible for ensuring compliance with…” met with unanimous Council consensus to place on a future agenda for a first reading.
 
In a budget review discussion of the City’s Capital Reserve Fund #312, the discussion centered on a reallocation of $950,000 from the proposed Fair and Expo Expansion to Balfour Park. The available money in Fund #312, $5,747,804, minus the $950,000, would leave $4,797,804 in reserve for repairs to City Hall. Any future recovery for damages would be used to replenish Fund #312. Other suggestions for the use of the available money caused the discussion to be postponed pending further information.
 
City Hall is open for business during normal business hours. The Public is invited to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions.
 

August 30, 2022

 


This Study Session of Spokane Valley City Council commenced with the First Reading of Ordinance 22-014, a Street Vacation between Mission Avenue and Park Road. On April 26th, Council set a date of July 14th for a public hearing before the Spokane Valley Planning Commission for a street vacation of an unnamed street connecting Park Road and Mission Avenue. The parcel is approximately 370’ x 20’, encompassing approximately 7,400 square feet. The Planning Commission voted 6-1 to recommend the vacation to Council. Council reached consensus to place the item on the August 23rd agenda for a first reading.

Since the City initiated the application to vacate, it will not charge fees for the application process, nor will it seek compensation for the value of the land being vacated. The vacated land will be divided between adjacent property owners. Motion to move Ordinance 22-014 to a second reading passed unanimously.

On July 6, 2021, The City contracted with AHBL, Inc. (AHBL) to design the expansion of Balfour Park. The plan was to complete the design in two phases. The first phase was to increase park design to 30 percent including an events plaza, play areas, splash pad and amphitheater. Those plans included design of site grading, initial parking areas, lighting, multi-use plaza and open areas. The consultant was to also update the cost estimate for full park construction to be used for grant applications. Sidewalks are to be constructed as part of the library’s construction of its new facility. Construction of the planned Phase 1 project was estimated at $3.1 million. 

Phase 2 was to include the architectural park elements identified in the adopted Park Master Plan which included an events plaza, signature playground, splash pad, picnic shelter, sports courts, veterans’ memorial, amphitheater, and a walking interpretive trail.

The low bid for Phase 1 came in at $5.0 million. The economic situation, i.e., materials shortages, inflated prices, and late bid submission all contributed to the unexpected exorbitant costs. After a review of available options, Council is faced with a revision of the design. The amended contract with AHBL calls for an additional $106,178.90, bringing the amended contract total to $481,158.17. Motion to execute Amendment #2 to the ABHL Agreement #21-116 passed unanimously.

In an administrative report, the Spokane Valley Arts Council (SVAC) presented a potential project for 2023. This is pursuant to an agreement between Council and SVAC that there be consensus on any piece that SVAC would try to secure for presentation to the City. The piece is a bronze sculpture entitled Sun Blessing, by Nancy McLaughlin. With consensus, SVAC would apply for a City Outside Agency grant to assist in making the purchase.

In a very interesting discussion, Mercer Mass Timber, a company that acquired the former Katerra property and manufacturing facilities in August 2021, has plans for additional expansion. They currently occupy 37 acres in the City’s northeast industrial park, including a 253,000 square feet manufacturing plant. While the presentation was for discussion only, it served as a notice of consistent interest in that area. 

Since 2014, the City and Washington State Department of Ecology (DOE) have been in negotiations on a Stormwater Project (Stormwater) to improve the water quality from stormwater runoff into the aquifer. The City initially received a $2 million grant with the expectation it would make up a $1.5 million revenue gap. That work has been delayed by revenue shortfalls at the legislative level and steadily increasing (inflated) costs of completing the project.
Lately, the City has been awarded $163,685 from Spokane Transit Authority to improve the crossing between City Hall and Balfour Park on Sprague Avenue (Crossing Project). An additional $556,400 has been obtained from the Pedestrian & Bicycle Program. The Stormwater and Crossing Project were originally planned to be completed concurrently. However, escalating costs have moved the costs to more than $5 million with expectations that they could be significantly higher in the timeframe of these discussions. Faced with this dilemma, Council decided to return the DOE grant, separate the projects, and move ahead with the Sprague Pedestrian Crossing Project after gathering more information on the Crossing Project and Spokane Transit Authority’s passenger pickup site.

To be able to accommodate a safe pedestrian crossing and drainage facilities at the project site, staff is proposing to reduce Sprague Avenue from five lanes to three, consistent with the existing lane structure east of University. The intent is to reduce the average speeds from 41.1 mph to 35 mph or less. To that end, a pilot project using tubular markers will be set up for six weeks to evaluate effects on driver behavior and vehicle speeds. Consensus was reached to implement the 3-lane reduction pilot project this fall. 

The second discussion/presentation on the City’s 2023 Budget highlighted the $104,614,473 in total appropriations including $25,174,227 in capital expenditures. Grant revenues of $11,459,062 represent 45.52% of the capital expenditures covered by State and Federal money. 

The City estimates 2023 recurring revenue will be $56,450,500, an increase of 8.04% over the amended 2022 budget. The 2023 recurring expenditure estimate of $52,731,079 is 7.39% greater than the 2022 amended budget. Recurring revenues exceed budgeted recurring expenditures by $3,719,421. The projected balance in the General Fund at the end of 2023 stands At $30,631,616 or 58.09% of recurring expenditures. The City’s full time employee count will increase in 2023 to 105.25 from 103.25. 

A public hearing on the budget as required by state law is scheduled for the September 13th Council meeting.

Earlier this year the City was presented with an opportunity to join with other cities in the state in a suit against the various companies and individuals involved in the manufacture, marketing, and distribution of opioid products and prescriptions. The suit is based on well-documented harm to individuals and communities resulting from use and ancillary illegal activities stemming from the opioid supply chain. A second suit brought by the State Attorney General has included Johnson and Johnson and Purdue Pharmaceutical (bankrupt). The City has joined in that action as well.

An allocation agreement has been reached allowing the City to participate infuture settlement of the cases if or when that happens. Consensus was reached to place the allocation agreement on a future agenda for action.

Spokane Police Chief Dave Ellis presented a summary of actions taken at Hometown Suites. Those actions included six search warrants served by SWAT, 72 arrests, establishment of a nexus with Camp Hope through stolen property and drugs, two employees arrested, approximately half of the staff being replaced, and the eviction of all 13 units.

Follow-up actions include deployment of a high visibility camera trailer to serve as a criminal deterrent, spot checks by police patrol, and continued communication with Hometown Suites management.

City Hall is open for business during normal business hours. The Public is invited to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions.
 

August 23, 2022

 

At Council’s last meeting they were advised in an administrative report following an application for a street vacation that changes in City personnel, organization, and priorities have uncovered the need to amend the City Code Section 22.140 to update it. Ordinance 22-015 accomplished that goal. The motion to suspend the rules and adopt Ordinance 22-015 passed unanimously.

On October 26th, 2020, Council approved Resolution No. 21-008 which served as a formal notice of the City’s withdrawal from its participation in Spokane County’s Regional Tourism Promotion Area (TPA) effective December 31, 2022. On March 8th, 2022, after revisiting and discussing the issue, Council reaffirmed the decision terminate its participation. 

With the notice of withdrawal from the County’s TPA, Council discussed forming its own TPA for the City. City staff met with hoteliers over the summer to 1) assess their interest in developing a City TPA that would generate funding to promote the City as a tourism destination, and 2) if such interest existed, determine if a petition with enough participating hoteliers to legally create a City TPA was feasible.

After City staff and hoteliers reached agreement on creation of a petition that met all parties’ needs, hoteliers worked together to collect the necessary signatures from qualified hotel owners/operators to meet the requirements of state law. The signed petition is the first step in the establishment of a City TPA. City Resolution 22-017 formally accepts that petition and sets September 13th, 2022, as the date for a public hearing before Council. Motion to approve Resolution 22-017 passed unanimously.

In an administrative report, Council was advised that the system currently used for determining replacement of City snowplows isn’t working. That system calls for a replacement snowplow every three years. The City’s existing fleet of snowplows has been purchased from the Department of Transportation as they are dropped from that agency’s inventory. The average age of our fleet is 35.5 years. In this environment of supply shortages and unavailability of replacements parts, our maintenance crews are having to manufacture replacement parts. 

To provide a more realistic and manageable timetable for replacement, a new program has been developed which will replace one snowplow each year for eight years (including this year). The program would then call for replacement based on age and usage. The average age for replacement would be reduced to 26.9 years, which is a more reasonable age for obtaining replacement and repair parts.

Spokane Valley’s Deputy Fire Chief presented a monthly report, stating that the seven stations in the Valley were making 58 runs per day on average. He mentioned that the department responded to 10,166 incidents year to date in 2022. 

The Spokane Valley Fire Department is the 2022 recipient of “Heart Safe Community” Award for being one of the safest places in the US to have a heart attack. A somewhat reassuring factotum. Burn restrictions went into place on July 20th. 

City Hall is open for business during normal business hours. The Public is invited to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions.
 

August 16, 2022

 

This Study Session of the Spokane Valley City Council opened with a technical item correction. On April 26th, Council approved Resolution 22-007 authorizing two applications for funding assistance from the Washington State Recreation Conservation Office (RCO) for Phase 2 of Greenacres Park development. The RCO has responded to that application requesting minor language changes in the Resolution to match the RCO’s template that requires verbatim compliance. The City’s new Resolution 22-015 meets the requirement, replacing Resolution 22-007. Motion to approve Resolution 22-015 passed unanimously.
 
Council annually reviews its adopted goals and priorities for how it uses lodging tax revenues encouraging the Lodging Tax Committee to consider those when making award recommendations. In summary, those goals and priorities are: 
 
To direct awards toward funding projects, activities, events, or festivals that will highlight Spokane Valley as a tourism destination. Lodging taxes will be used for purposes allowed by State law including:
Tourism marketing
Marketing and operation of special events and festivals
Operation and capital expenditures for tourism related facilities owned or operated by a municipality or public facilities district
Operation of tourism related facilities owned or operated by non-profit organizations
Prioritize funding for destination marketing projects that promote the City as a tourist destination and for capital expenditures to develop tourism destination facilities or venues within Spokane Valley as a means of drawing additional visitors to the City. 
Priority consideration will be given to projects with a history of increasing overnight stays and the shopping, dining, and overnight visit components in that category.
Council will take into consideration revenues received by applicants that were derived from other sources within Spokane Valley and other municipal entities and agencies such as any standing Tourism Promotion Authority and the Spokane Public Facilities District.
In a departure from past practice, the City will now accept applications from applicants other than non-profit entities for tourism promotion projects.
An award to a Lodging Tax applicant cannot be greater than the amount requested in the applicant’s application. 
 
Notice to any parties interested in applying for tourism grants will be made by newspaper, city website, and letters to past award recipients on August 26th. Applications will be due to the City by 4pm, Friday, September 30, 2022. Candidates will present their applications to the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) on Thursday, October 20th. LTAC will make its recommendations for awards to Council at its November 8th meeting, and Council will approve the final awards on December 13th. Motion to approve Council’s Lodging Tax Goals and Priorities passed unanimously.
 
On April 26th, Council set a date of July 14th for a public hearing before the Spokane Valley Planning Commission for a street vacation of an unnamed street connecting Park Road and Mission Avenue. The parcel is approximately 370’ x 20’, encompassing approximately 7,400 square feet. The Planning Commission voted 6-1 to recommend the vacation to Council. Council reached consensus to place the item on the August 23rd agenda for a first reading.
This discussion was followed by an administrative report on amending the City Code on street vacations. Changes in City personnel, organization, and priorities have indicated the need for a review of Code Section 22.140 with an eye to updating it. Consensus was reached to place the item on a future agenda for a first reading.
 
City Manager, John Hohman, presented Council 2023 Budget Goals, refined from its June 14th Budget Workshop. They are, in part:
Advance Pines/BNSF rail crossing project to construction
Actively pursue a plan to sustain the City’s Pavement Management Program
Pursue financial assistance for improving the Barker Corridor
Sustain and expand economic development efforts and COVID recovery
Continue to foster relationships with federal, state, and county agencies
Pursue financing for Balfour Parks, Appleway Trail amenities, and the River Loop Trail
Execute an extension of our law enforcement contract
Increase community interactions

These items will be a part of the budget approval process when completed in November.
 
Police Chief Ellis presented an overview of the Regional Safe Streets Task Force including its makeup, statistical trends, recent events, and an update. Violence is increasing as demonstrated by three recent events involving firefights with suspects.
 
In a welcome announcement encapsulated in this press release:
City receives $33 million for Pines Road/BNSF grade separation project
 
Spokane Valley is excited to announce that on August 11, the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) awarded $21,689,221 for the construction of the Pines Road/BNSF Grade Separation Project. Funding comes from the USDOT’s Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) discretionary grant program, which invests in road, rail, transit, and port projects that promise to achieve national objectives. The RAISE program prioritized awards for projects that deliver equitable transportation modes for all users. 

Also, in July 2022, the city was notified of two additional funding awards for the project:
Senator Patty Murray’s sponsorship of the project secured $5 million in the 2023 draft Senate Appropriations bill, which will be realized with the passing of the 2023 budget expected to occur this fall or winter. 
Spokane Regional Transportation Council awarded $6,404,600.
 
These funds move the Pines/BNSF Rail Crossing Project to very nearly being fully funded. Additional grant applications, if successful, will complete that effort.
 
City Hall is open for business during normal business hours. The Public is invited to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions.

August 9, 2022

 

In a rather rare occurrence, this regular meeting of the Spokane Valley City Council had only one item of business on its agenda. That item was approval of payment of Claim Voucher #57390 to Wick enterprises for $395.00. Ordinarily such a voucher would be a part of the Consent Agenda’s payment of City bills. However, since the billing is from a sitting member of Council, it was addressed separately. Mr. Wick recused himself from participating in the discussion and vote. After discussion on why the City was paying for advertising for a chamber of commerce promoted event, the motion to approve payment passed unanimously. 

On July 27th, Mayor Pam Haley and Deputy Mayor Rod Higgins presented the aforementioned State of the City address. Excerpts from that message are presented here:
“The City’s budget priorities have remained the same. Public Safety, pavement preservation, economic development, and infrastructure,” said the Mayor. “Inflation, supply shortages, and economic slowing promise to impact revenues, but the City’s strong financial position have us in a good financial place.”

American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money ($16 million) awarded last year is still undergoing distribution planning. Where to place the money must be determined by 2024 with actual spending of the money accomplished by 2026.

The $26 million Barker Road/BNSF rail crossing construction is expected to be completed by the end of the year. Work on improving the south Barker Corridor is also progressing with the construction of a single lane roundabout at Sprague and Barker. Other improvements to bring the corridor into compliance are in planning.

The Pines Road/BNSF rail crossing is estimated to cost $34 million. The City has secured $9.75 million thus far. It has submitted several grant applications that, if they come to fruition, would come very close to completing the financing needs.
City Council approved a Housing Action Plan to address the shortage of available and affordable housing. We’ve determined that we need nearly 6,700 additional units of all types in the City by 2037 to accommodate our growing population.

Homelessness in our community: Formulating an action plan with strategies to address and reduce homelessness engaging services to assist them them out of their homeless condition. The numbers of homeless have been growing. We are working to help City personnel and law enforcement understand just where the homeless are collecting in our city. If a homeless person here in the Valley is genuinely trying to escape homelessness, we’re here to help. If not, that person is probably in the wrong place.
 
The City contracts for its police services from the Spokane County Sheriff. The City signed a 5-year contract that began in 2018. That contract is coming up for renewal at the end of this year. Currently, the Spokane Valley Police Department contract calls for over 100 deputies and officers, with 5 support staff and a cadre of SCOPE volunteers.

Last year the city purchased the former “White Elephant” store after it closed. The place is well situated for future expansion of our police department as our city grows. When we need it, we’ll have the space. 

Recruitment efforts are competitive. However, we’ve been able to add a selection of new officers from larger cities across the nation who have chosen to relocate to Spokane Valley. 

Several major road construction projects in our city are in full swing, impacting traffic flow. The Sprague Avenue Pavement Preservation Project is a $2.5 million project that began this past June. It will improve Sprague Avenue from Havana east to Fancher, reducing the need for more costly street and sidewalk repairs in the future. Those are scheduled to wrap up in September. When completed, this area will receive new asphalt, repaired sidewalk ramps--updated to ADA standards, conduit to link the timing of signal lights together with repairing damaged or deteriorating stormwater structures.
 
Improvements at the intersection of Sullivan and Wellesley began last month. This project is tied in with Phase 6 of Spokane County’s Bigelow Gulch project. When completed in August, the change will re-route traffic from Bigelow Gulch directly to that intersection. The intersection will get a new traffic signal, wider vehicle lanes, and a center turn lane. The roadway will include a shared-use path together with sidewalk and ADA improvements. The $2.3 million project is paid for by $1.2 million from the City and the remainder from Spokane County. 

The Mayor thanked all the agencies that partnered with the City to accomplish what has to date been a very successful year.
City Hall is open for business during normal business hours. The Public is invited to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions.

July 26, 2022

 

This formal meeting of the Spokane Valley City Council opened with a proclamation in recognition of National Night Out. “National Night Out is a community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, and more caring places to live and work…”
 
The first order of business was the second reading of proposed Ordinance 22-010 which:
More clearly defines ‘junk’ vehicles and vessels.
Adds inoperable golf carts as a prohibited nuisance
Adds new section to prohibit illegal camping on private property
Adds new section regulating improper vehicle/vessel parking and storage on private property
Includes prohibition on junk vehicles to include those unlicensed for more than 45 days with certain exclusions on uses, number, and placement
Places limits on camping in a recreational vehicle to no more than 30 days. Also requires a temporary use permit and allows for variances authorized by the City Manager
Establishes a temporary use permit for residential visitation.
The issue of children camping in a parent’s backyard stands out. The revised proposal would remove restriction of that activity while targeting illegal “camping.” 
 
Based on prior Council discussions, Recreational Vehicle (RV) parking on private property should be allowed for up to 30 days with a temporary use permit. A permit would be obtained from the city for a fee. The motion to adopt Ordinance 22-010 was amended to defer action to a later date to address Council concerns about definitions used to determine actionable offenses.
 
On June 1st, the Washington State Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) issued a call for projects for its Urban Arterial Program (UAP) and Active Transportation Program (ATP). The UAP has in the past funded the City’s street related projects. The ATP program is designed to deliver more holistic transportation projects related to non-motorized users.
 
The UAP has $7.3 million for the Northeast Region, while ATP has $1.7 million for the Eastern Region. Matching requirements are a minimum 20%, with more points for more matching funds. Applications are due by August 19th; funding awards will be made on December 2nd.
 
The City intends to make UAP applications for 1) Broadway & Park concrete intersection, $2 million, ($500,000 City Match; 2) Barker Roundabouts at 4th & 8th Avenues, $2.4 million. ($3.1 million City Match); 3) Pines Road/BNSF rail crossing, $2.8 million, ($700,000 City Match).
 
A single ATP application will be for 8th Avenue, Dickey to Park, bike and sidewalk improvements, $425,000, ($425,000 City Match @ 50%). Motion to apply for the TIB Grants for the identified projects passed unanimously.
 
On July 6th, US Department of Transportation announced its 2022 call for projects for the Railroad Crossing Elimination (RCE) grant program. This is the first year of the program sponsored by Senator Maria Cantwell. It was included in the 2022 Infrastructure, Investment and Jobs Act for the purpose of funding highway-rail grade crossing improvement projects that focus on improving safety and mobility of people and goods.
Total Available Program Funds: $573.3 million (20% max to one state)
Award Range (Min-Max): $1 million minimum, no maximum
Match Amount: 80% Federal, 20% Non-Federal minimum
Application Due Date: October 4, 2022
Application Award Date: Unspecified. Estimated Spring 2023 

Motion to authorize the City Manager to apply for the RCE grant for the Pines Road/BNSF Grade Separation Project passed unanimously.
In 1979, the first Midilome neighborhood was platted. The plat called for stormwater runoff to flow via dipped driveways to swales located within 10-14 feet drainage easements along parcel frontages. Per the plat language, the owner of each lot is responsible for any damage if they obstruct, artificially collect or discharge, the natural drainage flow across or adjacent to their property.
 
In 2019, the City reconstructed the Midilome pavement in the limits between Bowdish and Pines, and 24th/Loretta Avenues and 37th Avenue. The pavement was in poor condition with cracks and settling. Stormwater typically drained into the street base before it reached the dipped driveway and swales where it was supposed to go. The reconstruction project graded the pavement to provide a positive slope towards the drainage swales as intended in the original plat. 
 
But after the project was completed, property owners experienced more stormwater accumulation in their driveways because the street pavement no longer absorbed the runoff. Other problems accumulated over the years, together with the errant runoff, have created a need to have the swales reconstructed and the runoff redirected to plat specifications. Per the plat language, the property owners are responsible for those repairs. Discussion only.
The current interlocal agreement with the Spokane County Sheriff for providing law enforcement services was adopted by Council in July 2017 for a five-year period beginning January 1, 2018, through December 31, 2022. Periodic amendments have been applied and a new set is being considered for Council consideration in preparation for negotiations on a new contract. Significant among those suggested are:
Ownership of dedicated City vehicles that are fully paid for will transfer to City ownership upon termination of the agreement.
Clarification on allowing temporary movement of dedicated officers to a shared unit with city Manager and Police Chief approval.
Clarification that performance measures and workload indicators will be provided subject to availability of data.
Language added to prevent unspent City funds from being diverted to other purposes without prior authorization.
Language added to allow City to pay up front for dedicated vehicles and have authorization authority over purchases and location of vehicles.
Language added to the Domestic Violence detective to work in a shared unit.
Behavioral Health indicators and measures added. Refined performance measures and included cost and budget data.
Homeless Services Deputy and Behavioral Health Deputy added.
Added two Major Crimes Detectives.
 
No action was taken at this time. The 2022 Budget for Law Enforcement is $24,958,601. Renewal discussions are ongoing.
 
Council annually joins in the National Night Out celebration which occurs on Tuesday, August 2nd. There will not be a Council meeting that evening.
 
City Hall is open for business during normal business hours. Masks are no longer required in the building. Council meetings begin at 6:00pm. The Public is invited to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions.

July 19, 2022

 
 

This Spokane Valley City Council meeting opened with a continuation of business from last week’s meeting. The City received information from the Washington Economic Development Finance Authority Revenue Bond Program (WEDFA) concerning a proposed issuance of up to $12,163,000 of non-recourse revenue bonds to Mutual Materials, a company that has manufacturing facilities throughout the state, including here in Spokane Valley at 6712 E. Trent. Mutual Materials plans to construct a concrete masonry unit manufacturing facility and make exterior building and other site and equipment improvements. WEDFA will not issue the bonds without a resolution that the City has no objection to the business being assisted. The City has approved similar action in the past.
 
Resolution 22-014 is a statement of support of the state issuing economic development bonds for the project. The City would not have any financial or liability exposure. The motion to approve Resolution 2-014 passed unanimously.
 
In the past, the City was awarded $163,685 to improve the crossing between City Hall and Balfour Park on Sprague Avenue (Crossing Project). An additional $556,400 has been obtained from the Pedestrian & Bicycle Program. The Stormwater and Crossing Project were planned to be completed concurrently. However, escalating costs have moved the costs to more than $5 million with expectations that they could be significantly higher in the timeframe of these discussions. Faced with this dilemma, Council decided to return the Department of Ecology grant. DOE has indicated that it will not require repayment of grant funds expended to date. Motion to authorize termination of the agreement with DOE and return the grant funds passed unanimously.
 
Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) announced its 2022 call for projects for its Railroad Crossing Grant (RCG) program which was primarily sponsored by Senator Padden last legislative session. The RCG program is intended to provide non-federal funds for federal rail crossing projects that require matching funds. The available funds are up to $5 million. A motion to authorize application for $5 million for the Pines Road/BNSF rail crossing project passed unanimously.
 
On April 26th, the City was presented with an opportunity to join other cities in the state in a suit against the various companies and individuals involved in the manufacture, marketing, and distribution of opioid products and prescriptions. Those companies are Johnson & Johnson, Cardinal Health, Amerisource, and McKesson. The suit is based on well-documented harm to individuals and communities resulting from use and ancillary illegal activities stemming from the opioid supply chain. The City joined in that suit to become eligible to participate in any future settlement of the case if or when that happens. 
 
Now, a separate settlement reached by the Washington State Attorney General’s Office has been decided for $518 million against Cardinal Health, Amerisource, and McKesson. The City can participate in that settlement when finalized, leaving Johnson & Johnson still unsettled. Council authorized the City Manager to execute a required Subdivision Participation Form enabling participation in the Attorney General’s settlement agreement.
A Commerce request for Proposals for relocating the residents of “Camp Hope” on Washington State Department of Transportation land at 2nd Avenue and Ray Street in Spokane has made $24.2 million available for proposals, preferably by a consolidation of jurisdictions with a coordinated long-term plan for moving the Camp residents into housing of various types. The camp currently houses over 600 individuals.
 
While Camp Hope is located in Spokane, it has residents from all jurisdictions. Mayor Haley has penned a letter to Washington State Department of Commerce outlining the City position on relocation. Late discussions among all entities have not offered productive solutions, causing doubt that Commerce’s deadline for submission of proposals by July 21st can be met. A motion to forward the Mayor’s letter to Commerce passed unanimously.
After two years of modified programs. due to COVID, the City Parks Department’s recreation department is back up and running with its regular programs plus a few new ones. The programs include Summer Park and Meals, Storytime in the Park, Adult Dance Lessons, Summer Day Camp, Outdoor Yoga, Outdoor Movies, Paws in the Pool, and Volleyball at Browns Park.
 
Spokane Valley Fire Chief Soto presented a report of the department’s monthly activities which included 1,640 incidents in June, and 1,507 responses. That brings the annual to date totals to 9,083 incidents and 9,651 responses.
 
In 2013 the City adopted goals and priorities for how it would use lodging tax revenues and encouraged the Lodging Tax Committee to consider those when making award recommendations. In summary, those goals and priorities are: 
To direct awards toward funding projects, activities, events, or festivals that will highlight Spokane Valley as a tourism destination. Lodging taxes will be used for purposes allowed by State law including:
Tourism marketing
Marketing and operation of special events and festivals
Operation and capital expenditures for tourism related facilities owned or operated by a municipality or public facilities district
Operation of tourism related facilities owned or operated by non-profit organizations
Emphasize use of funds for capital expenditures to develop tourism destination facilities or venues within the City to draw visitors.
Priority consideration will be given to projects with a history of increasing overnight stays and the shopping, dining, and overnight visit components in that category.
Recognition is given to revenues generated by other lodging sources outside the City for promoting Spokane Valley facilities.
In a departure from past practice, the City will now accept applications from applicants other than non-profit entities for tourism promotion projects.
An award to a Lodging Tax applicant cannot be greater than the amount requested in the applicant’s application. 
 
Notice to any parties interested in applying for tourism grants will be made by newspaper, city website, and letters to past award recipients on August 26th. Applications will be due to the City by 4pm, Friday, September 30, 2022. Candidates will present their applications to the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) on Thursday, October 20th. LTAC will make its recommendations for awards to Council at its November 8th meeting, and Council will approve the final awards on December 13th.
 
The unsettled issue of illegal camping was once again on the agenda. The issue is driven by homeless abusing the established regulations and the use of the word “camping” applied to homeless activity. That activity is not camping in the traditional sense of the word and using it as such causes remedial action to enter into areas that affect normal property ownership rights. The issue of children camping in a parent’s backyard stands out. A revised proposal would remove restriction of that activity while targeting illegal “camping.” 
 
Based on prior Council discussions, Recreational Vehicle (RV) parking on private property should be allowed for up to 30 days with a temporary use permit (TUP). A permit would be obtained from the city for a fee.
 
City Hall is open for business during normal business hours. Council meetings begin at 6:00pm. The Public is invited to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions.

July 12, 2022

 


Since 2015, the city policy has been for department head approval for expenditures over $1,000. Minor revisions have been made since then. A proposal for amending the City’s code to increase the limit for expenditures without approval by higher authority (department heads) from the current limit of $1,000. With inflation running rampant, the limit for necessary goods, equipment and supplies will be raised to $2,500. 
 
Additionally, the City contracts with MRSC (Municipal Research and Services Center of Washington) to use its state-wide electronic databases for contracting with small public works contractors, consulting services, and vendor services which are developed and actively maintained by MRSC through rosters they actively provide. Ordinance 22-013 addresses both issues. The motion to adopt Ordinance No. 22-013 passed unanimously.
 
The City has received a letter and packet of information from the Washington Economic Development Finance Authority Revenue Bond Program (WEDFA) concerning a proposed issuance of up to $12,163,000 of non-recourse revenue bonds to Mutual Materials, a company that has several manufacturing facilities throughout the state, including here in Spokane Valley at 6712 E. Trent. Mutual Materials plans to construct a concrete masonry unit manufacturing facility, make exterior building and other site and equipment improvements.
 
The City does not have any financial or liability exposure. This action is simply a statement of support for the state to issue economic development bonds for the project. The City has done so in the past. WEDFA will not issue the bonds without a resolution that the City has no objection to the business being assisted.
 
The property for Greenacres Park was acquired in 2007 with funding assistance from The Washington State Recreation & Conservation Office (RCO) which offers grant programs for improving parks throughout the state. Two such programs are the Washington Wildlife and Recreation (WWRP) Local Parks; and Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). 
 
When Council opted not to pursue either grant for Balfour Park because of the unacceptable increases in bids tendered for planned work there, discussion moved to transferring the grant application to Greenacres Park to complete Phase 2 programs already planned there such as: a baseball field, basketball court, and tennis/pickleball courts. A motion to apply for the RCO and LWCF grants passed unanimously. Since that time, a public outreach program has been underway including an online public survey, stakeholder interviews, and a public workshop.
 
On June 1st, the Washington State Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) issued a call for projects for its Urban Arterial Program (UAP) and Active Transportation Program (ATP). The UAP has in the past funded the City’s street related projects. The ATP program is designed to deliver more holistic transportation projects related to non-motorized users.
 
The UAP has $7.3 million for the Northeast Region, while ATP has $1.7 million for the Eastern Region. Matching requirements are a minimum 20%, with more points for more matching funds. Applications are due by August 19th; funding awards will be made on December 2nd.
 
The City intends to make UAP applications for 1) Broadway & Park concrete intersection, $2 million; 2) Barker Roundabouts at 4th & 8th Avenues, $2.4 million; 3) Pines Road/BNSF rail crossing, $2.8 million.
 
A single ATP application will be for 8th Avenue, Dickey to Park, bike, and sidewalk improvements, $425,000. Council reached consensus to apply for all of the above.
 
On March 23rd, 2021, Council created the Streets Sustainability Committee (SSC), to find a consistent, reliable funding source to sustain a long-term pavement management program (PMP). The SSC identified three goals:
1. Evaluate citizens’ interest and support for main-
 taining city streets and suggesting pavement con-
 dition goals.
2. Identify preference for maintaining city streets, 
 types of treatments used, and long-term levels of 
 service.
3. Investigate current revenues and potential future 
 funding sources for maintaining city streets at the 
 recommended level of service.
The Key Findings by Goal were:

GOAL 1.
A. The pavement condition of City streets is de-
 scribed as “fair” or better.
B. The PMP should be prioritized in the City’s bud
 get planning process.

GOAL 2.
A. Survey respondents support increasing the prioritization of local access streets.
B.  Implement surface treatments in the PMP.
C. Increase PMP funding to maintain the streets in 
 their current condition.

GOAL 3.
A. Do not reduce funding of other City programs to 
 increase funding of the PMP.
B. Transportation Benefit District is the most-pre-
 ferred funding option.
C. Survey respondents indicate new funding should 
 evenly distribute costs to everyone.
D. PMP funding should not rely on annual operating 
 budget surplus fund transfers. (author’s empha-
 sis)

Roughly two thirds of the City streets’ pavement areas are local access streets. The remaining third are arterial or collector streets. As the City moves forward in prioritizing its projects for local streets, consideration has to be given to:
1. Should projects focus on the 10% of existing local 
 streets that require reconstruction or focus on pre
 serving the remaining 90%?
2. What criteria should be used to prioritize neigh-
 borhoods? Should staff conduct public outreach to 
 help Council prioritize?
3. How are the proposed local access street projects 
 to be funded?
4. What does a successful PMP look like to Council 
 members?

A Department of Commerce (Commerce) Request for Proposals for relocating the residents of “Camp Hope” on Washington State Department of Transportation land at 2nd Avenue and Ray Street in Spokane has made $24.3 million available for proposals, preferably by a consolidation of jurisdictions with a coordinated long-term plan for moving the Camp residents into housing of various types. The camp currently houses over 500 individuals.

Information on plans other than from the City of Spokane, if any, have not been readily available, causing confusion. While Camp Hope is located in Spokane, it has residents from all jurisdictions. Discussions continue. The deadline for submission of proposals is July 21st. City of Spokane Valley staff continue to work with surrounding jurisdictions to fashion a County-wide plan.

City Hall is open for business during normal business hours. Masks are no longer required in the building. Council meetings begin at 6:00pm. The Public is invited to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions.

July 5, 2022

 
 

The first meeting of Council in the second half of the year opened with amending the City’s code to increase the limit for expenditures without approval by higher authority (department heads) from the current limit of $1,000. With inflation running rampant, the limit for necessary goods, equipment and supplies is raised to $2,500. 

Additionally, the City contracts with MRSC (Municipal Research and Services Center of Washington) to use its state-wide electronic databases for contracting with small public works contractors, consulting services, and vendor services which are developed and actively maintained by MRSC through rosters they actively provide. Ordinance 22-013 addresses both issues. The motion to waive the rules and adopt Ordinance No. 22-013 passed unanimously.

In the continuing consideration of meaningful and useful application of ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds which the City is responsible for directing, Reclaim Project (Reclaim) Board of Directors President Kenny Carlson and Lisette Walser were invited to present a description of the Reclaim Project, a 501c3 nonprofit corporation. 

Reclaim provides services for men transitioning away from addiction, homelessness, and criminality by creating “…opportunities for life-affirming activities, competitive careers, and a culture of growth to strengthen emotional spiritual, physical and social lives.” That translates into providing opportunities for learning skills that open pathways to earning a living and a productive life.

Since 2014, the City and Washington State Department of Ecology (DOE) have been in negotiations on a Stormwater Project (Stormwater) to improve the water quality from stormwater runoff into the aquifer. The City initially received a $2 million grant with the City to make up a $1.5 million revenue gap. That work has been delayed by revenue shortfalls at the legislative level and steadily increasing (inflated) costs of completing the project.

Lately, the City has been awarded $163,685 to improve the crossing between City Hall and Balfour Park on Sprague Avenue (Crossing Project). An additional $556,400 has been obtained from the Pedestrian & Bicycle Program. The Stormwater and Crossing Project were planned to be completed concurrently. However, escalating costs have moved the costs to more than $5 million with expectations that they could be significantly higher in the timeframe of these discussions. Faced with this dilemma, Council decided to return the DOE grant, separate the projects, and move ahead with the Sprague Pedestrian Crossing Project after gathering more information on the Crossing Project and Spokane Transit Authority passenger pickup site.

On April 26th, the City was presented with an opportunity to join with other cities in the state in a suit against the various companies and individuals involved in the manufacture, marketing, and distribution of opioid products and prescriptions. Those companies are Johnson & Johnson, Cardinal Health, Amerisource, and McKesson. The suit is based on well-documented harm to individuals and communities resulting from use and ancillary illegal activities stemming from the opioid supply chain. The City joined in that suit to become eligible to participate in any future settlement of the case if or when that happens. 

Now, a separate settlement reached by the Washington State Attorney General’s Office has been decided for $518 million against Cardinal Health, Amerisource, and McKesson. The City may participate in that settlement when finalized, but that leaves Johnson & Johnson still unsettled. Additional information is forthcoming on that portion of the suit as well as claims against the bankruptcy of the Purdue company in the same action.

City Hall is open for business during normal business hours. Masks are no longer required in the building. Council meetings begin at 6:00pm. The Public is invited to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions.
 

June 28, 2022

 
 
After a break in which several council members travelled to Vancouver, WA for the Association of Washington Cities summer convention, regular council sessions resumed with tonight’s formal session.
 
Ordinance 22-010 is a supplement to Ordinance 22-009 addressing unwanted parking on private property which has been a long-standing concern of Council. The ordinance presents language to amend the city code to focus on junk vehicles, vehicle parking/storage on private property, camping (homeless) on private property, and multifamily development parking. Council agreed on June 14th to advance Ordinance 22-010 to a Second Reading with the modifications listed below. 

Items covered are:
Junk/inoperable vehicle storage. Keep definition of junk vehicles, add definition of unlicensed vehicles, prohibit unlicensed vehicles. One junk/unlicensed vehicle may be kept behind a fence (out of sight).
Vehicle (including RV) parking and storage on private property. Limit parking/storage to permitted use, number of parked vehicles on private property (5 operable), one vessel (boat) on a licensed trailer, and no more than 1 RV. Exceptions are made for additional licensed drivers living at the property.
RV and tent camping on private property. (Allow RV for living purposes for up to 30 days with a valid temporary use permit, allow short term use of tents/similar set-ups for limited social purposes not to exceed 48 hours, four times per year.)
Multifamily residential parking issues will be addressed in future Council action.
 
After public comments and reservations from Council members, the motion to adopt Ordinance No. 22-010 in its present form was withdrawn to be revised and brought forward at a later date.
 
In a City initiated Code Text Amendment, CTA-2022-0001, the City will adopt permanent regulations to address transitional housing, permanent supportive housing, emergency housing, emergency shelters, and transitional parking. All of this is in conformance with legislation passed by the legislature last year that became fully effective at the end of September 2021. On July 20, 2021, the City adopted temporary Ordinance No. 21-009 establishing interim regulations to comply with state law. That Ordinance expires on July 20th, 2022.
 
The City’s Planning Commission held a public hearing followed with a recommendation to adopt CTA-22-0001 with modifications. Council, at its June 14th meeting modified the Planning Commission’s recommendations to: 
Allow recreational vehicles in Transitional Parking
Require lighting and security cameras in all parking areas
Require a minimum of five parking spaces, plus enough for all on duty facility staff in the residential zones, and require ten parking spaces plus enough for all facility staff on duty in non-residential zones 
Change the spacing requirement by 1) removing transitional housing from the spacing requirement, and 2) changing the spacing requirement for all other uses from ½ mile to up to one mile
Authorize the City Manager to approve emergency shelters for up to 30 days when public health and safety conditions exist with an extension allowed by Council Resolution. (changes italicized)
Motion to waive the rules and adopt Ordinance No. 22-011 passed unanimously.
 
The City employs a Hearing Examiner (HEX) to provide a hearing construct for permit applications that by code come before its Hearing Examiner. The new system also provides a means for appeal hearings for Code Enforcement decisions and permit decisions. There has been confusion about the duties, responsibilities, and authority of the City’s HEX which has prompted a staff review of its Hearing Examiner Rules of Procedure. 
A recommended change is to split the rules into two distinct types of hearings—
 
Project permit review, such as subdivision approval, and
Appeal hearings for permit appeals and Code Enforcement appeals. Other changes cover reporting, briefing, deadlines, clarification of Code and HEX rules, and rules for contact with HEX. 
The intent of these modifications is to make the system more ‘user friendly’ by:
Identifying how and when staff reports are provided and who may speak during appeal hearings
Clarifying deadlines
Clarifying HEX authority to take certain actions
Identifying and correcting inappropriate contact with HEX by parties involved.
Motion to suspend the rules and adopt Ordinance 22-012 passed unanimously.
 
Cameo Lofts, LLC, has requested vacation of a 20’ wide irregularly shaped alley that intersects the northside of Appleway Avenue. The property is approximately 800 feet west of the Appleway/Barker intersection. The 1610 square foot area to be vacated is unimproved. City code requires a public hearing before the Planning Commission. Resolution 22-013 sets July 28th as the date for that hearing. Motion to approve Resolution 22-013, setting July 28th as the public hearing date passed unanimously.
 
In a pedestrian improvement project planned for 2022, Council awarded the construction contract for the Wilbur Sidewalk Project between Boone and Mission to Northfork Enterprises, LLC. Their bid for actual construction was $715,813.50, 5% over the engineer’s estimate, but within acceptable budget limits. The total project cost, including design, right of way acquisition, and contingency is budgeted at $1,007,351. Funding is from a USDOT grant of more than $700,000 with the remainder from City funds. The motion to award the contract passed unanimously.
 
Lynn Kimball, Executive Director of Aging & Long-Term Care of Eastern Washington (ALTCEW), presented a summary of services provided by that organization as they pertain to Spokane Valley. ALTCEW’s vision is to provide home care services to support healthy living and aging at home. The organization serves Ferry, Stevens, Pend Oreille, Spokane, and Whitman Counties.
 
For complete information on senior services, caregivers, and medical services, call 509-960-7281 or visit ALTCEW’s website: www.altcew.org.
In a separate discussion, the limit for expenditures without approval by higher authority (department heads) is currently $1,000. With inflation running rampant, the limit for necessary goods, equipment and supplies is requested to be raised to $2,500. Council reached consensus to place the issue on a future agenda.
 
A Department of Commerce (Commerce) Request for Proposals for relocating the residents of “Camp Hope” on Washington State Department of Transportation land at 2nd Avenue and Ray Street in Spokane was handed to Council just before it convened. Commerce has made $24.3 million available for proposals, preferably by a consolidation of jurisdictions with a coordinated long-term plan for moving the Camp residents into housing of various types. The deadline for submission of proposals is July 21st. City staff continues to work with surrounding jurisdictions to fashion a County-wide plan.
 
City Hall is open for business during normal business hours. Masks are no longer required in the building. Council meetings begin at 6:00pm. The Public is invited to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions.

June 14, 2022

 
 
 
Spokane Valley City Council met for its annual Budget Workshop at 8:30 am on Tuesday, June 14th. The by-word of this year’s workshop is CAUTION.
The City budget has two salient parts. Like any business, financial wellbeing depends on cash flow. In City parlance that is demonstrated by: 1) Recurring revenues and expenditures which are the normal sales and property tax collections, paired against the regular expenses of conducting City business, i.e., Public Safety, and 2) Non-recurring expenses such as capital projects like the acquisition of police vehicles or permanent park facilities. 
There are of course changes in the City’s recurring income and expenses from 2022 to 2023. Below is a brief comparison ($mm).

Revenue1 / 2022 Amended / 2023 Proposed
Property Tax   /   $13.200 / $13.601
Sales Tax2    /   $27.720    /   $30.555
Other3    /   $11.330    /   $12.247
Total    /   $52.250    /   $56.403  +7.95%
Expenditures4
Total    /   $49.103   /   $52.458
Surplus (deficit)    /   $3.147    /   $3.945  +6.83%

1. The Revenue is presented for the amended 2022 budget.
2. Sales tax is the aggregate of retail sales tax, public safety sales tax, and criminal justice sales tax.
3. Other is the aggregated total of all other City income sources.
4. Expenditures are presented as an aggregate. The City’s major expense is for Public Safety which will cost $29.626 million in 2022 (60% of expenditures) and is budgeted at $32.254 million for 2023 (61.5% of expenditures), an increase of $2.628 million.
 
Non-recurring revenues and expenses have recovered from the initial impact of COVID-19. However, the City’s finances face a new challenge: INFLATION. 
The City’s longstanding policy is to maintain a reserve balance of at least 50% of recurring expenses to avoid having to borrow money to fund cash flow needs. The City relies on outside grants for much of its capital project financing. Those grants usually do not pay the money up front. Instead, the City pays for the project and is then reimbursed by the granting agency. Reimbursement can take months to occur. Thus, the need for our own funds to forestall having to borrow to cover the time lapse in reimbursement. 
 
The proposed 2023 budget anticipates no grant funding assistance from any source, but it does plan for capital expenditures of $3.773 million generating a deficit of that same amount. That deficit will be covered from reserves accumulated to address such economic circumstances as they occur.
The stable financial condition highlights the consistency by City management of its revenues and the continuing commitment to fiscal responsibility. That commitment is reflected in the proposed 2023 budget. Moody’s bond rating service has awarded the City an Aa1 rating, an improvement over last year’s Aa2 rating, which was then the highest rating a city of our size could achieve.
 
These goals have been set by the City Manager for 2023:
• Maintain basic service levels with minimal resources to achieve success.
• Minimize personnel costs and overhead by continuing to contract for services when it makes financial sense to do so.
• Leverage City funds with grant opportunities.
• Minimize City debt with a pay as you go philosophy.
• Strive to prioritize spending in the annual budget process and minimize the mid-year addition of projects and appropriations.
 
The City’s strong fiscal condition has placed it in a solid position to deal with worsening national economic conditions. With the City now passing the 100,000-population figure, it is significant to note that the number of employees remains stable, and recur-ring expenditures increase by less than 7% (6.83%) in the face of rapidly increasing inflation rates.
 
The budget will be visited seven more times by Council, including three public hearings, before its final adoption on November 8th. 
The budget in its entirety can be seen at www.spokanevalley.org. 
 
Regular City Council meetings resume on Tuesday, June 28th. 
 
City Hall is open for business during normal business hours. Masks are no longer required in the building. Council meetings begin at 6:00pm. The Public is invited to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions.

June 14, 2022

 
 
 
The first item of business on Spokane Valley City Council’s agenda was to hold a public hearing on the City’s Six-Year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). The TIP is a prioritized list of transportation projects intended to be implemented in the next six years addressing the City’s transportation needs. 
The City is required by state law to prepare and, after holding a public hearing, adopt a comprehensive transportation program for the ensuing six calendar years. This plan must be submitted to the Washington State Department of Transportation by June 30th of each year.
 
Federal and State funded projects often require matches of between 10% and 20%. Staff regularly reviews the projected Real Estate Excise Tax (REET) fund balances compared to the timing and execution of planned projects to ensure that sufficient funds are available to satisfy the City’s fiscal requirements for the planned projects.
 
Immediately following the public hearing, Council unanimously approved Resolution 22-010 adopting the 2023-2028 Six-Year TIP as presented.
With expanding population, the City is experiencing problems with parking. As a remedy, Council, after several discussions has settled upon Ordinance 22-009 to define and remedy those parking issues. Ordinance 22-009’s various sections cover:
• Establishment of City authority from the state to enact parking prohibitions
• Identifies Council authority to establish parking prohibitions
• Identifies parking areas and time violations subject to fines or impoundment; that period of time is 24 hours
• Establishes definition of ‘junk’ vehicle and prohibitions for parking ‘junk’ vehicles on public rights-of-way and prohibits any vehicle with an expired registration (over 45 days) from parking on public right-of-way. And prohibits vehicle parking within 15 feet of a US Postal Service mailbox
• Establishes a daily $50 fine for violation of the City Code established under Ordinance 22-009 Council intends SCOPE to be the enforcing agent under this ordinance.
 
Ordinance 22-010, is a supplement to Ordinance 22-009, addressing unwanted parking on private property, which has been a long-standing concern of Council. The ordinance presents language to amend the city code to focus on junk vehicles, vehicle parking/storage on private property, camping (homeless) on private property, and multifamily development parking. Items covered are:
 
• Junk/inoperable vehicle storage. Keep definition   of junk vehicles, add definition of unlicensed  vehicle, prohibit unlicensed vehicles
•Vehicle (including RV) parking and storage on private property. Limit parking/storage to permitted use, number of parked vehicles on private property 
(5, but no more than 1 RV)
• RV and tent camping on private property. (Allow RV for living purposes with valid temporary use permit, allow short term use of tents/similar set-ups 
for limited social purposes)
• Multifamily parking issues. (Addressed in future Council action)

The motion to adopt Ordinance No. 22-010 passed 5-2.
 
The past discussions on flashing beacons at school zones has produced additions to the existing list of beacons which Council wishes to install:
• Tschirley from Sprague to Main
• Main from 300 feet west of Tschirley to Tschirley
• Corbin from Appleway to 200 feet north of Cowley
• Ella from Broadway to Desmet
• 4th Ave. from 300 feet west of Long Road to 100 feet east of Moen

Five other school zones were identified for removal from the list to comply with existing state law. A further review of the City speed limit schedule resulted in the following additions:
• Progress Rd. from Wellesley to Crown; reduce from 35mph to 25 mph
• Barker Rd. from Euclid to Trent; reduce from 40 mph to 35mph
• Indiana Ave. from I-90 ramp to Indiana Parkway; reduce from 35 to 30 mph

The motion to approve Resolution #22-011, repealing and replacing Resolution #18-006, passed unanimously.
On March 29th, 2022, Ordinance 22-005 adopted the South Barker Corridor Transportation Impact Fee (TIF). City regulations require that TIFs be applied in accordance with the most current edition of the Institute of Transportation Engineers Trip Generation Manual. 
 
TIFs allow assessment and collection of impact fees consistent with the City’s Street Standards which address changes brought about by new development. However, the South Barker Corridor provides a significant part of the transportation system that routes traffic from Liberty Lake and sections of Spokane County south of Spokane Valley to I-90 and points north as well as east and west. The table below defines the per trip impact of participation by the jurisdictions.
 
TIF Impact Fee   / Area Cost per Trip
City of Spokane Valley / $1,153 per trip
City of Liberty Lake / $657 per trip
Spokane County / $3,859 per trip
 
Resolution #22-012 adopts the Transportation Impact Fee Rate Study for Spokane Valley, Liberty Lake, and Spokane County. It sets forth the Cost Per Trip by Segment Analysis to provide a reference to identify traffic impacts and resultant mitigation for added traffic impacts related to developments in adjacent jurisdictions. Motion to approve Resolution 22-012 passed unanimously.
 
The City has had a series of lease agreements with Splashdown since 2009. Lately, with the effect of COVID and vandalism problems, the owners have asked for a modification of the existing lease to allow them time to possibly sell the business. Council agreed to amend the existing agreement allowing Splashdown to not open for 2022, waiving the lease payments, and would also waive the requirement for premises liability insurance for 2022. Motion to approve the lease amendment passed unanimously.
 
In a City initiated Code Text Amendment, CTA-2022-0001, the City would adopt permanent regulations to address transitional housing, permanent supportive housing, emergency housing, emergency shelters, and transitional parking. All of this is in conformance with legislation passed by the legislature last year that became fully effective at the end of September 2021. 
 
The City’s Planning Commission has deliberated and held a public hearing with recommending adoption of CTA-22-0001 with the following modifications:
1. Allow recreational vehicles in Transitional Parking
2. Require lighting and security cameras in all parking areas
3. Require a minimum of five parking spaces, plus enough for all on duty facility staff in the residential zones, and require ten parking spaces plus enough 
for all facility staff on duty in non-residential zones 
4. Reduce the minimum distance between facilities from one mile to ½ mile

Council reached consensus to place CTA-22-0001 on a future agenda for a first reading.

The schedule for Council meetings over the next two weeks is: 
• June 21st: Regular Council Meeting Cancelled
• June 28th: Regular Council Meetings resume

City Hall is open for business during normal business hours. Masks are no longer required in the building. Council meetings begin at 6:00pm. The Public is invited to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions.
 

June 7, 2022

 
 
The June 7th Spokane Valley City Council Study Session led off with Council’s unanimous approval of the Mayoral re-appointment of Tom Hormel to the Spokane county Housing and Community Development Advisory Committee for a three-year term pending official appointment by the Board of County Commissioners. 
 
In the quest to find equitable allocation of ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds by the City, Habitat for Humanity’s CEO, Michelle Giradot and COO Eric Lyons, presented Habitat’s business plan. That plan includes construction of new single family, duplex, triplex, and multi-family housing. They also rehabilitate single family homes and duplexes. Habitat has served over 400 families, 25 of those over the last 7 months. Volunteers build the homes which can be built and sold for between $190K-$290K.
 
The City’s Six-Year Transportation Plan (TIP) draft is composed of transportation projects intended to be implemented in the next six years to address Spokane Valley’s anticipated transportation needs. State law requires the City to prepare the TIP, then hold a public hearing prior to its adoption. That public hearing is scheduled for June 14th.
 
A briefing on the outlook for the City parks aquatic program highlighted the problems confronting the summer program slated to launch on June 18th. While the health department’s restrictions have been removed, the lack of lifeguards and swim instructors will be an impairment to the program’s running beyond a 30% of pre-pandemic level. That translates into each facility being limited and only one of the City’s pools being available for the daily open public swim. This will apply to the Park Road, Terrace View, and Valley Mission pools. 
 
On March 29th, 2022, Ordinance 22-005 adopted the South Barker Corridor, Mirabeau, and North Pines Road Sub-Areas Transportation Impact Fee (TIF) Rate Studies as reported to Council on March 22nd. City regulations require that TIFs be applied in accordance with the most current edition of the Institute of Transportation Engineers Trip Generation Manual. The latest (11th Edition) rate changes:

TIF Impact Fee Area / 10th Edition Schedule   /  11th Edition Schedule
South Barker Corridor / $1,272 per trip  /   $1,153 per trip
Mirabeau Subarea / $716 per trip / $698 per trip
North Pines Rd. Subarea / $2,816 per trip  /   $2,195 per trip
TIFs allow assessment and collection of impact fees consistent with the City’s Street Standards which address changes brought about by development. However, the South Barker Corridor provides a significant part of the transportation system that routes traffic from Liberty Lake and the County south of Spokane Valley to I-90 and points north as well as east and west. Thus, the table below defines the percentage participation of the jurisdictions. 

Segment of Barker Road / Spokane Valley  /   Liberty Lake / Spokane County  /   Other / Total
North of I-90 / 26% / 18%  /   4% / 52% / 100%
I-90 to Appleway Avenue  /   19% / 16% / 17% / 48%  /   100%
South of Appleway Avenue / 18% / 2% / 35% / 45% / 100% 
*Percentages in the ‘Other’ column are from area impact fees.
The study upon which the above table was compiled was conducted by Fehr & Peers in 2018 and was presented to both Liberty Lake and Spokane County. It is the basis for ongoing discussions.
 
The past discussions on flashing beacons at school zones has produced additions to the existing list of beacons:
• Tschirley from Sprague to Main
• Main from 300 feet west of Tschirley to Tschirley
• Corbin from Appleway to 200 feet north of  Cowley
• Ella from Broadway to Desmet
• 4th Ave. from 300 feet west of Long Road to 100 feet east of Moen Five other school zones were identified for removal from the list to comply with existing state law. A further review of the speed limit schedule resulted in the following additions:
• Progress Rd. from Wellesley to Crown; reduce from  35mph to 25 mph
• Barker Rd. from Euclid to Trent; reduce from 40mph to 35mph
• Indiana Ave. from I-90 ramp to Indiana Parkway; reduce from 35 to 30 mph
 
Council reached consensus for staff to return with a resolution to amend the Master Speed Limit Schedule with the proposed changes.
Council, at a recent meeting, heard a complaint regarding compression brakes (jake brakes) in residential areas. In checking with adjacent jurisdictions, only Spokane County has prohibitions on compression brakes in certain circumstances. No action was taken.
 
The interlocal agreement under which the Sheriff’s Department provides Law Enforcement Services for the City of Spokane Valley is impacted by a recent collective bargaining agreement with the County’s deputies, captains, and lieutenants. The City’s budgeted amount for Law Enforcement in 2023 is $26,918,661. The estimated impact of the new collective bargaining agreement on the City’s Budget is--Year 1, (2022) $524,280; Year 2, (2023) $1,046,136; Year 3, (2024) $1,419,525.
 
The City has had a series of lease agreements with Splashdown City 2009. Lately, with the effect of COVID and other problems such as vandalism, the owners have asked for a modification of the existing lease to allow them time to possibly sell the business. Council reached consensus to place the issue on a future agenda for consideration.
 
The City employs a Hearing Examiner (HEX) to provide a hearing construct for permit applications that by code come before the HEX. The system also provides a means for appeal hearings for Code Enforcement decisions and permit appeals.
 
There is confusion about the duties, responsibilities, and authority of the City’s HEX which has prompted a staff review of the Hearing Examiner Rules of Procedure. A primary recommended change is to split the rules into two distinct types of hearings--1) Project permit review, such as subdivision approval, and 2) Appeal hearings for permit appeals and Code Enforcement appeals. Other changes cover reporting, briefing, deadlines, clarification of Code and HEX rules, and rules for contact with HEX. Council reached consensus on placing a draft of the amendments on a future agenda.

The schedule for Council meetings over the next three weeks is rather convoluted due to budget meetings and conventions. 
• June 14th: Budget Workshop, starting at 8:30am, ending 2:30pm
• June 14th: Council Meeting, starting at 4:00pm (not the usual 6:00pm)
• June 21st: Regular Council Meeting Cancelled
• June 28th: Regular Council Meetings resume

City Hall is open for business during normal business hours. Masks are no longer required in the building. Council meetings begin at 6:00pm. The Public is invited to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions.

May 31, 2022

 
 

This Spokane Valley City Council meeting (Study Session format) commenced with the Second Reading of Ordinance #22-008, which amends the 2022 City Budget adopted on November 9, 2021.
 
In summary, that amendment affects six accounts resulting in Revenue Increases of $5,222,805 and Revenue Decreases of $7,839,111. The changes include Employee Position Classification Monthly Salary Schedule incorporating changes in the City’s organization, various capital account adjustments, and winter expenses.
 
A public hearing, at which there was no public comment made, followed by the First Reading of Ordinance #22-008 moved it to tonight’s Second Reading. The motion to adopt Ordinance #22-008 passed unanimously.
 
On April 19 Council approved moving Resolution 22-004 to its Consent Agenda for action at the April 26th meeting. Resolution 22-004 set a public hearing date before the Planning Commission on June 9, 2022, for Street Vacation 2022-001. An error occurred in issuing proper notice as required by law for a public hearing making it necessary to reschedule a new public hearing date to July 14th, 2022. Resolution 22-008 accomplishes that by amending Resolution 22-004 and re-setting the hearing date for July 14th. Motion to approve Resolution 22-008 passed unanimously.
 
The South Barker Corridor has been significantly impacted by the growth in Spokane Valley, Spokane County, and Liberty Lake. The Sprague Avenue/Barker Road intersection is currently operating at a failing level of service. In early 2020, the City completed an analysis of intersection alternatives and public outreach, settling upon a roundabout design in March of that year. 
 
The project will reconstruct the intersection with a single land roundabout, upgrade pedestrian crossings, provide lighting for the intersection, and upgrade the stormwater system with adequate treatment. The Engineer’s Estimate for construction was $1,677,033. The project was advertised on April 29th, 2022, producing two bids. The lowest bid was submitted by Inland Asphalt at $1,873,378, approximately 11% over the Engineer’s Estimate.
 
After discussion about the bid overage and current inflationary conditions, Council unanimously approved accepting and awarding of the bid to Inland Asphalt. There are adequate funds in the budget to accommodate the project per the table below. 
 
Project Costs
Preliminary Engineering $283,000
Right of Way $219,000
Construction $1,989,210
Total Estimated Costs $2,491,310

Project Budget
CMAQ Grant $349,000
City Safety Grant $1,973,973
Developer Funds $168,537
Total Budget $2,491,310
 
Council is making progress on a plan for distribution of the $16 million ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) allocation made to Spokane Valley. Thus far, $1 million has been identified and approved for distribution: $250,000 for internal city costs, and $750,000 for the Buckeye Sewer Project. An additional $1 million was by consensus approved by Council to be allocated to the Innovia Foundation for its LaunchNW initiative for education options. Other potential allocation categories are:
• Revenue Replacement: Funds may be used for replacing revenues lost to COVID causes. ($10.8 million overall)
• Affordable Housing 
• Mental Health 
• Law Enforcement 
• Water Infrastructure 
• Sewer/Stormwater 
 
Council members individually suggested allocations for each category with the averaged amounts allocated for categories to be put out for RFPs (Requests for Proposal) which will then be used for final distribution. Motion to approve the procedure passed unanimously.
 
Another minor correction needed a resolution, Resolution 22-003, approved on March 29th, 2022, established a new 2022 Master Fee Schedule for the City. A scrivener’s error was subsequently discovered necessitating a correction. Resolution 22-009, amending the Master Fee Schedule was unanimously adopted by Council to make the correction.
 
Mirabeau Meadows Park has, since the City’s inception, needed additional parking. The City owns a 1.3-acre parcel across from the park which was the object of discussion on a proposal to develop the parcel into additional parking. That proposal calls for an additional 81 spaces with access to Mirabeau Parkway and a reduction in the speed limit approaching the new parking area from 35mph to 25mph. No action was taken.
 
In another ‘discussion only’ item, Council was informed by the Economic Development Division to develop an agreement with Spokane Arts to coordinate and manage the design and implementation of installing 12 vinyl art wraps on signal boxes in the City. The project will be funded by Spokane Teachers Credit Union (STCU). Spokane Arts and STCU have a five-year history of developing and installing art wraps on utility boxes in the region.
 
City Hall is open for business during normal business hours. Masks are no longer required in the building. Council meetings begin at 6:00pm. The Public is invited to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions.

May 24, 2022

 
 

After a one-week hiatus, Spokane Valley City Council resumed its schedule with a regular formal session. The first item of business was a public hearing on Ordinance #22-008, which is an amendment to the City’s 2022 budget adopted on November 9, 2021.
 
In summary, that amendment affects six accounts resulting in Revenue Increases of $5,222,805 and Decreases of $7,839,111. The changes include Employee Position Classification Monthly Salary Schedule incorporating changes in the City’s organization, various capital account adjustments, and winter expenses.
 
The hearing, at which there was no public comment, moved on to the First Reading of Ordinance #22-008. The motion to advance Ordinance #22-008 to a Second Reading passed unanimously.
 
Each year, pursuant to the state’s Growth Management Act (GMA) the City is allowed to amend its comprehensive plan. On November 23, 2021, Council approved the 2022 docket of offered amendments which were then sent to the Planning Commission for its deliberation. On February 22, 2022, the Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of the following:

File No. / Location / Applicant / Description
CPA-2022-01  / 10506 E. 10th  /   Private  / Chg 1.03 acres frm SFR to MFR
CPA-2022-02 / 17105 E. Montgomery  /   City  /   Chg .45 acres frm SFR to P/OS
CPA-2022-03  /   44th & Bates  /   City / Chg 17.64 acres frm SFR to P/OS
CPA-2022-04  /   Bike & Pedestrian / City/Map  /   Add proposed n. loop river trail 
SFR: Single family residence, MFR: Multi family residence, P/OS: Parks/Open Space
At its May 10th meeting, Council reached consensus to accept the Planning Commission’s recommendations and adopt Ordinance No. 22-006, Comprehensive Plan Amendments. The motion to adopt Ordinance No. 22-006 passed unanimously. 
 
Concurrent with the changes to the Comprehensive Plan Amendments, Ordinance 22-007 makes the accommodative changes to the City’s Comprehensive Plan Zoning maps. The motion to adopt Ordinance No. 22-007 passed unanimously.
 
In response to complaints about public parking violations and what constitutes permitted parking areas, draft ordinance 22-009 was presented to Council for its discussion and consideration. The proposed ordinance identifies the areas of responsibility for Council and City Staff. It also clarifies and defines specific points of regulation such as ‘junk’ vehicles, vehicles blocking mailboxes, site specific prohibitions, vehicles parked with expired licenses, and the number of allowable vehicles on a property. Appropriate fines were also discussed and are incorporated in the ordinance. The specifics on those issues were discussed and Ordinance 22-009 was unanimously approved to move to a Second Reading.
 
The Barker Road/BNSF Rail Crossing project was awarded for construction to the Max J. Kuney Company (Kuney) on January 28, 2021, by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), the project manager. Although the City assembled the funding and remains responsible for accounting for those funds, it has ceded project management to WSDOT for the construction since the project is primarily on a state road. 
 
The City and WSDOT coordinate on all change orders for the project with Kuney regardless of the amount. A cumulative limit of $350,000 in change orders is in place requiring Council approval for anything beyond that amount. To date the total of those change orders is well beyond the $350,000 threshold.
 
The Contractor’s successful low bid was $2,000,000 below the next lowest bidder under the rules for selecting the successful bidder. A low bid can often be expanded by the change order process. The project cannot move forward without approval of the change orders. A motion to authorize the City Manager to approve Change Orders #3 and #7 for $1,031,700 and $37,883 respectively with Max J. Kuney Company was approved with unanimous reluctance.
 
Spokane Valley Fire Chief reported on Valley Fire Department activities for the month, emphasizing grain storage silo fires on April 20th (North Park Road) and 29th (East Alki). Such fires are particularly hazardous because of dust which can be explosive. The Chief also noted May is Wildfire Awareness Month.
City Manager, John Hohman, presented a recap of 2021 accomplishments including: 
 
• Progress on Council Goals
• City Council Committees and representation (14) 
• Council meetings (50 total)
• Public Records Requests (406)
• Homeless Addressment
• Contract Administration (Public Safety)
• Human Resources (New Labor Agreement, sur- vived COVID)
• Finance (Managed City finances to a Moody’s Aa-1 
credit rating)
• Community & Public Works Capital Improvement 
(Barker/BNSF continuation, Pines BNSF design 
progress, numerous road improvement projects)
• Economic Development (Continued growth of NE 
Industrial Business Park,10,000 Business licenses in 
the City, renewal of Shoreline Master Plan, con-
ducted successful public relations on behalf of the City)
 
City Hall is open for business during normal business hours. Masks are no longer required in the building. Council meetings begin at 6:00pm. The Public is invited to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions.

May 10, 2022

 
 

After a proclamation announcing the return of Lemonade Day, a Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce program established to teach young entrepreneurs the basics of capitalism, and a second proclamation recognizing National Police Week, the Spokane Valley City Council got down to business with a First Reading of Ordinance 22-006 dealing with Comprehensive Plan Amendments.

Each year, pursuant to the state’s Growth Management Act (GMA) the City is allowed to amend its comprehensive plan. On November 23, 2021, Council approved the 2022 docket of offered amendments which were then sent to the Planning Commission for its deliberation. On February 22, 2022, the Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of the following:

File No. / Location / Applicant / Description
CPA-2022-01  / 10506 E. 10th  /   Private  / Chg 1.03 acres frm SFR to MFR
CPA-2022-02 / 17105 E. Montgomery  /   City  /   Chg .45 acres frm SFR to P/OS
CPA-2022-03  /   44th & Bates  /   City / Chg 17.64 acres frm SFR to P/OS
CPA-2022-04  /   Bike & Pedestrian / City/Map  /   Add proposed n. loop river trail 
SFR: Single family residence, MFR: Multi family residence, P/OS: Parks/Open Space


At last week’s meeting, Council reached consensus to accept the Planning Commission’s recommendations and move the docket to tonight’s First Reading. The motion to advance Ordinance No. 22-006, Comprehensive Plan Amendments to a second reading passed unanimously.

Concurrent with the changes to the Comprehensive Plan Amendments, Ordinance 22-007 makes the accommodative changes to the Comprehensive Plan Zoning maps. The motion to advance Ordinance No. 22-007 to a second reading passed unanimously.

In March 2022, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) issued a call for projects for the Pedestrian & Bicycle Program (PBP) and Safe Routes to School (SRTS) aiming to improve safety and increase the number of people walking or bicycling. The total available funding in the PBP is $56.7 million, and $59.0 million in the SRTS program. While no City match is required, preference is given to projects when requests exceed $800,000. Recommendations must be to the Governor by December 2022; funds will be awarded in June 2023 in the state biennium budget. Staff has developed a chart with two recommended funding requests:

Project  /  Program / Total Cost / Fund Req  /   Local Match
S. Barker Rd. Corridor Sprague Ave to 4th Ave. / PBP  /  $2,050,000  /   $1,640,000  /   $410,000
S. Barker Rd. Corridor 4th Ave to 8th Ave. / SRTS  /   $2,190,000 / $1,752,000 / $438,000


The motion to authorize the City Manager to apply to the Pedestrian & Bicycle Program and Safe Routes to School Program grants listed above passed unanimously.

In 2021, the City was awarded a federal grant of $1,824,519 for funding a preservation project on Sprague Avenue between Havana and Fancher. The project will grind and overlay the street pavement, upgrade ADA ramps, upgrade failing stormwater structures, and install ITS conduit for future signal connectivity.

The engineer’s estimate for the project cost was $2,340,069. The lowest bid was by Inland Asphalt at $2,639,999, 12% above the engineer’s estimate. Council chose to accept that bid and move to construction. The total budgeted project cost is $2,983,539. The $1,159,020 differential will be covered from various City funds.

Under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the City has received $16 million from a Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (CLFR). Mayor Haley appointed a CLFR sub-committee of herself, Deputy Mayor Higgins, and Councilman Hattenburg, to screen applicable uses for those funds. Thus far, Council has approved $750,000 for an extension of the Buckeye Sewer Project and $250,000 to cover internal City costs, totaling $1 million.
Other CLFR funds will be used for various projects such as revenue replacement for money lost to the City due to COVID. That figure for 2020 is calculated to be $10.8 million. The CLFR subcommittee has recommended that the City use the maximum amount of lost revenue replacement to provide necessary services. The issue before Council this evening is the CLFR subcommittee’s recommendation that $500,000 be allocated to the Innovia foundation subject to it meeting the ARPA requirements for receiving such funding. Consensus was reached to authorize staff to finalize and distribute the funds.

In addition to the discussion on Innovia funding, the Valley Police Department also made a request for $1,096,903 for a variety of equipment needs. It also made a supplemental request for an additional $825,000, if funds are available, for other ancillary needs. Discussion only.

In continuing efforts to find a solution to the City’s Pavement Improvement Program problem, Council heard a lengthy report from its Public Works Department on avenues to be discussed in addressing the situation on an ongoing basis. One point of discussion was the difference between Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) and a standard Road Maintenance Contract, and the difference in costs. Maintenance Contracts are part of the ongoing street maintenance necessary to keep City streets at acceptable levels of service. 

The entire program discussion is too lengthy to relate here. For complete information please visit www.spokanevalley.org and lookup the Council Agenda for May 10th.

CenterPlace, the City’s regional event center, covers 54,000 square feet that includes a great room, meeting rooms, kitchen, fireside lounge, auditorium, and the Senior Center. Historically, CenterPlace has been supported by rental and catering fees, with shortfalls made up by the City. Council has been asked to consider the possibility of contracting out the management of CenterPlace to a third-party operator. If the idea moves forward, such questions as maintaining its tax-exempt status would have to be addressed, together with the effect of such a move might have on the Senior Citizens Center which occupies the east wing of the building.

City Hall is open for business during normal business hours. Masks are no longer required in the building. Council meetings begin at 6:00pm. The Public is invited to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions. There will be no Council Meeting next week, May 17th.

 

May 3, 2022

 
 
 
This meeting of the Spokane Valley City Council commenced with a proclamation recognizing Child Care Providers. The proclamation calls attention to the fact that over half of our children under the age of six spend some time in a nonparental care arrangement and calls attention to the effects of the COVID pandemic on children. The second proclamation takes note of Older Americans Month, acknowledging the value of our older citizens.
 
In its first order of business, Council addressed a continuation of an action that began on April 26th. The City, pursuant to various laws and regulations, manages its Stormwater Utility Program. That program is funded through the collection of 1) Storm and Surface Utility (Utility) fees from developed parcels located within the City, and 2) the Spokane County Aquifer Protection Area (APA) fee.
 
The Utility fee is $21 per year on single family residences, duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes. All other developed property is charged $21 for every 3,160 square feet of measured impervious surface area. The Utility fee will generate about $1.9 million in 2022 to the City. That fee has not increased since the City’s incorporation in 2003.
 
The APA fee is imposed on each water meter within the City by meter size. That fee is collected by the County and reapportioned among the various participating municipalities. The revenue from the fee is expected to generate $450,000 to the City in 2022.
 
The City will need to develop a comprehensive stormwater plan to establish the long-term goals of the Utility, identify solutions to address flooding, water quality issues, and strategies for applying sustainable rates and compliance with pertinent laws and regulations. To that end, Osborn Consulting, has been selected, pending negotiations on the final scope and fee for services. The motion to authorize the City Manager to finalize and execute an agreement for services not to exceed $282,612 passed unanimously.
 
In July 2020, the City applied to the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program for funding a pedestrian hybrid beacon crossing on Sprague Avenue between City Hall and Balfour Park. The request was denied because the state program ran out of funds. 
 
Earlier this year, the State Legislature provided an additional $10 million to the SRTS program enabling it to award money to the 2020 application list. With the additional funding, the project is eligible for an award. In staff coordination with WSDOT, the 2022 proposal has been updated in both cost and scheduling. The updated authorized cost has risen from $550,000 to $652,600. Design is scheduled for 2023 with construction to be done in 2024. Since this award is nearly two years old, Council was asked to confirm acceptance of the award. Motion to authorize the City Manager to accept the SRSP award passed unanimously.
 
In September 2017, the City Hall was completed and occupied. Since that time, many significant construction and design defects have been discovered. 
 
The City filed suit in Spokane County Superior Court on April 27, 2020, to recover damages naming the prime contractor, Meridian Construction; Architects West, the architect and project manager; Allwest Testing & Engineering, materials tester; and Eight31 Consulting, the representative hired to assist in overseeing the project.
 
Since the suit was filed, the parties have been engaged in discovery, including extensive testing of various systems and areas in the building. A first mediation session occurred on March 17th, 2022, with all parties participating. Additional mediation sessions are scheduled for late fall 2022, while efforts to work toward resolution continue. If those efforts fail, trial is set for March 6, 2023.
 
The City, however, is not waiting for conclusion of litigation to start necessary repairs. Subsidence in the building’s front has already been addressed in addition to other recognized defects requiring immediate attention. The City initially set aside a $500,000 fund in both 2019 and 2020 for litigation-related expenses including construction, attorney fees, and expert witness fees. Those costs are expected to be fully reimbursed. An additional $700,000 (for a total of $1,700,000) was, by consensus, approved for placement in the 2023 budget.
 
Council reached consensus to move forward with an amendment to its 2020 Budget. That amendment affects seven accounts resulting in Revenue Increases of $4,522,805 and Decreases of $6,439,111. The changes include Employee Position Classification Monthly Salary Schedule incorporating various changes in the City’s reorganization.
 
In March 2022, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) issued a call for projects for the Pedestrian & Bicycle Program (PBP) and Safe Routes to School (SRTS) aiming to improve safety and increase the number of people walking or bicycling. The total available funding in the PBP is $56.7 million, and $59.0 million in the SRTS program. There is no City match required. Recommendations must be to the Governor by December 2022; funds will be awarded in June 2023 in the state biennium budget. Consensus was reached to have staff develop a recommended project list and return to Council on May 10th for a motion consideration to apply for the grant.
 
Unwanted parking on private property has been a long-standing concern of Council. This evening, staff has brought forward language to amend the city code to focus on junk vehicles, vehicle parking/storage on private property, camping (homeless) on private property, and multifamily development parking. 
The draft language is intended to begin discussion on where Council wants to direct the final product of the code changes to go. Items to be discussed are:

• Junk/inoperable vehicle storage
• Vehicle (including RV) parking and storage on private property
• RV and tent camping on private prorerty
• Multifamily parking issues

Each year, pursuant to the state’s Growth Management Act (GMA) the City is allowed to amend its comprehensive plan. On November 23, 2021, Council approved the 2022 docket of offered amendments which were then sent to the Planning Commission for its deliberation. On February 22, 2022, the Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of the following:
 
File No. / Location /  Description
CPA-2022-01  / 10506 E. 10th  / Chg 1.03 acres frm SFR to MFR
CPA-2022-02 / 17105 E. Montgomery  /   Chg .45 acres frm SFR to P/OS
CPA-2022-03  /   44th & Bates / Chg 17.64 acres frm SFR to P/OS
CPA-2022-04  /   Bike & Pedestrian / Add proposed n. loop river trail 
 
SFR: Single family residence, MFR: Multi family residence, P/OS: Parks/Open Space

 

Council reached consensus to accept the Planning Commission’s recommendations and move the docket to a First Reading.
The current interlocal agreement with Spokane County for providing law enforcement services was adopted by Council in July 2017 for a five-year period beginning January 1, 2018, through December 31, 2022. Periodic amendments have been applied and a new set is presented for Council consideration.

Significant among those suggested are:
• Ownership of dedicated City vehicles that are fully paid for will transfer to City ownership upon termination of the agreement.
• Clarification on allowing temporary movement of dedicated officers to a shared unit with city Manager and Police Chief approval.
• Clarification that performance measures and work load indicators will be provided subject to availability of data.
• Language added to prevent unspent City funds from being diverted to other purposes without prior authorization.
• Language added to allow City to pay up front for dedicated vehicles and have authorization authority over purchases and location of vehicles.
• Language added to the Domestic Violence detective to work in a shared unit.
• Behavioral Health indicators and measures added. Refined performance measures and included cost and budget data.
• Homeless Services Deputy and Behavioral Health Deputy added.
• Added two Major Crimes Detectives.
 
No action was taken at this time. The 2022 Budget for Law Enforcement is $24,958,601. Renewal is pending at the end of 2022.
 
City Hall is open for business during normal business hours. Masks are no longer required in the building. Council meetings begin at 6:00pm. The Public is invited to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions.

April 26, 2022

 
 

Spokane Valley City Council’s first action of the evening was unanimous approval of Resolution 22-005. The resolution expresses Council’s gratitude to the fourth legislative district’s legislators, Senator Mike Padden, and Representatives Bob McCaslin and Rob Chase for their stellar efforts on its behalf. They were successful securing grant funding for City projects and helping to defeat of legislation detrimental to City goals. Legislation such as House Bill 1660, regarding accessory dwelling units, and House Bill 1782, mandating state dictated neighborhood zoning were not passed. Council appreciates the close working relationship it enjoyed with those legislators. 
 
Following that action, a recap of the past legislative session was presented by Briahna Murray, the City’s state lobbyist.
At its September 28th meeting last year, Council adopted the 2022 Legislative Agenda for the last state legislative session. Those 2022 goals were:
 
1.  A renewed request for state assistance for the Pines Rail Crossing
2.  Sensible state procurement laws
3.  Voicing continued commitment to defending locacontrol
4.  Protecting state-shared revenues
5.  Requesting changes to municipal utility tax authority
6.  Return of sensibility to law enforcement issues
7.  Advocating for needed changes to the Growth Management Act regarding local flexibility
 
Ms. Murray’s report was a discussion of the session and progress made in achieving City goals. Overall, with the heavily lopsided majorities in both houses, little progress was made toward City goals. The fourth district legislators did yeoman work in advancing our requests and goals but were paid little attention by the majority. Small gains were made in potential funding for the Pines rail crossing project and in fending off attempts to preempt local control of zoning. Crime prevention and law enforcement saw small gains after the previous session’s near disastrous law enforcement ‘fixes’.
 
The Washington State Recreation & Conservation Office (RCO) offers grant programs for improving parks throughout the state. Two such programs are the Washington Wildlife and Recreation (WWRP) Local Parks; and Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). Council opted not to pursue either grant for Balfour Park because of the unacceptable increases in bids tendered for planned work there. Discussion moved to possibly transferring the grant application to Greenacres Park to complete programs already planned there such as: a baseball field, basketball court, and tennis/pickleball courts. A motion to apply for the RCO and LWCF grants passed unanimously.
 
The City has been allowing third-party publications in the lobbies of its buildings such as City Hall, CenterPlace, and the Precinct. Lately, this policy has become a concern because some of these publications contain ballot issues which is in violation of Washington Code. A motion to adopt Resolution 22-006 which prohibits third-party publications not produced by the City for public information in City Hall and the City Precinct building passed by a vote of 4-2.
In a late addition to the agenda, the City was presented with an opportunity to join with other cities in the state in a suit against the various companies and individuals involved in the manufacture, marketing, and distribution of opioid products and prescriptions. The suit is based on well-documented harm to individuals and communities resulting from use and ancillary illegal activities stemming from the opioid supply chain.
 
By joining in the suit, the City becomes eligible to participate in future settlement of the case if or when that happens. The motion to approve the City’s joining in the memorandum of understanding to participate in the suit passed unanimously.
 
The City, pursuant to various laws and regulations, manages its Stormwater Utility Program. That program is funded through the collection of 1) Storm and Surface Utility (Utility) fees from developed parcels located within the City, and 2) the Spokane County Aquifer Protection Area (APA) fee. The Utility fee is $21 per year on single family residences, duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes. All other developed property is charged $21 for every 3,160 square feet of measured impervious surface area. The Utility fee will generate about $1.9 million in 2022 to the City. That has not increased since the City’s incorporation in 2003.
 
The APA fee is imposed on each water meter within the City by meter size. That fee is collected by the County and reapportioned among the various participating municipalities. That fee is expected to generate $450,000 to the City in 2022.
 
The City will need to develop a comprehensive stormwater plan to establish the long-term goals of the Utility, identify solutions to address flooding, water quality issues, and strategies for applying sustainable rates and compliance with pertinent laws and regulations. To that end, Osborn Consulting, has been selected, pending negotiations on the final scope and fee for services. On May 3rd, that contract will be before Council for execution.
 
Under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the City has received $16 million from a Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (CLFR). Mayor Haley appointed a CLFR sub-committee of herself, Deputy Mayor Higgins, and Councilman Hattenburg, to screen applicable uses for those funds. Thus far, Council has approved $750,000 for an extension of the Buckeye Sewer Project and $250,000 to cover internal City costs, totaling $1 million.
 
Other CLFR funds will be used for various projects such as revenue replace for money lost to the City due to COVID. That figure for 2020 is calculated to be $10.8 million. The CLFR subcommittee has recommended that the City use the maximum amount of lost revenue replacement to provide necessary services. Those suggested categories are: Affordable Housing, $3 million; Mental Health, $1 million; Law Enforcement, $1 million; Water Infrastructure, $750,000; Sewer/Stormwater, $2.256 million; Community Proposal Projects, $1 million; and Land Acquisition, $6 million. These broad categories will be fleshed out in full Council discussions and then solidified by future Council action. City Hall is open for business during normal business hours. Masks are no longer required in the building. Council meetings begin at 6:00pm. The Public is invited to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions.
 

April 19, 2022

 
 

In considering how to put the $16 million received from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery fund (CLFR) to the most beneficial use, the Spokane Valley City Council chose a project identified by staff and unanimously supported by Council, the Buckeye Avenue Sewer Extension Project. That project extends the sewer at East Buckeye Avenue from approximately 650 feet east of McMillan Street to the City limits. This will provide sewer infrastructure to both developed and undeveloped existing parcels, currently on septic systems, that otherwise would not receive sewer service into the foreseeable future.
 
The estimated cost on February 8th, 2022, was $500,000. Council at that time, unanimously approved the budgeted amount. However, since that time the actual bid costs for that project have escalated to $750,000. The rise in cost is directly attributable to inflation in labor and supplies costs, and labor and supplies shortages. The late timing of the request for bids also contributed to the increased cost.
 
CLFR money must be used to cover the negative impacts of COVID-19. To determine eligibility the City must identify a need or negative impact created by the pandemic and how the City’s use will address that need. The expense must have been incurred by the City between March 3, 2021, and December 31, 2021. An expense is considered incurred if it is obligated by December 31, 2024. All obligated funds must be spent by December 31, 2026.
After lengthy discussion on the importance of the project and the likelihood of those costs not coming down in the near future, Council voted unanimously to approve the additional $250,000 to fully finance the project and award the contract Inland Infrastructure.
 
In July 2020, the City applied to the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program for funding a new sidewalk on the east side of South Bowdish Road between 12th and 16th Avenues. The request was denied because the program ran out of funds.
Earlier this year, the State Legislature provided an additional $10 million to the SRTS program enabling it to award money to the 2020 application list. With the additional funding, the S. Bowdish Road sidewalk project is eligible for an award. In staff coordination with WSDOT, the 2022 proposal has been updated in both cost and scheduling. The updated authorized cost has risen from $1,650,000 to $1,983,900. The grant award (80% of the project) has moved up from the originally requested $1,320,000 to $1,587,100. The required local match has likewise increased from $330,000 to $396,800. Design is scheduled for 2023 with construction to be done in 2024. Motion to authorize the City Manager to accept the SRSP award passed unanimously.
The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) is considering an August ballot measure for funding suggested improvements to Avista stadium at the Spokane County Fairgrounds. The additional tax levy, depending on the type, would require a 50% + 1 vote margin or a 60% voter support depending on the length of time (9 years to 20 years) for repayment. The president of the Spokane Indians provided an overview of the needed improvements and the current status of Spokane County’s discussions on the possible ballot measure. No Council action was taken.
 
Spokane Valley’s new Fire Chief, Frank Soto, Jr., provided a report on his department’s responses to incidents in Spokane Valley. Interestingly, the top ranked response categories for the year were: Falls (398), Breathing problems (182), Sick (167), Psychiatric (143), Cardiac Arrest (116), and Structure Fire (104).
 
The City has received an application to vacate an unnamed street located southwest of Mission Avenue and Park Road. The unnamed street, dedicated by the Park Road Plat in 1949, is approximately 7,900 square feet in area and has remained unimproved for 73 years. Council reached consensus to place Resolution No. 22-004 on the April 26th Consent Agenda to set the date for a public hearing before the Planning Commission.
 
On March 23rd, 2021, Council created the Streets Sustainability Committee (SSC), composed of twenty-two members, to help gather public input on the City’s Pavement Management Program (PMP) which has struggled to find a consistent, reliable funding source to sustain a long-term program. The SSC identified three goals:
 
1. Evaluate citizens’ interest and support for maintaining city streets and suggesting pavement con- dition goals.
2. Identify preference for maintaining city streets, types of treatments used, and long-term levels of service.
3. Investigate current revenues and potential future funding sources for maintaining city streets at the recommended level of service.

The Key Findings by Goal were:

GOAL 1
A. The pavement condition of City streets is described as “fair” or better.
B. The PMP should be prioritized in the City’s budget planning process.

GOAL 2
A. Survey respondents support increasing the prioritization of local access streets.
B.  Implement surface treatments in the PMP.
C. Increase PMP funding to maintain the streets in their current condition.

GOAL 3
A. Do not reduce funding of other City programs to increase funding of the PMP.
B. Transportation Benefit District is the most-preferred funding option.
C.  Survey respondents indicate new funding should evenly distribute costs to everyone.
D.  PMP funding should not rely on annual operating budget surplus fund transfers. (author’s emphasis)

In summarizing those findings and analysis, staff requested returning to Council in May for a discussion focusing on various delivery options available for addressing the PMP. Council reached that consensus.

In April of this year, the City submitted a grant application requesting $21.7 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation RAISE (Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity) program for the Pines Road/BNSF Rail Crossing. The total estimated cost of that project is $31.3 million. The City has secured $2.43 million, Private funds $1.09 million (BNSF + Avista), Federal Funds already secured $2.95 million, leaving $18.78 million requested in the RAISE grant application. Based on that amount, staff does not recommend applying this year for a RAISE grant for the Pines/BNSF project. Council agreed by consensus.

City Hall is open for business during normal business hours. Masks are no longer required in the building. Council meetings begin at 6:00pm. The Public is invited to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions.

April 12, 2022

 
 

The City of Spokane Valley has, since 2017, been working on the design of the Pines Road/BNSF Rail Crossing Project. During that time, it has been assembling the necessary parcels of property and rights-of-way in order to complete the project. A major piece of that puzzle lies in a property comprised of three parcels owned by Avista Corporation. 
 
That property will be used for a portion of the roadways, grading, and drainage for the new roadway as it arcs northward to go under the BNSF rails to join SR 290 (Trent Avenue). The area will also include a new trailhead for the Centennial Trail and will be an integral part of joining with the City’s planned River Loop Trail.
 
Avista has generously offered to donate their property valued at $790,500 to enable the City to complete its acquisition of the necessary project right-of-way. The motion to accept Avista’s donation passed unanimously.
 
The current interlocal agreement with Spokane County for providing law enforcement services was adopted by Council in July 2017 for a five-year period beginning January 1, 2018, through December 31, 2022. Periodic amendments have been applied. This evening a new set was presented for Council action. Among the more important are:
 
• Ownership of dedicated City vehicles that are fully paid for will transfer to City ownership upon termination of the agreement.
• Clarification on allowing temporary movement of dedicated officers to a shared unit with city Manager and Police Chief approval.
• Clarification that performance measures and workload indicators will be provided subject to availability of data.
• Language added to prevent unspent City funds from being diverted to other purposes without prior authorization.
• Language added to allow City to pay up front for dedicated vehicles and have authorization authority over purchases and location of vehicles.
• Language added to the Domestic Violence detective to work in a shared unit.
• Behavioral Health indicators and measures added.  Refined performance measures and included cost  and budget data.
• Homeless Services Deputy and Behavioral Health  Deputy added.
• Two Major Crimes Detectives added
 
The motion to authorize the City Manager to finalize and execute the Amended Interlocal Agreement for Law Enforcement Services as Provided by the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office to the City passed unanimously. 
 
The City has been allowing third-party publications in the lobbies of its buildings such as City Hall, CenterPlace, and the Precinct. Lately, this policy has become an concern that some of these publications are, or contain, ballot issues which is in violation of Washington Code. In order to maintain equal treatment under the law, Council reached consensus (4-2) to place on a future agenda a motion consideration to prohibit third-party publications in City buildings.
 
Earlier this year, the City was working under the possibility of joining with the Spokane County Library District (SCLD) in preparing a bid to simultaneously conduct construction of the library while working on Phase I of the City’s Balfour Park improvement project. SCLD later declined to join with the City, so the City moved ahead with its plans by putting Phase I out for bid. The anticipated project cost and the budget for the project was $3,875,023.
Unfortunately, the ensuing bids (3) were substantially higher than anticipated. The lowest bid was $5.1 million. Possible reasons for the increases include inflation, construction cost increases throughout the nation, labor shortages, and materials shortages. Staff is examining workable solutions and will return at a later date for Council discussion. 
 
The Washington State Recreation & Conservation Office (RCO) offers grant programs for improving parks throughout the state. Balfour Park presented an opportunity for possible participation in Phase II of its development, but the bid overrun has caused that project to be put on hold for reconsideration. Instead, a grant from RCO could be applied to Greenacres Park for additions planned but not yet constructed. Those improvements include a tennis court, basketball court, baseball field, skate park, and community garden. 
 
Additionally, an adjacent parcel, acquired by the City in the past containing a life-estate clause, has been freed of that encumbrance and will be added to the park for future development. Consensus was reached to move forward with an RCO grant application.
 
City Hall is open for business during normal business hours. Masks are no longer required in the building. Council meetings begin at 6:00pm. The Public is invited to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions.
 

March 29, 2022

 
 

This Study Session of the Spokane Valley City Council opened with a proclamation commemorating Vietnam Veterans’ Day 2022. March 29, 1973 was the day combat troops were withdrawn from Vietnam.
 
Council continued its business with the Second Reading of Ordinance 22-005 adopting the South Barker Corridor, Mirabeau, and North Pines Road Sub-Areas Transportation Impact Fee (TIF) Rate Studies as reported to Council on March 22nd. City regulations require that TIFs be applied in accordance with the most current edition of the Institute of Transportation Engineers Trip Generation Manual.

The latest (11th Edition) rate changes: 
TIF Impact Fee
Area 10th Edition Schedule   
11th Edition Schedule
 
South Barker Corridor
$1,272 /trip
$1,153 /trip
 
Mirabeau Subarea
$716 /trip
$698 /trip
 
North Pines Rd. Subarea
$2,816 /trip
$2,195 /trip

TIFs allow assessment and collection of impact fees consistent with the City’s Street Standards which address changes brought about by development. Motion to adopt Ordinance 22-005 passed unanimously. 
 
On December 21, 2021, Council approved Resolution 22-009 which established City fees for 2022. By its adoption of Ordinance 22-005, adjusting its traffic fee studies, it triggered a need for those new fees to be updated in the Master Fee Schedule so they can be correctly collected. Resolution 22-003 amends the Master fee scheduled to accommodate those changes. Motion to approve Resolution 22-003 passed unanimously. 
 
An interlocal agreement between Spokane County and the City of Spokane Valley regarding joint use of the former Milwaukee Road Right of Way enabled the creation of the Appleway Trail (Trail). At the time, it was envisioned that businesses adjacent to the Trail would create amenities that accessed the Trail to provide services to those using the Trail and would, in the process, attract additional users to the Trail.
 
Along the way, there have been impediments arising about liabilities, unclear definitions in the agreement, and the boundaries of the Trail. The included amendments to the interlocal agreement clear up definitions and shift the responsibility from the County to the City for granting license agreements for third party users such as adjoining property owners. Motion to approve Amendment #1 to the Interlocal Agreement between Spokane County and City of Spokane Valley regarding Appleway Trail and finalize and execute the amendment passed 6-1.
 
The Barker Road/BNSF Rail Crossing project was awarded for construction to the Max J. Kuney Company (Kuney) on January 28, 2021, by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), the project manager. Although the City assembled the funding and remains responsible for accounting for those funds, it has ceded project management to WSDOT for the construction.
 
The City and WSDOT coordinate on all change orders for the project with Kuney regardless of the amount. A cumulative limit of $350,000 in change orders is in place requiring Council approval for anything beyond that amount. To date the total of those change orders is $271,201.48 with others in the queue that will exceed the $350,000.
 
The Contractor’s successful low bid was $2,000,000 below the next lowest bidder under the rules for selecting the successful bidder. A low bid can often be enhanced by the change order process. The project cannot move forward without approval of the change orders. A motion to authorize the City Manager to approve Change Order #38 with Max J. Kuney Company in the amount of $129,500 was approved unanimously.
 
In the Spring of 2021, Council requested staff to install school zone flashing beacons at all schools not already covered, excluding high schools, and virtual learning centers. A survey of needed locations produced a plan for establishing school zones on Tschirley Road north of Sprague Avenue and Corbin Road north of Appleway Avenue with installation of five school zone beacon pairs at Greenacres Elementary, Greenacres Middle School, Sunrise Elementary, Centennial Middle School, and Early Learning Center.
 
The cost is estimated to be $125,000. Additional discussion raised questions on why four of the nine identified locations were not on the list for installation. These locations either do not allow for or expect walking to school by students or do not have adjacent streets on which to effectively install the beacons. One of the locations will require establishment of new school zones on two streets which must be done by Council Resolution amending the City’s Master Speed Limit Schedule which will be addressed later in the year. Consensus to proceed with the procurement and installation of the beacons was unanimous.
 
The current interlocal agreement with Spokane County for providing law enforcement services was adopted by Council in July 2017 for a five-year period beginning January 1, 2018, through December 31, 2022. Periodic amendments have been applied and a new set is presented for Council consideration.

Salient among those suggested are:
• Ownership of dedicated City vehicles that are fully paid for will transfer to City ownership upon termination of the agreement.
• Clarification on allowing temporary movement of dedicated officers to a shared unit with city Man- ager and Police Chief approval.
• Clarification that performance measures and work load indicators will be provided subject to availability of data.
• Language added to prevent unspent City funds from being diverted to other purposes without prior authorization.
• Language added to allow City to pay up front for dedicated vehicles and have authorization  authority over purchases and location of vehicles.
•  Language added to the Domestic Violence detective to work in a shared unit.
• Behavioral Health indicators and measures added. Refined performance measures and included cost and budget data.
• Homeless Services Deputy and Behavioral Health Deputy added.
• Added two Major Crimes Detectives.

Consensus was reached to proceed to a Motion Consideration on the recommendations.
 
An announcement for Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) requests from agencies for inclusion in the 2023 federal budget has been published. Senators Murray and Cantwell and Representative McMorris-Rodgers are looking for community applications. The top four legislative requests from the City are:
Rank/Project     Fund Req* Funds Accr    Fund Gap        Total Cost
1. Pines Rd/BNSF Rail Cross $5,000,000 $9,700,000 $24,300,000 $34,000,000
2. Bigelow/Sullivan/Trent Interchange $2,650,000 $0 $23,980,000 $26,630,000
3. South Barker Corridor $2,000,000 $8,900,000 $9,900,000 $18,800,000
4. River Loop Trail Project $3,000,000 $1,750,000 $14,750,000 $16,500,000
 
The requests for funding (*) should not exceed $5 million per project and are due by April 15th. They do not require local matching funds. The City’s Federal Legislative Agenda and the guidelines for this round of funding appear to align well.
 
City Council will not meet on April 5th. The next meeting will be on Tuesday, April 12th. City Hall is open for business during normal business hours. Masks are no longer required in the building. Council meetings begin at 6:00pm. The Public is invited to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access 
instructions.
 

March 22, 2022

 
 


This meeting of the Spokane Valley City Council opened its business with a first reading of Proposed Ordinance 22-005 which provides for adoption of the South Barker Corridor, Mirabeau, and North Pines Road Subareas Transportation Impact Fee (TIF) Rate Studies as reported to Council on March 22nd. City regulations require that TIFs be applied in accordance with the most current edition of the Institute of Transportation Engineers Trip Generation Manual. The latest (11th Edition) rate changes:

TIF Impact Fee Area 10th Edition Schedule             11th Edition Schedule
South Barker Corridor $1,272 /trip $1,153 /trip
Mirabeau Subarea $716 /trip $698 /trip
North Pines Rd. Subarea $2,816 /trip $2,195 /trip


TIFs allow assessment and collection of impact fees consistent with the City’s Street Standards which address changes brought about by development. Motion to move Proposed Ordinance 22-005 to a Second Reading passed unanimously. The Sullivan Road/SR-290 Interchange Project is rapidly gaining importance because it connects rural freight traffic with one of the region’s busiest urban corridors. As such, it appears to qualify for possible grant assistance from the Federal Highway Bridge Program (FHBP).

The area along Sullivan Road between I-90 and SR-290 is home to 9,000 jobs, 85% of which are related to freight movement. Large employers move their goods and employees via Sullivan Road and Bigelow Gulch within Spokane County. Sullivan Road South of SR 290 is a designated Freight and Goods Transportation System freight corridor carrying over 100 million tons of freight annually. 

Traffic is projected to increase in peak hours from 1,400 trips to 2,400 trips once Bigelow Gulch is completed. The current rated level of service on that route is ‘B.’ However, with the increase in traffic, that level without upgrading the infrastructure, will degrade the level of service to ‘F.’ The current estimate to reconstruct the interchange is $26.6 million. The grant, if awarded in full, would only cover about half of the cost, leaving the City to find the rest. Council, by consensus, opted not to pursue a FHBP grant for the project until they have more information.

Support for housing is often divided into two broad categories: Homelessness and ‘affordable’ housing. County Recording Fees are the two main document recording fee sources for direct homeless and afforable housing funding. Generally, those fees may be used to address both homelessness and affordable housing. In 2020, Council approved an interlocal agreement authorizing the County to manage and apply those recording fees as well as its share of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. 

The City of Spokane Valley participates in the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG). In 2005, the City qualified to become an ‘entitlement community.’ As such, it is authorized to receive federal funds for capital projects in the City. The interlocal agreement with the County continues the City’s acceptance of its entitlement status under federal guidelines and cedes administration of the program to the County.

Council members have requested information on the recording fees available for homelessness and affordable housing related purposes. If the City chose to directly accept CDBG funds, it would have to assume responsibility for homeless housing within its border to receive those recording fees. This gives rise to the question of whether the City wishes to take on that responsibility. Council discussions in the past on assuming administrative control of those funds have not been fruitful because of the added costs of staffing and reporting.
City Hall is open for business during normal business hours. Masks are no longer required in the building. Council meetings begin at 6:00pm. The Public is invited to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions.

 

March 15, 2022

 
 

This meeting of the Spokane Valley City Council was a Study Session but had three Motion Considerations on the agenda for action. The first was a potential grant opportunity from Spokane Regional Transportation Council. That grant possibility had been covered by a staff report on February 22nd. 
The City has regularly applied to Spokane Regional Transportation Council (SRTC) for funding a variety of transportation projects. Often these have coincided with the City transportation priorities such as its 6-year Transportation Improvement Program. SRTC announced its call for projects for years 2024-2026. It has available $43 million for participating local governments. After administrative costs and other set-asides, a total of $28.7 million is left for distribution. A minimum 13.5% match is required, but a higher match elevates the score increasing chances of gaining the award. The list has eleven projects in ranked order. Since a grant request for all eleven will not be honored, only the top five are listed below.

Project Total              Cost SRTC Request         Addnl Match
1. Pines/BNSF Rail Cross $34,784,527 $23,130,199 $3,981,328
2. Bigelow-Sullivan- Engr only 3,330,000 2,212,500 737,500
3. Broadway Reconstruction, Havana to Fancher 3,937,665 2,618,547 1,229,118
4. South Barker Corridor: Appleway to Sprague 3,150,484 2,095,072 987,924
5. Barker Rd Corridor Roundabout 2,970,141 2,272,158 629,059
TOTAL $32,328,476 $7,564,929
The abbreviated table would appear to indicate that the City would not receive all grants awarded since the City is one among many applicants. The ‘Additional Match’ total is what the City would have to raise in addition to what it has a ready contributed to each project. Motion to approve authorization to apply for SRTC grants for the projects passed unanimously. 
 
The US Department of Transportation (USDOT) issued a call for projects last month for the RAISE (Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity) grant program. That program has previously operated under the acronyms of BUILD and TIGER. A total of $1.5 billion is available nationwide with a maximum $100 million to any state. The grant requires a 20% nonfederal match. Applications are due April 14th, 2022. Awards will be made August 12th. Funds, if awarded, must be obligated by September 30th, 2026, and spent by September 30, 2031.
 
Staff recommends submitting the Pines/BNSF Rail Crossing Project for the RAISE grant. Inflation has caused substantial additions to the project cost which currently stands at $35,178,385. To date, the City has secured $9.75 million for the project including federal grants. Motion to approve applying for the RAISE grant passed unanimously.
 
On January 11, 2022, Council passed Resolution 22-001, adopting the amended 2022-2027 Six Year Transportation Improvement Plan which includes the Evergreen Road Preservation-Broadway to Mission. That project covers installation of ADA curb ramps, pavement repairs, channelization and ITS (cable) conduit. Total engineering and construction costs for the project are budgeted at $1,387,000. The engineer’s estimate was $1,029,906. The successful bid by Inland Infrastructure, LLC was $1,099,941, $70,000 (6.8%) above the engineer’s estimate, but within acceptable limits. Motion to authorize awarding the project to Inland Infrastructure, LLC for the bid amount passed unanimously.
 
City Engineer Gloria Mantz presented an overview of the projects scheduled for construction or completion in 2022.
• Barker Road Corridor Projects: Barker Rd/GNSF Rail Crossing; Barker at Union Pacific RR Multi-use path (Euclid to Trent, 2023).
• Intersection Improvement Projects: Sullivan & Wellesley Intersection (Lighted); Sprague & Barker Intersection (Roundabout).
• Park Improvements: Balfour Park, Phase I construction to complement the adjacent library. Sullivan Park Waterline.
• Pedestrian Improvement Projects: Sidewalk along Wilbur Road between Boone and Mission.
• Road Preservation: Evergreen from Broadway to Mission; Sprague Avenue, Havana to Fancher; Mission Avenue, chip seal on Evergreen overpass deck.
• Citywide Reflective Post Panels.

City regulations require that Transportation Impact Fees (TIF) be applied in accordance with the most current edition of the Institute of Transportation Engineers Trip Generation Manual. The latest (11th Edition) rate changes:

TIF Impact Fee Area 10th Edition Schedule             11th Edition Schedule
South Barker Corridor $1,272 /trip $1,153 /trip
Mirabeau Subarea $716 /trip $698 /trip
North Pines Rd. Subarea $2,816 /trip $2,195 /trip
Council reached consensus to proceed to a First Reading. In the Spring of 2021, Council requested staff to install school zone flashing beacons at all schools not already covered, excluding high schools, and virtual learning centers. A survey of needed locations produced a plan for establishing school zones on Tschirley Road north of Sprague Avenue and Corbin Road north of Appleway Avenue with installation of five school zone beacon pairs at Greenacres Elementary, Greenacres Middle School, Sunrise Elementary, Centennial Middle School, and Early Learning Center. The cost is estimated to be $125,000. Consensus to proceed to Resolution was unanimous.
 
The Washington State Recreation & Conservation Office (RCO) offers grant programs for improving parks throughout the state. Two such programs are the Washington Wildlife and Recreation (WWRP) Local Parks; and Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). Balfour Park presents an opportunity for possible participation in Phase II of its development. That could include a splashpad, playground, basketball and pickleball courts, amphitheater with covered stage, large picnic shelter, and additional artwork. Council unanimously reached consensus to authorize staff to pursue the two RCO grant possibilities.
 
In response to numerous complaints about parking violations and permitted parking areas, a draft ordinance was presented to Council for its consideration. The proposed ordinance would identify the areas of responsibility for Council and City Staff. It also identifies areas of regulation for items such as ‘junk’ vehicles, blocking mailboxes, site specific prohibitions, and vehicles parked with expired licenses. Council agreed to have discussion on enforcement of the proposed ordinance scheduled at a future meeting.
 
City Hall is open for business during normal business hours. Council meetings begin at 6:00pm. The Public is invited to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions.
 

March 8, 2022

 
 

‘Formal’ meetings of the Spokane Valley City Council are normally comprised of action items that require a vote, this meeting was a departure from that norm.

The agenda this evening included only two non-action items:
1. A discussion of Council’s previous action on Resolution 21-008 terminating the City’s participation in the TPA (Tourism Promotion Area) interlocal agreement between the City of Spokane and Spokane County, and
2. A Public Safety Update discussing the public safety services including Law Enforcement, Prosecution, Public Defense, Detention Services, and District Court are all conducted through interlocal agreements covering the contractual relationship between each of those entities and the City of Spokane Valley.

TPA: On May 11, 2021, a request from Council to place on a future agenda a discussion for staff to speak with City hoteliers to determine if they would support creation of the City’s own Spokane Valley TPA.

On October 5th, an administrative report regarding discussions with City hoteliers and their willingness to support withdrawal from the regional TPA and creation of a Valley TPA. Council was told that most hoteliers had been contacted and were in support.

Based on that information, Council adopted Resolution 21-008 on October 26th terminating the regional TPA interlocal agreement with Spokane and Spokane County.

Subsequent information received by Council since adoption of Resolution 21-008 raises questions about whether Council had received all the information necessary to make that decision. Thus, Council requested a review of the matter to gather more information and review the withdrawal from the TPA interlocal agreement.

If the City’s withdrawal from the regional TPA moves forward, then it is possible under state law to form its own TPA provided the City hoteliers agree to participate. If that agreement isn’t reached, then it is possible that the City would not have a TPA, and the fee levied on hotel night stays would not be collected.

In the past, the regional TPA collected about $3 million annually at $2 per room night. Later the rate was raised to $4 per room night. The assessment collected for Spokane Valley in 2021 was $731,569.05 at the new rate of $4 per room night. The revenue from the regional TPA was split between Visit Spokane (72%) and the Spokane Sports Commission (28%). Council will take under advisement the information from tonight’s presentation for further action if necessary.

Public Safety: The category of Public Safety in the City of Spokane Valley’s 2022 Budget is the largest single line item at $29.8 million, taking up 62% of total recurring expenditures of $48.4 million plus $1.562 million in nonrecurring costs.

Spokane Valley, being a ‘contract’ city, hires its Public Safety requirements under contract. A review of those contracts, with an eye to events impacting them, was the focus of this evening’s presentation. A summary of the sections and costs to the City are as follow:
• Judicial System: The Spokane County District court provides municipal court services comprised of a judge, court commissioner, and support staff. ($2,337,800)
• Law Enforcement: The Sheriff’s office is responsible for providing police services for the City of Spokane Valley. ($25,392,127)
• Jail System: Spokane County provides jail and probation services for persons sentenced by the City Municipal Court Judge for violating laws of the city or state. ($1,714,507)
• Animal Control: Spokane County provides animal control services including licensing, care and treatment of lost or stray animals, and response to potentially dangerous animal confrontations. ($330,000) Additional discussions on future needs such as expansion of precinct area, disposition of the former White Elephant building, dispatch costs, addressment of gangs and violent crime will be conducted in negotiations with the County.

City Hall is open for business during normal business hours. Masks must be worn in the building. Council meetings begin at 6:00pm. The Public is invited to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions.
 

March 1, 2022

 
 

This Spokane Valley City Council Study Session opened with the Second Reading of Ordinance 22-003—Procedures to trespass individuals from City property and facilities. This ordinance establishes a standardized trespass and appeal process for all City owned property and facilities.
 
In 2019, Council adopted amendments to its code authorizing the Parks and Recreation Department to issue notes of trespass to any individual who has violated city park rules and/or regulations on the property. However, it was subsequently discovered that a similar provision is needed to cover other City property such as City Hall. Ordinance 22-003 satisfies that need. The motion to adopt Ordinance 22-003 passed unanimously.
 
In 2003, Council established in City Code the legal holidays the City would recognize whereby City facilities are closed with most staff having the day off. In the City’s latest collective bargaining agreement, an eleventh holiday (Juneteenth) would be added (Ordinance 22-004). Motion to advance Ordinance 22-004 to a Second Reading passed unanimously.
 
In an update and critique of the City’s 2021 Federal Legislative Agenda, the City’s federal lobbyist, Cardinal Infrastructure, presented the following:
 
1. Pines Road/BNSF Rail Crossing Project—No recent federal activity. The project received no direct funding in 2021.
 
2. Spokane Valley River Loop Trail—No recent federal activity. Engineering design will commence in 2022 but no funding was received in 2021.
 
3. Bigelow Gulch/Sullivan Corridor Project—Representative McMorris-Rodgers included the project in the House version its draft Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development appropriations bill (THUD), which will probably not move forward. 
 
4. Spokane County Regional Expo Expansion—No recent federal activity. The project has a separate active funding request (in addition to the Economic Development Administration’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) application) for $4.25 million, approximately 50% of the total budget. 
 
5. South Barker Corridor—Senator Murray included this project in the Senate’s version of its draft appropriations bill. This project has tentatively been awarded $3 million. While this is tentative, the bill is ‘alive’ at this time.
 
6. Programmatic Request—Earlier this month, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which includes $3 billion over five years for the “Railroad Crossing Elimination Program,” passed. It is a competitive grant program with $600 million in first year funds available for highway-rail at-grade crossing improvement.
 
The Proposed 2022 Federal Legislative Agenda includes the unfinished items from 2021 but in a different order considering changing developments:
 
Project
Funding Needed
Total Cost   
 
1. Pines Rd/BNSF Rail Project
$24.30 million $
34.0 million

2. Bigelow Gulch Sullivan Corridor
$26.10 million
$76.4 million

3. South Barker Rd Corridor
$12.90 million
$18.8 million

4. Spokane Valley River Loop Trail
$14.75 million
$16.5 million  
 
New Additions:
5. Policy Consideration #1—Revise ARPA funds to allow expenditures for transportation projects
6. Policy Consideration #2—Increase funding for transportation safety projects
7. Policy Consideration #3—Increase funding for economic development programs
 
The proposed 2022 Federal Legislative Agenda includes the same fire priority projects from 2021 with three new policy updates. It is important to note the effect of inflation on 2021 estimated costs, raising the Pines Road project total cost from $29 million to $34 million and the total project cost of the Expo Expansion from $9.5 million to $14.0 million. Motion to approve the 2022 Federal Legislative Agenda passed unanimously.
 
At its February 22nd meeting, Council approved a motion to install sculptures donated to the City by the Spokane Valley Arts Council that are currently in storage or awaiting placement. After a lengthy discussion, agreement was reached that the sculptures entitled Heart of the Valley, and The Ascent would be placed in Balfour Park as it is completed. The sculpture Indomitable Spirit would find a home at the Appleway Trailhead on University Road. Soulmates, a marble sculpture currently in production, is suggested for location in the future Spokane Valley Performing Arts Center when constructed. The Owl Woman Calls Your Name, a statue depicting the transition to the spirit world would be offered to the Fairmount Memorial Association for placement.
Huckleberry Daze, a bronze bear, was requested by Central Valley High School, but others on Council supported placement at a park frequented by children of all ages, so it was held for future action on placement. Motion to install Huckleberry Daze at Greenacres Park passed 4-3.
 
An administrative report by Hamid Hajjafari, a Transit Planner for Spokane Transit Authority (STA) outlines an STA project for High Performance Transit (HPT) on the I-90 corridor intended to increase the levels of service from downtown Spokane to Spokane Valley and Liberty Lake, with a possible extension to Idaho. A public outreach program is planned.
 
Spokane Valley was incorporated on March 31st, 2003. At the time, it was the largest incorporation in Washington state and 2nd largest single incorporation in US history. The City will celebrate the 20th Anniversary of its incorporation on March 31st, 2023. This presents an opportunity for public engagement in recognition of the City’s past, present, and future, including reflection on its historic growth and maturation to its current status of a City of 105,000.
 
On June 4th, 2014, the City executed a Comprehensive Solid Waste Transfer, Transport and Disposal Services contract with Sunshine Disposal, Inc. The contract allows Sunshine to operate the University Transfer Station from November 17th, 2014, to December 31st, 2024, with two options for renewal. The City, upon assuming control of the solid waste handling within its jurisdiction, is required to prepare a coordinated, comprehensive solid waste management plan for integration into the comprehensive county plan. That plan would include garbage collection and disposal, and plans for waste reduction, recycling, organics, special wastes, and the administration of these programs.
 
By state law, the City is required to prepare a local hazardous waste plan which shall be based on state gridlines that provide for guidance for managing the moderate-risk waste management system in the City. Those wastes are small quantities of hazardous wastes generated by households and small businesses. In 2017, the City entered into a contract for residential garbage collection with Waste Management (WM). At the same time, the City contracted with WM and Sunshine for ‘drop box’ garbage collection. That service is used primarily by businesses and larger generators of waste. Both contracts expire on March 31st, 2028, with two options for renewal. 
 
The City is endeavoring to update its Solid Waste Management and Moderate-Risk Waste Management Plans to comply with state law. The state’s 30-year vision is to eliminate most wastes and toxics and use the remaining waste as resources. 
 
City Hall is open for business during normal business hours. Masks must be worn in the building. Council meetings begin at 6:00pm. Public participation on action items or public comment periods can be in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access 
instructions.
 

February 22, 2022

 
 

The first item of business at this meeting of the Spokane Valley City Council was a return visit to the issue of trespass on City property. At its last meeting, Council moved proposed Ordinance #22-003, adopting a standardized trespass and appeal process for all City owned property and facilities to a First Reading.
 
In 2019, Council adopted amendments to its code authorizing the Parks and Recreation Department to issue notes of trespass to any individual who has violated city park rules and/or regulations on the property. However, a similar provision is needed to cover other City property such as City Hall. Ordinance 22-003 satisfies that need. A motion to move Ordinance 22-003 to a Second Reading passed unanimously.
 
On March 12, 2019, Council approved an agreement with the Spokane Valley Arts Council (SVAC) clarifying aspects of that long-term relationship. A salient feature was for SVAC, which regularly donates sculptures to the City, to provide the City with information on a) what it plans to present, and b) what its intentions are regarding placement. The information is to be made available at least one year in advance to give the City the opportunity to determine where the piece will be placed and to budget for the costs related to installation.
 
Four recently accepted sculptures are currently in storage in the City’s maintenance facility awaiting placement in various places, some of which like Balfour Park, are under construction. The most recent piece offered, Soulmates, a marble statue, was the recipient of a $15,000 outside agency grant from the City. Discussion on placement of the piece and future action was discussed with the plan to be presented for action at Council’s February 22nd meeting.
 
After a lengthy discussion, agreement was reached that the sculptures entitled Heart of the Valley, and The Ascent would be placed in Balfour Park as completed. The sculpture Indomitable Spirit would find a home at the Appleway Trailhead on University Road. Soulmates, described above, would be suggested for location in the future Spokane Valley Performing Arts Center when constructed. The Owl Woman Calls Your Name, a statue depicting the transition to the spirit world would be offered to the Fairmount Memorial Association for placement. Huckleberry Daze, a bronze bear, was requested by Central Valley High School, but others on Council supported placement at a park frequented by children of all ages, so it was held for future action on placement. Motion to approve the other placements as described passed unanimously.
 
In another grant opportunity, WSDOT issued a Call for Projects that help mitigate fatal and serious injury crashes through the City Safety Program (CSP). The CSP has $35 million for distribution statewide. Applicants must provide a Local Road Safety Plan that addresses fatal and serious injury crashes and systemic needs. Potential projects identified are Pedestrian Crossings (Appleway Trail), Hit Pedestrian Mitigation such as pedestrian signal crossing at City Hall, narrowing of the roadway on Sprague at City Hall, and consolidating driveways whenever possible. Each of the identified projects would require a 10% match if awarded a grant.

The list of projects by priority are:
Project
Total Cost
Fund Request
City Match
• 1.  Pines/BNSF Rail Cross
          $19,300,000
          $17,370,000
          $1,930,000
• 2.  Roundabout, Barker & 4th
          $3,000,000
          $2,700,000
          $300,000
• 3.  Roundabout, Barker & 8th
         $2,600,000
         $2,340,000
         $260,000
• 4.  Sprague Ped Crossing at Chronicle Rd
         $300,000
         $270,000
         $30,000
• 5.  Sprague Ped Crossing Between McKinnon & Howe
         $300,000
         $270,000
         $30,000
• 6.  Sprague Ped Crossing at City Hall (Part funded by STA)
         $469,000
         $274,000
         $31,000
• 7.  SR 290 Access Control, Dale,  McDonald & Evergreen
         $430,000
         $387,000
         $43,000
• 8.  Retroflective Signal Backplates 17 locations
         $125,000
         $112,500
         $12,500

         TOTAL
         $26,524,000
         $23,723,500
         $2,636,500
 
Motion to authorize application for the City Safety grant for all eight projects identified passed unanimously.
 
In yet another grant opportunity, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) announced the availability of $50 million statewide through the National Highway Freight Program (NHFP). Those funds will be allocated locally through SRTC (Spokane Regional Transportation Council) which is Spokane County’s Metropolitan Planning Organization, the agency through which applications for funding must be submitted.
SRTC has compiled a list of priority freight projects for the area. The top five are:
 
AGENCY
PROJECT NAME
AMOUNT
 
• Spokane Co.
    Bigelow Gulch/Forker Rd. Phase 2
    $6.3 million
• Spokane Valley
    Pines Rd/BNSF Rail Crossing
    $19.3 million
• Spokane
    Wellesley Ave: Freya to Havana
    $3.4 million
• Spokane Valley
     Bigelow-Sullivan Corridor (PE Only)
    $3.0 million
• Spokane Valley
    Argonne Rd/I-90 Bridge (PE Only)
    $1.5 million
 
Motion to apply for the NHFP grants for the Pines/BNSF Rail Crossing Project, Sullivan/Trent Interchange Project, and the Argonne/I-90 Bridge Project passed unanimously.
 
The US Department of Transportation (USDOT) issued a call for projects last month for the RAISE (Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity) grant program. That program has previously operated under the acronyms of BUILD and TIGER. A total of $1.5 billion is available nationwide with a $100 million max to any state. The grant requires a 20% non-federal match. Applications are due April 14th, 2022. Awards will be made August 12th. Funds, if awarded, must be obligated by September 30th, 2026, and spent by September 30, 2031. 
 
Staff recommends submitting the Pines/BNSF Rail Crossing Project for the RAISE grant. To date, the City has secured $9.75 million for the project including federal grants. Consensus was unanimous to move forward with a motion consideration at its next meeting.
 
The City has regularly applied to Spokane Regional Transportation Council (SRTC) for funding a variety of transportation projects. Often these have coincided with the City transportation priorities such as its 6-year Transportation Improvement Program. SRTC announced its call for projects for years 2024-2026. It has available $43 million for participating local governments. A minimum 13.5% match is required but a higher match elevates the score increasing chances of gaining the award. The City staff has a prioritized list of 14 projects that it is asking for consensus to submit to SRTC. Consensus was unanimous.
 
On December 14th, 2021, the City requested funds from the 1.3% Tax fund account to apply to a new Expo Building at the Fairgrounds plus all future revenues from that fund until the building is completed. LTAC recommended $3,500,000. Council unanimously approved the allocation of $3.5 million from the 1.3% Lodging Tax account for the design, construction, and other costs associated with building the expansion of the Fairgrounds Expo Center Project as presented in the City’s plan. In addition, the City has made application for an additional grant from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) to cover the then estimated cost of $10 million. However, recent events such as the rising costs associated with the project have created questions that require either a) Increasing the budget, b) Reducing the size and scope of the project, or c) Withdrawing the City’s application for the EDA grant. Consensus was reached to withdraw the application for the EDA grant, placing the project on hold.
 
City Hall is open for business during normal business hours. Masks must be worn in the building. Council meetings begin at 6:00pm. Public participation on action items or public comment periods can be in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions.
 

February 15, 2022

 
 


This meeting of the Spokane Valley City Council was a Study Session where usually items of new business or interest are introduced for discussion. However, there was one action item included in this Council agenda, a carryover from last week’s meeting.

In June 2021, the Washington State Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) called for projects under the 2021 Complete Streets Program. On September 14th, 2021, Council adopted Ordinance 21-012, committing the City to provide safe, practical, and equitable transportation improvements for all its users. It also serves as a tool to enhance eligibility for state and federal funding programs that enable the City to expand its capabilities for improving its transportation facilities. The ordinance requires that the City consider but not necessarily implement complete street elements in all its road projects.

Having adopted Ordinance 21-012, the City is positioned to apply for Washington State Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) grants. Those grants are nominated by organizations from a TIB approved list based on quality and content of its Complete Street Ordinance. They are awarded based on a proposed project workplan outlining potential projects that may be undertaken assuming one of three award amounts: $300,000, $400,000 or $500,000.

Potential projects put forward by the City include a $500,000 project for sidewalks (8th Avenue, Coleman to Thierman), and $400,000 and $300,000 level requests for sidewalks (Nora to Baldwin). All projects are consistent with the City’s 6-year TIP (Transportation Improvement Plan). The City would cover any project overages. The grants do not require matching funds. Motion to approve submission of the workplans passed unanimously.

On March 12, 2019, Council approved an agreement with the Spokane Valley Arts Council (SVAC) clarifying aspects of the long-term relationship. A salient feature was for SVAC, which regularly donates sculptures to the City, to provide the City with information on a) what it plans to present, and b) what its intentions are regarding placement. The information is to be made available at least one year in advance to give the City the opportunity to determine where the piece will be placed and to budget for the costs related to installation.

Four recently accepted sculptures are currently in storage in the City’s maintenance facility awaiting placement in various places, some of which like Balfour Park, are under construction. The most recent piece offered, Soulmates, a marble statue, was the recipient of a $15,000 outside agency grant from the City. Discussion on placement of the piece and future action was discussed with the plan to be presented for action at Council’s February 22nd meeting.

In 2019, Council adopted amendments to its code authorizing the Parks and Recreation Department to issue notes of trespass to any individual who has violated city park rules and/or regulations on the property. However, a similar provision is needed to cover other City property such as City Hall. Proposed Ordinance #22-003 would adopt a standardized trespass and appeal process for all City owned property and facilities. Consensus to proceed to a first reading at a future Council meeting was unanimously reached.

In the past, Council has evaluated the performance of the City Manager annually using varying methods to do so. A new process presented to Council gives more structure and makes more information available for Council use during the evaluation, placing emphasis on setting and achieving goals together with increased collaboration through self-assessment. Consensus was reached to use the process.

In 2017, the City’s Public Works and Economic Development Departments were consolidated to increase efficiency by eliminating departmental overlapping, merging two director positions. With the increase in the City’s population, it has become desirable to bring back the position of Director of Public Works to provide additional management support allowing the City Manager to focus on improving citywide coordination and efficiency while building stronger relationships with regional partners. This will bring the City’s employee count from 102.25 to 103.25. Council consensus was unanimous.

City Hall is open for business during normal business hours. Masks must be worn in the building. Council meetings begin at 6:00pm. Public participation on action items or public comment periods can be in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions.

February 8, 2022

 
 


The Spokane Valley City Council will be considering how to put the $16 million received from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recover fund (CLFR) to the most beneficial use. In its last meeting Council decided that to facilitate the process, a subcommittee would be appointed to preliminarily propose the list of recipients and projects for Council’s initial consideration. Mayor Pam Haley appointed herself, Deputy Mayor Rod Higgins, and Councilman Tim Hattenburg to the subcommittee. The appointment was approved unanimously.

CLFR money must be used to cover the negative impacts of COVID-19. To determine eligibility the City must identify a need or negative impact created by the pandemic and how the City’s use will address that need. The expense must have been incurred by the City between March 3, 2021, and December 31, 2014. An expense is considered incurred if it is obligated by December 31, 2024. All obligated funds must be spent by December 31, 2026.

A qualifying expense identified by staff and approved unanimously by Council is for the Buckeye Avenue Sewer Extension Project. The project extends the sewer at East Buckeye Avenue from approximately 650 feet east of McMillan Street to the City limits. This will provide sewer infrastructure to both developed and undeveloped existing parcels that otherwise would require septic systems. The estimated cost is $500,000.

On October 13, 2021, the City purchased the former White Elephant property for future law enforcement purposes. During the negotiations, the City learned of an easement granted by the owners of the White Elephant to the owners of Conley’s Restaurant for parking rights for the restaurant. The easement allows for restaurant patrons to use the parking area in front of the White Elephant building which would conflict with the City’s intended use of the building when it completed its plans. 

That problem was solved by negotiating a license agreement for the restaurant to use the parking space until the City needs it. A motion to approve the easement and license agreements to Conley’s Restaurant and authorize the City Manager to finalize and execute the agreement passed unanimously.

In June 2021, the Washington State Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) called for projects under the 2021 Complete Streets Program. On September 14th, 2021, Council adopted Ordinance 21-012, committing the City to provide safe, practical, and equitable transportation improvements for all its users. It also serves as a tool to enhance eligibility for state and federal funding programs that enable the City to expand its capabilities for improving its transportation facilities. The ordinance requires that the City consider but not necessarily implement complete street elements in all its road projects. 

Having adopted Ordinance 21-012, the City is positioned to apply for Washington State Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) grants. Those grants are nominated by organizations from a TIB approved list based on quality and content of its Complete Street Ordinance. Potential projects put forward by the City include $500,000 for sidewalks (8th Avenue, Coleman to Thierman), and $400,000 for sidewalks (Nora to Baldwin). Both projects are consistent with the City’s 6-year TIP (Transportation Improvement Plan). Consensus to submit those proposals to the TIB Complete Streets program was unanimous.

In another grant opportunity, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) announced the availability of $50 million statewide through the National Highway Freight Program (NHFP). Those funds will be allocated locally through SRTC (Spokane Regional Transportation Council) which is Spokane County’s Metropolitan Planning Organization, the agency through which applications for funding must be submitted.

SRTC has compiled a list of priority freight projects for the area. The top five are: (See Below Chart)

RANK AGENCY PROJECT NAME AMOUNT
1 Spokane Co. Bigelow Gulch/Forker Rd. Phase 2 $6.3 million
2 Spokane Valley Pines Rd/BNSF Rail Crossing $19.3 million
3 Spokane Wellesley Ave: Freya to Havana $3.4 million
4 Spokane Valley Bigelow-Sullivan Corridor (PE Only) $3.0 million
5 Spokane Valley Argonne Rd/I-90 Bridge (PE Only) $1.5 million


Consensus was reached to develop and submit applications and cost estimates for the three City projects listed.

In a third grant opportunity, WSDOT issued a Call for Projects that help mitigate fatal and serious injury crashes through the City Safety Program (CSP). The CSP has $35 million for distribution statewide. Applicants must provide a Local Road Safety Plan that addresses fatal and serious injury crashes and systemic needs. Potential projects identified are Pedestrian Crossings (Appleway Trail); Hit Pedestrian Mitigation such as pedestrian signal crossing at City Hall, narrowing of roadway on Sprague at City Hall, and consolidating driveways whenever possible. The item will be brought back for future action.

The Barker Road/BNSF Rail Crossing project was awarded for construction to the Max J. Kuney Company (Kuney) on January 28, 2021, by WSDOT. Although the City accumulated the funding and remains responsible for accounting for those funds, it has ceded project management to WSDOT for the construction. The City and WSDOT coordinate on all change orders with Kuney regardless of the amount. To date the total of those change orders is $205,195. The purpose of this evening’s discussion is to discuss the process for approval of change orders once the $350,000 authorization is reached.

City Hall is open for business during normal business hours. Masks must be worn in the building. Council meetings begin at 6:00pm. Public participation on action items or public comment periods can be in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions.

February 1, 2022

 
 


In preparation for creation and adoption of the Spokane Valley 2022 Federal Legislative Agenda, the City’s federal lobbyist, Cardinal Infrastructure, presented an update of the 2021 Agenda. Those items appear below:
• Pines Road/BNSF Rail Crossing Project—No recent federal activity. The project received no direct funding in 2021.
• Spokane Valley River Loop Trail—No recent federal activity. Engineering design will commence in 2022 but no funding was received in 2021.
• Bigelow Gulch/Sullivan Corridor Project—Representative McMorris-Rodgers included the project in the House version of its draft Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development appropriations bill (THUD), which will probably not move forward.
• Spokane County Regional Expo Expansion—No recent federal activity. The project has a separate active funding request (in addition to the Economic Development Administration’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) application) for $4.25 million, approximately 50% of the total budget. 
• South Barker Corridor—Senator Murray included this project in the Senate’s version of its draft appropriations bill. This project has tentatively been awarded $3 million. While this is tentative, the bill is ‘alive’ at this time.
• Programmatic Request—Earlier this month, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which includes $3 billion over five years for the “Railroad Crossing Elimination Program,” passed. It is a competitive grant program with $600 million in first year funds available for highway-rail at-grade crossing improvement.

The Proposed 2022 Federal Legislative Agenda includes the unfinished items from 2021 but in a different order considering changing developments:
 
Project Funding:
• Pines Rd/BNSF Rail Project
    Need: $19.30 million   Total: $29.0 million
• Bigelow Gulch/Sullivan Corridor
    Need: $26.10 million   Total: $76.4 million
• South Barker Rd Corridor
    Need: $12.90 million   Total: $18.8 million
• Spokane Valley River Loop Trail
    Need: $14.74 million   Total: $16.5 million
• County Regional Expo Expansion
    Need: $4.25 million   Total: $9.5 million

New Additions:
• Policy Consideration #1—Revise ARPA funds to  allow expenditures for transportation projects
• Policy Consideration #2—Increase funding for transportation safety projects  
• Policy Consideration #3—Increase funding for economic development programs

Council reached consensus to place the 2022 proposed Federal Legislative Agenda on the February 8th Council Meeting Agenda.
 
With Spokane Valley receiving approximately $16 million in ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds, the decision on how best to employ those funds is currently being considered by Council. The money comes in two tranches; the first was received on July 12th, the second is expected in May. 
The City is exploring the idea of using the money to cover revenue lost because of and during COVID. By using that strategy, the methodology for applying amounts to identified needs such as internal city costs, assistance for mental health, childcare providers, small businesses, law enforcement, water and sewer infrastructure, and homeless services becomes easier to justify and account for. 

Council reached consensus on appointing a working group to prioritize and trim the list of projects or areas where ARPA funds might be applied. It did authorize placement on next week’s agenda a $500,000 earmark for a sewer project on Buckeye for 650 feet of additional sewer line to the eastern city limit.

On October 13, 2021, the City purchased the former White Elephant property for future law enforcement purposes. During the negotiations, the City learned of an easement granted by the owners of the White Elephant to the owners of Conley’s Restaurant for parking rights for the restaurant. The easement allows for restaurant patrons to use the parking area in front of the White Elephant building which would conflict with the City’s intended use of the building when it completed its plans. That problem was solved by negotiating a license agreement for the restaurant to use the parking space until the City needs it. Consensus was reached to place the agreements on a future agenda for approval.

City Hall is open for business during normal business hours. Masks must be worn in the building. Council meetings begin at 6:00pm. Public participation on action items or public comment periods can be in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions.
 

January 25, 2021

 
 


The evening of January 25th was a departure from normal activity on Spokane Valley City Council meetings. City Council met in a special meeting at 5:00pm to go into Executive Session “….for approximately thirty minutes to discuss the qualifications of an applicant for public employment and that action is anticipated upon return to open session.”

City Council, having concluded its business in Executive Session, reconvened whereupon a motion was made to accept the findings of the committee to negotiate a new employment contract with Acting City Manager John Hohman and hire Mr. Hohman under those terms. Motion passed 5-2.

The business of the special meeting being concluded, Council adjourned that meeting in preparation for its regular meeting at 6:00pm.
State law requires the City to periodically review and/or revise its Shoreline Master Plan (SMP) which it did on June 8, 2021. The State Department of Ecology reviewed the amendments submitted by the City and determined that the construction of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) cannot be considered under the single-family residential unit exemption thus requiring ADUs to go through the Substantial Development Permit Process.

Proposed Ordinance 22-001 adopts the amendments to the shoreline master program consistent with the action identified by Ecology in its conditional approval. Motion to suspend the rules and adopt Ordinance 22-001 passed 6-1.

The owner of Derek Apartments, LLC has requested the vacation of a section of street 32’ by 237’ along the south side of Appleway Avenue. The proposed vacation lies approximately 526 feet east of the intersection of Appleway Avenue and Farr Road. The requested area is unimproved right of way, encompassing approximately 7,584 square feet. The requirement for a public hearing has been met.

The Spokane Valley Planning Commission voted 6-0 to approve the findings and recommendations on the proposal which are now incorporated in Ordinance 22-002. Motion to suspend the rules and adopt Ordinance 22-002 was approved 6-1.

An integral part of Public Safety in the City budget are court services for misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor, and infraction offenses occurring within the City. Adjudication of these offenses is conducted under contract on behalf of the City by Spokane County District Court pursuant to an interlocal agreement with the County. From time to time, usually at least once a year, except in COVID-like years, members of the Court, led by the presiding judge, presented a program encompassing current events at the Court, service numbers, specialty courts/programs, and challenges. Presiding Judge Amy Maurer led the discussion and exchange.

A Salary Commission was convened in 2018 to review the remuneration of Spokane Valley City Councilmembers. On January 15th, 2019, that committee issued an administrative report recommending an adjustment be made in the salaries of Council, and further recommended that the matter be revisited again in three-year intervals.
Upon being notified that the three-year interval had been reached, Council authorized the convening of a new Salary Commission. From the applicants, the Mayor appointed Daniel Allison, Charles Dowers, Tes Sturges, Kathe Williams, and Steven Wareham, with Paul Eric Reickers as an alternate, each for a term of not more than one year from date of appointment.

The Commission is charged with issuing a final report with salary schedules no later than April 18, 2022. At that time, a summary of the Salary Commission’s report will be published for two weeks in the City’s official newspaper. If no petition is filed with the City to alter or stop the action within 30 days of the last publication, the salary adjustment, if any, will automatically go into effect.

The five-person commission is appointed for one year, serves without pay, must be residents of the City, and registered to vote in Spokane County. No officer, official, or employee of the City or any of their immediate family members may serve on a salary commission.

City Hall is open for business during normal business hours. Masks must be worn in the building. Council meetings begin at 6:00pm. Public participation on action items or public comment periods can be in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions.

January 18, 2021

 
 

As is customary at the start of a new mayor taking office, that mayor makes appointments to the various committees and commissions upon which members of the Spokane Valley City Council and community members serve representing the City. Those appointments are subject to Council approval.
 
Mayor Pam Haley made three appointments to the Spokane Valley Planning Commission. She re-appointed Robert McKinley and Karl Granrath, while appointing Susan Delucci to a first term. All three are appointed to three-year terms ending December 31, 2024. Planning Commissioners serve at the pleasure of the Mayor without compensation. Motion to approve the Mayor’s appointments to the Planning Commission was approved unanimously.
 
The Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) is comprised of five members: two representatives of businesses required to collect the tax, two members involved in activities authorized to be funded by the tax, and one City Councilmember who acts as the chair. Two vacancies exist, one from each required category. Mayor Haley re-appointed Amanda Alcamo, Oxford Suites, (Entities which collect the tax), and Greg Repetti, The HUB, (Entities Involved in Activities Funded by the Tax). Motion to approve the Mayor’s appointments passed unanimously. 
 
A Salary Committee was convened in 2018 to review the remuneration of Spokane Valley City Councilmembers. On January 15tn, 2019 that committee issued an administrative report recommending an adjustment be made in the salaries of Council, and further recommended that the matter be revisited again in three-year intervals. Upon being notified that the three-year interval had been reached, Council authorized the convening of a new Salary Committee. From the applicants, the Mayor appointed Daniel Allison, Charles Dowers, Tes Sturges, Kathe Williams, and Steven Wareham, with Paul Eric Reickers as an alternate, each for a term of not more than one year from date of appointment. Motion to approve passed unanimously.
 
Pursuant to the final amendment to the Housing & Community Development Advisory Committee (HCDAC), the City is entitled to appoint four representatives to this Committee. A vacancy occurred when the City’s Homeless Coordinator, Ariel Anderson, resigned on November 2nd, 2021. Ms. Anderson’s three-year term was slated to expire on June 30, 2024. Eric Robinson, Ms. Anderson’s replacement, is the Mayor’s choice to assume that vacant HCDAC appointment subject to Board of County Commissioner approval. Motion to approve Mr. Robinson’s nomination passed unanimously.
 
The Spokane Hotel/Motel Commission Tourism Promotion Area is the product of an agreement, as the title implies, among its various members to collect funding for tourism promotion of the Spokane area. The City has two citizen members and one ex-officio member. Mayor Haley is re-appointing Mr. Andy Rooney, the Mirabeau Park Hotel General Manager, to a new three-year term. That term will expire December 31, 2024. Motion to approve Mr. Rooney’s appointment passed unanimously. 
 
The City of Spokane Valley by interlocal agreement joined the Eastern Washington Area Agency on Aging, Planning, and Management Council, appointing Ms. Jean Kindem to serve as its citizen representative. Ms. Kindem’s term expired last December 31st, and Mayor Haley has re-appointed her for another three-year term. Motion to approve the appointment passed unanimously.
 
Councilmembers serve on various boards and committees by mayoral appointment. Mayor Haley made the following appointments:
 
• Aging & Long-Term Care of Eastern Washington: Rod Higgins, Arne Woodard (alternate)
• Valley Chamber of Commerce Board:  Laura Padden
• Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency: Rod Higgins, Arne Woodard (alt)
• Spokane County Continuum of Care for the  Homeless: Arne Woodard, Brandi Peetz (Alt)
• Finance Committee, Spokane Valley: Laura Padden, Arne Woodard, Brandi Peetz
• Growth Management Steering Committee of Elected Officials: Rod Higgins, Arne Woodard
• Governance Manual Committee, Spokane Valley:  Rod Higgins, Pam Haley, Brandi Peetz
• Greater Spokane, Inc. Board: Pam Haley
• Lodging Tax Advisory Committee: Rod Higgins
• Mayors’ Association of Northeast Washington: Pam Haley
• Spokane Regional Law and Justice Council: Laura Padden
• Spokane Regional Transportation Council: Pam Haley, Rod Higgins, Arne Woodard (alt)
• Spokane Transit Authority: Pam Haley, Tim Hattenburg
• Hotel/Motel Association (TPA): Arne Woodard
• Visit Spokane: Ben Wick, Brandi Peetz (alt)
• Wastewater Policy Advisory Board: Arne Woodard, Rod Higgins
 
The motion to approve the Mayor’s appointments passed 4-3 with Haley, Higgins, Woodard, and Padden affirming.
 
State law requires the City to periodically review and/or revise its Shoreline Master Plan (SMP) which it did on June 8, 2021. The State Department of Ecology reviewed the amendments submitted by the City and determined that the construction of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) cannot be considered under the single-family residential unit exemption thus requiring ADUs to go through the Substantial Development Permit Process. Consensus was reached to proceed with the proposed recommendations by Ecology.
 
City Hall is open for business during normal business hours. Masks must be worn in the building. Council meetings begin at 6:00pm. Public participation on action items or public comment periods can be in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions.
 

January 11, 2021

 
 

This formal meeting of the Spokane Valley City Council commenced with a proclamation from Mayor Pam Haley recognizing January 17th as Martin Luther King Day and his legacy of improving human rights.

The first business item was a public hearing on the City’s Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) Amendment #1. Each year, as required by state law, the city reviews its Six-Year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) with an eye to adding projects that address the transportation needs of the City. The list includes projects that are intended to be implemented in the next six years, the progress on those already on the list, and eliminating those completed. When adopted, the TIP is submitted to the Washington State Department of Transportation by June 30th of each year.
The latest TIP adopted on June 8th, 2021, by Resolution 21-002, included 9- ‘Closeout Projects for 2022’, 5 Bridge & Grade Separation Projects, 15 Intersection Improvement Projects, 27 Reconstruction/Preservation Projects, 4 Citywide Projects and 4 Sidewalk, Trail, and Stormwater Projects for a total of 64 projects scheduled to be addressed over the next six years.

This amendment will add the following new proposed projects:
• 2022 Local Access
     (Summerfield East Neighborhood)
• 2023 Local Access Streets
     (Donwood Neighborhood)
• Northeast Industrial Sewer Extension
     (Flora, Dalton, Tschirley)
• Buckeye Sewer Extension
• Sprague Ave. and Pines Rd. Intersection
     Improvementsw
• Vera Crest and Rocky Ridge Street
     Reconstruction
• 8th Avenue Sidewalk (Park to Coleman)
• Barker road Improvements
     (Appleway Ave. to South City Limits)
The two sewer extension projects are proposed in response to potential American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding that may be made available for sewer infrastructure improvements. Construction of those projects would impact the underlying streets’ full-width pavement. The Sprague/Pines Intersection project may require an additional evaluation to determine if a potential additional land acquisition is necessary at the northwest corner of the intersection. City funds are available to meet matching requirements. There was no public comment.

The public hearing was immediately followed by a motion to adopt Resolution 22-001 which encompasses the above amendments to the 2022 TIP. That motion passed unanimously. With the transition to a new Mayor and Deputy Mayor, a resolution (Resolution 22-002) is necessary to declare which qualified public depositories the City is authorized to conduct financial transactions with and further declaring which Councilmembers and City officers have signing authority on behalf of the City. The motion to approve Resolution 22-002 was adopted unanimously.

On October 15, 2019, Council agreed to participate in the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. Each year HUD provides CDBG entitlement funding to Spokane County in which the City participates, but the City must apply for the grants even though it is entitled to its own set-aside. On October 26th, 2021, Council identified two potential CDBG sidewalk projects for application:
• Park Road—Broadway Avenue to Cataldo
     Avenue $400,000
• 4th Avenue—Eastern Road to Catherine Johnson
     Apts. $350,000

Those projects were included in a list for Council to prioritize applications for grants. Each participating Councilmember has prioritized his or her list which was then compiled into a master list. That list in order is:

AGENCY                                                          Activity
1. Spokane Valley Partners =    Emergency Food Bank
2. Spokane Valley Partners  =  Emergency Services
3. Meals on Wheels  =  Senior Services Nutrition
4. City of Spokane Valley  =  Park Rd Sidewalk Improvmnt
5. City of Spokane Valley   =  4th Ave. Sidewalk Improvmnt
6. Spokane Neighborhood Action Program  =  Essential Home Repair
7. Salvation Army  =  Emergency Food Bank
8. Spokane Neighborhood Action Program   = Micro Enterprise Assistance

That list will be presented to the Housing and Community Development Advisory Committee at their allocation meeting on January 13th, 2022. The motion to approve the City Manager’s presenting this list to the CDBG Committee passed unanimously.

Mayor Haley appointed with Council approval herself, Deputy Mayor Higgins, and Brandi Peetz to finalize the employment contract with City Manager John Hohman.
 
Council was then treated, for its edification, to its annual Open Public Meetings training.

City Hall is open for business during normal business hours. Masks must be worn in the building. Council meetings begin at 6:00pm. Public participation on action items or public comment periods can be in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions.

January 4, 2021

 
 

After a swearing in ceremony for three re-elected members and one newly elected member in Council Chambers, the inaugural Council meeting of 2022 was opened by City Clerk, Chris Bainbridge for the purpose of electing the Mayor and Deputy Mayor for the ensuing two years. Pam Haley was elected Mayor and Rod Higgins was elected as her deputy. In Spokane Valley’s Council-Manager form of government, the Mayor and Deputy Mayor are elected by the City Council from within the sitting Council members. Ms. Haley and Mr. Higgins were re-elected in November to four-year terms on City Council.
Newly elected Mayor Pam Haley assumed control of the meeting and moved to the business portion. An amendment to the agenda brought the Mayoral appointment of Councilman Arne Woodard for a full term as the City’s representative on the Spokane County Housing & Community Development Advisory Committee (HCDAC). Mr. Woodard has served on that committee in the past and this appointment solidifies that continuity. The vote to approve the Mayor’s appointment was unanimous.

The next item of business was an amendment to the City’s Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). Each year, as required by state law, the city reviews its Six-Year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) with an eye to adding projects that address the transportation needs of the City. The list includes projects that are intended to be implemented in the next six years, the progress on those already on the list, and eliminating those completed. When adopted, the TIP is submitted to the Washington State Department of Transportation by June 30th of each year.

The latest TIP adopted on June 8th, 2021, by Resolution 21-002 included 9- ‘Closeout Projects for 2022’, 5 Bridge & Grade Separation Projects, 15 Intersection Improvement Projects, 27 Reconstruction/Preservation Projects, 4 Citywide Projects and 4 Sidewalk, Trail, and Stormwater Projects for a total of 64 projects scheduled to be addressed over the next six years.  
This amendment will add the following new proposed projects:
• 2022 Local Access (Summerfield East Neighborhood)
• 2023 Local Access Streets (Donwood Neighborhood)
• Northeast Industrial Sewer Extension (Flora, Dalton, Tschirley)
• Buckeye Sewer Extension
• Sprague Ave. and Pines Rd. Intersection Improvements
• Vera Crest and Rocky Ridge Street Reconstruction
• 8th Avenue Sidewalk (Park to Coleman)
• Barker road Improvements (Appleway Ave. to South City Limits)
The two sewer extension projects are proposed in response to potential American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding that may be made available for sewer infrastructure improvements. Construction of those projects would impact the underlying streets’ full-width pavement. City funds are available to meet matching requirements.

On September 28th, 2021, Council approved Resolution 21-007 setting the date of October 28th, 2021, for a public hearing with the Planning Commission to hear an application by the owner of Derek Apartments, LLC, for vacation of a section of street 32’ by 237’ along the south side of Appleway Avenue. The proposed vacation lies approximately 526 feet east of the intersection of Appleway Avenue and Farr Road. The requested area is unimproved right of way, encompassing approximately 7,584 square feet.

The requirements for a public hearing and subsequent deliberations having been met, the Planning Commission unanimously recommended forwarding the application to Council for action. The appraised value of the vacated land is $530.76 less than the fee paid to make the application. Council reached unanimous consensus to move the application to a first reading on January 25th.

In a separate action, Mr. Woodard moved to appoint John Hohman as the City’s permanent City Manager. At its last meeting of 2021, Council voted to hire Mr. Hohman as its Interim City Manager, holding that office until the posting for City Manager was filled.  Mr. Woodard’s motion suspends the search to fill the vacant city manager position and immediately employs Mr. Hohman as permanent City Manager subject to completion of terms of employment. The vote was 5-2 with Mr. Wick and Mr. Hattenberg voting no.

City Hall is open for business during normal business hours. Masks must be worn in the building. Council meetings begin at 6:00pm. Public participation on action items or public comment periods can be in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions.

December 14, 2021

 
 
The meeting agenda of Spokane Valley’s City Council began with a presentation by Matt Albright, Executive Director of Service Lines, and Dr. Dan Getz, Chief Medical Officer with Providence Health Care, regarding the current status of COVID. They mentioned a steady decline in in-patient COVID cases, but they are preparing for a potential increase due to the holidays and the Omicron variant. They encouraged getting vaccinated and wearing masks.


The Wolff Company has a long history of conducting real estate operations of various kinds and types in Spokane Valley. One of the latest, Riverhouse II, a multifamily project constructed along the Spokane River north of Mission Avenue. In a joint project with the City, the Old Mission Trailhead was created to improve parking and access to the Centennial Trail. A new cul-de-sac at the end of Mission Avenue was part of that improvement. The Wolff Company has commissioned a sculpture by Bill and Karma Simmons entitled “Dragonflies” to be donated to the City for placement in the center of the cul-de-sac. Completion of the sculpture is scheduled for spring 2022. The motion to accept the Dragonflies sculpture was approved unanimously.

In a surprise late addition to the agenda, Five Fifty LLC, a local residential real estate development company donated 24.5 acres to the City. The property is located near the Summerfield development at the intersection of Progress Road and Forker Road. Ken Tupper, one of the principals in Five Fifty LLC made the presentation. Motion to accept the property passed unanimously. The City collects a 2% lodging tax on hotels and motels. That tax is used primarily for tourism marketing and operation of dedicated events and festivals. Later, Council adopted an additional 1.3% lodging tax to be used solely for capital expenditures to acquire, construct, and improve large sporting venues or venues for tourism-related facilities that support lodging facilities. Suggestions for distribution of the Lodging Tax money is made by the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) which is made up of:
• Representatives (2) of businesses that are required to collect the tax
• People involved (2) in activities funded by the tax
• One elected city official who serves as chair of LTAC

On November 16th, Council heard an administrative report on recommendations for 2022 Lodging Tax grants. They were:
Applicant                                        Request                                               Recommended
• HUB................................................................$55,000............$55,000
• JAKT Brews, Beats & Eats.....................$15,000............$6,500
• JAKT Craft Beer........................................$15,000............$6,000
• JAKT Crave!................................................$50,000............$30,000
• JAKT Farmer’s Market...........................$25,000............$17,000
• JAKT Valley Events..................................$400,000..........$-0-
• Northwest Winterfest............................$45,000............$45,000
• Spokane Fair & Expo Center.................$75,000............$64,000
• Spokane Valley Heritage Museum.....$40,000............$27,000
• Spokane Valley Summer Theater........$20,000............$20,000
• Valleyfest......................................................$30,000...........$24,000
• Valleyfest Cycle Celebration................$5,000..............$3,500
Transfer to 1.3% Tax Capital Account...$273,000
Total....................................................................$775,000.....$571,000

In addition, the City requested funds from the 1.3% Tax fund account to apply to a new Expo Building at the Fairgrounds and all future revenues from that fund until the building is completed. LTAC recommended $3,500,000. In two motions, Council 1) Approved the grants to applicants as presented above by a vote of 6-1, and 2) Approved unanimously the allocation of $3.5 million from the 1.3% Lodging Tax account for the design, construction, and other costs associated with building the expansion of the Fairgrounds Expo Center Project as presented in the City’s application.

Spokane Regional Law and Justice Council (SRLJC) was created in 2014 to function as a focal point for discussions on the function of the regional criminal justice system, changes needed in the system, and how those changes might be accomplished. Public safety is the largest expenditure for most local jurisdictions, including Spokane Valley.

In June, the County Commissioners changed SRLJC’s structure, composition, and duties. The City/town representation was combined into one position and assigned a two-year term. A small work committee was appointed to refine a list of priorities  to bring before Council. Those priorities are:
• Adopt a program to effectively reduce failures to appear (FTA) throughout the court system
• Pursuit and adoption of evidence-based/data-driven solutions to problems facing the system
• Assess the need for a new main detention facility and whether that includes appropriate space to accommodate programming for such things as drug treatment, mental health-related issues that intersect with the criminal justice system, and anger management
• Enhanced victim advocacy

The City’s recommendations, in a letter from the Mayor, specifically noted that the City “….is not intending to direct a particular outcome or render and opinion of support or opposition…”

A motion to recommend those items be forwarded for consideration by the entire Spokane Regional Law and Justice Council passed unanimously. Mr. Bennet Resnick from Cardinal Infrastructure, the City’s D.C. lobbyist, presented an update of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill which became law on November 15th. The overall effect on the City is still to be determined.

The City has been working with the Spokane County Library District (Library) toward jointly approaching the construction of the library and Balfour Park improvement to possibly reduce construction costs by combining their construction proposals for bid. The Library has since notified the City that they do not intend to continue with that arrangement. Council reached consensus to continue with the City’s plan to finalize construction documents and advertise the project to get underway in early 2022. The cost is estimated to be $3 million.

The City intends to replace its contracted janitorial service with a full-time employee. The replacement will be an addition of one employee, but the budgetary impact will be nil. City Hall is open for business. Masks must be worn in the building. Council meetings begin at 6:00pm. Public participation on action items or public comment periods can be in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions. 

December 7, 2021

 

 
As 2021 winds down, this meeting of the Spokane Valley City Council opened with a proclamation by the Mayor recognizing December as Impaired Driving Prevention Month. This was followed by the first of four Motion Considerations.
 
1. Street Sweeping Contract: In 2019, Council awarded AAA Sweeping, LLC a contract with options for up to four one-year renewals if mutually agreed by both parties. This is the second of four renewals. The 2022 option year contract amount will be $584,875.20. Contract specifications note that the parties may negotiate a rate increase for each option year, but it shall not be increased or decreased by more than the percent change in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) or 3% whichever is less. 
 
The CPI-U increased 6.2% for the contract period. Prevailing wage rates increased from 2.74% to 4.36%, and health insurance rates are projected to increase by 10% prompting the contractor to request a 3.0% hourly rate increase. Motion to approve the 2022 contract renewal passed unanimously.
2. Street Maintenance Contract: This contract consists of asphalt repair, roadway shoulder repair and grading, gravel road grading, crack sealing, sidewalk and path repair, guardrail repair, fencing repair, drainage structure repair and installation, curb, gutter and inlet repair plus installation and other related work.
 
Poe Asphalt was the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. The 2022 option year contract is the second of four option years available to the City. The contract including all applicable increases will be for $1,530,307.70. The motion to approve the contract renewal to Poe Asphalt Paving Inc. was approved unanimously.
 
3. Expo Expansion Project Grant Opportunity: The City has embarked on a project for expansion of the Expo Center building at Spokane County Fairgrounds. Funds raised to date:
a. City Capital Reserve Fund $1,000,000
b. Lodging Tax Advisory Committee $3,500,000
c. State Legislature Appropriation $   750,000
Total $5,250,000
 
The City has identified a possible grant opportunity from the American Rescue Plan Act-Travel, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation grant program (ARPA Tourism). The City intends to apply for a Tourism grant in the amount of $4.25 million which, if awarded, would bring the total funds available to $9.5 million of the estimated $10 million to complete the project. A 20% match is required for the grant and any amount above that amount increases the chances of success.  Motion to authorize the City Manager to apply for the $4.25 million ARPA Tourism grant passed unanimously.
 
4. Spokane Regional Law and Justice Council (SRLJC) Policy Direction: The SRLJC was created in 2014 to function as a focal point for discussions on the function of the regional criminal justice system, changes needed in the system, and how those changes might be accomplished since public safety is the largest budgetary expenditure for most local jurisdictions, including Spokane Valley.
 
In June, the County Commissioners changed the structure, composition, and duties of SRLJC. The City/town representation was combined into one position and assigned a two-year term. Currently, Deputy Mayor Brandi Peetz is that representative. A small work committee has been charged with composing a list of priorities to bring before the whole Council. Those priorities, in no specific order, are:
a. An FTA (failure to appear) reduction program to minimize the considerable number of FTAs clogging the system
b. Pursuing evidence-based/data-driven solutions
c. Construction of a new main jail facility that includes drug treatment, mental health-related issues, anger management, and similar issues. (The City is not advocating for a new jail, just the study of the need.)
d. Enhanced victim advocacy 
 
A motion to recommend those items be forwarded for consideration by the entire Spokane Regional Law and Justice Council passed unanimously.
 
On July 20th, 2021, Council adopted Resolution #21-004 updating the City’s schedule of fees charged for services, rentals, and permits. Those fees account for $3,317,500 or 6.36% of General Fund revenues and $1,910,000 in Stormwater Management fund revenues (99.9%). Although the fee schedule was updated earlier, the actual process for regularly updating the fee schedule was not addressed. Resolution #21-009 accomplishes that in the areas of Planning, Building (permits), and Parks and Recreation. Consensus to place Resolution 21-004 on Council’s December 14th agenda was unanimous.
 
In 2018 the City retained the services of Cardinal Infrastructure, LLC as its Washington, D.C. lobbyist. Under the contract, 2021 is a renewal year. The annual fee is $78,000 although the fee was adjusted to $58,500 in 2020 due to COVID. The City has requested a similar adjustment for 2021. At this time, that adjustment request had not been answered. Council will discuss the issue further at its next meeting.
 
City Hall is open for business. Masks must be worn in the building. Council meetings begin at 6:00pm. Public participation on action items or public comment periods can be in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions.
 

November 30, 2021

 

To explain what appears to be an arcane administrative procedure, state law requires that an ‘interim’ city manager be duly appointed legislatively by Council in the permanent absence of its City Manager. John Hohman is currently serving as Deputy City Manager and would arguably function as the ‘acting’ City Manager until a new city manager is hired. However, in order to function legally as City Manager after Mark Calhoun, the current City Manager, retires, this step by Council was necessary.

This special meeting of the Spokane Valley City Council opened in Council Chambers and immediately adjourned into executive session to “evaluate the qualifications of an applicant for public employment, and that action is anticipated thereafter upon return to open session.”

When Council returned from executive session, the special meeting resumed where a motion to appoint John Hohman as Interim City Manager passed unanimously. Hohman will begin serving as Interim City Manager beginning on January 1, 2022 and serve until a permanent city manager is hired.
In returning to a tradition, the Spokane Valley Rotary Club will be staging its annual Christmas tree lighting at City Hall on Thursday evening, December 2nd, at 5:30. Ridgeline High School Marching Band will join the Central Valley High School Choir to provide music for the festivities. And, of course, the City Council members will participate in reciting “The Night Before Christmas.” It’s rumored that Santa Claus will make an appearance.

November 23, 2021

 

As Spokane Valley’s City Council moves into the last four meetings of the year, it will be addressing unfinished business that needs to be completed prior to year-end. The first item, carried over from last week’s meeting is renewing the Yellowstone Pineline Franchise Agreement.
In 1957, Spokane County entered into a 50-year franchise with Yellowstone Pipeline Company (YPL) to construct and maintain a pipeline for gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel from Billings, Montana to users west of Billings including the Spokane Valley area.
Exxon, Conoco 66, and Sunoco pipeline companies jointly own the line. The franchise expired in 2007 and the parties have been negotiating since. An agreement was reached for a new 25-year franchise, including $100 million in liability coverage. Motion to suspend the rules and approve passed unanimously.

The State’s Growth Management Act (GMA) allows local jurisdictions to consider amendment to their Comprehensive plans once each year. Staff discussed the 2022 proposed amendments with Council at Council’s last meeting.
As part of the Annual Comprehensive Plan Amendment cycle (CPA), for 2022, proposed amendments made prior to November 1st are listed (docketed) for Council action. That docket as presented is:

File No.; Location; Applicant; Description
• CPA-2022-01
   10506 E. 10th
   Private
   Chg 1.03 acres frm SFR to MFR
• CPA-2022-02
   17105 E. Montgomery
   City
   Chg .45 acres frm SFR to P/OS
• CPA-2022-03
   44th & Bates
   City
   Chg 17.64 acres frm SFR to P/OS
• CPA-2022-04
   Bike & Pedestrian
   City/map
   Add proposed n. loop river trail
•SFR: Single family residence, MFR: Multi family
    residence, P/OS: Parks/Open Space

A motion to approve the 2022 Comprehensive Plan Amendment Docket was approved unanimously.

The City and Spokane County have been working on the Bigelow Gulch Corridor (Bigelow) Project for several years. With the anticipated substantial increase in traffic at the Sullivan and Wellesley intersection, Council decided a signaled intersection because of the lower right-of-way impact, lower cost, higher public acceptance near the schools, and fewer impacts during construction.

The City and County have joined in coordinating their project parts to maximize scale of bidding with the County taking the management lead in construction. The City will design the signaled intersection. Larger projects typically receive lower unit bid prices because of larger bid quantities discounts.
The increased traffic from the extension of the Bigelow Gulch road linking to Forker Road then connecting to Sullivan will be substantial. The intersection poses a special safety problem because the revised traffic flow will move from Progress Road to Sullivan Road which runs between East Valley High School and East Valley Middle School. Particular attention is given to the students crossing between the two campuses, exposed to the increased traffic.
The total budget for the intersection project is $2,384,377. The City’s share is $1,270,375. The combined project was advertised on October 21st. Spokane County plans to award the construction contract on November 30th following concurrence from Washington State Department of Transportation. Halme Construction appears to be the lowest responsive bidder.

Spokane Valley Police Chief, Dave Ellis, presented Council an update on City police activities, leading with Trunk or Treat which was held on Halloween from 4-7PM in the Sun City Church parking lot. Over 8,300 citizens attended. Recruiting efforts have taken several forms with $15,000 signing bonuses for laterally transferring officers and $5,000 signing bonuses for entry level officers. Recruiting billboards in regions like Seattle, Portland, and Colorado, together with advertisements on social media outlets like YouTube, Twitter, and Linkedin have also been employed. Total commissioned personnel hired to date in 2021 is 29.

Ellis further stated there have been significant decreases in almost all crime categories except homicides which increased from 2 in 2020 to 8 in 2021. Two major crimes detectives have been authorized for 2022. That translates to one additional for Spokane Valley.

The last state legislative session was especially toxic to law enforcement in severely restricting crime fighting capabilities. Tools to mitigate or lessen the use of lethal force have become necessary. Thus, weapons for dispensing munitions of less than lethal results have been purchased with funds ($80,000) distributed from Washington State to meet the additional costs.

The November 30th council meeting was originally scheduled to be cancelled for the Thanksgiving Holiday. With the retirement of City Manager, Mark Calhoun, it becomes necessary to appoint an interim City Manager. While it would seem logical that the deputy city manager would assume that position, state law specifies that a replacement must be legislatively appointed. Thus, next week’s meeting will be dedicated to that end. The meeting will open, Council will adjourn into executive session, and upon its return to open session, take appropriate action.

City Hall is open for business. Masks must be worn in the building. Council meetings begin at 6:00pm. Public participation on action items or public comment periods can be in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions.

November 16, 2021

 

This City Council Study Session began with a discussion on the oath of office that each Council member upon being elected or re-elected takes at their installation. There is an anomaly in that oath that refers to taking that oath “….before the Mayor….” That presents a problem because the previous mayor’s term expires on December 31st of the prior year, while the installation occurs at the first meeting in the new year. Thus, without a mayor, the terminology needed to be changed. A motion to pass Ordinance 21-021, eliminating the words: “before the Mayor”, passed unanimously.

At its September 28th meeting, Council finalized its thoughts for goals in the forthcoming state legislative session.

That 2022 agenda is:
• A renewed request for state assistance for the Pines Rail Crossing
• Sensible state procurement laws
• Voicing continued commitment to defending local control
• Protecting state-shared revenues
• Requesting changes to municipal utility tax authority
• Return of sensibility to law enforcement issues
• Advocating for needed changes to the Growth Management Act regarding local flexibility

Council unanimously adopted the 2022 Legislative Agenda.

In 2003 the City imposed a 2% lodging tax on hotels and motels. That tax is used primarily for tourism marketing and operation of special events and festivals. Council later adopted an additional 1.3% lodging tax to be used solely for capital expenditures to acquire, construct, and improve large sporting venues or venues for tourism-related facilities that support lodging facilities.

Suggestions for distribution of the Lodging Tax money is made by the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) which is made up of:

•At least two representatives of businesses that are required to collect the tax,
• At least two people who are involved in activities that are authorized to be funded by the tax, and
• One elected city official who serves as chair of LTAC.

On October 13th, the LTAC met to receive and consider applications for 2022 Lodging Tax grants. There were 12 applicants:

Applicant                                                      Request    Recommended
HUB                                                                   55,000        55,000
JAKT, Brews, Beats & Eats                   15,000         6,500
JAKT Craft Beer                                         15,000         6,000
JAKT Crave!                                                  50,000         30,000
JAKT Farmer’s Market                           25,000         17,000
JAKT Valley Events                                   400,000        -0-
Northwest Winterfest                            45,000         45,000
Spokane Fair & Expo Center               75,000         64,000
Spokane Valley Heritage Museum   40,000         27,000
Spokane Valley Summer Theater      20,000        20,000
Valleyfest                                                        30,000         24,000
Valleyfest Cycle Celebration               5,000            3,500
Transfer to 1.3% Capital Account     273,000
Total                                                                 $775,000    $571,000

The City requested $2,986,573 from the 1.3% Tax fund account to apply to a new Expo Building at the Fairgrounds plus all future revenues until the building was completed. LTAC recommended $3,500,000. Council will approve the final awards on December 14th.

As part of the Annual Comprehensive Plan Amendment cycle (CPA), for 2022, proposed amendments made prior to November 1st are listed (docketed) for council action. That docket is:

File No; Location; Applicant; Description
• CPA-2022-01; 10506 E. 10th; Private; Chg 1.03 acres frm SFR to MFR
• CPA-2022-02; 17105 E. Montgomery; City; Chg .45 acres frm SFR to P/OS
• CPA-2022-03; 44th & Bates; City; Chg 17.64 acres frm SFR to P/OS
• CPA-2022-04; Bike & Pedestrian; City/map; Add proposed n. loop river trail
• SFR: Single family residence, MFR: Multi family residence, P/OS: Parks/Open Space

In 1957, Spokane County entered into a 50-year franchise with Yellowstone Pipeline Company (YPL) to construct and maintain a pipeline for gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel from Billings, Montana to users west of Billings including the Spokane Valley area. Exxon, Conoco 66, and Sunoco pipeline companies jointly own the line. The franchise expired in 2007 and the parties have been negotiating since. Consensus was reached to place a proposed new franchise for 25 years, including $100 million in liability coverage on an upcoming agenda.

On January 15, 2019, a final report from an appointed salary commission raised the salaries of Council with a recommendation that those salaries be reviewed every three years. A new salary commission of five members whose term is for one year will be appointed by the Mayor after staff prepares an administrative report regarding the procedure for appointment of the commission and the process to be followed.

City Hall is open for business. Masks must be worn in the building. Council meetings begin at 6:00pm. Public participation on action items or public comment periods can be in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley. org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions.

November 9, 2021

 

Council’s Formal Meeting, the first since the November 2nd election, commenced with proclamations recognizing Veterans’ Day and Native American Heritage Month.

New business opened with the Second Reading of Ordinance 21-017, amending the 2021 Budget. That amendment is spread across 18 accounts, resulting in revenue decreases of $6,155,484 and expenditure increases of $4,646,664. A salient feature of this amendment is how we are accounting for the funds being applied to the Barker/BNSF rail crossing. 

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is the project manager. Prior accounting practice was for WSDOT to be the recipient of the funds from the City and account for them as they were applied. However, a recent audit advised that the City would also account for the funds since they were the receiving applicant of the grant funding. Thus, an accounting change that simply reflects a cash flow-through. Motion to approve Ordinance 21-017 passed unanimously. 

The seventh and eighth touches enroute to adoption of the City’s 2022 Budget began with a public hearing, the third of three, in preparation for action on the Second Reading of Ordinance 21-018 which formally adopts the City’s 2022 Budget. 

In that Budget, General Fund recurring revenue is estimated to be $52,432,700, an increase of $4,207,681 or 8.73% over the 2021 amended budget of $48,225,019. Recurring expenditures are estimated to be $48,415,982, an increase of $3,443,155 or 7.66% over the amended 2021 budget’s $44,972,827. Budgeted recurring revenues currently exceed recurring expenditures by $4,016,718 or 7.66% of recurring revenues. Projected General Fund balance at the end of 2022 is currently $30,927,611 or 13% above the 50% of the recurring expenditure reserve Council has mandated to cover the cash needed for expected expenditures. 

The number of employees will increase from 96.25 to 101.25 in 2022. The City will once again forgo the automatic 1% property tax increase. A more detailed breakdown of the presentation can be found at https://spokanevalley.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=3&event_id=519&meta_id=65565. The motion to approve Ordinance 21-018 was approved unanimously.

On October 15, 2019, Council agreed to participate in the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. Each year HUD provides CDBG entitlement funding to Spokane County in which the City participates, but the City must apply for the grants even though it is entitled to a set aside. On October 26th, 2021, Council identified two potential CDBG sidewalk projects for application:

Park Road—Broadway Avenue to Cataldo Avenue$400,000
4th Avenue—Eastern Road to Catherine Johnson Apts.$350,000

This public hearing was followed by a motion to prepare and submit CDBG applications for the proposed sidewalk projects listed above. The motion passed unanimously. 

Council agreed at its last meeting to place ordinance 21-019 on its agenda for consideration to delete chapter 19.50 of the Spokane Valley Municipal Code eliminating the Planned Residential Development (PRD) regulations in their entirety and lifting the moratorium on consideration of new PRD applications. The Planning Commission, after a public hearing, recommended approval. A motion to suspend the rules and approve Ordinance 21-019 was approved unanimously.

In November of 2020, Council amended City Code to permit donors providing donations valued over $5,000 or greater the option to also provide a recognition plaque. The maximum size set forth has proved to be too small (5”x7”) necessitating a change to allow a maximum size of 12”x24”. The motion to suspend the rules and approve Ordinance No 21-020 adopting the new size was approved unanimously.
Council approved a motion to pay Wick Enterprizes $956.25 for advertising. Wick Enterprizes is owned by Mayor Ben Wick.

On March 23rd, 2021, Council created the Streets Sustainability Committee (SSC), composed of twenty-two members, to help gather public input on the City’s Pavement Management Program (PMP) which has struggled to find a consistent, reliable funding source to sustain a long-term program. The SSC identified three goals:
1. Evaluate citizens’ interest and support for maintaining city streets and suggesting pavement condition goals.
2. Identify preference for maintaining city streets, types of treatments used, and long-term levels of service.
3. Investigate current revenues and potential future funding sources for maintaining city streets at the recommended level of service.

The Key Findings by Goal were:

GOAL 1.
A. The pavement condition of City streets is described as “fair” or better.
B. The PMP should be prioritized in the City’s budget planning process.

GOAL 2.
A. Survey respondents support increasing the prioritization of local access streets.
B. Implement surface treatments in the PMP.
C. Increase PMP funding to maintain the streets in their current condition.

GOAL 3.
A. Do not reduce funding of other City programs to increase funding of the PMP.
B. Transportation Benefit District is the most-preferred funding option.
C. Survey respondents indicate new funding should evenly distribute costs to everyone.
D. PMP funding should not rely on annual surplus fund transfers. (author’s emphasis)

For a copy of the complete report, contact City Hall. 

City Hall is open for business. Masks must be worn in the building. Council meetings begin at 6:00pm. Public participation on action items or public comment periods can be in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions.

October 26, 2021

 

Spokane Valley’s last meeting in October led off with a Public Hearing on the proposed 2021 Budget Amendment affecting 18 accounts, resulting in revenue decreases of $6,155,484 and expenditure increases of $4,646,664. The purpose of this hearing was to consider input from the public. There was no public comment.

The Public Hearing was immediately followed by consideration of a motion to advance Ordinance #21-017 amending the 2021 Budget to a second reading. The motion was unanimously approved.

State law requires that the City annually pass an ordinance that establishes the property tax levy for that year. That law limits the increase to the lesser of the increase in inflation as measured by the state or 1%, whichever is lower. The rate for this year is 3.86% meaning the City is allowed to increase its rate by 1% which it has chosen not to do.

The levy does include property taxes on new construction resulting in property tax collections of between $13,161,654 (county estimate) and $13,199,920 (city estimate). Those estimates are based on an assessed valuation of $12,971,758,193 producing a levy of approximately $1.017589 per $1,000 of assessed value in 2022. The motion to adopt Ordinance #21-016, levying the 2022 property taxes passed unanimously.

This evening, the sixth of eight reviews on the road to adoption of the City’s 2022 Budget was addressed in the form of the First Reading of Ordinance#21-018 formally adopting that Budget. That motion was approved unanimously. On November 9th, Council will conduct the third and final Public Hearing on the Budget followed by action to adopt Ordinance #21-018: the City’s 2022 Budget.

In the 2022 Budget General Fund recurring revenue is estimated to be $52,432,700, an increase of $4,207,681 or 8.73% over the 2021 amended budget of $48,225,019. Recurring expenditures are estimated to be $48,415,982, an increase of $3,443,155l or 7.66% over the amended 2021 budget’s $44,972,827. Budgeted recurring revenues currently exceed recurring expenditures by $4,016,718 or 7.66% of recurring revenues. Projected General Fund balance at the end of 2022 currently is $30,927,611 or 13% above the 50% of the recurring expenditure reserve Council has mandated.

The number of employees will increase from 96.25 to 101.25 in 2022. The City will once again forgo the automatic 1% property tax increase. A more detailed breakdown of the presentation can be found at https://spokanevalley.granicus.co/MetaViewer.php?view_id=3&event_id=519&meta_id=65565.

Spokane Valley has been a participant via interlocal agreement in the Spokane County Tourism Promotion Area (TPA) since 2004. Members of Council majority are advocating that the City give notice of termination under terms of the interlocal agreement and form the City’s own TPA. This requires action by the County Commissioners and would result in a separation date of December 31, 2022.

A survey by those members of Council of city hoteliers appears to indicate general favorability to creating a Spokane Valley TPA. There is interest in continuing funding of Visit Spokane and the Sports Commission recognizing the contributions to the hotel industry. The City, if a TPA were enacted, would require:
• An agreement with hoteliers specifying measurable outcomes as it does with other financial allocations
• Provide for use of funds to create more of an identity for the City which would result in more hotel stays
• Further discussion of City travel assets such as enhancing river whitewater features and construction of additional trails.

Resolution 21-008 gives notice to Spokane County and the City of Spokane of termination of Spokane Valley’s participation in the interlocal agreement establishing the Spokane County Tourism Promotion Area. Motion to approve Resolution 21-008 passed 7-0.
In preparation for the approaching holiday season, Council has authorized the closure of City Hall and CenterPlace at noon Wednesday, November 24th, 2021, and noon on Thursday, December 23rd. These closures will affect only normal administrative functions of the City. All preplanned events at CenterPlace will take place as scheduled.

The City since its incorporation has provided partial funding for local economic development and social service agencies. Through this process, the City is contracting for services that it might not otherwise provide. The City has set aside $244,000 in its budget for this purpose. Of that amount, $43,000 is contractually committed to 1) Greater Spokane, Inc. and 2) $19,000 to Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce, leaving $182,000 for Council to award.

Agencies receiving awards and the amount of the grants are:
• Elevations Children’s Therapy Foundation...........$5,837
• Greater Spokane County Meals on Wheels.........$18,408
• HUB Sports Center....................................................$5,000
• JAKT Foundation.....................................................$12,051
• NAOMI.......................................................................$6,179
• Northwest Winterfest ...............................................$4,571
• Project ID...................................................................$12,714
• Spokane Valley Arts Council .................................$15,500
• Spokane Valley Heritage Museum........................$11,622
• Spokane Valley Partners.........................................$36,945
• Spokane Valley Summer Theatre............................$7,643
• Spokane Valley Performing Arts Center................$6,357
• Teen & Kid Closet......................................................$9,051
• Valleyfest...................................................................$17,214
• Widows Might..........................................................$12,908
Total............................................................................$182,000

Motion to approve the grants as presented was approved 7-1.

On October 15, 2019, Council agreed to participate in the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. Each year HUD provides CDBG entitlement funding to Spokane County in which the City participates, but the City must apply for the grants even though it is entitled to a set aside. The City intends to apply for three potential CDBG sidewalk projects:
• Park Road—Broadway Avenue to Cataldo Avenue $375,000
• Park Road—Nora Avenue to Baldwin Avenue $375,000
• 4th Avenue—Eastern Road to Catherine Johnson Apts. $375,000

A public hearing is scheduled for November 9th in Council chambers.

The City has entered an interlocal agreement with the Spokane County Library District (SCLD) for placement of a future library. Construction of the new library is slated to begin in 2022 with park improvements to be bid with the library construction. Estimated project costs are $3,875,023 funded by the City.

Council agreed to place an ordinance on a future agenda for consideration to delete chapter 19.50 of the Spokane Valley Municipal Code eliminating the Planned Residential Development (PRD) regulations and lifting the moratorium on consideration of PRD applications pursuant to Planning Commission recommendations.

City Hall is open for business. Masks must be worn in the building. Council meetings begin at 6:00pm. Public participation on action items or public comment periods can be in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions.

Next Tuesday is election day for the City so we won’t have a meeting.

October 19, 2021

 

This Spokane Valley City Council meeting Study Session opened with an amended agenda to address a funding opportunity from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA Tourism) to possibly provide a grant to build the Expo Center Expansion that the City has been planning at the Fairgrounds. That project has a $10 million estimated cost, and with the $3 million grant the City intends to ask for, the project would be, with all the accumulated funding, $500,000 away from being fully funded. The motion to authorize the City Manager to apply for the ARPA grant was approved unanimously.

That action was followed by a Motion Consideration to finalize and execute an interlocal agreement with Trentwood Irrigation District #3 to provide water to Sullivan Park. The park, on the west side of Sullivan Road, north of the Spokane River is currently using an under-performing well for its water needs. When the Sullivan Bridge was constructed in 2016, the plan was for a water main to go under the bridge, but the line extended into another water district’s area, so the new water main wasn’t constructed.
In 2020, the City requested financial help through Fourth District Legislators who secured $130,000 for the project. The entire project is estimated to cost $538,000. With the $130,000 State grant, and dedicated City Funds of $152,858, the $255,142 shortfall will be met by the City to be recouped from future added users. Motion to approve the interlocal agreement was approved unanimously.

In a report from the Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Services (SCRAPS), Director Lindsey Soffes discussed trends, COVID impacts, animal licensing, veterinary services, and staffing challenges. The interlocal agreement dictates the annual participation charges paid by the City for its participation in SCRAPS. The 2021 budget is for $350,000 with the proposed 2022 budget calling for $330,000. Costs are fixed with CPI adjustments through 2033.

The contract under which the Sheriff’s Office provides law enforcement for the City of Spokane Valley specifies periodic replacement of vehicles. In the past, that has included purchasing new vehicles, used vehicles, and refurbishing current vehicles. The County, through this plan, has financed eleven vehicles per year dedicated to Spokane Valley service. However, that plan has not proven to adequately address the aging fleet.

The City Manager has proposed in his 2022 budget that $1.4 million be dedicated for purchasing twenty replacement vehicles: $360,000 for transitional costs for upfront vehicle replacement purchases and $1,040,000 for the initial fleet buys. To keep the fleet up to date, a replacement schedule would apply to all vehicles, placing them on a five-year/100,000-mile replacement cycle. The plan would replace fifteen vehicles per year. Current fleet inventory is 105 vehicles.

In 2019, the State Legislature passed legislation requiring cities to create and adopt a Housing Action Plan (HAP) to define strategies and implementation that promote greater housing diversity and affordability for residents of all income levels. In June of this year, Council adopted Resolution 21-001, implementing the City’s HAP.

The HAP includes four main components:
1) A Housing Needs Assessment
2) A review of policies and regulations affecting housing development
3) Strategies to increase housing based on needs
4) An implementation Plan

The HAP provides clear, actionable strategies for meeting current and future housing needs. Community involvement was solicited in formulating the plan. The staff requested Council guidance on three of the proposed implementation measures identified in the HAP:
• Modifying the zoning code to encourage production of townhomes and cottages
• Modifications to the regulations for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
• Evaluating a Multiple Family Tax Exemption (MFTE) program
The identified need for 6,660 dwelling units of diverse types by 2037 would appear to be insufficient to meet the City’s needs based on recent population growth. The strategies and action are aimed at:
• Preserving affordable housing to mitigate displacement
• Increasing market rate and affordable housing supply in zones allowing multifamily and missing middle housing
• Increasing housing options and choice

The list of implementing items can be found on the City website at: www.spokanevalley.org under the Agenda tab.
On October 15, 2019, Council adopted Resolution 19-014 under which it participates in the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. Each year HUD provides CDBG entitlement funding to Spokane County from which the City participates. In June 2020, the City relinquished its 2020 and 2021 set asides from the County to apply them to assist eligible low and very low-income homeowners with assessment and connection charges on the Barker Road Homes sewer installation project.

In June 2020, the City also entered into a new agreement increasing its participation in the County’s CDBG/HOME Consortium by adding a fourth member to the Housing, Community Services and Development Advisory Committee (HCDAC), increasing its share of Consortium population and an increased voice on applications for projects serving City residents.

Staff has been working on an inventory of street signs and placement at Council’s request since April. Although the inventory isn’t yet complete, a discussion regarding authority to impose parking restrictions could be undertaken prior to its completion. Council could adopt an ordinance establishing the process and authority for establishing parking restrictions and prohibitions, clearing the way for creation of its master parking restriction list when the sign inventory is completed. Consensus was reached to request staff to draft an ordinance incorporating Council’s policy directives relating to parking restrictions and prohibitions.
City Hall is open for business. Masks must be worn in the building. Council meetings begin at 6:00pm. Public participation on action items or public comment periods can be in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions.

October 12, 2021

 

This City Council meeting opened with a Public Hearing on the 2022 Budget. This is the fifth of eight discussions of the budget enroute to its adoption on November 9. Without going into last week’s detail in the City Manager’s presentation of the Preliminary Budget, know that the first reading of the ordinance adopting the 2022 Budget will occur next week, October 22nd.

On September 22nd, City Manager, Mark Calhoun informed Council of his intent to retire effective December 31, 2021. This necessitates the initiation of a search to fill this important vacancy. Council action first considered whether to hire an external firm to conduct the recruitment process. After choosing to retain an outside firm, a committee led by Councilmembers Ben Wick, Brandi Peetz, Pam Haley, City Manager Mark Calhoun, and HR Manager John Whitehead will select the best qualified firm to conduct the search.

A discussion of the salary range to be used in advertising for the position completed the consideration. Motion to approve the procedure as discussed was approved by a 5-2 vote. The dissenters, Higgins and Woodard, saw no reason to be in such a hurry to move since the current City Manager will be in that position until December 31st, and the upcoming election could significantly affect the selection process.

The state’s Growth Management Act (GMA) allows the City to consider amendments to its Comprehensive Plan once each year. Applications must be received by October 30th to be placed on the docket for Council consideration. That docket consists of four items:
• CPA-2021-0001, 22 N. Skipworth, Lindsey Goodman, owner, changes .68 acres from Multi-Family to Corridor Mixed Use
• CPA-2021-0002, Balfour Park, City owned, changes 5.56 acres from Corridor Mixed Use to Parks, Recreation & Open Space
• CPA-2021-0003, Flora Property (City owned, newly  acquired), changes 46 acres from Industrial to Parks/ Recreation & Open Space
• CPA-2021-0004, Applied Citywide, adds policies regarding homelessness goals & strategies to homeless housing

After a public hearing on July 8th, the Planning Commission voted to forward CPA-21-0001 (6-1) and CPAs 21-0002, 0003, and 0004 (7-0) to Council for a Second Reading. Motion to approve Ordinance 21-014 encompassing all four CPAs passed unanimously.
That action was followed by a move to approve Ordinance 21-015 adopting the map changes accompanying the Comprehensive Plan amendments in Ordinance 21-014. Motion to approve Ordinance 21-014 passed unanimously.

State law requires that the City annually pass an ordinance that establishes the property tax levy for that year. That law limits the increase to the lesser of the increase in inflation as measured by the state or 1%, whichever is lower. The rate for this year is 3.86% meaning the City is allowed to increase its rate by 1% which it has chosen not to do.

The levy does include property taxes on new construction resulting in property tax collections of between $13,161,654 (county estimate) and $13,199,920 (city estimate). Those estimates are based on an assessed valuation of $12,971,758,193 producing a levy of approximately $1.017589 per $1,000 of assessed value in 2022. A motion to move Ordinance #21-016, levying the 2022 property taxes, to a Second Reading passed unanimously.

The Mayor’s appointment of Deputy Mayor Brandi Peetz to the Spokane Regional Law and Justice Council was approved unanimously.
At its September 28th meeting, Council finalized its thoughts on what it hopes to accomplish in the forthcoming state legislative session.

The 2022 agenda looks like this:
• A renewed request for state assistance for the Pines Rail Crossing
• Sensible state procurement laws
• Voicing continued commitment to defending local control
• Protecting state-shared revenues
• Requesting changes to municipal utility tax authority
• Return of sensibility to law enforcement issues
• Advocating for needed changes to the Growth Management Act regarding local flexibility

This evening Council memorialized where it intends to place emphasis such as needed changes to state law that would maintain local governance autonomy. This administrative report is in preparation for final adoption on November 16th.
By agreement, the Spokane Valley Arts Council, which has been responsible for the donation and placement of numerous art pieces around the City, meets with City Council to discuss and agree upon potential projects. This year a bronze sculpture, ‘The Owl Woman Calls Your Name’ by Nancy McLaughlin is proposed.

As a follow-up to last week’s discussion on Code Enforcement, this week Council undertook Topic #2: Camping on private property. This discussion focused on regulations which currently address the problems of homeless on private property living in tents or similar temporary structures, permanent structures (unauthorized), or recreational vehicles.

The City’s municipal code does not currently restrict camping in general nor do they even provide a definition of ‘camping.’ Staff is looking for guidance for drafting a work plan to create regulatory language. Those regulations when drafted will be addressing problems such as:
• Inadequate sanitation facilities
• Unsafe/unfit living conditions
• Too many RVs on a property
• Junk/inoperable RVs on the property
• Crime associated with trespassing/unauthorized occupancy
• Fire Hazards (warming fires and flammable accumulations)

City Hall is open for business. Masks must be worn in the building. Council meetings begin at 6:00pm. Public participation on action items or public comment periods can be in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions.

October 5, 2021

 

This Council meeting opened with the Mayor’s appointment of Amanda Alcamo to the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee. Council unanimously concurred with the appointment. Ms. Alcamo is with Oxford Suites in Spokane Valley.

Karl Otterstrom, Spokane Transit Authority’s Director of Planning and Development, together with STA CEO Susan Meyer, presented a description of STA’s Sprague Line High Performance Transit (HPT) program. The Sprague HTP Line currently operates as STA Route 90 offering direct connection between Spokane and Spokane Valley city centers and connections to most other STA routes, Greyhound, and Amtrak.

The goals of HPT are to enhance the existing Route 90 to HPT levels which are to provide frequent service with speeds competitive with private automobiles and improved passenger amenities commensurate with high ridership. STA is also looking at future electrification of its vehicles. Its public outreach includes improving its website: www.spokanetransit.com/SpragueLine with corridor maps and proposed stop changes together with letters to affected property owners, neighborhoods, and business groups. The STA Board plans action of the Corridor Development Plan in December.

Spokane Valley is a participant via interlocal agreement in the Spokane County Tourism Promotion Area (TPA) since 2004. Members of Council are advocating that the City give notice of termination under terms of the interlocal agreement and form its own TPA. This requires action by the County Commissioners and would generate a separation date of December 31, 2022.

A survey of hoteliers in the City indicates general favorability to creation of a Spokane Valley TPA. There was interest in continuing funding of Visit Spokane and the Sports Commission recognizing the contributions to the hotel industry. The City, if a TPA were enacted, would require:
1. An agreement with hoteliers specifying measurable outcomes as it does with other financial allocations
2. Provide for use of funds to create more of an identity for the City which would result in more hotel stays
3. Further discussion of City travel assets such as enhancing river whitewater features and construction of additional trails.
The City adopted a code relating to nuisance properties in 2003 to address accumulations of trash, junk vehicles, broken machinery or equipment, zoning/building code violations, traffic obstructions, and animal keeping. In 2017, it hired a full-time Code Enforcement Officer and a part-time attorney to address 330 cases that year. A second officer was hired in 2020 when the case load increased to 647. The attorney was upgraded to full-time.
Nuisances ranging from misdemeanor to chronic criminal infractions are an ongoing problem in Spokane Valley. Current code does not provide the range of remedies necessary to effectively address the problems. With this backdrop in mind, appropriate tools are needed to allow the City to enforce the policy choices Council makes on what constitutes a nuisance and amending City Code to identify conduct or private property use that constitutes a prohibited nuisance.
Changes suggested by staff this evening are:
• Vehicle parking and storage (on both public and private properties)
• Camping on private property
• Loud noise
• Compliance process and options; including voluntary compliance agreements and abatement
• Receivership program
• International Property Maintenance Code overview including sections already adopted by Council and those to be considered such as overgrown vegetation
Staff will return with a draft covering Council’s specific concerns on the above issues particularly focusing on vehicles parked on private property and in the public right-of-way.
In step four on the road to adoption of the 2022 budget, City Manager, Mark Calhoun presented his preliminary budget with the steps and considerations used in the development.

- Council Goals
• Recurring revenues must be greater than recurring expenses
• Ending reserves must be at least 50% of recurring expenses

 - Fiscal Policies
• Maintain basic service levels with minimal resources
• Minimize personnel and overhead costs by contracting

- Budget Highlights
• General Fund Revenues=$53,432,700. General Fund Expenses=$48,415,982. Difference: +$4,016,718

- Challenges
• Declining revenues in Street Maintenance Fund
• Balancing pavement preservation costs against other transportation and infrastructure needs
• Raising capital for needed rail crossing projects  
• Continuing COVID uncertainties identifying how to use federal funding awards most effectively

The City continues to be in excellent financial condition with strong reserves and responsibly managed operations.
On September 22nd, City Manager, Mark Calhoun informed Council of his intent to retire effective December 31, 2021. This necessitates the initiation of a search to fill that very important vacancy. Three alternatives were presented.

1. Retain an external firm to lead the recruitment
2. Authorize staff to lead an in-house recruitment
3. Schedule an executive session to assess the qualifications of a candidate for possible direct appointment without a recruitment process
Staff was instructed to explore a fourth option, possibly retaining an external firm while conducting an in-house search.

This recruitment procedure is tentative because of the intervening election on November 2nd which could render any immediate hiring decision moot. In addition, two Council members were absent which introduced other questions into the process at this meeting. Councilmember Higgins suggested delaying further consideration until the full Council is present. But the majority ignored his request.

City Hall is open for business. Masks must be worn in the building. Council meetings begin at 6:00pm. Public participation on action items or public comment periods can be in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions.

September 28 2021

 

This Council meeting opened with proclamations observing Fire Prevention Week and Source Water Protection Week. It was also noted in Council comments that the City had once again received a “clean” audit of its financial status and procedures. In the words of the Audit Supervisor, it was “an extremely clean audit.” Kudos to our financial department for continuing the succession of exemplary audits.

The state’s Growth Management Act (GMA) allows the City to consider amendments to its Comprehensive Plan once each year. Applications must be received by October 30th to be placed on the docket for Council consideration. That docket consists of four items:
1.  CPA-2021-0001, 22 N. Skipworth, Lindsey Goodman, owner, changes .68 acres  from Multi-Family to Corridor Mixed Use
2.  CPA-2021-0002, Balfour Park, City owned, changes 5.56 acres from Corridor Mixed   
     Use to Parks, Recreation & Open Space
3.  CPA-2021-0003, Flora Property (City owned, newly acquired), changes 46 acres
     from Industrial to Parks/Recreation & Open Space
4.  CPA-2021-0004, Applied Citywide, adds policies regarding homelessness goals &
     strategies to homeless housing

After a public hearing on July 8th, the Planning Commission voted to forward CPA-21-0001 (6-1) and CPAs 21-0002, 0003, and 0004 (7-0) to Council for a First Reading. Motion to move proposed Ordinance 21-014 encompassing all four CPAs to Second Reading passed unanimously.
That action was followed by deliberation on the First Reading of proposed Ordinance 21-015 adopting the map changes accompanying the Comprehensive Plan amendments in proposed Ordinance 21-014. Motion to move Ordinance 21-014 to Second Reading passed unanimously.

The owner of Derek Apartments, LLC. Has requested the vacation of a section of street 32’ by 237’ along the south side of Appleway Avenue. The proposed vacation lies approximately 526 feet east of the intersection of Appleway Avenue and Farr Road. The requested area is unimproved right of way, encompassing approximately 7,584 square feet. A public hearing is required, and Resolution 21-007 sets the date for that hearing. Motion to approve Resolution 21-007 setting the date for public hearing on the proposed street vacation passed unanimously.

In 2018, the City applied for various grants to reconstruct the Barker Corridor and provide a multi-use path from the Spokane River to the limits of the Barker Road/BNSF Rail Crossing Project. The project is phased into segments which staff described together with the need for phasing and phase timing. The phase considered for construction this evening includes the multi-use path from the river to Euclid Avenue (east).

The City has improved Barker Road from Spokane River to Euclid (east) and from Euclid (west) to the limits of the Barker/BNSF project. The project still needs to construct the multi-use path from the Spokane River to Trent and improve the intersection of Euclid and Barker Road with the Union Pacific Railroad. The railroad has encountered delays which has in turn delayed the City’s completion of the project.

The City advertised this phase in August and opened bids on September 10th. Six bids were received with Barcott Construction LLC submitting the lowest bid at $301,966.00. The Engineer’s Estimate for the project was $326,246.00.

Motion to award the Barker Road Widening Project CIP#313-Phase 1 to Barcott Construction LLC in the amount of $301,996.00 including sales tax passed unanimously.
As the year winds down, Council coalesces its thoughts on what it hopes to accomplish in the forthcoming state legislative session. The 2022 agenda looks like this:
• A renewed request for state assistance for the Pines Rail Crossing
• Sensible state procurement laws
• Voicing continued commitment to defending local control
• Protecting state-shared revenues
• Requesting changes to municipal utility tax authority
• Return of sensibility to law enforcement issues
• Advocating for needed changes to the Growth Management Act regarding local
   flexibility

While this was only a discussion, it highlights needed changes to maintain local autonomy. Staff will return on October 12th with an administrative report. Final adoption is slated for November 16th.
City Hall is open for business. Masks must be worn in the building. Council meetings begin at 6:00pm. Public participation on action items or public comment periods can be in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions.

September 21, 2021

 

Washington State law requires the City to pass an ordinance each year enabling it to establish the levy rate for property taxes. Using the City’s estimate, approximately $12,724,920 will be generated based on a total preliminary assessed valuation of $12,577,239,238 at an applied estimated levy rate of $1.09509 per $1,000 of valuation. The rate valuation received from the county may not include new construction estimated at $475,000. 
 
Once that figure is updated, the estimated levy rate per $1,000 should decrease. There is an inverted relationship between taxable property value and the Levy Rate per $1,000. As the aggregate value of property in the city increases, the Levy Rate decreases. With a decreasing levy rate applied to an increasing property value, the actual amount paid by a property owner should not increase substantially.
 
Property taxes supply approximately 25% of the budgeted revenues for the year. This will mark the 13th consecutive year the City did not take the automatic 1% rate increase allowed by state law.
 
The City since its incorporation has provided partial funding for local economic development and social service agencies. Through this process, the City is contracting for services that it might not otherwise provide. This evening, eighteen agencies wishing to be considered in the 2022 Budget made presentations. The City has set aside $244,000 in its budget for this purpose. Of that amount, $43,000 is contractually committed to 1) Greater Spokane, Inc. and 2) $19,000 to Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce, leaving $182,000 for Council to award.
 
Agencies presenting and requested amounts are:
 
1      Elevations Children’s Therapy $15,000
2 Embrace Washington $6,520
3 GSC Meals on Wheels$60,000
4 Greater Spokane Valley Rotary24,096
5 HUB Sports Center $5,000
6 JAKT$46,500
7 Jewels Helping Hands$27,911
8 NAOMI$12,500
9 Northwest Winterfest$25,000
10 Project ID$50,000
11 Spokane Valley Arts Council$55,000
12 Spokane Valley Heritage Museum$14,800
13 Spokane Valley Partners – $75,000
14 Spokane Valley Summer Theatre$20,000
15 Spokane Valley Performing Arts Center$20,000
16 Teen & Kid Closet$10,500
17 Valleyfest$71,000
18 Widows Might$43,270
         
Total $582,097
 
Obviously, the requested amount far exceeds the available funds so the process of reduction and elimination starts with the requirement that if an applicant is to advance, they must have an allocation (vote) from at least four council members. Individual Councilmembers select the applicants they feel deserving of consideration in the distribution of the remaining $182,000 along with the amount to be awarded. Any entity not receiving four votes is dropped from further consideration.
 
Additional rules ensure that the final distribution is fair and equitable. Councilmembers are each given an allocation sheet to be completed and turned in by 4pm on Friday, October 15th. The Finance Director then assembles and analyzes Council’s suggestions to determine a final allocation. That determination will be presented to Council at its October 26th meeting where final action will be taken.
City Hall is open for business. Under the Governor’s latest edict, masks must be worn in the building. Council meetings begin at 6:00pm. Public participation on action items or public comment periods can be in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions.
 

September 14, 2021

 

After opening with a proclamation proclaiming this week as Constitution Week, this Formal Council Meeting moved to a public hearing on Budget Revenues. The presentation preceding the hearing was a detailed assessment of funding sources and applications. To summarize: General Fund recurring revenue is estimated to be $51,997,700, an increase of 6.80% over the 2021 amended budget of $48,689,219. Recurring expenditures are estimated to be $48,194,350, an increase of 7.16% over the amended 2021 budget’s $44,972,827. The number of employees will increase from 96.25 to 100.25. The City will once again forgo the automatic 1% property tax increase. A more detailed breakdown of the presentation can be found at https://spokanevalley.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=3&event_id=519&meta_id=65565. 

This was the first of three hearings on various components of the budget which, in its entirety, will have been discussed eight times prior to its adoption on November 8th. There were no public comments.

Last week Council moved the Complete Streets Ordinance 21-012 to a Second Reading. The ‘Complete Streets’ program requires an ordinance that formally recognizes the City’s commitment to provide safe, practical, and equitable transportation improvements for all its users. It also serves as a tool to enhance eligibility for state and federal funding programs that enable the City to expand its capabilities for improving its transportation facilities. The ordinance requires that the City consider but not necessarily implement complete street elements in all its road projects. The motion to approve Ordinance 21-012 passed unanimously.

Having adopted Ordinance 21-012, the City is in a position to apply for Washington State Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) grants. Those grants are nominated by organizations from a TIB approved list based on quality and content of its Complete Street Ordinance. The TIB list includes the Departments of Archeology and Historical Preservation, Transportation, Health, and Commerce. Non-Profit Organizations are Feet First, Cascade Bicycle Club, Community Transportation Association NW, and Futurewise. The motion to authorize application for the CIB Complete Streets funding through its approved nominating agencies passed unanimously.
The traffic signal at the Park Road and Mission Avenue intersection has, through wear and damage, become a hazard. After research and recommendation from the City Engineer, the signal light will be removed and replaced by a four-way flashing beacon stop. Motion to approve the change was approved unanimously.

In 2015, the City hired Community Attributes, Inc. (CAI) to develop a retail improvement strategy and action plan to improve the visibility and appeal of its retail offerings. In 2016, the City updated its comprehensive plan and development regulations to incorporate strategies and actions identified in that study. Those included increased flexibility for retailers, increased residential density along commercial corridors, and new opportunities for neighborhood commercial locations.

To further implement the plan, the City engaged Retail Strategies, a retail recruiter, to attract businesses, research trade area incentives, represent the City at International Council of Shopping Center conferences and develop relationships with retailers, brokers, developers, and key industry contacts on behalf of the City. Representatives of Retail Strategies updated Council on progress made in those areas as well as recovery efforts from COVID.

Earlier this summer two police officers, normally assigned to school activity, were designated as bicycle patrol officers. They covered hard to patrol areas such as Appleway Trail, Centennial Trail, Balfour Park, and Sullivan Park. In that coverage they worked with the City’s homeless outreach efforts to increase interaction and engagement with more personal attention. 

In so doing, they confronted 210 illegal ‘campers’ referring 133 of them to constructive services. They also worked with numerous businesses facing trespassing/homeless challenges providing increased citizen safety. The officers have returned to their school assignments since classes have once again commenced but the bicycle patrol has proved popular and useful. Should future staffing permit, that patrol could become a permanent assignment. 

City Hall is open for business. Under the Governor’s latest edict, masks must be worn in the building. Council meetings begin at 6:00pm. Public participation on action items or public comment periods can be in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions.

September 7, 2021

 

Study Sessions are for Council to hear reports on items that will be requiring action. However, this meeting agenda contained five action items needing immediate leading with Ordinance 21-011 which corrects an error in Ordinance 18-004 passed in 2018 clarifying what constitutes a ‘legal lot’ in the City of Spokane Valley and adds language to allow development of a non-legal lot by an “innocent purchaser.” The error, occurring in the transposition of copy from the actual act passed by Council to the print version of the ordinance in City records appear to inappropriately grant the owner of a non-legal lot the right to develop that lot without meeting City requirements. Rules were suspended as Council unanimously took immediate action to remedy the situation.
At its last meeting, Council instructed staff to bring forward an ordinance creating a Complete Streets program. Ordinance 21-012 accomplishes that. The ‘Complete Streets’ program requires an ordinance that formally recognizes the City’s commitment to provide safe, practical, and equitable transportation improvements for all its users. It also serves as a tool to enhance eligibility for state and federal funding programs that enable the City to expand its capabilities for improving its transportation facilities. The requirements in an ordinance are that the City consider but not necessarily implement complete street elements in all its road projects.

Motion to move Ordinance 21-012 to a Second Reading was approved unanimously.

In its last session, the State Legislature passed a bill (HB 1220) regarding affordable housing and homelessness. The bill preempts cities from prohibiting transitional housing and permanent supportive housing in any residential zones or zones where hotels are permitted effectively removing local control of where homeless people can be placed.

The City’s only recourse was to move quickly to create regulations governing where and how such housing is to fit in Spokane Valley. The effective date of HB 1220 is July 25th, which is why Emergency Ordinance No. 21-009 adopting temporary interim regulations for reasonable occupancy, spacing, and intensity limits on transitional, permanent supportive and emergency housing, and emergency shelters was presented as an emergency measure. Ordinance 21-009 passed unanimously.

A public hearing after passage of the ordinance was a requirement for ascertaining findings of fact supporting passage of Ordinance 21-009. That public hearing having been held, Ordinance 21-013 approves the findings of fact supporting adoption of Ordinance 21-009. A motion to suspend the rules and adopt Ordinance 21-013 passed unanimously.

On June 1st, 2021, Council approved Resolution 20-001 adopting its Housing Action Plan. The plan provides strategies and implementing action encouraging the construction of additional affordable housing to minimize and reduce displacement of low-income residents.

At its August 24th meeting, Council reached consensus for staff to prepare a motion consideration authorizing the City Manager to apply for a Homeless Housing Assistance Act (HHAA) grant to support one full time employee for street outreach purposes and 50% of the funds needed to support a deputy dedicated to addressing homeless cases. The total request is $180,000 ($100,000 for the full-time employee and $80,000 for the 50% dedicated police officer). The application deadline is September 10th. Motion to authorize the City Manager to make the application passed unanimously.

Negotiations to achieve a collective bargaining agreement with the Washington State Council of County and City Employees, Local 270V, AFSCME Union have been concluded. Union members voted to approve the agreement on September 2nd. Motion to ratify the Collective Bargaining Agreement effective January 1, 2022-December 31, 2024, was unanimously approved by Council.

The state’s Growth Management Act (GMA) allows the City to consider amendments to its Comprehensive Plan once each year. Applications received by October 30th were placed on the docket for Council consideration. The docket presented for adoption consists of four items:
1. CPA-2021-0001, 22 N. Skipworth, Lindsey Goodman, owner, changes .68 acres from Multi-Family to Corridor Mixed Use
2. CPA-2021-0002, Balfour Park, City owned, changes 5.56 acres from Corridor Mixed Use to Parks, Recreation & Open Space
3. CPA-2021-0003, Flora Property (City owned, newly acquired), changes 46 acres from Industrial to Parks/Recreation & Open Space
4. CPA-2021-0004, Applied Citywide, adds policies regarding homelessness goals & strategies to homeless housing

After a public hearing, the Planning Commission voted to forward CPA-21-0001 (6-1) and CPAs 21-0002, 0003, and 0004 (7-0) to Council for consideration. Council reached consensus to advance them to a First Reading.

Council was updated on the efforts of the City’s Streets Sustainability Committee (CSSC) which was created to help inform the public on outreach efforts relating to the long-term goals of the City’s Pavement Management Program. These websites: www.spokanevalley.org/pmp & www.spokanevalley.org/streetcommittee present information on the progress made by the CSSC. A public survey is also available on www.spokanevalley.org.

A proposed Resolution No. 21-006 would take care of administrative updating to the City’s petty cash policy. It would replace Resolutions 08-024 and 11-001 bringing the policy into audit compliance.

Under the newly enacted American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the City has received $8 million of $16 million allotted to the City from a Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund. The next $8 million payment is scheduled for the summer of 2022. Staff is preparing a list of priorities for Council’s consideration.
City Hall is open for business. Council meetings begin at 6:00pm. Public participation on action items or public comment periods can be in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions.

August 24, 2021

 


This formal meeting of the Spokane Valley City Council opened under the edict from the Governor that masks were to be worn indoors. As the meeting reached the Board Summary Reports item on the agenda, Councilman Rod Higgins made a statement protesting the mask mandate. He said, “The Governor has issued mandates once again threatening businesses and individuals for non-compliance under an emergency declaration that has extended for more than 18 months. His actions are destroying our city and making a mockery of representative democracy. Unfortunately, we here on the dais are powerless to do anything about it. Perhaps it’s time for civil disobedience.”

The meeting continued with a proclamation celebrating the Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Centennial, proclaiming August 25th as Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce Day.

In its last session, the State Legislature passed a bill (HB 1220) regarding affordable housing and homelessness. The bill preempts cities from prohibiting transitional housing and permanent supportive housing in any residential zones or zones where hotels are permitted effectively removing local control of where homeless people can be placed.

The City’s only recourse was to create regulations governing where and how such housing is to fit in Spokane Valley. The effective date of the directives in HB 1220 was July 25th. The City’s Emergency Ordinance No. 21-009, approved unanimously by Council on July 20th, adopted temporary interim regulations for reasonable occupancy, spacing, and intensity limits on transitional, permanent supportive and emergency housing, and emergency shelters. Those temporary measures adopted by the City are slated to become permanent on September 30th.
One of the requirements of HB 1220 was that a public hearing be held. That requirement was met by the Public Hearing on Ordinance No. 21-009 held this evening.

On June 1st, 2021, Council adopted Resolution 21-001, implementing a Housing Action Plan. In 2019 the State Legislature passed legislation requiring cities to create and adopt a Housing Action Plan (HAP) to define strategies and implementation that promote greater housing diversity and affordability for residents of all income levels.

The City’s HAP includes four main components:
• A Housing Needs Assessment
• A review of policies and regulations affecting housing development
• Strategies to increase housing based on needs
• An Implementation Plan

The City hired consultants to design and develop its plan. In addition, the City hired a Housing and Homeless Coordinator to assist in the organization of its programs for affordable housing and location of homeless accommodations required by HB 1220 and the accompanying efforts under Ordinance No. 21-009.

Staff is recommending the City make application for an $85,000 grant from Spokane County Homeless Housing Assistance Act (HHAA) for funding to assist with homeless individual outreach within the City. If received, the money would be administered by the Spokane County Community Services, Housing and Community Development Department. Applications have to be made by September 10th. Council reached consensus to proceed with the application.
As the next step moving toward budget adoption in November, Council received an administrative report on estimated revenues and expenditures. The 2022 Budget currently includes appropriations of $89,711,697 which includes $20,704,214 in capital expenditures. That $20,704,214 will be partially offset by $8,497,612 of grant revenues from State and Federal money.

In the General Fund, recurring revenue is estimated to be $51,997,700, an increase of 6.80% over the 2021 amended budget of $48,689,219. Recurring expenditures are estimated to be $48,194,350, an increase of 7.16% over the amended 2021 budget’s $44,972,827. The next budget report will be on September 14. The number of employees will increase from 96.25 to 100.25. The City will once again forgo the automatic 1% property tax increase.
The City Finance Director also presented a review of the list of Potential and Pending Projects from which money in the Capital Reserve Fund might be used. Of the $12,143,043 in the account, $4,630,911 has already been allocated for such items as parkland purchases and improvements, leaving $7,512,132 available for items such as police vehicles and school zone beacons. Two million dollars will be allocated to Balfour Park improvements.
Last week Council discussed the Complete Streets program. A ‘Complete Streets’ program requires an ordinance that formally recognizes the City’s commitment to provide safe, practical, and equitable transportation improvements for all its users. It also serves as a tool to enhance eligibility for state and federal funding programs that enable the City to expand its capabilities for improving its transportation facilities. The requirements in an ordinance are that the City consider but not necessarily implement complete street elements in all its road projects.

Staff returned to Council with an administrative report covering the draft ordinance, potential funding opportunities, and requesting consensus to proceed with drafting a complete streets ordinance. That consensus was reached.

The August 31st Council meeting is canceled.

City Hall is open for business. Under the Governor’s latest edict, masks must be worn in the building. Council meetings begin at 6:00pm. Public participation on action items or public comment periods can be in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions.

August 17, 2021

 


This Study Session of the Spokane Valley City Council began with a motion to authorize the City Manager to finalize and execute an interlocal agreement with Fire District 8 (FD 8) for its acquisition of a site at the corner of 44th Avenue and Bates Road for a new fire station.

On June 16th, the City completed acquisition of 17.7 acres from Central Valley School District adjacent to the corner of 44th Avenue and Bates Road in the Ponderosa area. Under this agreement, FD 8 will buy three acres for $266,950 plus costs subject to adjustment based on actual property needs and accommodations.

The agreement allows time for FD 8 to acquire funding for construction. If FD 8 doesn’t begin construction within the agreed time, the City can buy the land back at the same price or the parties can mutually agree to extend the agreement. The motion was approved unanimously.

In 2012 the City purchased 8.4 acres adjacent to the already existing Balfour Park. It then entered into an interlocal agreement to sell 2.82 acres to the Spokane County Library District (SCLD) for placement of a future library. Construction of the new library is slated to begin in 2022.

The City is working to complete construction of frontage improvements adjacent to the library this summer. Those improvements will widen the pavement, install curbs, and relocate utilities as needed. Sidewalks will be constructed by the SCLD. A consultant, AHBL, Inc., is completing the design.

That design will be in two phases. Phase 1 will encompass park design to 30% including an events plaza, play areas, splash pad, restroom, picnic shelter, veterans’ memorial, and amphitheater. The plans encompass design of site grading, initial parking areas, lighting, multi-use plaza and open areas.

The second phase of development, as funding is secured, will be for remaining portions of the park up to 90% of completed design. Phase 1 park infrastructure is estimated to cost $3.5 million, with current available money at $1.5 million. If funding is obtainable, bidding will start in February 2022. The consultant will update the cost estimate for full park construction to be used for future grant applications.
A ‘Complete Streets’ program requires an ordinance that formally recognizes the City’s commitment to provide safe, practical, and equitable transportation improvements for all its users. It also serves as a tool to enhance eligibility for state and federal funding programs that enable the City to expand its capabilities for improving its transportation facilities.

Council reached unanimous consensus for staff to develop a draft Complete Streets Ordinance and to evaluate applications for funding through the program. Staff will return to Council with an administrative report covering the draft ordinance and potential funding opportunities.

City Police Chief Dave Ellis presented how a series of bills at the last legislative session are affecting the Spokane Valley Police
Department (SVPD) law enforcement practices and capabilities. By categories, those changes are:

1. TACTICS
     • Bans use of “military equipment” (shotguns have been removed from vehicles)
     • Prohibits use of tear gas, with limited exceptions
     • Prohibits chokeholds or neck restraints in any circumstances (SVPD has never authorized chokeholds)
     • Prohibits no-knock warrants (SVPD has used once for victim safety)
     • Restricts vehicle pursuits

2. USE of FORCE: Establishes new standards for use of physical force unless there is probable cause to make and arrest or prevent escape.
     • States that a higher threshold must be used when addressing mental subjects
     • Requires an officer to “exhaust available and appropriate de-escalation tactics prior to using any physical force

3. DECERTIFICATION: Sets up a Criminal Justice Training Commission to hear cases for de- certification of peace officers
     • May conduct investigations outside of the employing agency
     • Requires personnel records to be kept for the duration of officer’s employment plus 10 years
     • Requires that law enforcement employees consent to and facilitate a review of personal social media accounts

The laws continue into the realm of leading one to wonder why anyone in the state would work in law enforcement. The net effect of this series of laws is to 1) Reduce the ability of an officer to do his or her job, 2) Create hazardous situations where none should exist, and 3) Cause unnecessary dangerous situations where citizens are involved.  SVPD is working to digest and implement the changes.

City Hall is open for business. Council meetings begin at 6:00pm. Public participation on action items or public comment periods can be in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions.

August 10, 2021

 

After taking the week off for National Night Out in support of First Responders and the County local elections, Council began the business of its August 10th meeting by amending its agenda to accommodate a motion to purchase of the White Elephant property on Sprague Avenue, adjacent to the City’s precinct. The purchase price is $2,250,000 plus closing costs. Motion passed unanimously. 

Council then took up the Second Reading of Ordinance 21-010, Batch Text Amendments. Those amendments will:

1) Clarify where cargo shipping containers and their use can be found in the City Code. Previously, it was ‘out of place’ in the accessory dwelling section. The proposed amendment moves the provision to the Accessory Structures section. However, regardless of the placement in the code, shipping containers are not permitted as an accessory structure to a residential use in residential zones.

2) R-4 Zone: The City adopted comprehensive plan amendment CPA-2020-0007, creating a new R-4 zone and adding two policies to guide the development of alternative housing types along with implementing zoning code amendments. Subsequently, it was discovered that several sections relevant to all residential zones were overlooked in the amendment process. This amendment will include the R-4 zone in sections related to battery charging stations, transitional regulations, adult uses, and marijuana uses.

The Planning Commission conducted a public hearing and after deliberations voted 7-0 to adopt the proposal and forward it to Council for consideration. moving forward as Ordinance No. 21-010. Motion to adopt Ordinance No. 21-010 passed unanimously.

In 2013 the City adopted goals and priorities for how it would use lodging tax revenues and encouraged the Lodging Tax Committee to consider those when making award recommendations. In summary, those goals and priorities are: 

1. To direct awards toward funding projects, activities, events or festivals that will highlight Spokane Valley as a tourism destination. Lodging taxes will be used for purposes allowed by State law including:
     a. Tourism marketing
     b. Marketing and operation of special events and festivals
     c. Operation and capital expenditures for tourism related facilities owned or operated by a municipality or public facilities district
     d. Operation of tourism related facilities owned or operated by non-profit organizations

2. Emphasize use of funds for capital expenditures to develop tourism destination facilities or venues within the City to draw visitors.

3. Priority consideration will be given to projects with a history of increasing overnight stays and the shopping, dining, and overnight visit components in that category.

4. Recognition is given to revenues generated by other lodging sources outside the City for promoting Spokane Valley facilities.
An award to a Lodging Tax applicant cannot be greater than the amount requested in the applicant’s application.
A pending joint project for a new building at the Fairgrounds will require applying nearly $3 million from accumulated Lodging Tax funds to that undertaking. 

Applications for grants are due to the City by 4pm, Friday, October 1st. Candidates will present their applications to the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) on Thursday, October 14th. LTAC will make its recommendations for awards to Council at its November 9th meeting, and Council will approve the final awards on December 14th.

Motions to:

1. Approve the Council goals and priorities for use of lodging tax revenues passed unanimously. 

2. Authorize submittal of application to the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee for the new Fairgrounds building using Hotel/Motel Tax revenue passed unanimously.

The Spokane County Jail is not equipped to treat mentally ill individuals or addicts. Incarceration often exacerbates those conditions and doesn’t address recurrences. For several years, Spokane Valley, Spokane, and Spokane County have been collaborating on the creation of a Mental Health Crisis Stabilization Center to provide an opportunity for qualifying individuals to stabilize and treat their condition rather than be jailed.

A report by consultant Ariane Schmidt and Dan Sigler from Pioneer Human Services updated Council on the current status and anticipated timeline for opening the Center in October.

On June 16th, the City completed acquisition of 17.7 acres from Central Valley School District adjacent to the corner of 44th Avenue and Bates Road in the Ponderosa area. In a prior report the possibility of Fire District 8 (FD 8) purchasing approximately three acres for a new fire station across Bates Road from its current one was discussed. In a proposed agreement, FD 8 would buy three acres for $266,950 plus costs subject to adjustment based on actual property needs and accommodations. Council is slated to consider the agreement at its August 17th meeting.

Council also received an update on the Argonne Road/Montgomery Avenue intersection improvement project where that intersection is being reconstructed with concrete paving. The construction which began on July 10th is slated to last 10 weeks.

In April 2019, Council heard a proposal for a joint sports complex with Spokane County at Plante’s Ferry. That discussion is continuing, awaiting Council direction.

Council also reached consensus on acquiring a Ford F150 truck for fleet replacement, budgeted at $47,500. Formal action to follow.
City Hall is open for business. Council meetings begin at 6:00pm. Public participation on action items or public comment periods can be in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions.  

July 27, 2021

 

In its July 13th meeting, Council heard a proposed Code Text Amendment, (CTA) 2021-0001, which would:

1) Clarify where cargo shipping containers and their use can be found in the City Code. Previously, it was ‘out of place’ in the accessory dwelling section. The proposed amendment moves the provision to the Accessory Structures section. However, regardless of the placement in the code, shipping containers are not permitted as an accessory structure to a residential use in residential zones.

2) R-4 Zone: The City adopted comprehensive plan amendment CPA-2020-0007, creating a new R-4 zone and adding two policies to guide the development of alternative housing types along with implementing zoning code amendments. Subsequently, it was discovered that several sections relevant to all residential zones were overlooked in the amendment process. This amendment will include the R-4 zone in sections related to battery charging stations, transitional regulations, adult uses, and marijuana uses.

The Planning Commission conducted a public hearing and after deliberations voted 7-0 to adopt CTA-2021-0001 and forward it to Council for consideration. CTA-2021-0001 is moved forward as Ordinance No. 21-010 for a first reading. Motion to advance Ordinance No. 21-010 to a Second Reading passed unanimously.

The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program has allocated $29,202 as part of its 2021 program. These funds are intended to support all components of the criminal justice system. The Police Chief and City Manager recommend spending the funds to support Officer Safety and Wellness, an area of emphasis in the JAG program.

Specific uses would be lighting, cameras, and access for the rear lot immediately south of the Police Precinct. Some of that work was started using the 2020 JAG but available funds were not sufficient to complete all the tasks. Motion to authorize application
for the JAG items listed above passed unanimously.

The City has had an interlocal agreement with Spokane County for Pretrial Services since 2006 with revisions dating from 2019. Periodic review has identified areas that warrant revision. Those areas are:
•  A new service entitled Misdemeanor Evaluations, and
•  Felony Monitoring, a service that was recognized previously but was unaccounted for. The Settle & Adjust process actually gained the City $35,838 when completed.

The Spokane County Office of Pretrial Services prepares first appearance evaluations of Misdemeanor defendants to provide impartial investigative information for the District Court Judge in arriving at an informed release or detain decision.

The addition to the interlocal agreement would adopt this new service with an effective date of 2011 which is when the City actually participated in that service. The motion to authorize the City Manager to finalize and execute the Addendum to the Pretrial Services Interlocal Agreement passed unanimously.

In 2012 the City purchased 8.4 acres adjacent to the already existing Balfour Park. It then entered into an interlocal agreement to sell 2.82 acres to the Spokane County Library District (SCLD) for placement of a future library. Construction of the new library is planned to begin in 2022.

The City plans to complete construction of frontage improvements adjacent to the library this summer. Those improvements will widen the pavement, install curbs, and relocate utilities as needed. Sidewalks will be constructed by the SCLD. A consultant, AHBL, Inc., is retained to complete the design.

That design will be in two phases. The first phase will encompass park design to 30% including an events plaza, play areas, splash pad and amphitheater. Those plans include design of site grading, initial parking areas, lighting, multi-use plaza and open areas.

The second phase of park development, as funding is secured, will be for remaining portions of the park up to 90%. The consultant will update the cost estimate for full park construction to be used for future grant applications.

The public is invited to a community workshop that will be held in council chambers at City Hall from 4:30-7:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 5th.

The Spokane Regional Law and Justice Council (SRLJC) recently conducted an internal change commented on by a letter from the City regarding its representation on that council. The changes agreed to by the County Commissioners were:
•  A reduction from 25 to 18 members.
•  Three standing committees reduced to two: Racial Equity, and Legislative Policy (LPC). The LPC meets twice annually and is comprised of one Commissioner, Spo kane Mayor, Spokane Valley Mayor, small city representative, Sheriff, and County
Prosecutor.
•  A revised scope of duties per State Code pertaining to prison reform.
•  A revised Mission Statement.

The full details of the SRLJC reorganization are available at www.spokanevalley.org. City Hall is open for business. Council meetings begin at 6:00pm. Public participation on action items or public comment periods can be in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions.

There will not be a Council Meeting on August 3rd, in observance of election night as well as National Night Out.

July 20, 2021

 

In its last session, the State Legislature passed a bill (HB 1220) regarding affordable housing and homelessness. The bill also preempts cities from prohibiting transitional housing and permanent supportive housing in any residential zones or zones where hotels are permitted, effectively removing local control of where homeless people can be placed.

The City’s only recourse is to move quickly to create regulations governing where and how such housing is to fit in Spokane Valley. The effective date of HB 1220 is July 25th, which is why Emergency Ordinance No. 21-009 adopting temporary interim regulations for reasonable occupancy, spacing, and intensity limits on transitional, permanent supportive and emergency housing, and emergency shelters was presented as an emergency measure. Motion to approve Ordinance 21-009 passed unanimously.  

On July 13th, Council approved Ordinance #21-008 which adopted traffic impact fees for the Mirabeau and North Pines subareas. The fees must be added to the City’s fee schedule in order to be legally collected. The amendment adds two tables of transportation impact fees to Schedule G of the City’s fee schedule. The changes to that schedule will be effective on August 1, 2021. The schedule of fees appears below.

Land Use Description    Mirabeau Subarea     N. Pines Rd. Subarea
Single Family Home/Duplex    $709 per dwelling        $2,788 per dwelling
Multi-Family            $401 per dwelling        $1,577 per dwelling
Hotel (3 or more levels)        $709 per dwelling        $2,788 per dwelling
Elementary School        $0.98 per sq. ft.        $3.86 per sq. ft.
Medical Clinic            $2.35 per sq. ft.        $9.24 per sq. ft.
General Office            $0.82 per sq. ft.        $3.24 per sq. ft.
Shopping Center            $1.80 per sq. ft.        $7.08 per sq. ft.

The schedule was developed from a rate study made by Fehr & Peers, a consulting firm hired by the City to calculate a ‘per trip’ impact fee generated based on peak-hour traffic. Detailed information on the study and fee formulation is available by contacting City Hall at 509-720-5000.

Resolution #21-004 repealing and replacing Resolution #20-016 and approving the Master Fee Schedule for 2021 passed unanimously.
Resolution 21-005 creates parking restrictions along the east side of Cherry Street north of its intersection with Mansfield Avenue. After complaints from the school district that school busses were having difficulty moving along Cherry Street because of congestion caused by parking on both sides of the street and subsequent complaints from residents, the issue is finally reaching resolution because of the inability of fire department vehicles to safely service the area.

At the request of Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD), parking will be restricted to one side of Cherry Street north of the Cherry/Mansfield intersection. Motion to adopt Resolution 21-005 implementing Cherry Street Parking Restrictions passed unanimously.

On June 1st, the Washington State Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) issued a call for two of the programs it administers: the Urban Arterial Program (UAP) and its Sidewalk Program (SP). These programs make grants available statewide for local assistance for arterial and sidewalk repair and construction. In the awarding of grants, a minimum of 20% matching funds from the applicant is required. The higher the participant’s match, the better the chance of being awarded a UAP or SP grant. The City’s matching funds would come from its Real Estate Excise Tax (REET) account.
Staff originally proposed applying for two UAP grants:

Sullivan Road Preservation and Sidewalk, Sprague to 8th Avenue. (Street Preservation, Sidewalk, and Integrated Traffic Control System) Total Project Cost: $3,600,000; a $1,692,000 (47%) grant request with a $1,908,000 (53%) match. This application also includes a separate stormwater project.
Argonne Corridor Reconstruction, Indiana to Montgomery. (Concrete Reconstruction) Total Project Cost: $2,700,000; a grant request of $1,836,000 (68%), with an $864,000 (32%) match.

However, after consultation with the TIB Program Manager, the Argonne Corridor Reconstruction project was dropped because of its not scoring well enough to be considered.

Staff also proposed application for an SP grant:
Construction of sidewalks on 8th Avenue, Coleman to Park. Total Project Cost: $450,000; a grant request of $270,000 (60%), with a $180,000 (40%) match. That project will proceed to final application. Motion to approve the application for grants for the two designated projects passed unanimously.
In 2003, the City imposed a 2% lodging tax on hotels and motels. The 2021 City budget estimated that $346,000 would be collected. However, the effects of COVID-19 have not reduced the collected amount as much as anticipated, so that estimate may be low. In 2015, the City imposed an additional 1.3% lodging tax. That tax is budgeted to collect $213,000 but this estimate may be low as well. If revenues continue to improve beyond the budgeted estimates, staff will return with a budget amendment to accommodate the new numbers.

The 2% tax is used primarily for tourism marketing, and operation of special events and festivals. Proceeds from the 1.3% additional lodging tax are to be used solely for capital expenditures for acquiring, constructing, and improving large sporting venues or venues for tourism-related facilities that support lodging facilities.

Applications for grants are due to the City by 4pm, Friday, October 1st. Candidates will present their applications to the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) on Thursday, October 14th. LTAC will make its recommendations for awards to Council at its November 9th meeting, and Council will approve the final awards on December 14th.  

City Hall is open for business. Council meetings begin at 6:00pm. Public participation on action items or public comment periods can be in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions.

July 13, 2021

 


The Council meeting opened with the first opportunity in more than a year for public comment by persons physically in Council Chambers.
The Public Comment Opportunity was followed by a public hearing on Traffic Impact Fee Studies in the Mirabeau & North Pines Subareas. Immediately following the public hearing, Council suspended rules and moved directly to the Second Reading of Ordinance 21-008, adopting the Transportation Impact Rate Study.
The idea of transportation impact fees is not a new idea for the City. Previously Council approved action to establish Transportation Impact Fees, later including the South Barker Corridor to be covered.

Staff have now identified the Mirabeau Subarea and the North Pines Road/SR-27 Corridor as an area undergoing a significant amount of new development. This is leading to an escalating degradation in levels of traffic movement on Pines and adjacent arterials. Requirements for proportional fees to offset the impacts of development on the arterials are focused primarily on larger development projects and impacts leaving the City without the tools to address the impacts that smaller projects place on the system.
Transportation impact fees are allowed under state law to address the impacts from new development and are usually collected when a building permit application is submitted. Standardization of such fees provide a developer with certainty to plan for mitigation costs, ultimately saving time and money. The following schedule is proposed to meet the smaller development need.

Land Use Description    Mirabeau Subarea     N. Pines Rd. Subarea
Single Family Home/Duplex     $709 per dwelling     $2,788 per dwelling
Multi-Family     $401 per dwelling     $1,577 per dwelling
Hotel (3 or more levels)     $709 per dwelling     $2,788 per dwelling
Elementary School     $0.98 per sq. ft.     $3.86 per sq. ft.
Medical Clinic     $2.35 per sq. ft.     $9.24 per sq. ft.
General Office     $0.82 per sq. ft.     $3.24 per sq. ft.
Shopping Center     $1.80 per sq. ft.     $7.08 per sq. ft.

The schedule was developed from a rate study made by Fehr & Peers, a consulting firm hired by the City to calculate a ‘per trip’ impact fee generated based on peak-hour traffic. Detailed information on the study and fee formulation is available by contacting City Hall at 509-720-5000.

Motion to approve moving Ordinance No. 21-008 passed unanimously.

A proposed Code Text Amendment, (CTA) 2021-0001, was presented in an administrative report to Council. CTA 2021-0001 would:
1) Clarify where cargo shipping containers and their use can be found in the City Code. Previously, it was ‘out of place’ in the accessory dwelling section. The proposed amendment moves the provision to the accessory structures. However, regardless of the placement in the code, shipping containers are not permitted as an accessory structure to a residential use in residential zones.

2) R-4 Zone: The City adopted comprehensive plan amendment CPA-2020- 0007, creating a new R-4 zone and adding two policies to guide the development of alternative housing types along with implementing zoning code amendments. Subsequently, it was discovered that several sections relevant to all residential zones were overlooked in the amendment process. This amendment will include the R-4 zone in sections related to battery charging stations, transitional regulations, adult uses, and marijuana uses.
The Planning Commission conducted a public hearing and after deliberations voted 7-0 to adopt CTA-2021-0001. Council reached consensus to move CTA-2021-0001 to a First Reading.

Under the newly enacted American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the City is slated to receive $16 million from a Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund. The Department of the Treasury will distribute the funds in two increments, one coming this month, with the next payment scheduled in the summer of 2022. How the money can be spent is still not clear but preliminary indications are that the City will not be short of uses for those funds.

City Hall is open for business. Council meetings begin at 6:00pm. Public participation on action items or public comment periods can be in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions.

July 6, 2021

 

This Council meeting held after Independence Day opened with a Proclamation recognizing July as Parks and Recreation Month. Coincidentally, the first item of business on Council’s agenda was a Motion Consideration to retain the services of a consultant to complete the design for Balfour Park.

In 2012 the City purchased 8.4 acres adjacent to the already existing Balfour Park. It then entered into an interlocal agreement to sell 2.82 acres to the Spokane County Library District (SCLD) for placement of a future library. After a series of fits and starts including two failed bond votes and an extension of the interlocal agreement, SCLD had identified a funding source that doesn’t require a bond issue. Construction of the new library is planned to begin in 2022.

The City plans to complete construction of frontage improvements adjacent to the library this summer. Those improvements will widen the pavement, install curbs, and relocate utilities as needed. Sidewalks will be constructed by the SCLD. 

Design of the project will be in two phases. The first phase will encompass park design to 30 percent including an events plaza, play areas, splash pad and amphitheater. Those plans will also include design of site grading, initial parking areas, lighting, multi-use plaza and open areas. The consultant will also update the cost estimate for full park construction to be used for grant applications.

The second phase of park development, as funding is secured, will be for remaining portions of the park. Preliminary Engineering is budgeted at $420,500. Funds earmarked for completion of the entire project are $1,875,023. The motion to approve the City Manager’s finalizing the contract with AHBL, Inc. in the amount of $326,173.04 for project design services was unanimously approved.

On June 1st, the Washington State Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) issued a call for two of the programs it administers: the Urban Arterial Program (UAP) and its Sidewalk Program (SP). These programs make grants available statewide for local assistance for arterial and sidewalk repair and construction. In the awarding of grants, a minimum of 20% matching funds from the applicant is required. The higher the participant’s match, the better the chance of being awarded a UAP or SP grant. The City’s matching funds would come from its Real Estate Excise Tax (REET) account.

Staff has proposed applying for two UAP grants:
 •  Sullivan Road Preservation and Sidewalk, Sprague to 8th Avenue. (Street 
      Preservation, Sidewalk, and Integrated Traffic Control System) Total Project 
      Cost: $3,100,000; a $2,232,000 (72%) grant request with an $868,000 (28%) match. This application includes a separate $700,000                  stormwater project, bringing the total project cost to $3,800,000 with a $1,568,000 City match. The additional $700,000 match does            not come from REET funds. 
 •  Argonne Corridor Reconstruction, Indiana to Montgomery. (Concrete 
      Reconstruction) Total Project Cost: $2,700,000; a grant request of $1,836,000 (68%), with an $864,000 (32%) match. Staff has also                proposed application for an SP grant: Construction of sidewalks on 8th Avenue, Coleman to Park. Total Project Cost: $450,000; a grant        request of $288,000 (72%), with a $112,000 (28%) match.

Council Consensus was reached to proceed on the projects as outlined with actual grant application and matching amounts to be finalized by the July 13th Council meeting.

The Spokane Valley Arts Council (SVAC) has donated a number of sculptures to the City since its incorporation in 2003. In March 2019, Council approved an agreement with SVAC setting forth the terms of a long-term agreement to provide sculptures in agreement with the City on cost and placement. 

Seven pieces have been previously accepted and placed. Four, Heart of the Valley by Richard Warrington, The Ascent by Gary Lee Price, Indomitable Spirit by Jerry McKellar, and Huckleberry Daze also by Jerry McKellar are in storage awaiting placement. The City, in 2021, awarded an Outside Agency Funding grant of $15,000 toward a potential future sculpture: Soulmates by Joey Marcella.

This staff presentation was solely to update Council on the status of its art inventory.

City Hall is open for business. Council meetings begin at 6:00pm. Public participation on action items or public comment periods can be in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org for access instructions.

June 29, 2021

 

    Occasionally when five Tuesdays occur in a month, Council will take the last Tuesday off. However, with National Night Out and the Primary Election coming on August 3rd, and significant business yet to be conducted, this was a working Tuesday.

The meeting opened with a Motion Consideration to award Inland Asphalt Paving the low bidder on the Local Access Streets, South Park Road Project in the amount of $1,545,545. The bid was 12.6% above the Engineer’s Estimate of $1,293,645. Although that estimate considered rising prices, the scarcity of labor and escalating cost of asphalt raised the total beyond expectations.

The project provides street repairs and preservation to local access streets west of South Park Road between Appleway Avenue and 6th Avenue. Those improvements include installation of ADA curb ramps, pavement repairs and storm water improvements. The motion was unanimously approved.

Funding for the project will come entirely from City accounts earmarked for local access city streets. Project expenses are broken down as:

Project Costs
Preliminary Engineering    $45,405
Construction    $1,672,435
Total Estimated Costs     $1,717,840

Project Budget
City Funds    $1,722,035
Total Budget    $1,722,035

The Mirabeau sub area and the North Pines Road/SR-27 Corridor have experienced a significant amount of new development leading to an escalating degradation in levels of service in traffic movement on Pines and adjacent arterials. Requirements for proportional fees to offset the impacts of development on the arterial are focused primarily on larger development projects and impacts but the City does not currently have the tools to address the impacts that smaller projects place on the system.
Transportation impact fees are allowed under state law to address the impacts from new development and are usually collected when a building permit application is submitted. Standardization to such fees provide a certainty to enable a developer to plan for mitigation costs. The following schedule is proposed to meet the smaller development need.

Land Use Description    Mirabeau Subarea    N. Pines Rd. Subarea
Single Family Home/Duplex    $709 per dwelling    $2,788 per dwelling
Multi-Family    $401 per dwelling    $1,577 per dwelling
Hotel (3 or more levels)    $709 per dwelling    $2,788 per dwelling
Elementary School    $0.98 per sq. ft.    $3.86 per sq. ft.
Medical Clinic    $2.35 per sq. ft.    $9.24 per sq. ft.
General Office    $0.82 per sq. ft.    $3.24 per sq. ft.
Shopping Center    $1.80 per sq. ft.    $7.08 per sq. ft.


The schedule was developed from a rate study made by Fehr & Peers, a consulting firm hired by the City, to calculate a ‘per trip’ impact fee generated from peak-hour traffic. A public hearing will be held on July 13th. Council reached consensus to place the rate study on a future agenda for a first reading. Detailed information on the study and fee formulation is available by contacting City Hall at 509-720-5000.

In a discussion on the City’s capital improvement process, Engineering Manager, Gloria Mantz and City Engineer, Bill Helbig outlined the steps involved in the different phases of a capital project. Each type of project can require a different set of standards to be met depending on the funding source, contract specifications, and grantor requirements for compliance. For example, the Barker Road Widening Project process went like this:

• Council approves the project
• NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) Approval (8 weeks)
• Final right of way (ROW) plans
• Obligate ROW funds (3-5 weeks)
• Negotiate & Acquire ROW (3 months)
• ROW Certification (2 weeks)
• Obligate funds (3-5 weeks)
• Request UDBE Goal (Underutilized Disadvantaged Business Enterprises) (1-2 weeks)
• Advertise Projects (3weeks)-Open Bids
• Bid CN Award (CN=Construction)
• Execute Construction Contract
• Begin Construction (80 working days)
• Construction completed
In 2021, there are 13 projects in construction requiring staff attention to details ranging from payroll documentation of hours spent to records of materials used to training required of participating staff.

Nuisances ranging from misdemeanor to chronic criminal infractions are an ongoing problem in Spokane Valley. Current code does not provide the range of remedies necessary to effectively address the problems. With this backdrop in mind, appropriate tools need to be adopted to allow the City to enforce the policy choices Council makes as to what constitutes a nuisance, and create a policy to amend City Code to identify conduct or private property use that constitutes a prohibited nuisance.

Changes under consideration relate to ‘camping’ in an unapproved structure on private property, living in RV/camper on private property beyond 30 days, defining ‘junk’, number of campers/RVs on a residential lot, accumulated non-junk vehicles on a residential property, and an approach to place severely distressed, chronic nuisance, or abandoned properties into receivership. Consensus was reached on expanding the list for discussion at future meetings.

A discussion on Orchard Park, owned by Felts Field Airport, was requested by the mayor. The County lease on the park expires in August 2022, and the Airport will remove the park from use.

City Hall is open for business. Entry must be made through the front of the building. Meetings in Council Chambers currently occur with only Council and Staff in attendance. Public participation will continue via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org for access instructions.

June 22, 2021

 

    This formal format Council meeting opened with a proclamation recognizing ‘Pride Month.’ There were no public comments in the first of two Public Comment sections on formal meeting agendas.
   
In 2014 the City adopted a Solid Waste Management Plan (SWMP) which laid out the procedures and rules for collection of recyclable materials. The recycled material until recently was sold to China. However, because of increasing contamination of the materials sent, China changed its rules for acceptance and currently takes only a limited quantity of recyclables.
    
In response, the state legislature has mandated a program entitled CROP (Contamination Reduction and Outreach Plan) to specify what qualifies as recyclable and how to reduce contamination. The requirements listed under state law are:

1.  A list of actions for reducing contamination
2.  A list of key contaminants
3.  A discussion of problem contaminants and the contaminants’ impact on the collection system
4.  An analysis of the costs and other impacts associated with contaminants to the recycling system
5.  An implementation of scheduled details on how outreach is to be conducted

     The City’s CROP was recently approved by the Department of Ecology but must be formally adopted by Council in the form of an amendment to its SWMP before July 1. Resolution 21-003, approved unanimously, accomplishes that.
     
On June 1, 2021, Council adopted the Housing Action Plan (Resolution 20-001) providing strategies and implementation actions to encourage construction of additional affordable housing to minimize and reduce displacement of low-income residents. On March 16, the City hired a Housing and Homeless Coordinator (HHC) to assist in connecting homeless individuals and families to housing and services.

The HHC and Economic Development staff have developed goals, policies, and strategies to lay out the City’s policy position on homelessness. These procedures are being brought forward for implementation through the City’s annual Comprehensive Plan Amendment process. The Planning Commission will address the issue at its June 24th meeting to begin the process of bringing its findings and recommendations to Council in October.

In addition to the matter of homelessness, the Comprehensive Plan docket so far includes three map amendments, two initiated by the City and one privately.

The final agenda item was a briefing by Chief Ellis, Sergeant Myhre, and officer Booth of the Spokane Regional Safe Streets Task Force, (SRSSTF) updating Council on current gang activities in the region, especially in Spokane Valley, and the mission, function, and composition of SRSSTF.

• Mission: Identify, dismantle/disrupt criminal gangs, mid-to upper-level drug dealers and human traffickers in Spokane County.
• Criminal street gang means any ongoing organization, association, or group of three or more persons, whether formal or informal, having a common name or common identifying sign or symbol, having as one of its primary activities the commission of criminal acts, and whose members or associates engage in criminal street gang activity.
• Criminal street gang associate or member means any person who actively participates in any criminal street gang, and who intentionally promotes, furthers, or assists in any criminal act by the criminal street gang.

Current trends in gang related incidents:
• Juveniles have been linked to 132 acts of violence within the greater Spokane Region.
• Known gang related shootings (25-30) shootings in the greater Spokane region within the last 12 months.
• Social Media use (threats, guns, drug sales, graffiti). Increased use of violence.
• No structural organization. Juvenile gangs typically do not operate like traditional gangs.
• Arrival of new motorcycle gangs to compete with known outlaw motorcycle gangs.
• Lack of cooperation from witnesses and victims during criminal investigations.

As of June15 staff is physically present at City Hall. Because of directives from Olympia, it is still necessary to make an appointment to conduct business inside City Hall. Council meetings in Council Chambers will commence with the next meeting on June 29 with only Council and Staff in attendance. Public participation will continue via ZOOM.

June 15, 2021

 

Spokane Valley City Council met for its annual Budget Workshop at 8:30 am on Tuesday. The meeting last year was delayed awaiting the full impact of the Coronavirus’s effect on revenues. Because of so many business closures affecting sales taxes, the major sources of income for the City, projecting 2021 revenues was a highly uncertain exercise. Thus, there was a 90-day delay in meeting to address the 2021 Budget. However, this year the City is back on track, not only timewise but in funding.

The City budget has two main parts: 1) Recurring revenues and expenditures which are the normal sales and property tax collections paired against the regular expenses of conducting City business, i.e., Public Safety, and 2) Non-recurring expenses such as capital projects like the acquisition of police vehicles. 

There are of course changes in the City’s recurring income and expenses from 2021 to 2022. Below is a brief comparison ($mm).

Revenue 2021Actual 2022 Proposed 
Property Tax (1)    $12.724 $13.025   
Sales Tax (2) $25.200 $27.720              
Other (3)                        $10.765 $11.077               
Total $48.689 $51.822 +6.43% 

Expenditures (4)
Total $45.447      $47.246
Surplus/(deficit)  $ 3.242            $ 4.576 +3.96%
 

(1) The Revenue is presented for the amended 2021 budget.
(2) Sales tax is the aggregate of retail sales tax, public safety sales tax, and criminal justice sales tax.
(3) Other is the aggregated total of all other City income sources.
(4) Expenditures are presented as an aggregate. The City’s major expense is for Public Safety which will cost $28.384 million in 2021 (63% of expenditures) and is budgeted at $29.639 million for 2022, an increase of $1.256 million or 4.42%.

Non-recurring revenues and expenses were affected by COVID-19. The amended 2021 budget realized revenue of $49,000 vs. expenditures of $14.596 million generating a decrease in the 2021 ending fund balance of $14.546 million to $31.212 million which when augmented by a $1.757 transfer of excess revenue brings that balance to $32.969 million. The City’s policy is to maintain an ending fund balance of at least 50% of recurring expenses to avoid having to borrow money to fund cash flow needs. This balance represents 68.68% of expected recurring expenses.

The proposed 2022 budget anticipates no grant funding assistance from any source, but it does plan for capital expenditures of $2.820 million generating a deficit of that same amount. That deficit will be covered from reserves accumulated to address difficult economic circumstances as they occur.

The table above highlights the consistency by City management of its revenues and the continuing trend of business recovery. That trend is reflected in the proposed 2022 budget. Moody’s bond rating service has awarded the City an Aa2 rating, the highest rating a city of our size can achieve.

The City’s strong fiscal condition has placed it in a solid position to recover from COVID. With the City now passing the 100,000-population figure, it is significant to note that the number of employees remains the same as 2020 (96.25), and recurring expenditures increase by less than 4% (3.96).

However, the expectation of more construction projects such as the Barker Corridor, Sullivan/Trent interchange, and the Pines Rail Crossing being approved for grant assistance, has prompted a request for four additional engineer positions.

The budget will be visited seven more times by Council, including three public hearings, before its final adoption on November 9th. 

The budget in its entirety can be seen at www.spokanevalley.org. 

City Hall currently remains closed except by appointment. Appointments for service can be made by calling 509-720-5000 or visiting www.spokanevalley.org.  

As of June 15th staff is physically present at City Hall. Because of directives from Olympia, it is still necessary to make an appointment to conduct business inside City Hall. Council meetings in Council Chambers will commence if/when direction from Olympia reaches dependability, tentatively after June 30th.

June 8, 2021

 

Each year, as required by state law, the city reviews its Six-Year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) with an eye to adding projects that address the transportation needs of the City. The list includes projects that are intended to be implemented in the next six years, progress on those already on the list, and eliminating those completed. When adopted, the TIP is submitted to the Washington State Department of Transportation by June 30th of each year.

This year’s list includes 9- ‘Closeout Projects for 2022’, 5 Bridge & Grade Separation Projects, 15 Intersection Improvement Projects, 27 Reconstruction/Preservation Projects, 4 Citywide Projects and 4 Sidewalk, Trail, and Stormwater Projects for a total of 64 projects scheduled to be addressed over the next six years.  
The Public Hearing preceding action on Resolution 21-002, which adopts the 2022-2027 Six-Year TIP, led off this council meeting without comment. The motion to approve Resolution 21-002 passed unanimously.     

For a complete listing of the projects please visit www.spokanevalley.org.
State law requires periodic review of the City’s Shoreline Master Program (SMP). The SMP is the official document covering development along the Spokane River and Shelly Lake. While the City’s SMP is largely in compliance with state law, amendments are needed to bring it into full compliance.  Those changes embodied in Proposed Ordinance 21-007 are largely administrative covering definitions, exemptions, and procedures to make the SMP consistent with recent changes in state law. The Planning Commission voted 7-0 on March 25th to recommend approval. Motion to move Proposed Ordinance 21-007 to a Second Reading passed unanimously.

Bids have been solicited for the Mullan Road Preservation Project, which covers grind and overlay between Broadway and Mission Avenues, also includes curb ramps, pavement repairs, laying intelligent transportation system (ITS) conduit and signal upgrades at the Mission intersection. The project is part of the City’s Six-Year TIP. Costs and budget are:
    

                 Project Costs               
Preliminary Engineering    $ 75,500        
Construction    $2,006,000        
City Funding    $2,081,000

                 Project Budget
Total Estimated Costs    $2,081,000        
Total Budget    $2,081,000

Motion to award the Mullan Road Preservation Project contract to Inland Asphalt Paving in the amount of $1,529,790 passed unanimously.
The city is represented on various boards and committees in the county and region by appointees. The mayor makes those appointments with approval of Council. With the City growing to over 100,000 in population, it qualifies for additional seats on HCDAC (Housing & Community Development Advisory Committee) and SRTC (Spokane Regional Transportation Council). Appointments to County advisory boards such as HCDAC are subject to County Commissioner approval.

Due to a misinterpretation of HCDAC bylaws, the appointments made earlier in the year were rejected by the County Commissioners. Thus, Mayor Wick appointed Amanda Tainio and Arielle Anderson to three-year terms, and Arne Woodard to a term ending on December 31, 2021. Motion to confirm those appointments passed unanimously.
The mayor appointed Jenny McClenathen to the Spokane Housing Authority (SHA) to a five-year position to fill the unexpired term of a sitting committee member who resigned. Motion to approve the appointment passed unanimously. Those appointments are subject to approval by the County Commissioners.

The mayor’s appointment of Councilmember Linda Thompson to the SRTC met with questions regarding whether it met City and sometimes County policy to not appoint councilmembers up for re-election to multiple-year positions. After debate, the motion to approve her appointment passed 5-2.

Dick Hanlin, Executive Director of Boys & Girls Clubs of Spokane County, presented a discussion of his organization, mission, and plans for expansion into Spokane Valley at the Keystone school site. Their plans for the next 18 months include expanding their board and staff, build community support for funding and future growth, and raise $5 million to upgrade and renovate the former Keystone school.

Confronted with a growing homeless problem in Spokane Valley, Council invited Phil Altmeyer of the Union Gospel Mission (UGM) to discuss his experience with serving and dealing with the homeless. He delved into the differences between low barrier/no barrier shelters and what UGM provides. UGM’s focus is assisting homeless people achieve rising from a homeless condition through responsibility, avoiding the conditions that made them homeless, and finding work to sustain them in their new direction. Providing the type of assistance that enables the continuation of the homeless situation is not a solution to the problem. He emphasized that success in his program relies on dignity through responsibility.

In 2014 the City adopted a Solid Waste Management Plan (SWMP) which laid out the procedures and rules for collection of recyclable materials. The recycled material until recently was sold to China. However, because of increasing contamination of the materials sent, China changed its rules for acceptance and currently takes only a limited quantity of recyclables. In response, the state legislature has mandated a program entitled CROP (Contamination Reduction and Outreach Plan) to specify what qualifies as recyclable and how to reduce contamination. The City’s CROP was recently approved by the Department of Ecology but must be formally adopted by Council in the form of an amendment to its SWMP before July 1.

Next week’s Council meeting, June 15th, will be a budget meeting. It begins at 8:30AM and ends at 2:30PM. There will be no evening meeting. The meeting is open to the public and can be accessed via ZOOM. Call the City Clerk at 509.720.5102 for instructions.

City Hall currently remains closed except by appointment. Appointments for service can be made by calling 509-720-5000 or visiting www.spokanevalley.org.  Staff is scheduled to return to being physically present at City Hall by June 15th. If/when direction from Olympia reaches dependability, Council meetings in Council Chambers will begin thereafter.

June 1, 2021

 

The Spokane Valley City Council’s first meeting in June started with a motion to adopt Resolution 21-001, implementing the City’s Housing Action Plan. In 2019 the State Legislature passed legislation requiring cities to create and adopt a Housing Action Plan (HAP) to define strategies and implementation that promote greater housing diversity and affordability for residents of all income levels.
The HAP includes four main components: 1) A Housing Needs Assessment, 2) A review of policies and regulations affecting housing development, 3) Strategies to increase housing based on needs, and 4) an Implementation Plan. In moving to create a HAP, the City hired consultants to design and develop its plan. The City’s Planning Commission on April 22nd, after conducting a public hearing, issued its findings and voted 7-0 to forward the HAP to City Council recommending approval. The motion to approve Resolution 21-001 passed unanimously.

A second motion consideration to award the bid for the Appleway Stormwater improvements Project to LaRiviere, Inc. at $1,667,086 passed unanimously. The Engineer’s estimate was $227,344 lower than the low bid. However, the increasing costs of building materials such as lumber, plastic, concrete, and asphalt not to mention the shortage of labor have contributed to the steeply rising construction costs.
The project will improve water quality to the aquifer by retrofitting existing drywells with bio-infiltration swales along Appleway Blvd from Farr Road to University Road. The project is partially funded by a Department of Ecology grant of $654,732. Most of the new swale areas will be sodded, irrigated, and adjacent to the curb providing not only improved landscaping but will provide space along the road for snow storage during plowing season. Project costs and the budget are:

Project Costs
Preliminary Engineering    $112,244
Right of Way     $65,000
Construction    $1,825,012
Total Estimated Costs     $2,002,256

Project Budget
Ecology Grant    $654,732
City Funds    $1,347,524
Total Budget    $2,002,256

The City’s lobbyists presented as recap of this year’s legislative session vis a vis the priorities it hoped to achieve. The top three were only mildly successful.

1. Pines Rail Crossing: $19.3 million funding request is awaiting an agreement on a transportation revenue package in either a special session or next year’s legislative session.

2. Fairgrounds Exhibition Center: The $4 million capital budget request garnered $750,000.

3. Washington Wildlife Recreation Program Flora Road Park acquisition: The City’s $1 million grant request to offset the cost of purchase was granted.

The City’s efforts in this area are ongoing year-round. The efforts of Senator Padden, Representative McCaslin and Representative Chase on its behalf are deeply appreciated.

The City adopted a code relating to nuisance properties in 2003 to address accumulations of trash, junk vehicles, broken machinery or equipment, zoning/building code violations, traffic obstructions, and animal keeping. In 2017, it hired a full-time Code Enforcement Officer and a part-time attorney to address 330 cases that year. A second officer was hired in 2020 when the case load increased to 647. The attorney was increased to full-time. New compliance cases in the first quarter of 2021 were addressed in the first quarter 2021.
The increasing case load together with current limitations on authority to address common complaints such as living on-street in recreational vehicles and abandoned shopping carts is giving rise to consideration of stronger measures for enforcement.
State law requires periodic review of the City’s Shoreline Master Program (SMP). The SMP covers development along the Spokane River and Shelly Lake and is largely in compliance with state law. Suggested amendments are administrative, covering definitions, exemptions, and procedures to make the SMP consistent with changed state law. The Planning Commission voted 7-0 on March 25th to recommend approval. Action must be completed by June 30th.

The City has a Local Bridge Program to ensure the safety of its bridges through inspection, rehabilitation, and replacement of National Bridge Inventory (NBI) bridges. There are 16 bridges, 13 City and 3 Railroad-owned withing City limits. Routine City inspections are conducted every two years with underwater inspections every five years. Railroad inspections are done every five years. Inspections include evaluating stability, maintenance needs, deck repair, crack sealing, and eliminating graffiti. Bridges generally don’t score well for grant requests, so the City’s budget for bridge maintenance comes largely from budgeted funds.

COVID has greatly impacted the City’s aquatic program at its parks. State government prohibitions and restrictions on gatherings together with the extreme difficulty in hiring qualified personnel has placed the aquatic program on a rotating schedule with two-week rotations between pools for swim lessons, water exercise, and open swim lessons. Visit the City’s website www.spokanevalley.org for updates to that schedule.

City Hall currently remains closed except by appointment. Appointments for service can be made by calling 509-720-5000 or visiting www.spokanevalley.org. Staff is scheduled to return to being physically present at City Hall by June 15th. If/when direction from Olympia reaches dependability, Council meetings in Council Chambers will begin thereafter.

May 25, 2021

 

Spokane Valley City Council opened its last meeting in May by taking action on the Second Reading of Ordinance No. 21-005. In March of this year, the City initiated an amendment to modify relevant chapters of the City’s Municipal Code updating it to accommodate several State and international codes that apply to buildings, residences, mechanical, fire, plumbing, and wildlife interface which have been amended. Those codes became effective throughout Washington State on February 1, 2021. The City’s Planning Commission took up the issue and on March 25, 2021 and voted 5-2 to recommend Council approve what is now Ordinance 21-005.

Cities and Counties are required to enforce the adopted State Building Codes pursuant to state law. Building permits issued by the City’s Permit Center on or after February 1, 2021 are being reviewed for compliance with the 2018 Energy Code. Motion to approve Ordinance 21-005 was unanimously approved.
A project to reconstruct the intersection of Argonne Road and Montgomery Avenue with concrete pavement including ADA curb ramps, signal improvements, and stormwater upgrades was presented for Council action. The project was included in the 2021-2016 Transportation Improvement Program adopted by Council on May 26, 2020. The project will be funded with Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) and Washington State Department of Ecology (DOE) grants together with City funds.

Project Costs
Preliminary Engineering    $267,000
Construction     $2,859,987
Total Estimated Costs     $3,126,987

Project Budget
City Funds    $967,244
TIB Grant    $1,858,810
DOE Grant    $300,933
Total Budget    $3,126,987


The project was advertised for bid on April 30, 2021, with the City receiving two bids. The Engineer’s estimate for the intersection replacement was $2,588,587.90. The lowest bid was from Corridor Contractors at $2,388,970.90. The motion to award the construction contract to Corridor Contractors was approved unanimously.

The US Department of Transportation (USDOT) issued a call for projects in April 2021 under the RAISE (Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity) grant program. That program was formerly the BUILD program with a succession of other acronyms preceding it. The completion of funding for the Barker Road/BNSF rail crossing was accomplished under such a grant, the TIGER grant.

The City has two projects that qualify under the RAISE grant criteria: The Pines Road/BNSF Rail Crossing and the Bigelow-Sullivan Corridor Project. Both projects have been submitted for grants through other programs, so staff recommended that the Pines/BNSF Project be submitted for this new RAISE round of applications in the amount of $16,239,622 or 67% of the total anticipated funding needs.

The City having already committed $4,695,417 of its own funds and other land acquisitions increasing that number, scores extra points on the eligibility scale. A motion to authorize the City Manager to apply for the RAISE fiscal Year 21 grant for the Pines/BNSF Rail Crossing Project passed unanimously.
The City is required by state law to update its comprehensive plan and development regulations every eight years which it did in 2016 with an additional Code Text Amendment in September 2020 addressing annexation. During the updating process, it was identified that the stated goals for development weren’t being met. The City hired a consultant to ascertain 1) The Problem, and 2) Possible Solutions.

The first problem was limited new industrial development because of restrictive and conflicting industrial zoning. That problem was addressed by consolidating light and heavy zones into a single zone allowing a broader array of industrial uses. That consolidation has proved to be a critical element in the progress the City has made in developing its Northeast Industrial Area (NIA).

The next barrier was the ability to deliver streets, water, and sewer to the NIA. Working with Spokane County and Consolidated Irrigation District, the City was able to extend those services to the NIA. In addition, the City adopted a Planned Action Ordinance (PAO) for the NIA. The PAO provides predictability, streamlining, and time savings in permitting and compliance for new projects. The result is there are very few vacant parcels remaining in the NIA. However, this highlights the necessity for adding more land for industrial development. To accomplish the addition of more industrial land, a modification to the state’s UGA (Urban Growth Area) regulations will be necessary.

A late amendment to the agenda brought a discussion on re-opening City Hall and Council Chambers to open meetings with Council present and citizens able to comment in person or via ZOOM although however the citizen chooses to participate. The rules emanating from Olympia are confusing, so Council agreed to defer open public meetings until June 30. The scheduled June 15 Budget Workshop will be in Council chambers with the public able to participate via ZOOM. City Hall will be closed on Memorial Day, May 31. There will be a Council meeting on June 1.

Staff is scheduled to be physically present at City Hall by the 15th of June. But City Hall will be closed except by appointment. Appointments for service can be made by calling 509-720-5000 or visiting www.spokanevalley.org.

May 17, 2021

 


This Study Session of Spokane Valley City Council started with a public hearing on the proposed 2021 Budget Amendment (Ordinance 21-006). The hearing was followed by the First Reading of Ordinance 21-006, amending the City’s 2021 budget.

Since the adoption of the City’s 2021 Budget last December, several events have necessitated a 2021 Budget Amendment. An increase in sales tax revenues increases recurring revenues by nearly $3.1 million. Additional expenses increase total recurring expenditures by $12,769,313. This amendment will affect 5 funds resulting in a total revenue increase of $15,002,274 and an expenditure increase of $15,216,330. The amendment includes the addition of the new position of GIS Analyst.

Motion to move Ordinance 21-006 to a Second Reading passed unanimously.

Central Valley School District owns 17.7 acres at the corner of 44th Avenue and Bates Road which it finds surplus to its needs and intends to sell. The City is interested in purchasing the property for parkland. The property is appraised at $1,575,000. Fire District #8 which serves the southern portion of the City is interested in purchasing 3-4 acres of that property to replace its aging station near there. The City would sell that amount to Fire District #8 upon completion of its purchase. The motion to authorize the City Manager to complete the purchase passed unanimously.

The City, in affiliation with other regional entities, participates in the operation of Centennial Trail. Recently, the County offered to sell a parcel at North Flora Road and East Montgomery Avenue to the City that would also comprise an integral part of City plans for a Loop Trail and that would connect with Centennial Trail. The parcel’s area is 19,690 square feet, with an appraised price of $286,000. Move to authorize completion of purchasing the property passed unanimously.

Evergreen Road between Sprague and Broadway Avenues is due, under the City’s Six Year Transportation Improvement Plan, to undergo a grind and overlay resurfacing together with installation of ADA curb ramps, pavement repairs, laying of ITS conduit and signal upgrades at the Broadway intersection. Estimated project costs are $1,900,000 funded entirely from City finances. Bids were opened on May 14th but were not available for entry into Council information packets at publication. Since construction time is limited, the motion was to award the contract to Selland Construction, the lowest bidder at $1,607,864 at this meeting. Motion passed unanimously. Each year, as required by state law, the City reviews its Six-Year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) with an eye to adding projects that address the transportation needs of the City. The list includes projects that are intended to be implemented in the next six years, progress on those already on the list, and eliminating those completed. When adopted, the TIP is submitted to the Washington State Department of Transportation by June 30th of each year.

This year’s list includes 9-‘2022 Closeout Projects’, 5 Bridge & Grade Separation Projects, 15 Intersection Improvement Projects, 27 Reconstruction/Preservation Projects, 4 Citywide Projects and 4 Sidewalk, Trail, and Stormwater Projects for a total of 64 projects scheduled to be addressed over the next six years. For a complete listing of the projects please visit www.spokanevalley.org and look for the May 17 Council Agenda. A Public Hearing on this TIP is scheduled for June 8th followed by a Council resolution to adopt the TIP.
In 2019 the State Legislature passed legislation requiring cities to create and adopt a Housing Action Plan (HAP) to define strategies and implementation that promote greater housing diversity and affordability for residents of all income levels. The HAP includes four main components: 1) A Housing Needs Assessment, 2) A review of policies and regulations affecting housing development, 3) Strategies to increase housing based on needs, and 4) an Implementation Plan. In choosing to create a HAP, the City hired consultants to design and develop the plan. The City’s Planning Commission on April 22nd, after conducting a public hearing, issued its findings. Council, on June 1st, will entertain a motion consideration to adopt the HAP.

On March 22, 2021, the City moved into Phase III on the Governor’s Roadmap to Recovery. At CenterPlace, Phase III allows up to 50% of fire capacity of a meeting room, a maximum 200 attendees at a Greatroom event, 10 people to a table, with food buffets and service permitted. Outdoor events can be much more relaxed. While CenterPlace still remains closed to the general public, a range of activities within the Governor’s guidelines are taking place with reservations and special event applications. More information will become available as mandates are lifted or call 509.750.5200 for details.

City Hall currently remains closed except by appointment. Appointments for service can be made by calling 509-720-5000 or visiting www.spokanevalley.org. However, staff will be returning to be physically present at City Hall by June 15th. If/when direction from Olympia reaches dependability, Council meetings in Council Chambers will begin thereafter.

 

May 11, 2021

 

 

This formal meeting of Spokane Valley City Council opened with two proclamations: 1) Recognizing May as Older Americans’ Month, and 2) Recognizing May as AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islander) Month including the June 12th Heritage Day celebration at CenterPlace’s West Lawn Plaza.

The City initiated an amendment to modify relevant chapters of the City’s Municipal Code updating it to accommodate several State and international codes which have undergone amendments. Those codes became effective throughout Washington State on February 1, 2021. The City’s Planning Commission took up the issue and on March 25, 2021, voted 5-2 to recommend Council approve what is now Ordinance 21-005.

Cities and Counties are required to enforce the adopted State Building Codes pursuant to state law. Building permits issued by the City’s Permit Center on or after February 1st, 2021 are being reviewed for compliance with the 2018 Energy Code. Motion to move Ordinance 21-005 to a Second Reading was unanimously approved.

SRTC (Spokane Regional Transportation Planning Council) is the region’s conduit for state and federal funding. Changes to state law in 2019 require that tribes have voting rights on the Council, which until then they did not. After analysis of the interlocal agreement among the various SRTC participants, they concluded it was necessary to rewrite the agreement to 1) include the tribes to comply with the newly enacted state law, and 2) add one additional voting representative for Spokane Valley since it recently crossed the 100,000-population requirement for a second Council member. Motion to approve the proposed SRTC interlocal agreement passed unanimously.
The prospective new owners of Splashdown have requested suspension of lease payments for 2021 like the one agreed to in 2020 because of the uncertainty of their ability to open this season and the considerable costs of refurbishing to re-open if they were subjected to a “false start.” The City considers having Splash-Down in place and under contract as an advantage for summertime activity. The proposed amended agreement will postpone payments for this year and extend the term of the contract through 2025. Motion to approve the amended lease passed unanimously.


In 2012, the City entered an interlocal agreement with the County to provide Emergency Management Services. Those services include administration and coordination of emergency programs to preserve life in the event of a catastrophic event. The County has presented a new interlocal agreement updating the terms of service, participation, program administration, and optional services. The revised agreement includes a three-year term with one three-year renewal. A motion to authorize the City Manager to finalize and execute the Interlocal Agreement for Emergency Management Services was approved unanimously.

Spokane Valley Police have in the past up to 2008 assigned personnel to field a bicycle patrol. Manpower issues have limited that capability, with periodic patrols now conducted by SCOPE volunteers. Bicycle patrols provide the ability for increased visibility in hard to patrol areas such as Appleway Trail, Centennial Trail, Balfour Park, and Sullivan Park. Bicycle patrol capability also increased police interaction and engagement for special events such as Valleyfest and large group gatherings.

Each year as the City begins to prepare its budget for the ensuing year, Council has an initial opportunity to discuss the Potential and Pending Projects worksheet to prioritize how money in its Capital Reserve account should be allocated.

New sources of funds in 2021 include:

    Transfer from the City General Fund    $11,126,343
    Interest Earnings    $16,700
    State Funds for Flora River Trail Property    $977,764
    Total added    $12,120,807
    Less: Funds allocated previously     $1,851,716
    Total Remaining for allocation    $10,269,091

Potential Projects for discussion include park land acquisition, improvements to Balfour Park, Barker Corridor improvements, Sullivan and Trent interchange, City Hall repairs, Fairgrounds building project, and design for the proposed River Trail. Obviously missing is the Pines Road Rail Crossing project as the City pursues outside grant funding for the remainder needed for completion.

City Hall currently remains closed except by appointment. Appointments for service can be made by calling 509-720-5000 or visiting www.spokanevalley.org.  However, staff will be returning to be physically present at City Hall by the 15th of June. If/when direction from Olympia reaches dependability, Council meetings in Council Chambers will commence as quickly thereafter as possible.

May 4, 2021

 

 

This Council Study Session led off with a Motion Consideration to authorize a City application for a Washington Traffic Safety Commission (WTSC) grant. The Commission has $564,000 available for projects that benefit school zone safety. A staff evaluation has identified three projects, all School Zone Flashing Beacons, at 1) Horizon Middle School, 3915 S. Pines Road; 2) Continuous Curriculum School, 16924 E. Wellesley Avenue; and 3) City School, 8920 E. Valleyway Avenue. The total project cost is $60,000 with the grant request at $51,000 and a City match of $9,000. The motion was unanimously approved.
 In a proposed amendment to the City’s 2017 Interlocal Agreement for Law Enforcement Services, the Tactical Unit (TAC) was re-established after being inactive. The purpose of TAC is to provide specialized law enforcement response to civil disturbances and crowd control incidents. Additional changes addressed services provided by the Sheriff, Dedicated City Officers, and Combined number of Officers in Shared Units. The changes were made after an ongoing review and consolidation in the Spokane Regional Emergency Communications agreement. Motion to approve the Addendum to the City’s Interlocal Agreement for Law Enforcement Services passed unanimously.

 The original construction agreement for the Barker Road/BNSF rail crossing approved by Council on March 31, 2020 called for the relocation of Avista equipment in order to construct the crossing. Avista completed the work, but in the process, incurred expenses above the initial estimate due to the need for larger transmission structures than originally included in the estimated costs. The result increased the estimate by $161,914.59, bringing the total cost of the move to $910,907.22. The City is responsible for paying the additional cost. Motion to authorize the City Manager to pay the bill passed unanimously.
 The Appleway Stormwater Improvement Project, slated for completion later this year, calls for the extension of Appleway Trail west from University Road to Farr Road. The Trail’s Master Plan also looks to possibly extend the Trail westward to the Dishman Hills Natural Area. To do this, two parcels owned by the County are critical for providing stormwater management facilities and trail segments. The County intends to sell the properties for $42,000. A motion to approve purchase of the two parcels was unanimously approved. The City, in concert with other regional entities, participates in the operation of Centennial Trail. Recently, the County offered to sell the City a parcel of 19,690 square feet, at North Flora Road and East Montgomery Avenue, that would comprise an integral part of City plans for its planned Loop Trail and connection with Centennial Trail. The appraised price is $286,000. No action was taken.

 Since 2015, the City has maintained a contract with the County for operation of its Geographic Information System (GIS). The operator is a County employee housed at City Hall. As the City grows, it has become apparent that this service and the person conducting it should be under the direct control of the City. In further analysis, there would be a cost saving of nearly $27,000 to hire a person for the job plus the ability of that employee to be an integral part of the City’s Business Development Team. Consensus was reached to move forward with the transition from County to in-house. In 2012, the City entered an interlocal agreement with the County to provide Emergency Management Services. Those services include administration and coordination of emergency programs to preserve life in the event of a catastrophic event. The County has presented a new interlocal agreement which includes a three-year term with one three-year renewal. Consensus was reached to proceed to a Motion Consideration and further discussion at Council’s May 11th meeting.

 Since the adoption of the City’s 2021 Budget last December, several events have necessitated a 2021 Budget Amendment. The amendment will affect 6 funds resulting in total revenue increases of $15,002,274 and expenditure increases of $13,316,330. The amendment also includes adding the new position of GIS Analyst. Approval requires a public hearing on May 18th with final approval on May 25th.

 SRTC (Spokane Regional Transportation Planning Council) is the region’s conduit for state and federal funding. Changes to state law in 2019 require that tribes have voting rights, which until then they did not. After analysis of the interlocal agreement binding SRTC participants, it was decided to rewrite the agreement to 1) include the tribes, and 2) add one additional representative for Spokane Valley since it has now crossed the 100,000- population requirement for a second council member. Consensus was reached to place these changes on a future agenda.

 Central Valley School District is the owner of 17.7 acres at the corner of 44th Avenue and Bates Road which it intends to sell. The City is interested in purchasing the property, appraised at $1,575,000, for parkland. Fire District #8 is also interested in purchasing 3-4 acres of this property to replace its aging station near there. Consensus was reached to place a motion consideration on a future agenda.

 The prospective new owners of Splashdown have requested suspension of lease payments for 2021 like the ones agreed to in 2020 because of the uncertainty of their ability to open this season and the considerable costs of refurbishing to re-open if they were subjected to a “false start.” Consensus was reached to place the issue on a future agenda for motion consideration. The City’s Parks Department would like to proceed with a modified aquatics program at City pools this summer. The suggested program would comply with the Governor’s mandates for safety while offering much-needed avenues for activities for children. Council reached consensus to proceed to a June 1st date for program review prior to approval.

 City Hall remains closed except by appointment. Appointments for service can be made by calling 509-720-5000 or visiting www.spokanevalley.org.

April 27, 2021

Opening with the single legislative item on its agenda, Council considered an application suggested by staff to pursue an opportunity to secure a grant made available through Spokane Transit Authority. The funds are intended for capital and operating expenses that benefit seniors and individuals with disabilities.

The project proposed for application is a pedestrian crossing at Sprague Avenue and Dartmouth Road to access Balfour Park and a proposed library. The project calls for a pedestrian beacon and improvements at that intersection. Total cost of the project is estimated to be $475,000. The grant application would be for $225,000. The City’s matching share would be $250,000. Council unanimously approved the grant application.

The Spokane Regional Law and Justice Council (SRLJC) was formed under state law to act as a conduit of information for interaction between the local jail and the state prison system. The objective was to facilitate a smooth transition between the two entities. The council membership was to have a minimum of 13 members, mandated by statute, but more members could be added. The Council currently has 25.

The size of SRLJC appears to be a factor in its not meeting the intended goal in its formation. Thus, a recommendation by Spokane County Prosecutor, Larry Haskell, for the reformation of SRLJC to reorient it and reduce its size has been a point of spirited discussion. Haskell’s recommendation was prompted by a study made by Spokane County’s Criminal Justice Council, composed of three system professionals that recommended the reorganization and size reduction.

Various entities feel they will have a reduced voice in the commission’s functioning while others are working to reduce the size to make the council more functional and efficient in its mission and aligning it more closely with the state’s enabling statute. Currently, the City’s Police Chief represents the City while the City Attorney represents small cities on the SRLJC. This evening’s briefing was in preparation for the possibility that Council may have to take action on a future proposal.
CTA-2020-0004 is a City-initiated Code test amendment (CTA) to modify relevant chapters of the City’s Municipal Code to update it to accommodate several State and international codes which have undergone amendments. Those codes became effective throughout Washington State on February 1, 2021. The City’s Planning Commission took up the issue and on March 25, 2021, voted 5-2 to recommend Council approve CTA-2020-0004. Council reached consensus to move CTA-2020-0004 to a First Reading.

The 2018 Edition of the Washington State Energy Code became effective on February 1, 2021. Cities and Counties are required to enforce the adopted State Building Codes pursuant to state law. Building permits issued by the City’s Permit Center on or after February 1st 2021 are being reviewed for compliance with the 2018 Energy Code.

The dates may seem confusing because they are updated in a more current fashion. However, the 2018 edition was delayed by a discussion on the energy section then further delayed by COVID. All participants, i.e., developers, etc. who are affected have been notified. The Spokane Home Builders Association estimates the new code provisions have increased the cost of a typical single-family home in the Spokane area by $20,000. Approximately $14,000 of that cost is related to equipment, labor, and overhead.

The City’s current contract with Spokane County for providing law enforcement services runs through December 31, 2022. In the time since its inception, law enforcement services have evolved which require contract modifications. Proposed changes include:

1. A new tactical unit to provide specialized response to civil disturbances and crowd control incidents.
2. After review, revisions to the services provided by the Sheriff, dedicated of ficers, and the combined number of officers in shared units.

Those proposed modifications will reflect services which have been consolidated into the Spokane Regional Emergency Communications umbrella. Council reached consensus to move the proposal to a Motion Consideration.

The City’s Sullivan Park, on the west side of Sullivan Road, north of the Spokane River is currently using an under-performing well for its water needs. When the Sullivan Bridge was constructed in 2016, the plan was for a water main to go under the bridge, but the line extended into another water district’s area, so the new water main wasn’t constructed. In 2020, the City requested financial help through our Fourth District Legislators who were able to secure $130,000 for the water line. The total project is estimated to cost $538,000 and is planned to be funded by the State grant, $130,000, and obligated City Funds, $152,858, leaving a $255,142 shortfall which will be provided by the City and recouped from future added users.  City Hall remains closed except by appointment. Appointments for service can be made by calling 509-720-5000 or visiting www.spokanevalley.org.

April 20, 2021

This Study Session of Spokane Valley City Council was held via ZOOM because even though the City is in Phase III which ostensibly permits meetings to be held in Council Chambers, City government chooses to not push that envelope.

The agenda for the meeting opened with a Motion Consideration to award a contract for frontage work on Balfour Park in conjunction with the anticipated Library to be constructed there in 2022. In 2012, the City acquired 8.4 acres of land intending for the Spokane County Library District (SCLD) to construct a new central library on a portion of that land. An interlocal agreement was finalized that year to sell 2.82 acres to SCLD on which to site the anticipated library.

SCLD’s proposal for its new library is a 30,000 square foot facility with an estimated cost of $14-15 million in total outlay. Construction is planned to begin in 2022. On February 2nd Council approved amendments to the interlocal agreement with the Library District to accommodate its changed plan for financing. According to that interlocal agreement, the City is responsible for constructing the frontage improvements adjacent to the Library. The list of improvements includes pavement widening and curbs, grinding and overlaying those streets with sidewalks to be installed when the Library is developed.

The total project cost is estimated to be $1,036,215. The City’s Engineer’s Estimate for the construction portion was $682,340.50. Five bids were received with the low bid of $617,770 submitted by Selland Construction, Inc. The total cost will be paid from City funds. Motion to award the bid was unanimously approved.

Second Harvest and Valley Partners jointly presented a synopsis of the ongoing need for food. As Cal Coblenz and Jason Clark highlighted, it took 10 years to recover food stocks and distribution from the 2008 recession. The need for food and life maintenance donations continues to rise. From January 1-December 31, 2019 these agencies had 141 Mobile Markets available to meet food distribution needs. From January 1-December 31, 2020 there were 453 Mobile Markets necessary to meet those needs.

In the 2020 calendar year, working through multiple partners, these agencies distributed more than 53.9 million pounds of food, a 58% increase over the 2019 total of 33.6 million pounds. That equates to more than 44 million meals compared to just over 28 million meals in 2019. And the need continues to increase. Special recognition was given to the Washington State National Guard who has had a deployment of between 40 to 150 troops to assist during its 11-month food security mission.

The contract the City of Spokane Valley maintains with Spokane County for Public Safety contains more services than just Law Enforcement, although that is far and away the largest financial segment of the contract. In addition to Law Enforcement, the Public Safety contract covers: Detention Services (Jail), District Court where the City’s cases are heard/tried, Public Defender which covers the City’s legal obligation to provide defense for those unable to afford their own legal services, Prosecutor for those cases involving higher crimes including felonies, Pretrial for those awaiting trial, Emergency Management for the City’s share of emergency services in which it participates, Animal Control to cover the City’s share of SCRAPS expenses for its participation in the County interlocal agreement covering animals, and Probation which covers the City’s costs for probation services of its convicted citizens. The 2021 Budgeted Costs for these services are:

    Animal Control    $350,000
    Detention Services    $1,500,000
    District Court    $925,000
    Emergency Services    $100,000
    Law Enforcement    $23,072,000
    Pre-Trial    $120,000
    Prosecutor    $450,000
    Public Defender    $750,000
    Total    Budgeted $27,267,000

The Public Safety Budget comprises 62% of the City’s 2021 General Fund Recurring Expenditure Budget, as it has since the City’s inception.
City Hall remains closed except by appointment. Appointments for service can be made by calling 509-720-5000 or visiting www.spokanevalley.org.

 

April 13, 2021

This formal Council meeting began with a proclamation encouraging Valley citizens to refrain from acts of violence and aggression and assuring everyone that the City is welcoming and inclusive.

The Second reading of Ordinance 21-004, Amending the City’s ‘Camping’ Regulations was the first item of business. Existing code regulations 1) Prohibit “camping” on public property, 2) Prohibit encampments, require a 48-hour notice to vacate, and 3) specify that the regulations cannot be enforced if shelter bed space is not available. However, that suspension does not apply to City Hall grounds, Balfour Park, and Mirabeau Meadow/Center Place grounds where “…camping is never allowed.”

The code amendments recognize that ‘those experiencing homelessness have rights to conduct life-sustaining activities, including sleeping on certain public property when there are no available shelter beds’.
The amended ordinance adds areas where “camping” is always prohibited:
1. Appleway Trail, Spokane Valley Precinct, and Spokane Valley street Maintenance Shop.
2. Structures, facilities, and fixtures at parks, including shelters, playground equipment, pools, reservable ballfields and courts, and bathrooms, and the area within 30 feet of such facilities.
3. Public rights-of-way and City-owned real property within 30 feet of the right-of-way, and City-owned stormwater drainage facilities.
Motion to approve the proposed amended ordinance passed unanimously.

Visit Spokane, the Spokane area’s travel destination promotional organization, presented its “Hospitality Business Recovery Campaign” results. Spokane Valley is an annual contributor to Visit Spokane, and this evening’s presentation by its President and CEO, Meg Winchester, and Chief Marketing Officer Jamie Rand, was an update on the past COVID year.

From June 2020 to April 2021, Visit Spokane has spent more money advertising Spokane county than any time in the organization’s history. The $2.5 million in CARES Act funding booked over $5 million in hotel room revenue for Spokane County hotels in the worst year for hotel occupancy in recent history.
With a 2-to-1 return on our advertising, Spokane County fared better than our competitive cities with an occupancy rate double that of Seattle and a higher revenue per participant than both Portland and Seattle in 2020.

The Sheriff’s Office has, since 2015, been using the former Mountain View Middle School in East Valley as its training center. Now the Sheriff has partnered with Fairchild Air Force Base to build a permanent training center including a small arms range to provide local training in a more central location. The estimated capital costs of $36 million will be covered through Air Force resources and Spokane County real estate tax dollars.

Operational costs will be split among the facility’s users, with Spokane Valley’s estimated share to be $185,000 per year. No capital costs will be passed on to the City. This cost will be incorporated into the City’s 2022 budget. Consensus was reached to move forward with the agreement.
In June of 2017, the City entered into a five-year agreement with Spokane County for the Sheriff’s Office to provide police services. That agreement is set to expire on December 31, 2022. However, the contract automatically renews with Council authorization.

The City is preparing to once again enter into negotiations for a new agreement. Council, in the meantime, will review and discuss the Sheriff’s performance through the first three years under the existing contract. An issue that is certain to come up is the consistent failure to meet operational contractual staffing levels resulting is greater overtime, staff burnout, and thin patrol coverage. At $23,072,000, Public Safety expense represents more than 60% of the City’s operating budget.

At its meetings on February 16th and March 16th, 2021 Council discussed various parking issues. The central theme was whether parking is the sole responsibility of the Traffic Engineer (TE) or whether Council has policy authority. Actually, neither has exclusive authority. The TE collects data for analyzing traffic counts, access density, density of surrounding housing, and types of land uses in the area, then determines whether a no-parking zone should be added or removed.

After the TE has made a determination, Council can either accept that decision or not in making a final decision on whether to impose or remove a no-parking zone. In this case, the TE’s decision will be weighed differently than if considering a change in speed limit where technical considerations for traffic safety, health, and welfare interests enter into the decision.

This discussion provided a good roadmap of where and how to reach a better understanding of how regulations and policy come together in arriving at parking restrictions. Council agreed that an inventory of no parking places is needed, and the issue should be revisited in two-three months.

City Hall remains closed except by appointment. Appointments for service can be made by calling 509-720-5000 or visiting www.spokanevalley.org.
 

April 6, 2021

 

After a welcomed recess, Council opened the month of April with a Proclamation recognizing National Public Health week followed by a First Reading of Ordinance 21-004. That Ordinance amends “camping”** regulations already existing in City Code.

**Camping is a euphemistic word applied where homeless individuals or groups occupy public and/or private property with intent to stay regardless of the legality. The word ‘camping’ in this instance is inappropriately used.

Those existing code regulations 1) Prohibit “camping” on public property, 2) Prohibit encampments, require a 48-hour notice to vacate, and 3) specify that the regulations cannot be enforced if shelter bed space is not available. However, that suspension does not apply to City Hall grounds, Balfour Park, and Mirabeau Meadow/Center Place grounds where “…camping is never allowed.”

The proposed code amendments will recognize among other things that “those experiencing homelessness have constitutional rights(?) to conduct life-sustaining activities, including sleeping on certain public property when there are not available shelter beds…”

The proposed amended ordinance also adds areas where “camping” is always prohibited:
    a. Appleway Trail, Spokane Valley Precinct, and Spokane Valley street Maintenance Shop.
    b. Structures, facilities, and fixtures at parks, including shelters, playground equipment, pools, reservable ballfields and courts, and bathrooms and the area within 30 feet of such facilities.
    c. Public rights-of-way and City-owned real property within 30 feet of the right-of-way, and City-owned stormwater drainage facilities.
While the intent of the amendment is admirable, the fact that current ordinances are not being enforced renders adding new prohibitions moot. After serious discussion, the motion to move the proposed amended ordinance to a Second Reading was approved.
In a separate action, a motion to award the contract for construction of a sidewalk on Park Road between Mission and Sharp Avenues was unanimously approved. In the project vicinity there is an elementary school, a middle school and a public swimming pool. The successful bid for the actual construction of the sidewalk was submitted by the Wm. Winkler Co. at $350,667. Total estimated project costs including engineering and construction contingency was $500,667. The costs are split between City funding and a Transportation Improvement Grant.

On March 1, SRTC (Spokane Regional Transportation Council) put out a call for projects funded by the federal government. The projects are limited to road preservation treatments like grind and overlay or surface treatment projects such as chip seal. Project awards are limited to $1 million each and each applicant is limited to $2 million total. A minimum match of 13.5% is required but applicants can improve their scoring points with additional match money.

The projects selected by the City are:
  Project                            Rank                  Request                  Match                  Project Total
Broadway @ I-90           1                       $1,000,000          $900,000           $1,900,000
 (Fancher to Park)                                     53%                         47%                        100%
Sprague Ave                      2                      $1,000,000           $1,000,000       $2,000,000
(Havana to Fancher)                              50%                           50%                       100%
Evergreen Road                3                     $ 951,500              $148,500          $1,100,000
(Broadway to Mission)                            86.5%                      13.5%                  100%


Council unanimously approved a motion to proceed with applying for all three projects.

Spokane County Board of County Commissioners authorized purchase of body cameras for all uniformed personnel in County-dedicated units and shared units. The Sheriff’s office has found a bundled package that would provide Tasers and body cameras at a lesser cost than buying them separately. Doing so would facilitate easier, time saving storage of recorded footage.

The cost to the City would be $410,000 in the first year with an annual cost of $318,000 in each subsequent year. A motion to approve the purchase of body cameras for all uniformed Spokane Valley officers with the City to pay for 40% of the costs was unanimously approved.
The City has received complaints regarding abandoned shopping carts along Sprague Avenue from Fancher Road west to the City limits. Most other cities treat abandoned carts as nuisances and impound them, charging the owners an impoundment fee if not recovered in a specified time. Other methods are used for cart control such as self-braking wheels, anti-removal devices, and cart patrol personnel. Consensus was reached to direct staff to develop applicable regulations.

March 25, 2021

 

This meeting of the Spokane Valley City Council opened with a proclamation in recognition of the end of the Viet Nam War on March 29th, 1973, and the veterans of that war. Daughters of the American Revolution will hold a public ceremony at City Hall on March 29th, at 4:00 PM, honoring those veterans.

Council unanimously passed a motion to approve the Federal Legislative Agenda as proposed at its last meeting on March 16th. That agenda includes five projects:1) Pines Road/BNSF rail crossing, 2) Spokane Valley River Loop Project, 3) Bigelow Gulch-Sullivan Corridor Project, 4) Spokane County Regional Expo Expansion Project, and 5) South Barker Road Corridor Improvement Project. Additional language was included to convey Council’s emphasis on a strong desire for rail crossing funding.

Council also unanimously approved the appointment of Bob Peregoy to the Spokane County Conservation Futures Land Evaluation Committee as a Citizen Representative through November of this year. Mr. Peregoy was selected from four who applied for the position.
The Spokane County Conservation Future Program began in 1994 with voters approving an advisory ballot measure authorizing a property tax levy of (up-to) 6.25-cents per $1000 of property value, for acquisition and preservation of open space, streams, rivers, and other natural resources in the County. As of July 2020, the Program had acquired 9,145 acres through 52 acquisitions by Spokane County, City of Spokane, and City of Cheney.

Council, at its February 2nd meeting reached consensus to create a Streets Sustainability Committee to examine the various aspects of maintaining City streets, the cost, the desired level of maintenance, and the source(s) of funding.

The proposed 23-member ad-hoc committee would be tasked with the following mission:
1. Evaluate citizens’ interest and support for maintaining city streets and suggesting pavement condition goals.
2. Identify preference for maintaining city streets, types of treatments used, and long-term levels of service.
3. Investigate current revenues and potential future funding sources for maintaining city streets at the recommended level of service.
Twenty committee positions including members from various groups covering businesses, schools, utilities, transportation, and social services were invited to participate. Three citizen-representative positions are also appointed by the Mayor. All appointments serve through the end of the year. Motion to approve the appointments was approved.

SRTC (Spokane Regional Transportation Council) has put out a call for projects to funded by the federal government. The projects are limited to road preservation treatments like grind and overlay or surface treatment projects such as chip seal. Project awards are limited to $1 million each and each applicant is limited to $2 million total. A minimum match of 13.5% is required but applicants can improve their scoring points with addition match money.

The projects selected by the City are:
  Project                            Rank                  Request                  Match                  Project Total
Broadway @ I-90           1                       $1,000,000          $900,000           $1,900,000
 (Fancher to Park)                                     53%                         47%                        100%
Sprague Ave                      2                      $1,000,000           $1,000,000       $2,000,000
(Havana to Fancher)                              50%                           50%                       100%
Evergreen Road                3                     $ 951,500              $148,500          $1,100,000
(Broadway to Mission)                            86.5%                      13.5%                  100%

Council reached consensus to proceed with all three projects and return on April 6th with a refined estimate on matching and a motion to apply for funding on all three.

Spokane County Board of County Commissioners authorized purchase of body cameras for all uniformed personnel in County-dedicated units and shared units. The Sheriff’s office has found a bundled package that would provide Tasers and body cameras at a lesser cost than buying them separately. Doing so would facilitate easier, time saving storage of recorded footage.

Police Chief Ellis is asking the City to consider the purchase of body cameras for officers serving in the City. The cost to the City would be $410,000 in the first year with an annual cost of $318,000 in each subsequent year.

This meeting was held in a ZOOM format per the governor’s edict on meetings. However, discussion on future meetings in Council Chambers will take place April 6th.  Until then, City Hall remains closed by Governor’s edict. Appointments for service can be made by calling 509-720-5000 or visiting www.spokanevalley.org.

There will not be a scheduled City Council meeting on March 30th.

March 16, 2021

 

This Council meeting, a Study Session, commenced with an update on the construction projects slated for this year. All the projects are sufficiently funded by a combination of City funds, together with state and/or federal grants.

The projects by category are:
Barker Road Corridor Widening and Sewer: Barker Rd/BNSF Rail Crossing (21/22) *, Spokane River to Euclid (20/21), Spokane river to BNSF Crossing (21), Euclid to Euclid at Union Pacific RR (21)
 *Denotes year of completion
Intersection Improvement Projects: Mullan Rd-Broadway Ave to Mission Ave, Balfour Park Preservation & Frontage Improvements,  Evergreen Rd-Sprague Ave to Broadway Ave, Barker Homes Preservation,  Park Road Neighborhood
Pedestrian Improvement Projects: Appleway Stormwater Improvement-University Rd to Farr Rd
Bridge Maintenance Projects: Sullivan Rd Overcrossing of Union Pacific RR Deck Repair
Safety Projects: Citywide Reflective Signal Backplates, Citywide Reflective Post Panels
Pedestrian Improvement Projects: Park Rd Sidewalk-Mission to Sharp
Stormwater Improvement Projects: Appleway Stormwater Improvement-University to Farr
Park Projects: Final Phase of Brown’s Park Improvements
Complete details of these improvements can be found at
www.spokanevalley.org

A consistent source of citizen concerns parking on city rights-of-way where traffic or parking is causing congestion or blocking free-flowing traffic. Staff systematically evaluates areas of parking concerns to provide responses or recommendations. Parking concerns generally are:
• On-street parking is blocking a travel lane
• On-street parking is blocking a driveway or device
• Shoulder parking is infringing upon private property
• Strange vehicles are a security concern
Reporting of these incidents are usually made in these ways:
• Citizen calls or emails to City Staff
• Citizen requests to City Council or Planning Commission
• Observations of staff
• Project-related evaluations

Current Requests for parking evaluation are:
Conklin Road--Valleyway to Broadway. Conklin Road is a major collector with a 25 MPH speed limit, a 20-foot paved width with grass/gravel shoulder, no pavement markings, and a right-of-way width of 40’. Adjacent to the neighboring multifamily development, the width is 44’.
Local citizens have taken unilateral action to deter improper parking, associated littering, property damage, or vandalism. Given the pavement width, parking restrictions may only be placed on one side of the roadway. No crashes have been reported in the past 5 years on that section of Conklin Road. City Staff have determined there is not an operational or safety need for parking restrictions along Conklin Road in this area.

Fourth Avenue—West of Thierman. Fourth Avenue is a minor arterial with a 25 MPH speed limit, a 32-foot paved width, sidewalk and curb on the north side, and curb along the south side, with a double-yellow (no passing) center line. The westbound lane is 15’-9”; the eastbound lane is 16’-9”.
Staff has determined that vehicles parked on the north curb cause a traffic obstruction to the free movement of vehicular traffic. The proposed solution is to install no-parking signs on both direction of 4th Avenue, shift the double-yellow centerline 4 feet to the south, allowing for parking along the north sidewalk. No-parking signs would be installed on the south side of 4th Avenue.

Jackson Avenue—West of Wilbur. Jackson Avenue is a local access street with a 25 MPH speed limit, a 38-foot paved width, sidewalk and curb on the north side, and a curb along the south side. There are no pavement markings. Citizens complain of junk vehicles and extended parking along both sides of signed no-parking zones.

Staff has determined there is no operational or safety need for a no-parking zone in this area, but County Code (preceding City Incorporation) provides for the no-parking zones.

City Staff will continue to monitor City parking needs and situations as needed.
City Hall remains closed by Governor’s edict. Appointments for service can be made by calling 509-720-5000 or visiting www.spokanevalley.org.

 

March 9, 2021

 

Aside from the normal passage of the “Consent Agenda” which consists of paying the City’s bills and employees, there were no action items on Council’s agenda. There were, however, administrative reports.

In response to Senator Patty Murray’s requesting project information and funding needs for potential inclusion into possible federal infrastructure finding packages staff submitted the City approved project list below.

Numbers 3 and 5 above referencing partnership with Spokane County will be modified to be submitted as regional projects to broaden the impact across multiple agencies and to possibly enhance chances of success. Council reached consensus to move forward on that basis.

In a legislative briefing from the City’s state lobbyist, Council learned that revenue forecasts are better than anticipated with budget proposals to be released after the March 17th formal revenue forecast.  Five hundred bills are still under consideration but that is fewer than usual at this time in the process. The session is nearly entirely virtual as we enter the 58th day of the 105-day session.

Republicans in both houses maintain that considering increased revenues, additional taxes are not needed. Nevertheless, a state income tax has cleared both houses plus a carbon tax appears to be on track for passage. A transportation package including a gas tax increase, carbon tax/cap and trade and ‘other’ fee increases. The $19.3 million request for completion of the Pines Road Rail Crossing is included in the package.

In a report to Council on 2020 City accomplishments, it was noted that Council met 50 times, 22 Regular Meetings, 21 Study Sessions, and 7 Special Meetings. The goals laid out, to name several, were: Work with state and federal legislators to complete the rail crossings in the City, especially at Pines, Sullivan, and Park. (Ground was just broken to start on Barker.) The City continues to work on a program for sustained financing of pavement preservation. Efforts continue to bring law enforcement staffing levels to acceptable contract levels through recruitment, retention, and continuing support for our existing officer corps.

The City continues to be confronted with the ongoing problems associated with homelessness. The City participates in development of regional plans to address those problems with the goal of assisting homeless persons on a path to a normal lifestyle.

The City maintains its surprising growth rate despite the problems created by the pandemic. The Community and Public Works Division has accommodated that growth including permitting, economic development, and maintaining the City’s road network. Noteworthy is the continuing improvement of the Barker Road corridor road system. The completion of right of way acquisition and engineering for the Barker/BNSF rail crossing has enabled the start of construction. For a complete summary of City accomplishments please visit www.spokanevalley.org/citycouncil, then go to ‘Agendas’.  

On September 3, 2019 Council authorized the purchase of 13.4 acres from Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) adjacent to Sullivan Park. The property was contaminated by aluminum dross from the Union Pacific rail line. The purchase was conditional upon the removal of the contamination to the satisfaction of the state Department of Ecology (DOE). UP hired a contractor to remove the contamination, but on inspection DOE directed that more earth had to be removed. COVID-19 interrupted that project resulting in a delay in completion until late summer or early fall of this year.

The City initially paid 10% of the purchase price, $84,400, with the remaining $759,600 to be paid upon satisfactory removal of the contamination. The City has no current plans for development of the parkland but will likely include it in its proposal for a north bank trail along the Spokane River.

City Hall remains closed by Governor’s edict. Appointments for service can be made by calling 509-720-5000 or visiting www.spokanevalley.org.

 

March 2, 2021

 

 

For a project that has been in the works since 2014, the start of construction is on the horizon. The Regional Decant Center located just off Pines Road north of the freeway will finally have a roof which will permit it to be used in all seasons and weather. The facility allows offloaded material gathered from stormwater catchments to be dried to reduce size and volume, then disposed. Total cost of the project is $608,170 with Washington State Department of Ecology ($441,128), Washington State Department of Transportation ($133,772) and the City ($33,270) all participating.

Motion to award the construction contract to TML Construction, Inc., the lowest bidder at $491,356, was unanimously approved.
Council unanimously approved the nomination of Riley Zielfelder, a student at West Valley High School, to receive the Association of Washington Cities Quality Communities Scholarship. Notice of the scholarship winners will be announced in May.

Washington state’s Shoreline Management Act (SMA) requires the City to have a plan (SMP) for managing the shorelines of its water bodies. Spokane Valley’s plan was finalized in 2015. The SMA requires periodic updates; the City’s is due by June 30th.

To meet that requirement, The Watershed Company was retained to conduct the review. The cost, $28,000, was paid for by a DOE grant. Because the SMP was recently adopted (2015) after an extensive multi-year process, the scope of this review was limited to changes needed to stay current with state and local laws. The Planning Commission held a public hearing on February 12th, and will hold another on March 11th, after which the proposed draft amendments will be submitted to DOE for its approval. After approval, Council will schedule a time, likely in June, to move on adoption of the amendments.

The 2019 State Legislature passed the Housing Action Plan (HAP) ‘encouraging’ cities to address their ability to provide housing, especially affordable housing, by increasing urban residential capacity. This was intended to be accomplished by adopting either a set of zoning amendments or a HAP. The City chose a HAP to inform and provide guidance on housing.

To assist with the implementation of the state law, the Department of Commerce awarded a $100,000 grant to develop and adopt a HAP. In May 2020, the City retained Maul Foster & Alongi to complete the HAP. Plans are moving forward for the City to start the formal review and adoption of the completed HAP in late March with final adoption in June.

Spokane Valley Police Chief Dave Ellis presented department updates including: Live 911, Recruiting, and Speed Deterrence Trailers.
The City’s Live 911 program which is expected to go live by April, will be the first in the northwest. Costing approximately $6,000 per year, it livestreams 911 calls directly to officers for improved situational awareness and faster response times. A 911 call will be heard by the officer simultaneously with the call taker, and the caller’s location will be displayed on a map. The officer will receive immediate situation and location updates as well as information not entered into the call report by the call taker.
Recruiting is one of Council’s 2020 priorities. An increase in recruiting capabilities has been enhanced with the creation of a lateral officer signing bonus of $15,000, purchase of new recruits’ uniforms (value approximately $1,500), a new recruiting website, a social media campaign, billboards, and a new recruiting video.
Trailers placed to display speed and pertinent messaging are employed to calm traffic and increase speed awareness, communicate information to motorists and pedestrians, and to conduct traffic studies. There are two portable units available for use in the City.

In the past, each law enforcement or safety agency hired, trained, and staffed their own dispatchers. Crime Check technicians were County employees. In July 2019, Spokane Regional Emergency Communications (SREC) was created and now all dispatch services are provided by SREC. SREC is managed by an Executive Director who answers to a Board of Directors representing Spokane Valley’s Police Chief, Spokane Valley Fire Chief, and Spokane County Sheriff.

Approximately 250,000 incidents annually flow into SREC’s communication center; 8,206 Valley Crime Check reports were taken. Crime Check provides a place for non-emergency calls processing reports as requested by the participating agency. If a report needs to be filed for an insurance claim, Crime Check provides an easy and efficient place to call. Calls requiring an immediate response must be made to 911.

The never-ending problem of homelessness was revisited through a report on amendments to the City Code to clarify and tighten restrictions on where and how indigent ‘camping’ can take place in the City. Generally, camping on public property, roadways, sidewalks, City Hall grounds, parks and park facilities. Those provisions are not enforced if shelter bed space is not available per the 9th Circuit, Martin v. Boise decision in 2019. So, the City is in the difficult position of trying to prevent the spread of homeless individuals taking over places or rendering unusable places paid for by taxpayers. Safety becomes an issue because of mental instability and addictions among the homeless, played against the ineffectiveness of law enforcement caused by the Martin v. Boise decision.

Council consensus was reached to place the proposed amendments to the City’s Code on a future agenda.   
        
City Hall remains closed by Governor’s edict. Appointments for service can be made by calling 509-720-5000 or visiting www.spokanevalley.org

 

February 23, 2021

 

 

The meeting for the 23rd had been cancelled last week, until Thursday when very short notice for grants and a list of priority infrastructure projects were requested. The staff saw no way other than a Special Council meeting to deal with the requests.

An administration report had originally been scheduled, so it was heard and lively discussion followed. The council agreed that the Spokane River Trail Concept was a really nice amenity to the North side of the river. It would connect the new Flora Rd Park with Sullivan Park and continue West and connect to Plantes Ferry Sports Complex. There would eventually be two suspension bridges across the river to connect to the Centennial Trail, one toward the west, the other on the East end of the new trail by Flora Rd. This would make for a 10 mile loop that pedestrian and cyclists could enjoy.

Next, the reasons for the special meeting were discussed. First, a motion consideration for Infrastructure priority solicitation by the Federal Government through Sen. Patty Murray’s office. They wanted to have a list of projects that might be included in the new Federal transportation revenue bill. All or some could end up being funded to help employment and to improve mobility in all model forms. So, council agreed to include: Number 1, Pines Rd/BNSF grade separation; 2, Bigelow-Sullivan Corridor Project (including the bridge over Trent and BNSF RR); 3, Spokane River Trail Project; 4, Spokane County Fair & Expo exhibit hall project; and 5, South Barker corridor projects (excluding the I-90 bridge). We did change the priority with number 2 & 3 being interchanged. Our lobbyist from Washington DC joined in the discussion to clarify and answer council questions. This list needed to be submitted by Friday of this week.
Bennett Resnick (Cardinal Lobbyist) also gave a report on the bills going through Congress for COVID relief. More soon to come on this. The 2nd reason for the Special Meeting, a motion consideration –potential grant opportunity: Infrastructure For Rebuilding America (INFRA) FY21 grants. This application is due March 19, 2021, this doesn’t give us much time to prepare the grant and associated docs. Staff will redo our application and try again to get help for the Bigelow- Sullivan project. We submitted last year for this project and didn’t make the cut.
 
City Hall remains closed by Governor’s edict. Appointments for service can be made by calling 509-720-5000 or visiting www.spokanevalley.org.

February 16, 2021

 

 

In a continuation of annual Mayoral appointments of Council members to various regional boards and committees in which the City participates, Mayor Wick has re-appointed Councilmember Arne Woodard and appointed Councilmember Linda Thompson for terms on the Spokane County Housing & Community Development Advisory Committee (HCDAC). He has also appointed Councilmember Tim Hattenberg to the Regional Health District Board.
The partial terms: Woodard to expire on June 1, 2021 and Thompson to expire on December 31, 2021, will require new appointments or re-appointments to fill the expiring terms. Councilmember Hattenberg is appointed to fill the vacancy on the Health District Board created by Councilmember Thompson’s resignation from that Board. That position expires on December 31, 2021.

Motion to confirm the Mayoral appointments of Councilmembers to the committees and boards as listed passed unanimously.
To the motorist who has ever driven through a school zone, the sign “Speed Limit 20 MPH While Children Are Present” is confusing, to say the least. Questions such as: “Does that mean one child? Or does that mean only during school hours? Clearly those are reasonable questions that the conventional sign does not address.

School zone flashing beacon signs to the rescue. While approaching or actually in a school zone, a driver has a certain measure of assurance that he or she is within the law if a flashing beacon is present. If flashing, the beacons provide up to a 31% speed reduction, especially when the sign provides speed feedback.

There are currently 40 School Zone Flashing Beacons (SZFB) installations across 18 school locations. All but one are funded by state grants. Plans are to install more SZFBs as funding becomes available. Beacons at every school is the end goal.

Pursuant to several citizen inquiries and complaints, Council has requested a review of the City’s municipal code regarding ‘junk’ vehicles and the information on the criteria used for determining how such a vehicle is treated when in a public right of way. A junk vehicle is defined by state law as a vehicle that meets at least three of the following requirements:
a)    Is three years or older;
b)    Is extensively damaged, such damage including but not limited to any of the following: A broken window or windshield, missing wheels, tires, motor, or transmission;
c)    Is apparently inoperable;
d)    Has an approximate fair market value equal only to the value of the scrap in it.

The question has arisen as to whether the City might make its definitions more strict. Since the City of Spokane Valley, City of Spokane, City of Liberty Lake, and Spokane County all closely copy or reference state law, and the City cannot adopt an ordinance in conflict with state law, the question appears moot.
How the City deals with junk vehicles depends on whether the vehicle is on public or private property. If on private property, the vehicle can be declared a nuisance that is prohibited within the City. As such the City may utilize its enforcement procedures to abate the junk vehicle(s). That process begins with the City seeking voluntary compliance but may escalate to proceeding to Superior Court to obtain a court order for removal.

If the junk vehicle is on public property or in a public right of way, it is dealt with by police. Law enforcement is authorized to impound any unauthorized vehicle that is parked in a right of way and has not been removed within 24 hours from the time a notification sticker has been attached to the vehicle.
City code includes other areas dealing with nuisances that may be employed in dealing with junk vehicles. And, if a vehicle qualifying as a junker is ‘sight screened’ or is completely enclosed within a lawful structure avoiding visibility, it is permitted. There is no prohibition in City code on the number of working vehicles an individual may have on their property.

For further information on the subject, contact the City Attorney at 509-720-5000.

There will be no City Council meeting next week, February 23rd. The next Council meeting will be at 6:00pm, Tuesday, March 2nd.
City Hall remains closed by Governor’s edict. Appointments for service can be made by calling 509-720-5000 or visiting www.spokanevalley.org.

February 9, 2021

 

 

Council’s first item of business was to amend its code on individuals or groups soliciting on City rights-of-way, formerly referred to as its ‘panhandling’ ordinance.
For several years, the City has been successful in using its code to keep panhandling in check. But recent court decisions have put sections of the code into question requiring modifications to avoid challenges from outside “freedom of speech” advocates. The focus of this legislation has always been public safety in the interactions between pedestrians and moving traffic. Discouraging panhandlers was considered as an ancillary outcome, but criminalization was never a goal.

Thus, the changes include the following:
1. Any reference to the prohibition of solicitation is replaced with a prohibition in interfering with vehicular traffic,
2. Adding a prohibition on prompting someone to interfere with vehicular traffic,
3. Remove the definition of solicit from the Code.

Those changes remove references to panhandling, focusing on traffic safety, and limiting incursions onto public rights-of-way. Offenders, either the driver stopping traffic or the person responsible for the stoppage, are subject to citation.
Ordinance 21-003 accomplishes that while maintaining the overall integrity and intent of the Code. Motion to suspend the rules and adopt Ordinance 21-003 passed unanimously.

In 2012, the City acquired 8.4 acres of land in anticipation of the Spokane County Library District (SCLD) constructing a new central library on a portion of that land. An interlocal agreement was finalized that year to sell 2.82 acres to SCLD on which to site the proposed library. The sales price was $839,285.
As the end of the five-year term of the interlocal agreement approached in 2017, SCLD and the City reached agreement to extend the interlocal for another five years to 2022 with possible extensions to 2024. At that time, the City agreed to contribute the purchase price of the property, $839,285, plus an additional $460,715 for a total of $1.3 million toward improving the library’s peripheral grounds.

SCLD’s proposal for its new library is a 30,000 square foot facility with an estimated total cost of $14-15 million. Rather than attempt to fund construction of the facility through a voted bond issue, SCLD has identified other funding options such as a state program set up to make loans to libraries under very favorable terms.

Pursuant to the changed situation, amendments to the existing interlocal are needed to accommodate the City’s participation. A significant change will include adding two years to the agreement. Construction is planned to begin in 2022. The amended agreement will expire in 2024.
Motion to approve the 2021 amendments to the interlocal agreement for the sale of property at Balfour Park to the Spokane County Library District, authorizing the City Manager to finalize and execute the document passed unanimously.

Annually, Council undergoes training on Washington State’s Open Public Meetings Act (Act). The training which covers legal compliance aspects of the Act by Council members is conducted by the City’s legal staff.

City Hall remains closed by Governor’s edict. Appointments for service can be made by calling 509-720-5000 or visiting www.spokanevalley.org.

February 1, 2021

 

 

On January 12th, Spokane Valley City Council was briefed on a Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT)/National Highway (NHS) Performance Program for preserving roadways. Council reached consensus to pursue a grant for Sullivan Road between Sprague and 8th Avenues for $1,029,553 to offset construction costs. Total project cost including stormwater and ITS improvements is estimated at $3,293,058, to be funded by money from NHS, Department of Ecology, and the City. Motion to approve the grant application was unanimous.

City street operations and maintenance, and pavement preservation have been the topic of discussion over 50 times since incorporation. Council, at its January 19th meeting reached consensus to create a Streets Sustainability Committee to examine the various aspects of maintaining City streets, the cost, the desired level of maintenance, and the source(s) of funding.

The proposed 18-member ad-hoc committee would be tasked with the following mission:
1. Evaluate citizens’ interest and support for  maintaining
    city streets and suggesting pavement condition goals.
2. Identify preference for maintaining city streets, types of treatments used, and long-term levels of service.
3. Investigate current revenues and potential future funding sources for maintaining city streets at the recommended
    level of service.

Suggested committee composition would include members from 10 different groups covering businesses, schools, utilities, transportation, social services, and, of course, Valley citizens. Applications will be open from February 3rd to 3 pm on February 26th; Committee selection by Council, March 23rd. Call 509-720-5000.

On June 30, 2020, Council approved execution of an interlocal agreement giving management of the Barker Road/BNSF Grade Separation Project to WSDOT. On November 23rd, the project was advertised for bids. The engineer’s estimate for the construction phase of the project was $13,885,811. Five bids were received ranging from $15,946,317 to the successful low bid of $11,637,134 submitted by the Max J. Kuney Company.

In 2012, the City acquired 8.4 acres of land intending for the Spokane County Library District (SCLD) to construct a new central library on a portion of that land. An interlocal agreement was finalized that year to sell 2.82 acres to SCLD on which to site the anticipated library. The sales price was $839,285.
As the end of the five-year term of the interlocal agreement approached in 2017, SCLD and the City reached agreement to extend the interlocal for another five years to 2022 with possible extensions to 2024. At that time, the City agreed to contribute the purchase price of the property, $832,285, plus an additional $460,715 for a total of $1.3 million toward the library peripheral grounds. SCLD’s proposal for its new library is a 30,000 square foot facility with an estimated cost of $14-15 million in total outlay. Construction is planned to begin in 2022.

Amendments to the existing interlocal needed to accommodate the City’s participation include adding two years to the agreement, to expire in 2024.
For several years, the City has been successful by use of its code in keeping panhandling in check. But recent court decisions require modifications.
Those changes will remove references to panhandling, focusing on traffic safety, and limiting incursions onto public rights-of-way. Offenders, either the driver or the person responsible for the stoppage, are subject to citation.

Construction of Spokane Valley’s City Hall has been a focal point of controversy since its completion. Shortly after the City moved into its new home in September 2017, issues arose. The contractor, Meridian Construction, was made aware of corrections that needed to be made including subsidence of the curved front wall of the building. Failing to resolve those concerns, the City filed a bonding claim.

Meridian asserted that blame for the problems was, in fact, the fault of various other firms involved in the construction. As a result, the City filed suit in Spokane County Superior Court against Meridian, Architects West, All- West Testing, and Eight-31-Consulting on May 5th, 2020 to achieve full resolution of the issue.

The City continues to work with legal counsel for the various defendants to reach restoration of what it purchased, i.e., a fully functioning City Hall. An analysis of the extent of the defects is being performed by a structural engineering firm and a forensic architectural firm specializing in defect analysis. The City is prepared to continue to trial if a satisfactory full scope of repair resolution including full cost of repair is not achieved. Costs incurred to date total $411,103.47.

City Hall remains closed by Governor’s edict. Appointments for service can be made by calling 509-720-5000 or visiting www.spokanevalley.org.

Janauary 26, 2021

 

 

This Council meeting opened with discussion on a motion consideration to apply for the Washington State Department of Transportation’s (WSDOT) anticipation of $85 million of Federal Local Bridge program funds for local agency bridge projects. The purpose of those funds is to improve the condition of bridges through replacement, rehabilitation, and preventative maintenance. 

Based on the eligibility requirements, Spokane Valley has one project that qualifies for preventive maintenance funding. The Mission Avenue Bridge over Evergreen Road (Bridge #SpokV-4518) is proposed for sandblasting the bridge deck, applying a primer and polymer surface seal followed by an aggregate application for traction and added strength to the sealed surface. Applications are due by February 19th. Funds will be awarded in September if the City is successful and would be available in January 2022.

The grant application is for a project scope less than $275,000. A 13.5% match would be required from the City, however, if funds are used before November 30, 2024, the local match for the construction phase is waived. Motion to approve the grant application was approved unanimously.

In 2012, the City acquired 8.4 acres of land with the intent to 1) reach agreement with the Spokane County Library District (SCLD) on construction of a new central library on a portion of that land, and 2) to expand the existing Balfour Park to encompass the remainder. That same year, an interlocal agreement was effected to sell 2.82 acres to SCLD to accommodate the anticipated library. That sale was consummated for a purchase price of $839,285. However, bond issues to finance the library have failed twice.

As the end of the five-year term of the interlocal agreement approached in 2017, SCLD and the City reached agreement to extend the interlocal for another five years to 2022 with possible extensions to 2024. At that time, the City agreed to contribute the purchase price of the property, $832,285, and an additional $$460,715 for a total of $1.3 million toward a library project.

Patrick Roewe, Executive Director of SCLD, presented an update on the District’s current plans including new funding ideas and a broad strategy for moving forward. Based on Roewe’s brief, City staff will bring information regarding amendments to the existing interlocal that might be needed.

SCLD’s proposal for its new library is for a 30,000 square foot facility, designed to be an “efficient and effective library of today and the future.” The preliminary budget calls for a $14-15 million total outlay with $12 million in construction costs. SCLD will no longer pursue a voted bond, but will instead take advantage of:

• Washington State Treasurers LOCAL Program for up to $12 million,

• District Capital Projects Fund; $3.2 million,

• Interlocal agreement with City; $1.3 million

• Library Capital Improvement Program Grant;$2 million (pending legislative approval)

•Local capital campaign; opportunities for
private contributions and other recognition opportunities.

Progress is already underway to launch the process to select an architect, approve design, then solicit bids in the December 2021/January 2022 time frame. Construction is planned to begin in 2022. 

City Hall remains closed by Governor’s edict for the foreseeable future. Appointments for service can be made by calling 509-720-5000, or visiting www.spokanevalley.org. 

Janauary 19, 2021

 

 

At its last meeting, Council forwarded a road vacation application from Diamond Rock Financial LLC/TCF Properties for of a portion of Bessie Road and Montgomery Avenue to a First Reading. The rights-of-way proposed to be vacated have no public access or potential to a northern connection because they border the BNSF railroad tracks on their north side. Further, both streets are substandard widths under today’s requirements and, because of their location, are difficult to maintain.

The application requests a vacation of 470 feet of Montgomery Avenue and 195 feet of Bessie Road. The total areas to be vacated are 18,887 square feet of Montgomery and 4,635 square feet on Bessie.

The Planning Commission voted 7-0 on October 22nd, 2020 to approve the vacation subject to staff recommendations for division of the vacated streets among the various adjacent owners and approval of compensation to the City for the property per formula. That amount is $26,155.74.

Motion to suspend the rules and approve the vacation was unanimously approved.

Mr. Scott vonCannon and Joe Strauss represent Retail Strategies, a retail recruiting consultant hired by the City in 2017, to implement a plan developed earlier to create a strategy and course of action to enhance the City’s retail inventory. That plan proposed improved development regulations, increased flexibility for retailers, increased residential density along commercial corridors, and enhanced opportunities for neighborhood commercial development.

Continuing that process, Retail Strategies has been working on behalf of the City to recruit prospective businesses through various exposures such as representation at retail group conferences, visiting retailers, brokers, developers, and key industry contacts. Tonight’s briefing was an update on progress in their recruitment effort. Retailers new to our market include Burlington (+/- $10 million revenue), Ulta (+/- $5 million revenue), Chipotle (+/- $2.3 million revenue), Maverik ($1.3 million revenue), and a convenience store ($1.2 million revenue). Total annual sales, +/- $20 million generating $175,000 per year in tax collections.

Groups currently showing interest in the Valley: Full-service sit-down restaurants, Fast casual restaurants, National fitness chains, Home improvement and supply, and fashion apparel retailers. According to Strauss and vonCannon, Covid has severely impacted what was promising to be an eventful year for attracting retail businesses, with the prospect that future progress will be gradual.

Lyndia Wilson from the Spokane Regional Health District briefed Council on the latest COVID-19 policy and vaccination information. In light of the very fluid situation surrounding vaccination policy and the variable policy changes emanating from Olympia, call 1-800-525-0127 or visit www.srhd.org for current information.

City street operations and maintenance, and pavement preservation have been the topic of discussion over 50 times since incorporation. Throughout the development of the City’s 2021 budget, Council has discussed the creation of an ad-hoc committee to examine the various aspects of maintaining City streets, the cost, the desired level of maintenance, and the source(s) of funding. 

During those budget discussions, two Councilmembers voted against adoption of the budget because it contained the transfer of $1.9 million from the general fund to cover the road preservation and maintenance shortfall. The two dissenting votes highlighted the need to find a consistent, reliable revenue source for City roads. 

The proposed 18-member ad-hoc committee would be tasked with the following mission:

• Evaluate citizens’ interest and support for maintaining city streets and suggesting pavement condition goals.

• Identify preference for maintaining city streets, types of treatments used, and long-term levels of service.

• Investigate current revenues and potential future funding sources for maintaining city streets at the recommended level of service.

Suggested committee composition would include two councilmembers. When work is completed, the Committee will deliver its recommendations to the Council for its consideration. Consensus was reached to institute formation of the Streets Sustainability Committee. 

A report on the City’s distribution of CARES funds from the federal government can be seen on the you-tube section of the City’s web page: www.spokanevalley.org. 

City Hall remains closed by Governor’s edict for the foreseeable future. Appointments for service can be made by calling 509-720-5000 or visiting www.spokanevalley.org. 

Janauary 12, 2021

 

 

Following a proclamation observing Martin Luther King Day on January 18th, Council opened business by suspending rules and implementing Ordinance 20-001 which adopts findings of fact justifying the imposition of the City’s November 24th moratorium on Planned Residential Development (PRD) applications.

The City’s updated Comprehensive Plan in 2016 greatly increased land use options within the City to “Preserve and enhance the city’s established single-family neighborhoods by minimizing the impacts of more dense housing types such as duplexes and cottage development.” Zoning within the existing “R-3” single-family zone was amended to encourage and support density growth in the City’s newly created R-4 residential zone. 

A PRD lends certainty for a planned development while substantially reducing ‘normal’ permitting times. But it was later discovered to open situations where incompatible land uses could be created defeating the legislative intent to encourage single family development. This prompted Council to request a staff review of the PRD regulations. That request triggered a move by some to try to exploit an apparent loophole before it could be plugged. Thus, Council, on November 24, placed a moratorium on new PRD applications to give the City time to review the situation.

Proposed Ordinance 21-001 adopts findings of fact justifying the implementation of Ordinance 20-028 establishing the moratorium on non-exempt planned residential development applications. The City will continue to work on its review of its code (19.50 Spokane Valley Municipal Code). When that work is completed and Council adopts any amendments, the moratorium will be repealed. A motion to suspend rules and move Ordinance 21-001 to a second reading passed unanimously.

Per state statute, the City maintains a Lodging Tax Advisory Committee, consisting of five members: two representatives from businesses collecting the tax, two members involved in activities authorized to be funded by the tax, and one City Council member.

Two vacancies exist, one from each represented segment. Vacancies are filled by mayoral appointment with Council ratification. Mayor Wick appointed Grant Guinn, GLB Hospitality, to fill the collecting entity side, and Wayne Brokaw, Spokane County Fair Board, to fill the using entity side. Motion to confirm the Mayor’s appointment passed unanimously.

The City, on August 7th, 2020 received from Diamond Rock Financial LLC/TCF Properties an application for a street vacation of a portion of Bessie Road and Montgomery Avenue. The rights-of-way proposed to be vacated have no public access or potential to a northern connection because of the abutting BNSF railroad tracks. Further, both streets are substandard widths for today’s requirements and are difficult to maintain.

The Planning Commission voted 7-0 to approve the vacation subject to staff recommendations for division of the vacated streets and approval of compensation to the City for the property per formula. That amount is $26,155.74. Council reached consensus to move the vacation forward to a first reading on January 19th.

Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is anticipating $85 million of Federal Local Bridge program funds for local bridge projects. The purpose of those funds is to improve the condition of bridges through replacement, rehabilitation, and preventative maintenance. 

Based on the eligibility requirements, Spokane Valley has one project that qualifies for preventive maintenance funding. The Mission Avenue Bridge over Evergreen Road (Bridge #SpokV-4518) is proposed for sandblasting the bridge deck, applying a primer and polymer surface seal followed by an aggregate application for traction and added strength to the sealed surface.

The grant application to WSDOT is for a project scope not to exceed $275,000. A 13.5% match would be required from the City, however, if funds are used before November 30, 2024, the local match for the construction phase is waived. Consensus to proceed with the grant application for January 26th approval was unanimous.

WSDOT also administers the National Highway Performance Program for preserving roadways that are part of the National Highway System. Applications for grants under this program are scored on a point system based on condition, roughness, cost effectiveness, and the applicant’s level of effort in maintenance. Two projects are: Broadway Avenue between Yardley and Fancher Roads (cost $1 million); and Sullivan Road between Sprague and 8th Avenues (cost $1.8 million). Consensus to proceed and return with a recommendation on January 26th was unanimous.

City Hall remains closed by Governor’s edict for the foreseeable future. Appointments for service can be made by calling 509-720-5000, or visiting www.spokanevalley.org. 

Janauary 5, 2021

The initial City Council meeting of 2021 opened with a Public Hearing on the Council imposed emergency Ordinance 20-028 which places a moratorium on new Planned Residential Development (PRD) applications.

When the City adopted its state-law mandated Comprehensive Plan Legislative Update in 2016, it greatly increased land use options within the City. In 2020, the Comprehensive Plan was again amended to “Enable a variety of housing types at increased densities within ½ mile of funded high performance transit networks” and “Preserve and enhance the city’s established single-family neighborhoods by minimizing the impacts of more dense housing typologies such as duplexes and cottage development.” Allowable uses within the existing “R-3” single-family zone were amended to encourage and support further density growth in the City’s newly created R-4 zone.

PRDs were created to facilitate development in a specific developable area by creating greater flexibility in zoning requirements than is generally permitted by other municipal code sections. A PRD gives certainty for a planned development and can substantially reduce ‘normal’ permitting times. But it was later discovered to open the possibility of producing situations where incompatible land uses might be created. This prompted Council to request a staff review of the PRD regulations. That request triggered a move by some to try to exploit an apparent loophole before it could be plugged.

New applications submitted while PRD regulations are under review defeat the purpose of the review. Thus, Council, on November 24, placed a moratorium on new PRD applications to give the City time to review the situation.

The City has begun that review of which this Public Hearing was a required action. No Council action was taken at this meeting. The statutory requirement for a public hearing to be held within 60 day of a moratorium’s imposition was met. The moratorium will remain in place until a review is completed and findings of fact are reached.

Each year, the Mayor appoints Council members to the various regional, City, and other boards in which the City participates. Appointments for 2021 are:

1. Aging and Long-Term Care of Eastern Washington, Rod Higgins; Pam Haley, alternate

2. AWC Scholarship Committee, Ben Wick, Brandi Peetz, Linda Thompson

3. Valley Chamber of Commerce Board (ex-officio), Brandi Peetz

4. Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency, Rod Higgins; Arne Woodard, alternate

5. Spokane County Homeless Continuum of Care, Pam Haley

6. City Finance Committee, Ben Wick, Brandi Peetz, Linda Thompson

7. County Growth Management Steering Committee, Ben Wick, Tim Hattenburg

8. Governance Manual Committee (City), Rod Higgins, Tim Hattenburg, Linda Thompson

9. Greater Spokane Inc. Board (ex-officio), Ben Wick

10. Spokane Regional Health District Board, Ben Wick, Linda Thompson

11. Lodging Tax Advisory Committee, Ben Wick

12. Northeast Washington Mayors’ Association, Ben Wick

13. Spokane Regional Transportation Commission, Ben Wick

14. Spokane Transit Authority, Pam Haley, Tim Hattenburg; Ben Wick, alternate

15. Visit Spokane, Brandi Peetz; Pam Haley, alternate

Motion to approve the listed appointments passed unanimously.

Annually, members of the Planning Commission whose terms have expired at the previous year’s end are replaced by Mayoral appointment (with Council approval). Normal Planning Commission terms are for three years.

The terms for Planning Commissioners Walt Haneke and Danielle Kaschmitter ended December 31, 2020. Planning Commissioner James Johnson resigned effective December 31, leaving one year remaining on his appointed term.

Mayor Wick has chosen to re-appoint Walt Haneke to a new three-year term along with Nancy (Pete) Miller. Paul Reickers was appointed to complete the unexpired one-year term of James Johnson.

Motion to approve the Mayor’s appointments passed unanimously.

City Hall remains closed by Governor’s edict for the foreseeable future. Appointments for service can be made by calling 509-720-5000, or visiting www.spokanevalley.org.

 

The City Council holds more formal meetings the second and fourth Tuesday of each month and holds Study Sessions on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Agendas, minutes and background materials can be found on the City’s website: www.SpokaneValley.org by 5pm the Friday before each meeting.

Contact City of Spokane Valley:

10210 E. Sprague Ave.
509-921-1000
www.SpokaneValley.org

 

 

 This Study Session of the Spokane Valley City Council opened with two action items before listening to the Outside Agency Presentations from 19 agencies applying for grants under the City’s revised Outside Agency Program. The first action item was a motion consideration to adopt the City’s Tourism Promotion Marketing Service Proposal. 

On September 20th, 2022, Council adopted Ordinance 22-016 establishing a Spokane Valley Tourism Promotion Area (TPA). Pursuant to the TPA, the Spokane Valley Hotel Commission (Commission) was formed. The Commission, with Council approval, hired 116 & West as consultants to develop a five-year destination marketing plan starting with an 18-month marketing service plan. 

This evening Council was presented for its approval: 1) a five-year Destination Marketing Strategic Plan, 2) a contract with 116 & West for $813,500 to provide destination marketing services through December 31, 2024, and 3) its approval of “Discover THE VALLEY and Spokane Valley, WA” (tagline) for branding the City’s tourism initiatives. 

An outline of year one of the five-year plan includes development of: a brand and identity package, to include a total campaign, asset library, virtual visitor center, concepts, and a website. Also planned are social media properties, reputation management, local brand launch campaign, Spokane Sports support, paid media campaigns, earned media, and strategic account management. Progress checkpoints are outlined to monitor the progress and success of the program. A three-part motion, to 1) approve the five-year Destination Marketing Strategic Plan, 2) authorize the City manager to execute the contract with 116 & West for $813,500 for services through December 31, 2024, and 3) approve the selection of “Discover THE VALLEY” and Spokane Valley, WA for branding the City’s tourism initiatives passed 6-2, Wick and Peetz voting no. 

For a complete presentation of the plan(s), please go to the City website: www.spokanevalleywa.gov. 

In June, Council approved a contract with Spokane Sports for $300,000 to provide sports recruitment and marketing services for 2023 in conjunction with the marketing services provided by 116 & West. Under that contract, Spokane Sports is working with City staff to research and plan for a 2-kilometer cross-country course of city-owned park property together with adjacent Washington State Parks-owned property at Flora Road on the north side of the Spokane River. The course is intended to host a wide variety of events from premier competitions to serving the community’s needs. 

The project cost is estimated to be $7 million. City staff are seeking $4.4 million from the Lodging Tax fund. The unfunded portion of the total will be requested through other granting agencies. The motion to authorize staff to submit a 2024 Lodging Tax Grant application in partnership with Spokane Sports for $4.4 million to partially fund construction of the planned cross-country course passed 6-1. Wick voting no. 

Since its incorporation, the City has provided partial funding for local economic development and social services. By doing so, the City is contracting for services that it might not otherwise provide. Earlier this year, Council decided to increase the dollar amount of the available funding to a total of $200,000. That amount was split into two categories with separate consideration: $100,000 for Economic Development and $100,000 for Social Services. 

The City has received proposals from 19 agencies for a total funding request of $557,864. These include eight Economic Development applications adding up to $235,000, and eleven Social Services applications totaling $322,864. Clearly not all grants can be awarded and, in most cases, requests cannot be awarded in full. 

At this Council meeting each agency was permitted five minutes to present its case for funding. Council members individually consider the amount to award each applicant. If an agency does not get four or more votes, it will not get further consideration for funds. 

The applicants requests in their categories are: 

Economic Development ($) 

APPLICANT REQUEST 

  1. Idaho Central Spokane Valley Performing Arts a 10,000 
  2. JAKT Foundation—CRAVE 40,000 
  3. JAKT Foundation—Farmers Market 30,000 
  4. SNAP Financial Access 75,000 
  5. Spokane Valley Arts Council 26,000 
  6. Spokane Valley Heritage Museum 19,000 
  7. Spokane Valley Summer Theatre 20,000 
  8. Spokane Workforce Council 15,000 

 

Total Economic Development Funding Requested a a 235,000 

Social Services ($) 

  1. Christ Kitchen 10,000 
  2. Elevations Childrens Therapy Resource Foundation 20,000 
  3. Greater Spokane Meals on Wheels 32,850 
  4. Inland Chess Academy 2,500 
  5. Joya Child & Family Development 14,300 
  6. NAOMI 20,000 
  7. Spokane Neighborhood Action Partners (SNAP) a 9,914 
  8. Spokane Valley Partners 100,000 
  9. Teen & Kid Closet 12,000 
  10. Widows Might 52,500 
  11. YMCA of the Inland Northwest 8,800 

 

Total Social Services Funding Requested 322,864 

Grand Total of both categories 557,864 

Councilmembers will deliver their recommendations to the City’s Finance Director for grant awards for each agency selected. The total amount of the Councilmember’s awards cannot exceed $100,000 in either category. Agencies receiving four or more votes for a grant will be awarded the average of Council’s specific recommendations; however, an agency cannot receive more money than it applied for. 

Council will make its final decision at its October 24th meeting. 

City Council meetings are held in the Great Room at CenterPlace until further notice. City Hall, however, is open for business during normal business hours. The Public is invited to Council meetings to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.spokanevalley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions. Council meetings are broadcast on Comcast channel 14.