Your Connection to the Spokane Valley City Council

This last meeting of 2020 was initiated by Proposed Resolution 20-016 which revises prior fees and establishes fees to be charged for services provided by the City for 2021 and beyond. This resolution affects citywide departments such as Planning (Schedule A), Building (Schedule B), Parks & Recreation (Schedule C), Other Fees (Schedule E), and Transportation Impact Fees (Schedule G).

Revenue generated from the Master Fee Schedule account for $2,596,719 or 5.72% of the City’s total General Fund recurring revenues. The City’s Stormwater Management Fund raises $1.9 million or 98.94% of that fund’s recurring revenues. Generally speaking, the funds have increased across the board in no small part because they haven’t been addressed in some time.

To ensure that timely attention occurs in the future, the following is a summation of language added to address the problem in Resolution 20-016:

Unless otherwise specifically amended, the schedules cited above shall be reviewed and automatically adjusted annually to reflect 80% of any change from September to September of the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U), West Region, published by the U. S. Department of Labor. …In no event shall the cumulative change in rates or charges be more than four percent per year. …The adjustment shall be effective January 1 of each year.

Motion to approve Resolution #20-016 repealing and replacing Resolution 19-019 and approving the Master Fee Schedule for 2021 passed unanimously.  Specifics and details of the Resolution can be found at the City’s website: www.spokanevalley.org.

In May 2018, the City awarded a marketing agreement to KREM Marketing Solutions, a full-service marketing agency to implement its 5-year marketing strategy developed by its marketing consultant, Atlas Advertising. The agreement allowed up to three annual renewals. That strategy focused on three key areas: branding and community engagement, tourism and development, and economic/business development.

Under the agreement, KREM developed and implemented campaigns that used both video and digital advertising for business recruitment, expansion and retention and events such as CRAVE!, Valleyfest, and Cycle Celebration. In 2019, the City renewed the contract (1st renewal) adding targeted marketing campaigns aimed at Spokane and the Seattle/Tacoma markets. Website improvements were also made, adding social media elements Facebook and LinkedIn.

In 2020 the KREM contract was once again renewed (2nd renewal). When the pandemic struck in March, the scope of work was modified to accommodate and assist the businesses affected by the accompanying economic calamity. A marketing strategy was devised to support the City’s CARES Act grant programs such as tourism initiatives, and restaurant take-out/delivery among others while continuing to provide digital and video campaigns focused on business recruitment, retention and expansion. Those campaigns specifically targeted recruitment of skilled labor and remote workers to support area business needs.

KREM also produced videos to highlight five capital projects: the Pines/BNSF Rail Crossing Project, Barker Road corridor projects, Balfour Park/Spokane Valley Library project, Sullivan Road/Bigelow Gulch projects, and the proposed Expo Center expansion in which the City is planning to participate. The staff report was for information only, no action was needed or taken. The third one-year renewal of the KREM contract for 2021 will be executed.

In its 2020 session, the state Legislature passed HB 1590 which provides a pathway for Council to increase its sales tax by .1% so long as the funds generated were used for qualifying affordable housing expenditures. Before that law, such a tax could only be imposed by a vote of the people in that jurisdiction. Staff was asked to provide an analysis of HB1590’s effect on the City largely because the city of Spokane had passed such an increase. While informative, there appeared to be no appetite for Council to take such action.

City Hall remains closed except by appointment. Appointments for service may be made by calling 509-720-5000, or visiting www.spokanevalley.org. This was the last Council meeting before 2021 arrives. Here’s wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and a most joyous and Happy New Year!

At last week’s Council meeting, a more predictable and dependable fee structure to assist in addressing the impacts created by new construction was moved to a Second Reading (Ordinance 20-026). That ordinance parallels the methodology successfully used in the Northeast Industrial Area’s Planned Action Ordinance to cover costs generated by new construction. It provides a streamlined permit review process that includes traffic mitigation fees that provide certainty to developers while eliminating significant project review (permitting) time. Based on generally accepted per trip rates for impacts of various types of development the table below was established:

1. Single Family Home/Duplex    $1,260 per unit
2. Multi-Family    $713 per unit
3. Hotel (3 or more levels)    $891 per room
4. Elementary School    $1.74 per sq. ft.
5. Medical Clinic    $4.17 per sq. ft.
6. General Office    $1.46 per sq. ft.
7. Shopping Center    $3.20 per sq. ft.

This fee schedule will be an integral part of the overall adjustment of City fees. Motion to adopt Ordinance 20-026 passed unanimously.

Council has heard reports on the suggestion that Spokane Valley become a ‘Tree City.’ In order to be eligible to be named a Tree City USA, the City must have: 1) A separate department or tree board; 2) Must adopt a tree care ordinance (which would affect all citizens); 3) Set up a community forestry program with an annual budget of at least $2 per citizen; and 4) Have an annual Arbor Day proclamation and observance. Proposed Ordinance 20-027 would accomplish the authorization of that program.

The process to become a Tree City requires that the City meets all four of the above criteria, apply for formal status, and agree that the designation is for one year which will require an annual renewal application. Under current circumstances the $2 per capita fee would amount to an annual expenditure by the City of nearly $195,000 per year. The motion to approve Ordinance 20-027 passed by a 5-2 vote.  Higgins and Woodard voted no, reiterating their prior objections of a) No advantage to the City for the designation, and b) Concern that the ordinance would eventually extend to private property.

Council unanimously approved a one-year renewal of its Street and Stormwater Maintenance contract with Poe Asphalt Company. The contract award is for $1.5 million plus increases allowed for hourly rate escalations. The contract for 2022 will be up for renewal at this time in 2021.

Council also unanimously approved renewal with AAA Sweeping of the 2021 street sweeping contract in an amount not to exceed $567,840. This is the fourth of four renewal terms that may be exercised by the City.

At its November 17th meeting, Council was presented plans for converting the Mission Horse Arena to a bike pump track and/or skate park. This evening’s motion to adopt the Valley Mission Horse Arena Master Plan carries forward the wishes of citizen input to convert that land to another recreational use. The motion to approve the master plan as presented by staff was approved unanimously.

The City’s Browns Park has been the object of a continuing improvement program over the last few years-16 sand volleyball courts, a basketball court, splash pad, perimeter path with lighting, picnic shelters, restroom, and a skate dot have to date been added.

The final phase to be implemented includes the installation of new playground equipment, another smaller restroom, and shelter. That improvement is funded through a Department of Commerce direct appropriation awarded in 2019 together with city funds. LaRiveire, Inc. submitted the low bid of $400,269.47. That bid was for the entire list of options proposed by the City. Because the bid was over the engineer’s estimate, the option to install an Omni Spin Spinner was dropped from the list, reducing the bid to $344,883 plus tax. The remaining items to be added at the park include a toddler swing, We Go Round, 5-12 Arch swings, park trees, and a dedication plaque. Motion to award the contract was approved unanimously.

The Spokane Regional Transportation Commission (SRTC) is confronted with a problem. Last session, the legislature passed a law that required Tribes to have voting representation on that commission. SRTC membership originally had until August 1, 2021, to fulfill that requirement, but when the Spokane International Airport withdrew from SRTC, that move triggered an earlier date for compliance-December 31, 2020. As an SRTC member, the City will have to address that problem at least prior to 08/01/21 or perhaps sooner.

City Hall remains closed except by appointment. Appointments for service may be made by calling 509-720-5000, or visiting www.spokanevalley.org. With the holiday season upon us, there is one more Council meeting before 2021 arrives. Pray that the New Year brings peace and tranquility.

This Council meeting commenced with passage of Ordinance 20-023 which formalized the adoption of the City’s 2021 Budget. The 2021 Budget features $97,968,784 in total appropriations including $32,524,699 in capital expenditures for such projects as rail crossing projects ($13,796,320), pavement preservation ($4,676,350), and street capital projects ($8,876,315), among others. To partially offset the capital costs the City anticipates it will receive $21,079,702 (64.75%) in grant revenues from State and Federal sources.

Estimated General Fund recurring revenues are $45,426,419. Estimated recurring expenditures are $45,101,466. Revenues exceed expenditures by $324,953 or .72% of recurring revenues. Declining revenues impacting funds such as the Street Operation and Maintenance Fund will be covered from the General Fund. Currently that shortage is estimated to be nearly $1.9 million. The major budget expense is Public Safety at $28,086,615 (62.4% of the City’s total recurring operating budget), covering the City’s first obligation to its citizens--protection.

The motion to approve the 2021 Budget passed 5-2. Woodard and Higgins voted no. The dissenting votes were predicated on the use of general fund revenues for road preservation and maintenance.

The City has been discussing a more predictable and dependable fee structure to assist in addressing the impacts created by new construction. Ordinance 20-026 parallels the methodology successfully used in the Northeast Industrial Area’s Planned Action Ordinance to cover costs generated by new construction. This ordinance provides a streamlined permit review process that includes traffic mitigation fees. The structured fee provides certainty to developers while eliminating significant project review (permitting) time. Based on generally accepted per trip rates for impacts of various types of development the table below was established:
1. Single Family Home/Duplex    $1,260 per unit
2. Multi-Family    $713 per unit
3. Hotel (3 or more levels)    $891 per room
4. Elementary School    $1.74 per sq. ft.
5. Medical Clinic    $4.17 per sq. ft.
6. General Office    $1.46 per sq. ft.
7. Shopping Center    $3.20 per sq. ft.

This fee schedule will be an integral part of the overall assessment of City fees which will be taken up at Council’s December 15th meeting. Motion to suspend rules and pass Ordinance 20-026 passed unanimously.

On March 17th and again on November 17th, Council heard a report on the suggestion that Spokane Valley become a ‘Tree City.’ In order to be eligible to be named a Tree City USA, the City must have: 1) A separate department or tree board; 2) Must adopt a tree care ordinance (which would affect all citizens); 3) Set up a community forestry program with an annual budget of at least $2 per citizen; and 4) Have an annual Arbor Day proclamation and observance. Proposed Ordinance 20-027 would accomplish authorize that program.

The process to become a Tree City requires that the City meets all four of the above criteria, applying for status, and agreeing that the designation is for one year which necessitates an annual renewal application. Under current circumstances the $2 per capita fee would amount to an annual expenditure by the City of nearly $195,000 per year. The motion to move Ordinance 20-027 to a Second Reading passed by a 5-2 vote. Higgins and Woodard voted no, citing no advantage to the City for the designation, and concern that the ‘Tree Board’ would eventually go beyond its mission.

The City last granted a franchise to Comcast in 2009. That franchise expired in July 2020. The City recently granted a franchise to TDS, a competitor to Comcast, and in so doing, substantially amended chapter 3.65 of the City Code. The new franchise for Comcast will incorporate the changes bringing it on a regulatory par with TDS. Ordinance 20-029 accomplished that. The motion to suspend rules and pass Ordinance 20-029 was approved 7-0.

The Lodging Tax Advisory Committee, having met on October 15th, recommended the following distributions to applicants who demonstrate an ability to promote conventions and tourist travel to Spokane Valley.
 

An amended motion to approve the above allocations was approved 6-1. The unallocated remainder is moved to the 2021 capital budget.

City Hall remains closed under the Governor’s edict for the foreseeable future. Appointments for service may be made by calling 509-720-5000, or visiting www.spokanevalley.org.    

View Past Spokane Valley City Council Highlights