Your Connection to the Spokane Valley City Council

 

 

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. 

 

 

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. 

 

 

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. 

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.