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October Council Recap: Council votes to ease sign standards
10/28/2015 3:24:24 PM
By Craig Howard
Splash Contributor
The Liberty Lake City Council approved a new sign code Oct. 6 that will allow for broader interpretations of signs along I-90 as well as signs that can be utilized by the city, Liberty Lake Sewer and Water District and other public entities. Regulations for signage along major corridors like Appleway and Country Vista will stay the same.
Following through on a consensus from discussion at its August retreat, council agreed to dissolve an overlay area around the Harvard Road/Liberty Lake Road interchange where large free-standing signs had been barred. Removing the restriction means businesses in and around the well-traveled area can now utilize signage up to 30 feet tall.
Council also agreed to allow electronically changeable message signs (ECMS) along the I-90 corridor on properties within 250 feet of the freeway. Gregg Dohrn, a consultant who has moderated the discussion on the sign standards, emphasized that the city will have authority to determine the brightness, duration of the message and message transition. There will be no limits on the color used on the ECMS while such signs can run at any hour of the day.
"I believe the design controls will be sufficient to protect the dignity that we have come to expect in Liberty Lake," said Council Member Dan Dunne.
Council Member Bob Moore brought up a request he had made back in the summer to Dohrn and city staff regarding potential impacts of widespread ECMS. Amanda Tainio, Planning and Building Services manager, told Moore and his council colleagues that there are 60 potential properties that could utilize ECMS along the corridor.
"That's significant when you look at the possibility of 60 electronically changeable message signs in that area," Moore said. "The planning commission didn't have that information when they made their recommendation (approving ECMS) to council."
Representatives of local businesses spoke in support of ECMS on Oct. 6. Many of the voices were familiar to those around the dais.
"It's not going to be much different from what we have right now," said Jordan Dummit of R'nR RV, who emphasized ECMS used by the business would display the company logo along with images of various RV brands.
Eric Rock, a Liberty Lake resident and owner of Consign Furniture, said the prospect of relocating into the long vacant Ashley Furniture site on Country Vista Road would be an uphill battle without ECMS.
"We're not a big box retailer," he said. "It's hard to think what kind of risk we would entail without proper signage."
Mayor Pro Tem Cris Kaminskas said she originally opposed the idea of ECMS on I-90 until hearing of challenges faced by businesses like Allsport, which eventually ran out of building space for advertising purposes.
"I think it's something we can handle," Kaminskas said.
Mayor Steve Peterson said he counted 63 large signs on a recent drive between the Barker exit and the Spokane Airport. Less than 10 percent, Peterson said, featured electronically changeable messaging. The new policy still leaves entities beyond 250 feet from I-90, like the HUB Sports Center, facing the same sign exclusions mapped out in the old code.
While council agreed that public entities should be able to utilize ECMS to post notices and promote various events, opinions were divided on the issue of retailers along Appleway and Country Vista incorporating the same technology. Council Member Keith Kopelson said such signs around town would "impact the ambiance" of Liberty Lake.
Moore said he had concerns about Liberty Lake "becoming like Sprague Avenue or Spokane Valley."
"One of the things that makes Liberty Lake a unique community is our sign code," he said. "I have no problem with electronic changeable message signs along I-90 but I do along these corridors."
Council Member Odin Langford countered, saying the city had a responsibility to support retailers in all parts of town.
"It's hard for me to say that I'm for the businesses on I-90 but not for the businesses along these corridors," he said.
Charles Matthews of the planning commission said he and his colleagues recommended ECMS along Appleway and Country Vista "because businesses here cannot survive on Liberty Lake business alone."
"We're seeing a lot of empty storefronts," Matthews said. "We need to help our local businesses."
Jeff Sitton, another member of the planning commission, said, at one time, he was "one of the biggest opponents of changing the sign code" but now sees the importance of a code that facilitates promotion that translates to business success. The resulting tax revenue "helps pay for the construction of pools and other things," Sitton said.
In voting "to keep the integrity of the downtown business corridor," Kaminskas said retailers cannot always blame a restrictive sign code for their struggles. Some existing signs are difficult to read, she said, while issues like customer service and pricing also come into play. She added that a citywide wayfinding sign program with uniform placards could still be revisited.
"Sometimes it's just poor marketing, not just missing signs," she said.
Council Member Shane Brickner said he supported ECMS within the city based on conversations with local business owners as well as some outside the city who said they would not consider locating in Liberty Lake because of overly stringent sign standards.
Ultimately, council voted 4-2 to delete ECMS within the downtown corridor from the revised development code. Kaminskas, Kopelson, Moore and Dunne were in the majority. Langford and Brickner opposed the measure. Council Member Hugh Severs missed the meeting with an excused absence.
Mayor introduces preliminary budget for 2016
Mayor Peterson put forward a first look at the city's financial blueprint for the coming year at the Oct. 20 meeting.
"The 2016 budget contains conservative revenue projections and disciplined expenditures," Peterson told council. "Our commitment to being a safe, clean and green community with excellent facilities and infrastructure has not wavered."
Pointing to Liberty Lake's status as the sixth-fastest growing city in Washington, the mayor said "it is imperative that we be ahead of the power curve on transportation."
Next year's budget features several large-scale street projects including a renovation of Liberty Lake Road. The work will encompass surface and signalization improvements at the intersection of the heavily traveled road and Country Vista. There are also plans for new signalization at the junction of Appleway and Liberty Lake Road to improve traffic flow.
Street upgrades in 2016 will take up just over $2.2 million of the $2.8 million allotted under the Capital Improvement Plan. The balance will go toward projects at city parks, the Trailhead golf course, Town Square and community signage. Peterson noted that "a little over $500,000 is yet to be determined but is expected as additional funding."
The proposed general fund for 2016 - covering municipal pillars like public safety, library services, parks, community development and seven other programs - stands at nearly $6.58 million, up from $6.05 million in 2015. Adding in another 17 funds, in areas like streets, tourism promotion and stormwater utility, the grand total for next year rings in at nearly $11.6 million, eclipsing the $11.2 million budget for 2015.
Peterson attributed the budget growth to the inclusion of funds from the new waste management contract, a proposed 1 percent hike in the property tax levy that the city has the option to install each year, increased property valuation and an upturn in revenue from the utility tax.
"These funds will help sustain us in the future as we see our costs increase by approximately 2 percent," Peterson said.
The breakdown of next year's proposed operating revenue of $6.4 million incudes a projected $2.3 million from sales tax and $2.05 million in property tax. Utility tax - the toll on phone, electric, gas, cable and waste management - is expected to bring in $745,000. The tax was installed in 2010 at 6 percent and lowered to 3 percent in 2012. In 2013, revenue from the utility tax was dedicated exclusively to road maintenance.
Public safety will take up 25 percent - or $1.9 million - of proposed expenditures next year, followed by capital projects at just under $1.2 million. Streets come in third at nearly $920,000.
Finance Director RJ Stevenson said the city is expected to begin 2016 with a fund balance of nearly $6.2 million. With overall revenues projected at $10.5 million and expenditures targeted at $11.6 million, the city anticipates an ending fund balance next year of $5.1 million.
• • •
In the Books, On the Docket
A look back and ahead at news from City Hall
By Craig Howard
Splash Contributor
IN THE BOOKS (OCTOBER)
• The Liberty Lake Police Department hosted the fifth annual Community Domestic Violence Symposium on Oct. 24.
• City Administrator Katy Allen said the city is looking at "a systems analysis" of traffic patterns along major arterials of Country Vista, Mission and Appleway that would include an evaluation of properties that are vacant and underutilized. Allen said the research would compile "numbers at buildout" that would help the city determine the need for transportation upgrades.
• At the beginning of the Oct. 20 City Council meeting, during the citizen comments portion, a letter was read into the public record from resident Tricia Usab that referred to city's decision to lay off longtime Parks and Recreation Director Michelle Griffin in September. Usab expressed concern that the city would be offering fewer recreational opportunities due to Griffin's departure.
• An electronic speed tracking sign has been installed near Rocky Hill Park as a reminder to motorists of the posted speed limit. Illuminated pedestrian beacons will be added near Liberty Lake Elementary and the intersection of Mission and Malvern in the next two weeks.
• Mayor Steve Peterson presented Gregg Dohrn with a plaque of recognition for his work helping staff and City Council consolidate and update the comprehensive plan. The mayor noted that Dohrn's support was integral to the city completing the process before any other jurisdiction in Spokane County.
• Council moved from a first read to second read and approval of Ordinance 224 on Oct. 6, adopting a policy for abatement of chronic nuisance properties. Allen said the ordinance would give law enforcement more authority to deal with suspected drug houses and other properties that create a public safety concerns.
• City Engineer Andrew Staples presided over a workshop on Oct. 6 regarding potential traffic issues and calming measures on Mission Avenue. Some 600 employees are expected to eventually be in place at the new Comcast office at the Meadowwood Technology Campus. The city is proposing a roundabout at Mission and Molter to deal with the increase in traffic while Council Member Shane Brickner has led the campaign for a right-turn only exit out of the facility onto Mission and a dedicated entrance to the north.
• City Hall hosted a public meeting on Oct. 8 to discuss ideas for Orchard Park, the city's newest greenspace project. Attendees provided feedback and learned about the proposed schedule for the park's master plan and construction.
• The city announced distribution of funds to local nonprofits from $10,000 approved earlier this year. Rotary East received $5,000 toward two soap box derby cars utilized by children with special needs. The HUB was granted $2,500 as was the Greater Spokane Substance Abuse Council.
• Council approved a project management contract with OAC Services Inc. for Town Square, phase II, which includes an aquatic facility and community center targeted for a public vote in 2016. Thaxton Parkinson PLLC was approved as legal representative for the project.
ON THE DOCKET (NOVEMBER)
• Allen will provide design review updates on a pair of transportation projects slated for 2016 - the renovation of Liberty Lake Road and construction of the Mission/Molter roundabout.
• Public hearings on the 2016 proposed city budget are scheduled for the Nov. 3 and Nov. 17 council meetings.
• Council will hear a presentation from Greater Spokane County Meals on Wheels on Nov. 3 with an emphasis on services in Liberty Lake.
• At the same meeting, Greater Spokane Inc. will present an update on the regional economic site selector 3.0 project.
• Peterson is expected to confirm the appointment of a new member of the planning commission on Nov. 3 from three applicants. The appointee will replace Mike Kennedy.
• A presentation on the schematic concepts for Orchard Park is on the agenda for Nov. 17.
• Amendments to the public improvement list for the Local Infrastructure Financing Tool (LIFT) will be discussed at the Nov. 17 meeting.
• Council will decide on the property tax levy rate for next year at its Nov. 17 meeting.
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