Three interviewed for open Valley council seat

The Spokane Valley City Council went through the now familiar procedure of interviewing applicants for an open council seat Tuesday evening.

Council members took turns asking questions of the applicants – David Starr, Michael Munch and Michelle Rasmussen – and though the questions weren’t all the same it was clear there were more similarities than differences between the candidates.

All three are strong defenders of property rights and reluctant to accept federal grant money for infrastructure projects, if the grants come with a lot of strings attached.

Munch said it would depend on the individual road project whether conditions like bike lanes or a narrowing to three lanes would work. He also said any project should be presented to the residents in the area.

“We have to know if the neighbors want it or not,” Rasmussen said.

Rasmussen and Starr were asked if they would support the city financing a $20 million grade separation at Pines Road and Trent Avenue, if it can’t be financed by transportation grants.

Rasmussen said she’d never support that decision without first seeking approval from the public.

Starr said if a plan for financing the grade separation with a bond was “put in concrete” with a specific end time, then people may go for a property tax increase.

Councilman Ed Pace asked each candidate if they believe a goal of being “a crime-free city with zero tolerance for drug crimes” is obtainable and a fair measure of law enforcement performance.

Munch said that since Spokane Valley isn’t isolated, there will always be influx from other areas.

“I support being tough on crime, but I don’t see how you’d accomplish becoming a crime-free city,” Much said.

Starr answered the same, adding, “you can’t legislate morality.”

Rasmussen said she believes in setting goals, and she’d ask for more reports from law enforcement to keep better track of crime trends.

When asked about how to fund road repair and maintenance, which is currently funded by a rapidly declining utility tax on landlines, the three candidates agreed the city can’t afford to fall behind on road repair. Munch said he’d be in favor of another utility tax, as would Rasmussen if voters approve. Starr agreed, saying that he doesn’t believe residents will “run the council out of town” if a new utility tax is needed to make up the deficit.

Councilman Caleb Collier asked Munch how he would handle disagreement on the council or in the media.

“I would handle it as an adult. I wouldn’t attack anyone personally,” Munch said. “I wouldn’t go blabbing that so and so said this and that.”

Rasmussen said sometimes growth and good ideas can come out through conflict.

Starr said he wouldn’t encourage discussing things with the media because protests at the City Council earlier this year were misrepresented.

“They said there were dozens of protesters, but I only counted nine,” Starr said. He added that the City Council should “put on a front that you are working together.”

The City Council will appoint its new member Tuesday.