Survey on city center likely

The Spokane Valley City Council has sidelined the idea of a fall vote on a proposed city center, leaning toward a poll instead.

“I really think a scientific poll would do a better job than an advisory vote,” Councilman Bill Gothmann said at Tuesday night’s meeting.

A poll could gather more information than a vaguely worded ballot item, Gothmann argued, citing as an example the large response from a survey taken in his neighborhood before a sidewalk project.

Council members expressed interest in an advisory vote at a recent retreat, and Tuesday, city officials told them what would be required to hold one.

“Everything of course is under a very tight timeline,” said city clerk Chris Bainbridge.

The council would have to vote on the ballot language at its meeting in two weeks in order to meet county elections office’s August deadline.

The city also would appoint three-person committees to write statements for and against the ballot item to appear in the county’s voter pamphlet.

It’s unlikely, though, that the public would know what the project would cost or how it would be funded by the time the ballot language and pamphlet were written.

“I honestly would not know how to vote on this as a citizen,” Gothmann said.

After the ensuing discussion the council agreed by consensus to take the ballot measure off a future agenda.

“With a survey we can break it down into individual parts,” said Mayor Diana Wilhite.

While no decision was taken to commission a poll, a majority of the council seemed to indicate it would be worth further study.

With or without an advisory measure this fall, Councilman Rich Munson said he wanted to ensure voters that they will be able to weigh in before the project is funded.

“A vote will take place on this subject in one form or another,” he said.