This week’s Spokane Valley City Council meeting began with the pledge of allegiance and approval of the following meeting agenda. Councilmember Yaeger was excused from the meeting, so relevant motions will represent six total votes.

Proclamations
Mayor Haley presented a proclamation for National American Indian Heritage Month, which was received by RaeAnna Victor of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). 

General Public Comments
Each week, community members have an opportunity to address Councilmembers for up to three minutes during the General Public Comment period, either at the beginning or end of each meeting in person or via Zoom. 

PUBLIC HEARING

#1 2024 Budget Amendment
Staff summarized the changes to revenues and expenditures, which require amending the 2024 Budget. The proposed amendment will impact 11 funds, resulting in total revenue increases of $11,269,615 and expenditure increases of $18,249,404. The purpose of this item was to obtain public input on the proposed amendment.

ACTION ITEMS

#2 First Reading: Proposed Ordinance #24-014, 2024 Budget Amendment
The Council approved a motion to advance Ordinance #24-014 amending the 2024 Budget to a second reading with five votes in favor and one vote against. 

#3 First Reading: Proposed Ordinance #24-015 Adopting the 2025 Budget
This is the sixth time the Council has reviewed and discussed the 2025 Budget. The third and final public hearing on the draft budget will be held at the Nov. 19, 2024, Council meeting. The 2025 Budget currently includes expenditures of $149,637,715 and revenues of $147,856,886. The Council will be asked to adopt the 2025 Budget on Nov. 19, 2024. A motion to advance Ordinance #24-015 adopting the 2025 Budget to a second reading passed with five votes in favor and one vote against. 

#4 Holiday City Hall Closure
Staff outlined a proposal to close City Hall and CenterPlace at noon on the day before Thanksgiving and close all day on Christmas Eve. It was noted that the proposed closures would not apply to police operations or snow plowing operations, if applicable.  A motion to approve the closure of City Hall and CenterPlace at noon on Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, and the entire day on Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024, to allow staff time to prepare and travel for their Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays passed unanimously. 

#5 Comments Regarding Caseload Standards for Indigent Defense
The Council previously discussed this item at the Oct. 22 meeting. In March 2024, The Washington State Bar Association (WSBA) adopted standards regarding public defense regulations. The revised standards would significantly decrease the number of cases public defenders may carry each year, resulting in a significant increase in the number of required public defenders, investigators, etc. The impact on the city budget for the additional number of public defense attorneys and supporting staff is estimated to be a range between $1.8 million to $2.7 million. As comparison, in 2024, the city’s budget for public defense was $920,000. The Washington State Supreme Court is accepting comments on the proposed new standards. Staff have researched the issue and feel there is not enough evidence of a systemic statewide problem with public defender workload issues, although possibly a concern at individual agencies or jurisdictions. A draft letter expressing the city’s opposition to proposed changes was reviewed. A motion to approve the city’s comment letter related to the proposed changes to the standards for indigent defense and finalize the same for sending to the Washington State Supreme Court passed with all votes in favor. 

NON-ACTION ITEMS

#6 Tourism Promotion Area: Spokane Sports and 116 & West Proposals
Staff outlined the relationship of the Tourism Promotion Area (TPA).  On Sep. 10, 2024, the Council approved a 2025 TPA budget of $1,275,000 and the 2025 work plan to renew existing contracts with two consultants that provide tourism marketing services. The funding for this program comes from a $4 fee per overnight hotel room stay in Spokane Valley. Subsequently, the TPA Commission received proposals for 2025 TPA funding from two consultants: (1) Spokane Sports to utilize $400,000 for sports recruitment and marketing and (2) 116 & West to utilize $875,000 for destination marketing. Staff asked the Council for consensus to bring forth a motion at a future meeting authorizing the city manager to execute contract amendments with 116 & West and Spokane Sports for 2025 services. The Council provided a consensus. 

#7 Homeless Program Update
Staff shared background of the Spokane Valley’s Homeless Program and spoke about increasing homelessness and ongoing challenges with reductions in shelter availability and housing. Staff presented data from January 2023 to September 2024 relating to homeless activity reports, outreach tracking and outreach outcomes. Spokane Valley Homeless Outreach Officer Pratt is transitioning to a new position and introduced our new Homeless Outreach Officer Kat Horton, as well as announced the addition of a second homeless outreach officer beginning on Dec. 1 to provide seven days a week coverage. 

#8 Interlocal Agreement Regarding Spokane Transit Authority Use of Fiberoptic Facilities Owned by the City
In July 2014, the Council approved a 10-year interlocal agreement (ILA), which allowed Spokane Transit Authority (STA) to connect and use one pair of dark fiber for public transit communications by STA facilities. STA would like to enter into a new ILA with the City for the same purpose. The terms and conditions are substantially the same as the 2014 ILA. Details of the agreement were reviewed. The Council will be asked to approve the ILA at a later date.

About Spokane Valley City Council 
City Council meetings occur most Tuesdays at 6 p.m. at Spokane Valley City Hall, 10210 E. Sprague Avenue, online via Zoom or Comcast channel 14. Meeting agendas and minutes are available at SpokaneValleyWA.gov/Agendas. Email the Council at CityCouncil@SpokaneValleyWA.gov or learn more at SpokaneValleyWA.gov/CityCouncil.

Stay Connected
Spokane Valley City Hall is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Find information at SpokaneValleyWA.gov, sign up to receive email updates at SpokaneValleyWA.gov/SignUp, or follow the City on social media. 

 

This week’s Spokane Valley City Council meeting began with an invocation, pledge of allegiance and approval of the meeting agenda. More details on each topic are at SpokaneValleyWA.gov/Agendas. 

General Public Comments
Each week, community members have an opportunity to address Councilmembers for up to three minutes during the General Public Comment period, either at the beginning or end of each meeting in person or via Zoom.

ACTION ITEMS

#1 Consent Agenda
The Council unanimously approved the consent agenda, which included vouchers for paying city expenses, payroll and Council meeting minutes from Oct. 8, 2024.

#2 Ordinance 24-013: Second Reading Property Tax
The Council again reviewed the proposed 2025 property tax levy. The proposed levy does not include the 1% increase permitted by state law. Enactment of the ordinance would permit the City to collect an estimated $14.1 million in 2025, based on the Spokane County Assessor’s preliminary estimated assessed property values. The motion to approve Ordinance 24-013 levying regular property taxes for 2025 passed with 5 votes in favor and 2 votes against.

#3 2025 Draft Federal Legislative Agenda
This item was previously discussed at the meeting. Staff reviewed the modifications made as directed by the Council. The agenda items include:
1. Capital Projects: Argonne Bridge at I-90, Sullivan/Trent Interchange, South Barker Corridor, Barker/I-90 Interchange, and Cross Country Course Fieldhouse.
2. Policy Priorities: Public Health and Safety, Transportation and Infrastructure, Housing and Homelessness, Economic Development and Workforce and Value of Hydropower.
3. Support for Local and Regional Initiatives: Support of local industries’ federal grant applications. A motion to approve the 2025 Federal Legislative Agenda as presented passed unanimously.

NON-ACTION ITEMS

#4 Waste Management Solid Waste Collection Services
An overview of the solid waste management program was delivered to Council on April 23, 2024. Two senior staff from Waste Management (WM) presented information to the Council about WM residential and commercial garbage collection services, collection history and recent challenges to providing service, including a nationwide driver shortage, staffing disruptions, injury rates, difficulty getting parts to repair trucks, etc. Potential solutions were discussed.

#5 Recreation, Aquatic and Parks Season Review
Spokane Valley Parks Department staff provided a review of the 2024 spring and summer recreation season. Highlights of this year’s recreation programs included an Arbor Day Celebration, summertime meal programs for kids at the parks (in partnership with East Valley School District and Spokane County Library District), youth camp programs, adult outdoor and dance programs, outdoor movies in the park and more. Staff also spoke about upcoming winter events and reported on attendance numbers at the city pools this summer.

#6 Public Defender Caseload Standards
On April 30, 2024, the Council received information about the impacts of new caseload standards for public defenders proposed by the Washington State Bar Association (WSBA). The standards would significantly reduce the number of cases public defenders may carry each year, resulting in a significant increase in the number of required public defenders, investigators, etc. Staff estimates the impact on the city budget for the additional number of public defense attorneys and supporting staff would range between $1.8 million to $2.7 million. In 2024, the city’s budget for public defense was $920,000. The Washington State Supreme Court is currently accepting comments through Oct. 31, on the proposed new standards. Staff feels there is a lack of evidence for a statewide problem with public defender workload issues; it is possibly an issue at certain agencies. A draft letter containing comments to the Supreme Court was presented to Council for consideration. The Council provided input to staff, who will bring back an updated letter for a motion consideration on Oct. 29.

#6 Regional Homeless and Housing Coordination Update
Spokane Regional Collaborative (SRC) made up of multiple local government entities to meet regularly and discuss the potential for a regional collaborative approach to address homelessness. Mayor Haley, Deputy
Mayor Hattenburg and several senior-level city staff participated in the meetings. The SRC met twice in 2024; at the last meeting, there was no consensus from the City of Spokane and Spokane County to continue pursuing a regional entity. In the absence of a regional entity, the group identified a series of interagency goals to continue working on addressing homelessness. The group is scheduled to meet again on Oct. 23 to discuss progress on draft interlocal cooperation agreements, shared data agreements, interagency funding tools and inclement weather response coordination.

INFORMATION ONLY (no presentation or discussion)

#6 Monthly Department Reports
Monthly reports were submitted by Community Development (Building, Planning, Development Engineering
and Code Enforcement), Spokane Valley Police Department and Spokane Valley Fire Department. 

About Spokane Valley City Council
City Council meetings occur on most Tuesdays at 6 p.m. at Spokane Valley City Hall, 10210 E. Sprague Avenue, online via Zoom or Comcast channel 14. Email the Council at CityCouncil@SpokaneValleyWA.gov or learn more at SpokaneValleyWA.gov/CityCouncil.

Stay Connected
Spokane Valley City Hall is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Find information at SpokaneValleyWA.gov, sign up to receive email updates at SpokaneValleyWA.gov/SignUp, or follow the City on social media.

 

This week’s Spokane Valley City Council meeting began with the pledge of allegiance and approval of the following meeting agenda.

General Public Comments

Each week, community members have an opportunity to address Councilmembers for up to three minutes during the General Public Comment period, either at the beginning or end of each meeting in person or via Zoom.

PUBLIC HEARING

#1 Public Hearing #2 on Draft 2025 Budget

This was the second of three Public Hearings and the fifth of eight discussions by the City Council about the draft 2025 budget. The total of all 31 fund categories in the 2025 budget is $149 million. Staff presented the following highlights:

• 2025 estimated recurring revenues for the General Fund are $63.7 million, an increase of 3.8% from 2024.
• General Fund revenues come from sales tax (59%), property tax (22%) and other recurring revenues (19%).
• 2025 estimated recurring expenditures from the General Fund are $63.2 million, an increase of 6.01%. $1.5 million is estimated for non-recurring expenses (such as police vehicle replacements, police precinct facility improvements, information technology, and others).
• Of General Fund expenditures, 63.52% is allocated to public safety costs and the remaining 36.48% for all other General Fund Services.

Staff summarized the primary revenue sources for the other budget funds and discussed funding challenges. There were no public comments. The Council will be asked to approve the 2025 budget at the Nov. 19 meeting after the third and final public hearing.

ACTION ITEMS

#2 East Valley School District Pedestrian Undercrossing Agreement

This item was presented to Council at the Oct. 1 meeting. Spokane Valley and Spokane County collaborated on the Sullivan Road/Wellesley Avenue intersection improvements as part of the Bigelow Gulch corridor project; this included a pedestrian undercrossing between East Valley Middle School and East Valley High School. The undercrossing was developed to make it safer for students, staff and others to cross Sullivan Road from one campus to the other. To allow the district exclusive use of the undercrossing, an interlocal agreement is required. Provisions of the agreement and maintenance responsibilities from each party were reviewed again. A motion was made to authorize the city manager to execute the interlocal agreement with the East Valley School District for use of the Sullivan Road Pedestrian Undercrossing. The motion passed unanimously.

NON-ACTION ITEMS

#3 Retail Strategies Annual Update

The city’s retail improvement strategy consultant provided an update on their recent in-market analysis, successes in Spokane Valley for retail recruitment, current and future retail business being pursued, market trends and reported on regional retailers expanding in the area.

#4 2025 Draft Federal Legislative Agenda

Legislative agendas are communication tools to be used in discussions with Congressional representatives to ensure awareness of local needs. A draft 2025 Federal Legislative agenda was presented and discussed, including;

1. Capital Projects: Barker/I-90 Interchange, South Barker Road Corridor, Argonne Bridge at I-90, Sullivan/Trent Interchange, and Cross Country Course Fieldhouse.
2. Policy Priorities: Public Health and Safety, Transportation and Infrastructure, Housing and Homelessness, Economic Development and Workforce and Value of Hydropower.
3. Support for Local and Regional Initiatives: Support of local industries’ federal grant applications.

The Council was asked to provide input; approval of the final federal legislative agenda will occur at a later date.

#5 Spokane Regional Emergency Communications (SREC) Update

SREC was created in 2018 and provides 911 and Crime Check call response/dispatch for virtually all agencies within Spokane County for fire, police and medical services calls. The City of Spokane (not the City of Spokane Valley) opted not to participate in SREC for dispatch services for Spokane Police but are currently re-evaluating that position. In April 2024, the SREC Board asked the City of Spokane to either join SREC or fully separate from SREC to operate its own public safety call response system. In August, The City of Spokane agreed to join SREC but only if certain conditions were met, including modification of user fees, additional representation on the Board and increased stakeholder involvement. Information was presented to the Council about the possible impact to SREC fees and services should the City of Spokane participate for all their emergency services call response. City Council requested staff to draft a letter to SREC from the Council requesting: (1) negotiation for a direct agreement between Spokane Valley and SREC separate from the law enforcement contract and (2) adding a management level city staff member to the SREC Board. This will come back before Council at a future meeting.

#6 Proposed 2024 Budget Amendment

Staff presented a proposed budget amendment affecting eleven funds resulting in total revenue increases of $11,269,615 and expenditure increases of $18,249,404. A summary of each budget fund’s proposed modification was presented. The Council will be asked to approve the amendment on Nov. 19.

About Spokane Valley City Council

City Council meetings occur most Tuesdays at 6 p.m. at Spokane Valley City Hall, 10210 E. Sprague Avenue and can be viewed online via Zoom or on Comcast channel 14. Meeting agendas and minutes are available at www.SpokaneValleyWA.gov/Agendas. Email the Council at CityCouncil@SpokaneValleyWA.gov or learn more at www.SpokaneValleyWA.gov/CityCouncil.

Stay Connected

Spokane Valley City Hall is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Find information at www.SpokaneValleyWA.gov, sign up to receive email updates at www.SpokaneValleyWA.gov/SignUp, or follow the City on social media.

 

This week’s Spokane Valley City Council meeting began with an invocation, pledge of allegiance led by Daisy Girl Scouts from Troop 2446 and approval of the meeting agenda.  

Council Reports
Councilmembers shared brief updates on their recent involvement in various activities, meetings, events, etc. 

General Public Comments
Each week, community members have an opportunity to address Councilmembers for up to three minutes during the General Public Comment period, either at the beginning or end of each meeting in person or via Zoom. 

ACTION ITEMS

#1 Consent Agenda
The Council unanimously approved the consent agenda, which included vouchers for paying city expenses, payroll, and Council meeting minutes from Aug. 13 and 20, 2024.

#2 First Reading: Ordinance #24-013 Levying 2025 Regular Property Taxes
The Council received a report on this item on Sept. 24 and the first of three public hearings on the draft 2025 budget was held on Sept. 17. There are multiple taxing jurisdictions and tax code areas (TCA) within Spokane Valley. As an example, the collected property taxes within TCA-144 (the largest of the six TCAs in Spokane Valley) are currently distributed as follows: Central Valley School District: 31%, Spokane Valley Fire District No. 01: 26%, State School: 23%, City of Spokane Valley: 8%, Spokane County: 8%, and Spokane County Library District: 4%. The proposed 2025 property tax levy does not include the 1% increase permitted by state law. The levy does include property taxes on new construction. If approved, the ordinance would allow the City to collect approximately $14.1 million in 2025, based on the Spokane County Assessor’s preliminary estimated assessed property values. A motion was made to advance Ordinance #24-013, levying regular property taxes for 2025, to a second reading. The motion passed with six votes in favor and one vote against.

#3 Barker Road Grade Separation Project Final Change Order Approval:
On June 30, 2020, the Council approved an Interlocal Agreement with WSDOT to administer and provide construction management for this project, which was completed in November 2023. For the past ten months, WSDOT and city staff have been coordinating with the contractor on unresolved issues encountered during the construction. All parties have agreed upon compensable amounts for 13 change orders, which were summarized by staff. After the final change orders are complete, the final contract amount will be $14,323,469. The City budgeted $20,540,000 for construction, which includes $17,950,149 from federal and state grants. A motion was made to authorize the city manager to finalize and execute the change order totaling $596,329.75. The motion passed unanimously.

#4 City LTAC Application for a $2.5 Million Lodging Tax Grant Award from Facilities Fund #104 to Further Construction of the Cross Course
This item was discussed by the Council at the Sept. 24 meeting. Staff shared information about the Spokane Valley Cross Course project and highlighted prior actions taken by the Council. Construction is currently underway and should be complete by fall 2025. The estimated project cost is approximately $7 million, and the project has already been awarded $4.4 million from LTAC Fund #104, $150,000 from the State Legislature and a $26,000 grant from Union Pacific Railroad. There is a $2.6 million funding gap, and staff requests the Council’s authorization to submit a 2025 Lodging Tax Grant Application to cover the gap. Staff announced that out of more than 1,200 bids from other organizations, the NCAA selected the future Spokane Valley Cross Course as the host site for the 2027 Division 1 Cross Country Regionals. A motion was made to authorize city staff to submit a 2025 Lodging Tax Grant Application, in partnership with Spokane Sports, for $2.5 million from the Lodging Tax Facilities Fund #104 to partially fund construction of a cross course. The motion passed unanimously. 

Non-Action Items

#5 City Manager Presentation of Preliminary 2025 Budget
City Manager Hohman summarized the city’s 2025 priorities and goals set by the Council. He reviewed financial management and financial objective policies and provided an overview of the estimated total revenues and expenditures for 2025. Public safety expenses account for 64% of the city’s general fund expenditures. Line items for the 2025 Capital Projects budget, major transportation projects and economic development initiatives were discussed. The city manager discussed the 2025 budget challenges including decreasing tax revenues, public safety considerations, the growth rate of law enforcement costs, difficulty fully funding a pavement management program, and funding for housing and homeless services. The City has again developed a balanced budget and remains in excellent financial condition overall. 

INFORMATION ONLY  (no presentation or discussion)

#6 Consolidated Five-Year Plan Update 
Information about the Consolidated Five-Year Plan, which is designed to help local jurisdictions assess affordable housing and community development needs, was provided in the meeting packet. The plan is being updated by Spokane County Housing and Community Development with input from numerous regional stakeholders, including Spokane Valley. 

About Spokane Valley City Council 
City Council meetings occur on most Tuesdays at 6 p.m. at Spokane Valley City Hall, 10210 E. Sprague Avenue, online via Zoom or Comcast channel 14. Meeting agendas and minutes are available at SpokaneValleyWA.gov/Agendas. Email the Council at CityCouncil@SpokaneValleyWA.gov or learn more at SpokaneValleyWA.gov/CityCouncil.

Stay Connected
Spokane Valley City Hall is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Find information at SpokaneValleyWA.gov, sign up to receive email updates at SpokaneValleyWA.gov/SignUp, or follow the City on social media. 

 

This week’s Spokane Valley City Council meeting began with the pledge of allegiance and approval of the following meeting agenda. Mayor Haley and Deputy Mayor Hattenburg were absent due to attending a transit conference.  Councilmember Higgins served as acting Mayor. 

Proclamation 
Councilmember Padden presented a proclamation for Fire Prevention Week received by Spokane Valley Fire Department Deputy Fire Marshall Ken Johnson, and Acting Mayor Higgins presented a proclamation for Cybersecurity Awareness Month received by City of Spokane Valley Information Technology Manager Chad Knodel.

General Public Comments
Each week, community members have an opportunity to address Councilmembers for up to three minutes during the General Public Comment period, either at the beginning or end of each meeting in person or via Zoom. 

ACTION ITEMS

#1 2025 State Legislative Agenda
Council reviewed the draft legislative agenda at the Sept. 17 meeting. Staff reviewed the changes made per direction from the Council. The draft agenda for the 2025 state legislative session includes:

• $800,000 request for construction of sports courts at Balfour Park
• $1 million for Barker/I-90 interchange improvements
• Support for funding the Recreation and Conservation Office’s grant programs for the Balfour Park playground and spray park
• Request for clarification regarding the administrative fees collected on document recording fee revenues
• Request to increase the percentage of cannabis tax revenues to cities

The agenda also includes outlining support for several regional items of importance and policy issues. A motion was made to approve the proposed 2025 State Legislative Agenda. The motion passed unanimously.

#2 Washington Department of Commerce Connecting Housing to Infrastructure Program (CHIP) Grant Opportunity
This item was discussed at the Sept. 24 meeting. This grant pays for the upfront costs of connecting and installing utility infrastructure to encourage the development of affordable housing projects. Spokane Housing Authority (SHA) will partner with the City on this project; Spokane Valley will be the primary applicant and if awarded, funding will be provided as a pass-through grant for the proposed Appleway Development housing project. A motion was made to authorize the city manager to apply for the CHIP grant in partnership with SHA. The motion passed with four votes in favor and one vote against.

NON-ACTION ITEMS

#3 East Valley School District Pedestrian Undercrossing Agreement
As part of the Spokane County-Spokane Valley collaboration for Sullivan Road/Wellesley Avenue intersection improvements and the Bigelow Gulch Corridor project, a pedestrian undercrossing was constructed between East Valley Middle School and East Valley High School to make it safe for students and district personnel crossing Sullivan Road from one campus to the other. An interlocal agreement is necessary in order for the district to have exclusive use of the undercrossing. Staff reviewed the provisions of the agreement and outlined which maintenance responsibilities will be assigned to the City and which to the school district. Council reached consensus to bring a motion consideration at a future meeting for implementation of the interlocal agreement with the East Valley School District. 

#4 Balfour Building Potential Options
On March 7, 2023, the Council approved the purchase of the 0.62-acre property and two-story building located at 10303 E Sprague, adjacent to Balfour Park. This acquisition was to integrate the property into park improvements and provide additional parking. Consultants were hired to assess the building upgrades that might be required to bring the facility, which was built in 1968, up to modern standards. Staff outlined the identified building deficiencies and presented four potential options: (1) renovation of the existing structure, (2) construction of a new similar structure with an elevator for accessibility, (3) construction of a new single-story structure, or (4) demolishing the existing structure and installing a grade pad for future development. Estimates of costs were discussed. The Council discussed and reached a consensus to proceed with option four.

About Spokane Valley City Council 
City Council meetings occur on most Tuesdays at 6 p.m. at Spokane Valley City Hall, 10210 E. Sprague Avenue, Spokane Valley, and online via Zoom. Meeting agendas and minutes are available at SpokaneValleyWA.gov/Agendas. Community members are invited to attend Council meetings to participate in action items or public comment periods in-person or online. Council meetings are broadcast on Comcast channel 14. Councilmembers are Mayor Pam Haley, Deputy Mayor Tim Hattenburg, Councilmember Rod Higgins, Councilmember Jessica Yaeger, Councilmember Al Merkel, Councilmember Ben Wick and Councilmember Laura Padden. Email the Council at CityCouncil@SpokaneValleyWA.gov or learn more at SpokaneValleyWA.gov/CityCouncil.

Stay Connected
Spokane Valley City Hall is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Information is available online at SpokaneValleyWA.gov. You can also sign up to receive email updates about the topics that matter to you most at SpokaneValleyWA.gov/SignUp, or follow the city on social media. 

 

This week’s Spokane Valley City Council meeting began with an invocation, pledge of allegiance and approval of the following amended meeting agenda. 

Council Reports
Councilmembers shared brief updates on their recent involvement in various activities, meetings, events, etc. 

General Public Comments
Each week, community members have an opportunity to address Councilmembers for up to three minutes during the General Public Comment period, either at the beginning or end of each meeting in person or via Zoom. There is also an opportunity to present any comments related to action items on the agenda during that topic. 

ACTION ITEMS

#1 Consent Agenda
The Council unanimously approved the consent agenda, which included vouchers for paying city expenses, payroll, Council meeting minutes from July 23 and July 30, 2024, and a request to hold a 2025 Budget Hearing on Oct. 15, 2024. 

#2 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)/ Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (CLFR) Allocation Update
This federal program started in March 2021, and Spokane Valley received approximately $16 million in ARPA/CLFR funding. The City has used the majority of CLFR funds through the revenue replacement program towards ongoing law enforcement contract costs, spending approximately $15 million to date. Staff have identified $116,270 of available funds not anticipated to be spent in the originally allocated category and recommended the funds be reallocated to the Law Enforcement Assistance category. A motion was made to approve reallocating the $116,270 remaining in the Internal City Costs Category of the ARPA/CLFR funding to the Law Enforcement Assistance category, added to the line item for Other Law Enforcement Assistance. The motion passed unanimously.

#2A Pines Road/BNSF Grade Separation Project, Construction and Maintenance Agreement
The City has been working on this project since 2017, which will separate Pines Road from the railroad tracks by constructing an underpass. The project has secured full funding from multiple State and Federal programs. City staff has worked extensively with BNSF on a Roadway Underpass Construction and Maintenance (C&M) agreement, which includes the construction of the bridges by BNSF, as they are able to construct railroad bridges more efficiently than a contractor could. The proposed C&M agreement will secure the necessary property rights from BNSF, allow BNSF to move forward with bridge construction, and provide for BNSF project monitoring during the roadway construction. If approved, BNSF will be able to begin construction on the bridges this winter. A motion was made to allow the city manager to finalize and execute the BNSF Roadway Underpass Construction and Maintenance Agreement in the approximate amount of $8,615,850, in substantially the form of the attached agreement. The motion passed unanimously. 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

The Council adjourned into Executive Session to discuss pending litigation. When the meeting returned to open session, the Council unanimously approved a motion to authorize the city manager to execute a settlement agreement with Architects West. 

#2B Approve or Deny City-Funded Legal Representation to Councilmember Merkel for His Appeal to the City Hearing Examiner
A public hearing is tentatively scheduled for Oct. 24, 2024, in response to an appeal filed by Spokane Valley Councilmember Al Merkel on Sept. 10, after a recent investigation found him in violation of the Spokane Valley Governance Manual and likely in violation of the Washington State Public Records Act. Per Spokane Valley Municipal Code 2.70.040, whether a Councilmember is to be provided legal representation for claims against the Councilmember is determined by the City Council. Councilmembers discussed Chapter 2.70 SVMC, which details when the City can and cannot provide legal representation to Councilmembers. Pursuant to the city municipal code and state law, Councilmember Merkel was not allowed to participate in the discussion or vote due to a conflict of interest. The remaining six Councilmembers voted unanimously that Councilmember Merkel is not entitled to city-funded legal representation because SVMC 2.70.030 prevents the City from doing so for claims that Councilmembers violated city policy.
Non-Action Items

#5 WA State Dept. of Commerce Connecting Housing to Infrastructure Program – Potential Grant Opportunity
Staff presented a grant program that covers the upfront costs of connecting and installing utility infrastructure to encourage the development and construction of affordable housing projects and make them more viable. The City would partner with the Spokane Housing Authority. The City would be the primary applicant, and funding would be provided by Commerce as a pass-through grant.  City obligations and eligible development costs were reviewed. The maximum award is $1 million per project. Staff shared information about the Spokane Housing Authority Appleway development, which is the proposed project to be funded if the grant is awarded. The Council reached a consensus to bring this item back before the Council for a motion consideration. 

#6 Proposed Property Tax Ordinance 
Staff gave an overview of taxing jurisdictions and tax code areas. While there are many different tax code areas (TCAs) depending on the location of a property parcel, TCA-144 covers the largest area within Spokane Valley. Within TCA-144, property taxes are currently divided as follows: Central Valley School District – 31%, Spokane Valley Fire District No. 01 – 26%, State School – 23%, City of Spokane Valley – 8%, Spokane County – 8%, and Spokane County Library District – 4%. State law requires that the City pass an ordinance that establishes a property tax levy, which is scheduled for Oct. 22, 2024. The proposed 2025 property tax levy does not include the 1% increase allowed by State law, which is equal to $138,060 and will include property taxes for new construction. If the Council passes the ordinance, the City will collect approximately $14 million (based on the Spokane County Assessor’s preliminary estimate of assessed property values). The proposed Property Tax Ordinance will be discussed by the Council again on Oct. 8 and Oct. 22. 

#7 City LTAC Application for a $2.5 Million Lodging Tax Grant Award from Facilities Fund #104 to Further the Construction of the Cross Country Course
Details about the Spokane Valley Cross Country Course project and prior actions taken by the Council for project funding were presented. Construction is underway and expected to be complete by August 2025. The consultant estimates the total project cost at approximately $7 million. In 2024, the project was awarded $4.4 million from LTAC Fund #104, $150,000 from the State Legislature and a $26,000 Union Pacific Railroad grant. To bridge the $2.6 million funding gap, the staff is requesting authorization from the Council to submit a 2025 Lodging Tax Grant Application. The Council reached a consensus to bring this item back for a motion at an upcoming meeting. 

#8 Opioid Settlement – Project Options
At numerous meetings in the past 24 months, the Council has discussed legal settlements with opioid distributors, pharmacies and manufacturers, Johnson & Johnson and Kroger. The City has received $102,122 from the settlements to date; all money received from these settlements must be spent on opioid abatement-related programs or projects. A total of $336,785 of settlement funds are anticipated through 2038. The Council was asked to discuss into which program(s) they would like the funds directed. The Council reached a consensus to bring this item back to the Council for action at a later date.

Information Only (no presentation or discussion)
Updates from Public Works, Community Development and Spokane Valley Fire District were provided in the meeting packet. 

About Spokane Valley City Council 
City Council meetings occur on most Tuesdays at 6 p.m. at Spokane Valley City Hall, 10210 E. Sprague Avenue, Spokane Valley, and online via Zoom. Meeting agendas and minutes are available at SpokaneValleyWA.gov/Agendas. Community members are invited to attend Council meetings to participate in action items or public comment periods in-person or online. Council meetings are broadcast on Comcast channel 14. Councilmembers are Mayor Pam Haley, Deputy Mayor Tim Hattenburg, Councilmember Rod Higgins, Councilmember Jessica Yaeger, Councilmember Al Merkel, Councilmember Ben Wick and Councilmember Laura Padden. Email the Council at CityCouncil@SpokaneValleyWA.gov or learn more at SpokaneValleyWA.gov/CityCouncil.

Stay Connected
Spokane Valley City Hall is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Information is available online at SpokaneValleyWA.gov. You can also sign up to receive email updates about the topics that matter to you most at SpokaneValleyWA.gov/SignUp, or follow the city on social media. 

 

This week’s Spokane Valley City Council meeting began with an invocation, pledge of allegiance and approval of the following meeting agenda. 
Proclamations 
Mayor Haley presented a proclamation for National Diaper Need Awareness Week 2024, received by Terri Fortner with Partners Inland NW and Constitution Week, received by Janet Ulbright with the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).
General Public Comments
Each week, community members have an opportunity to address Councilmembers for up to three minutes during the General Public Comment period either at the beginning or end of each meeting in-person or via Zoom. There is also an opportunity to present any comments related to action items on the agenda during that topic. 
public hearing
#1 Public Hearing #1: 2025 Revenues Including Property Taxes
The Council had the third of eight 2025 budget discussions and the first of three public hearings. The 2025 budget summary for all funds represents total appropriations of $149 million, including 116.25 funded full-time employees (FTE), a decrease of two FTE from 2024. A few highlights of the presentation include:
•  2025 estimated revenues for the General Fund are $63.2 million, an increase of 1.17%.
• General Fund revenues come from sales tax (59%), property tax (22%) and other recurring revenues (19%).
• 2025 estimated expenditures from the General Fund for 2025 are $63.2 million for recurring expenses, an increase of 6.35% and $1.5 million for nonrecurring expenses.
• Of General Fund expenditures, 63.52% is allocated to public safety and 36.48% for all other city expenses.
 • $1.5 million of non-recurring expenses are for information technology, police vehicle replacements, facility improvements at the precinct and CenterPlace Regional Event Center. 
There was discussion about budget challenges, including revenue growth not keeping pace with growing expenditures, the need for funding for additional law enforcement positions, streets and the city’s homeless and housing program. A second public hearing will be held at the Council meeting on Oct. 8.  The Council will be asked to approve the 2025 budget at the Nov. 12, 2024, meeting. 
Action Items
#2 Potential Grant Opportunity: Energy Efficiency Retrofit
New Washington State Clean Building laws and requirements apply to certain types of non-residential buildings over 20,000 square feet. For city buildings, the requirements apply to City Hall, CenterPlace and the Police Precinct. To adhere to the state regulations, a facility audit, an Operations and Maintenance Program and an Energy Management Plan must be completed to identify ongoing costs and keep city facilities in compliance. The Washington State Department of Commerce has released a grant program called the Energy Efficiency Retrofit Grant to help pay for the costs of work needed to comply with the new laws. The City would like to apply for $275,000 of grant funding, which includes a $14,500 city match. A motion was made to authorize the city manager to apply for the Energy Retrofit Grant Program. The motion passed with six votes in favor and one vote against.
Non-Action Items
#3 2025 State Legislative Agenda
The city’s state legislative lobbyist reviewed the current political climate in the Legislature, possible implications of the November elections and the legislative appointments and committee assignments that will occur after the election. An overview of expectations for the state’s anticipated operating, transportation and capital budget was provided. City staff and the state legislative lobbyist presented the draft 2025 Legislative Agenda and asked for feedback from the City Council key items included:
• Proactive city-specific requests
• Capital budget request for Plantes Ferry Sports Complex or Spokane Valley sport courts
• Transportation budget request for Barker Road/I-90 interchange 
• Support for Washington Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) grants for Balfour playground and spray park funding
• Clarify administrative fees collected on document recording fees
• Increase cannabis tax revenues distributed to cities
• Regional items of importance 
• Support for helicopter units for regional law enforcement
• Support for the county’s expansion of the Stabilization Center for 23-hour crisis relief
• Staff asked Council for additional regional ideas to support
• Policy issues
• Public safety and behavioral health
• Housing affordability
• Local decision-making authority
• Fiscal management
• Reducing costs through reform
#4 City Hall Update
The City Hall building was completed in September 2017, and upon occupation, significant construction and potential design defects were discovered. Multiple consultants were hired to identify the nature and extent of the defects. In January 2023, the Council awarded a $4 million contract to Garco Construction to remediate some of the building’s deficiencies and defects; their work was completed in August 2024. In April 2020, the City filed a lawsuit against four companies involved in the construction of the building. The City is seeking a judgment to (1) determine the defendants’ responsibility for construction defects and (2) order the responsible parties to compensate the City for all monetary damages incurred to repair the defects. The trial is scheduled to begin July 7, 2025, but parties have agreed to engage in settlement discussions through formal mediation, which will occur in late October to early November 2024. 
#5 Review of Potential and Pending Projects Worksheet and Allocation of Capital Reserve Fund #312 Reserves
As part of the draft city budget review process each year, the Council discusses the potential and pending projects worksheet to prioritize the allocation of funds in Capital Reserve Fund #312. The total amount in Fund #312 is $4,422,077. Potential allocations to be discussed are:
• $300,000 - City Hall repairs
• $1.03 million - Pavement Preservation Fund
• $1.75 million - Local Access Street Program Fund
This leaves $1.34 million remaining to be allocated to other projects. The Council was asked to discuss the options and reach a consensus on how to allocate Capital Reserve Fund #312. The final decision will be made as part of the budget adoption process.
#7 Group Home Discussion
Earlier this year, the Council requested information about group home regulations, legal considerations and impacts on the City. Staff reviewed the type and scale of community residential facilities permitted by the Spokane Valley Municipal Code. There was discussion about occupancy limitations, regulations of the Washington Housing Policy Act and Fair Housing Amendment Act preventing discrimination in housing and recent litigation cases in other communities. Staff summarized city code enforcement responses to group homes and criteria used to identify the cases. There have been six cases; two related to unpermitted construction, one nuisance complaint about trash, two property code violation complaints, and one related to a business operating in a residential zone. All six cases were closed without finding a violation. As part of the report, staff researched the impact of community residential facilities within Spokane Valley city limits, which are (1) licensed by the State and (2) have a city-endorsed business license. Since 2019 there have been 11,142 calls for service and 2,552 police reports filed.
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About Spokane Valley City Council 
City Council meetings occur on most Tuesdays at 6 p.m. at Spokane Valley City Hall, 10210 E. Sprague Avenue, Spokane Valley, and online via Zoom. Meeting agendas and minutes are available at SpokaneValleyWA.gov/Agendas. Community members are invited to attend Council meetings to participate in action items or public comment periods in-person or online. Council meetings are broadcast on Comcast channel 14. Councilmembers are Mayor Pam Haley, Deputy Mayor Tim Hattenburg, Councilmember Rod Higgins, Councilmember Jessica Yaeger, Councilmember Al Merkel, Councilmember Ben Wick and Councilmember Laura Padden. Email the Council at CityCouncil@SpokaneValleyWA.gov or learn more at SpokaneValleyWA.gov/CityCouncil.
Stay Connected
Spokane Valley City Hall is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Information is available online at SpokaneValleyWA.gov. Sign up to receive email updates about the topics that matter to you most at SpokaneValleyWA.gov/SignUp or follow the city on social media.  n

 

This meeting of the Spokane Valley City Council opened in its Formal A format with a proclamation recognizing 9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance. “Whereas, on September 11, 2001, the United States suffered nearly 3,000 civilian deaths as a result of heinous terrorist attacks around the country; and ….” September 11 is proclaimed National Day of Service and Remembrance.

In the normal course of adopting the 2025 City Budget, there are eight opportunities to view and discuss the various parts of the budget. Two of those occasions are public hearings. The first of those hearings will occur next week on September 17th where comments on revenues and expenditures will be open for public comment. The next opportunity will be on October 8th when Public Hearing #2 will be open for public comment on the entirety of the 2025 Budget that was presented by the City Manager on October 1st.

Spokane Valley Municipal Code requires that the Tourism and Promotion Area (TPA) Hotel Commission (a body that recommends to Council how expenditures of TPA revenue be spent) provide a Budget and Work Plan report to Council prior to adoption of its City Budget. This must be done and approved by Council by September 30 annually for timely inclusion in the City Budget.

The recommended budget for 2025 is $1,275,000 focused on projected tourism to the Valley and historical revenue generation. City staff is recommending that the 2025 work plan continue to use contracted services with 116 & West for destination marketing and Spokane Sports for sports recruitment/programming. The motion to approve the 2025 TPA Budget of $1,275,000 and proposed Work Plan passed unanimously.

The City participates in the Countywide Planning Policies (CPPs) which guides interaction between cities, towns, and county government. CPPs provide a framework for the management of Urban Growth Areas (UGAs). As part of tonight’s Annexation Analysis, the City has hired Berk Consulting to assess the adjacent UGAs buildable capacity and potential land use options to meet future growth needs. Spokane Valley is unique because its utilities such as water, sewer, power, and gas are provided by private sources. Other services such as street maintenance and preservation, and public safety are provided through contract.

This discussion on annexation is timely because the City is rapidly testing the limits of its boundaries. 
The reasons for annexation include:

• Extension of urban services provided by a city but are otherwise unavailable to adjacent unincorporated areas.
• Representation in an existing local government by adjacent residents.
• The advantages of increasing the City’s tax base and population. 
• Extending city zoning and development regulations to buildable areas.
• Fulfilling the original intent of the GMA.
• Reasons for not annexing might be:
• The costs of the annexed area would be greater than the revenue or benefits.
• It would be infeasible to extend services to the annexed area.
• Providing infrastructure upgrades to meet city standards is economically prohibitive.
• Annexed area residents don’t wish to be under city standards.
• Those residents may perceive that total taxes/services/other costs may increase.

All of the above are evaluated in a possible annexation. Plus, compliance with the UGA in planning available buildable capacity, area planning, and fiscal sustainability implications are considered. Also included in the discussion along with the why and why nots of annexation are the how and where do we start. No action was taken, but annexation is a pressing topic for future action.

Spokane Valley City Council meetings are held in City Hall, 10210 E. Sprague Avenue, on Tuesdays, commencing at 6:00pm. City Hall is open for regular business during normal business hours (8:00am to 5:00pm). The Public is invited to Council meetings to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions. Council meetings are broadcast on Comcast channel 14.

 

This meeting of the Spokane Valley City Council opened in the new Regular B Format. That format calls for an invocation, pledge of allegiance, and two public comment sections. Format B eliminates the Council review of recent Council member activities which now takes place on alternate weeks.

The first and only item of business was a motion consideration to amend the existing Stormwater Services Contract with Cameron Reilly, LLC. This is the second amendment to that contract. The original contract for $350,000 was executed September 11, 2023, which is rather late in the year and the weather limited the time window for initiating or completing any work. This timing problem prompted the first amendment to the contract.

The second amendment increases the contract amount to $550,000 to install approximately 75 pervious gravel shoulders along non-curbed streets that have experienced ponding and/or flooding into the roadway travel lanes, gravel shoulders, front lawns, and driveways of adjacent properties. This work will be completed this fall.

The motion to approve Contract Amendment #2 to the existing contract resulting in a total contract amount not to exceed $550,000 passed 5-1 (Merkel-no).

The 6-Year Stormwater Improvement Program (SIP) is a required part of the City’s Comprehensive Plan. The Program collects and channels stormwater to stormwater treatment facilities to reduce the volume of pollutants that enter the groundwater that eventually reaches the aquifer. Last May, Council approved the Sprague Avenue Stormwater and Multi-Modal Improvements project located between University Road and Herald Road. This project is replacing portions of the outside travel lanes with biofiltration swales and adds a pedestrian crossing between City Hall and the Valley Library. In 2022, when this issue was first addressed, it was made clear that DOE’s regulations for stormwater management were going to be progressively stringent. A Council determination was made then that it was advantageous to not be put in a position of retrofitting our stormwater system at a substantially greater cost.

The SIP 2025-2030 includes an outline of the next six years of projects for the City. Improvement projects included in the SIP range from spot drainage and retrofit to replacement of failing and aging stormwater facilities. For a detailed description of projects and expenses please go to www.Spokanevalleywa.gov/129/Agendas-minutes-videos on the City website.

Revenues to fund the plan are expected to be $6.2 million from utility taxes in 2025 versus a projected $5-8 million in annual expenses. The account maintains a minimum fund balance of $2 million. Total estimated program expenses for the six years, 2025-2030 are $13.4 million.

Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is offering a potential grant opportunity for participation in its Video Analytics program. The program is designed to implement a network of traffic conflict screening using video analytics (cameras) at controlled intersections, such as signalized intersections, where disproportionate numbers of traffic violations and injuries occur. Staff is requesting Council consensus to apply for a grant of $102,000 for data collection and processing through a vendor with subsequent review and classification. Consensus, after a lengthy discussion, was reached to pursue the grant.

A local hotelier, a Washington State Hospitality Association representative, City staff, and a Granicus (a demographics vendor) representative met to identify, and discuss monitoring short-term rentals such as B&Bs in Spokane Valley that may be subject to the same or potential regulation as standard hotels. From that, staff prepared a summary of information for Council consideration. A more detailed report will be made at a future meeting where participants from both traditional hotels and short-term rentals will present their points of view.

Spokane Valley Municipal Code requires that the Tourism and Promotion Area (TPA) Hotel Commission (a body that recommends to Council how expenditures of TPA revenue be spent) provide a Budget and Work Plan report to Council prior to adoption of its City Budget. This must be done and approved by Council by September 30 annually for timely inclusion in the City Budget.

The recommended budget for 2025 is $1,275,000 aimed at projected tourism to the Valley and historical revenue generation. City staff is also recommending that the 2025 work plan use contracted services with 116 & West for destination marketing and Spokane Sports for sports recruitment/programming. Council reached consensus to bring forth a motion at a future meeting to approve the 2025 TPA Budget and Work Plan.

Spokane Valley City Council meetings are held in City Hall, 10210 E. Sprague Avenue, on Tuesdays, commencing at 6:00pm. City Hall is open for regular business during normal business hours (8:00am to 5:00pm). The Public is invited to Council meetings to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions. Council meetings are broadcast on Comcast channel 14.

 

The Spokane Valley City Council met in its formal format to close out August 2024. The first item of business was Mayor Haley’s appointments to the City’s Lodging Tax Advisory Committee. That committee, per state law, consists of five members. There are two representatives of businesses required to collect the tax, two members involved in activities authorized to be funded by the tax, and one City Councilmember who serves as the chair.

Two appointed positions expired as of December 31, 2023: one to collect the tax, one funded by the tax. Ads soliciting applicants for the positions garnered one for each. Amanda Alcamo, representing Oxford Suites, for collectors, and Rustin Hall, representing Spokane Sports, for those funded.

The motion to confirm the Mayor’s appointments passed unanimously.

In April, the City received notice that it would receive a grant of $325,000 from the Department of Commerce (DOC) to assist with the update of the City’s Comprehensive Plan. The City is mandated by state law to review and revise its Comprehensive Plan and Development Regulations every 10 years (Periodic Update). The purpose of the Periodic Updates is to ensure that the City’s Comprehensive Plan and Regulations are in compliance with state law.

A separate grant is available to assist in the state directed requirement for local jurisdictions to develop and adopt a new Climate Element to address ‘climate resilience’ and greenhouse gas emissions. It should be noted that the legislature has essentially created a top-down approach to local comprehensive planning where the State is dictating policy and development regulations local governments shall adopt. Prior to those recent changes, broad goals allowing local governments the flexibility to mold their comprehensive plans and development regulations specific to the local community’s needs were the norm. Unfortunately, there are many requirements that must be adhered to for the City to have a compliant Comprehensive Plan and supporting regulations.

Staff requested consensus to authorize the Mayor to sign two letters needed to apply for the grants. The motion to authorize the Mayor to sign the letter of commitment to apply for the Periodic Update grant and the Climate grant passed unanimously.

Council was presented with a Wildfire Incident Preparedness report prepared by the Spokane Valley Fire Department, Spokane County Fire District 8, and Spokane County Emergency Management. A wildland urban interface (WUI) is an area where homes are built near or among lands prone to wildland fires. Such an area is any developed place where conditions affecting the combustibility of vegetation, structures, or infrastructure (build fuels), allow for the ignition and spread of fire through the combined fuels.

The response to a wildfire emergency starts with a coordinated effort of emergency agencies such as emergency alerts, shelter set up, animal shelters and evacuation. Such items as unified command, identified evacuation levels, and incident management are critical. However, preparedness starts with each individual. Websites to visit for more information: DNR Wildfire Ready Neighbors, Spokane County Community resilience website, and Spokane County Preparedness folder guide.

City Finance Director, Chelsie Taylor, presented the 2025 Budget Estimated Revenue and Expense forecast. This is the second of eight occasions where Council will discuss items in the budget adoption process. State law requires the City to hold a public hearing on revenue sources and expenditures to gather and consider public input. That hearing is scheduled to take place at the September 17th Council meeting.

In summary, the 2025 recurring revenue estimate is $63,238,300 which is 1.17% greater than the 2024 budget. The recurring expenditure estimate of $63,236,092 is 6.35% more than the 2024 budget of $59,461,707. Estimated 2025 budgeted recurring revenues currently exceed recurring expenditures by $2,208. The number of full-time employee will decline to 116.25, a decrease of three employees. That reduction is accomplished by not funding three staff positions but adding a public safety manager.

The target date for Council’s adoption of the 2025 budget is November 12th, following the final public hearing.

Spokane Valley City Council meetings are held in City Hall, 10210 E. Sprague Avenue, on Tuesdays, commencing at 6:00pm. City Hall is open for regular business during normal business hours (8:00am to 5:00pm). The Public is invited to Council meetings to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions. Council meetings are broadcast on Comcast channel 14.

 

This meeting of the Spokane Valley City Council took place under the “Study Session” format. In the first item of business on the agenda, Council took up Resolution 24-012 which significantly amends its Governance Manual. 

City Council has the authority to establish its own rules of procedure, policies, and standards of conduct. Such policies and procedures are identified in its Governance Manual. As times, rules and procedures change, the manual is periodically updated. The proposed changes brought forward by the Governance Manual Committee address in part the following:
• Addition of policy that states that costs for social media archiving platform shall be deducted from each Councilmember’s individual annual budget.
• Addition of policies regarding posting false information to social media.
• Addition of new policies for conduct of meetings, i.e., all meetings, will begin with an invocation and flag salute and include two public comment sections.
• A revised section H to address electronic accounts use by Council members.
The motion to adopt Resolution 24-012 which encompasses these modifications passed unanimously.

In June 2023, Council elected to participate in a three-year interlocal agreement with the Spokane County CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) Consortium. The City has been working with the County Housing and Community Development for periodic updates on the overall five-year plan required by federal law. The Housing Community Development Advisory Committee (HCDAC) serves as an advisory committee to the Board of County Commissioners. The City of Spokane Valley has four seats on that committee. Currently, one seat is vacant, and Mayor Haley is nominating Gloria Mantz, the City’s Services Administrator, to fill the vacancy. The motion to approve the appointment passed 6-1, (Merkel-no).

Council annually reviews its adopted goals and priorities for how it uses lodging tax revenues, encouraging the Lodging Tax Committee to consider those when making award recommendations. In summary, those goals and priorities are: 
1. To direct awards toward funding projects, activities, events, or festivals that will highlight Spokane Valley as a tourism destination. Lodging taxes will be used for purposes allowed by State law including:
a. Tourism marketing
b. Marketing and operation of special events and festivals
c. Operation and capital expenditures for tourism related facilities owned or operated by a municipality or public facilities district
d. Operation of tourism related facilities owned or operated by non-profit organizations
2. Prioritize funding for destination marketing projects that promote the City as a tourist destination and for capital expenditures to develop tourism destination facilities or venues within Spokane Valley as a means of drawing additional visitors to the City. 
3. Priority consideration will be given to projects with a history of increasing overnight stays and shopping, dining, and overnight visit components in that category.
4. Council will take into consideration revenues received by applicants that were derived from other sources within Spokane Valley and other municipal entities and agencies such as any standing Tourism Promotion Authority and the Spokane Public Facilities District.
5. The City will now accept applications from applicants other than non-profit entities for tourism promotion projects.
Goals and Priorities for use of the Lodging Tax are set annually by Council. Those goals for 2025 are for funding to be in these award categories. 
a. Capital expenditures funding will be available up to $2,554,000
b. Tourism marketing and operations for special events and festivals will be up to $339,000 for 2025.

Priority is given to projects with the greatest tourism potential to produce overnight room lodging, shipping, and dining. In order to avoid partially funding projects Council will prioritize the awards by use of a priority ranking system to allocate available funds based on Council voting. The motion to approve Council goals and priorities for the use of lodging tax revenues passed 6-1 (Merkel, no).

Broadlinc (Spokane Regional Broadband Development Authority) was established by the Board of County Commissioners in 2022 to promote the development of broadband infrastructure to underserved areas of the County. Currently the only eligible board member from cities is filled by Spokane. Discussion suggested that Spokane Valley request a seat since it qualifies. Consensus was reached to bring an administrative report at a future meeting detailing a proposed interlocal agreement with Broadlinc.

The Spokane Valley City Council was awarded $16 million from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery fund (CLFR); CLFR money must be used to cover the negative impacts of COVID-19. 

To determine eligibility the City had to identify a need or negative impact created by the pandemic and how the City’s use addressed that need. The expense had to have been incurred by the City between March 3, 2020, and December 31, 2021. An expense is considered incurred if it is obligated by December 31, 2024. All obligated funds must be spent by December 31, 2026.

Staff have identified $115,270 that is not going to be used in prior allocations. The recommendation is to reallocate that amount to the $1,860,705 already dedicated to Law Enforcement to bring the total that will be distributed to Law Enforcement to $1,976,976. Action on that item will be brought forward at a future Council meeting.

In 2016, during the annual budget meeting, staff communicated that increasing reliance on real estate excise taxes which the City uses for matching grant funds on pavement preservation projects (fund 311), would be decreasing to the point of limiting transportation construction projects that depend on grant funding and necessary for city transportation survival.

Proposed solutions to the funding deficit problem have been:
• A Transportation Benefit District sales tax (0.1%) which would generate an estimated $3.8 million.
• A  property tax increase employing past unused property taxes.
• A utility tax.

A Public Safety sales tax. This would be by a vote of the people and would be restricted to public safety. This would free up funds for pavement preservation.

Consensus was reached to find a funding solution before the problem reaches a point of irreversible damage.

In April of this year, the City received notice that it would receive a grant of $325,000 from the Department of Commerce to assist with updating the City’s Comprehensive Plan. The purpose of this periodic update is to ensure that the Comprehensive Plan and Development Regulations are in compliance with state law relating to land use and planning. State law requires local jurisdictions to develop and adopt a new “Climate Element.” This new element includes sub-elements to address climate resilience and greenhouse gas emissions. A separate grant of up to $700,000 is available to cities whose periodic updates are due in 2025/26. Consensus was reached to authorize Mayor Haley to sign a letter of commitment to apply for the periodic Update Grant.

Spokane Valley City Council meetings are held in City Hall, 10210 E. Sprague Avenue, on Tuesdays, commencing at 6:00pm. City Hall is open for regular business during normal business hours (8:00am to 5:00pm). The Public is invited to Council meetings to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions. Council meetings are broadcast on Comcast channel 14.

 

This meeting of the Spokane Valley City Council opened in its formal format with an invocation by Pastor Brad Bruszer of the Genesis Church, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. There were no proclamations.

On June 20th, 2023, Council adopted Resolution 23-007, its six-year  Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP). Included in that plan was the Trent Avenue Access Control Safety Improvements Project for completion in 2024. In developing the Spokane Valley Local Road Safety Plan (LRSP), crash trends were identified along Trent Avenue (SR-290) and similar arterials, including T-bone and left-turn crashes related to driveway and side street access. 

This project includes left turn channelization for turning off and onto Trent at Dale Lane, McDonald Road, and Evergreen Road. The project is fully funded by a grant from the Highway Safety Improvement Program. The engineer’s estimate for the project cost was $264,482. The successful bidder for construction was Liberty Concrete with a bid of $264,290. The motion to award the bid to Liberty Concrete passed unanimously.

The second action item on Council’s agenda was awarding the bid for the Indiana Avenue Preservation Project, Phase 1, to Cameron Reilly, LLC. That project was also on the six-year TIP adopted in Resolution 23-007. The successful bid was $1,220,901 for the construction phase of the project. That bid was 11.7% less than the engineer’s estimate of the cost at $1,381,896. The project will reconstruct the roadway between Sullivan Road and the I-90 westbound off-ramp with concrete pavement. The motion to award the contract to Cameron Reilly, LLC passed unanimously. 

Recently, from June 23rd-25th, a delegation from Spokane region visited Whatcom County to learn how the County and surrounding cities have successfully worked together to pass a public safety sales tax ballot measure last year. City Manager John Hohman and Chamber President Lance Beck attended on behalf of Spokane Valley. The visit was intended to initiate discussions on public health, safety, and justice in the Spokane region. Ideas for collaboration, and cooperation of the several participants to pass the region’s own funding for public safety are under discussion.

In June 2023, Council elected to participate in a three-year interlocal agreement with the Spokane County CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) Consortium. The City has been working with the County Housing and Community Development for periodic updates on the overall five-year plan required by federal law. Per the prior agreement with Spokane County, $780,596 was set aside for 2023. Although the plan is county-wide, the process for the City’s allocation from the finalized consolidated plan will determine how future City set asides will be prioritized and awarded.

The City has been a participant in four negotiations and payments from opioid manufacturers and vendors legal settlements. Thus far, the City has received $99,226 with a possible $333,889 yet to be received through 2038. A possible fifth settlement amount may be forthcoming from a remaining litigant (Purdue). This evening’s discussion focused on possible uses for those funds. Because the annual received amounts are rather small in meeting the overall needs of an opioid mitigation program, the discussion was directed toward a regional funding consolidation plan for a more effective use of the funds.

Council annually reviews its adopted goals and priorities for how it uses lodging tax revenues, encouraging the Lodging Tax Committee to consider those when making award recommendations. In summary, those goals and priorities are: 
1. To direct awards toward funding projects, activities, events, or festivals that will highlight Spokane Valley as a tourism destination. Lodging taxes will be used for purposes allowed by State law including:
   a. Tourism marketing
   b. Marketing and operation of special events and festivals
   c. Operation and capital expenditures for tourism related facilities owned or operated by a municipality or public facilities district
   d. Operation of tourism related facilities owned or operated by non-profit organizations
2. Prioritize funding for destination marketing projects that promote the City as a tourist destination and for capital expenditures to develop tourism destination facilities or venues within Spokane Valley as a means of drawing additional visitors to the City. 
3. Priority consideration will be given to projects with a history of increasing overnight stays and the shopping, dining, and overnight visit components in that category.
4. Council will take into consideration revenues received by applicants that were derived from other sources within Spokane Valley and other municipal entities and agencies such as any standing Tourism Promotion Authority and the Spokane Public Facilities District.
5. The City will now accept applications from applicants other than non-profit entities for tourism promotion projects.

Goals and Priorities for use of the Lodging Tax are set annually by Council. Those goals for 2025 are for funding to be in these award categories. 
    a. Capital expenditures funding will be available up to $2,554,000
    b. Tourism marketing and operations for special events and festivals will be up to $339,000 for 2025.

Priority is given to projects with the greatest tourism potential to produce overnight room lodging, shipping, and dining. In order to avoid partially funding projects Council will prioritize the awards by use of a priority ranking system to allocate available funds based on Council voting. This process is scheduled to come before Council for a Motion Consideration on August 20th.

Spokane County’s Housing Community Development Advisory Committee (HCDAC) serves as an advisory committee to the board of County Commissioners. It reviews all of the funding proposals for housing, homeless, and community development administered by Spokane County including federal entitlement funds. Spokane Valley, based on population, is entitled to four representatives. Currently, Deputy Mayor Tim Hattenburg, Councilman Ben Wick, and Tom Hormel (citizen representative), sit on the committee for the City. The fourth position is currently vacant. Mayor Haley intends to appoint Gloria Mantz, City Services Administrator, to the position. Consensus was reached to bring the appointment to a future meeting.

Council, during a past meeting, requested a presentation regarding “squatters’ rights.” A “squatter” is someone “who settles on property without any legal claim or title” as opposed to a “holdover tenant” who moves onto property with a legal right. Property owners are largely prohibited from self-help means to removing a squatter. Under Washington law, squatters may be removed through 1) legal action by the property owner, or 2) by law enforcement for trespassing. Option 1 (unlawful detainer process) requires the property owner to proceed through the court system to acquire a court order that law enforcement can enforce against the squatter. Option 2 (removal by law enforcement for trespass) enables a property owner to seek assistance from law enforcement to remove a person who enters their property without permission. The report was prompted by the recent U.S. Supreme Court’s decision regarding homeless rights on public and private property.

City Council has the authority to establish its own rules of procedure, policies, and standards of conduct. Such policies and procedures are identified in its Governance Manual. As times, rules and procedures change, the manual is periodically updated. The proposed changes brought forward by the Governance Manual Committee address in part the following:

• Addition of policy that costs for social media archiving platform shall be deducted from each Councilmember’s individual annual budget.
• Addition of policies regarding posting false information to social media.
• Addition of new policies for conduct of meetings, i.e., all meetings, both formal and study sessions will begin with an invocation and flag salute.
• A revised section H to address electronic accounts use by Council members.

Council reached consensus to bring back the modifications for a motion consideration at a future meeting.

Spokane Valley City Council meetings are held in City Hall, 10210 E. Sprague Avenue, on Tuesdays, commencing at 6:00pm. City Hall is open for regular business during normal business hours (8:00am to 5:00pm). The Public is invited to Council meetings to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions. Council meetings are broadcast on Comcast channel 14.

 

This meeting of the Spokane Valley City Council commenced with three proclamations. The first recognized Community Health Centers, during National Health Center Week (August 4-10), that provide health care to medically underserved communities. CHAS is such a center celebrating its 30th year and 111,000 patients in the Spokane area.

The second proclamation designates August 7th as Purple Heart Day in recognition of the sacrifices of our men and women serving in the United States armed forcers in the defense of our freedom. The proclamation is integral with Spokane Valley becoming a “Purple Heart City.”
The National Night Out designation provides an opportunity for city neighbors to join with 38 million neighbors across the country in promoting police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer. This annual event, National Night Out, is celebrated on Tuesday, August 6th. Please note: There will be no City Council meeting that evening.

The first action item of business was Ordinance 24-011. That ordinance addresses an application for a street vacation by Macpherson Holdings, LLC and CANUSA Land Holds Corp. who have requested vacation of a 60’ X 130’ segment of Hutchinson Road and a 40’ X 270’ segment of Riverside Avenue located north of Sprague Avenue and east of Argonne Road. The total requested area to be vacated is estimated to be 19,092 square feet. A public hearing before the Spokane Valley Planning Commission on June 13th resulted in a unanimous vote to recommend approval to Council. 

The applicant’s fee for the vacation is $41,124 based on the property value established by the County Assessor. The motion to approve Ordinance 24-011 passed unanimously.

The single action item was followed by seven non-action items (administrative reports), updating Council on activities of various entities receiving funds from the City, items of current interest, and potential grant opportunities. 

Item #1: A discussion on Lithium-Ion Batteries presented by the Spokane Valley Fire Department. With governmental emphasis on electric vehicles, safety concerns about lithium-ion batteries has gained national attention. Ken Johnson, Spokane Valley Fire Department Division Chief presented an overview of the dangers of electric vehicle fires for the environment and community. Causes of lithium battery fires can be battery damage (penetration), manufacturing defects (think Chinese made), overcharging, extreme heat, and faulty charging equipment among others. Environmental impacts can be toxic gases and particulate matter, water and soil contamination, and residual runoff from fire fighting chemicals. Suffice it to say, electric vehicle batteries present their own set of hazards. Users should take time to inform themselves of potential and current problems and programs available to avoid them.

Item #2: In May 2023, allocated a $1,095,078 federal grant to Family Promise for its School Based Housing Case Management program and for Direct client Assistance. Also included was $75,000 for paving at its Emergency Housing facility. As of this date, Family Promise has expended approximately $537,000 of its $1.1 million grant. Families served were projected to be 25. Actual families served are 52 covering 205 people. Lessons learned from this experience are that flexible funding attached to the family is more effective in meeting individual needs and that early identification and rapid intervention greatly reduces the need for shelter.

Item #3: In that same May 2023 federal funds allocation, the City awarded $1.46 million to Reclaim Project Recovery (Reclaim) for a) establishment of a home base, multi-purpose facility including a thrift store; b) operational start up funding; and c) acquisition of and improvement for a transitional/sober living facility. Reclaim has spent approximately $500,000 for its mission to provide a facility and base platform for men transitioning away from addiction, homelessness, and incarceration. Reclaim provides opportunities for life affirming activities and growth to strengthen emotional, spiritual, physical, and social lives. The partnership with the City has thus far proven to be mutually beneficial.

Item #4: In May 2022, Council allocated $4 million of its COVID federal money in support of Partners Inland Northwest (formerly Valley Partners) for acquisition of larger operational quarters. That agreement includes annual reports to Council on progress in meeting and serving the needs of community needs. Partners serves a variety of individual needs from food to personal supplies. Expanding services requires larger operating space which is where the funding is intended to go.

Item #5: ln May 2022, Council allocated $785,714 of its federal funds to support the Idaho Central Spokane Valley Performing Arts Center’s (ICSVPAC) construction of its new Performing Arts building. In this evening’s update, principals from the Center explained the phases of fund raising and construction. A new general contractor has been retained who has initiated a rebid of subcontracts. The Theater will  seat 465, with all of the facilities normally associated with major stage productions. A grand opening of the facility is planned for fall of 2025.
Item #6:  Council annually reviews its adopted goals and priorities for how it uses lodging tax revenues, encouraging the Lodging Tax Committee to consider those when making award recommendations. In summary, those goals and priorities are: 

1. To direct awards toward funding projects, activities, events, or festivals that will highlight Spokane Valley as a tourism destination. Lodging taxes will be used for purposes allowed by State law including:
a. Tourism marketing
b. Marketing and operation of special events and festivals
c. Operation and capital expenditures for tourism related facilities owned or operated by a municipality or public facilities district
d. Operation of tourism related facilities owned or operated by non-profit organizations

2. Prioritize funding for destination marketing projects that promote the City as a tourist destination and for capital expenditures to develop tourism destination facilities or venues within Spokane Valley as a means of drawing additional visitors to the City. 

3. Priority consideration will be given to projects with a history of increasing overnight stays and the shopping, dining, and overnight visit components in that category.

4. Council will take into consideration revenues received by applicants that were derived from other sources within Spokane Valley and other municipal entities and agencies such as any standing Tourism Promotion Authority and the Spokane Public Facilities District.

5. The City will now accept applications from applicants other than non-profit entities for tourism promotion projects.
Goals and Priorities for use of the Lodging Tax are set annually by Council. Those goals for 2025 are for the funding to be in three award categories with set funding levels for each category. 
a. Capital expenditures funding will be available up to $2,554,000
b. Tourism marketing and operations for special events and festivals will be up to $178,000 for 2025.
c. Operations and marketing of tourism related facilities opened and operated by non-profit organizations or municipalities will be funded for up to $161,000 for 2025.
Priority is given to projects with the greatest tourism potential to produce overnight room lodging, shipping and dining. In order to avoid partially funding projects Council wishes to prioritize the awards by use of a priority ranking system which will allocate available funds based on Council voting.

Washington State’s Clean Building Law was passed in the State Legislature in 2022. The Department of Commerce has developed energy performance measuring categories designated as Tier 1: Buildings having a gross area between 20,000 and 50,000 square feet; and Tier 2: Buildings having a gross area exceeding 50,000 square feet. 

Compliance steps include processes for measuring and tracking energy use using at least 12 consecutive months of data per building. City buildings affected are CenterPlace (56,055 sq ft), City Hall (65,299 sq ft), and the Police Precinct (22,020 sq ft). Benchmark measurements for City Hall and CenterPlace have been completed. While City Hall meets the requirements, CenterPlace does not. An energy audit will be required to determine the most cost-effective measures to achieve the mandated standards. Such an audit is estimated to cost $40,000.

Consensus was reached to further develop the recommended energy retrofits and return to Council on August 13th with a motion consideration authorizing the City Manager to submit the recommended application to Department of Commerce.
In observance of National Night Out, there will be no City Council meeting next week, August 6th.

Spokane Valley City Council meetings are held in City Hall, 10210 E. Sprague Avenue, on Tuesdays, commencing at 6:00pm. City Hall is open for regular business during normal business hours (8:00am to 5:00pm). The Public is invited to Council meetings to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions. Council meetings are broadcast on Comcast channel 14.

 

The July 23rd Spokane Valley City Council opened its meeting in the Formal Format with an invocation and pledge of allegiance. There were no proclamations. The first item of business was to move Ordinance 24-011 to a second reading. That ordinance addresses an application for a street vacation by Macpherson Holdings, LLC and CANUSA Land Holds Corp. who have requested vacation of a 60’ X 130’ segment of Hutchinson Road and a 40’ X 270’ segment of Riverside Avenue located north of Sprague Avenue and east of Argonne Road. The total requested area to be vacated is estimated to be 19,092 square feet. A public hearing before the Spokane Valley Planning Commission on June 13th resulted in a unanimous vote to recommend approval to Council. 

The applicant’s fee for the vacation is $41,124 based on the property value established by the County Assessor. The motion to move Ordinance 24-011 to a second reading passed unanimously.

In the ongoing discussion of which solid waste transfer station the City intends to contract with, this evening’s meeting generated a vote on final disposition. 

The City executed a 10-year Solid Waste Disposal Contract with Sunshine Recycling and Disposal, Inc in 2014 to provide a transfer station for deposit and processing of diverse types of solid waste enroute to final disposition at a landfill. In keeping with the terms of the agreement, Sunshine built a transfer station to accommodate the City’s needs. 

That contract with Sunshine expires at the end of this year and must either be renewed or another transfer station vendor selected. In the meantime, Sunshine has determined that it will need to expand capacity at its current location to meet the anticipated growth of the City, the cost of which is included in its proposal for renewing the contract. 

Spokane County has also submitted a proposal to regain the City’s business. Prior to the City’s 2014 contract with Sunshine, Spokane Valley used the County transfer station at 3941 N. Sullivan Road. The County will also have to expand its receiving capacity to receive Valley solid waste.

Discussion at the last Council meeting centered on the fee differences and service fee collected for public education. It also covered the length of time for any new contract. The current contract with Sunshine allows for a three-year extension (Option 1). Or a new contract could be negotiated with an extension for as long as 20 years under “…terms substantially the same as the RFI (request for information) provided by Sunshine Disposal and Recycling” (Option 2). Option 3 provides for returning to the Spokane County program. 

A motion to negotiate a new contract with Sunshine Disposal and Recycling for a period of 10 years with a 10 year renewal passed 5-2 (Merkel, Wick--no).

Spokane Valley has been a member of the National League of Cities since its inception in 2003. Membership of NLC is mostly larger cities whose politics and ideas don’t always coincide with Spokane Valley’s. Over the five years from 2019-2023, the City has paid dues averaging $7,120 per year. The anticipated dues for 2024 are $9,988. Mr. Kirk Ross, West Regional Manager for NLC Member Services and Engagement presented an overview of what an NLC membership includes.

The City has acquired 1.35 acres of property at the intersection of Carnahan Road and 3rd Avenue for the possible addition of low-cost housing using funds received from the Federal Government to replace lost revenue from COVID. The Carnahan property is zoned corridor mixed use (CMU) which provides a wide range of potential development opportunities such as senior housing, youth housing, mental health and use treatment facilities among others. 

The City also collects a sales tax allowed by state legislation which is an offset against the State’s 6.5% portion of collectible sales tax to be used to further assist in funding low-cost housing and rental assistance. Discussion centered on how to compose a request for proposal to solicit what should be included in such an RFP.

The Purple Heart Medal is awarded to members of the armed forces of the United States who are wounded in war at the hands of the enemy or posthumously to the next of kin in the name of those who are killed in action. Washington State has 30 cities, four counties and other entities, such as Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) posts, designated as Purple Heart entities. The State VFW’s goal is to have every city participate in becoming a Purple Heart City.

Spokane Valley VFW Post 1435 and the Military Order of the Purple Heart has requested that the City:
1. Designate the City of Spokane Valley as a Purple Heart City via Proclamation.
2. Install one “Purple Heart City” sign at the new Veterans Memorial site at Balfour Park. The VFW will donate a 24”x30” sign.
3. Fly a Purple Heart flag at the City’s Veterans Memorial from August 6-8 in recognition of National Purple Heart Day on August 7th. 
Consensus was reached to bring the Proclamation for a motion consideration on July 30th.

Spokane Regional Emergency Communications (SREC) is a public development authority formed by Spokane County in 2018 to serve as the regional emergency service communications agency. It provides 911 and Crime Check emergency call response and dispatch to almost all agencies within the County. The agency is funded by 1) a voter-approved 0.01 sales tax, 2) a voter-approved excise tax ($0.70 for each landline, wireless, and VolP service line number, and 3) user fees from participating partner agencies.

Spokane Valley is not a direct member of SREC and thus does not have a service agreement with them. Even though the City isn’t a direct SREC member, it does pay through its Law Enforcement contract with the County. In 2023, the City paid $1,321,089. 

Spokane Valley City Council meetings are held in City Hall, 10210 E. Sprague Avenue, on Tuesdays, commencing at 6:00pm. City Hall is open for regular business during normal business hours (8:00am to 5:00pm). The Public is invited to Council meetings to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions. Council meetings are broadcast on Comcast channel 14.

The Spokane Valley City Council met on Tuesday to act on, among other items of business, the Kroger opioid proposal to settle the legal actions brought against it by multiple jurisdictions in a class action suit. In opioid settlements (3) from various makers and distributors of opioids, the City has received $86,333.20 to date from those previous settlements. According to figures from the State Attorney General, the City is thus far projected to be paid an estimated $354,164 through 2038. That works out to a little over $25,000 per year to address a problem costing the City considerably more to address the damage done by opioids. 

Now, a new settlement with Kroger (Fred Meyer, Albertson’s, Safeway) will pay the City approximately $12,000 per year until about 2028 provided the City joins the settlement by August 12th. The motion to participate in the Kroger settlement passed unanimously.

In 2014, the City executed a 10-year Solid Waste Disposal Contract with Sunshine Recycling and Disposal, Inc. to provide a transfer station for deposit and processing of diverse types of solid waste enroute to final disposition at a landfill. In keeping with the terms of the agreement, Sunshine built a transfer station to accommodate the City’s needs. 

The contract with Sunshine expires at the end of this year and must be renewed or another transfer station vendor selected. In the meantime, Sunshine has determined that it will need to expand capacity at its current location, the cost of which is included in its proposal for renewing the contract. 

Spokane County has also submitted a proposal to regain the City’s business. Spokane Valley used the County transfer station at 3941 N. Sullivan Road prior to the 2014 agreement with Sunshine. The County will also have to expand its receiving capacity to receive Valley solid waste.

City staff and Council, after presentations from both Sunshine and the County, are currently analyzing the contracts proposed by both to determine the most advantageous for Valley citizens.

Macpherson Holdings, LLC and CANUSA Land Holds Corp. has requested vacation of a 60’ X 130’ segment of Hutchinson Road and a 40’ X 270’ segment of Riverside Avenue located north of Sprague Avenue and east of Argonne Road. The total requested area to be vacated is estimated to be 19,092 square feet. The June 13th public hearing before the Spokane Valley Planning Commission resulted in a unanimous vote to recommend approval to Council. 

The applicant’s fee for the vacation is $41,124 based on the property value established by the County Assessor. Consensus was reached to proceed with a first ordinance reading at the July 23rd Council meeting.

The City has maintained an Oversize Load Permit Fee ($84) since December 2021. Reviews associated with oversize loads are completed as a form of Right-of-Way Permit.

Reviews are usually conducted for route approval and require that any oversize loads on state highways have a Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) permit. In addition to the normal road restriction evaluations, an assessment of structural engineering to check bridge loading capabilities is required for overweight loads. The costs of such evaluations are passed on to the applicant.

Consensus was reached to bring forward an amendment to Spokane Valley Code Text to codify and implement a formal Oversize Load Permit Process.

In the recent flurry of U.S. Supreme Court decisions, the Grants Pass v. Johnson challenged the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals precedent which held that the 8th Amendment in the Bill of Rights prevents enforcement of public property camping bans in jurisdictions not having enough available shelter beds for all homeless individuals. 

Central to the Supreme Court’s decision was that the 8th Amendment’s ban on “cruel and unusual punishment” applies to criminal behavior and does not extend to criminalizing being homeless, the Court held that the Oregon city’s anti-camping ordinance did not violate the 8th Amendment.

A variety of City codes apply to avenues of enforcement now available to the City to control the violations of public property laws heretofore unavailable under the Ninth Circuit’s “Boise” decision which took a position that was struck down by the Grant’s Pass decision. The entire issue is now under re-consideration. While conformance with laws already on the books may appear to be a workable solution, whether they can be effectively enforced remains to be seen. 

Spokane Valley City Council meetings are held in City Hall, 10210 E. Sprague Avenue, on Tuesdays, commencing at 6:00pm. City Hall is open for regular business during normal business hours (8:00am to 5:00pm). The Public is invited to Council meetings to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions. Council meetings are broadcast on Comcast channel 14.

After taking the July 4th holiday off, the Spokane Valley City Council opened its July business with a motion consideration to apply for a Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) Grant.

On May 17th, 2024, TIB issued a Call for Projects for its Urban Arterial Program (UAP), the Active Transportation Program (ATP), and Complete Streets. The UAP has historically funded City street related projects. The ATP delivers multi-modal transportation projects for non-motorized users. The Complete Streets (CS) program is newly formatted in 2024. In the past, CS was a standalone call for projects with its own call for projects. However, this year applications will be consistent with other TIB programs. Agencies must have a complete streets ordinance to be eligible and funds must be applied towards projects that align with that agency’s complete streets ordinance.

TIB applications must be submitted by August 9th with awards announced November 22nd. After analysis of City needs, staff is proposing that applications be made in the following categories:

UAP: Argonne Concrete Reconstruction (Indiana to Knox), $4.5 million estimated cost, $3.05 million requested, City Match: $1.45 million.

ATP: Sullivan Sidewalk (8th-16th) & Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon near 12th, $700,000 estimated cost, $560,000 requested, City Match: $140,000.

CS: Barker Roundabout at 8th Ave., $3.2 million estimated cost, $2.56 million grant request, $640,000 City Match.

The motion to authorize the City Manager to apply for the proposed TIB Grants passed 6-1 (Merkel, no).

At its May 14, 2024 meeting, Council discussed and provided feedback on items of interest on its state legislative workplan including new issues that have surfaced.

Briahna Murray, the City’s State Legislative Lobbyist, in reviewing the Legislature’s actions that affecting the City suggested that even though the Legislature is overwhelmingly controlled by one party, progress in areas affecting law enforcement and taxation among others important to the City are still in play. The initiative process forced action on a prohibition of a state income tax, increased parental rights affecting K-12 education, and once again allowing officers to engage in vehicular pursuits.

The legislature did not act on another three initiatives that will now appear on the November ballot. Those are: I-2117, repealing the Climate Commitment Act, I-2109 repealing the capital gains tax, and I-2124, allowing individuals to opt out of the Washington long-term care retirement program. The City did receive a $150,000 appropriation for its Cross-Country Complex.

Potential funding requests include further funding for the City’s Cross Country/Cyclo Course at Flora Park and Transportation funding for the Sullivan/Trent and Barker/I-90 Interchanges. Policy issues Council intends to push for include Public Safety in the areas of habitual property theft offenders, fentanyl and opiate endangerment to children, and public defender caseloads and standards.

Other Public Safety issues include enhanced penalties for drug possession, increased funding for behavioral health, increased funding for resources needed to hire and train police officers, and attention to policies that reduce traffic fatalities.

Reduction in the costs of legislation requiring unfunded mandates such as the reduction of caseload requirements for public defenders and energy code requirements placed upon citizens that increase costs of home ownership. Other areas of assistance include capping sewer utility taxes imposed by neighboring municipalities, i.e. the sewer tax that the City of Spokane threatens to impose on County and Valley citizens for the sewer processing plant located in Spokane. This corresponds to a constant wish for the state to remove barriers to housing construction that negatively impact affordability. And, as always on the City wish list, is a plea for state legislators to get out of the management of city governments. 

In opioid settlements (3) from various makers and distributors of opioids, the City has received $86,333.20 to date. According to figures from the State Attorney General, the City is thus far projected to be paid an estimated $354,164 through 2038. That works out to a little over $25,000 per year to address a problem costing the City vastly more to address the damage done by opioids. Now, a new settlement with Kroger (Fred Meyer, Albertson’s, Safeway) will pay the City approximately $12,000 provided the City joins the settlement by August 12th. Consensus was reached to join the settlement. 

Spokane Valley City Council meetings are held in City Hall, 10210 E. Sprague Avenue, on Tuesdays, commencing at 6:00pm. City Hall is open for regular business during normal business hours (8:00am to 5:00pm). The Public is invited to Council meetings to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions. Council meetings are broadcast on Comcast channel 14.

This meeting of the Spokane Valley City Council commenced with a proclamation recognizing July as Parks and Recreation Month. The agenda for this meeting was quite different from Council’s usual meetings in that there were no action items except the Consent Agenda which is the place where City bills are paid and minutes of past meetings are approved along with other administrative items.

Two discussion items, however, were on the Administrative Agenda section. The first was an administrative report on the Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) which, as the name indicates, speaks to the City’s plan(s) for dealing with major emergencies. 

The City has agreements with Spokane County (SCEM) for its Emergency Management Services. Those services include administering and coordinating the region’s and City’s emergency management programs in the event of catastrophic events. Under state law, each political subdivision must establish or be a member of a joint local organization for emergency management and prepare and submit an emergency plan, including a communications plan. 

This discussion on COOP listed an alphabet of other agencies with which the City coordinates in fulfilling the intended purpose of COOP. Suffice it to say, the proposed COOP is intended to address a wide variety of emergencies. The interlocal agreement with SCEM identifies major storm events, wildfires, hazardous material spills, human-caused disaster, and pandemic or epidemic as the most likely events to cause a COOP incident in our region.

The succession part of the plan identifies essential services, chain of command for decision-makers or multiple staff members to ensure essential services leadership continuity. Training and rehearsals are other essential parts of the plan. The ultimate goal of COOP is to achieve a timely and orderly recovery from a COOP situation with resumption of full services to the city.

The second agenda discussion item was an administrative report on Restricted Revenues in the City Budget. The report provided an overview of the restricted revenue sources utilized by the City for capital project purposes. The process provides the context for each of the 2025 capital project budgets that will be developed over the summer.

A Restriction is a limit placed on the use of a revenue source. The restriction can be placed by an outside agency such as a grant source or by state or local law or by the city itself. Examples are contractual obligations, grant fund usage (for specific purposes), state or federal law as they apply to Real Estate Excise Taxes (REET). The City generally uses these specific funds for matches on grant funded street projects and for City funded preservation projects.

Stormwater Utility Fees have lately been misconstrued as usable for general purposes. That is not so. Those funds are collected by Spokane County as part of the property tax bill to be used for the development, maintenance, and control of storm drainage and surface water within the City. Aquifer Protection Area Fees are also dedicated specifically to uses for protecting the aquifer. Since all restricted funds are carefully scrutinized annually by state auditors, and the penalties for violation of their rules is severe, it is comforting to know that the City Finance Department guards the City’s interests very carefully.

Please note: There will be no Council meeting next week, July 2nd in observance of the Fourth of July holiday and City Hall will be closed on July 4th and 5th.

Spokane Valley City Council meetings are held in City Hall, 10210 E. Sprague Avenue, on Tuesdays, commencing at 6:00pm. City Hall is open for regular business during normal business hours (8:00am to 5:00pm). The Public is invited to Council meetings to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions. Council meetings are broadcast on Comcast channel 14.

This meeting of the Spokane Valley City Council commenced with a proclamation recognizing July as Parks and Recreation Month. The agenda for this meeting was quite different from Council’s usual meetings in that there were no action items except the Consent Agenda which is the place where City bills are paid and minutes of past meetings are approved along with other administrative items.

Two discussion items, however, were on the Administrative Agenda section. The first was an administrative report on the Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) which, as the name indicates, speaks to the City’s plan(s) for dealing with major emergencies. 

The City has agreements with Spokane County (SCEM) for its Emergency Management Services. Those services include administering and coordinating the region’s and City’s emergency management programs in the event of catastrophic events. Under state law, each political subdivision must establish or be a member of a joint local organization for emergency management and prepare and submit an emergency plan, including a communications plan. 

This discussion on COOP listed an alphabet of other agencies with which the City coordinates in fulfilling the intended purpose of COOP. Suffice it to say, the proposed COOP is intended to address a wide variety of emergencies. The interlocal agreement with SCEM identifies major storm events, wildfires, hazardous material spills, human-caused disaster, and pandemic or epidemic as the most likely events to cause a COOP incident in our region.

The succession part of the plan identifies essential services, chain of command for decision-makers or multiple staff members to ensure essential services leadership continuity. Training and rehearsals are other essential parts of the plan. The ultimate goal of COOP is to achieve a timely and orderly recovery from a COOP situation with resumption of full services to the city.

The second agenda discussion item was an administrative report on Restricted Revenues in the City Budget. The report provided an overview of the restricted revenue sources utilized by the City for capital project purposes. The process provides the context for each of the 2025 capital project budgets that will be developed over the summer.

A Restriction is a limit placed on the use of a revenue source. The restriction can be placed by an outside agency such as a grant source or by state or local law or by the city itself. Examples are contractual obligations, grant fund usage (for specific purposes), state or federal law as they apply to Real Estate Excise Taxes (REET). The City generally uses these specific funds for matches on grant funded street projects and for City funded preservation projects.

Stormwater Utility Fees have lately been misconstrued as usable for general purposes. That is not so. Those funds are collected by Spokane County as part of the property tax bill to be used for the development, maintenance, and control of storm drainage and surface water within the City. Aquifer Protection Area Fees are also dedicated specifically to uses for protecting the aquifer. Since all restricted funds are carefully scrutinized annually by state auditors, and the penalties for violation of their rules is severe, it is comforting to know that the City Finance Department guards the City’s interests very carefully.

Please note: There will be no Council meeting next week, July 2nd in observance of the Fourth of July holiday and City Hall will be closed on July 4th and 5th.

Spokane Valley City Council meetings are held in City Hall, 10210 E. Sprague Avenue, on Tuesdays, commencing at 6:00pm. City Hall is open for regular business during normal business hours (8:00am to 5:00pm). The Public is invited to Council meetings to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions. Council meetings are broadcast on Comcast channel 14.

This Study Session of the Spokane Valley City Council opened with a public hearing on the City’s Draft 2025-2030 Six -Year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). The TIP is composed of transportation projects intended to be implemented in the next six years that address the transportation needs within the City.

The City is required by state law to prepare and, after holding a public hearing, adopt a comprehensive transportation program for the ensuing six calendar years. The plan, once adopted, must be submitted to the Washington State Department of Transportation by June 30th of each year. 

This year’s Program includes all 2025 closeout projects, bridge and grade separation projects, intersection improvements projects, reconstruction/preservation projects, arterial preservation projects, and safety, sidewalk, trail, and stormwater projects.

The Public Hearing was immediately followed by action on Resolution 24-011 which is the enabling legislation on the 2025-2030 Six Year TIP. The motion to approve Resolution 24-011 passed 4-1 (Merkel-no; Wick and Hattenberg at AWC Convention).

The City, having received periodic requests for memorial signs for loved ones killed by vehicular crashes, has reviewed other municipalities actions on the subject. The result is presented in this proposed Spokane Valley Memorial Sign Program for the City. Under the plan, applicants would be able to request a memorial sign based on specified and verified criteria and would pay for the program’s administration, fabrication, and installation of each individual sign. A marker would be installed as close to the fatality as feasible with a limit on the number of signs in proximity to each other. After a ten-year period, the applicant would be able to keep the sign when it was removed. Initial estimates indicate that such a sign placement would cost $600 for the sign, placard, and installation. Costs are currently under review with Spokane County which develops sign proofs. Once pricing is established, it will be included in the Master Fee Schedule. The motion to approve the Memorial Sign Placement Program passed unanimously.

The Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) is a state agency that distributes and manages street construction and maintenance grants for Washington cities. Their funding comes from a three-cent statewide gas tax. On May 17th, 2024, TIB issued a Call for Projects for its Urban Arterial Program (UAP), the Active Transportation Program (ATP), and Complete Streets. The UAP has historically funded City street related projects. The ATP delivers multi-modal transportation projects for non-motorized users. The Complete Streets (CS) program is newly formatted in 2024. In the past, CS was a standalone call for projects with its own call for projects. However, this year applications will be consistent with other TIB programs. Agencies must have a complete streets ordinance to be eligible and funds must be applied towards projects that align with that agency’s complete streets ordinance.

TIB applications must be submitted by August 9th with awards announced November 22nd. After analysis of City needs, staff is proposing that applications be made in the following categories:
UAP: Argonne Concrete Reconstruction (Indiana to Knox), $4.5 million estimated cost, $3.05 million requested, City Match: $1.45 million.
ATP: Sullivan Sidewalk (8th-16th) & Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon near 12th, $700,000 estimated cost, $560,000 requested, City Match: $140,000.

CS: Barker Roundabout at 8th Ave., $3.2 million estimated cost, $2.56 million grant request, $640,000 City Match.
Council reached consensus to proceed with the grant applications.

In 2014, the City executed a 10-year Solid Waste Disposal Contract with Sunshine Recycling and Disposal, Inc. to provide a transfer station for deposit and processing of various types of solid waste enroute to final disposition at a landfill. The contract with Sunshine expires at the end of this year and must be renewed or another transfer station vendor selected. City staff is currently analyzing the contracts proposed by Sunshine and Spokane County to determine the most advantageous for Valley citizens. 

Spokane Valley City Council meetings are held in City Hall, 10210 E. Sprague Avenue, on Tuesdays, commencing at 6:00pm. City Hall is open for regular business during normal business hours (8:00am to 5:00pm). The Public is invited to Council meetings to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions. Council meetings are broadcast on Comcast channel 14.

This report is a departure from the usual weekly synopsis of the Spokane Valley City Council meetings. Instead of the Council meeting that would have taken place on Tuesday evening, Council held a Budget Workshop to learn about the 2025 City Budget. Next year, 2025, is shaping up to be a financially trying one. 
 

Recurring Revenues from major sources such as sales tax and property tax are showing signs of leveling out or decreasing. Other included recurring revenue sources combine to project a total of $62,953,000, a $347,000 (0.55%) increase over 2024. 
 

On the Recurring Expenditure side of the ledger, Public Safety far and away is the largest number, increasing more than $2,500,000 largely to pay for wage increases and new hires at the Spokane County Sheriff’s office where we contract for our City police. Estimated recurring expenses for 2025 are $62,940,135, a $3,478,428 (5.85%) increase over 2024.
 

The proposed budget cuts from City street operations to reach the above numbers are:

 Eliminate the Street Maintenance Funding ($1,674,454)

 Reduce Winter Operations

• Sidewalk snow removal from $75,000 to $40,000

• Winter Snow Services from $735,000 to $425,000

Total reduction $2,019,454

The proposed budget cuts from other City operations are:

Parks and Recreation (swimming pools) $476,850

General Government

• Outside Agency Awards $200,000

• Parks Capital Projects $160,000

• Pavement Preservation $1,032,119

• Public Safety Equipment $473,722

Estimated saving and supplement $2,342,691

This picture is playing out against the backdrop of the six goals selected by City Council on May 21st.

1. Increase public safety response to ensure the safety of Spokane Valley citizens.

2. Prioritize infrastructure maintenance and preservation and advance strategic capital projects through grant awards.

3. Continue economic development efforts to maximize business growth and develop tourism destinations.

4. Maintain our strong financial position.

5. Utilize strategic partnerships to aggressively reduce and prevent Spokane Valley homelessness.

Expand homeownership opportunities so more local people own homes.
 

The strong financial standing of the City lends itself to enabling continuing operations with a minimum reduction in services. The current signs of economic slowdown in both state and national economics indicates that Spokane Valley may be more forward in its conservative view of the future. In the meantime, economy and restraint are the direction for 2025.
 

Spokane Valley City Council meetings are held in City Hall, 10210 E. Sprague Avenue, on Tuesdays, commencing at 6:00pm. City Hall is open for regular business during normal business hours (8:00am to 5:00pm). The Public is invited to Council meetings to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions. Council meetings are broadcast on Comcast channel 14.

The Spokane Valley City Council met in its Formal Meeting format. It conducts its formal meetings on the second and fourth Tuesdays, and study sessions on the odd numbered Tuesdays. The meeting opened with action on setting a public hearing date for the Spokane Valley Planning Commission to consider a street vacation application. 

Macpherson Holdings, LLC and CANUSA Land Holds Corp. has requested vacation of a 60’ X 130’ segment of Hutchinson Road and a 40’ X 270’ segment of Riverside Avenue located north of Sprague Avenue and east of Argonne Road. The total requested area to be vacated is estimated to be 19,092 square feet. The motion to approve Resolution No. 24-008 setting June 13th as the date for a public hearing on the vacation before the Planning Commission was approved unanimously.

In a separate street vacation action, Daniel Bruzas, representing James Boone, LLC. is requesting vacation of the south 60’ X 80’ of Girard Road, and the south 60’ X 95’ of Lily Road lying north of I-90 and south of Boone Avenue. The total requested area is 10,502 square feet. The Public Works Department has no concerns with the application and the fire department had only minor comments. On March 28th, the Planning commission conducted a public hearing, after which they voted unanimously to recommend that Council act favorably on the vacation. 

This action, contained in Ordinance #24-009, if approved, will result in the requesting parties paying $1,092.00 for the vacated property. The compensated value is arrived at by a standardized formula for calculating such transactions. The motion to move Ordinance #24-009 to a second reading passed unanimously.

In March 2024, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) issued a call for projects for the Pedestrian & Bicycle Program (PBP) and Safe Routes to School (SRTS) aiming to improve safety and increase the number of people walking or bicycling. The total available funding in the PBP is $23.2 million, and $25.6 million in the SRTS program. No City match is required. Weighted evaluation scores safety (40%), Equity (25%), Mobility (10%), Deliverability (10%), value (10%), and geographic diversity (5%). Recommendations must be submitted by May 31st for PBP and June 7th for SRTS; funds will be available June 2025 in the state biennium budget. Staff has developed a chart with two recommended funding requests:

SRTS: Arterial School Crossing Upgrades
1. 32nd Ave. & S Pines Rd.; Project cost: $1,000,000; Applied for: $1,000,000.
2. Sullivan Sidewalk Infill (8th Ave. to 16th Ave.) Project cost: $700,000; Applied for: $700,000.
3. 4th Ave. Sidewalk Infill (Long Rd. to Barker Rd.) Project cost: $1,300,000; Applied for: $1,300,000.

PBP: Arterial Crossing upgrades
1. Mansfield Ave, Perrine Rd., Trillium apartments, and Appleway at Greenacres Rd.; Project cost: $400,000; Applied for: $400,000.
2. Barker Roundabout at 8th Ave.; Project cost: $3,800,000; Applied for: $3,200,000.*
* This project is the only one requiring a local match. That match is $600,000. 
The motion to authorize the City to apply for the above grants passed unanimously.

Briahna Murray, the City’s State Legislative Lobbyist, reviewed the Legislature’s actions that pertained to the City. Even though the Legislature is overwhelmingly controlled by one party, noteworthy progress was made in areas affecting law enforcement and taxation. The initiative process forced action on a prohibition of a state income tax, increasing parental rights affecting K-12 education, and once again allowing officers to engage in vehicular pursuits.

The legislature did not act on another three initiatives that will now appear on the November ballot. Those are: I-2117, repealing the Climate Commitment Act, I-2109 repealing the capital gains tax, and I-2124, allowing individuals to opt out of the Washington long-term care retirement program. The City did receive a $150,000 appropriation for its Cross-Country Complex.

The City is required by state law to prepare and hold a public hearing on a comprehensive transportation program for the ensuing six calendar years. The plan must be submitted to the Washington State Department of Transportation by June 30th of each year. The City has identified 39 projects in the ensuing 6 years. The first seven are:

1. Pines Rd/Mission Ave Intersection Improvement, including signal and channelization. Upgrades to improve capacity and an additional turn lane on southbound Pines.

2. Broadway Preservation-Fancher to Park. This is a two-year phased pavement preservation project with a concrete intersection upgrade at Park Rd. 

3. Trent Avenue Access Control Improvements, including median installations near Dale, McDonald, and Evergreen Roads.

4. South Bowdish Improvements (12th to 22nd). Install new sidewalk on the east side, including crosswalk, signage, and ADA ramp improvements. 

5. Citywide Retroreflective Signal Backplates. An ongoing project to install reflective backplates at selected signals.

6. Sprague Stormwater & Multi-Modal Improvements. Phased stormwater improvements between University & Park Roads. Signalized crossing improvements at City Hall and other locations as warranted.

7. 16th Avenue Preservation (Evergreen to Adams). Normal roadway preservation.
These are projects that will be undertaken within the next year. 

An administrative report, the first of two, is in preparation for the June 11th Budget Workshop. Together, they will present an overview of city budgeting and finance process. This first report covers the basics of Governmental Accounting and Governmental Budgeting. Part two, on May 28th, will discuss revenues, reserve funds, and fund balances.

Governmental Accounting is controlled by Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and Budgeting, Accounting, and Reporting System (BARS). These are the common standards and procedures used to record and report accounting information and to compile the City financial statements. They are the standards under which the City is audited but which also require Fund Accounting for governmental entities. Fund accounting is a set of self-balancing accounts that represent the building blocks of governmental accounting. Each fund covers a separate revenue source and allowable expenditures. The City has 29 such funds.

Budgeting, Accounting, and Reporting are directed by the BARS Manual in accordance with state law. The Budget has eight touches beginning in April and May with each department preparing its separate budget in time for the Budget Workshop on June 11th. The first public hearing follows in September. On October 1st, the City Manager presents the Budget, at least 60 days before the next fiscal year (January 1). 
On October 8th, the second public hearing is conducted. The first reading of the Budget Ordinance will be on October 22nd, followed by the final public hearing and Council’s second reading (adoption) on November 12th. 

Spokane Valley City Council meetings are held in City Hall, 10210 E. Sprague Avenue, on Tuesdays, commencing at 6:00pm. City Hall is open for regular business during normal business hours (8:00am to 5:00pm). The Public is invited to Council meetings to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions. Council meetings are broadcast on Comcast channel 14.
 

In case you hadn’t noticed, Spokane Valley City Council holds ‘Study Sessions’ on odd numbered weeks and ‘Formal Format’ meetings on even numbered weeks. Study Sessions are more informal meetings designed to promote discussion and introduction of new items of business that will be action items on future Council agendas. Formal meetings open with a prayer and pledge of allegiance in keeping with the more formal conduct of the meeting. Study Sessions dispense with the formality and proceed with the agenda. 

This evening’s agenda opened with the Second Reading of Ordinance 24-007. Each year amendments to the City’s Comprehensive Plan are proposed for addition to the Comprehensive Plan Docket. Two such amendments were proposed for 2024, both by the City, and both were map amendments. Only one advanced to further action. That one is for property owned by Spokane Conservation District located at 4418 East 8th Avenue and would change 44 acres from Multi-Family Residential (MFR) to Mixed Use. An additional piece would change 5.2 acres from MFR to Single-Family residential (SFR). The motion to adopt Ordinance 24-007 passed unanimously.

Concurrent with Ordinance 24-007 is Ordinance 24-008 which identifies the findings the Planning Commission and Council, consistent with the City’s Comprehensive Plan goals and Policies. The State’s Growth Management Act and City Code enables the City to amend its Official Zoning Map to accommodate the changes made by the adoption of Ordinance 24-007. The motion to approve Ordinance 24-008 passed unanimously.

On September 20th, 2022, Spokane Valley City Council established the Spokane Valley Tourism Promotion Area (TPA). Pursuant to the TPA, the Spokane Valley Hotel Commission (Commission) was formed. The Commission hired 116 & West as their marketing consultant. Spokane Sports, by request from the Commission, submitted a proposal to work with 116 & West to round out the package to brand the City as a “host city” for future sports events. That relationship continues through 2024 with the cost for 2024 increasing to $400,000 from 2023’s $300,000. 

At the request of the TPA Commission, 116 & West brought forward a proposal to expand the current marketing contract with additional paid media campaigns and social media initiatives. The Commission recommended that Council authorize a $466,000 contract amendment with 116 & West to provide additional tourism marketing services through December 2024. The motion to authorize and approve the contract amendment with 116 & West for additional marketing through December 2024 passed unanimously.

The Sprague Avenue Stormwater and Multi-Modal Improvements project is located on Sprague Avenue between University Road and Herald Road. This project will replace portions of the outside travel lanes with biofiltration swales, add a pedestrian crossing between City Hall and the Valley Library and improved bus stop on the north side of Sprague, upgrade sidewalk and curb ramps, provide a bike lane, update the left-turn signal timing at the Sprague/University intersection, and provide a grind/inlay of the asphalt pavement along the section.

The scope of the project has been expanded to include improvements called for since the project’s inception in 2022. Additionally, there has been claims made that the City is incurring the entire project cost. In fact, of the total $4,584,500 cost, the City will be putting up $2,199,204 (48%). Also not considered is the Department of Ecology’s increasing requirements for stormwater management. 

In 2022, when this issue was first addressed, it was made clear that DOE’s regulations were going to be progressively stringent. A Council determination was made then that it was advantageous to not be put in a position of retrofitting our stormwater system at a substantially greater cost. The motion to award the Sprague Avenue Stormwater Project construction contract to Halme Construction, Inc. in the amount of $3,000,000 passed 6-1 (Merkel-no).
In recognizing the ongoing opioid and substance abuse crisis in Spokane County, Council had passed legislation to participate in the opioid settlements with the various pharmaceutical companies together with adopting legislative agendas in support of abatement programs at the state and federal levels.

Marsha Malsam, CEO of the Rayce Rudeen Foundation presented a program on the activities of that Foundation that work in concert with City efforts to educate and prevent further opioid abuse and addiction. Those activities include the “Addiction Help Finder” website which the City links to its website, Narcan training at local schools, businesses, and other like agencies. The City plans to coordinate with the Foundation on future efforts.

In March 2024, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) issued a call for projects for the Pedestrian & Bicycle Program (PBP) and Safe Routes to School (SRTS) aiming to improve safety and increase the number of people walking or bicycling. The total available funding in the PBP is $23.2 million, and $25.6 million in the SRTS program. No City match is required. Weighted evaluation scores safety (40%), Equity (25%), Mobility (10%), Deliverability (10%), value (10%), and geographic diversity (5%). Recommendations must be submitted by May 31st for PBP and June 7th for SRTS; funds will be June 2025 in the state biennium budget. Staff has developed a chart with two recommended funding requests:

SRTS:
• Arterial School Crossing Upgrades at 32nd Ave. & S Pines Rd.; Broadway Ave. near University High School, Chester Elementary School, Horizon Middle • • School, Broadway Elementary School, Summit School, and Progress Elementary School.
• Sullivan Sidewalk Infill (8th Ave. to 16th Ave.) with a potential crossing near 12th Ave.
• 4th Ave. Sidewalk Infill (Long Rd. to Barker Rd.)

PBP:
• Arterial Crossings at Mansfield Ave, Perrine Rd., and Trillium apartments, and Appleway at Greenacres Rd.
• Barker Roundabout at 8th Ave.

Consensus was reached to further develop the recommended project list and return to Council on May 14th for authority to submit the recommended application to WSDOT.

The Federal Highways Administration has $45 million available for its Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program (ATIIP). Applications are due June 17th. Awarded funds must be obligated by September 30, 2026. The same rating criteria as the grant above applies to this grant opportunity. Staff proposes that application be made for a project connecting Floria Road Trail with the Appleway Trail and Centennial Trail and Flora Park. This would include bridges over Interstate 90 and the Spokane River. The estimated total would be $2 million. Consensus was not reached, so the issue died.

Daniel Bruzas, representing James Boone, LLC. is requesting vacation of the south 60’ X 80’ of Girard Road, and the south 60’ X 95’ of Lily Road lying north of I-90 and south of Boone Avenue. The total requested area is 10,502 square feet. The Public Works Department had no concerns with the application and the fire department had only minor comments. On March 28th, the Planning commission conducted a public hearing, after which they voted unanimously to recommend that Council act favorably on the vacation. Council reached consensus to move the vacation (STV-2024-001) to a first reading.

In a second street vacation application, Macpherson Holdings, LLC and CANUSA Land Holds Corp. has requested vacation of a 60’ X 130’ segment of Hutchinson Road and a 40’ X 270’ segment of Riverside Avenue located north of Sprague Avenue and east of Argonne Road. The total requested area to be vacated is estimated to be 19,092 square feet. Council reached consensus to schedule Resolution No. 24-008 on its May 14th consent agenda setting the date for a public hearing before the Planning Commission.

Since the adoption of the 2024 budget on November 23rd, 2023, a number of events have transpired necessitating a 2024 Budget amendment. Those amendments reflect General Fund revenue increases of $12,846,629 and expenditure increases of $21,612,672. Major expenses such as the Cross-Country Course Project account for $4,400,000 of the increase. Consensus was reached to place a May 21st public hearing on the Budget Amendment. 
Spokane Valley City Council meetings are held in City Hall, 10210 E. Sprague Avenue, on Tuesdays, commencing at 6:00pm. City Hall is open for regular business during normal business hours (8:00am to 5:00pm). The Public is invited to Council meetings to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions. Council meetings are broadcast on Comcast channel 14.

After a grueling meeting on April 23rd, Council returned to another long agenda on Tuesday’s meeting. That Study Session commenced with a proclamation recognizing Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month.

The first item of business was moving Ordinance 24-007 to a second reading. Each year amendments to the City’s Comprehensive Plan are proposed for addition to the Comprehensive Plan Docket. Two such amendments were proposed for 2024, both by the City, and both were map amendments. The first is for property owned by Spokane Conservation District located at 4418 East 8th Avenue and would change 44 acres from Multi-Family Residential (MFR) to Mixed Use. An additional piece would change 5.2 acres from MFR to Single-Family residential (SFR). 

The second proposed plan amendment would have changed 0.83 acres owned by Family Promise of Spokane at 17103 E. Main Avenue from SFR to Corridor Mixed Use. However, that amendment was withdrawn. The Planning Commission held study sessions on the proposed amendments and recommended passage of the first amendment but denied the second, and it was withdrawn. The motion to move Ordinance 24-007 to a second reading passed unanimously.

Concurrent with Ordinance 24-007 is Ordinance 24-008 which identifies the findings the Planning Commission and Council consistent with the City’s Comprehensive Plan Goals and Policies, the State’s Growth Management Act, and City Code and enables the City to amend its Official Zoning Map. The motion to approve Ordinance 24-008 passed unanimously.

Also at its last meeting, Council approved moving Ordinance 24-005 to a first reading. The addition of Chapter 5 of the Governance Manual provides the City’s Hearing Examiner (Examiner) with authority to preside over hearings contesting an investigator’s findings and conclusions of misconduct pertaining to Council members. Traditionally, the Examiner only heard matters concerning land use issues. The inclusion of Chapter 5 necessitates additional rules to set the rules and procedures for the Examiner to perform his new assignment in determining decisions whether Councilmembers engaged in misconduct. The addition of Chapter 5 to the Governance Manual requires that the City’s Municipal Code be amended to accommodate the adopted changes. The motion to adopt Ordinance 24-005 passed 6-1 (Merkel-no).

At its March 5th, 2024, meeting, Council reached consensus to apply for two Washington State Recreation & Conservation office (RCO) grants to advance Phase 2 of Balfour Park. RCO operates on a two-year granting cycle timeline, meaning that if funds were awarded this year, they would not be available until 2025 and would have to be used by the end of 2026. With available City matching funds, it could apply for up to $2.5 million for completion of Phase 2 of Balfour Park. The motion to approve Resolution 24-009 authorizing the application for two grants from RCO for Balfour Park Phase 2 passed unanimously.

The City has joined in participating in Settlements I & II of opioid settlements with pharmaceutical companies from litigation stemming from overprescription of opioids. In addition, after the first two settlements, a third settlement has been reached with Johnson & Johnson. In order for the City to participate in that settlement, it’s necessary to take action to join the suit. The motion to participate in the settlement of the Johnson & Johnson Opioid Settlement passed unanimously.

In the City’s Tourism Strategy efforts, the cross-country complex that has been identified is moving forward. Engineering and planning for design of the course and facilities are proceeding using the Design Build (PBD) process. That process provides for both the design and construction to be done by a single qualified entity. Staff has determined, through its selection process, to award the contract to Walker Construction and SPVV Landscape Architecture to further define the scope of work prior to construction commencement to eliminate or minimize obstacles.

Staff presented an explanation of the construction phase of a City project. The presentation covered performance measures and quality control checkpoints during construction, including project documentation, project inspection, and project closeout. The motion to award the Progressive Design Build project to Walker Construction and SPVV Landscape Architecture for a total not to exceed $3.2 million passed unanimously.

In its February 20th, 2024, presentation of the City’s 6-year Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) staff outlined the Bowdish Road Sidewalk and Bike Lane Project. That project will construct a sidewalk on the east side of Bowdish Road from 12th to 22nd Avenues, add a bike lane from 16th to 23rd Avenues, install a roundabout at the intersection of Bowdish and 16th Avenues, add stormwater structures with treatment, replace existing failing stormwater structures, and resurface the roadway with the project limits. The total budget is $4,122,265. The construction costs are $3,024,665. The Engineer’s estimate for construction was $3,559,362; the lowest responsible bidder was Liberty Concrete LLC with a bid of $3,046,112.70. Six bids were received. The motion to award the Bowdish Road Sidewalk and Bike Lane Project contract to Liberty Concrete LLC in the amount of $3,046,112.70 passed unanimously.

The U.S. Constitution guarantees ...”the poor not just an appointment of counsel, but also effective assistance of counsel.” The Washington State Supreme Court has adopted enforceable standards for the provision of indigent defense such as: An attorney representing misdemeanor defendants may not take more than 400 cases per 12-month period. This translates into a substantial increase in legal costs to the City under its contract with the County in its Public Safety agreement for services.

The new requirement will not only add attorneys (up to 23 more) but will include ‘Misdemeanor Investigators’ (an additional 12.5 more), and a new category; Mitigation Specialist, (14 more). That will necessitate 8.5 more Misdemeanor Paralegals. The estimated cost is somewhere between $2,743,388 and $3,664,793 to the City. And this doesn’t include the additional costs of housing all those people at the County Courthouse. Council reached consensus to join the efforts of the Association of Washington Cities to try to reign in these expenses.

On September 20th, 2022, Spokane Valley City Council established the Spokane Valley Tourism Promotion Area (TPA). Pursuant to the TPA, the Spokane Valley Hotel Commission (Commission) was formed. The Commission hired 116 & West as their marketing consultant. Spokane Sports, by request from the Commission, submitted a proposal to work with 116 & West to round out the package to brand the City as a “host city” for future sports events. That relationship continues through 2024 with the cost for 2024 increasing to $400,000 from 2023’s $300,000. 

At the request of the TPA Commission, 116 & West brought forward a proposal to expand the current marketing contract with additional paid media campaigns and social media initiatives. The Commission recommended that Council authorize a $466,000 contract amendment with 116 & West to provide additional tourism marketing services through December 2024. Council reached consensus to bring a motion to authorize the addition.

Spokane Valley City Council meetings are held in City Hall, 10210 E. Sprague Avenue, on Tuesdays, commencing at 6:00pm. City Hall is open for regular business during normal business hours (8:00am to 5:00pm). The Public is invited to Council meetings to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions. Council meetings are broadcast on Comcast channel 14.
 

The Spokane Valley City Council convened to address three action items and hear administrative reports on six more. The first business item was an expansion of the City’s municipal code, Ordinance 24-005. The recent passage of Chapter 5 of the Governance Manual provides the City’s Hearing Examiner (Examiner) with authority to preside over hearings contesting an investigator’s findings and conclusions of misconduct. Traditionally, the Examiner only heard matters concerning land use issues. The inclusion of Chapter 5 necessitates additional rules to set the rules and procedures for the Examiner to perform his new assignment in determining decisions whether Councilmembers engaged in misconduct. The motion to move Ordinance 24-005 to a second reading passed 6-1 (Merkel, no).

The Clean Building Law was passed in the State Legislature in 2022. The Department of Commerce has developed energy performance standards for non-residential buildings. For performance measuring purposes, the categories have been designated as Tier 1: Buildings having a gross area between 20,000 and 50,000 square feet; and Tier 2: Buildings having a gross area exceeding 50,000 square feet. 

Compliance steps include processes for measuring and tracking energy use using at least 12 consecutive months of data per building. Tier 1 and Tier 2 buildings must establish and implement an operation and maintenance program 12 months prior to the compliance date.

City buildings affected are CenterPlace (56,055 sq ft), City Hall (65,299 sq ft), and the Police Precinct (22,020 sq ft). Benchmark measurements for City Hall and CenterPlace have been completed. While City Hall meets the requirements, CenterPlace does not. An energy audit will be required to determine the most cost-effective measures to achieve the mandated standards. The audit is estimated to cost $40,000.

There are two funding opportunities to help offset the cost of the audit and other plan requirements. The first is an Energy Efficiency Revolving and Conservation Formula (EERCF). The second is a State Department of Commerce (Commerce) Clean Building Audit Incentive Program. EERCF applications are due by April 30th, 2024. Commerce applications are accepted up to April 20th, 2025. The move to authorize the City Manager to apply for both programs as proposed by staff passed 6-1 (Merkel-no).

In August of 2023 Council provided consensus to utilize a “multiple contractor” approach for Park Maintenance services beginning in 2024. The new model separates needed park services such as janitorial and event services to enable more competition and opportunity. On March 19, 2024, a request for proposal was issued for Janitorial and Event Services across all the City’s Parks and Trail facilities during the Mid-April to mid-October season. 
The services to be provided include daily cleaning and re-stocking of 34 park restrooms and 20 picnic shelters seven days a week. This also includes posting, preparing, and cleaning for approximately 450 park reservations and special events. The motion to award the Contract for janitorial and Event Services, Parks, and Trails to Senske Services in an amount not to exceed $325,002.71 in the first year passed unanimously.

Spokane Valley Chief of Police Dave Ellis presented an overview of the Department’s current activity. Including the heightening of bike patrols, community outreach, aircraft usage and modernization, and the fact that the City Police Force is accredited by the Washington State Association of Sheriffs & Police Chiefs. The accreditation is accomplished through a rigorous process involving 18 administrative standards ranging from goals and standards to internal affairs.

After the State Supreme Court’s Blake decision, which largely decriminalized drug possession, had been rendered, the legislature enacted Senate Bill 5536 which made those offenses a gross misdemeanor. There have been discussions about strengthening the City’s drug laws beyond the state law. However, that process is made more complex by the City’s contracts for law public safety services with the County which operates under different standards of enforcement. The discussion continues.

In the City’s Tourism Strategy efforts, a cross country complex has been identified and is moving forward. Engineering and planning for design of the course and facilities are proceeding using the Design Build (PBD) process. That process provides for both the design and construction to be done by a single qualified entity. Staff has scheduled a Motion Consideration for Council’s next meeting to award the contract to Walker Construction and SPVV Landscape Architecture to further define the scope of work.

Staff presented an explanation of the construction phase of a City project. The presentation covered performance measures and quality control metrics during construction, including project documentation control, project inspection, and project closeout.

The contract with Sunshine Disposal for disposal operation at the university Road Solid Waste Transfer Station expires at the end of 2024. That contract requires the City to provide notice to Sunshine of its intent to renew, terminate, or otherwise modify the agreement by July 1, 2024. Two alternatives exist: Continuing with Sunshine or returning to the Spokane County (Sullivan Road Transfer Station). Considerations moving forward are future rates, current and future waste handling capacity, education and planning requirements, and length of term for any new agreement. Further discussion will occur at future meetings.

After last year’s recovery from COVID, the City Parks Department is pleased to be offering a full array of services. The schedule and menu of events can be found online at www.spokanevalleywa.gov or in pick up publications like the Inlander.

Spokane Valley City Council meetings are held in City Hall, 10210 E. Sprague Avenue, on Tuesdays, commencing at 6:00pm. City Hall is open for regular business during normal business hours (8:00am to 5:00pm). The Public is invited to Council meetings to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions. Council meetings are broadcast on Comcast channel 14.
 

Last week the Spokane Valley City Council attended a retreat in chambers to discuss and set policy goals through 2025. Although the public was invited to attend, no public comment was taken. 

The first item of business on the agenda was the First Reading of Ordinance 24-006, the Yellowstone Pipe Line (YPL) Franchise. In November 2021, the City, through Ordinance 21-022, granted YPL Company an extension of its franchise to construct, maintain, and operate its petroleum products pipeline in the City’s rights-of-way. In finalizing the design for the City’s Pines Road/BNSF rail crossing it became clear that the location of the underpass would materially interfere with the current location of Yellowstone’s facilities, which have existed since 1952. Changing the route of that pipeline will be accomplished by rerouting it through property purchased by the City but the change requires amending the existing franchise agreement. This evening, by waiving the rules to speed the process, the amended agreement (Ordinance 24-006) was approved unanimously.

Required facilities moves for the Pines/BNSF project has generated expenses for several purveyors of product and services which involve reimbursement. The Yellowstone Pipeline, which is jointly owned by Phillips 66 and Yellowstone (P66/YPL), has reached agreement with the City on associated pipeline route expenses of $1,331,304. The motion to approve the reimbursement agreement in that amount passed unanimously.

City Council has the authority to establish its own rules of procedure, policies, and standards of conduct. Such policies and procedures are identified in its Governance Manual. As times, rules and procedures change, the manual is periodically updated. The proposed changes brought forward by the Governance Manual Committee address in part the following:

Unacceptable Councilmember behavior, leaving a meeting unexcused, engaging in, or encouraging disruptive behavior from the public seating area. 
Removal of per diem for travel expenses, change of policy for reimbursement for meals/lodging costs related to travel for city business. Removal of monthly mileage stipend. 

Addition of mileage reimbursement according to current IRS mileage rates.
Addition of a description of the Public Safety Committee.
Addition of policies to address compliance requirements and enforcement procedures.
Addition of policies regarding photocopies, out of state travel, dress code and volunteer/legislative assistants.
Addition of a policy that tracks costs for a social media archiving platform shall be deducted from each Councilmember’s individual annual budget. 
Addition of policies and penalties for posting false information to social media.

A new Chapter 5 defining standards of conduct for Council members and providing procedures for alleged violations to be investigated and presented to Council for action is included. These procedures gives an accused Councilmember the opportunity to request a hearing before the City Hearing Examiner to contest an investigator’s findings and conclusions that violations occurred. 

The City Municipal Code must be amended to provide the Hearing Examiner with authority to preside over hearings contesting an investigator’s findings and conclusions of misconduct as well as procedural rules for such hearings.

The motion to approve Resolution 24-006, repealing the existing manual and replacing it with the revised one passed 6-1 (Merkel-no).
The Clean Building Law was passed in the State Legislature in 2022. The Department of Commerce has developed energy performance standards for non-residential buildings. For performance measuring purposes, the categories have been designated as Tier 1: Buildings having a gross area between 20,000 and 50,000 square feet; and Tier 2: Buildings having a gross area exceeding 50,000 square feet. 

The law is aimed at reducing carbon pollution by establishing energy use intensity targets specific to Washington. Compliance steps include processes for measuring and tracking energy use using at least 12 consecutive months of data per building. 

City buildings affected are CenterPlace (56,055 sq ft), City Hall (65,299 sq ft), and the Police Precinct (22,020 sq ft). Benchmark measurements for City Hall and CenterPlace have been completed. While City Hall meets the requirements, CenterPlace does not. An energy audit will be required to determine the most cost-effective measures to achieve the mandated standards. The audit is estimated to cost $40,000.

Staff is exploring two potential funding opportunities to help offset the cost of the audit and other plan requirements. The first is an Energy Efficiency Revolving and Conservation Formula (EERCF). The second is a State Department of Commerce (Commerce) Clean Building Audit Incentive Program. EERCF applications are due by April 30th, 2024. Commerce applications are accepted up to April 20th, 2025. Council reached consensus to authorize applying for both.

Each year amendments to the City’s Comprehensive Plan are proposed for addition to the Comprehensive Plan Docket. Two such amendments were proposed for 2024, both by the City, and both were map amendments. The first, (CPA-2024-01) is for property owned by Spokane Conservation District located at 4418 East 8th Avenue and would change 44 acres from Multi-Family Residential (MFR) to Mixed Use. An additional piece would change 5.2 acres from MFR to Single-Family residential (SFR). 

The second proposed plan amendment (CPA-2024-02) would change 0.83 acres owned by Family Promise of Spokane at 17103 E. Main Avenue from SFR to Corridor Mixed Use. The Planning Commission held study sessions on the proposed amendments and recommended passage of the first amendment but denied the second. Council reached consensus to move CPA-2024-1 to a first reading and withdraw the application for CPA-2024-02.

Spokane Valley City Council meetings are held in City Hall, 10210 E. Sprague Avenue, on Tuesdays, commencing at 6:00pm. City Hall is open for regular business during normal business hours (8:00am to 5:00pm). The Public is invited to Council meetings to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions. Council meetings are broadcast on Comcast channel 14.
 

This meeting of the Spokane Valley City Council opened with Mayor Haley proclaiming April 1 through April 5 as National Public Health Week in recognition of contributions made in achieving public health improvements.

That proclamation was followed by three motion considerations pertaining to City business. The first of those was the awarding of the bid for the 16th Avenue Preservation project. That project extends from Evergreen Road to Adams Road, providing curb extensions to reduce pedestrian crossing distances near a school, upgrading existing curb ramps to current ADA standards, installing an ITS (Internet telecommunications system) infrastructure, and a complete grind and overlay of the asphalt pavement.

The Engineer’s Estimate for the construction was $1,217,979. The lowest of the three submitted bids was $1,115,000 made by Shamrock Paving, Inc. The total budget for the construction plus ancillary charges is $1,475,250. The motion to award the 16th Avenue Preservation Project to Shamrock Paving, Inc. in the amount of $1,115,000 passed unanimously. Councilmember Padden was excused for the evening.

The Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) was enacted by the State Legislature in 1991 to address traffic congestion, air pollution, and petroleum fuel consumption. It requires employers with 100 or more employees to develop incentives for carpooling. The act also requires local governments in urban areas with traffic congestion to develop programs that reduce drive-alone trips and vehicle miles travelled per capita. 

The City and Spokane County have operated since 2003 under an interlocal agreement that provides for the County to retain the City’s state issued CTR funds in return for the County’s development of an overall CTR program. The existing agreement expires every two years. This agreement once again extends the agreement for another two years. The motion to authorize the City Manager to finalize and execute the 2023-2025 Interlocal Agreement for Spokane County Commute Trip Reduction Services passed 6-1 (Merkel-no).

The 2022 South Barker Corridor Study recommended several traffic and multi-modal improvements on South Barker Road from the south city limits to Mission Avenue. Engineering has completed the preliminary engineering and environmental work associated with those improvements south of Appleway Boulevard. The improvements will provide for widening Barker Road from two to three lanes for center turn lanes, installation of bike lanes, stormwater improvements, curbs, and sidewalks. Also included are conversions from stop sign-controlled intersections at 4th and 8th Avenues to single lane roundabouts. A similar interchange was completed at Sprague and Barker in 2022.

To complete the plan, an additional right of way (ROW) will be needed. Existing ROW varies between 60-65 feet in width. A 70-foot ROW is needed to accommodate the proposed sidewalk, storm water, and road improvements. All of this land acquisition must be done in compliance with the federal Uniform Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 as amended which requires certification for each separate project. To achieve compliance with the requirements, the City is hiring Epic Land Solutions, Inc. The commensurate fee is $675,572. The motion to authorize the City Manager to finalize and execute the agreement passed 6-1 (Merkel-no).

Spokane County has accepted requests for proposals for the use of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) entitlement funds for program year 2024. In 2023, the City entered into a cooperation agreement to increase the City’s set-aside for available funds based on its share of the agreement’s consortium population. This evening’s presentation is to identify projects that the City could apply for to support providers serving Spokane Valley. The County has received total requests of $21.5 million. Discussion to arrive at recommendation to the County Commissioners for their formal action will be made at Council’s April 11th meeting.

In November 2021, the City, through Ordinance 21-022, granted Yellowstone Pipe Line Company a 25-year franchise to construct, maintain and, and operate its petroleum products pipeline in the City’s rights-of-way. In finalizing the design for the Pines Road/BNSF rail crossing it became clear that the location of the underpass would materially interfere with the current location of Yellowstone’s facilities, which have existed since 1952. Changing the route of that pipeline can be accomplished by rerouting through property purchased by the City but the change requires amending the existing franchise agreement. Consensus was reached to bring the amended agreement (Ordinance 24-006) to a first reading at a future Council meeting. 

The City contracts for many of the services requiring specialized departments and/or large staffs such as its police force which it contracts with the Spokane County Sheriff. In its latest agreement (2023) with the Sheriff’s Office, the City has 91 dedicated officers together with 37 commissioned officers that are shared with the County. There are other positions included in supervision that may cause that number to fluctuate. 

There are six patrol districts in the City, and the police are required to provide a minimum of one patrol officer per district on duty at all times. That number has, in current circumstances, been difficult and, at times, impossible to achieve. Calls for service remained relatively stable between 2004 and 2011. However, since 2011, calls for service have increased 63% resulting in longer response times. 

A 2023 study completed by Matrix, a consultant hired by the City, has recommended that 25 dedicated commissioned officers be added to the City police force, plus three shared commissioned officers and two civilian administrative positions.

Realizing that the recommendation is impractical to achieve immediately,  Police Chief Dave Ellis advises that the additional officers be added in increments of 8-12 positions starting in 2024 and moving through 2026. The total estimated cost to reach full staffing is $6.2 million. That figure does not include expenses that will be incurred in improving facilities to accommodate the increased staff. Realistically, an initial hire of 10 officers is the goal. Ideally, five of those officers would be new hires and five would be lateral transfers. Even with the limited number of new hires, a likely increase in arrests will result in increased costs in courts, public defenders, prosecutor, and jail services. 

The City has budgeted $35,250,000 for public safety in 2024. Law Enforcement is the direct recipient of $29,627,000 of that amount. Adding to the financial shock of such a dramatic personnel and equipment increase, in 2023, the deputies’ union reached agreement on a new contract to ‘catch up’ on past wages with increases over the next few years to bring wages on par with surrounding jurisdictions. That change is a rising cost not currently addressed with any dedicated funding source from the City. While recognition is given to the critical need for additional law enforcement personnel and facilities, funding must be found in order to make any substantive changes possible.

Simply put, the City does not have in its current budget the estimated $4.34 million needed to fund ongoing costs for the remaining 19 positions either now or beyond. 

Discussions on suggested funding measures have included a property tax increase or a utility tax. Neither met with Council support. What did garner interest was an increase of 0.1% in the sales tax. Such a tax could produce an estimated $2.8 million based on 2023 sales tax collections. A sales tax increase would also collect funds from non-Valley citizens who shop here. Council deferred action to ascertain citizen input. 

This issue is vitally important and is the focus of the City’s newly created Public Safety Committee. That committee has been reviewing the available information to develop a strategy to guide Council and the Valley citizens for moving forward. One aspect of the committee’s work has been to establish ‘listening sessions’ in the community to gather citizen input. The problem requires your input. Please stop by Tuesday, April 9th, from 11AM to 12:30PM in the CenterPlace 2nd floor lounge; or Wednesday, April 17th, from 1 to 2:30PM at the Spokane Valley Library.

There are also Community Conversations for Q & As. Those are: Thursday, April 11 from 8-9:30AM at CenterPlace or via ZOOM. You can register through the Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce for this date only. Or you can attend on Monday, April 15 from 5 to 7PM at the Centennial Middle School gym. 

By now, you should have received a mailed notice with information on how to participate in voicing your opinion on shaping Spokane Valley’s police through either taking the survey or attending one of the listed meetings. This is your opportunity to make your thoughts known. 

Should Council decide to place a ballot measure on the August 6 election, it will need to approve the required election ordinance by Apil 23rd. If you haven’t received a mailed notice and wish to participate, please go to the City website, www.spokanevalleywas.gov, for more information.
Please note: There will be a special Council meeting next Tuesday, April 9, starting at 5:00pm at City Hall.

Spokane Valley City Council meetings are usually held in City Hall, 10210 E. Sprague Avenue, on Tuesdays, commencing at 6:00pm. City Hall is open for regular business during normal business hours (8:00am to 5:00pm). The Public is invited to Council meetings to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions. Council meetings are broadcast on Comcast channel 14.
 

The Spokane Valley City Council, returning to a formal format after a four-week hiatus, opened the business session with a review of its police services status. Spokane Valley is a ‘Contract City.’ The City contracts out many of the services requiring specialized departments and/or large staffs such as its police force which it contracts with the Spokane County Sheriff. In its latest agreement (2023) with the Sheriff’s Office, the City has 91 dedicated officers together with 37 commissioned officers that are shared with the County. There are other positions included in supervision that may cause that number to fluctuate. 
 

There are six patrol districts in the City, and the police are required to provide a minimum of one patrol officer per district on duty at all times. That number has, in current circumstances, been difficult and, at times, impossible to achieve. A 2023 study completed by Matrix, a consultant hired by the City, has recommended that 25 dedicated commissioned officers be added to the City police force, plus three shared commissioned officers and two civilian administrative positions.
 

Police Chief Dave Ellis recommends the additional officers be added in increments of 8-12 positions starting in 2024 and moving through 2026. The total estimated cost to reach full staffing is $6.2 million. That figure does not include expenses that will be incurred in improving facilities to accommodate the increased staff. Realistically, an initial hire of 10 officers is the goal. Ideally, five of those officers would be new hires and five would be lateral transfers. 

Equipping and placement of those new officers calls for one-time costs that might be met with unused money from the City’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allocation. 
 

The City has budgeted $35,250,000 for public safety in 2024. Law Enforcement is the direct recipient of $29,627,000 of that amount. Adding to the financial shock of such a dramatic personnel and equipment increase, in 2023, the deputies’ union reached agreement on a new contract to ‘catch up’ on past wages with increases over the next few years to bring wages on par with surrounding jurisdictions. That change is a rising cost not currently addressed with any dedicated funding source from the City. While recognition is given to the critical need for additional law enforcement personnel and facilities, funding must be found in order to make any substantive changes possible.
 

Discussions on suggested funding measures have included a property tax increase and a utility tax. Neither met with Council support. What did garner interest was an increase of 0.1% in the sales tax. Such a tax could produce an estimated $2.8 million based on 2023 sales tax collections. A sales tax increase would also collect funds from non-Valley citizens who shop here. 
 

This issue is vitally important and is the focus of the City’s newly created Public Safety Committee. That committee is reviewing the available information and issues related to developing a strategy to guide Council for moving forward. One aspect of the committee’s work will be establishing ‘listening sessions’ in the community to gather citizen input. The problem requires a multifaceted solution involving all affected parties and individuals. Anyone wishing to participate should be watching the City website, www.SpokaneValleyWas.gov, for more information.
 

The motion to approve adjusting the number of dedicated police personnel to add ten additional dedicated new positions and to authorize the City Manager to take such action as necessary to implement this action pursuant to the Interlocal Agreement with Spokane County and the Sheriff’s Office passed unanimously. 
 

On January 26th, 2024, the City advertised for its Storm Drain Cleaning contract. Three bids were received. Bids were opened on February 9th with AAA Sweeping being the lowest bidder at $219,549.50. The contract may be extended for up to three additional one-year terms if mutually agreed. The motion to award the Storm Drain Cleaning Service Contract to AAA Sweeping in an amount not to exceed $219,549.50 passed 6-1 (Merkel-no).
 

After last week’s presentation on the benefits of preserving the Columbia River System and Lower Snake River Dams, Council reached consensus to amend its federal legislative agenda to add its support for this item. It also took the opportunity to update its cost estimate for the Sullivan/Trent Interchange from $42 million to $46 million. The motion to approve the amended 2024 Federal Legislative Agenda as presented passed unanimously.
 

In keeping with Council’s recognition for increased communications and community involvement opportunities, Staff provided an administrative report on the Communications and Community Involvement Plan for the police staffing project. Elements of the plan include Project background, Key messages, Goals and strategies, Communication channels, Schedule, and Performance measures. There are several involvement opportunities for community members to learn about the project and give feedback. Those are identified as planned listening sessions, reception style open house hours, and surveys.
 

In 2021, Congress implemented its ‘Congressionally Directed Spending’ (CDS) process. Basically, the CDS program is a re-introduction of the old earmark system from former years. In the past, the City has received CDS funds for its Sullivan/Trent Interchange, and Pines Road/BNSF Rail Crossing. The 2023 awards have not yet been announced; however, the application list included $3 million for the Sullivan/Trent Interchange sponsored by Representative McMorris Rodgers. Staff anticipates this year will be like the last two years and propose submitting CDS requests for each of the City’s 2024 federal agenda projects identified in the table below.
 

PROJECT; REQUEST;  TOTAL COST;  NEEDED       

Sullivan/Trent Interchange;  $5 million;  $46.4 million;  $38.8 million

South Barker Corridor;  $3 million;  $40.9 million;  $27.6 million

Argonne Bridge @ I-90 ;  $3 million;  $28.2 million;  $26.7 million 

Barker/I-90 Interchange ;  $4 million;  $40.0 million;  $40.0 million
 

Council reached consensus to develop applications for CDS funding requests for all four projects.
 

In 2014, Council approved a franchise agreement with Noel Communications, Inc. a predecessor company to Wholesail Network LLC (Wholesail) dba Ziply Fiber. Ziply is requesting a franchise for installation of fiber optics telecommunications facilities in the City of Spokane Vallely under the same or similar terms as Wholesail. With minor changes regarding monthly charges, insurance (from $1million to $2 million per occurrence), and removal of all abandoned equipment upon cessation of business, those terms have been met. Staff recommends approval.
 

Spokane Valley City Council meetings are held in City Hall, 10210 E. Sprague Avenue, on Tuesdays, commencing at 6:00pm. City Hall is open for regular business during normal business hours (8:00am to 5:00pm). The Public is invited to Council meetings to participate in action items or public comment periods in person or via ZOOM. Call 509-720-5000 or www.SpokaneValley.org prior to 4:00 p.m. for access instructions. Council meetings are broadcast on Comcast channel 14.