With March entering lion-like, Spokane Valley City Council’s first meeting of the month opened with action on a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Spokane County Library District (SCLD).
In 2012 the SCLD and the City of Spokane Valley entered into an interlocal agreement with the intent that SCLD would construct a new central library facility. Pursuant to that agreement, the City sold a total of 2.72 acres to SCLD upon which to build its new facility. After two failed attempts to pass a bond issue for construction funds, SCLD in 2021 determined it could arrange financing through the state for its new facility.

As part of the original agreement in 2012, the City is required to contribute $1.3 million toward site improvements to the Library Project. The City had previously paid $254,024 in 2021 for frontage improvements. SCLD has now constructed improvements that qualify for an additional $799,093. Approval of this agreement would authorize the City manager to reimburse SCLD for those costs by April 1, 2023, leaving a balance of $246,883 of the originally agreed $1.3 million.

Staff expects the remaining funds to be applied to landscaping, trees, irrigation, and other part projects complimenting the library. The City and SCLD will negotiate a separate joint use agreement relating to allocation of operation and maintenance expenditures for these joint use facilities. Motion to approve the memorandum of understanding between the parties passed unanimously.

On May 31st of last year, Council allocated $79,000 of ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds to the Valley Police Department to acquire a camera trailer. The trailer has a tall pole with a camera and blue light mounted to provide intelligence on activities around the area its located in. That camera has proven highly effective in its usage.  

At the same time last year, Council also allocated funds for a sewer project on Buckeye. All of those funds weren’t used, leaving a residual in the amount of $117,850. Staff has requested that this amount be reallocated to our police department to purchase a second camera trailer costing approximately $80,000. The remainder of the money would be used for other law enforcement needs as identified. Motion to approve the re-allocation of the funds for purchase of a second camera and other law enforcement uses of funds passed unanimously.
A late addition to the agenda addressed the City’s purchase of an existing building at 10303 E. Sprague Avenue. The building is a 4800 square foot facility on six tenths of an acre on the north side of Sprague. Specific plans for the building have not been disclosed. The motion to purchase the building for $790,000 passed unanimously.

Spokane Sports is an economic development organization whose mission is to attract and coordinate bringing sports events to the Spokane area. Those on-staff efforts include Sports Development, Marketing & Communication, and Event Logistics, Other essential parts that are contracted out include Game day Management and Contract Services. Beneficiaries of these sporting events are hotel partners, local businesses, regional sports clubs, and other business venues. 

Spokane Valley benefits by being positioned as a recreation destination through marketing campaign focusing on outdoor recreation while advertising the City’s facilities to house and support sporting events.

Recent state law requires government agencies to “…procure more compost product and finished products made from organic wastes.” Under that law, the City is required to adopt a compost procurement ordinance to implement the state law. Consensus was reached to place such an ordinance on a future Council agenda.

In 2022, the State announced successful settlement with several opioid distributors for approximately $518 million. Approximately half of that amount was set aside for local governments. Under that agreement, the City is scheduled to receive $147,000 (Settlement I) over 17 years. That will, of course, be minus deductions for attorneys’ fees and settlement expenses. The actual amount the City will receive is estimated to be $5,000-$7,000.

A second settlement (Settlement II) will result in an additional $217 million to local governments for ‘abatement of opioid related problems’. The same annual amount as Settlement I is expected. In order to participate, separate forms must be submitted for each settling company by April 31st. Because of the small amounts each city will receive, discussions are taking place to pool the funds for regional substance abuse use. Consensus was reached to join in Settlement II.

City Code currently provides for a process for selection of the five members of the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) but does not contain a process for selecting alternates in case the appointed committee person is unable to attend the lodging tax allocation meeting. Proposed amendments would provide for selection of two alternates: one representing a recipient of the tax, and one representing businesses collecting the tax. That selection would occur at the same time the regular committee members are selected.

Another change clarifies that a quorum consists of at least three members with at least one recipient, one hotelier, and the identified City Council member. Consensus was reached to place the changes on a First Reading at a future Council meeting.

City Hall is open for business during normal business hours. The Public is invited 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 meeting are broadcast on Comcast channel 14.