This week’s Spokane Valley City Council meeting began with an invocation, the pledge of allegiance and approval of the following meeting agenda. A motion to excuse Mayor Pam Haley passed unanimously.
PROCLAMATION
Deputy Mayor Hattenburg presented Mrs. Karen Towey with a proclamation declaring August 15, 2025, as “Tom Towey Day”, in Spokane Valley.
General Public Comments
Each week, community members can 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 on Zoom.
ACTION ITEMS
1. Consent Agenda
The minutes from the Feb. 18, April 15, May 6, June 10, June 17, July 15, July 22 and July 29 City Council meetings were removed from the consent agenda and will return at a future meeting. The remaining items on the consent agenda, vouchers for paying city expenses and payroll, were approved unanimously.
2. Second Reading: Ordinance 25-012 Fatbeam Franchise
Council reviewed and discussed this item at the July 15 and July 29, 2025, meetings. Fatbeam is a company that owns and operates telecommunications facilities within city public rights-of-way, per Franchise Ordinance 15-014, which was adopted in July 2015 and expires in August 2025. Fatbeam operations focus on providing telecommunication fiber to local educational facilities. The proposed updated Franchise Ordinance will extend the non-exclusive franchise rights to Fatbeam until 2035. All costs to operate and maintain its facilities, insurance and bonds will be paid by Fatbeam.
A motion to approve Ordinance 25-012 granting a telecommunications franchise to Fatbeam passed unanimously.
3. Award Precinct Remodel Project
Council reviewed an administrative report on this topic on April 8, 2025. Staff outlined the proposed base and alternate bid improvements to the police precinct building. It was noted that the base bid does not accommodate all additional future personnel as identified in the Matrix study, but the alternates would account for these future personnel. . The bid was advertised on June 20, and the bid opening was July 11. Four bids were received but only three were determined to be responsive. The lowest, responsive, responsible bidder is Leone & Keeble Inc. Bid information and tabulation was included in the meeting packet.
A motion to award the Precinct Remodel Project to Leone & Keeble Inc for the Base Bid and Alternate 1 and 2 in the amount of $511,005 plus applicable sales tax and authorize the city manager to finalize and execute the construction contract passed unanimously.
NON-ACTION ITEMS
4. Solid Waste Collection Update
City staff and the owner of the city’s contracted solid waste consulting firm provided an update on the end-of-contract options for the current solid waste collection contracts. Information was presented to Council about end-of-contract options, extensions, other agencies’ procurements, rate comparisons, and results of the recent community survey. Staff’s recommendation is to utilize the extensions on the current solid waste collection contract with WM (formerly Waste Management) and the drop-box contracts with WM and Sunshine Disposal. The Council reached consensus for staff to return for a motion consideration on “option 1” “extending the contracts”, 5 votes in favor and 1 vote against.
5. Balfour Facility Options
On March 7, 2023, the Council authorized the City to purchase Parcel 45174.9033, adjacent to Balfour Park. The property was previously occupied by the Leather Furniture Gallery, which went out of business in 2022. The Council determined that the costs to bring the building up to current standards were too high and on Oct. 1, 2024, the Council authorized the demolition of the structure. Staff discussed ground lease options for the development of the building pad site. The Council reached consensus to market the property for ground lease for uses complementary to Balfour Park.
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.