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 and Councilmember Jessica Yaeger passed unanimously.
Proclamation
Deputy Mayor Hattenburg presented a proclamation for the Spokane Valley Cycle Celebration Day, which was accepted by Peggy Doering of Valleyfest, the sponsoring organization of the Cycle Celebration.
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 Council unanimously approved the consent agenda, which included vouchers for paying city expenses and payroll.
2. Council Goals and Priorities for Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC)
The Council reviewed and discussed this item at the July 8, 2025, meeting. Under Spokane Valley Municipal Code 3.20.010, a 3.3% tax on lodging (hotel/motel room rentals) within Spokane Valley is collected by the City. Staff described Washington State regulations for the use of the lodging tax. Staff outlined the types of organizations and/or projects that may be awarded funds from the tax revenue. Each year, the Council discusses and adopts goals and priorities for the funding that it encourages the LTAC to consider when evaluating proposals, and for applicants to review when preparing applications. The LTAC evaluates the applications and develops recommendations to the Council about which organizations or projects to be awarded the funds. The Council makes the final decision.
A motion to approve the Council goals and priorities for the use of lodging tax revenues as written passed unanimously.
NON-ACTION ITEMS
3. Spokane Regional Emergency Communications (SREC) Update
SREC Executive Director Lori Markham, SVPD Chief Dave Ellis and city staff shared an overview of the agency’s governance, membership and operations. They provided information about plans for a new SREC facility located within Spokane Valley, a new computer-aided dispatch system scheduled to launch early 2026, and the ongoing negotiations with the City of Spokane.
4. Potential Grant Opportunity – Transportation Improvement Board (TIB)
The TIB is an independent state agency created by the Legislature that distributes and manages street construction and maintenance grants to cities and urban counties in Washington. A portion of the statewide gas tax funds the grants. In May 2025, the Washington State TIB issued a call for projects for the Urban Arterial Program (UAP), the Active Transportation Program (ATP) and Complete Streets program. Staff described city projects that have previously received from TIB grant funds and the amount of funding available in 2025. Grant applications are due August 15, and funds will be awarded in mid-November. Recommended projects are:
- S. Sullivan Road Preservation - 8th Ave to 24th Ave
- Barker Corridor: 4th Ave Roundabout
- Barker Corridor: Sprague Ave to 4th Ave
- Sullivan Park Sidewalk Connection
Council reached consensus to return this item for a future motion consideration.
5. Five-Year Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness Update
In August 2023, with approval of the Council, the City assumed administration of local recording fees from Spokane County, with funds to be used solely for homeless outreach contracts and shelter beds. The Washington State Department of Commerce requires that a homelessness plan be in place before the recording fees can be accessed; in 2023, the Council adopted the 2020–2024 Continuum of Care (CoC) Regional Five-Year Plan. Annual revenue from the recording fees is approximately $350,000.
In 2025, the CoC launched an update of the five-year plan to comply with U.S. Housing and Urban Development requirements. Staff presented a summary of the plan and outlined plan objectives required by the Department of Commerce, community feedback received by the CoC, priorities identified by CoC subcommittees, performance metrics and next steps. The Spokane Valley Homeless Housing Task Force will review the plan and make a recommendation to the Council.
INFORMATION ONLY (No reports or discussion)
- Community Development Monthly Report
- Spokane Valley Police Department Monthly Report May 2025
- Spokane Valley Fire Department Monthly Report June 2025
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.