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 a proclamation for National Health Center Week to Tamitha Shockley French of Community Health Association of Spokane (CHAS).
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. First Reading: Ordinance 25-012 Fatbeam Franchise
The City Council previously reviewed this item at their July 15, Council meeting. Fatbeam is a company that owns and operates telecommunications facilities within city public rights-of-way, per Franchise Ordinance 15-014 (adopted in July 2015 and expiring in August 2025). Many Fatbeam operations focus on providing telecommunication fiber to local educational facilities. An updated Franchise Ordinance will extend the non-exclusive franchise rights to Fatbeam until 2035. Fatbeam will pay all costs to operate and maintain its facilities and will maintain insurance and bonds.
A motion to bring Ordinance 25-012 to a second reading passed unanimously.
2. First Reading: Ordinance 25-013 Emergency Interim Ordinance Adopting Height Restrictions for Communications Towers Used by Regional Facilities for First Responder Communication
Spokane Regional Emergency Communications (SREC) operates the regional 911 call center serving the region; SREC owns a 4+ acre parcel at 12809 E Mirabeau Parkway, where they plan to build a new call center and emergency communications tower. The current city code prohibits tower heights in excess of 60 feet with 20 feet of antenna. However, for reliable continuous emergency communications services, the SREC communications tower must be at least 100 feet high with up to 20 feet of antenna. The urgency of this proposed interim ordinance is due to SREC’s current lease (located within the City of Spokane) ending in five months. Construction of the new tower needs to start very soon to be operational by the time the current lease ends and SREC vacates its current location.
A motion to waive the three-touch rule and adopt Interim Ordinance 25-013 passed unanimously.
3. Steering Committee of Elected Officials (SCEO) Interlocal Agreement (ILA)
The draft ILA update was discussed by the Council at the July 15, 2025, meeting. Changes in the SCEO membership, the addition of positions for the Spokane Tribe of Indians and Kalispel Tribe Indians, require an amendment of the ILA to be signed by all member jurisdictions.
A motion to authorize the Mayor to sign the GMA Joint Planning Interlocal Agreement passed unanimously.
4. Potential Grant Opportunity: Transportation Improvement Board
This item was presented to Council for information and discussion at the July 22, 2025, meeting. In May 2025, the Washington State TIB issued a call for projects for the Urban Arterial Program (UAP), the Active Transportation Program (ATP) and Comple Streets program. 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 Shared Path Connection
A motion to authorize the city manager, or designee, to apply for TIB grants for the projects identified above passed with 5 votes in favor and 1 vote against.
NON-ACTION ITEMS
5. Point in Time Count Update
City of Spokane Valley and City of Spokane staff reported on the results of the Point-in-Time (PIT) count and Housing Inventory Count (HIC) conducted on Jan. 22, 2025, as part of the US Department of Housing and Urban Development requirements for communities receiving federal funding for housing and homeless programs. They reviewed the survey locations for unsheltered and sheltered populations, and they provided data on the total counts for various demographic categories, such as adults, children, youth, veterans, those with mental illnesses, those with substance use disorders and others.
6. City of Spokane Valley 2025 Economic Trends Report
The City contracts with Eastern Washington University’s Institute for Public Policy & Economic Analysis for detailed quarterly economic analysis and trends specific to Spokane Valley. EWU staff presented 2025 Quarter 2 data on demographics, labor markets, employment, residential construction, non-residential construction and taxable sales/revenues. The city’s Community and Economic Development Department uses this information to respond to business development inquiries and planning initiatives.
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.