This week’s Spokane Valley City Council meeting began with the pledge of allegiance and approval of the following meeting agenda. Councilmember Merkel was excused from the meeting.
PROCLAMATION
Mayor Haley presented a proclamation for National Police Week, which was accepted by Spokane Valley Police Chief Dave Ellis.
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 via Zoom.
ACTION ITEMS
#1 Ordinance #25-005: Street Vacation STV-2025-0001
This item was last discussed at the April 29, 2025, Council meeting. The adjacent property owner requested vacation of a 20’x185’ segment of an unnamed alley extending north from Appleway Avenue, lying east of Long Road and west of Greenacres Road. The alley is paved but does not meet street standards and operates as a driveway for the existing business. Staff discussed the street vacation details, public hearing notices, the Planning Commission’s review process, and summarized the need for existing utility easements to provide in the right-of-way (ROW). On April 10, 2025, the Planning Commission unanimously approved the Findings of Fact recommending that the City Council approve the street vacation request for STV-2025-0001. The estimated fee for the vacated ROW is $17,683.75.
A motion to advance Ordinance #25-005 to a second reading at a future Council meeting passed unanimously.
#2 Resolution #25-010: Spokane Housing Authority Revenue Bonds
Council received a report on this item at the April 29, 2025, meeting. Spokane Housing Authority (SHA) plans to construct a 240-unit multifamily affordable housing development at 9910 E Appleway Blvd. and will issue revenue bonds to finance the project. Per Section 147(f) of the Internal Revenue Code, the jurisdiction in which a project is located must provide approval of bond issuance. Approval does not obligate the City with any financial responsibility for the bonds, nor does the City incur any financial liability for SHA’s bond repayment.
A motion to approve Resolution #25-010 passed unanimously.
#3 Argonne/I-90 Bridge Project - Engineering Design Contract
This project will add a third lane to the Argonne Bridge or replace it with a new three-lane bridge over I-90 to help alleviate congestion and add bicycle/pedestrian facilities. The City was awarded $1,297,500 in grant funds from Spokane Regional Transportation Council and committed $202,500 of local match to fund a portion of preliminary engineering. The City is actively pursuing additional funding. Staff outlined the Request for Qualifications process for preliminary design services for this project and noted that KPFF was selected as the most qualified.
A motion to authorize the city manager to finalize and execute the design services agreement with KPFF in the amount of $1,132,739, in substantially the form of the attached agreement passed unanimously.
NON-ACTION ITEMS
#4 Solid Waste Collection Service Update
WM (formerly Waste Management) provided a solid waste collection update. Staff described the WM driver shortage and ways it is being addressed and outlined recent capital investments, improvements to customer service and the recent $18M SMaRT Center Recycling upgrades which has increased the processing and material sorting accuracy. Residential collections data was shared.
#5 Citywide Transportation Impact Fee (TIF) Areas
Impact fees are specifically allowed to address traffic impacts from new housing developments and are generally collected when a building permit application is submitted. Staff provided a background of the existing impact fee areas, which began in December 2020 (South Barker Corridor, Mirabeau Subarea and North Pines Road Subarea). Since the TIFs began, total revenues have been $1.4M. In 2023, the City contracted with Fehr & Peers to complete a preliminary study for estimating a citywide impact fee. Staff reviewed the three identified options the study identified, as well as impact fee areas in other Washington cities. Staff recommend option 3 because it links the fee and the underlying project, minimizes variability throughout the city, and creates more understandable boundaries. Next steps were discussed. The final study is expected to be brought to Council later this year.
The Council reached consensus to proceed with the Transportation Impact Fee Rate Study based on multiple zones.
#6 Overview of State and Local Regulations of Motorized Scooter Share Programs within the City
The City Council adopted codes to regulate the use of motorized scooters in 2004 and 2007. In early 2019, LIME (a scooter and bike share company) contacted the City to discuss operating their business in Spokane Valley and potentially entering an agreement with the City, but an agreement was not implemented. Since beginning operations within the city, LIME and LIME device users have been and remain subject to SVMC 9.20, which impose device usage restrictions and device parking within the city. The Spokane Valley Police Department enforces city codes governing motorized scooters and scooter share programs.
#7 Endangerment with a Controlled Substance
Lt. Jerad Kiehn and Chief Dave Ellis reported on gaps in state law for crimes involving accidental exposure to fentanyl. They provided case examples that occurred in Spokane Valley in 2025 and described the current laws used for charging and the investigative process. The group discussed a proposal to support legislation to amend RCW 9A.42.100 to include fentanyl and synthetic opioid language.
#8 Investment Policy Update
Public funds on hand not needed for current cash flow needs are held in the Local Government Investment Pool (LGIP) and 12-month Certificates of Deposit (CDs) at local financial institutions listed as qualified public depositaries by the Washington State Deposit Protection Commission. The current interest rate for the LGIP is about 4.4% and the two current CDs are earning 4.2% and 5.23% respectively. In 2024, the City earned approximately $5.4 million in interest on deposits with the LGIP. Resolution 24-002 designated the Councilmembers and city staff with signing authority for the City and staff authorized to invest public funds on behalf of the City.
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.