Spokane Valley Planning Commission Meeting – January 22, 2026

The Spokane Valley Planning Commission held its regular meeting on January 22, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall (10210 E Sprague Avenue). The meeting included the election of officers for 2026, a study session on the Public Records Act (PRA) and Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA), and updates on the comprehensive plan update. All votes were unanimous unless otherwise noted.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Agenda: Moved and seconded, passed unanimously.
• Approval of Minutes (December 11, 2025): Moved and seconded, passed unanimously.

Commission Reports

• Commissioners Weatherman, Meyer, Paco (Poquel), Winkler, and Dingus each reported nothing to report. Chairman McKinley also had nothing to report.

Administrative Report

• Planning Manager Steve Roberts provided updates:
  • The Washington State Legislature is in session; the city is monitoring bills that could affect planning work.
  • The commission will soon begin reviewing draft elements of the comprehensive plan, starting with economic development, natural resources, and land use elements. A schedule will be presented at the next meeting.
  • The scoping notice for the environmental impact statement (EIS) on the comp plan will be issued next week.

Public Comment

• No public comments were received.

Election of Officers

• Chair Election:
  • Nominations: Commissioner Justin Weatherman and Commissioner John Robertson.
  • Each nominee briefly introduced themselves. Weatherman noted he had been on the commission for about two years; Robertson noted his 35 years of residency and service as vice chair for two years.
  • Vote: Commissioner Robertson received 4 votes; Commissioner Weatherman received 3 votes. Robertson was elected Chair for 2026.
• Vice Chair Election:
  • Nominations: Commissioner Ann Winkler and Commissioner Bob McKinley.
  • Each nominee introduced themselves. Winkler is a traffic engineer; McKinley is an accountant and has served eight years on the commission.
  • Vote: Commissioner McKinley received 4 votes; Commissioner Winkler received 3 votes. McKinley was elected Vice Chair for 2026.

Study Session: Open Public Meetings Act & Public Records Act

• Senior Deputy City Attorney Tony Beattie presented the annual training on PRA and OPMA.
  • PRA:
    • Defined public records as any writing relating to government conduct owned or used by the agency. Private devices used for city business create public records; best practice is to use city email and phone.
    • Records requests must be responded to within five business days (provide, link, acknowledge, clarify, or deny).
    • Exemptions include attorney-client privilege and work product. There is no constitutional privacy right for public records on private devices.
    • Penalties for non-compliance: $0–$100 per day per page, plus attorney fees for prevailing parties. Mitigating factors include proper training.
  • OPMA:
    • All meetings of a governing body with a quorum and discussion of city business must be open to the public. Serial meetings (sequential private discussions resulting in a quorum discussing business) are prohibited.
    • Special meetings require 24‑hour notice and an agenda; final actions cannot be taken on items not listed.
    • Violations can render actions null and void, with individual penalties of $500 (first violation) and $1,000 (subsequent violations).
  • Questions were answered regarding use of personal email and how to handle searches (Nissan affidavits).

For the Good of the Order

• Commissioners welcomed new members Dingus and Pokal.
• Newly elected Chair Robertson offered a historical reflection on Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense” and George Washington’s orders from January 22, 1776, encouraging civility and respect.
• The meeting adjourned by motion and second, passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• John Robertson elected Chair; Bob McKinley elected Vice Chair.
• Commissioners received annual PRA/OPMA training.
• Staff will provide a comprehensive plan review schedule at the next meeting.
• Scoping notice for the EIS on the comp plan will be issued the following week.
• Next regular meeting: scheduled for February 12, 2026 (second Thursday of the month).