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Record of Proceedings

Spokane Valley City Council Regular Meeting – March 3, 2026

City Council & Commissions — Tuesday, March 3, 2026
BodySpokane Valley, Washington
SessionCity Council & Commissions
DateTuesday, March 3, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
0:04

Thank you.

0:13

All right.

0:16

The Spokane Valley City Council regular meeting of Tuesday, March 3rd is uh now called to order.

0:24

So if we will stand, we have Pastor Mike Drew from Bamley Valley Assembly Church for the invocation.

0:32

Thank you.

0:33

Heavenly Father, we are so thankful that you have given us leaders that are not only attentive to the people that come and speak to one another, but they're attentive, Lord, to the gentle promptings of your spirit.

0:46

And as such, tonight we ask, Lord, for your anointing on them as they deliberate, as they listen.

0:53

Lord, give them courage to speak, and Lord, the wisdom to know when to listen.

0:58

Help them, Lord, to have a spirit of collaboration as they seek to bless our community.

1:03

Tonight we do pray for our law enforcement, our fire department, and other security people.

1:09

God protect them, Lord, in a special way.

1:13

We also pray for the people who are involved in the conflict in the Middle East.

1:19

Lord, the innocents that are on the sidelines for the people in the military for those that are in uh difficult situations, Lord, that you would uh uh share your love with them and give them protection, we pray.

1:35

And so tonight, Lord, we commit the city council meeting to you.

1:38

Wanted to give you praise in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1:42

Amen.

1:44

Join in the Pledge of Allegiance by Pledge Illegal.

1:52

Thank you.

1:54

One nation and God, individual.

2:06

Would uh Clerk Patterson call the roll?

2:08

Certainly.

2:13

There we go.

2:14

Okay.

2:15

Mayor Patton here.

2:16

Deputy Mayor Hattenberg.

2:17

Here.

2:18

Councilmember Haley.

2:19

Here.

2:19

Councilmember Yeager here.

2:21

Councilmember Kelly?

2:23

Present.

2:23

Councilmember Wick?

2:24

Here.

2:24

And Councilmember Merkel.

2:26

Here.

2:26

Thank you.

2:31

Approval of agenda.

2:32

Move to approve the agenda.

2:33

Second.

2:34

All those in favor?

2:35

Aye.

2:36

Aye.

2:36

Opposed.

2:37

The agenda is approved.

2:39

That brings us to our special guests and presentation.

2:43

So last week I received an unexpected request from the City of Spokane, and specifically from uh Council President Betsy Wilkerson.

2:53

She wanted to talk about an opportunity to collaborate.

2:56

And it turns out that the topic is Kratom.

3:00

Both Spokane and Spokane Valley are deciding whether or not to ban the sale of this drug.

3:08

Despite some of our differences, council member uh council member, sorry, Council President Wilkerson saw this was an issue where both cities have common ground and concerns.

3:21

So I wanted uh to commend and thank Council um yeah, Council President Wilkerson.

3:27

I'm boy, that just council member just keeps coming out, uh, for reaching out and traveling east tonight to grace us with her presence and insights.

3:36

So we welcome you and invite you to come up and say a few words.

3:45

Well, thank you, Mayor Patton and to the Spokane Valley City Council for allowing me this time to uh speak on this particular topic.

3:54

I come to you as a fellow elected, but really I'm coming to you as a grandmother of triplet grandchildren that are keeping me broke.

4:03

Uh this is this kratom is a psychoatric psychoactive drug plant that with low levels doesn't harm, but in higher levels, it can be a sedative or it could be psychoactive and it's not regulated.

4:24

That's a challenge that we heard from many in our community.

4:29

And uh, like when I talked to uh Mayor Patton, I hadn't heard of Kratom till like four months ago, and then all of a sudden that's all we hear about is Kratom and how it's impacting our community, but mostly it's impacting our young people because they can go to any convenience store, they can get it, they can take it, and there's no regulations about it.

4:52

We know our state took this up and it did not pass, and we know in the city of Spokane we're just to start.

5:03

Kratom is easily accessible, you can just walk or drive uh as I'm teaching my grandkids to do.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Safety████████████████████20%
Cannabis Regulation███████████████15%
Public Engagement█████████████13%
Transportation Safety███████████11%
Active Transportation███████████11%
Engineering And Infrastructure██████6%
Procedural█████5%
Arts And Culture█████5%
Homelessness████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Spokane Valley City Council Regular Meeting – March 3, 2026

Meeting Date: Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at 6:00 PM Location: City Hall, Spokane Valley, WA

The Spokane Valley City Council convened for a regular meeting on March 3, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. The meeting included an invocation, pledge of allegiance, roll call (all members present), approval of the agenda, a special guest presentation from Spokane City Council President Betsy Wilkerson on regional cooperation regarding a Kratom ban, two general public comment periods, three action items (Kratom ban, a road preservation bid award, and an amended federal legislative agenda), a non-action administrative report on grant opportunities, council comments, and an executive session.

Consent Calendar

  • The agenda was approved unanimously via motion and second.

Public Comments & Testimony

First General Public Comment Opportunity:

  • Yvonne Johnson (founder, Spokane Valley Performing Arts Center) and Dr. Andrea Olson (Associate Artistic Director) requested City support for a municipal bond to complete the performing arts center, stating it would not cost taxpayers and would generate tens of millions of dollars. They noted $18.3 million already raised by the community and referenced a feasibility study by Baker Tilly. They asked for a City ownership interest until bonds are repaid.
  • Ben Lund (Spokane Valley resident) reported that based on community feedback, visible homeless camping has significantly decreased in the area, thanking the City for progress. He countered a councilmember’s earlier statement that no progress had been made.
  • John Harding spoke against state efforts to reduce law enforcement and firefighter pensions, calling for City action to oppose such measures. He also criticized state Medicaid cuts, expressing personal frustration.
  • Will Hewlings (downtown Spokane resident) opposed the Kratom ban, arguing that fentanyl causes far more overdoses and that Kratom is not a major problem. He noted 2023-2024 overdose data from Spokane County (2 and 4 overdoses respectively, mostly with other substances).
  • Justin Haller criticized STA’s bike infrastructure decisions, saying raised bus stops on narrow streets are unsafe for cyclists and that projects lack practical design input from actual cyclists.
  • Susan DeLucki (Spokane Valley resident) urged early childhood intervention to address root causes of homelessness and addiction, citing programs like Elijah Family Homes and suggesting replicating successful models.

Second General Public Comment Opportunity:

  • No speakers signed up.

Action Items

1. Second Reading: Ordinance 26-003 – Banning the Sale of Kratom

  • Deputy City Attorney Caitlin Prunty and Chief Dave Ellis presented the second reading. The ordinance creates Chapter 755 of the municipal code, prohibiting sale, distribution, and advertisement of Kratom products within Spokane Valley. Violations are class 1 civil infractions ($250 fine) with potential business license revocation. Since the first reading, “billboards” were added to advertisement definitions, and “per violation per day” language was included.
  • Councilmember Merkel proposed an amendment to delay enforcement until May 5, 2026, to allow businesses to sell existing inventory (citing April 20 as a major sales day). The amendment failed (vote not tallied, but appeared 1-6; Councilmember Kelly voted no, Councilmember Yeager spoke against).
  • After debate, the original ordinance passed 6-1, with Councilmember Kelly opposed. Councilmember Merkel expressed concerns about lack of regulatory nuance and impact on businesses. Councilmember Yeager preferred a 21+ regulation but acknowledged the City lacks resources for that.

2. Motion: South Sullivan Preservation (8th to 24th) Bid Award

  • Engineering Manager Erica Amsden presented the award to Ceiling Construction Inc. for $3,937,220. The project will replace asphalt pavement, add sidewalks, ADA ramps, stormwater improvements, and signal revisions. Bids opened February 13, 2026; 12 bidders were all under estimate. WSDOT awarded an additional $1.3 million in NHS funds, reducing the City’s share to approximately $350,000. Construction is planned April to mid-August 2026. Motion passed unanimously.

3. Motion: Amended 2026 Federal Legislative Agenda

  • City Manager John Holman and lobbyist Virginia Clough presented updates: a $4 million CDS award for the Sullivan-Trent project, $400,000 for Barker I-90 interchange design, and a pending $20.8 million BUILD application for Sullivan-Trent. Councilmember Merkel proposed an amendment to add forest management to the public safety section; it lacked a second and failed. The amended agenda passed unanimously.

Non-Action Item

Admin Report: Pedestrian/Bicycle Program & Safe Routes to Schools Grant Opportunities

  • Engineering Manager Adam Jackson presented two WSDOT grant programs (Ped-Bike and Safe Routes to School), combined funding about $107 million (double 2024 levels), applications due mid-April. Proposed applications: (1) Barker-Appleway roundabout, (2) Appleway crossings (pedestrian hybrid beacons/RRFBs), (3) arterial crossings at multiple locations, (4) Planning study for Sprague-Sullivan corridor safety improvements, (5) School zone flashing beacons and RRFBs (adding 18 beacons and doubling RRFBs to ~40). City Manager assured council will have intermediate touch points before construction. Council gave consensus to proceed.

Key Outcomes

  • Ordinance 26-003 (Kratom ban) adopted (6-1). Effective 5 days after signature; enforcement delayed 30 days for retailer notification.
  • South Sullivan Preservation bid awarded to Ceiling Construction Inc. ($3,937,220), unanimous.
  • 2026 Federal Legislative Agenda amended as presented, unanimous.
  • Grant applications for Ped-Bike and Safe Routes to School programs authorized by consensus; staff to return for formal motion in late March.
  • Council comments included updates: Councilmember Wick reported broadband funding awards and his reappointment as chair of AWC Large City Advisory Committee; Councilmember Merkel expressed concern about state funding for the ice rink project (Anovia’s request, not City’s); Councilmember Haley defended the Kratom ban and noted a new behavioral health facility; Deputy Mayor Hattenberg reported SRTC approval of a countywide funding request; Mayor emphasized budget workshop held February 24, 2026.
  • City Manager updates: 24th & VeraCrest site distance analysis complete, coordinating with fire department; ice rink lease negotiations ongoing; Public Works received National Asphalt Pavement Association quality award for Wellesley Preservation Project. Next meeting (March 10) starts at 5 PM for comprehensive plan workshop and HCDAC discussion.

Executive Session

  • Council moved into executive session for approximately 45 minutes to discuss potential acquisition of real estate and potential litigation (RCW 42.30.110(1)(b) and (i)). No action expected upon return.

Meeting Transcript

Thank you. All right. The Spokane Valley City Council regular meeting of Tuesday, March 3rd is uh now called to order. So if we will stand, we have Pastor Mike Drew from Bamley Valley Assembly Church for the invocation. Thank you. Heavenly Father, we are so thankful that you have given us leaders that are not only attentive to the people that come and speak to one another, but they're attentive, Lord, to the gentle promptings of your spirit. And as such, tonight we ask, Lord, for your anointing on them as they deliberate, as they listen. Lord, give them courage to speak, and Lord, the wisdom to know when to listen. Help them, Lord, to have a spirit of collaboration as they seek to bless our community. Tonight we do pray for our law enforcement, our fire department, and other security people. God protect them, Lord, in a special way. We also pray for the people who are involved in the conflict in the Middle East. Lord, the innocents that are on the sidelines for the people in the military for those that are in uh difficult situations, Lord, that you would uh uh share your love with them and give them protection, we pray. And so tonight, Lord, we commit the city council meeting to you. Wanted to give you praise in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. Join in the Pledge of Allegiance by Pledge Illegal. Thank you. One nation and God, individual. Would uh Clerk Patterson call the roll? Certainly. There we go. Okay. Mayor Patton here. Deputy Mayor Hattenberg. Here. Councilmember Haley. Here. Councilmember Yeager here. Councilmember Kelly? Present. Councilmember Wick? Here. And Councilmember Merkel. Here. Thank you. Approval of agenda. Move to approve the agenda. Second. All those in favor? Aye. Aye. Opposed. The agenda is approved. That brings us to our special guests and presentation. So last week I received an unexpected request from the City of Spokane, and specifically from uh Council President Betsy Wilkerson. She wanted to talk about an opportunity to collaborate. And it turns out that the topic is Kratom. Both Spokane and Spokane Valley are deciding whether or not to ban the sale of this drug. Despite some of our differences, council member uh council member, sorry, Council President Wilkerson saw this was an issue where both cities have common ground and concerns.

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