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Record of Proceedings

Spokane Valley City Council Regular Meeting - March 17, 2026

City Council & Commissions — Tuesday, March 17, 2026
BodySpokane Valley, Washington
SessionCity Council & Commissions
DateTuesday, March 17, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 3:39:33

Original source
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0:45

Mayor Patton, it's 6 p.m.

0:47

when you're ready to start.

0:49

Thank you.

0:59

Okay, I will call this meeting to order.

1:04

It's a regular meeting, formal B format, Tuesday, March 17th, 2026.

1:09

Happy St.

1:10

Patrick's Day.

1:12

Um we have the invocation.

1:16

Just a second.

1:17

I lost it.

1:21

Sherry Olsen, the executive director of the Path of Life Ministry.

1:25

So if you'll stand, please.

1:35

Good evening.

1:36

Oops.

1:40

Good evening.

1:41

Father God, we come before you and we thank you, Lord, for the way that you have set up government in our communities.

1:48

Thank you, Lord, for the process that you have given us to elect representatives to come into office and to represent each one of us and to do so with their various gifts and talents in a variety of ways.

2:00

Lord, I thank you for those individual visuals even before us this evening who are willing to serve, as well as those in the audience who are willing to speak out on a variety of issues.

2:17

Carefully consider that.

2:38

And I thank you.

2:40

I did they did say I would have an opportunity as the executive director of Path of Life to let you all know that Path of Life now has a center in the Spokane Valley at 16114 East Indiana.

2:53

So we are excited to be in the Spokane Valley, and thank you so much for all that you all do in our community.

3:00

Thank you.

3:01

Join me in the pledge.

3:02

I pledge you to do the flag of the United States of America.

3:08

To the Republic for which it stands.

3:10

One nation under God.

3:24

Certainly.

3:25

Mayor Patton?

3:26

Here.

3:26

Deputy Mayor Hattenberg?

3:27

Here.

3:28

Councilmember Haley?

3:29

Councilmember Yeager?

3:31

Here.

3:31

Councilmember Kelly.

3:33

Present.

3:33

Councilmember Wick?

3:35

Here.

3:35

And Councilmember Merkel.

3:37

Here.

3:37

Thank you.

3:39

We now have the approval of the amended agenda.

3:43

Move to approve the agenda.

3:45

Second.

3:46

All those in favor?

3:48

Aye.

3:48

Opposed?

3:50

The agenda is approved.

3:54

And now we have special guests and presentations.

3:58

This is something that's really fun.

4:00

It's our UROC community recognition program tonight.

4:05

And this is where we get to say thank you to those making a real difference in our community.

4:10

Taking a moment to shine a spotlight on the incredible individuals and organizations who make Spokane Valley such a special place.

4:20

First, I'd like to thank Decade Awards, who generously sponsor the beautiful UROC Awards every month.

4:28

This month is special.

4:29

We have two rock you rock recipients.

4:33

So please join me in celebrating Mike and Vicky Frucci.

4:38

Let me tell you, yeah.

4:45

So let me tell you a little bit about the long-standing and amazing contributions of Mike and Vicky Fucci.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Safety███████████████15%
Cannabis Regulation████████████12%
Procedural████████8%
Transportation Safety███████7%
Technology and Innovation███████7%
Arts and Culture███████7%
Homelessness███████7%
Energy Management██████6%
Public Engagement██████6%
Summary of Proceedings

Spokane Valley City Council Regular Meeting - March 17, 2026

The Spokane Valley City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, starting at 6:00 p.m. and adjourning after 9:30 p.m. The meeting included recognition of community volunteers, presentations on police contract costs, public hearings on interim ordinances for battery energy storage systems and marijuana retail sales, updates on the North Spokane Corridor and homelessness data, and a discussion on a proposed performing arts center bond.

Special Guests & Presentations

  • Mike and Vicki Frucci received the "You Rock" (UROC) award for decades of service through WSDOT, Kiwanis, and community volunteerism. Speakers highlighted their 51 combined years of Kiwanis service, distribution of over 250,000 children's books, and leadership in youth programs.
  • Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels and Commissioner Mary Brooks presented on Spokane Valley Police Department budget trends. The Sheriff detailed cost drivers: training mandates (e.g., 40-hour LETCSA training, model use-of-force policy), technology upgrades (Axon body cameras, digital evidence management, laptops), wage increases from binding arbitration (deputy COLA of 10% in 2025), and staffing expansion (over 40 new commissioned positions since 2019). Training overtime increased 111.9% from 2019-2025. The Axon contract cost is $1.23 million in 2026, rising to $1.45 million from 2027-2031. The Sheriff expressed support for continued partnership but noted challenges in controlling costs. Commissioner Brooks affirmed the county's commitment to the contract and openness to improving communication.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Performing Arts Center Support: Several speakers (Andrea Olson, David Baker, Yvonne Johnson, Ray Alvarado, a resident) spoke in favor of a municipal bond for the Spokane Valley Summer Theater performing arts center. They emphasized that the bond would be repaid through operations, grants, and naming rights, and that the community has already raised $18.3 million. They argued the project would boost economic activity and provide year-round arts programming.
  • Marijuana Retail (Treehouse Club): Steven Burks (owner), Tyler (manager), and another employee spoke against Interim Ordinance 26-004, which prohibits relocation of existing marijuana retailers. They argued the ordinance freezes businesses, ignores that correlation does not equal causation in studies, and noted Treehouse Club has paid approximately $1.9 million in taxes to the city and is the only medically certified cannabis store in Spokane Valley.
  • Battery Energy Storage: Rick Freyer (former fire investigator) expressed support for a pause but not a permanent ban on battery energy storage systems, citing fire risks from thermal runaway.
  • Other: Tyler Zeif (real estate agent) requested assistance with a sidewalk regulatory hurdle for a proposed coffee shop/restaurant at a Rancho Viejo property. Brad Hone submitted a document requesting transparency on the ice rink project.

Discussion Items

  • Public Hearing: Emergency Interim Ordinance 26-002 (Battery Energy Storage Systems): City Attorney Kelly Konkright presented the interim ban on new battery energy storage systems to allow study of safety risks (thermal runaway, toxic fumes). The ordinance was adopted February 3, 2026, and this hearing was required by RCW. Councilmember Merkel questioned the emergency nature and urged a sunset clause. The public hearing was opened and closed with one comment.
  • Resolution 26-003: Reaffirming Findings for Ordinance 26-002: The resolution memorialized the hearing and reaffirmed findings. Councilmember Merkel expressed concerns about broad findings but was assured it does not tie the planning commission's hands. The resolution passed 6-1.
  • Public Hearing: Emergency Interim Ordinance 26-004 (Marijuana Retail Sales): Senior Deputy City Attorney Tony Beattie explained the interim ordinance prohibits existing marijuana retailers from relocating, classifying them as legal non-conforming uses. The hearing included testimony from Treehouse Club representatives opposing the freeze. Councilmember Yeager argued the timeline (March 2025 contact to January 2026 council action) did not constitute an emergency, and noted a desire to amend buffer distances in future code.
  • Resolution 26-004: Reaffirming Findings for Ordinance 26-004: Similar process as above. Councilmember Merkel proposed an amendment to remove certain whereas clauses but withdrew after legal advice. The resolution passed 5-2, with Yeager and Merkel opposed.
  • North Spokane Corridor Update: Public Works Director Robert Blegen and WSDOT Project Engineer Alex Proszek presented the final projects completing the corridor. The I-90 Freya to Appleway project (entering Spokane Valley) includes a new Havana Bridge raising I-90 5.5 feet, a pedestrian bridge at Carnahan with a green roof, and community-selected art. The project is at 60% design with an advertisement date in spring 2027. Council questions touched on cost growth (from ~$50 million to over $1 billion since 1950) and maintenance concerns for the roofed bridge.
  • Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) Report: Gloria Mantz, Ariel Anderson, and Amanda Martinez presented the Longitudinal Systems Analysis for 2025. Key indicators: individuals served decreased 11%, exits to permanent housing increased 31% (to 29%), emergency shelter exits to permanent housing increased 85% (from 7% to 13%), and retention rate in permanent housing was 96%. Average time to return to homelessness was 130 days. The report covers 6,430 people in 5,000 households.
  • Council Discussion on Performing Arts Center Bond Request: City Manager Holman reported that the performing arts center seeks $28 million in city-issued bonds. He recommended spending $96,000 for independent financial and bond counsel review. Council members expressed concerns about precedent, risk to taxpayers, cost overruns, and the city's ownership requirement. After debate, consensus was reached (6-1) not to spend the $96,000 and to not move forward with the bond request.

Key Outcomes

  • Resolution 26-003 (Battery Storage): Approved 6-1 (Merkel opposed).
  • Resolution 26-004 (Marijuana Retail): Approved 5-2 (Yeager, Merkel opposed).
  • Performing Arts Center Bond Feasibility Study: Council consensus (6-1) not to fund the $96,000 consultant review, effectively ending city consideration of the bond request.
  • Letter of Support for Centennial Trail Gap: Council unanimously agreed to provide a letter supporting Spokane County's $2 million CDS grant application to fill a gap from Boulder Beach to Donkey Island trailheads.
  • Letter to Governor for TMC Funding: Council unanimously agreed to send a letter urging the governor to sign the budget including full funding for the Spokane Regional Transportation Management Center.
  • Executive Session: Council moved into executive session for 20 minutes to discuss pending litigation, with no action expected upon return.

Meeting Transcript

Mayor Patton, it's 6 p.m. when you're ready to start. Thank you. Okay, I will call this meeting to order. It's a regular meeting, formal B format, Tuesday, March 17th, 2026. Happy St. Patrick's Day. Um we have the invocation. Just a second. I lost it. Sherry Olsen, the executive director of the Path of Life Ministry. So if you'll stand, please. Good evening. Oops. Good evening. Father God, we come before you and we thank you, Lord, for the way that you have set up government in our communities. Thank you, Lord, for the process that you have given us to elect representatives to come into office and to represent each one of us and to do so with their various gifts and talents in a variety of ways. Lord, I thank you for those individual visuals even before us this evening who are willing to serve, as well as those in the audience who are willing to speak out on a variety of issues. Carefully consider that. And I thank you. I did they did say I would have an opportunity as the executive director of Path of Life to let you all know that Path of Life now has a center in the Spokane Valley at 16114 East Indiana. So we are excited to be in the Spokane Valley, and thank you so much for all that you all do in our community. Thank you. Join me in the pledge. I pledge you to do the flag of the United States of America. To the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God. Certainly. Mayor Patton? Here. Deputy Mayor Hattenberg? Here. Councilmember Haley? Councilmember Yeager? Here. Councilmember Kelly. Present. Councilmember Wick? Here. And Councilmember Merkel. Here. Thank you. We now have the approval of the amended agenda. Move to approve the agenda. Second. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? The agenda is approved. And now we have special guests and presentations.

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