Spokane Valley City Council Regular Meeting - March 31, 2026
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Spokane Valley City Council Regular Meeting - March 31, 2026
The Spokane Valley City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall. The meeting included routine approvals, action items, administrative reports, and public comment. Key topics included grant applications for pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, an opioid settlement interlocal agreement, updates from the Safe and Healthy Spokane Regional Task Force, an economic trends presentation, discussion of HCDAC grant applications for homeless services, and a drug overdose report from the police department.
Consent Calendar
- Claim Vouchers (March 31, 2026): $4,956,997.75 approved.
- Payroll for Pay Period ending February 15, 2026: $694,516.03 approved.
- Payroll for Pay Period ending February 28, 2026: $766,178.68 approved.
- Payroll for Pay Period ending March 15, 2026: $716,532.07 approved.
- Council Meeting Minutes: Approved for February 3, 10, 17, 17 (duplicate), and 19, 2026.
Public Comments & Testimony
- First Public Comment Period: One speaker addressed the council. The speaker expressed support for the city's transparent process regarding a previously discussed performing arts proposal, noting that a $28 million taxpayer risk was too high but that the project could return with stronger private backing. The speaker also advocated for a disc golf course in Spokane Valley, citing the existing cross-country course and the low-cost opportunity to attract visitors. No speakers used Zoom.
- Second Public Comment Period: No speakers signed up or appeared.
Discussion Items
- Potential Grant Opportunity: Pedestrian/Bicycle Program and Safe Routes to Schools (Action Item 2): Adam Jackson presented four proposed applications for the state Pedestrian and Bicycle Program ($50 million available) and Safe Routes to Schools ($5.7 million available). Projects include the Barker Appleway Roundabout, Appleway Crossings, arterial crossing improvements, and a planning grant for Sprague Avenue. The Safe Routes to Schools project was expanded to include speed feedback signs ($175,000-$200,000 addition). No match required. Council authorized the application.
- Opioid Interlocal Agreement with Spokane County (Action Item 3): Tony Beattie presented an interlocal agreement to use opioid settlement funds. The city expects approximately $360,000 total through 2038. Funds will be allocated to: (1) the Spokane Regional Health District for an expanded opioid dashboard and needs assessment (approx. $57,000), and (2) Spokane County's Spokane Regional Stabilization Center (SRSC) expansion—$51,000 for capital and remaining funds for operations annually through 2038. Council approved the agreement.
- Administrative Report: Safe & Healthy Spokane Task Force Update: Erik Lamb (Deputy City Manager), Lance Beck (GSI), and Zeke Smith (Waters Meet) provided an update. The task force, convened after the failed Measure 1 in 2023, includes 43 members and has held seven of eight planned meetings. The Leifman Group conducted an asset assessment with over 100 participants. Key findings: significant community assets exist but need better coordination; need for a stronger crisis response system; housing shortages; workforce capacity issues; and improved data sharing. Advisory committees have prioritized 11–15 recommendations based on impact, opportunity, and funding needs. The final report is due in early May 2026. The task force is not directly recommending a specific sales tax measure but is informing potential future county proposals. Councilmember Haley praised the diversity and effort.
- Administrative Report: Economic Trends Report: Teri Stripes, Dr. Cullen, and Dr. Jones from EWU's Institute for Public Policy and Economic Analysis presented highlights from a 41-slide dashboard. Key data: Civilian labor force rebounded in 2025 but remains slightly below 2023. Unemployment in Spokane Valley ended 2025 at 5.1%, matching the county and U.S. average. Single-family home permits averaged 42 per quarter; median permitted value plateaued at $408,000. Multifamily permits saw a second-quarter surge but a third-quarter zero. Housing affordability for median homebuyers tilted upward; median renter affordability index at 143.1, but 30% of low-income renters spend over 50% of income on shelter (extreme burden). Retail sales per capita in Spokane Valley reached $33,000 in 2024, the highest among Spokane, Spokane County, and Valley. The city is a shopping Mecca, importing sales tax revenue. The forecast predicts 4.7% income growth in 2026 and 5.6% in 2027. Councilmember Kelly asked about cost parity with Seattle (same for goods, lower for services) and clarified that the renter affordability index reflects median renters while the 30% burden applies to lower-income renters.
- Administrative Report: HCDAC Grant Application Discussion, Round Two: Gloria Mantz and Eric Robison presented the Spokane County Housing and Community Development Advisory Committee (HCDAC) grant applications. Total available funding is limited; requested amounts far exceed available funds (e.g., $1 million available for emergency shelter vs. $2.2 million requested). Applications include shelters for families, youth, domestic violence survivors, and sobriety-based programs. Councilmembers (Wick, Hattenberg, Kelly) serve on the committee. They discussed prioritization, noting the need to support unique services (e.g., only sobriety-based shelter, only youth shelters). One-third obligation for the Way Out shelter was noted. Council provided input on which projects to recommend.
- Administrative Report: Drug Overdose Report: Chief Ellis and analyst Mark Boytlander presented data on overdose deaths in Spokane County. In 2025, monthly deaths dropped from 42 in January to 4 in December—the lowest recorded. The four-year average remains 263 deaths per year; 2025 saw 271 deaths. Polydrug deaths (fentanyl + methamphetamine) are increasing. Fentanyl purity declined from over 11% to under 9% in late 2025, coinciding with increased naloxone availability and reduced deaths. The southern border closure decreased fentanyl supply, increasing prices 20–30%. Emerging threats include carfentanyl (first confirmed buy in Eastern Washington) and non-scheduled substances like Kratom. Spokane Valley is a major transshipment hub for drugs, but specific Valley death numbers were not provided. Councilmembers asked about demographics (average age 44, youngest 15) and supply-side enforcement.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Agenda approved unanimously.
- Motion to apply for Pedestrian/Bicycle and Safe Routes to Schools grants passed unanimously.
- Motion to approve the Opioid Interlocal Agreement with Spokane County passed unanimously.
- The Safe & Healthy Task Force will deliver its final report in early May 2026.
- Council provided input on HCDAC grant applications; the HCDAC will make recommendations on April 9, 2026, with County Board decision in mid-May.
- No formal actions taken on the Drug Overdose Report; information was received with appreciation.
- Council comments included recognition of retiring staff, community events, and a request to discuss the upcoming STA ballot measure.
- The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:30 p.m. after a short break.
Meeting Transcript
To call the meeting to order, and also next we have our invocation with Pastor Phil Oldmeyer. And if you can stand, please join us. Uh we will say, I pledge allegiance to a flag in one nation under God. Today many of us have had money passed through our hands that have said, in God we trust. We often sing God bless America, land that I love. What a great country. We've been blessed to live in, a country that was founded on the scriptures that are all over Washington, DC. Thank you for blessing this great country. And tonight we come as a city council, and I just pray for the prosperity, for protection over this valley, for the leadership here, as we say, in God we trust to trust you in the wisdom and the decisions that they make every week in this chambers. Father, I pray for uh a city that would not have lawlessness rule, a city where business would prosper, where in that prosperity we would take care of the disadvantaged, not in a way that enables, but in a way that loves and helps. So again, we thank you for this great country we live in, celebrating 225 years. And I think to do also that thank you for this week that we celebrate your resurrection and what that means to us individually knowing you. So again, thank you for your presence here tonight. Amen. Please join me in Pledge of Allegiance. And to the Republic, for which it stands one nation. Okay. And Ms. Patterson, if you assist with roll call, please. Certainly. Deputy Mayor Hattenberg. Here. Councilmember Haley? Here. Councilmember Kelly. Present. Councilmember Wick. Here. And I'll go down the row here. I have Mayor Padden, Councilmember Yeager, and Councilmember Merkel. Motion to excuse those members of the council. Okay. Second. Okay, there's a motion and a second. All in favor? Aye. All right. Motion curiously or excuse. Thank you. Thank you. Next we have our agenda. Move to approve the agenda. Second. Okay, we motion a second. All in favor of the motion. Aye. Agenda is approved. We have no special guest presentations or proclamations tonight. That moves us to general public comment opportunity or first one. This is an opportunity for the public to speak on any subject except agenda action items as public comments will be taken on those items were indicated.
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