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Record of Proceedings

Spokane Valley City Council Regular Meeting - April 21, 2026

City Council & Commissions — Tuesday, April 21, 2026
BodySpokane Valley, Washington
SessionCity Council & Commissions
DateTuesday, April 21, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 3:34:22

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0:01

Recording in progress.

0:08

All right, good evening, everyone.

0:10

We will call to order the Spokane Valley City Council regular meeting, formal B format, for Tuesday, April 21st, 2026.

0:20

We have an invitation from Pastor Kelly Leidick of Green Acres Baptist Church.

0:27

Do we have the yes upgrade?

0:30

Please stand.

0:33

Thank you for the opportunity to be here.

0:35

Let me pray for us.

0:36

Father, we want to thank you and praise you for the opportunity we have to be here tonight.

0:40

I thank you for these men and men and women who are before us tonight and thank you for their service to this community.

0:46

Your word tells us to pray for those who are in high positions and authorities, and we thank you for them and the work that they do.

0:51

We also are told to pray for the welfare of our city.

0:54

And so we thank you for our city and the work that these folks are doing to make our city a better place.

1:21

Thank you, Pastor.

1:22

And if you remain standing, we are very happy to have uh Troop 777 to come forward to help us with the Pledge of Allegiance, and it will be led by Amelia.

1:55

Thank you.

1:56

Great job, Amelia.

2:03

If the clerk would call the roll.

2:05

Certainly.

2:07

Maybe.

2:08

Okay, we're good.

2:09

All right.

2:09

Mayor Padden.

2:11

Here.

2:11

Deputy Mayor Hattenberg.

2:13

Here.

2:13

Councilmember Haley.

2:14

Here.

2:15

Councilmember Yeager.

2:16

Here.

2:17

Councilmember Kelly.

2:18

Present.

2:19

Councilmember Wick.

2:20

Here.

2:20

Councilmember Merkel.

2:21

Here.

2:22

Thank you.

2:26

All right.

2:26

Next we have the approval of agenda.

2:29

Move and approved the agenda.

2:30

Second.

2:31

It's been moved and seconded.

2:33

All those in favor say aye.

2:34

Aye.

2:35

Opposed.

2:36

The agenda is approved.

2:43

So now we have special guests presentations.

2:46

And today is the day for UROC Award.

2:54

So today is our very special opportunity to recognize the rock stars in our community who are making a difference through our UROC community recognition program.

3:06

As always, a big shout out of appreciation to Decade Awards for generously sponsoring the UROC Awards, which help us celebrate incredible individuals and organizations.

3:30

And let me tell you a little bit about Elsa and what she's been up to in our community.

3:36

Elsa is a member of the Launch Northwest Youth Council, a platform for youth voice and advocacy in the region.

3:58

She's part of the social media team on the Lyleck Bloomsday team leadership board and has helped with several other local events like the YMCA Healthy Kids Day, Feltsfield Neighbor Day, and Cycle Celebration.

4:15

Finally, Elsa is a member and a newly elected officer in her University High School Key Club, going above and beyond in the pursuit of volunteer work.

4:26

She has completed 50 community service hours with organizations such as the Feast, World Kitchen, Toys for Tots, and Second Harvest, earning her an official letter of recognition for her efforts.

4:41

So great job, Elsa, and congratulations on being our April U Rock recipient.

4:48

The council members and I thank you for all you are doing in Spokane Valley and the region.

5:00

Elsa is also a junior at university, and she has left an event at the Davenport, I don't remember it was the Davenport Grand or the Oh, there you go, okay.

5:07

For the future leaders of America to be here with us tonight to uh assume this award.

5:14

So we appreciate that.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Economic Development██████████████████████████████████34%
Youth Programs█████████9%
Public Engagement█████████9%
Tourism Development█████████9%
Parks and Recreation████████8%
Procedural█████5%
Fiscal Sustainability█████5%
Pending Litigation████4%
Community Engagement██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Spokane Valley City Council Regular Meeting - April 21, 2026

The Spokane Valley City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall. The meeting included proclamations, public comments, three action items, and two administrative reports. Key topics included an indigent defense caseload standards resolution, a new catering contract for CenterPlace, participation in an opioid settlement, an economic forecast, and a proposed ice sports facility ground lease.

Special Guests & Presentations

  • UROC Award: Elsa, a junior at University High School, was recognized for her extensive volunteer work including 50 community service hours with organizations such as Feast World Kitchen, Toys for Tots, and Second Harvest, and her leadership in Launch Northwest Youth Council and Key Club.
  • Arbor Day Proclamation: Mayor Padden proclaimed Friday, April 24, 2026, as Arbor Day. Garth Davis from the conservation district highlighted partnerships that planted over 500 trees on city property in the last two years and the Cool Canopy program offering free trees to citizens.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Donna Shepard (resident): Questioned the ice rink lease terms, specifically the $1/year rent and the city paying for sewer lift maintenance, arguing it doesn't make business sense and requesting clarification on several lease sections. She noted the lease includes a $1/year rent with city-funded sewer lift maintenance but not grease separators, and pointed out ambiguities about road and parking lot maintenance.
  • Mike Dolan (resident): Expressed opposition to the ice rink project, citing financial risks, lack of recourse if the lessor fails, and concerns about the city's role. He referenced independent research and FOIA requests, and alleged weaponized code enforcement by the city manager.
  • Jody Bueller (resident): Questioned Anovia's involvement given a previous theater project collapse, and argued the city should require the developer to buy the property outright rather than a $1 lease with city-funded infrastructure. He referenced pages 119-120 of the proposal, noting the lease is for 99 years.
  • Jason Greenwell (Eagles Ice Arena GM): Supported the ice rink, stating Eagles is at capacity, with 70-80 kids in learn-to-play programs and tournaments sold out. He emphasized the need for additional ice to host events and reduce travel for youth.
  • Grant Gwynn (hotel owner, LTAC committee member): Supported the rink, noting it would produce 6,000 to 10,000 room nights annually, benefiting hotels and employees. He stated the LTAC committee (five largest hotels) unanimously recommended $2M in infrastructure funding and up to $600K/year operational support.
  • Luke Damsgove (Spokane Junior Chiefs president): Advocated for the rink citing high demand, safety concerns with travel, and inability to grow girls' hockey due to capacity constraints. He noted a child died in a travel accident two years ago.
  • Shelly (Anovia, via Zoom): Clarified Anovia was not involved in the failed theater project, expressed confidence in the donor and lease negotiations, and looked forward to answering questions next week.
  • Additional public comments addressed stormwater issues, ecological concerns at the old Good Samaritan hospital, and general dissatisfaction with citizen participation processes.

Action Items

1. Resolution 26-005: Indigent Defense Caseload Standards

  • Senior Deputy City Attorney Tony Beattie presented the resolution adopting new standards that reduce misdemeanor case credits from 300 to 120 over 10 years, per Washington Supreme Court order. The city contracts with Spokane County for these services.
  • Councilmember Merkel asked about budgetary impact; none yet identified for this year. Councilmember Yeager expressed concern for victims. Councilmember Wick noted the judicial branch setting standards for the legislative branch.
  • Vote: Unanimously approved (7-0).

2. CenterPlace Catering Contract

  • Deputy City Manager Erik Lamb presented the award of a food and beverage service contract to Inland Northwest Catering for a one-year term with four optional renewals, featuring tiered commission rates (21%-23.5%), integrated billing, and an equipment reserve fund. The RFP process included written submissions, interviews, and tastings. The contract requires a minimum 20% commission.
  • Councilmember Kelly requested written clarification on revenue recognition timing for events crossing fiscal years; staff committed to providing written agreement. Councilmember Yeager asked about canceled event food; Nicole Ulmer (CenterPlace coordinator) explained food would be donated to Feed Spokane.
  • Vote: Unanimously approved (7-0).

3. Opioid Settlement Agreement - Sixth Remnant Defendants

  • Tony Beattie explained the city would receive $1,500 from a $97 million national settlement, with funds already allocated to the Spokane County Regional Stabilization Center expansion and opioid dashboard. The city was not a party to the lawsuit; participation is required to release claims.
  • Councilmember Merkel called the amount "patently absurd" and questioned attorney fees. Councilmember Wick noted the city often gets a "short stick" in regional funding, citing COVID relief. City Attorney Kelly Conkright clarified the city could pursue individual litigation but it would be cost-prohibitive.
  • Vote: Unanimously approved (7-0).

Discussion Items

4. Economic Forecast - Dr. Grant Forsyth

  • Dr. Forsyth, chief economist for Avista, presented on U.S. GDP growth (~2%), regional employment (weak, propped up by healthcare), population growth (1% in Spokane Valley, driven by in-migration), inflation (expected 3-3.5% due to energy tariffs and Iran), fuel prices (highest in West, exacerbated by Climate Commitment Act), interest rates (unlikely to decrease soon), and wage growth (4% but purchasing power stagnant).
  • Key statistics: Spokane Valley's retail sales per capita outperformed Spokane; taxable retail sales reached $1 billion per quarter in 2025. The probability of a U.S. recession increased from 32% in March to 35% in April 2026. Employment growth in the Spokane metro was 0.6% in 2024, 0.3% in 2025, and 0.6% in January 2026. Without healthcare, it would be negative.

5. Ice Sports Facility Ground Lease

  • City Manager John Holman, Deputy City Manager Erik Lamb, City Services Administrator Gloria Mance, and City Attorney Kelly Conkright presented the lease proposal with Anovia Foundation and donor.
  • Proposal: Private donor funds ~$40-50M ice facility (two sheets, 80,000 sq ft) on city-owned Sullivan property; city provides $3.03M for infrastructure (sewer lift station, signal improvements, access) funded by $1M from Fund 312 and $2M from lodging tax; 75-year initial lease term (with potential extensions to 99 years) at $1/year; two commercial pad sites whose revenues support ice rink operations; 500 hours/year of free/reduced ice time for economically disadvantaged; option for city to purchase for $9.4M when debt below that; right of first refusal.
  • LTAC recommendation: Up to $600K/year for operations (2027-2028) and $550K for 2029-2031, contingent on no hotel on pads while receiving LTAC funds.
  • Public benefits: Tourism (6,000-10,000 room nights/year), youth access, and community vitality. Staff noted the property would require similar infrastructure for any development.
  • Councilmembers Merkel and Kelly raised concerns about LLC structure (no business history), debt, and process. Councilmember Merkel suggested selling the property instead. Councilmember Haley and others defended the donor's reputation and the project's merits.
  • Consensus vote: 5-2 to bring a motion for lease approval to the April 28 meeting (Mayor Padden, Deputy Mayor Hattenberg, Councilmembers Haley, Wick, Yeager in favor; Councilmembers Merkel and Kelly opposed).

Key Outcomes

  • Resolution 26-005 adopted unanimously.
  • CenterPlace catering contract awarded to Inland Northwest Catering unanimously.
  • Opioid settlement agreement approved unanimously.
  • Ice rink ground lease advanced to formal consideration on April 28, 2026, by a 5-2 vote.
  • Council gave consensus for Mayor to sign a letter of support to rename the Four Lakes Overpass in memory of Sergeant Kenneth Salais, who was killed in a traffic accident on I-90 in 2025.

The meeting adjourned after council comments.

Meeting Transcript

Recording in progress. All right, good evening, everyone. We will call to order the Spokane Valley City Council regular meeting, formal B format, for Tuesday, April 21st, 2026. We have an invitation from Pastor Kelly Leidick of Green Acres Baptist Church. Do we have the yes upgrade? Please stand. Thank you for the opportunity to be here. Let me pray for us. Father, we want to thank you and praise you for the opportunity we have to be here tonight. I thank you for these men and men and women who are before us tonight and thank you for their service to this community. Your word tells us to pray for those who are in high positions and authorities, and we thank you for them and the work that they do. We also are told to pray for the welfare of our city. And so we thank you for our city and the work that these folks are doing to make our city a better place. Thank you, Pastor. And if you remain standing, we are very happy to have uh Troop 777 to come forward to help us with the Pledge of Allegiance, and it will be led by Amelia. Thank you. Great job, Amelia. If the clerk would call the roll. Certainly. Maybe. Okay, we're good. All right. Mayor Padden. Here. Deputy Mayor Hattenberg. Here. Councilmember Haley. Here. Councilmember Yeager. Here. Councilmember Kelly. Present. Councilmember Wick. Here. Councilmember Merkel. Here. Thank you. All right. Next we have the approval of agenda. Move and approved the agenda. Second. It's been moved and seconded. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed. The agenda is approved. So now we have special guests presentations. And today is the day for UROC Award. So today is our very special opportunity to recognize the rock stars in our community who are making a difference through our UROC community recognition program. As always, a big shout out of appreciation to Decade Awards for generously sponsoring the UROC Awards, which help us celebrate incredible individuals and organizations.

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