Spokane Valley City Council Regular Meeting – April 28, 2026

The council convened at 6:00 p.m. on April 28, 2026, to consider a ground lease for a proposed ice sports facility, a first reading of an ordinance establishing a tourism opportunity fund, and a briefing on opportunity zone applications. After extensive public testimony and council debate, the ice sports lease was approved 6–1, and the opportunity fund ordinance passed unanimously. The meeting also included consent agenda approvals, discussion of an opportunity zone nomination, and councilmember reports.

Consent Calendar

• Approved claim vouchers totaling $2,641,981.34, payroll for two periods ($843,346.25 and $758,296.32), and meeting minutes from February 10, February 24, March 3, March 10, March 17, and March 31, 2026. Councilmember Merkel noted a misspelling of “Muslim” in the March 31 minutes, which was acknowledged.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Linda Clush (Spokane Valley): Expressed concern about council decorum, stating that council members appeared to pre‑decide votes and displayed disrespect during prior discussions. Urged better listening and transparency.
• Sue Deluki (Spokane Valley): Criticized the citizen engagement process for the 2046 comprehensive plan update, noting less than 1% of the population participated. She emphasized the need for broader public input.
• Rod Higgins (Spokane Valley): Supported the ice facility ground lease, arguing the city must make infrastructure improvements anyway and that the risk is minimal. He also criticized questioning of the donor’s motives.
• Mo Herr (Spokane): Representing Spokane Figure Skating Club, supported the project as a way to increase scarce ice time and reduce costs for skaters, highlighting the region’s need.
• Sarah Bassetta (Spokane Valley): A teacher and hockey parent, spoke about the severe shortage of ice time, with late‑night practices and teams sharing ice. She argued the facility would create opportunities for youth and economic benefits.
• Maivoo Toole (figure skater, young speaker): Expressed need for more ice time to accommodate her training schedule.
• Ben Lund (Spokane Valley resident, 26‑year business owner): Supported the project as a positive platform for youth, citing discipline, teamwork, and community benefit at low cost to the city.
• Tyler Prasani (Spokane Valley): Small business owner and hockey parent, emphasized the region’s ice shortage and the project’s potential to inspire youth and generate tourism revenue. Noted that other ice arenas (e.g., Kraken Community Iceplex) have grown participation.
• Kay Fuerseek (Spokane Valley): Supported the facility but urged the city to address homelessness in the park and ensure proper traffic infrastructure on Sullivan Road.
• Mike Dolan (Spokane Valley): Stated he is not anti‑ice rink but criticized lack of transparency, the city’s budget situation, and the donor’s relationship with the city manager. Questioned how the 500 free hours would be implemented.
• Rochelle Miller (Liberty Lake): A social worker and hockey family member, argued the rink builds community, provides belonging for youth, and generates economic benefits. She urged approval.
• Matt Alman (Spokane): President of Inland Northwest Curling Club, described the severe ice shortage affecting curling, noting the club is at capacity. Supported the project as a way to expand all ice sports.
• Unnamed speaker (from written notes): Raised concern that $1‑per‑year lease is a public giveaway, arguing market value lease could generate $415,000 annually for the city.
• John Sister (Spokane Valley): Recalled past opposition to Browns Park volleyball courts that now are heavily used, urging the council to approve the rink.
• Matt Howell (Spokane Valley): Expressed legal concerns about prevailing wage and compliance, suggesting the city should delay for legal review. City attorney responded that Pacifica Law Group and staff confirmed compliance.
• Denny LaRue (Spokane): Supported the project, noting that existing ice user groups (Eagles, Frontier) have not opposed it and that it would expand hockey, figure skating, sledge hockey, and girls’ hockey.
• Ryan Miller (Liberty Lake): A hockey coach and parent, reiterated ice time shortage and the need for the facility to allow better scheduling.
• Kurt Lucas (Pasco): Representing Tri‑City Amateur Hockey Association, supported the project as a regional benefit.
• Kendall LeClair (Spokane): Figure skating coach, described how her theater on ice program struggles with only 30 minutes of ice time in February. The facility would enable more training and community access.
• Luke Damscove (Spokane): President of Spokane Junior Chiefs, thanked staff and urged approval, noting sledge hockey growth.
• Sue Deluki (second public comment): Reiterated concerns about process and parkland conversion, stating the city has only 37% of the national average for parks and that the project should not be rushed.

Discussion Items

Ice Sports Facility Ground Lease (Action Item 2)

• City Manager John Hohman presented the proposal: a 75‑year initial ground lease (extendable to 99 years) at $1/year for a 12‑acre parcel north of Sullivan Park. The lessee (Anovia Foundation/donor) will finance, construct (80,000 sq ft, two sheets of ice), operate, and maintain the ice sports facility at no cost to the city. The city is responsible for approximately $3.1 million in infrastructure (signal improvements, road access, sewer lift station, and park enhancements). The lease requires at least 500 hours per year of free or discounted ice time for economically disadvantaged individuals. Lessee may develop two commercial parcels to generate revenue to support operations. City has a right of first refusal and an option to purchase improvements for $9.4 million once debt falls to that level. City has no debt exposure; lender recourse is only against lessee.
• City Attorney Kelly Konkright detailed default scenarios: if facility is not built or is abandoned, city owns improvements and is not obligated to operate. LLCs are joint tenants; both are independently liable. He distinguished this from the performing arts center bond request.
• Shelley O’Quinn (Anovia Foundation) highlighted the donor’s intent to give back, Anovia’s 52‑year history, and that the LLC is a nonprofit entity. She noted the donor is funding construction and initial operating losses.
• Councilmembers asked about lease duration (common for such investments), determination of 500 hours (negotiated based on community need and feasibility), and city’s liability (no debt, no operating costs). The city would maintain the sewer lift station and plow snow, costing ~$7,000/year.
• Concerns raised by Councilmember Merkel about lack of financial analysis of LLCs, assignment risks, and opportunity cost. City manager responded that in worst case, city retains improved land.

Ordinance 26‑006: Opportunity Fund CTA (Action Item 3)

• Mike Basinger explained the fund ($170,000 initially) to attract tourism‑driven events. Applications reviewed by staff and hotel commission; council approves through consent agenda. Attorneys noted strict criteria and reimbursement‑based grants.
• Councilmembers supported the streamlined process and requested clear labeling on future consent agendas.

Opportunity Zone Application (Non‑Action Item)

• Teri Stripes briefed on federal opportunity zone program, now permanent. The city proposes nominating census tract 123 (Trentwood area) for a 10‑year designation. The tract meets criteria: low income, food desert, available land, alignment with comprehensive plan, and existing incentives (SEPA planned action). Applications to state due May 28, 2026.
• Council expressed interest in incentivizing workforce housing rather than multifamily rentals. Staff will bring a resolution and letter of support next meeting.

Key Outcomes

• Ice Sports Facility Ground Lease: Approved 6‑1 (Councilmember Merkel opposed). The city manager was authorized to execute the lease and include park improvements.
• Ordinance 26‑006 (Opportunity Fund): Passed unanimously on first reading; second reading and adoption scheduled for a future meeting.
• Opportunity Zone Nomination: Consensus obtained to proceed with submitting census tract 123; a formal resolution and letter of support will be presented at the next council meeting.
• Advance Agenda: Council agreed to schedule future discussions on: the Good Samaritan development (blasting complaints), public safety contract negotiations, ambulance cost reduction (with Fire District 9), historic preservation strategies, federal forest management for wildfire risk reduction, and a police report on license plate readers and potential impacts of FIFA World Cup events.