Spokane Valley City Council Regular Meeting – May 26, 2026

The Spokane Valley City Council met Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall (10210 E Sprague Ave) for its regular meeting. Council approved routine consent items, awarded the 2026 local access construction contract, reviewed an amendment to and the six-year Transportation Improvement Program, discussed the 32nd Avenue preservation award, heard public comments, and received council and city manager reports. Councilmember Haley was excused.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the consent agenda unanimously, including claim vouchers totaling $15,374,010.01, payroll for the pay period ending May 15, 2026 of $724,320.01, and council meeting minutes from April 7, 14, 21, and 28, 2026.

Public Comments & Testimony

• During the first general public comment period, Jose Ocasio said he is a longtime voter who has supported both parties; he expressed frustration with government, housing affordability, and lack of common sense, citing his adult son and three grandsons living with him and needing multiple jobs to afford apartments. He also mentioned unresolved issues from the 1970s such as higher education and ethics.
• During the second general public comment period, a commenter said he was glad he attended, praised the engineering department and communication between staff and council, suggested better marketing of the six-year TIP website, and expressed strong support for streamlining grant applications so timing does not cause missed grant deadlines.

Discussion Items

2026 Local Access Project Bid Award

• Erica Amsden (engineering manager; transcript refers to Erica Amston) presented the bid award for the 2026 local access project CIP0384. The project will replace pavement and improve stormwater in the Aloha East neighborhood and replace pavement in the Ridgemont/VeraCrest area, focusing on full-depth pavement replacement where surface treatments are no longer sufficient.
• Five bidders came in under the engineer's estimate; the lowest responsive and responsible bidder was Inland Asphalt Company. Staff recommended awarding the contract in an amount not to exceed $1,800,000, with remaining budget used for materials testing, project management, inspection, geotechnical testing, and design; favorable bids would allow the work area to be expanded.
• Council questions addressed project selection, stormwater components, and cost per square yard. Staff noted storm drainage replacement and drywells are needed due to flat terrain and inadequate drainage. Inland Asphalt's bid included $18.20 per square yard for commercial hot mixed asphalt and $13.70 per square yard for crushed surfacing base course, totaling roughly $31–32 per square yard, compared to the approximate $7–8 per square yard for chip seal/slurry seal discussed the prior week.
• Councilmember Merkel expressed hesitation about not hearing a clear rationale for why this neighborhood was selected over others; Councilmember Yeager noted these neighborhoods have long been on the local access project map. No public comments were made on this item. The motion was approved unanimously.

2026 Transportation Improvement Program Amendment

• Adam Jackson and Kristen Armstrong presented a housekeeping amendment to the 2026 TIP. The amendment was needed because roughly $500,000 in REET funding was transferred to street fund 101 for operations and maintenance, and because project costs and funding changed.
• Original adopted totals were approximately $12.8 million in city funds and $35 million in total project costs for 2026; the amended totals are about $8.7 million in city funds and $45 million in total project costs, with additional grant funds being spent. The city share dropped from about 35% to 20%.
• Council asked about the Bowdish-to-McDonald spray preservation project, which showed a large cost increase because the 2025 paving strike delayed construction into 2026. Staff also explained that projects with no 2026 expenses were removed from the 2026 amendment and will appear in the 2027–2032 TIP. This was discussion only; staff will return June 16, 2026, with a public hearing and motion.

Six-Year Transportation Improvement Program (2027–2032)

• Staff presented the draft six-year TIP, which is required by the Revised Code of Washington, must be referenced in the comprehensive plan, lists projects of regional significance, and is needed for REET expenditures and grant applications. The document includes 41 projects across categories: closeout, bridges, reconstruction, preservation, local access, intersection, pedestrian/bike, safety, and stormwater.
• Bridge projects include Pines grade separation (fully funded and under construction), Sullivan/Trent interchange, Argonne/I-90 bridge, and Barker/I-90 interchange; some corridor limits have been combined. Reconstruction projects include Barker corridor, Northeast Sewer Extension with Spokane County, Bowdish, and Broadway. Preservation and local access projects come from the pavement management program, targeting streets before they need full reconstruction. Pedestrian/bike projects include Appleway Trail, Flora cross-country multimodal connection, and Millwood Trail.
• Council discussion focused on streamlining how grant applications are brought forward. Councilmember Yeager supported moving faster on legislative agenda projects. Councilmember Wick supported streamlined pursuit of legislative agenda projects with robust notification, but wanted to keep a touch for other grant applications. Councilmember Kelly preferred maintaining robust discussion and transparency. Councilmember Merkel raised concerns about grant strings and the value of multiple public touches; he suggested an evaluation rubric for grant opportunities. Staff noted that the Bridge Investment Program application for Sullivan/Trent is due June 29, 2026, and that TIB and Ecology grant opportunities are upcoming.
• Council reached a consensus (4–2) to allow staff to pursue grant funding for legislative-agenda projects with robust notification to council, while continuing discussion on other grant streamlining options. Staff will return June 16 with a public hearing and motion, and will update the TIP website.

32nd Avenue, Pines to SR27 Preservation Award Discussion

• Public Works Director Robert Blegen outlined the preservation project, which replaces deteriorating pavement on 32nd Avenue from Pines Road to SR27 and includes stormwater improvements, ADA upgrades, ITS installation, and installation of an 18-inch water main on behalf of an irrigation entity, reimbursed through an interlocal agreement.
• To minimize impacts on Central Valley schools (University High School, Horizon Middle School, Chester Elementary), the project must start June 22, 2026, the Monday after school ends. Bids open June 3; council action is scheduled for the June 9 budget meeting. FHWA allowed a two-week advertisement beginning May 20.
• Councilmember Merkel raised safety concerns about the University High School student exit onto 32nd Avenue, saying she was nearly hit three times in the prior two weeks. Staff and the city manager explained that a land use prohibition prevents any exit onto Pines and that this project would not make geometric changes. Council consensus was to add a future discussion of low-cost options to address the exit safety issue.

Advance Agenda

• Councilmember Merkel added an item to examine low-cost solutions for the University High School exit onto 32nd Avenue; consensus was given.
• Councilmember Yeager proposed removing the ambulance cost discussion from the advance agenda, but Councilmember Wick requested the fire chief explain the issue publicly; staff will work on scheduling that.
• Councilmember Merkel proposed an item on drought and sprinkler use, especially at public facilities; City Manager Holman said the city is not set up to enforce sprinkler regulations and that upgrading controllers would be unwieldy, and no consensus was reached to add the item.
• Councilmember Wick added a Hub Sports Center sponsorship opportunity ($250 per tag) for the Play Unplugged summer program; consensus was given.
• Councilmember Kelly added a presentation on the Annovia Launch Northwest program's accomplishments; consensus was given, with a suggestion to later include other grant programs.

Councilmember Reports and Mayor's Report

• Councilmember Yeager praised the Parks and Recreation website for archery registration, mentioned attending Christ Kitchen and CASA fundraisers, and recognized Boy Scout Troop 400 for placing flags at Pines Cemetery for Memorial Day.
• Councilmember Kelly reported attending the ribbon cutting/groundbreaking for the new Plains Ferry soccer fields, praising the regional cooperation.
• Councilmember Wick reported on MRSC's statewide small works roster moving to a fee-based system after state funding was cut, Clean Air Agency budget status, the upcoming Skyfest and change of command at Fairchild, and a civics discussion with Ridgeline High School students.
• Councilmember Merkel reminded the public about the city's America 250th celebration that weekend.
• Deputy Mayor reported STA ridership statistics: 8,100 special fare passes sold on Bloomsday, from 32 states and 17 countries; over 16,000 rides on Bloomsday shuttles; 31,000 rides on Bloomsday; ridership up on all routes (fixed route +1.4%, zero-fare youth +14%, paratransit +1.5%, rideshare +7.5%); and sales tax up 5.4% year-to-date, $2 million above last year, attributed largely to online shopping.
• Mayor reported speaking to Kaiser retirees at the Union Hall, passing along appreciation for Chief Ellis's response to Edgecliff concerns (including bike patrols and cameras), confirming the water tower on Pines is secure, and reminding that Valley Chamber trade scholarships are available.

City Manager Comments

• City Manager Holman discussed the ongoing difficulty obtaining police contract cost numbers from Spokane County due to the county's financial software change; a public safety awards brochure lists a $36.6 million 2026 city police operating budget compared with the sheriff's $29.6 million side, with the same number of officers, but the county has been unable to produce reliable financial summaries. He said the city is not paying the county's depreciation charge for the training center, and cost uncertainty complicates the 2027 budget.
• He reported sending a letter to Sheriff Knowles stating the city will not pay monthly lease rates for Flock license-plate-reader cameras that were deactivated as of March 30, 2026. The state attorney general has not issued guidance until July 2027; the real-time crime center may need approximately $650,000 for 2027.
• He updated the Safe and Healthy Spokane report: the final report was received, the task force will meet June 2, and the press conference has been pushed to mid-June. The county is moving forward on jail options and an essential public facilities process, and has requested Deputy Mayor Eric Lamb participate; Mike Sparberry will address council.
• He requested and received consensus for the Mayor to sign a letter supporting Spokane Sports' bid to host the 2028 or 2029 U.S. Figure Skating Championships; no money was requested. He also noted progress on the ice rink, with grading underway and a steel building package ordered.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the consent agenda unanimously.
• Approved the 2026 local access project construction contract with Inland Asphalt Company in an amount not to exceed $1,800,000, unanimously.
• Set June 16, 2026, as the return date for a public hearing and motions on the 2026 TIP amendment and 2027–2032 six-year TIP.
• Reached consensus (4–2) to streamline grant applications for legislative-agenda projects with robust notification; other streamlining options remain under discussion.
• Scheduled the 32nd Avenue preservation award for council action at the June 9, 2026 budget meeting; the city will consider an interlocal agreement for the water main work.
• Added advance agenda items on University High School exit options, a Fire Chief explanation of ambulance costs, Hub Sports Center sponsorship, and an Annovia program report; did not add a drought/sprinkler regulation item.
• Approved the Mayor signing the figure skating championships letter of support.
• Adjourned by unanimous motion after completing the agenda.