Spokane Valley City Council Regular Meeting – June 16, 2026

The Spokane Valley City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall (10210 E Sprague Ave). The meeting included public hearings and votes on transportation improvement programs, a joint resolution for a federal bridge grant, an administrative report on fireworks code changes, a budget workshop follow-up, and a report on an investigation into a council member's social media use. Councilmember Wick was excused.

Call to Order, Invocation, and Special Presentation

• Invocation was given by Pastor Steve Allen of Valley Real Life Church, who prayed for families affected by nearby wildfires and for the council.
• The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Girl Scout Troop 2141.
• The UROC Community Recognition Award was presented to Dr. James Harken (Jim), a longtime Spokane Valley resident, retired dentist, and philanthropist. Harken was a founding member and former president of the Spokane Valley Arts Council, and his art collection at one time exceeded 3,000 works. Since 2004, the Arts Council has donated 15 sculptures to the city, with five more in production or awaiting placement. The Arts Council's annual artist preview and auction will take place October 23–24 at Center Place.

Consent Calendar

• The agenda was approved unanimously.
• Councilmember Wick was excused from the meeting.

Public Comments & Testimony

• First General Public Comment:
  • A resident who lived in Spokane Valley for 34 years and operated a business for 26 years commented on Councilmember Merkel's recently proposed tax relief plan, stating that tax relief should be considered only if done responsibly. The resident expressed concern about a pattern of announcing ideas before presenting supporting analysis and said Merkel's credibility was being diminished.
  • Darren Horner described three incidents within the past month involving a youth group home adjacent to his property, including a youth kicking a locked gate, throwing rocks at a vehicle, and a police response after a juvenile with a weapon was found in his backyard. He asked the council to address the situation.
  • Jonathan Plum introduced himself as a candidate for PCO in 4438 and said he was attending to observe and take notes.
• Public Hearing on Six-Year TIP:
  • Blaine Slack spoke about safety concerns at Green Acres Elementary School, saying it is the only school in the district without sidewalks connecting to the property line. He requested that a safe routes to school project be added to the six-year TIP.
• No public comments were offered during the 2026 TIP Amendment hearing or the Bridge Investment Program application hearing.

Discussion Items

2026 Transportation Improvement Program Amendment (Resolution 26-008)

• Public hearing held; no public comments. Kristen Armstrong explained that the amendment updates the 2026 TIP to reflect changes in project expenses, removed projects, and added projects due to new grants or phased delivery.
• Councilmember Merkel asked about $510,000 in REIT funds being used for street maintenance and operations. City Manager John Hohman explained it covers day-to-day activities such as pothole repair, crack sealing, snow removal, and signal operations, noting that the street fund is projected to run a deficit of about $850,000 going into 2027.
• Resolution 26-008 was adopted by a vote of 5–1.

Six-Year Transportation Improvement Program 2027–2032 (Resolution 26-009)

• A public hearing was held. Kristen Armstrong and Adam Jackson presented the draft plan, describing categories including closeouts, bridge projects, reconstructions, preservation, local access streets, and pedestrian/bicycle/safety/stormwater projects.
• Blaine Slack's public comment prompted discussion about adding a sidewalk project for Green Acres. Councilmember Merkel moved to amend the resolution to include the project, but the amendment lacked a second and failed.
• Councilmember Kelly asked for clarification about the relationship between the 2026 TIP and the 2027–2032 TIP. Staff emphasized that the two are separate lists with independent numbering systems.
• Councilmember Merkel asked about several projects, including Sprague Avenue preservation (no lane removal intended), the Appleway Trail extension, and the Argonne Bridge (sidewalk design still in progress).
• Councilmember Kelly moved to amend the motion to separate out for individual votes the pedestrian/bicycle/safety/stormwater projects, the Argonne Bridge project, and new language in the resolution regarding grant applications for legislative agenda projects. The amendment failed 4–2.
• The original resolution (Resolution 26-009) was adopted by a vote of 4–2.

Bridge Investment Program Application for Sullivan and Trent Interchange

• Adam Jackson asked council to authorize the city manager to apply for the federal Bridge Investment Program (BIP) FY26 grant for the Sullivan and Trent interchange project. The city would seek approximately $23.9 million; combined with pending state funding, the project would be 100% funded.
• Councilmember Merkel asked about the cost share (approximately 80% federal / 20% non-federal) and noted that the redesigned 'jug handle' alternative saved about $10 million. City Manager John Hohman said businesses, including Crown West Realty, supported the jug handle design.
• The motion to authorize the application was approved unanimously.

Admin Report: Fireworks Code Text Amendment

• City Attorney Kelly Conkwright presented a draft ordinance that would prohibit the possession of fireworks within city limits, not just their use. It would also restrict public fireworks displays in residential neighborhoods and revise the permitting process to go through the Spokane Valley Fire District.
• Council members expressed concern about criminalizing simple possession and about penalties being disproportionate compared to other offenses. Councilmember Haley questioned a $1,000 fine and 30 days in jail for possession of under one pound and a $5,000 fine and up to a year for one pound or more. Councilmembers Merkel and Yeager suggested using civil infractions or lower penalties, and excluding sparklers and small ground-based items. Councilmember Merkel also asked about prohibiting fireworks checkpoints at city limits.
• Police Chief Ellis explained that possessing fireworks in an officer's presence would make enforcement easier under RCW 10.31.100.
• Staff and the city attorney were directed to research options and return with a revised draft.

Admin Report: Budget Workshop Follow-Up

• City Manager John Hohman, Deputy City Manager Erik Lamb, and Finance Director Chelsea Taylor led a follow-up to the previous week's budget workshop. Council members were asked to score 11 public safety topics from 0 to 10.
• The top four priorities, based on scores, were: (1) renegotiation of the law enforcement contract with Spokane County, (2) analysis of police service alternatives within the existing budget, (3) enhanced prosecuting services, and (4) creation of a public safety director position.
• Lower-ranked items included incarceration alternatives (e.g., other county jails or a city-owned misdemeanor jail), district court alternatives, emergency management, emergency communications, paddy wagon services, pretrial/post-detention services, and Safe and Healthy recommendations.
• Councilmember Kelly clarified that his earlier jail proposal would apply only to misdemeanor convictions, with felonies remaining with the county and longer sentences going to the Department of Corrections.
• City Manager Hohman said staff would proceed with the top four priorities and then work down the list.

Council Comments

• Councilmember Kelly said Spokane Valley should 'step out of the shadows of Spokane' and pursue its own public safety priorities.
• Councilmember Merkel defended his tax rebate proposal, saying it is responsible to discuss returning funds to residents, and said he would introduce an item at the next advanced agenda meeting to explore tax rebates.
• Councilmember Yeager read a statement urging fiscal responsibility, cautioning that tax relief ideas can carry administrative costs, and praising police and fire personnel for their work during a nearby wildfire evacuation.
• Councilmember Haley criticized the proposed tax rebate, saying the estimated $75 per household is not worth trading away roads, police, parks, or communications, and that it would not help the neediest residents.
• Deputy Mayor Hattenberg called the tax holiday proposal 'premature' and 'fiscally irresponsible,' citing budget unknowns including law enforcement costs, emergency communications, and road maintenance. He corrected what he said were inaccuracies about IT funding and the communications department.

City Manager Comments and Social Media Investigation Report

• City Manager Hohman responded to Darren Horner's earlier complaint, saying staff would revisit a chronic nuisance case against the group home property and work on legislation regarding group homes.
• Deputy City Manager Erik Lamb presented a draft letter to Spokane County regarding the county's housing allocation methodology (known as 'A Prime'). The letter supports correcting the county's adopted housing allocation numbers to use housing inputs rather than population inputs, reducing the risk of challenges to the county's comprehensive plan and protecting the city's interests.
• City Manager Hohman then presented a report from investigator Rebecca Dean regarding a complaint filed by citizen Bob West against Councilmember Yeager in June 2025. The complaint contained 35 allegations; 29 were found without merit, with six possible violations of the social media policy involving disclaimers and a video about a proposed utility tax.
• The investigation cost $22,802.18. City Attorney Kelly Conkwright contrasted Councilmember Yeager's response (cooperation, no appeal, immediate changes) with the earlier investigation involving Councilmember Merkel, which he said involved noncompliance, litigation, and ongoing court proceedings.
• Councilmember Yeager read a statement accepting the findings, apologizing for mistakes, and saying she had cooperated fully. She expressed concern about the cost of the investigation and described it as part of a broader pattern of political attacks.
• Several council members said they did not see a basis for punishment, given Yeager's response. The council agreed to allow members time to review the full report before any further discussion.

Key Outcomes

• Agenda approved; Councilmember Wick excused.
• Resolution 26-008 (2026 TIP Amendment) adopted 5–1.
• Resolution 26-009 (2027–2032 Six-Year TIP) adopted 4–2.
• Motion to apply for the Bridge Investment Program grant for the Sullivan and Trent interchange approved unanimously.
• City Council authorized staff to send the letter to Spokane County regarding housing allocation methodology.
• Staff was directed to research and revise the fireworks code amendment, including considering lower civil penalties, exemptions for sparklers, and a prohibition on fireworks checkpoints.
• The public safety priority list from the budget workshop follow-up will guide staff work, with the top four priorities being law enforcement contract renegotiation, alternatives analysis, enhanced prosecution, and a public safety director.
• The council deferred further discussion of the Yeager social media investigation report until members have had time to review it.