OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Spokane Valley City Council Regular Meeting - July 14, 2026

City Council & Commissions — Tuesday, July 14, 2026
BodySpokane Valley, Washington
SessionCity Council & Commissions
DateTuesday, July 14, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
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0:28

I think we can start the uh Spokam LE City Council regular meeting, formal A format of Tuesday, July 14th, 2026.

0:36

It's called to order.

0:38

Uh we have the invocation.

0:41

Yes, thank you.

0:46

Let's pray, please.

0:47

If you'd stand.

0:50

Heavenly Father, we thank you for the blessings of civil government that is run well.

0:57

And yet, Lord, we know that we're imperfect, and we need your grace.

1:02

God shed his grace on thee, the hymn says.

1:06

Lord, we're asking for special grace today for those that are our city councilmen and women.

1:13

Lord, that you would give them, Lord, insight beyond their years and background as they arrive at consensus over difficult issues, that you would direct their affairs and their attitudes.

1:29

And Lord, we uh also pray for the upcoming primary election for those that have become uh disinterested or uh disassociated with the privilege of voting.

1:42

We pray that you'd um help them re-engage, send a rebirth, Lord, of who we are as people that are members of our community and that we are for uh the good of the people.

1:55

Lord, we pray for those who will speak tonight.

1:58

Give them grace as well.

1:59

And so we commit the affairs of this city council meeting to you, knowing that your grace is sufficient for us in Jesus' name, amen.

2:10

Amen.

2:10

Thank you, Pastor Drew.

2:12

You can join us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

2:14

I pledge allegiance.

2:32

And if the clerk could call the roll, please.

2:35

Certainly.

2:36

Mayor Patton, here.

2:37

Deputy Mayor Hattenberg?

2:38

Here.

2:39

Councilmember Haley, here.

2:40

Councilmember Yeager, here.

2:42

Councilmember Kelly.

2:43

Present.

2:44

Councilmember Wick?

2:45

Here.

2:45

Councilmember Merkel?

2:46

Here.

2:47

Thank you.

2:49

All right.

2:49

We now have the approval of agenda.

2:51

Move to approve the agenda.

2:53

All those in favor?

2:55

I post.

2:56

The agenda is approved.

2:58

Uh there are no special guests and presentations and no proclamations.

3:03

Which brings us to the first general uh public comment opportunity.

3:08

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 where indicated.

3:18

Please keep comments to matters within the jurisdiction of the city government.

3:23

This is not an opportunity for questions or discussion.

3:29

But please keep remarks civil.

3:51

Do we have anyone on Zoom?

3:53

No, Mayor, we have no one this evening on Zoom.

4:02

Thank you.

4:14

Mike Dolan, Spokane Valley, Washington.

4:16

Good evening.

4:17

So first of all, I want to comment that I noticed you guys put a bike rack out front, which I can can't am totally pleased about.

4:24

I came to one of these meetings last year and asked you guys to put a bike rack, and I was told by the city manager that that was not possible.

4:30

You already had one, so I appreciate having a bike rack out front now.

4:34

Um to move on, I was going to talk about um the police department and all the talk with uh Arnie Woodard and Higgins, and I know Mayor Padding was interested in it and the cost of the police department.

4:46

Um and that we're trying to someone there's talk to make it private and do away with the current system.

4:53

Um I just want to say that uh I don't know where you're gonna find a higher quality, better group of people than what you have here protecting the citizens of this city.

5:02

Um and the other thing I was gonna say is all the all this talk about getting a new police department, who are they gonna work for?

5:08

Every other city around here that that you can think of, including ourselves in a way, because we elect the sheriff as a as a strong mayor system, and the mayor can be voted out if they manage the police department wrong.

5:18

That's not what we're have here.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Water And Wastewater Management████████████████████20%
Economic Development███████████████████19%
Procedural███████████11%
Public Safety██████████10%
Engineering And Infrastructure████████8%
Public Engagement███████7%
Community Engagement██████6%
Environmental Protection█████5%
Budget Equity Analysis████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Spokane Valley City Council Regular Meeting - July 14, 2026

The Spokane Valley City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall. The meeting included adoption of the consent agenda, a resolution adopting the Hazard Mitigation Plan, confirmation of a planning commission appointment, and several administrative reports on solid waste facility improvements, bridge grant opportunities, the Auto Row marketing campaign, and the TPA Opportunity Fund. Public comments addressed police funding, council conduct, and infrastructure concerns. Council also discussed advance agenda items regarding sex offender group homes and a proposed tax holiday.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved claim vouchers totaling $2,894,719.60 for July 14, 2026.
  • Approved payroll for the pay period ending June 30, 2026, in the amount of $862,065.67.
  • Approval of the consent agenda was unanimous.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Mike Dolan (Spokane Valley resident): Expressed appreciation for a new bike rack at City Hall. Voiced support for the current police department and opposed privatization. Criticized city management for weaponizing code enforcement, and stated his intention to move out of Spokane Valley due to dissatisfaction with city projects (roundabouts, Balfour Park).
  • Virginia Gadd (resident at Bowdish and 16th roundabout): Commended the council for the roundabout’s success. Raised concerns about council members speaking for others and questioned the value of continuing the invocation, suggesting it be dropped if prayers are not being answered.
  • Ben Lund (34-year resident, family business owner): Questioned why Councilmember Merkel should be treated differently, noting five reviews (city manager, city attorney, independent investigation, appeal, superior court) all found he violated the Public Records Act and City Government Manual. Asked why a sixth review at taxpayer expense is warranted.
  • John Harding (Spokane Valley resident): Expressed concern about hospital capacity during a major disaster, noting long ER waits and lack of public input in planning. Urged the city to include hospitals and military in emergency plans.
  • Mike Dolan (second public comment): Praised the Auto Row initiative, suggested creating a welcome wagon for visitors, and noted that the Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce should promote the valley at the airport.

Discussion Items

  • Resolution 26-010 – Hazard Mitigation Plan Adoption: Virginia Clough presented the 2026 Spokane County Hazard Mitigation Plan and Community Wildfire Protection Plan. The plan involves 16 agencies and is required for state/federal funding eligibility. Questions were raised about hospital coordination; City Manager noted that a comprehensive emergency management plan is the next step. Councilmember Merkel expressed concern that the fire portion lacked specificity for the Ponderosa area. The resolution passed unanimously.
  • Planning Commission Appointment: Mayor Padden nominated Daniel Jorgensen for an unexpired term (July 1, 2026, to December 31, 2027). The Mayor cited Jorgensen’s eight-year residency, experience in trucking/logistics, and balance between growth and green spaces. Councilmember Kelly noted multiple qualified applicants. The motion passed unanimously.
  • Sunshine Disposal & Recycling Facilities Improvement: Robert Blegen and Brian Coddington updated the council on a $2 million expansion to the transfer station, including separated scale lanes for commercial and public use, a new compactor to increase efficiency (34 tons per load), and completion by December 2027. The project is funded through the existing contract with no rate impact. The council asked about capacity (20 years of growth), cost, and plans for acquired adjacent property.
  • Federal Local Bridge Program Grant Opportunity: Robert Blegen proposed applying for federal funds (zero to 20% match) for crack sealing on the Fancher Road Bridge over BNSF, Barker Road Bridge over BNSF, and Barker Road Bridge over the Spokane River. The preventive maintenance extends deck life at low cost. Council consensus was given to proceed with the application, with matching funds from REET accounts.
  • Auto Row Update – Marketing and Economic Impact Study: Teri Stripes presented the marketing campaign for Spokane Valley’s Auto Row, which began in May 2026. Auto dealers generate $400–500 million in annual sales and contribute ~14% of sales tax revenue ($4.7 million) to the general fund. The $85,000 study will evaluate physical improvements; $100,000 is allocated for marketing. Councilmember Merkel expressed concern about lack of dealer engagement and suggested focusing on beautification first. Councilmember Kelly questioned the return on investment and budget. The meeting to engage dealers is scheduled for July 29, 2026. Council accepted the report as informational.
  • TPA Opportunity Fund Status Update: Teri Stripes reported that the application process has been developed and will go live after the TPA commission meeting on July 16, 2026. The fund aims to support tourism promotion projects. The application is 16 pages with a 250-word limit per response. No council action was required.

Key Outcomes

  • Resolution 26-010 (Hazard Mitigation Plan) was adopted unanimously.
  • Daniel Jorgensen was confirmed to the Planning Commission by a unanimous vote.
  • Consensus was reached to apply for the Federal Local Bridge Program grant.
  • Sunshine Disposal project is on schedule; council was informed.
  • Auto Row report accepted; further dealer engagement and a future capital planning study will follow.
  • TPA Opportunity Fund applications will open after July 16, 2026.
  • Advance Agenda – Sex Offender Group Homes: Council agreed to escalate discussions on group homes and explore options for protective fencing and legislative advocacy.
  • Tax Holiday Proposal (Councilmember Merkel): Proposed returning 10% of property tax, license plate tax, or wastewater fees to residents. Council declined to add this to the advance agenda due to uncertainty over public safety contract costs (vote: 2 in favor, 4 against, 5 abstentions/absent). The discussion was tabled until budget numbers are finalized.

Meeting Transcript

I think we can start the uh Spokam LE City Council regular meeting, formal A format of Tuesday, July 14th, 2026. It's called to order. Uh we have the invocation. Yes, thank you. Let's pray, please. If you'd stand. Heavenly Father, we thank you for the blessings of civil government that is run well. And yet, Lord, we know that we're imperfect, and we need your grace. God shed his grace on thee, the hymn says. Lord, we're asking for special grace today for those that are our city councilmen and women. Lord, that you would give them, Lord, insight beyond their years and background as they arrive at consensus over difficult issues, that you would direct their affairs and their attitudes. And Lord, we uh also pray for the upcoming primary election for those that have become uh disinterested or uh disassociated with the privilege of voting. We pray that you'd um help them re-engage, send a rebirth, Lord, of who we are as people that are members of our community and that we are for uh the good of the people. Lord, we pray for those who will speak tonight. Give them grace as well. And so we commit the affairs of this city council meeting to you, knowing that your grace is sufficient for us in Jesus' name, amen. Amen. Thank you, Pastor Drew. You can join us in the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance. And if the clerk could call the roll, please. Certainly. Mayor Patton, here. Deputy Mayor Hattenberg? Here. Councilmember Haley, here. Councilmember Yeager, here. Councilmember Kelly. Present. Councilmember Wick? Here. Councilmember Merkel? Here. Thank you. All right. We now have the approval of agenda. Move to approve the agenda. All those in favor? I post. The agenda is approved. Uh there are no special guests and presentations and no proclamations. Which brings us to the first general uh public comment opportunity. 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 where indicated. Please keep comments to matters within the jurisdiction of the city government. This is not an opportunity for questions or discussion. But please keep remarks civil. Do we have anyone on Zoom? No, Mayor, we have no one this evening on Zoom. Thank you. Mike Dolan, Spokane Valley, Washington.

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