OpenPublica

Accountability starts with access.

© 2026 · Filed for the public record

Use casesAboutAPIPrivacyTermsLinkedIn
Home/Spokane Valley, Washington/City Council & Commissions
OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Spokane Valley City Council Regular Meeting – October 20, 2026

City Council & Commissions — Tuesday, October 20, 2026
BodySpokane Valley, Washington
SessionCity Council & Commissions
DateTuesday, October 20, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:54:05

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

Speaker numbers apply only to this recording. Names come from transcript evidence. “Possibly” marks uncertain attribution.

Speaker 1

0:11

Okay, thank you.

0:13

Um today, the Spokane Valley City Council regular meeting, for formal B format of Tuesday, October 20th, 2026 is now called to order.

0:23

We have the invocation, and we have Pastor Bob Smith with the One Church.

0:29

So if you rise, please.

Speaker 2

0:34

You bow with me, please.

Unassigned speaker

0:36

God

Speaker 2

0:37

in heaven, we are thankful and grateful for government.

0:40

And thank you for those that serve and give of their time and effort and talents and wisdom to be able to lead us as a people.

0:48

And uh but we need your guidance.

0:50

We need your hand of provision and care in so many areas.

0:56

And tonight, as this group meets to govern us, I pray that you would do so as well.

1:01

Just bring wisdom and guidance and give them the understanding that is necessary to be able to govern well in our great city of Spokane Valley.

Unassigned speaker

1:12

And

Speaker 2

1:12

we ask your blessing on it in Jesus' name.

1:14

Amen.

Speaker 1

1:15

Amen.

1:16

Thank you very much.

1:17

Please join in the Pledge of Allegiance

Unassigned speaker

1:19

by Pledge Allegiance.

Unassigned speaker

1:26

One

Speaker 3

1:27

nation.

Speaker 1

1:39

And if the clerk would like to call the

Speaker 4

1:41

roll, please.

1:42

Certainly.

1:43

Mayor Patton?

1:44

Here.

1:44

Deputy Mayor Hattenberg.

Speaker 1

1:46

Here.

Speaker 4

1:46

Councilmember Haley.

1:47

Here.

1:47

Councilmember Yeager.

1:48

Here.

1:49

Councilmember Kelly.

Speaker 5

1:50

Present.

Speaker 4

1:50

Councilmember Wick?

1:52

Here.

1:52

Councilmember Merkel?

Speaker 1

1:53

Here.

Speaker 4

1:54

Thank

Unassigned speaker

1:54

you.

Unassigned speaker

1:55

And

Speaker 1

1:55

now the approval of agenda.

Speaker 6

1:57

Move to approve the agenda.

1:58

Second.

Speaker 1

1:59

All those in favor?

2:01

Aye.

2:02

Opposed.

2:02

The agenda is approved.

2:05

And now we have special guest presentations.

2:08

Today is the URC.

Unassigned speaker

2:34

So

Speaker 1

2:34

we're going to do it a little differently today.

2:37

But we'll kick off the meeting with one of one of our special events, which is the UROC presentation.

2:44

And this is where we are honored and pleased to thank those of individuals making an impressive contribution to the Spokane Valley.

2:56

And we take a moment to shine on the spotlight on those individuals and the amazing things they've done for the Valley and our community.

3:09

Yes, presents us with the actual award.

3:13

And they've been very uh they sponsor the UAC awards and they've been very uh loyal to that.

3:20

Um this month we are celebrating an individual with decades uh worth of effort uh who have helped build and grow Spokane Valley, and we really look forward to telling you about this individual.

3:36

Uh so first please join me in celebrating uh Mr.

3:39

Bob Boyle,

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Budget Equity Analysis██████████████████18%
Land Use Planning████████████████16%
Homelessness███████████11%
Procedural████████8%
Economic Development███████7%
Technology and Innovation██████6%
Public Records█████5%
Personnel Matters█████5%
Public Safety████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Spokane Valley City Council Regular Meeting – October 20, 2026

The Spokane Valley City Council met at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at City Hall. The meeting included a special presentation honoring Bob Boyle, action on the property tax levy, a lodging tax application for golf course maintenance, and an amendment to the homeless outreach services contract. Public comments addressed helicopter patrols and AI efficiency tools. All action items passed 6-1 (Councilmember Merkel dissenting). Council also received reports on comprehensive plan code updates, an IT staffing request, and the 2026 budget amendment.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of Agenda: Moved by Councilmember Wick, seconded by Councilmember Merkel. Unanimously approved.

Special Presentation: You Rock Recognition

  • Bob Boyle (President of Hanson Industries, retiring at year-end) was recognized for decades of community development, including transforming Indiana Avenue into a retail hub, contributing to the Valley Mall and Evergreen interchange, and partnering with the city on traffic mitigation. Multiple council members praised his vision and collaboration. Boyle thanked the city and highlighted Raymond Hanson's original vision.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Jonathan Plum (Spokane Valley resident): Advocated for using AI to reduce time on public records requests and city operations. Offered to help explore AI tools to save costs and improve efficiency.
  • Taylor Hershey (homeowner near South Evergreen/12th): Requested a report on Sheriff’s helicopter patrols, citing noise, cost (estimated $2,500/hour, over 300 hours/year), and low crime rates in the area. Called the patrols police overreach and urged alternative patrol methods.

Action Items

Ordinance 26-009: Property Tax Levy for 2027

  • Second reading. Proposed levy of $14.6 million (no 1% increase; includes $250,000 from new construction). Rate: ~$0.79 per $1,000 assessed value.
  • Councilmember Merkel moved to amend to reduce levy by 10%—failed for lack of a second.
  • Discussion: Mayor Patton listed upcoming cost pressures (law enforcement contract increases of 16-29%, detention services, street preservation). Councilmember Haley noted $34/household savings is minor compared to long-term infrastructure costs. Councilmember Wick emphasized stability and predictability.
  • Vote: Motion to approve ordinance passed 6-1 (Merkel opposed).

Motion: City LTAC Application for Golf Course Maintenance

  • Authorization to apply for $125,000 in lodging tax funds for 2027 operating and maintenance costs. Councilmember Merkel opposed, stating poor return on investment and suggesting alternative program restructuring.
  • Supporters noted hoteliers report full occupancy during events and early revenue exceeding projections. Councilmember Kelly cited 14 scheduled events, five large draws.
  • Vote: Passed 6-1 (Merkel opposed).

Contract Amendment for Homeless Outreach Services

  • Amendment to reallocate $20,000 from pet boarding to discretionary funding and add $40,000 for housing assistance, increasing the contract total to $586,000 (including indirect costs).
  • Statistics: Frontier Behavioral Health assisted 37 households into permanent housing in 2025 and 60 in 2026 so far. The $30,000 housing allocation from November 2025 was fully expended.
  • Councilmember Merkel questioned lack of outcome data and whether housing was sustained. Councilmember Yeager supported based on ride-along experience.
  • Vote: Passed 6-1 (Merkel opposed).

Discussion Items

Draft Comp Plan & Development Regulations

  • Staff presented state‑mandated code updates (Steve Roberge, Mike Basinger; Ethan Spoo online). Key changes:
    • Accessory Dwelling Units: Two per lot, allowed as attached/detached; owner occupancy requirement removed.
    • Middle Housing: Up to 4 units on all residential lots; up to 6 if two are affordable.
    • Co-Living Housing: Allowed in multifamily zones; parking limited to 1 space per 4 sleeping rooms.
    • Step Housing: (shelters, transitional housing) now a Type 1 permit (no public notice); must treat like other housing in zone.
    • Unit Lot Subdivision: Allows subdividing units without increasing density; requires HOA management considerations.
  • Council questions focused on notification for step housing, hotels in industrial zones, and property management for subdivisions. Staff will investigate and return with further recommendations.

Local Recording Fees RFP for Homeless Services

  • Consensus to proceed with issuing an RFP for homeless outreach services (current contract expires June 2027). Councilmember Merkel requested output‑based performance measures (e.g., long‑term housing stability). Staff will draft RFP for council approval.

IT Position Discussion

  • Deputy City Manager Eric Lamb reported a rising workload: 2,077 help desk tickets in 2025 (8.8/day) vs. 2,541 YTD 2026 (11/day). The city’s ratio of IT staff to supported employees (1:44) far exceeds recommended 1:18. Requested a new IT support assistant ($121,366) to handle basic requests and allow senior staff to focus on cybersecurity, camera systems, and SharePoint implementation.
  • Councilmember Merkel questioned justification and suggested outsourcing. City Manager Holman noted past outsourcing was unsuccessful. Councilmember Wick supported based on IT complexity. Councilmember Kelly flagged overall staffing increase but acknowledged the need.
  • No formal action; discussion only.

2026 Budget Amendment

  • Finance Director Chelsie Walls presented proposed amendments affecting 16 funds: revenue increases of $9.5 million (including $2M sales tax, $540K catering accounting changes) and expenditure increases of $8.6 million (including $90K for litigation, $2.1M transfer to capital reserves, street and park project adjustments).
  • Council consensus to return on October 27 for public hearing and first reading. A point of order raised conflict of interest for Councilmember Merkel regarding the $90,000 litigation item; City Attorney noted no action taken tonight and minimal risk. Councilmember Merkel declined to recuse.

Key Outcomes

  • Property Tax Levy (Ordinance 26-009) approved 6-1 for 2027 at $14.6 million.
  • LTAC Application for golf course maintenance approved 6-1.
  • Homeless Services Contract Amendment approved 6-1, adding $40K for housing and reallocating $20K.
  • Consensus to proceed with homelessness services RFP and 2026 budget amendment to public hearing.
  • No action on IT position; discussion will inform budget decisions.
  • Council directed staff to explore industrial zone hotel restrictions and step housing notification options within the comprehensive plan process.

Council Comments

  • Councilmember Kelly: Acknowledged Councilmember Merkel’s budget email effort but disagreed; cautioned against personal attacks.
  • Councilmember Wick: Praised the Pine’s grade separation project; suggested roundabout education.
  • Councilmember Merkel: Defended his 10% tax cut proposal and rejected recusal. City Attorney warned against serial communications and clarified the public records litigation.
  • Councilmember Yeager: Criticized Merkel’s conduct and called the email proposal “nuts.”
  • Exchange regarding decorum and potential OPMA violations.

Adjournment

  • Motion to adjourn passed unanimous.

Meeting Transcript

Okay, thank you. Um today, the Spokane Valley City Council regular meeting, for formal B format of Tuesday, October 20th, 2026 is now called to order. We have the invocation, and we have Pastor Bob Smith with the One Church. So if you rise, please. You bow with me, please. God in heaven, we are thankful and grateful for government. And thank you for those that serve and give of their time and effort and talents and wisdom to be able to lead us as a people. And uh but we need your guidance. We need your hand of provision and care in so many areas. And tonight, as this group meets to govern us, I pray that you would do so as well. Just bring wisdom and guidance and give them the understanding that is necessary to be able to govern well in our great city of Spokane Valley. And we ask your blessing on it in Jesus' name. Amen. Amen. Thank you very much. Please join in the Pledge of Allegiance by Pledge Allegiance. One nation. And if the clerk would like to 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. And now the approval of agenda. Move to approve the agenda. Second. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed. The agenda is approved. And now we have special guest presentations. Today is the URC.

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI
TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com