This week’s Spokane Valley City Council meeting began with an invocation, the pledge of allegiance and approval of the following meeting agenda.
Special Presentations
Mayor Padden presented the April 2026 You Rock! Community Recognition Award to Else Hjorten, a student at University High School who actively volunteers in many local organizations. Watch the presentation.
PROCLAMATION
Mayor Padden presented a proclamation for Arbor Day to Garth Davis of the Spokane Conservation District. Watch the presentation.
General Public Comments
Each week, community members have an opportunity to address Councilmembers for up to three minutes during the General Public Comment period, either at the beginning or end of each meeting, either in person or via Zoom.
ACTION ITEMS
#1 – Resolution 26-005: Indigent Defense Caseload Standards
The Council has received information about this topic multiple times since early 2024. In March 2024, the Washington State Bar Association (WSBA) adopted updated standards for public defense in compliance with RCW 10.101.030. The WSBA standards serve as guidelines for local agencies in developing their own public defense standards. The WSBA new standards include reducing case credits to 120 over a 12-month period, and the WSBA proposed a permanent rule change to the Washington State Supreme Court. During a public comment period regarding the proposed change, the City submitted a letter voicing concerns about the proposed rule changes. In June 2025, the Supreme Court adopted the proposed reduction in case credits but allowed jurisdictions to implement the new standards in a phased approach.
The City contracts with Spokane County for its public defense services, and in December 2025, the Spokane County Commissioners adopted a resolution to conform with the Supreme Court Order. Per state law, every jurisdiction is required to adopt indigent defense standards. Because of the contracted services agreement with the County, the City’s adopted standards have always been the same as the County’s.
A motion to approve Resolution 26-005 adopting new standards for the delivery of public defense services passed unanimously.
Watch the presentation and view the memo and supporting documents.
#2 – 2026 CenterPlace Food Services Contract
The Council discussed this topic at the April 7, 2026, Council meeting. Staff recapped the history of food services/catering provider at CenterPlace, which began in 2009. The contract with the previous provider expired on Dec. 31, 2025. A Request for Proposals was released, which included taste testing and an interview process. The interview panel unanimously recommended Inland Northwest Catering for the 2026 contract.
A motion to award the 2026 CenterPlace Food and Beverage Services contract to Inland Northwest Catering passed unanimously.
Watch the presentation and view the memo and supporting documents.
#3 – Opioid Settlement – Six Remnant Defendants
The Council has discussed and taken action on opioid settlements at numerous meetings since April 2022. This item is regarding a new national settlement involving claims against six regional opioid distributors/dispenser defendant companies. In order to participate, the City must submit a form by May 4, 2026, and the estimated amount of this settlement is $1,500.
To date, the City has received roughly $121,000 in opioid settlements; all settlement funds are required to be used for opioid remediation purposes. The Council already allocated settlement funds towards expanding the Spokane Regional Health District’s Opioid Dashboard, completing a needs assessment and expansion of the Spokane Regional Stabilization Center.
A motion to authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute and submit the necessary forms to participate in the Six Remnant Defendant’s Settlement Agreement passed unanimously.
Watch the presentation and view the memo and supporting documents.
NON-ACTION ITEMS
#4 – Economic Forecast
Dr. Grant Forsyth, chief economist at Avista Corp. and former professor of economics at Eastern Washington University provided an economic forecast for both the Spokane region and nationwide.
Watch the presentation and view the memo and supporting documents.
#5 – Ice Sports Facility Ground Lease
The Council received administrative reports on this topic at the August 19, 2025, September 23, 2025 and September 30, 2025, meetings. Staff presented a thorough review of the long history related to the city’s Sullivan waterline project and Sullivan property purchase and explained how the two were unrelated to the ice sports facility project, as they had each been in the works for many years. Staff reviewed the city’s Tourism Strategic Plan, which previously identified three sports tourism opportunities for Spokane Valley, including a cross country course, ice sheets for youth sports, and upgrading Plante’s Ferry Sports Complex. They presented a performa analyzing the economic impacts of an ice sheet facility. It was explained that the ice sheets were cost-prohibitive for the City to develop without new revenues. The presentation reviewed the timeline for the city’s being approached by a local benefactor who was interested in building a two-sheet ice sports facility in Spokane Valley for the benefit of our community.
Upon the Council’s direction, since fall 2025, staff have been negotiating ground lease terms. Staff presented the terms of the negotiated land lease for Council consideration. The Council reached consensus to consider the proposed ground lease agreement for approval at the April 28, 2026, meeting.
Watch the presentation and view the memo and supporting documents.
About Spokane Valley City Council
City Council meetings occur most Tuesdays at 6 p.m. at Spokane Valley City Hall, 10210 E. Sprague Avenue, Spokane Valley, and online via Zoom. Meeting agendas and minutes are available at SpokaneValleyWA.gov/Agendas. Community members are invited to attend Council meetings to participate in action items or public comment periods in-person or online. Council meetings are broadcast on Comcast channel 14. Email the Council at CityCouncil@SpokaneValleyWA.gov or learn more at SpokaneValleyWA.gov/CityCouncil.
Stay Connected
Spokane Valley City Hall is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Information is available online at SpokaneValleyWA.gov. Sign up to receive email updates about the topics that matter to you most at SpokaneValleyWA.gov/SignUp or follow the city on social media.