This week’s Spokane Valley City Council meeting began with an invocation, the pledge of allegiance by Boy Scout Troop 437 and approval of the following amended meeting agenda. Councilmember Yaeger was excused from the meeting.
PROCLAMATION
Mayor Padden presented a proclamation to Health Officer Dr. Francisco Velázquez of Spokane Regional Health District in recognition of National Public Health Week.
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 – First Reading: Ordinance 26-005 Virtual Currency Kiosks
Council received a report on cryptocurrency ATMs (called Virtual Currency Kiosks) at the Jan. 20, 2026, meeting. City staff and Spokane Valley Police Department staff reviewed what cryptocurrency is and how it works, reported on common cryptocurrency scams and statistics, and summarized law enforcement investigations of virtual currency kiosk scams within the past two years. There are 20 virtual currency kiosks in Spokane Valley. The group reviewed provisions of the draft ordinance.
A motion to advance Ordinance 26-005, adopting chapter 7.60 SVMC prohibiting Virtual Currency Kiosks in the City of Spokane Valley to a second reading passed unanimously.
#2 – Bid Award: Balfour Park Sports Courts Project
The Balfour Park development is a multi-year project that has been discussed by Council numerous times since 2007. Staff reported on the park offerings built to date and noted that the Balfour Sports Courts Project is the next phase of improvements. Staff presented the base bid, including site preparation, paving, surfacing and striping sport courts, installation of chain link fencing with gates, basketball goals, pickleball nets, etc. Bid Alternate #1 also includes completion of a city-provided sports lighting system and Bid Alternate #2 includes installat on of substructure for a city-provided park-wide sound system. Information was presented about two bid alternates and the bidding process. The lowest responsive, responsible bidder is Liberty Landworks.
A motion to award the Balfour Sports Court Project to Liberty Landworks for the Base Bid and Alternates 1 and 2 in the amount of $473,254.81 plus applicable sales tax and authorize the City Manager to finalize and execute the construction contract passed unanimously.
#2A – Potential Grant Opportunity: National Highway Freight Program (NHFP)
At the Jan. 20, 2026, meeting, Council authorized the City Manager to submit funding requests for the NHFP’s call for projects for the Sullivan/Trent Interchange and Barker/I-90 Interchange. As part of the application review process, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is requesting that the NHFP funds, combined with other secured sources, fully fund the requested project.
A motion to authorize the City Manager, or designee, to confirm with WSDOT staff that the City will provide $1.6 million towards the Barker/I-90 Interchange project’s PE Phase if awarded $2 million of NHFP funding and no other funding is secured passed with 5 votes in favor and 1 vote against.
NON-ACTION ITEMS
#3 – Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Treatment First
Mr. Chud Wendle, Executive Director of Hutton Settlement, reported on a proposed MOU between all cities and towns in Spokane County, for the purpose of providing a foundation and structure for a coordinated regional response to people experiencing chronic homelessness. The proposed MOU does not set any kind of formal agreement or obligation and does not require contributions of funds by any participant. The MOU aims to:
• Adopt a regional response to homelessness and mental health crisis;
• Maintain clean, safe and accessible public spaces throughout Spokane County;
• Enforce relevant municipal and county codes regarding unauthorized public camping, loitering, open drug use and obstruction of public rights-of-way;
• Provide transitional housing, treatment and other supportive services in alignment with a continuum-ofare approach that includes accountability and behavioral compliance; and
• Ensure enforcement actions are consistent, coordinated, humane and constitutionally sound.
The Council reached consensus to bring this item forward for a motion consideration at a future meeting.
#4 – 2026 CenterPlace Food Services Contract
Staff described the background of utilizing a food services/catering provider at CenterPlace, which began in 2009. The contract with the previous provider expired on Dec. 31, 2025. Staff outlined the new food service provider RFP procedure, taste testing and the interview process. The interview panel unanimously recommended Inland Northwest Catering for the 2026 contract. Proposed contract modifications and updates were reviewed.
The Council reached consensus to bring this item forward for a motion consideration at the April 21, 2026, meeting.
INFORMATION ONLY (No presentation or discussion)
#5 – Indigent Defense Caseload Standards
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. Visit the city’s website at SpokaneValleyWA.gov.