This week’s Spokane Valley City Council meeting began with an invocation, the pledge of allegiance and approval of the following meeting agenda. Councilmember Wick was excused from the meeting.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
Mayor Padden and Councilmembers presented the June 2026 You Rock! Community Recognition Award to Dr. James Harken for his many years of service on the Spokane Valley Arts Council and his dedication to supporting public art in the Valley.
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, in person or via Zoom.
ACTION ITEMS
#1 – Public Hearing: 2026 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Amendment
The 2026-2031 TIP was adopted by the Council on June 15, 2025. The TIP is the City’s short-term transportation plan and must be financially constrained. Since the City uses Real Estate Excise Tax (REET) monies as matching funds for state and federal grants, the proposed TIP amendment is necessary to comply with state law, which requires REET funds to be used only on projects identified in an adopted TIP. A summary of proposed updates was presented. The public was invited to share thoughts and comments.
#2 – Resolution 26-008 Amending TIP
A motion to adopt Resolution 26-008 amending the 2026-2031 TIP passed with 5 votes in favor and 1 vote against.
#3 – Public Hearing: Draft 2027-2032 Six-Year TIP
Per RCW 35.77.010, cities are required to prepare, hold a public hearing and adopt a comprehensive Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for the upcoming six calendar years. The plan must be submitted to the Washington State Department of Transportation by June 30 of each year. Staff reviewed the plan development process, from policymaking to project selection and the various considerations that go into a TIP.
The draft 2027-2032 TIP consists of 41 projects of various types, including bridge reconstruction, intersection improvements, pedestrian/bicycle, stormwater, safety, etc. Staff shared maps of project locations and descriptions of several key projects. The required City match on federal and state-funded projects is typically between 10% and 20%. Staff regularly review project Real Estate Excise Tax (REET) fund balances to determine if there are sufficient funds to fulfill the City’s fiscal responsibility for projects. The public was invited to share thoughts and comments.
#4 – Resolution 26-009 Approval of Draft 2027-2032 Six-Year TIP
An amendment to the original motion to separate the projects and vote separately on them failed 2 votes in favor and 4 votes against. A motion to approve Resolution 26-009 adopting the 2027-2032 Six-Year TIP as presented passed with 4 votes in favor and 2 votes against.
#5 – Potential Grant Opportunity – FHWA Bridge Investment Program Fiscal Year 2026
Last month, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) opened a call for projects for Bridge Investment Program (BIP) discretionary grant funds. Staff has identified the Sullivan and Trent Interchange Project as a candidate for the program criteria. Staff reviewed the program details, including available funding, match requirements and key deadlines.
A motion to authorize the City Manager or designee to apply for the BIP FY 2026 grant for the Sullivan and Trent Interchange project passed unanimously.
Watch the presentation and view the memo and supporting documents.
NON-ACTION ITEMS
#6 – Proposed Fireworks Code Amendments
The City has had a ban on the discharge of fireworks since its incorporation in 2003. The Spokane Valley Police Department and the Spokane Valley Fire Department have noted challenges in enforcing the current code because when officers respond to a fireworks complaint, it is almost impossible to locate the person or persons responsible for setting them off. Even if officers identify a person possessing fireworks, there is no violation because the current city code does not prohibit the possession of consumer fireworks.
The proposed amendments would repeal and replace chapter 7.15 SVMC entirely and prohibit the possession of fireworks within the city. An officer will no longer have to witness fireworks being used in order to enforce the code. Instead, fireworks can be seized, and the person or persons possessing fireworks may be cited. An exception will be public displays of fireworks discharged by licensed pyrotechnic professionals (for example, fireworks at Avista Stadium).
The Council had a discussion and requested staff to research some additional options and to place updated proposed amendments on a future agenda for an ordinance first reading.
#7 – Public Safety Items Prioritization
The City Council and staff participated in an all-day budget workshop on June 9, 2026. During the workshop, multiple public safety-related items were discussed. The Councilmembers were presented with a list of potential projects and asked to rank them in order to guide staff’s work priorities going forward.
INFORMATION ONLY (No presentations or discussion)
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.
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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.