This week’s Spokane Valley City Council meeting began with the pledge of allegiance and approval of the following meeting agenda. Councilmember Haley was excused from the meeting.
SPECIAL GUEST PRESENTATION
Dana LeRoy, Director of Government Affairs for Habitat for Humanity Spokane, presented the City Council with a photo and golden shovel used recently to break ground on Lee Wade Landing, a new 24-unit affordable housing project in Spokane Valley developed on land awarded by the City through a proposal process.
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 – Consent Agenda
The Council voted 5 in favor and 1 against approving the consent agenda, which included vouchers for paying city expenses, payroll and minutes from the July 7, 2026, July 14, 2026, July 21, 2026, July 28, 2026, August 18, 2026, and August 25, 2026, Council meetings.
#2 – Water Quality Combined Funding Program Grant Application
The Council received an administrative report on this topic at the August 18, 2026, meeting. In early August 2026, the Washington State Department of Ecology issued a Call for Projects for the Water Quality Combined Funding Program. Staff provided details about the grant program and summarized potential city programs within the Stormwater Financial Assistance Program. In 2023, the City received a $212,500 engineering-only design grant for FY 2025 for the Montgomery Stormwater Improvements project, located on Montgomery Avenue between Argonne Road and the Mansfield/Montgomery roundabout. Staff recommend applying for a grant to fund the construction phase. The estimated construction cost is $2,500,000, which consists of $2,125,000 (85%) in grant funding and a $375,000 (15%) local match.
A motion to authorize the City Manager, or designee, to apply for up to $2,125,000 from the Department of Ecology’s Combined Water Quality Funding grant program for the Montgomery Stormwater Improvements construction projects passed with 5 votes in favor and 1 vote against.
NON-ACTION ITEMS
#3 – State Parks 30-Year Easement for Flora Park
In 2020, the City purchased 46 acres of undeveloped land from the Washington State Department of Transportation, located on the north bank of the Spokane River at Flora Rd, for park and recreation purposes. The City developed this property into The Course Spokane Valley cross-country racing facility, completed in 2025. The city-owned parcels are adjacent to a 16-acre parcel owned by State Parks. Part of the development plans for the new park facility was a commitment from State Parks to partner with the City to incorporate the shoreline property into the park to improve public access to the Spokane River and expand recreational uses for the community.
City staff and State Parks staff developed a design plan for a “River View Trail” that will run across both City and State Parks properties. Staff outlined terms of a proposed 30-year easement agreement between the two entities. The terms of the agreement require the City to pay State Parks a one-time lump sum of $58,194 for the 30-year easement. On July 9, 2026, the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission unanimously approved the easement as well as land classification updates and development of the pedestrian trail with various amenities.
The Council reached a consensus for this item to return at a future meeting with a motion to authorize the City Manager to execute a 30-year Easement Agreement with Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission in substantially the same form as shown in the meeting materials.
#4 – Final Solid Waste and Moderate Risk Waste Management Plan Review Discussion
Staff provided reports on this topic to the Council at the meetings on Sept. 2, 2025, and Sept. 30, 2025.
In 2014, the City Council voted to assume the responsibility of managing solid waste generated within the city from the Spokane County Regional Solid Waste System. State law requires the City to develop and maintain a comprehensive solid waste management plan and a local hazardous waste management system, and the plans be kept current, reviewed, and revised periodically. In November 2022, the City began working with a consulting firm to update the plans, which will be combined into one single plan, the Solid Waste and Moderate Risk Waste Management Plan. Staff and the city’s consultant have been working to update plan components and development, including public outreach to obtain public comments on the proposed plan.
The Council reached consensus for staff to return at a later date with a motion consideration to approve the plan.
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.