This week’s Spokane Valley City Council meeting began with the pledge of allegiance, an invocation and approval of the following amended meeting agenda: The agenda was amended to move the Agenda item #7 “Spokane Complex Fire” report to the beginning of the agenda.
Mayor’s Statement
# 7 - Special Presentation: Spokane Complex Fire Update
Spokane Valley Police Department Chief Dave Ellis and Spokane County Emergency Management Deputy Director Chandra Fax provided an overview of and update on the Spokane Complex Fires and emergency response.
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 unanimously approved the consent agenda, which included vouchers for paying city expenses, payroll and minutes from June 9, 2026, Council Meeting Budget Workshop.
#2 – First Reading: Proposed Ordinance 26-008 S. Barker Corridor (Sprague Ave to 8th Ave) Land
Acquisition
This project reconstructs Barker Road from 8th Avenue to Sprague Avenue. Planned improvements include widening Barker Road from two to three lanes (center turn lane), bike lanes, stormwater improvements, curb, and sidewalks, and intersection improvements at East 4th Avenue and East 8th Avenue, converting these stop-controlled intersections into single lane roundabouts. Design is nearing completion and staff are actively working on the right-of-way (ROW) acquisition required. The final ROW phase includes partial acquisitions from 35 property owners encompassing 36 parcels. The City has finalized negotiations with the property owners of 33 parcels.
In the event that the City cannot complete ROW negotiations, Title 8 RCW authorizes the City to initiate condemnation proceedings and acquire the property through eminent domain. Eminent domain requires that the City pay property owners just compensation for the property that is condemned. The City and its consultants have identified three parcels owned by two property owners where condemnation may be necessary. RCW 8.12.040 requires that the City take its final action indicating its desire to condemn land through an ordinance. Proposed Ordinance 26-008 is the City’s necessary “final action” ordinance.
A motion to advance proposed Ordinance 26-008 to a second reading passed with 4 votes in favor and 3 votes against.
#3 – Bid Award: Sullivan Road and Park Improvements - Phase 1 Project, CIP #377
This project will reconstruct the existing signal entrance into Sullivan Park, build a new northern entrance and a sewer lift station needed for the Ice Sports Facility currently being developed on city property. This phase will also include stormwater improvements along the west side of Sullivan Road. Additional phases will be undertaken in the coming months. Staff outlined the bid solicitation process and stated the engineer’s estimate was $1,256,000. The lowest responsive and responsible bidder is Wm. Winkler Company, with a bid of $1,226,873. The bid tabulation was included in the meeting materials.
A motion to award the Sullivan Road and Park Improvements – Phase 1 project to Wm. Winkler Company in the amount of $1,226,873 and authorize the City Manager to finalize and execute the construction contract passed with 5 votes in favor and 2 votes against.
#4 – Engrossed Substitute House Bill (ESHB) 2015 Grant Opportunity
ESHB creates a grant fund that corresponds with various public safety local sales taxes. It creates two paths for funding public safety: a three-year grant program for hiring/training new police officers and/or co-responders and a councilmanic .01% sales tax, which must be used for public safety purposes.
The Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (CJTC) is administering the ESHB grant program. Staff reviewed eligibility requirements and allowed uses for grant funding. Spokane County and the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office must be the applicant and are applying for a variety of regional projects. The Council’s Public Safety Committee evaluated options and identified two projects to include in a county application which benefit the City of Spokane Valley: (1) Alternative Jail Transport Unit and (2) Dedicated Parking Enforcement Officer. Staff described project specifics, including estimated costs. Staff outlined the grant application process, noting that the application deadline is August 15, 2026.
A motion to amend the original motion and vote on the two items separately passed unanimously.
The motions to authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute and submit all required documents to inform and support the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office application for the ESHB 2015 grant through the CJTC for:
1. A jail transport pilot project passed with 4 votes in favor and 3 votes against.
2. A dedicated parking enforcement officer passed with 6 votes in favor and 1 vote against.
NON-ACTION ITEMS
#5 – Update on Signal Cabinet Art Wraps
The City began partnering with Spokane Arts and STCU in 2022 in a grant program to design, order and install vinyl art wraps on various traffic signal cabinets in Spokane Valley. A series of wraps were installed in 2023. On Dec. 16, 2025, the Council provided direction for city staff to collaborate with the project partners on another round of grants for additional signal cabinet art wraps. Staff summarized the Call for Artists and action by the nine-member selection committee. The art wrap designs selected by the committee were shared. Staff noted that there is no initial cost to the City to develop and install the wraps, but the City will maintain the wraps after installation.
#6 – Master Speed Limit Schedule Update
On June 16, 2026, Council approved Resolution 26-007, updating the Master Speed Limit Schedule, primarily related to school zone updates. There has been a shift in the methodology for setting safer speed limits over the past decade that ties back to roadway context and function. City staff conducted a pilot study based on two widely accepted methodologies and a third hybrid approach as we consider a path forward for citywide evaluation.
Staff completed an evaluation of 15 roadway segments adjacent to schools throughout the city to assess the recommended posted speed. Staff described four segments identified through this phase of the pilot study that received recommendations for a lower posted speed through all three methodologies.
• Broadway Ave. from Adams Rd. to Sullivan Rd. (Progress Elementary)
• Pines Rd. from 32nd Ave. to 40th Ave. (University High School, Chester Elementary and Horizon
Middle School)
• Park Rd. from Trent Ave. to Euclid Ave. (Orchard Center Elementary)
• Park Rd. from Mission Ave. to Trent Ave. (Seth Woodard Elementary)
Staff recommended changing from 35 mph to 30 mph in these locations. The Council reached a consensus for staff to return with a resolution to amend the Master Speed Limit Schedule with all the proposed changes.
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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