Spokane Valley Council Notes: February 3, 2026 Recap

This week’s Spokane Valley City Council meeting began with an invocation, the pledge of allegiance and approval of the following amended meeting agenda.

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 – Broadlinc PDA Interlocal Agreement (ILA)
An administrative report was provided to Council on this topic at the Jan. 13, 2026, meeting. Broadlinc, the Spokane Regional Broadband Development Authority, was established in 2022 by Spokane County Commissioners for the purpose of coordination of local governments, tribes, public and private organizations, non-profit organizations and utilities for the development of strategies and plans to develop broadband infrastructure to underserved areas of Spokane County. Broadlinc is seeking to enter into an ILA with the COSV to allow partnering opportunities within the City Limits for expansion of fiber infrastructure that can mutually support the COSV ITS Master Plan and Broadlinc goals. Approval of the ILA also provides opportunity to add representation from the City of Spokane Valley on the Broadlinc Board.
A motion to authorize the City Manager, or designee, to enter into the attached ILA with Broadlinc passed with 6 votes in favor and 1 vote against.
A motion to authorize the Mayor to appoint Councilmember Ben Wick to serve on the Broadlinc Board in 2026 and Councilmember Michael Kelly to serve as the alternate passed unanimously.

#2 – Bid Award: South Barker Corridor, Appleway Avenue to Sprague Avenue, CIP#351
Council has received information on this project multiple times since 2024 and on June, 17 2025, the Council passed Resolution 25-012 adopting the 2026-2031 Transportation Improvement Program, which included this project. This project reconstructs Barker Road from Appleway Avenue to Sprague Avenue, including widening the road to three lanes, to five lanes where the road approaches the Appleway Avenue intersection, adding bike lanes and sidewalks to both sides, and stormwater improvements.
Staff outlined the bidding process and reported that eleven bids were received. The lowest, responsive and responsible bidder is Selland Construction, Inc., with a bid of $1,319,735, approximately 33% lower than the engineer’s estimate. The bid tabulation was provided in the Council packet.
A motion to award the South Barker Corridor, Appleway Avenue to Sprague Avenue project to Selland Construction, Inc. in the amount of $1,319,735 and authorize the City Manager to finalize and execute the construction contract passed with passed with unanimously.
A motion to amend the agenda to add items 2A and 2B passed with 6 votes in favor and 1 vote against.

#2A – Motion Consideration of Emergency Interim Ordinance #26-002 Prohibiting Battery Energy Storage Systems Within the City
Battery Energy Storage Systems (or BESS) are an emerging type of energy storage technology that use groups of large, rechargeable batteries to store electrical energy for future use. BESS batteries are known to present significant risk of fire, explosions and release of toxic fumes. Because it is a new technology, the city’s municipal code does not identify whether, where, or under what land use restrictions BESS facilities may be located within the city. The Council adopted the 365-day prohibition to give the City time to study the risks that BESS pose to communities, identify where BESS facilities can be safely located within the city, and develop local regulations to mitigate potential harmful effects. The City will conduct these studies over the course of the next several months and plans to adopt permanent regulations governing BESS by the end of 2026.
A motion to waive the 3-touch rule and adopt Interim Ordinance 26-002 Prohibiting Battery Energy Storage Systems within the City of Spokane Valley passed with 6 votes in favor and 1 vote against.

#2B – Motion Consideration of Emergency Interim Ordinance #26-004 Reclassifying Marijuana Retail Sales as Legal Nonconforming
According to the City’s marijuana retail sales standards, only marijuana retail stores established before July 27, 2016, are permitted to operate within the City, and new retail sales are not permitted in any zoning district. Right now, Spokane Valley has three marijuana retail stores. While the City’s code currently prohibits existing marijuana retail stores from moving to a new zone, retail stores may relocate within the zone they currently occupy, subject to buffer zones established by state law and City code.
A consensus statement written by experts from UW and WSU for the state legislature concluded that studies have consistently linked marijuana use to detrimental health outcomes, especially for teens and young adults.
Studies suggest that the closeness of marijuana businesses to neighborhoods is associated with more positive views on marijuana use and a higher likelihood of use by adolescents. To address health, safety and welfare concerns of vulnerable community members, the Emergency Interim Ordinance continues the ban on new marijuana retail stores and prohibits existing stores from relocating within the City until further study is conducted by staff and the Planning Commission.
This ordinance does not force any marijuana retailer to close its business with the City and establishes a work plan for the Planning Commission to receive testimony on the topic and ultimately make a recommendation regarding permanent regulations.
A motion to waive the 3-touch rule and adopt Emergency Interim Ordinance 26-004 establishing existing marijuana retail sales uses as legal nonconforming and other matters related thereto passed with 6 votes in favor and 1 vote against.

NON-ACTION ITEMS

#3 – Spokane Transit Authority (STA) Moving Forward Review and Connect 2035 Initiatives
STA Chief Financial Officer Robert Hamud and Chief Planning and Development Officer Emily Poole reported on the final implementation of projects from STA’s 10-year strategic plan titled STA Moving Forward, which was funded by voters in 2016. They shared information on plans for the next decade through their Connect 2035 strategic plan.

#4 – Potential Grant Opportunities: Spokane County Housing and Community Development
Spokane County Housing and Community Development (HCD) recently released the 2026 Request for Proposal (RFP) to allocate federal, state and local funds. Homeless Services grants are intended to assist local governments and nonprofits to fund homeless crisis response systems and to support communities in ending homelessness. The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program supports community development activities, primarily for people of low and moderate incomes. Staff shared information about the grant application process, amount of funds available, and noted that no local match is required.
In coordination with HCD staff, city staff identified two projects eligible for the grant funding:
Spokane Valley Homeless Outreach Program: Staff recommends applying for the Homeless Services grant to assist in partially covering the cost of this program and expansion of services.
Grace Sewer Project-Utility Connection Assistance Program: Spokane County is scheduled to begin installing sewer lines in 2026, eliminating septic systems in a Spokane Valley neighborhood west of Barker Road and south of Euclid Avenue, adjacent to the Spokane River. The estimated cost for homeowners is up to $25,000. Staff recommend applying for the CDBG Capital grant, to help cover sewer connection and installation costs for low-income residents in the Grace neighborhood.
The Council reached consensus for staff to return with a motion consideration authorizing the City Manager or designee to submit the recommended grant applications as discussed and proceed with executing contracts and carrying out the programs related to any resulting awards.

#5 – Potential Grant Opportunity: City Safety Program (CSP)
In October 2025, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) issued a call for projects for the City Safety Program (CSP), designed to help alleviate fatal and series injury crashes. $30 million will be awarded stateside and no local match is required. Spokane Valley’s most frequent crash types are Angle(t) and Hit Pedestrian. Staff described the characteristics and factors of both crash types. A preliminary list of proposed projects to reduce crashes includes:
• Angle(T): Roundabout at Barker/Appleway
• Hit Pedestrian: Arterial Crossings
a. Appleway (Farr to University)
b. Sprague (Pines to Sullivan)
c. Barker (Mission to Garland)
d. Parks/Cataldo Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon
e. Sprague/Appleway at Coleman
The Council reached consensus to proceed with the evaluation of proposed projects, including developing of individual project scope and cost estimates. The proposed projects will be provided to Council for a motion consideration at the Feb. 17, 2026, meeting.

#6 – 2025 Year-in-Review Accomplishments Report
City Manager John Hohman presented a report outlining the city’s significant accomplishments in 2025.

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
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