This week’s Spokane Valley City Council meeting began with an invocation, the pledge of allegiance and approval of the following meeting agenda.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
Spokane Valley Fire Department Chief Frank Soto Jr spoke about ambulance transportation costs.
City Manager John Hohman shared the celebratory news that the City had been awarded a $20.8 million USDOT BUILD grant to fund the Sullivan Road/Trent Avenue Interchange project. More information is available in the city’s news release at www.SpokaneValleyWA.gov.
PROCLAMATION
Mayor Padden presented a proclamation for Parks and Recreation Month to City of Spokane Valley Parks and Recreation staff.
MAYOR’S STATEMENT
Mayor Padden provided a brief reminder of parliamentary procedure per Robert’s Rules of Order.
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 – Washington Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) Planning Grant for Edgecliff Park
The City Council received an administrative report on this topic at the June 23, 2026, meeting. This is a grant opportunity from the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO). Edgecliff Park identified in the draft Parks and Recreation Master Plan is in need of critical ADA improvements and is recommended as a high priority for developing a new park master plan with community outreach.
Edgecliff Park is well-utilized by the community and serves as one of the sites for the popular summer park program, as well as accommodating numerous park shelter reservations and community gatherings each year. The City has maintained Edgecliff well beyond its anticipated lifespan, and staff and the Council consistently receive input from the neighborhood and residents around the park about the need for updated playground equipment, improved restrooms, more parking, etc. Staff recommends applying for a site-specific Planning for Recreation Access (PRA) planning grant to request funding for the development of a Renovation Master Plan for Edgecliff Park. The proposed planning project would involve neighborhood and community outreach to inform and generate a 30% design and renovation cost estimate. This planning and design effort would position the City to seek development funding in the future.
A motion to authorize staff to apply for the RCO PRA grant to develop a Renovation Master Plan for Edgecliff Park with a letter of support from Council passed unanimously.
NON-ACTION ITEMS
The order in which the following agenda items were presented was modified to accommodate presenters’ schedules.
#3 – Eastern Washington University Economic Trends Report
Dr. Patrick Jones and Dr. Kelley Cullen of Eastern Washington University’s Public Policy and Economic Analysis Department presented the second of four quarterly reports, which address detailed economic analyses and trends specific to the City of Spokane Valley.
#4 – Spokane County Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) and Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP)
On Sept. 9, 2025, the Council received information about the HMP development process and next steps. The HMP is designed to reduce or eliminate the potential for loss of life and/or property damage from natural or human-caused hazards. The plan identified the risks and vulnerabilities presented across Spokane County and includes strategies and actions that can decrease the impact of hazards before they occur. Spokane Valley is one of 16 agencies within the County’s larger plan and Council provided direction in 2024 to participate in the current update that happens about every five years. Several city staff members contributed to development of the plan update.
The Council reached consensus for this item to return at a future meeting with a motion consideration to adopt the HMP and CWPP. The resolution formally adopts the Plan and allows the City to remain eligible for state and federal funding.
#2 – 2027 State Legislative Agenda Discussion
The city’s state lobbyist provided a 2027 legislative session preview and presented the initial draft of the 2027 State Legislative Agenda. Proposed funding requests include:
• Flora Park Riverview Trail and Wildfire Risk Reduction: $600,000 to construct the trail and complete wildfire risk reduction work
• Spokane Regional Transportation Management Center (TMC); Request that the Legislature permanently and fully fund the TMC
• Barker Road/I-90 Interchange (Mission to Appleway): $2.9 million to complete the design phase
• Sullivan/Trent Interchange: $7.5 million allocated to the FMSIB program to partially offset non-federal match dollars required
• And fully fund grant programs such as Safe Routes to School Program, Pedestrian and Bicycle Program and FMSIB program.
Council also reviewed potential policy statements under the categories of Public Safety and Behavioral Health, Housing Affordability, Local Decision-Making Authority and Fiscal Management. An updated draft agenda will be brought back before the Council next month.
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.