This week’s Spokane Valley City Council meeting began with an invocation, the pledge of allegiance and approval of the following 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 – Public Hearing: (1) Interim Ordinance 26-002, Emergency Ordinance Prohibiting Battery Energy Storage Systems within the City
The Council adopted Interim Ordinance 26-002 on Feb. 3, 2026, prohibiting Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) from locating or being developed within the city. Staff outlined the previously discussed findings of fact regarding BESS as an emerging type of energy storage technology, facilities not currently addressed in Spokane Valley Municipal Code (SVMC), safety and public health risks and the time needed to adequately study if BESS facilities are compatible with certain uses and zoning designations.
#2 – Resolution 26-003 Reaffirming Ordinance 26-002 and the Findings of Fact Therein
Related to agenda item #1, a motion to approve Resolution 26-003 reaffirming the findings of fact adopted in Interim Ordinance 26-002 passed with 6 votes in favor and 1 vote against.
#3 – Public Hearing: (1) Emergency Interim Ordinance 26-004 Reclassifying Marijuana Retail Sales Uses as Nonconforming
The Council adopted Emergency Interim Ordinance 26-004 on Feb. 3, 2026, Reclassifying Marijuana Retail Sales Uses as Nonconforming, which amends portions of Title 19 of the Spokane Valley Municipal Code (SVMC) to make marijuana retail sales uses a legal nonconforming use subject to chapter 19.25 SVMC on an interim basis. Staff outlined the previously presented findings of fact supporting the emergency finding and adoption of the interim regulation.
#4 – Resolution 26-004 Reaffirming Ordinance 26-004 and the Findings of Fact Therein
Related to agenda item #3, a motion to approve Resolution 26-004 reaffirming the findings of fact adopted in Interim Ordinance 26-004 passed with 5 votes in favor and 2 votes against.
NON-ACTION ITEMS
#5 – Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) North Spokane Corridor Update
WSDOT Project Engineer Alex Proszek provided a summary of the North Spokane Corridor project’s current progress and upcoming key developments. She shared examples of how community input has influenced the design of the pedestrian bridge as part of the Freya to Appleway portion of the project.
#6 – Spokane Regional Continuum of Care (CoC) HMIS/Longitudinal System Analysis Report
City of Spokane Community, Housing and Human Services Department Director Arielle Anderson presented the Longitudinal System Analysis (LSA), which is an annual report submitted by Continuums of Care (CoCs) to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that analyzes how people engage with homeless services over time. It tracks data from the Homeless Management Information System to measure system performance and various metrics. This report presented data from the Spokane region from Oct. 1, 2024 to Sept. 30, 2025.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Council adjourned into Executive Session to discuss potential litigation. No action was taken upon return to open session.
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. Visit the city’s website at SpokaneValleyWA.gov.