Spokane Valley Council Notes: Tuesday, Jan. 6 Meeting Recap

This week’s Spokane Valley City Council meeting began with the pledge of allegiance and approval of an amended meeting agenda to allow for Council comments.

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 – Council Officer Selections
Every two years, at the first meeting of the year, Councilmembers are required to select a presiding officer from their number, who then receives the title of Mayor. Following the selection of Mayor, the group selects a Deputy Mayor. The City Clerk described the details of the council officer selection process.
Councilmember Laura Padden was selected by majority to serve as Mayor and Councilmember Tim Hattenburg to serve as Deputy Mayor for 2026 and 2027.
Watch the presentation and view the memo and supporting documents.

NON-ACTION ITEMS

#2 – Franchise Ordinance 26-001 Forget Fiber 37, LLC
Staff provided background information on a franchise between the City and a utility provider which governs the utility provider’s use of public rights-of-way. AT&T Inc. (“AT&T”) recently acquired some fiber assets from Lumen Technologies, Inc. (“Lumen”). The deal is set to close in the coming months.  Some of the assets and associated facilities are located within the city’s rights-of-way. Forged Fiber 37, LLC (“Forged Fiber”) is a subsidiary of AT&T, and will receive some of the assets acquired from Lumen. The City may see an expansion of the Forged Fiber network in the coming years.  There was discussion about the protections afforded to city streets by the franchise, municipal code, and pavement cut policy. AT&T has reviewed and has agreed to the draft franchise terms. If approved, the franchise will be in effect for ten years, which is consistent with the city’s other telecommunication franchises.
The Council reached consensus to place proposed Ordinance 26-001 on a future agenda for a first reading.
Watch the presentation and view the memo and supporting documents.

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. Councilmembers are Mayor Pam Haley, Deputy Mayor Tim Hattenburg, Councilmember Rod Higgins, Councilmember Jessica Yaeger, Councilmember Al Merkel, Councilmember Ben Wick and Councilmember Laura Padden. 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.