This week’s Spokane Valley City Council meeting began with an invocation, the pledge of allegiance and approval of the following amended meeting agenda. Councilmember Wick was excused from the meeting.
PROCLAMATION
Mayor Padden presented a proclamation for Community Risk Reduction Week to Community Risk Reduction Captain Joe Cushner and Deputy Chief Karl Cantrell of the Spokane Valley Fire Department.
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 – First Reading: Franchise Ordinance 26-001 Forged Fiber 37 LLC
An administrative report on this topic was presented to Council on Jan. 6, 2026. AT&T Inc. is in the process of acquiring some fiber assets from Lumen Technologies, Inc.; their transaction is scheduled to be finalized in the next few months. Some of these telecommunication assets and facilities are located within the city’s rights-of-way. Forged Fiber 37, LLC, a subsidiary of AT&T, will receive some of the assets acquired from Lumen. There may be an expansion of the Forged Fiber network within Spokane Valley in the coming years. If approved, the franchise will be in effect for ten years, which is consistent with the city’s other telecommunication franchises.
A motion to advance Franchise Ordinance 26-001, granting a ten-year telecommunications franchise to Forged Fiber 37 LLC, to a second reading passed unanimously.
#2 – AWC Center for Quality Communities 2026 Year Award
The Association of Washington Cities (AWC) is accepting one nominee from each participating city for a scholarship to high school seniors throughout Washington. The chosen applicant’s application will be submitted to the AWC Center for Quality Communities Scholarship Committee for final review and selection. Staff reported on the public notification process and noted that one qualified application was received by the application deadline.
A motion to confirm the nomination of Ms. Chloe Nelson for the AWC Center for Quality Communities Scholarship passed unanimously.
#3 – Potential Grant Opportunity: BUILD FY26
An administrative report on this topic was presented to Council on Jan. 13, 2026. BUILD (Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development) is a program for the U.S. Department of Transportation for various transportation and stormwater projects. Critical program details such as match amount required, award range, application/award date and obligation date were discussed at the last meeting. Submitting an application for the Sullivan/Trent Interchange is recommended for this call for projects. This project’s engineering and right-of-way phases are fully funded, and construction is planned for 2027-2029, pending funding. The city’s request for the BUILD FY26 grant will be $24,959,696.
A motion to authorize the City Manager, or designee, to apply for the BUILD Fiscal Year 2026 grant for the Sullivan/Trent Interchange project in the amount of $24,959,696 passed with 5 votes in favor and 1 vote against.
#4 – Potential Grant Opportunity: Washington State Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board (FMSIB)
An administrative report on this topic was presented to Council on Jan. 13, 2026. FMSIB issued a call for projects and applications are due March 6, 2026. Projects must be located on or connected to designated strategic freight corridor to be eligible for funding. There is no local match required. The following projects and funding amounts are suggested:
- Sullivan/Trent Interchange: $8 million
- Barker/I-90 Interchange: $2 million for engineering, $1 million for right-of-way and $7 million for construction
- Argonne/I-90 Interchange: $10 million
A motion to authorize the City Manager, or designee, to apply to the FMSIB call for projects as identified in Table 1 passed with 5 votes in favor and 1 vote against.
#5 – Potential Grant Opportunity: National Highway Freight Program (NHFP)
An administrative report on this topic was presented to Council on Jan. 13, 2026. In late 2025, the Washington State Department of Transportation issued a request for regional priority freight projects for potential funding through the NHFP. This program requires a 13.5% local match. Staff recommend formal applications for the following projects:
- Sullivan/Trent Interchange: $3 million
- Barker/I-90 Interchange: $2 million
A motion to authorize the City Manager, or designee, to apply to the NHFP for the Sullivan/Trent Interchange and the Barker/I-90 Interchange project passed with 5 votes in favor and 1 vote against.
#6 – Interlocal Agreement (ILA) for Commute Trip Reduction (CTR)
An administrative report on this topic was presented to Council on Jan. 13, 2026. Per the Washington State law, employers with 100 or more full-time employees are required to implement a CTR program. The proposed ILA between Spokane County and Spokane Valley allows the CTR program to retain the city’s state-issued CTR funds in return for developing, implementing, and administering the CTR ordinance and plan for all affected employers within the City of Spokane Valley. There are 17 employers within the city with over 100 full-time employees.
A motion to authorize the execution of the 2025-2027 Interlocal Agreement for Spokane County Commute Trip Reduction Services passed unanimously.
NON-ACTION ITEMS
#7 – Cryptocurrency Discussion
Staff provided an overview of cryptocurrency, discussed fraud trends, and shared stories of impacted victims of cryptocurrency ATM fraud in Spokane Valley. There are an estimated 20 cryptocurrency ATMs in Spokane Valley. The group reviewed the city’s legal authority to regulate cryptocurrency ATMs, potential penalties and the role of law enforcement.
The Council reached consensus to place this item on a future agenda for an ordinance first reading.
#8 – Safe and Healthy Spokane Regional Task Force Update
In 2024, a regional task force was created by various stakeholders with the purpose of developing a regional vision and action plan in regards to public health, safety and justice in the Spokane region. In October 2025, the Council gave consensus for the city’s participation in this group. Deputy City Manager Lamb is part of the Task Force; he provided an update on the most recent meeting, which included discussions on developing a Behavioral Health and Justice Asset Assessment. A copy of the contracted consultant’s “Safe and Healthy Spokane Asset Assessment Report” was provided in the Council packet. Key themes identified include overburdened crisis response systems, challenges with court and justice partners reform, inconsistent reentry services, housing scarcity, staffing shortages in behavioral health fields and fragmented/incompatible data systems.
#9 – 2026 Legislative Session
The State legislative session began Jan. 12, 2026, and will adjourn March 12, 2026, unless extended. Staff and the city’s state lobbyist are actively monitoring and engaging on several dozen bills that align with the city’s 2026 State Legislative Agenda or could have an impact on city priorities and policies. Staff briefed Council about the automatic license plate reader bills (SB 6002 and HB 2332) and the short-term rentals bills (HB 1763 and SB 5576) and asked for direction on whether or not to take a position. Council provided direction to sign in as “other” on the ALPR bills and submit its feedback in writing. Council also directed staff to oppose the short-term rental bills due to the proposed tax increase. Staff also provided updates on several bills of interest, including:
- HB 2266/SB 6069 (STEP Housing)
- HB 2489 (Regulating use of public space)
- SB 5974, HB 1399/SB 5364 (modernizing and clarifying laws concerning sheriffs, police chiefs, town marshals, law enforcement agency volunteers, etc.)
- HB 2374 and SB 6110 (Concerning electric-assisted bicycle and motorcycle regulation)
- HB 1092 (amendments to Keeping Families Together Act).
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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