Resolution 09-007 Directing River Entry CITY OF SPOKANE VALLEY
SPOKANE COUNTY,WASHINGTON
RESOLUTION NO.09-007
A RESOLUTION TEMPORARILY DIRECTING THE PUBLIC NOT TO INTENTIONALLY
ENTER, SWIM, DIVE OR FLOAT, WITH OR WITHOUT A BOAT, RAFT, CRAFT OR
OTHER FLOTATION DEVICE, IN OR UPON THE WATER OF THE SPOKANE RIVER
FROM THE EASTERN BOUNDARY OF THE CITY TO BARKER BRIDGE IN THE CITY OF
SPOKANE VALLEY; AND OTHER MATTERS RELATED THERETO.
WHEREAS, the City may take appropriate action to protect the public health, safety and welfare
of its citizens pursuant to the Washington State Constitution, Article XI Section 11, and RCW
35A.11.020; and
WHEREAS,the Spokane River is currently running at high volume; and
WHEREAS, Barker Bridge is currently under construction, resulting in debris from the river
washing into and accumulating in the temporary bridge structure that could pose a risk of injury for those
in the river; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has received a request from Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie
Knezovich to restrict access to the Spokane River due to danger posed by the combination of the elevated
water levels in the Spokane River and the river debris accumulating around the temporary Barker Bridge.
These conditions pose a danger to any person entering the River, including rescue personnel; and
WHEREAS, on June 2, 2009, Spokane County adopted a Resolution containing substantially
identical restrictions and authorizations as those contained in this Resolution. A copy of Resolution 09-
0510 adopted by Spokane County on June 2, 2009 is attached to this Resolution.
NOW THEREFORE, be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Spokane Valley, Spokane
County, Washington,that the following temporary restrictions shall be in full force and effect:
Section 1.Restrictions on Access to Spokane River.
a. The public shall not intentionally enter, swim, dive or float, with or without a boat,
raft, craft, or other floating device, in or upon the water of the Spokane River from the eastern
boundary of the City to Barker Bridge.
b. The Spokane Valley Police Department is directed to take appropriate action to
enforce this Order for the public health safety and welfare.
c. The City of Spokane Valley Police Department will coordinate its actions in enforcing
this Order with the Spokane County Sheriff and other law enforcement agencies and jurisdictions
within Spokane County wherein the Spokane River flows.
Section 2. Duration of Restrictions on Access to Spokane River. This Resolution shall be
effective upon adoption, and shall continue in effect until the Spokane County Sheriff determines and
provides the City with written confirmation that the conditions giving rise this Resolution have abated.
Resolution 09-007 River Entry Page 1 of 2
At such time as the Spokane County Sheriff provides that written confirmation, the authority and
restrictions provided in this Resolution shall terminate.
Adopted this 2nd day of June, 2009.
City of Spoka - Valley
ia,
'layor Richa d Munson
A rV ►:
ity Clerk,Christine Ba bridge
Approved as to orm:
Office o' the City Mr ey
Resolution 09-007 River Entry Page 2 of 2
NO. q- 05/0
BEFORE THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF SPOKANE COUNTY, WASHINGTON
IN THE MATTER OF AN )
EMERGENCY ORDER DIRECTING )
THE PUBLIC NOT TO )
INTENTIONALLY ENTER, SWIM, )
DIVE OR FLOAT, WITH OR ) RESOLUTION
WITHOUT A BOAT, RAFT, CRAFT )
OR OTHER FLOTATION DEVICE, IN )
OR UPON THE WATER OF THE )
SPOKANE RIVER WITHIN THE )
UNINCORPORATED AREA OF )
SPOKANE COUNTY LOCATED )
BETWEEN THE BARKER ROAD )
BRIDGE AND THE HARVARD ROAD )
BRIDGE AND OTHER MATTERS )
RELATED THERETO )
The above entitled matter having come before the Board of County Commissioners of
Spokane County (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the `Board") for consideration at its
June 2, 2009 2:00 p.m. Consent Agenda at the request of Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie
Knezovich and the Board of County Commissioners after being briefed on the above matter
by Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich approved the following:
1. ORDERS the public not to intentionally enter, swim, dive or float, with or
without a boat, raft, craft, or other floating device, in or upon the water of the
Spokane River as it flows within the unincorporated area of Spokane County
between the Barker Road Bridge and the Harvard Road Bridge.
2. DIRECTS the Spokane County Sheriff to take appropriate action to enforce
this Order for the public health, safety and welfare.
3. REQUESTS the City of Spokane Valley and City of Liberty Lake take
appropriate actions, consistent with this resolution, and enter similar ORDERS
for that portion of the Spokane River as it flows within their corporate
boundaries between the Barker Road Bridge and the Harvard Road Bridge.
This ORDER shall be in effect until further notice by the Board of County Commissioners
based upon a recommendation of the Spokane County Sheriff.
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In taking the above action, the Board of County Commissioners enters the following
findings:
1. The Spokane River between the Harvard Road Bridge and the Barker Road
Bridge is extremely dangerous because of fast-moving water and debris
accumulating at the Barker Road Bridge construction site.
2. On Sunday, May 31, 2009, a woman was rescued by the Spokane Valley Fire
Department firefighters after becoming wedged in the debris at the Barker
Road Bridge construction site on the Spokane River while attempting to float
under the bridge in her raft which necessitated recue efforts by the Spokane
Valley Fire Department.
3. Although there are some signs warning boaters to take out well before the
Barker Road Bridge construction site on the Spokane River, some of the signs
are confusing and it is difficult to leave the river due to fast-moving water at
this time of the year.
4. This Order is being enacted pursuant to RCW 36.32.120(6) and RCW
36.32.120(7) as well as to protect the public health, safety and welfare of the
citizens of Spokane County as well as law enforcement/fire department
officials who may be involved in rescue efforts on the Spokane River between
the Barker Road Bridge and Harvard Road Bridge in the unincorporated area
of Spokane County. This Order shall not be effective on any portion of the
Spokane River between Barker Road Bridge and Harvard Road Bridge located
within the City of Spokane Valley.
5. Both the Spokane County Sheriff and the Spokane Valley Fire Department
recommend the enactment/passage of this resolution.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this Rile/ day of\J U(J , 2009.
c
of y4o r �;� N ; BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
• OF SPOKANE COUNTY, WASHINGTON
• E •
lf, •• • SAL . � i/ _
'‘k klArE co� = TODD MIEL C i
ATTEST:
YA..AkA(Uliadirl.A.t) CPbO 1/A
' RI a 'a, Vice Chair
Daniela Erickson
Clerk of the Board kat-9/6
ONNIE MAGER, Commissioner
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