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2025, 06-24 Formal A MeetingMINUTES City of Spokane Valley City Council Regular Meeting Formal Format A Tuesday, June 24, 2025 Deputy Mayor Hattenburg called the meeting to order at 6 p.m. The meeting was held in person by Council and staff in Council Chambers, and also remotely via Zoom meeting. Attendance: Councilmembers Staff Tim Hattenburg, Deputy Mayor John Hohman, City Manager Laura Padden, Councilmember Erik Lamb, Deputy City Manager Jessica Yaeger, Councilmember Gloria Mantz, City Services Administrator Rod Higgins, Councilmember Tony Beattie, Sr. Deputy City Attorney Al Merkel, Councilmember John Bottelli, Parks & Rec Director Chelsie Walls, Finance Director Robert Blegen, Public Works Director Absent: Sean Walter, Assistant Police Chief Pam Haley, Mayor Virginia Clough, Legislative Policy Coordinator Ben Wick, Councilmember John Whitehead, Human Resources Director Jill Smith, Communications Manager Jerremy Clark, Chief Signal Technician Erica Amsden, CIP Engineering Manager Justan Kinsel, IT Specialist Marci Patterson, City Clerk INVOCATION: Pastor Maria Figart, Spokane valley Assembly of God gave the invocation PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Council, staff and the audience stood for the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL City Clerk Patterson called roll; all Councilmembers were present except Mayor Haley and Councilmember Wick. It was moved by Councilmember Yaeger, seconded and unanimously agreed to excuse Mayor Haley and Councilmember Wick. APPROVAL OF AGENDA It was moved by Councilmember Higgins, seconded and unanimously agreed to approve the agenda. INTRODUCTION OF SPECIAL GUESTS AND PRESENTATIONS n/a PROCLAMATIONS: America's 250"' Celebration Deputy Mayor Hattenburg read the proclamation and RaeAnna Victor and Cindy Lundberg with the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) accepted the proclamation and spoke about events coming to the area to celebrate. After the proclamation, Deputy Mayor Hattenburg provided a brief statement regarding Mayor Haley and she was taking a brief medical leave of absence. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT OPPORTUNITY: After Deputy Mayor Hattenburg explained the process, he invited comments from the public. Mr. Ben Lund, Spokane Valley; Mr. John Harding, Spokane Valley; Mr. Bob West, Spokane Valley; Mr. Rick Freier, Spokane Valley provided general comments. CONSENT AGENDA: Council Meeting Minutes, Formal: 06-24-2025 Page 1 of 4 Approved by Council: 07-08-2025 1. Consent Agenda: Consists of items considered routine which are approved as a group. Any member of Council may ask that an item be removed from the Consent Agenda to be considered separately. Proposed Motion: I move to approve the Consent Agenda. a. Approval of Claim Vouchers, June 24, 2025, Request for Council Action Form: $3,223,513.55. b. Approval of Payroll for Pay Period ending June 15, 2025: $663,958.15. c. Approval of Payroll for Pay Period ending May 31, 2025: $733,525.41. d. Approval of Resolution 25-011 Banking Authority It was moved by Councilrnen7ber Higgins, seconded to approve the Consent Agenda. Councilmember Merkel questioned the designated signatory for the city and requested to remove the item and consider it separately. City Manager Hohman noted that all the signers were the same and that the only update was a last name change for the Finance Director. Councilmember Higgins brought back the motion on the table. Vote by acclamation: in favor: Deputy Mayor Hattenburg, Councilnetnbers Higgins, Yaeger, and Padden. Opposed: Councilmember Merkel. Motion carried ACTION ITEMS: 2. Ordinance 25-011: Second Read: Reckless Endangerment w/a Controlled Substance - Kelly Konkrig_ht After City Clerk Patterson read the Ordinance title, it was moved by Councilmember Higgins and seconded to adopt Ordinance 25-011, related to Endangerment with a Controlled Substance. Mr. Beattie explained the ordinance and noted what it applied to and defined what a controlled substance pertained to in the ordinance. He also noted the offense level as listed in the ordinance. Mr. Beattie spoke about the updated changes and noted they removed the changes for cannabis and prescription medication language. Mr. Beattie spoke about the penalty for violations, which would be up to 364 days in jail and a $5,000 fine and noted that there was also updated language pertaining to a first offense violation. Deputy Mayor Hattenburg invited public comments. No public comments were offered. Councilmember Padden questioned adding language regarding adults that were inadvertently exposed. Mr. Beattie noted that he would need to research that language and come back with more information at a later meeting. Deputy Mayor Hattenburg moved to table the motion. Vote by acclamation on tabling the motion: in favor Deputy Mayor Hattenburg, Councilmemtbers Padden, Yaeger and Merkel. Opposed: Councilnetttber Higgins. Motion carried 3. Motion Consideration: 16th & Bowdish Intersection — Robert Blegen Erica Amsden Jeffemy Clark It was moved by Counciltnember Higgins, seconded to authorize the City Manager to finalize and execute the attached change order with Liberty Concrete LLC in the amount of $408,250.53. Mr. Lamb opened the discussion with a disclaimer noting that there is pending litigation and staff would not be speaking about the history of the location. Ms. Amsden, Mr. Clark, and Mr. Blegen provided a presentation with a PowerPoint that included background on the original roundabout project, the 2024 roundabout construction, the 2024/2025 construction improvements, the proposed change order revisions, recommendations and next steps. Ms. Amsden spoke about the poor driver behavior and what was added after the roundabout completion to try and correct driver behavior. Even after the additions, there was still speeding and poor driver behavior. Mr. Blegen spoke about the costs associated with the project itself and noted that with changes, it is still under a million -dollar project. Council discussed why the project didn't meet the criteria for a stop light, the fund that the project budget is, what was included in the added costs and if there had been any major or fatal accidents since the roundabout had been installed. Mr. Blegen noted that there had not been any major or fatal accidents since the installation of the roundabout. Deputy Mayor Hattenburg invited public comments. Daryl Williams, Spokane Valley; John Harding, Spokane Valley; Mike Dolan, Spokane Valley; Debbie Schrock, Spokane Valley; Ben Lund, Spokane Valley; Catherine Nelson, Spokane Valley; Joseph Ghodsee, Spokane Valley all provided comments. Vote by acclamation: in favor: Deputy Mayor Hattenburg, Councilnerttbers Padden, Yaeger and Higgins. Opposed: Councilmember Merkel. Motion carried 4. Motion Consideration: COPS Grant — Erik Lamb It was inoved by Counciltnember Higgins, seconded to authorize the City Manager or designee to execute and submit all required documents to apply for the 2025 Connnunity Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Hiring Program (CHP) grant through the U.S. Department of Justice for hiring up to ten additional officers, Council Meeting Minutes, Formal: 06-24-2025 Page 2 of 4 Approved by Council: 07-08-2025 and for the Deputy Mayor to sign the letter of support to be provided with the application; or take any other action deemed appropriate. Mr. Lamb and Mr. Walter provided details on the grant opportunity and the match requirements. Mr. Lamb also noted that there is a need for the ballot measure to pass in order to access the grant if awarded. Mr. Lamb stated that the request included a letter of support for the grant. Council discussed if there was an option to take a portion of the grant funds if awarded and Mr. Lamb noted that council would need to have further discussions regarding the funds once the ballot measure was voted on. Deputy Mayor Hattenburg invited public comments. Mike Dolan, Spokane Valley provided comment. Vote by acclamation: in fmn or.- Unanimous. Opposed: None. Motion carried. 5. Motion Consideration: JPRA MOU — Erik Lamb It was moved by Councilmember Higgins, seconded to approve the Memorandum of Understanding with JPRA for training within Spokane Valley in substantially the form presented; or take other action deetned appropriate. Mr. Lamb provided a brief history on the memorandum of understanding and noted that there were not any changes from when it was previously presented. The MOU is for training purposes and will allow for appropriate communication regarding the training events within the city. Deputy Mayor Hattenburg invited public comments; no comments were offered. Vote by acclamation: in fcn,or.- Unanimous. Opposed: None. Motion carried. 6. Motion Consideration: Potential Sale of Real Property — Gloria Mantz It was moved by Councilmember Higgins, seconded to authorize the City Manager to finalize and execute any documents necessary to sell the Best Road Property in the amount of $340, 000 and pay applicable closing costs. Ms. Mantz provided details on the property at Best Rd and the history of the city getting the property. Ms. Mantz noted that the city received a full price offer on the property and provided details on previous costs associated with the property. Deputy Mayor Hattenburg invited public comments; no comments were offered. Vote by acclamation: in fervor: Unanimous. Opposed: None. Motion carried NON ACTION ITEMS: 7. Admin Report: Gabriel's Challenge — Kitara Johnson -Jones, Gloria Mantz Ms. Mantz introduced Dr. Velazquez, Spokane County Health Officer and he provided an introduction to Ms. Kitara Johnson -Jones. Ms. Johnson- Jones provided a PowerPoint presentation on Gabriel's Challenge. Gabriel was Ms. John -Jones son that she recently lost to a fentanyl overdose. After his passing she found a 66-page plan called "COME -UNITY care collaborative" that is a detailed vision for building a one -stop location for all service needs for those seeking assistance from drugs. Ms. Johnson -Jones provided details on the overdose numbers and the need for connecting services, noting that we can't do it all but can do something. She noted that there is not a location for youth detox and a delay in the designation crisis responders, and there are transportation barriers for youth and pregnant women. Ms. Johnson -Jones provided details on proposed solutions and modeling what is currently working in the Columbia Basin Valley Center for Recovery. Council spoke about the insurance barriers for youth and the need to be able to assist the youth in our communities. They also spoke about how families are torn apart by the fentanyl crisis on a daily basis. Deputy Mayor Hattenburg thanked Ms. Johnson- Jones for her powerful message and noted that staff would be looking into how the city can assist in the future. 8. Admin Report: Fireworks Enforcement — Assistant Chief Walter Assistant Police Chief Walter provided a PowerPoint presentation that included an overview of the SVMC Ch 7.15, the fireworks calls for service for the last five years, and the calls for service on the 4th of July for the last five years as well. The Assistant Police Chief went over the fireworks enforcement as well and the prioritization of call types. He noted that they are co -deploying with the fire department and taking a more proactive approach this year during the 4`1 and hopefully be able to educate and enforce when out on a fireworks call. Council noted that the education piece is valuable, and information needs to be given to the public. Mr. Walter noted that the fire department does have an active ad campaign going and would look into what the police department could do. INFORMATION ONLY (will not be reported or discussed) Council Meeting Minutes, Formal: 06-24-2025 Page 3 of 4 Approved by Council: 07-08-2025 8. Department Monthly Reports 9. Fire Dept Monthly Report GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT OPPORTUNITY: After Mayor Haley explained the process, she invited comments from the public. Mike Dolan, Spokane Valley; Daryl Williams, Spokane Valley; Mike Kelly, Spokane Valley provided comment. COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS Councilmember Yaeger: attended a meeting a couple weeks ago with Spokane Councilmember Cathcart, a Chamber Showcase event at Arbor Crest, and attended a Vanessa Behan luncheon. Councilmember Padden: attended the Arbor Crest event as well and will attend the Chamber meeting in the morning. Councilmember Higgins: stated that he had nothing to report. Councilmember Merkel attended a board meeting of a water district in our area, will attend a board meeting tomorrow morning for West Valley School Board. MAYOR'S REPORT The Deputy Mayor did not have anything to add to his report. ADVANCE AGENDA Councilmember Merkel requested a report adding the various findings of Gabriel's Challenge to the lobbying agenda for 2026. City Manager Hohman stated that there was a lot of material to sort through and work with our lobbyist to work up a future presentation when we develop the state legislative agenda. Councilmember Yaeger requested a review of the regulations on autonomous cars and the safety of the vehicles. Council provided consensus to move that request forward. Councilmember Merkel questioned the removal of the toys at Orchard Ave Park. City Manager Hohman noted that the council previously received a report on that and would send out the video and that it was the airport board who made the presentation. Councilmember Merkel asked about Vista and Park area south of Trent and said there were citizens concerned about plans to close vista for work on park in the future. City Manager Hohman stated that there are no current projects to bridge the valley at Park Rd. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS City Manager Hohman noted that there is information posted on the city's website regarding education on illegal fireworks in Spokane County. Mr. Hohman also noted that there is no council meeting on the I" and the next meeting will be on July 8t1' EXECUTIVE SESSION It was moved by Deputy Mayor Hattenburg, seconded and unanimously agreed to adjourn at 8: Ilp. m. A IST: jai Marci atterson, City Clerk &��J/IAXA Pam Haley, Mayor Council Meeting Minutes, Formal: 06-24-2025 Approved by Council: 07-08-2025 Page 4 of 4 PUBLIC COMMENT SIGN -IN SHEET SPOKANE VALLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING Tuesday, June 24, 2025 6:00 p.m. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT OPPORTUNITY #1 Please sign up to speak for up to THREE minutes and the Mayor will afford the public the opportunity to speak. The public comment opportunity is limited to a maximum of 45 minutes. You may only speak at one of the comment opportunities, not at both public comment opportunities. NAME PLEASE PRINT TOPIC YOU WILL SPEAK ABOUT FOUR CITY OF RESIDENCE Bcn UndG� 5VVeAAi6_ �A CtL rh Please note that once information is entered on this form, it becomes a public record subject to public disclosure. 6/24/2025 1 7 .�J4�Irf 7�iis, t;l�lh��rel FENSLER March 2, 2001 - March 3, 2025 In August of 2024, Gabriel sent his mom, Kitara Johnson -Jones a 66-page plan called the COME -UNITY Care Collaborative, a detailed vision for r;. building a one -stop location for all needs. That plan later became the foundation of 1! `' Gabriel's Challenge. 1 6/24/2025 Gabriel's '.. Challenge Gabriel's Challenge: "N A 36-Day Family- Centered Community Response to the Fentanyl Crisis Why It Matters: Washington State is losing lives to fentanyl every day —and our existing systems are overwhelmed, Pip., fragmented, disconnected or inaccessible to many who desperately need it. Gabriel's Challenge shows what's possible when the community is connected with a common purpose and intentional presence. I. Overview Gabriel's Challenge is a 36-day grassroots response to Spokane's fentanyl crisis, rooted in unity, compassion, ` and coordinated community action. Named for 24-year-old Gabriel Fensler, who died from fentanyl I poisoning in March 2025, the Challenge mobilized families, leaders, and neighbors across Spokane County to take action. L '% % Rather than forming another task force, it empowered everyday people —parents, business owners, clinicians, educators, nonprofits, and youth —to reclaim public space, build connection, educate themselves about fentanyl, barriers to care, and the system of care, recovery, and pursue practical, sustainable solutions together. j'. II. Three Pillars of Gabriel's Challenge 1. Educate yourself 2. Engage in community with empathy 3. Be Empowered to take action III. Key Gaps Identified Youth Detox Services: Eastern Washington lacks a secure withdrawal management center for youth. The cost to run to run the one facility with minimal staffing was approximately$1 million annually. Fully staffed, it requires $1.3 million per year. Without proper financial support, these lifesaving services cannot continue. If we consider investing in our youth "too expensive," we risk normalizing inaction —and that is unacceptable. Designated Crisis Responders (DCRs) Unreasonable threshold set and sole contracting to one agency for the entire county. Transportation Barriers Youth and pregnant women -Services for both populations are unavailable in Eastern Washington. When an individual is ready, transportation and available beds may not be. 4 Legal Framework and Access Complexity Navigating behavioral health services in Washington State is complex. Even when a family is ready to act, the system's structure is hard to understand — especially for a young person In crisis. The process is overwhelming for a sober adult, let alone a youth struggling with substance use. The typical pathway involves: • Determine insurance coverage— manyyouth are disconnected from their families. • Contact the insurance provider or Managed Care Organization (MCO). • Request a Behavioral Health or SUD assessment —often scheduled weeks out, with strict rescheduling policies. • Secure a referral to inpatient or outpatient services— a process unfamiliar to most families. • Navigate legal consent laws. • Confirm program availability. • Complete paperwork, determine coverage, and manage logistics — requiring reliable internet and phone access. • Locate assistance —often under confusing names or acronyms, such as "Healthcare System Assistance." • Seek aftercare or ongoing support. Each step introduces delays and uncertainty. Without trained navigators, families are left to struggle through a maze of systems. 6/24/2025 5 Key Gaps Identified Consent and Legal Risks Youth aged 15 can legally refuse behavioral health orsubstance use treatment, even when parents seek it. Youth aged 13 can prevent parents from accessing their health records. While intended to protect youth autonomy, these laws can become life -threatening during a crisis involving fentanyl or co-occurring mental health conditions. Family -Initiated Treatment (FIT) FIT allows families to pursue treatment for their children, but it is rarely discussed or understood. The steps include: • Find a provider that supports FIT. • Submit a formal request. Complete an evaluation and receive a determination for inpatient admission. Arrange transportation and coordinate admission —while managing legal rights and potential resistance. Most families are unaware ofthis option until it is too late. Proposed To addres e! u��@?ntgaps while respecting diverse political perspectives and fiscal prio 6}r6k11Q[.b�rtty stakeholders can consider thefollowing collaborative, values -based strategies: 1. Fund the Existing Youth Withdrawal Management Facility Operational Costs and Co -locate services from multiple organizations. • Public -Private Partnerships: Leverage collaboration between state health agencies, local hospitals, nonprofits, and philanthropic foundations to share operational costs. • Performance -Based Funding: Use outcomes -based reimbursement models to ensure taxpayer funds support effective care. • Legislative Appropriations: Encourage bipartisan state -level investment in rural youth behavioral health infrastructure. 2. Expand Designated Crisis Responder (DCR) Capacity • Train More DCRs: Offer regional incentives forworkforce recruitment and training. • Allow Licensed Independent Practitioners to Initiate Referrals: Modify policy so other licensed providers can trigger referrals under supervision. • Lower the threshold so that lives can be saved. 3. Improve Navigation and Family Access • County -Level Youth Navigators: Fund culturally responsive, family -centered navigators for youth SUD/MH support through local government or MCO partnerships. • Single Point -of -Entry System: Establish a centralized intake and triage line for youth behavioral health —modeled after successful Adult Access Lines. 4. Clarify and Reform Youth Consent Laws • Informed Autonomy Reform: Review state law to ensure youth safety while preserving rights —allow parental reengagement during crisis situations. Program and System Gaps • Programs often bill Medicaid Fee -for -Service with little accountability for long-term outcomes. • Clients are frequently discharged from treatment for behaviors tied to their diagnosis. • Aftercare support is limited or missing altogether. • Peer workers often lack training in SUD-specific recovery. Washington State offers an SUD Peer curriculum, but many peer workers are placed without it --or without lived experience — reducing effectiveness. System Fragmentation Behavioral health, education, housing, and justice systems function in silos. Families must navigate disconnected services with no unified support. Justice System Challenges Spokane Municipal Courtjudge, Gloria Ochoa-Burke, report that access to secure treatment placements is limited. Rickys Law, intended to provide involuntary treatment options, is nearly impossible to implement In Eastern Washington due to a lack of infrastructure to support it. S. Statewide Education Campaign: Equip families, educators, and medical providers with clarity on minor consent laws and FIT options. 6. Support Family -Initiated Treatment (FIT) Access • Fund FIT Navigators: Assign case managers specifically for families pursuing FIT. • Standardize FIT Process: Create a county toolkit that simplifies FIT steps and provider access for parents, guardians, and caregivers. 7. Hold Programs Accountable and Center Recovery • Outcome -Based Medicaid Billing: Incentivize programs to retain clients, not discharge them for symptoms of their disorder. • Require SUD Peer Training: Ensure Peer Workers serving youth/adults with addiction complete the appropriate SUD credentialing. S. Align Systems Across Sectors • Create a Cross -Sector Task Network: Forma coalition of leaders from housing, justice, education, and healthcare to address sliced care. Data -Sharing Agreements: Use privacy -safe data exchangesto track outcomes and close care loops. 3 6/24/2025 Gabriel's Challenge: Examples of System Responsibility 1 y ■, M��■ ■� 11 ifu _ mM1aM1,c " nb<nt,nl,o e�mau Ior po one vuerc SCAao!a eoarap M1h mentor. 7 SPOKANE TREATMENT & RECOVERY SERVICES (STARS) OUTPATIENT ADDICTION TREATMENT PROGRAM • ■ ///Crimrnalputice r Sell-relcrtal y NarJudge) STARS Category Responsible Parties Youth Delox Access State Legislature, County Behavioral Health, Youth Programs Involuntary Treatment Infrastructure State Legislature, Department of Health, Behavioral Health Organizations Family -Initialed Treatment (FIT) Families, Healthcare Providers, Schools, Faith Leaders, Legal Advocates Transportation Borders State and Regional Transportation Authorities, Medicaid, Lawmakers Recovery Workforce Certification Health CareAuthority, Peer Certification Boards, Medicaid Aftercare and Recidivism Prevention Treatment Centers, Medicaid, Nonprofit Recove Modeling What's Working We have an emerging practice in our STARS program and we can invest in supportive operational infrastructure. In contrast, we found a working model in Central Washington. The Columbia Valley Center for Recovery provides what Spokane is missing: a fully integrated, 24/7 facility where someone can walk inter be brought in —and receive detox, stabilization, and continued care in one location. No wrong door. No wrong time. And no delay. Spokane County has the ingredients for success and we need to integrate [hem 1 AdulFonty—no youth detox What We've Learned fromGabriel's or stabilization programs Challenge — and What's Working HOW COLUMBIA VALLEY CENTER FOR RECOVERY WORKS Intensive outpatient only —no 2 W. What's Different About Columbia residential care is offered Valley Center for Recovery Walk -In ` on-saa ono<a (509Recovery.org) � Inpatient 3 Admittance requires prior approval or meeting eligibility criteria Unlike STARS in Spokane, which is Arrival by COLUMBIA � Treatment working towards staffing a physician in delayed due Law VALLEY CENTER Outpatient Noon -site crisis stabilization services 4 resulting care to ER diversions, the Columbia Valley Center Enforcement � FOR RECOVERY Services for Recovery offers: Arrival by WORKS 5 Limited capacity results In longer watt Times • A "No Wrong Door" model for law y EMS Jt Crisis Stabilization enforcement diversion. / • Integrated detox, residential, and Court Referral Transitional Housing outpatient care. • Peer -led navigation and wraparound re-entry planning. 6/24/2025 VI. Key Differences: Comparison: Columbia Valley Center vs. STARS (Spokane) P,.g,.n, Offering. No -Wrong -Door Columbia Valley Center Yes - broad access regardless of entry No - requires referraVeligibllily SWMS (Involuntary Delox) Yes - Includes both voluntary and lnvolu No - only voluntary adult delox Crisis Stabilization Lounge Yes - 23-hour observation area No - only sobering (triage) up to 24 hou Youth SUD Services Planned in future phases No youth -specific programs Accessibility Open -access, all -payer system Closed-refena1, targeted demographics Scale & Integration Large, campus -style, multi -service Clinlclfacility-based, smaller scale Why This Matters for Spokane • Accessibility: Columbia Valley provides true open -access, 24/7 crisis and detox care —Including involuntary care —while STARS remains adult -only and referral -based. • Youth Recieve Equal Support: Spokane has no equivalent facility —no youth SWMS, no involuntary entry point. • Model to Replicate: Columbia Valley's comprehensive model is what Spokane needs to build —a coordinated system that meets families where they are. Free —by Ki9ar _' OnM, Gab'WN Mom Co -Founder, oabdel's Challenge 10 ark you Gabriel's Challenge Our Community Response Against Fentanyl Ga b nelsCh a I le nge.org Yaegeraccount is a violation of policy and the Public Records Act —then why aren't they suing • Because this was never aboutpolicy. It was never about records. This was aboutpolitics. This is about selective enforcement, plain and simple. It's about targeting people the establishment doesn't like, while protecting _own allies• matterthey • i That's _ accountability. That's • ethics. abuse of power. And it should alarm every resident who thinks their honest — because if hey can invent r standard .. i i• after one the law equally,councilmember and ignore it for another, then the law means nothing. So to this council and to the public, I ask: Do we apply only when it's politically • r if not willing to enforce- on ThankCouncilwoman Yaeger, then this entire case is a fraud. And the people of Spokane Valley deserve to know that. you. � `1 [vetMM a 0 L posts Photos Jessica Rider -Yaeger 1 few monthsago I brought forward .► resolution • that Spokane Valley is not .' because Washington's. •; + put our city's access to federal grant funding at risk - funding that siinfrastructure • services all paid by youra. dollars. Ensuring the safety of our citizens starts with unholdina the law. Fxnectinn Deonle to enter mum 2 Posts Photos Councilmember JessicaYaeger QF CommissionerJordan others. - Follow May 27 - Q Urgent message: Spokane's $57M Utility Tax Grab; Reaching into Spokane Valley I s Wallet - My response comments 7 shares 1.9K viers Gpj Like 0 Comment & Send 40Share 4=9 Compass LLC is Care with ICCU as, E { Greater Spokane Valley Chamber :.. Commerce at Revel r, is Spokane. oi More about _ networking v City Council Speech — June 24, 2025 Good evening, Councilmembers, Deputy Mayor Hattenburg, and City Leadership: We truly live in one of the best cities in Washington —no question. And like everyone else, we've felt the impact of one of the most inflationary periods in our lifetimes. Every household, every business, and yes — even our city's finances —have been affected. So let's not "throw the baby out with the bathwater." I'm referring to the wave of negativity that continues to circulate in public discourse —often connected to Councilmember M statements and echoed by others in the community. They're pointing to a projected $1.3 million deficit as proof of mismanagement. That number may sound alarming —until you realize it's less than 1 % of next year's $149 million budget. Is it a problem? Yes. Is it a crisis? No. is it a reason to diSiiiaiitic our %uiiciit form of government? Absoiutcly not. A responsible city re-evaluates its budget when circumstances change. That's what real leadership looks like. It doesn't mean we're failing. It means those we elected are facing real challenges —and we need them, along with our city staff, to work together toward practical solutions. That's also why accountability is so critical. When everyone —especially elected officials —follows the rules, the law, and the governance manual, we avoid costly waste. It's deeply disappointing how much taxpayer money —over $350,000-25% , 1/4 of the deficit --has already been spent, and continues to be spent, just to enforce compliance from one member of this council. In times like these, our focus must be on solutions —not distractions, not lawsuits, and certainly not political power plays. Let's stay grounded in facts —not distracted by political efforts to push a strong mayor system with Councilmemlber M as mayor. That proposal would dramatically shift how Spokane Valley functions —and not for the better. Let's be clear:. Our city is not sick. It is growing. It is resilient. And it is worth defending. This city is well -managed —under the steady leadership of City Manager John Hohman. I'm thankful for his work and the commitment of this Council and city staff to protect what we've built, while planning wisely for the future. Lastly, we wish Mayor Haley a full and speedy recovery. Thank you. fill IrLvel I [Amh OJJI\ ■1Jf1 •ay r