2025, 04-29 Formal B MeetingMINUTES
City of Spokane Valley
City Council Meeting
Formal B Format
Tuesday, April 29, 2025
Mayor Haley called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. The meeting was held in person in Council Chambers,
and also remotely via Zoom meeting.
Attendance:
Councilmembers
Staff
Pam Haley, Mayor
John Hohman, City Manager
Tim Hattenburg, Deputy Mayor
Erik Lamb, Deputy City Manager
Rod Higgins, Councilmember
Chelsie Walls, Finance Director
Laura Padden, Councilmember
Gloria Mantz, City Services Administrator
Jessica Yaeger, Councilmember
Kelly Konkright, City Attorney
Ben Wick, Councilmember
John Bottelli, Parks & Rec Director
Al Merkel, Councilmember
Robert Blegen, Public Works Director
Jill Smith, Communications Manager
Tony Beattie, Senior Deputy City Attorney
Sean Walter, Assistant Police Chief
John Whitehead, HR Director
Mike Basinger, Economic Development Director
Steve Roberge, Planning Manager
Dan Domrese, Accounting Manager
Lori Barlow, Senior Planner
Justan Kinsel, IT Specialist
Marci Patterson, City Clerk
INVOCATION:
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Council, staff and the audience stood for the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL: City Clerk Patterson called roll; all Councihnembers were present.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA It was moved by Deputy Mayor Hattenburg, seconded and unanimously
agreed to approve the agenda.
SPECIAL GUESTS/PRESENTATIONS:
PROCLAMATIONS:
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT OPPORTUNITY: After Mayor Haley explained the process, she
invited public comments. Bob West, Spokane Valley; Laura Renz, Spokane; Jim Rowse, Spokane Valley;
John Harding, Spokane Valley all provided comments on various topics.
ACTION ITEMS:
1. Resolution 25-008: Camera Policy — Erik Lamb
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Hattenburg, seconded and to pass Resolution No. 25-008 adopting a security
camera use policy. Mr. Lamb provided details on Resolution 25-008 for the camera use policy that included
an overview on where cameras will be placed in the parks and throughout the city, a record of who is
accessing the camera footage and cameras, and a footage retention schedule. Mr. Lamb also spoke about the
need for cameras, such as safety in the parks and protecting our assets in the parks. Council discussed the
third party access to the information and footage, limiting the views of the camera angles, and if code
Council Meeting Minutes: 04-29-2025 Page 1 of 4
Approved by Council: 07-08-2025
enforcement would utilize the camera footage for code violation complaints. Mayor Haley invited public
comment. John Harding, Spokane Valley provided comment. Vote by acclamation: in favor: Unanimous.
Opposed: None. Motion carried
2. Resolution 25-009: Surplus Property — Chelsie Walls, Dan Domrese
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Hattenburg and seconded to approve Resolution 25-009 declaring as surplus
certain personal property of the City. Ms. Walls, Finance Director and Mr. Domrese, Accounting Manager
provided details on the need for the items to be suplused. Council did not have any questions or comments.
Mayor Haley invited public comments; no comments were offered. Vote by acclamation: in favor:
Unanimous. Opposed: None. Motion carried.
3. Motion Consideration: Appoint Pro/Con Committee Members — Erik Lamb Mayor Haley
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Hattenburg and seconded to approve move to confirm the Mayoral
appointments to the Pro and Con Statement Cormnittees for the Public Safety Sales Tax Ballot Measure as
listed below: Pro Committee: Schade demeson-David Maghan, Cary Driskell, Melinda Seymour. Con
Committee: Rodney Tadlock. Mr. Lamb spoke about the requirements for forming the committees and noted
that Mr. Maghan withdrew his name as he moved out of the city and would no longer be participating in the
committee. Mayor Haley invited public comment; no comments were provided. Councilmember Merkel
stated that this tax was a huge mistake. Councilmember Yaeger poised a point of order and noted that this
was for the pro/con committee formation and not a vote on the tax. Mayor Haley agreed. It was moved by
Deputy Mayor Hattenburg and seconded to call for the question. Vote by acclamation on calling for the
question: in favor: Mayor Haley, Deputy Mayor Hattenburg, Councilrnembers Higgins, Merkel, Padden and
Yaeger. Opposed.• Councilmember Wick. Motion carried. Mayor Haley called for a vote on the original
motion. Vote by acclamation: in favor: Unanimous. Opposed: None. Motion carried.
7. Admin Report: Resolution 25-010: Spokane Housing Authority Bond - Gloria Mantz
Ms. Mantz introduced John Chadburn, Director of Asset Management with Spokane Housing Authority. Ms.
Mantz and Mr. Chadburn reviewed the process of issuing its revenue bonds for the affordable housing units
that will be located at 9910 E. Appleway Blvd. Mr. Chadburn went over the project details for the 240-unit
affordable housing project and noted that due to an IRS code there is a requirement of the approval of the
issuance of the revenue bonds. Ms. Mantz noted that with city approval it does not obligate the city with any
financial responsibilities for the bonds or any financial liability for SHA's repayment of the bonds. Council
provided consensus to return at a future meeting with a motion consideration to approve the resolution.
NON -ACTION ITEMS
4. Admin Report: STV-2025-0001 Update — Lori Barlow
Ms. Barlow provided a PowerPoint presentation on the Appleway Alley street vacation that included details
on the location of the requested street vacation, the adjacent property ownership, the applicants reason for
the street vacation request, the process for the vacation, the public hearing, noticing, the agency comment
and conditions, the existing utilities in the Right -of -Way, and the city department comments. Council
provided consensus to move forward with the Ordinance first reading at a future meeting.
5. Admin Report: 2025 Budget Amendment — Chelsie Walls
Ms. Walls provided details on the 2025 Budget Amendment and noted that the amendment affected 13 funds
overall. She detailed the $3.5million in transfers and noted that the packet provided additional details to
show the line items. Ms. Walls also gave additional details on the General fund revenues increase of $1.6
million, Street O&M fund revenues decrease of $985K, Hotel/Motel Tax- tourism facilities fund increase in
revenues of $500K, expenditures of $2.5 million in transfers out, Hotel/motel fund decrease of net $0 in
expenditures, solid waste fund $158,000, TBD Fund $985,000, REET Capital Projects fund $505,000, Street
Capital projects fund $530,000, Park Capital Projects Fund $1.79 million, Capital Reserve Fund $1.67
million, Economic Development Capital Projects Fund $2.5 million, and the Public Safety Equipment
Replacement Fund $650,000. Council questioned the balance in Fund 312. Councilmember Yaeger spoke
about the complaint that had been filed and hoping that a reasonable person would approve to follow the
rules. Councilmember Merkel poised a point of order and stated that she need to speak to the item.
Council Meeting Minutes: 04-29-2025 Page 2 of 4
Approved by Council: 07-08-2025
Councilmember Yaeger noted that she was getting there and pointed out funding that has been spent in order
to try and get Councilmember Merkel to comply and that additional public safety items could have been
purchased with those funds and that it is corning back to bite him in the ass. Councilmember Merkel poised
a point of order and stated that Coucnilmember Yaeger needs to have decorum and not use a curse word.
Mayor Haley asked what word and when told she asked that we all have decorum moving forward.
Councilmember Wick spoke about the public safety elements for funding and Mayor Haley added that the
Fund 312 is not a slush fund that is used for anything and that it is funding dedicated for specific uses and
noted that staff didn't take raises and knew that money was going to be tight going into the next budget
cycle. Councilmember Padden noted that this is not a vendetta, and citizens have filed PRR's and have a
right to that and that is what the lawsuit is about. Councilmember Merkel poised a point of order stating that
he was chastised for not speaking to the point and that Councilmember Padden was not on the topic. Mayor
Haley noted that the lawsuit was city business and asked Clerk Patterson for a ruling. Clerk Patterson noted
that they should stick to the items in the budget and stay on topic of what is being presented. Council then
provided consensus to return with a motion consideration at a future meeting.
6. Admin Report: CenterPlace Report Discussion — Erik Lamb, John Bottelli Mike Basinger
Mr. Lamb, Mr. Bottelli and Mr. Basinger presented a PowerPoint presentation regarding the Johnson
Consulting review for a tourism strategic plan and project development prioritization of CenterPlace. The
presentation included an overview of the study goals and process of the study, the key findings of the study,
and recommendations of the study. Mr. Lamb detailed the SWOT analysis, the evaluation of the historical
and current performance of CenterPlace, noted that CenterPlace is a community asset, provided data on the
operations/attendance of CenterPlace, the tourism asset being the great location of CenterPlace in our
community, benchmark facilities analysis, a key finding that the rental rates are too low, the need for updated
reservation software, need more audio and visual items to get more bookings. Mr. Basinger spoke about the
events at the West Lawn and coordinating with Parks and Rec to bring Economic Development events to the
West Lawn area at CenterPlace. Council spoke about concerns with purchasing new software with current
budget issues, the number of rentals in the Great Room, using tourism funding to offset rental costs, utilizing
the Senior Center, the follow up that is done after each event and the surveys done to maintain quality service.
Mayor Haley called for a recess at 7:52pin for 8 minutes and that the meeting would resume at 8:00pin.
INFORMATION ONLY (will not be reported or discussed):
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT OPPORTUNITY: Mayor Haley stated that the general public
comment rules still apply and called for public comments. Jamie Shanahan, Spokane Valley; Mike Dolan,
Spokane Valley provided comments.
COUNCIL COMMENTS
Councilmember Merkel spoke about the false information being spoken about at the meeting and that it
was all a vendetta against him and we need to focus on public safety and that it is the number one priority
and that the rest of the council was not doing that.
Councilmember Wick noted that he appreciated the comments we received on the fireworks and the fire
department and closed with stating that if a helicopter is spotted around the mall, it will be assisting with
replacing units on the rooftop.
Councilmember Higgins spoke about additional inaccurate information that was being displayed by
Councilmember Merkel.
Councilmember Padden spoke about holding a councilmember accountable for their behavior and their
actions.
Councilmember Yaeger spoke about filing the complaint against Councilmember Merkel and the negative
behavior he has displayed.
Deputy Mayor Hattenburg spoke about public safety and that it most definitely is our number one priority
and that council has accomplished a lot with regard to hiring officers and looking forward to the next phase
of more hiring.
Council Meeting Minutes: 04-29-2025 Page 3 of 4
Approved by Council: 07-08-2025
Mayor Haley spoke about the fireworks and spoke about Councilmember Merkel and when he ran for office
what he said while running for office.
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
Mr. Hohman spoke about the fireworks issues that had come up and noted that he spoke with the fire
department/district regarding additional information and would report back. Mr. Hohman asked City
Attorney Konkright to provide accurate information on the lawsuit against Councilmember Merkel. Mr.
Konkright spoke about information regarding the password to Councilmember Merkel's Nextdoor account
and that the password does not give access to the account and we will not retrieve information as it is a 2-
factor authentication and it requires access to a personal email address and the city will not be accessing any
councilmember's personal email. Mr. Konkright also pointed out that the stating the "litigation can't end
until trial" is not a true statement and that most cases don't ever go to trial. Mr. Konkright noted that we are
not seeking money, just compliance, and that Mr. Merkel just needs to come into compliance and then a
court order is not necessary. The litigation is still pending until relief is sought. Councilmember Merkel
poised a point of order and said that is "Councilmember" Merkel. Mr. Konkright apologized for the error in
title. Mr. Hohman provided information about utilizing the Fund 312 and that after 16 months into his tenure,
Councilmember Merkel still has a lack of understanding on how the funds work. Mr. Hohman explained that
many of those funds have been allocated and most of that is one time money and not having the reoccurring
funds will not allow us to keep the officers on staff. Mr. Hohman moved on to provide an update on the
Cross country course and gave details on the contingency fund and that there is $411,882 remaining and
there is an option for course timing sleeves for $39,474.00 at various points in the course. Mr. Hohman asked
if council would provide a consensus to allow for an expense of $39,474.00 of the contingency funds for the
timing sleeves for the course. Council provided consensus for the expense for the cross course.
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Hattenburg, seconded to adjourn into executive session for 20 minutes to
discuss possible litigation and that no action would be taken upon return to council chambers. Vote by
acclamation on calling for the question: in favor: Mayor Haley, Deputy Mayor Hattenburg,
Councilmembers Higgins, Wick, Padden and Yaeger. Opposed: Councilmember Merkel. Motion carried.
Council adjourned into executive session at 8:30 p.m. At 8:50, Senior Deputy City Attorney Beattie stated
that executive session would be extended by five minutes. Council returned to open session at 8:55 p.m.
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Hattenburg, seconded and unanimously agreed to adjourn. The meeting
was adjourned at 8:56 p.m.
AkJ ST: , 4 , �- 0
Marct atterson, City Clerk
l
Council Meeting Minutes: 04-29-2025
Approved by Council: 07-08-2025
Page 4 of 4
PUBLIC COMMENT SIGN -IN SHEET
SPOKANE VALLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday, April 29, 2025
6:00 p.m.
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT OPPORTUNITY
#1 e
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
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PUBLIC COMMENT SIGN -IN SHEET
SPOKANE VALLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday, April 29, 2025
6:00 p.m.
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT OPPORTUNITY
#2
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
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PLEASE PRINT
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Spokane
jVa11ey - 10210 E Sprague Avenue ❑ Spokane Valley WA 99206
Phone: (509) 720-5000 ❑ www.SpokaneValleyWA.gov
Memorandum
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Virginia Clough, Legislative Policy Coordinator
Date: April 28, 2025
Re: Gordon Thomas Honeywell — Government Relations
Legislative Report —April 27, 2025
Please find attached the April 27 GTH — Government Relations' report following the
adjournment of the 2025 session!
As the report notes, the Governor has 20 days to sign bills and budgets into law that were
delivered to him in the final five days of the legislative session. The Governor has the
authority to veto the entirety of bills and veto full sections of bills; the Governor does not
have the authority to veto specific sentences. Click here to track the Governor's bill action.
The city fared pretty well on our budget requests and support items as follows:
• Spokane Valley Sport Courts - $415,000 (requested $800,000)
• Balfour Park Playground/Spray Park - $500,000 in WWRP local parks &
$2,000,000 in Land Water Conservation (fully funded)
• Partners INW awarded $515,000 for their resource center (requested $5.1 million)
• Plantes Ferry Sports Complex - $1,000,000 (fully funded)
• Spokane County Stabilization Center - $3,050,000
The funding/support requests that were not included in the final budgets:
Barker/1-90 Interchange (requested $1 million - no new projects were funded)
Support for helicopter units for Spokane County and 3 other counties (requested
$10 million)
Family Promise's FLASH program
The report provides more detail on the final budgets and revenue bills and highlights four
of the final bills passed including House Bill 2015 that establishes mechanisms to
enhance funding for local law enforcement recruitment, retention, training, and public
safety initiatives. The bill creates a supplemental criminal justice account, a local law
enforcement grant program, and authorizes a local option sales tax for criminal justice
purposes. Grant funds may be used to support hiring, training, and retaining law
enforcement officers, peer counselors, and behavioral health personnel, with a focus on
co -response teams and community policing efforts.
Briahna is working to finalize a chart of the revenue bills that will be shared once she is
able to more thoroughly review all the final documents. The end of session report is
scheduled to take place at the May 13 Council meeting.
My thanks to the Council for supporting our legislative efforts and our staff for providing
valuable feedback on the bills prior to and during the session.
GORDON THOMAS HONEYWELL
GOVERNMENTRELATIONS
Sine Die Report
April 27, 2025
The Legislature adjourned sine die on the 105th day of session, April 27. The final week of the
legislative session was filled with sadness, tension, and procedural commotion.
Legislators have been completing their final tasks on bills and budgets while mourning the
passing of Sen. Bill Ramos (D-Issaquah). House Republicans utilized several procedural
maneuvers to oppose revisions to parents' rights in schooling, rent regulation, and the closure
of two facilities that serve individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities.
Additionally, Rep. Jeremie Dufault (R-Selah) was banned from voting on the House Floor after
yelling at the Speaker following a procedural ruling. Legislators on both sides of the aisle
expressed an array of emotions as they voted on one of the largest tax increases the state has
seen since the 1990s.
Now that the Legislature has adjourned, the Governor has 20 days to sign bills and budgets into
law that were delivered to him in the final five days of the legislative session. The Governor has
the authority to veto the entirety of bills and veto full sections of bills; the Governor does not
have the authority to veto specific sentences. Click here to track the Governor's bill action.
Funding Requests
Capital Budget Project
House
Senate
Final Budget
Spokane Valley Sport
--
$415,000
$415,000
Courts
Balfour Park
WWRP Local Parks -
WWRP Local Parks -
WWRP Local Parks
$500,000
$500,000
-$500,000
$2 million in Land Water
$2 million in Land Water
$2 million in Land
Conservation
Conservation
Water
Conservation
Partners INW Resource
$515,000
--
$515,000
Center
Plante's Ferry Sports
--
$1,000,000
$1,000,000
Complex
Spokane Valley Heritage
$225,000
--
$206,000
Museum
Freedom Center
$338,000
$338,000
$338,000
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Inland Grange
--
$98,000
$98,000
Mission Ave Frontage
--
$1,030,000
$1,030,000
Improvements
Newman Lake
--
$120,000
$120,000
Revitalization
Spokane County
$3,050,000
$3,050,000
$3,050,000
Stabilization Center
Transportation Budget
House
Senate
Final Budget
Project
Barker 1-90 Interchange
--
Included in "new
No new project
project" list; funding
funding included
amounts and phasing
in final budget
TBD
Final Budgets
2025-27 Operating Budget: The Legislature faced a $15 billion Operating Budget deficit over
the next four years, largely driven by a nearly $11 billion increase to maintain current programs
and meet statutory requirements for program expansion. However, revenue growth has
slowed. Between fiscal year 2022-24, revenues grew 5.2 percent annually; starting in fiscal year
2025, the annual growth rate is expected to reduce to 3.5 percent.
The final 2025-27 Operating Budget relies on a combination of program cuts and $4.4 billion in
revenue from new tax increases. See the attachment with a chart of the various revenue
proposals. Over the four year outlook, the new taxes will generate $9.5 billion in revenue. In
the 25-27 budget, $6.8 billion is allocated to maintain existing services such as K-12 staff salary
inflation, and forecasted caseload and per -capita costs in child care, low-income medical
assistance, and long-term care services. The budget leaves $2.3 billion in reserves, including
$2.1 billion in the Budget Stabilization Account, often referred to as the Rainy Day Fund. Some
notable components of the proposed Operating Budget include:
• All state -shared revenues are maintained, including liquor profits and taxes, cannabis
taxes, county criminal justice assistance, and the city -county assistance account.
• $100 million in public safety grants
• $27.2 million is allocated to the Office of Public Defense for grants to counties and cities
(cities receive about 10 percent of these funds)
• $25 million for utility assistance for low-income households
• $62 million for -the building, operation, and maintenance of permanent supportive
housing costs; $117 million for the operation of homelessness housing programs,
including shelter; $100 million for Consolidated Homelessness Grants; $90 million to
house individuals residing in encampments
• $200 million for the Covenant Homeownership Program
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• $18 million in GMA Implementation Formulaic Grants (previously $20 million was
allocated)
2025-27 Capital Budget: The 2025-27 Capital Budget appropriates $4.5 billion in new bond
capacity and $7.5 billion in total funds, including cash, federal funds, and other revenue
sources. The Capital budget provides investments in infrastructure that are relevant to local
governments, including:
• $605 million for the Housing Trust Fund
• $365 million for the Public Works Assistance Account to finance infrastructure projects
for cities, counties, and special purpose districts
• $81 million for the Community Economic Revitalization Board to assist communities
with financing publicly owned economic development infrastructure improvements to
encourage new business development and expansion.
2025-27 Transportation Budget: Prior to the session, budget writers indicated that the
Transportation Budget faced a $1 billion shortfall in 2025-27 alone, and a multi -billion -dollar
shortfall over the next six years, largely driven by increases in project costs.
The Legislature raised revenue to generate $3.2 billion over the next six years. Additionally, the
state transfers a portion of state sales tax revenue (.1 percent of 6.5 percent) to the
Transportation Budget starting in fiscal year 2028 to generate additional money. This is more
money for transportation than was proposed by the House, and less money than what was
proposed by the Senate. As a result, the final transportation budget does not fund any new
projects but also does not delay projects as significantly as was proposed by the House earlier
in the session.
Legislation
Bills receiving action during the final week of the legislative session.
Rent Stabilization: House Bill 1217, sponsored by Rep. Emily Alvarado (D-34th LID), limits rent
increases to 7 percent, plus inflation, or 10 percent, whichever is less. After the first 12 months
of tenancy, it prohibits increases during the first year and establishes stricter notice
requirements for rent hikes. Exemptions apply to newly constructed units (less than 12 years
old), public housing authorities, nonprofit -owned properties, and certain owner -occupied units.
The bill also caps security deposits and move -in fees at one month's rent, restricts late fees, and
provides enforcement mechanisms allowing tenants to terminate leases without penalty for
unauthorized rent increases. A challenge from the Senate Minority Leader, John Braun, forced a
delay in the vote on the bill. The challenge argued that the bill was not drafted in compliance
with Senate rules and violated Senate Rule 25 (one subject rule). A conference committee was
established to realign the lengthy bill title with the intent of the bill, making some further
adjustments before final passage on the final day of session. The bill becomes effective
immediately upon the Governor signing it into law.
Lot Splitting: House Bill 1096, sponsored by Rep. Andrew Barkis (R-2nd LID), facilitates
administrative lot splitting to expand middle housing and affordable ownership opportunities in
cities under the Growth Management Act. The bill streamlines the process by allowing
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residential lots to be split into two through administrative review without public hearings,
provided conditions such as compliance with development regulations, renter displacement
mitigation, and restrictions on further splitting are met. Cities with comprehensive plan updates
due in 2027 must incorporate the requirements into their next update, while others must
implement them within two years of the bill's effective date.
Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform: House Bill 1440, sponsored by Rep. Roger Goodman (D-45th LD),
establishes a unified framework to standardize civil asset forfeiture procedures, replacing
existing processes across various statutes. Key provisions include extended deadlines for
contesting forfeitures, shifting the burden of proof to seizing agencies to "clear, cogent, and
convincing evidence," protections for innocent owners and community property interests, and
revenue allocation prioritizing victim restitution and behavioral health programs. The act
applies to seizures occurring on or after January 1, 2026. The House concurred in Senate
amendments and passed final passage on April 24 with a vote of 58-37. The Senate passed the
bill on April 23 with a vote of 28-20 after adopting floor amendments.
Public Safety Funding: House Bill 2015, sponsored by Rep. Debra Entenman (D-47th LD),
establishes mechanisms to enhance funding for local law enforcement recruitment, retention,
training, and public safety initiatives. The bill creates a supplemental criminal justice account, a
local law enforcement grant program, and authorizes a local option sales tax for criminal justice
purposes. Grant funds may be used to support hiring, training, and retaining law enforcement
officers, peer counselors, and behavioral health personnel, with a focus on co -response teams
and community policing efforts. The House concurred in Senate amendments on April 22, and
the bill passed final passage in the House with 55 yeas, 42 nays, and 1 excused.
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