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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026, 03-10 Special MeetingMINUTES City of Spokane Valley City Council Special Meeting Thursday, March 10, 2026 Mayor Padden called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. The meeting was held in person by Council and staff at the Spokane Valley City Hall and via Zoom. Attendance: Councilmembers Laura Padden, Mayor Tim Hattenburg, Deputy Mayor Michael Kelly, Councilmember Pam Haley, Councilmember Ben Wick, Councilmember Jessica Yaeger, Councilmember Al Merkel, Councilmember Staff John Hohman, City Manager Erik Lamb, Deputy City Manager Tony Beattie, Senior Deputy City Attorney Robert Blegen, Public Works Director Kelly Konkright, City Attorney John Bottelli, Parks & Rec Director Chelsie Walls, Finance Director Mike Basinger, Community & Econ. Dev. Director John Whitehead, HR Director Steve Roberge, Planning Manager Jill Smith, Communications Manager Jenny Nickerson, Building Official Sean Walter, Assistant Police Chief Eric Robison, Housing & Homeless Coordinator Chad Knodel, IT Manager Marci Patterson, City Clerk 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. APPROVAL OF AGENDA It was moved by Deputy Mayor Hattenburg, seconded and unanimously agreed to approve the agenda. NON -ACTION ITEMS: 1. Admin Report: Comprehensive Plan Update — Steve Roberge, Mike Basinger & Guest Mr. Basinger provided a history of the previous comprehensive plan and how choices were made during the planning period last time it was reviewed. Mr. Weiss with Community Attributes Inc. presented a PowerPoint presentation that included information on the Comprehensive Plan overview, the economic development element, the land use element and preferred scenario, and the natural resources element. Mr. Weiss went into further details on the overall timeline, key themes for the economic development element such as emphasize opportunity for commercial and industrial business and development, maintain and promote a high quality of life, continue to invest in the local tourism economy, support local retailers amidst changes in macroeconomic conditions and consumer behavior, and offer a positive and predictable business climate. Some of the changes from 2016 were also discussed. Mr. Weiss also explained the scenarios for consideration with being a no action alternative, scenario A: limited rezone + upzone, or Scenario B: No rezone, stronger upzone. Council discussed the scenarios and liked scenario A for the flexibility as well as the limited rezone. Mr. Weiss continued the PowerPoint with the natural resources element overview. Mr. Roberge noted a need for a parking requirement review. Mr. Hohman gave further details on the need for a parking study and that the study looks at the impacts of our city and perhaps would assist with some relief from the Department of Commerce. In order to complete the parking study, we need funding added to the budget. This would allow us to apply for an exemption from the Dept. of Commerce regarding some of the parking requirements once the study is complete. Staff are looking for $100K to complete the study with Council Meeting Minutes, 03-10-2026, Special Meeting Page 1 of 2 Approved by Council: 04-28-2026 the consultant and would add that through a future budget amendment to move forward with the consultant and the study. There have not been a lot of these studies done as they are quite extensive and take a lot of time to complete and this request would come out of the fund balance. Councilmember Merkel noted that he considered this to be a public safety issue. Council discussed the need for the study and provided consensus to move forward with expenditure and consultant for the study. Mayor Padden called for a ten-minute recess at 7:1 Spm. 2. Admin Report: HCDAC Grant Applications — Gloria Mantz Mr. Robison presented a PowerPoint presentation that included an overview of the Spokane County HCDAC grant applications. Mr. Robison went over the funding sources available, the timeline, the applications received that included some from affordable housing for Habitat for Humanity, Spokane Housing Authority, Mujeres in Action, St John's Two/Widmyer Corporation, Proclaim Liberty — Bethany Village, Cochran Development — Threshold Apartment Homes, Greatest Matriarchs Society - HIRE Transitional Living for Families, and Spokane Neighborhood Action Partners - Riverwalk Point 1 — Safety Modernization. The next category was community development and capital/public works and those applications included City of Spokane Valley- Grace Sewer Connection Assistance, Town of Fairfield - Rattler Run Road Sewer Crossing, The Salvation Army - Stepping Stones, Lutheran Community Services Northwest - Victim Advocacy and Education, The Salvation Army — After the Bell, and The Salvation Army — Food Bank, Greater Spokane Meals on Wheels. The Disaster Recovery category is for long term recovery group and the request is for rebuilding homes impacted by the Oregon and Gray Road Fires. Council discussed the applications at length and went over the amounts applied for and what the funds would be used for. Council noted that they wanted to make sure there was a mechanism in place to make sure funds would be used for what each entity put on the application. Ms. Mantz noted that since these were HUD dollars there would be federal regulations for the funding. It was moved by Councibnember Merkel, seconded and unanimously agreed to adjourn at 8:21p.in. ATTEST: Laura Padden, Mayor Mari i Patterson, City Clerk Council Meeting Minutes, 03-10-2026, Special Meeting Page 2 of 2 Approved by Council: 04-28-2026