[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6251677,"mediaKeyId","3193759-e10caba23d41303646ed27a8577b04e6","parentId",3193759,"title","Council hears public support and concern as parks levy resolution is proposed for ballot","audioSeconds",887,"startMs",3248000,"endMs",4135000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3193759-e10caba23d41303646ed27a8577b04e6&start=3248&end=4135","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3193759-e10caba23d41303646ed27a8577b04e6/thumbnail_3248000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6251677/Spokane/Spokane-County/Washington/Council-hears-public-support-and-concern-as-parks-levy-resolution-is-proposed-for-ballot","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6251677-b2e1919c45561f1fee9d2d35bac2d1aa/orig.mp4?Expires=1770503147&Signature=oEo1JoaLI9hB416RIUL9z7n10~LUKMRuzh80KbDSH0oHTRwpsrB5M7p23EyP3X6y4ObcqaXGafcJpHbAm2IqXT~1l5bgzBHyjH5m2k71HJ3SuTBvLQrVxT2SJvSmCwYUZTF6utmF5TZnzyT~C4gcvD1QrfkL-QK2~3Mu7ZLTKD-uRk8v~Wh1M3oGEn2LXbMNyLwOxJZ6ezac2c1eh3B8gnsWTK~lU9SwEpp8z4Eeyg~RO9ZqYcWzJzEXVxTiXuzIwFfc5IOEoXsi14SjDbzURoA7F1131f~44sJR2PLEJA2YHsbeO5SlaGAqB-asM8FPK42PdYssJJkNaLOQYLLWuw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Spokane City, WA","date","2025-05-06T03:20:52Z","article","The Spokane City Council introduced a resolution proposing a 20-year property-tax levy to fund park improvements and increased maintenance, hearing public testimony both for the measure and critical of recent homelessness policy decisions.

Resolution 2025-0026, described by staff at the meeting, would propose a levy \"beginning in 2026 in an amount exceeding the limitations of chapter 84.55 RCW to provide funding for park improvements and safety citywide,\" and would ask the Spokane County Auditor to place the measure on the November ballot. Several residents spoke during public comment, and several council members described the proposal as a long-range investment in parks and neighborhoods.

Why it matters: the measure would raise property-tax revenue for renovating aging parks, restrooms, playgrounds and trails, and for hiring park rangers and maintenance personnel—steps proponents say will make parks safer and more accessible citywide.

Public testimony was mixed. John Alder, speaking from Northeast Spokane, said he would \"gladly vote yes for any levy that updates, maintains our parks,\" and Louisa Seaver, who said she works outside, told the council \"this levy to increase funding for renovations to parks is absolutely necessary.\" They cited community benefits including jobs and outdoor access.

Other speakers linked the levy to recent City Council decisions about camping in parks. Derek Gazzaro (recorded in the transcript as \"Derek Gazzaro\" and speaking for District 1) said the parks proposal is valuable but criticized the council for voting to reject Proposition 1 and said, \"You just eliminated Prop 1\" and that the lack of protections for parks worries him; he also questioned the planned staffing level for park rangers, saying the plan named only four park rangers. Dennis Flynn urged voters to evaluate the parks plan carefully but called it \"a long time coming.\" Several council members, including Council member Klitzke and Council member Dillard, voiced support for placing the measure on the ballot and said the proposal includes district-level accountability and partnership with the school district.

Council discussion and next steps: council members described the proposal as the result of a work group and as a long-term investment, noting that project lists and district allocations are available for public review (council members referenced TogetherSpokane.com for more information). The resolution was introduced and staff called for a vote later in the meeting; the transcript records discussion and public comment but does not include the result of a final recorded council vote on the resolution.

Ending: the council advanced the item to the next procedural step in the meeting, with members urging public review and participation; a final vote to place the levy on the ballot was not recorded in the transcript.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","May 5th, 2025 Spokane City Council Legislative Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Spokane City Council introduced a resolution proposing a 20-year property-tax levy to fund park improvements and increased maintenance, hearing public testimony both for the measure and critical of recent homelessness policy decisions.","taxTitle","Spokane, Spokane County, Washington","taxId",2644,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6251680,"Police ombuds office reports rise in community contacts, urges funding independence",2389,484000,2873000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3193759-e10caba23d41303646ed27a8577b04e6&start=484&end=2873","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3193759-e10caba23d41303646ed27a8577b04e6/thumbnail_484000.jpg","/articles/6251680/Spokane/Spokane-County/Washington/Police-ombuds-office-reports-rise-in-community-contacts-urges-funding-independence","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6251680-070fe7738de68480f2bb89d90b4ca9a6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770503147&Signature=IKmZL1sdb5-vUeDGJH8d1lxoH5hLCJOVm07ni7I1M~viuELPs79kM8yM1KfrOiYUJDw9mGItK-hVMtqXio6N86lVTj6~lfOwSHJ5VlLqj2kVqNsWXLzXT3X2uEtiOL63WtYOxVnyWSFo03pBwWFfRPXx3bjxgOjaL63cnSzKqlfmQoN35r6aIBB6zHvfd7Mn24FgaZ495BoCeZ8AaICXNIpNvw5FFWYToFpNQlPr3aEfydQvCWrgDTtlYwQUakzhQ0jufLF~8aNSb1~rh6tqGILFpkELq0ZKrAdlv-HiUOaYK-Ggb9kDxgjRVmTotNK3e8ErBIom7Ok13Z0qNlAdLw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Office of the Police Ombudsman told the Spokane City Council on an evening meeting that its 2024 annual report shows a marked increase in public contacts and complaints and urged the council to secure stable funding and staffing.

The report was delivered by Bart Logue, representing the Office of the Police Ombudsman, who opened the briefing by saying, \"I appreciate the opportunity brief our 2024 annual report, which is a requirement in our governing ordinance.\" Logue told the council the office increased community contacts by about 70 percent — \"adding more than 1,200 contacts more than we had in 2023\" — and that the office generated 44 of 101 total complaints made to the Spokane Police Department in 2024.

Why it matters: civilian oversight is the formal mechanism the city uses to review internal investigations, uses of force and complaints about Spokane police. The office reported increases in several high-impact categories and described recent changes to review boards intended to strengthen scrutiny of critical incidents.

Key findings and figures from the briefing: the ombuds office recorded 81 community complaints and 20 internal complaints in 2024; it certified 78 internal affairs cases and declined to certify one. Uses of force rose from 85 to 98 incidents, critical incidents rose to six, pursuits numbered 16 and preventable collisions were reported at 40. Logue said, \"If we're happy with how an incident went down and we can, accept it a hundred more times out of a hundred, then we don't have anything to review.\" He added that the office wrote five closing reports that produced 21 recommendations, of which nine have been accepted and fully implemented and others are in progress.

The ombuds office and its civilian commission also described process changes. Luke Jasmine, who represented the Office of Police Ombudsman Commission (OPOC), said the commission \"was unanimous in stating that the OPO provide outstanding service to the community of Spokane.\" Jasmine and Logue both emphasized the need for stronger review-board procedures, more consistent supervisory scrutiny and better officer feedback after reviews.

Staffing and budget requests: Logue said the office was granted a crime analyst in this year’s budget but concluded the classification was a poor fit and the office is working with civil service to reclassify the role. He also said the deputy ombuds would depart in June and the office is hiring a replacement. He asked the council to renew efforts to amend the ordinance that ties the OPO budget to a percentage of the Spokane Police Department budget, describing that linkage as a constraint on independence.

Board and council questions focused on pursuit training, the definition of \"preventable\" collisions and how the state's Office of Independent Investigations affects local oversight. Logue explained that the office now has 10 days to certify a case, allowing time to add investigative attachments and avoid returning matters for further work. He told council members that the Office of Independent Investigations can reduce investigation timelines but also removes some local entry points into critical-incident reviews.

What happened next: the presentation concluded with council members thanking the presenters and noting the office’s requests. The council did not take a formal vote on ordinance changes or staffing during the meeting; Logue said he would continue to work with council members and city leaders on budget and ordinance revisions and on hiring.

Ending: the ombuds office outlined next steps — hiring a deputy, clarifying the analyst role, and pursuing budget independence — and asked for continued collaboration with city leadership to implement the remaining recommendations.","The Office of the Police Ombudsman told the Spokane City Council its 2024 annual report shows a rise in community contacts and several recommendations on uses-of-force review processes; the office asked the council to pursue budget independence and to support staff hiring to sustain oversight work.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6251672,"Council adopts planning resolutions on commute trip reduction and bicycle priority network; public comment opposes bike spending",280,4055000,4335000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3193759-e10caba23d41303646ed27a8577b04e6&start=4055&end=4335","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3193759-e10caba23d41303646ed27a8577b04e6/thumbnail_4055000.jpg","/articles/6251672/Spokane/Spokane-County/Washington/Council-adopts-planning-resolutions-on-commute-trip-reduction-and-bicycle-priority-network-public-comment-opposes-bike-spending","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6251672-56f9dcc23676440c447f7ccff914dbf7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770503147&Signature=jc4owAxcSt~XS72YnIrrqrbECD2Ntnuw9ebBRynXo5kB23CeKJ7VCDeoU9F15ou8N5vOQO7eA3EGbjMmU~M3oDcLn21St2iPq-EWHiPF6G3U4LC0xesCj4oK7J9LWTq6CvRUBkdSAK7jbZU4jUbz8NpFYn1Xeh397oBuaIyvzU0vGAz8CO7OOoHb2GJnuljs6nKUzcC67TVUdHqMszG3de3DA4tP8-vaXG0JeuE0owKBtIjYaEi5cUGCzB0PSxwA0vdU67reRWRtMOLKB4YPg6CYm0CSJwBkcohWH~IIzRFP-xEb6cd1SBvOZkTpCMDX8mmpIDFyt8nLQnaGWIIlJg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Spokane City Council considered two related transportation items — an update to the county commute trip reduction program and a bicycle priority network to guide bike investments — and heard public comment critical of the bicycle plan.

The council introduced Resolution 2025-0027 to update the city's commute trip reduction plan and Resolution 2025-0028 to adopt a bicycle priority network as a guide for the transportation element and bicycle master plan. A public commenter, identified in the transcript as Justin Holler (District 1), criticized both measures and said maintenance of existing infrastructure was insufficient and questioned whether bike lanes would be used; he also objected to the perceived policy of discouraging car use.

Why it matters: the commute trip reduction program targets employers with 50 or more employees (with opt-in for smaller businesses in the downtown core) to encourage alternate commute modes and reduce peak congestion. The bicycle priority network sets a funding and construction priority in streets where the city can feasibly provide safe bicycle routes rather than attempting to build lanes on every street.

Council member McClitsky summarized the commute program: \"The Spokane County commute trip reduction program is a program for employers of 50 employees or more and areas in the downtown core smaller businesses can opt in to take advantage of incentives and promotional programs to encourage employees to use a commute trip alternative for at least 1 day a week.\" He said the program reduces congestion at peak times and offers employee benefits. On the bicycle plan, McClitsky told the council the plan acknowledges two truths: that everyone has the right to travel by their preferred mode and that the city must prioritize where to invest limited space and resources.

The public commenter argued the city should maintain bike lanes and clear debris before investing more in new infrastructure and said the plan represents an ideological agenda. Council members responded that the bicycle master plan is a prioritization tool and a living document that can be amended with community input. Both resolutions were presented and council members prepared to vote; the transcript does not record final votes.

Ending: councilors urged public input and noted these planning documents guide future projects and can be updated over time.","Council members presented and discussed a commute trip reduction program and a bicycle priority network; a public commenter opposed the bicycle plan and argued the city should maintain existing infrastructure before adding lanes. Council members said the plans prioritize limited resources and are amendable.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":92,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6251675,"Council reviews emergency medical transport ordinance as residents cite fentanyl crisis",173,4508000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3193759-e10caba23d41303646ed27a8577b04e6&start=4335&end=4508","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3193759-e10caba23d41303646ed27a8577b04e6/thumbnail_4335000.jpg","/articles/6251675/Spokane/Spokane-County/Washington/Council-reviews-emergency-medical-transport-ordinance-as-residents-cite-fentanyl-crisis","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6251675-c316e785d30c780b1c0923c8afd2746e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770503147&Signature=W6Tav4GCb0v0Ih6Z8WhIlWYdYUvFdzmlMlvZtNonFjYTXuq73qoKY5a2heZCrTBfjINaHG0CJKEnqK~aeSXHMoe7VZJr11s9L2RWEMPD-aabWw2m9ULpBA8PQWn~MP7TOsSvOsXwzKB0m3fG7FsuPe3z2zktASqXiFLov2D--p5YrxghRes1Qcyb4Vq1o0dV1NPM1ZhT42mxUZgvCKbAAf3158DA0Ow0cGVtoP3b2UYmkfYuth7mnQqHccEWIoDaV0SnAXlWEnNtVQtFYKhIMR0Md9~~WwPDaBDe7vqkNHxNgwlV7vNQtTMOxDMhyWpkS-K737RbG6q1t4BX7SFSAQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Spokane City Council heard public comment and briefings on an ordinance to update the city's emergency medical transport regulations, and a downtown resident urged the council to address the fentanyl overdose crisis alongside the ordinance update.

The ordinance (listed on the agenda as Ordinance C36668) would amend multiple sections of the Spokane Municipal Code related to emergency medical transport. Will Hewlings, a downtown resident who spoke during public comment, said the ordinance update is technically sound but urged elected officials to address the \"real emergency tearing the city apart,\" naming the fentanyl overdose crisis and its toll on first responders: \"I wish you guys would address that when it comes to our precious, first responders,\" he told the council.

Why it matters: the ordinance governs how emergency medical transport is provided citywide and affects response practices for a wide range of medical emergencies, from heart attacks to overdoses.

Hewlings described frequent overdoses downtown and said first responders repeatedly encounter people who refuse medical services after being revived. A council member (unnamed in the transcript) responded that they supported the ordinance and noted the importance of transport for all medical emergencies, saying it was \"just as important to the person that's having a heart attack as it is to the person who's dying from fentanyl.\" The council member told the meeting they would vote in support and prepared to move the item forward; the transcript does not record a final vote.

The discussion linked the ordinance update to broader public-safety and public-health concerns triggered by drug overdoses and homelessness, but the ordinance text in the meeting focuses on aligning local code with state rules and modernizing transport procedures. No final ordinance adoption or vote appears in the transcript excerpt.","The council considered an ordinance updating city emergency medical transport rules; public comment urged attention to fentanyl overdoses and first-responder strain, and a council member said they would support the ordinance.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council hears public support and concern as parks levy resolution is proposed for ballot

Police ombuds office reports rise in community contacts, urges funding independence

Council adopts planning resolutions on commute trip reduction and bicycle priority network; public comment opposes bike spending

Council reviews emergency medical transport ordinance as residents cite fentanyl crisis