[{"_1":2,"_135":-5,"_136":-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",[32,75,87,99,111,123],{"_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",6149806,"mediaKeyId","5510477-f6f8b3a190d7792ef1e7cef8082a8b95","parentId",5510477,"title","Council approves pilot reforestation program for Downtown Spokane","audioSeconds",635,"startMs",2240000,"endMs",2875000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5510477-f6f8b3a190d7792ef1e7cef8082a8b95&start=2240&end=2875","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5510477-f6f8b3a190d7792ef1e7cef8082a8b95/thumbnail_2240000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6149806/Spokane/Spokane-County/Washington/Council-approves-pilot-reforestation-program-for-Downtown-Spokane","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6149806-51ff4ad879bd4b76df99d8d71c3221d4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770503913&Signature=WsA8q~G42aHA2fOPXMf5UyWrLWy5AaqOkobHplrTuFVX~vcBSMlU15Cy9Uw~TsHnZk~BR0PZtADZw5QCcP9jTQy3ZWuQTGvuZDKjqTyKUhGmKtFIvnuU0lZhacRT3-FjEQKmU-iW1AtOi9mZfcmdOrPm9Ormi0KrRXtQhgpDO-JJDntlGqf6kdS2FTrvRSdkrG-TIsqtVnlcEEB7Dr2uAWPMB8UCg-GkTrgUWFNmv2ggejiNR8EWtMrzF8eEb4XJ792KUxLbwp9jFnDNDWLU6VpRG3jqKYFr0NSfwettZno4YFbig5GJ2wzDTiduBJApY4Xr6-fh9yGC1PK6841v8Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Spokane City, WA","date","2025-07-31T01:38:12.347Z","article","The Spokane City Council unanimously approved a resolution requesting the mayor and Park Board establish a pilot program to reforest Downtown Spokane and expand urban canopy coverage, with the Downtown Spokane Partnership and downtown business representatives expressing support.

Raylynn Barton, representing the Downtown Spokane Partnership, told the council the organization \"supports this resolution and Spokane's commitment to reforestation and urban canopy expansion, particularly in the downtown core.\" Barton urged outreach to property owners and technical support from urban forestry.

Clayton McFarland, a property manager and broker representing downtown businesses, said the pilot addresses prior barriers to replacing street trees, including unclear water-line responsibility and high replacement costs. \"We're excited about this pilot program. It, hopefully can be codified by an ordinance once we as a business community and a property owner community can give you results that this actually works to replace trees,\" McFarland said.

Councilmembers noted the city previously received a federal grant intended to increase canopy cover and said expanding eligibility and coordination downtown would leverage those funds. Councilmember Bridal and others emphasized that improved canopy can yield heat mitigation, property-value and neighborhood-quality benefits.

The resolution passed 6-0. Councilmembers and business advocates said they intend to pursue follow-on work to clarify maintenance roles and water infrastructure responsibilities before and during the pilot.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","July 28th, 2025 Spokane City Council Legislative Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The council passed a resolution asking the mayor and Park Board to establish a pilot program to increase tree canopy downtown; downtown business groups pledged to partner on outreach and maintenance.","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},6149811,"Council appoints Shelby Lambdin to fill District 2 seat amid public criticism about nonprofit background",439,537000,976000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5510477-f6f8b3a190d7792ef1e7cef8082a8b95&start=537&end=976","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5510477-f6f8b3a190d7792ef1e7cef8082a8b95/thumbnail_537000.jpg","/articles/6149811/Spokane/Spokane-County/Washington/Council-appoints-Shelby-Lambdin-to-fill-District-2-seat-amid-public-criticism-about-nonprofit-background","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6149811-209a8174383d0ca7c1cd1b0d037929d5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770503913&Signature=l8f-A1DbRtKaepapPInx-6gXmbdeddBo90WMtGuGHt~Qxuqd1m9nFk2ZiWqVsETk9sCWh93XHXEUBbpD8sVRhYKSfWUPOkRa9pMgwn6q5bWIspmvIXJ10KUrnxCJsx4QMo1KsBE-P1BHi1DGJqoBnW33XtYah9LAABDAwJXTnnO7z2p1C64NOMChktc6-V4eiGE8QwqYZDUzXdQUiQd4sWTiHwBOsLpmeUCBmfIOWlNPDZTUV-c83i-Wg3rO2Ud5GLxNF-BeTC7eFzdEIamvVSCBUtPrcziYkwBgnrmk5XiqIyc9tUdr-waGEhGCbpYxN5g60wFr2X0phC9aQHMRxA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Spokane City Council appointed Shelby Lambdin to fill the District 2 seat vacated by Lily Navarrete, with the resolution passing 4-2.

Resolution 2025-0053 names an individual to the seat; the council held interviews and, according to Councilmember Dylan, allowed public testimony during the committee process. Councilmember Dylan praised Lambdin's interview and said he \"look[s] forward to serving with her over these next 4 months, particularly as we have to address a lot of budget challenges.\"

Public commenter Derek Azaro spoke during the consent public comment period in opposition to the appointment, criticizing the pattern of appointing people with nonprofit backgrounds. \"Appointing yet another nonprofit organization member to the board... there's gonna be times when there's gonna be voting on budgets and finance... If there's anything in any of those where Chaz benefits financially from the vote, to me, it's a conflict of interest,\" Azaro said. (Transcript spellings/identifiers preserved as spoken.)

Councilmember McCluskey and others responded by encouraging nonprofit-affiliated applicants to apply and noting that nonprofit and government roles often overlap in public service. McCluskey said she had been a small business owner and encouraged community members to apply for civic service roles regardless of prior nonprofit experience.

The appointment was approved by a 4-2 vote. The record shows the council used a committee process with public testimony for finalists; the transcript notes the appointment is intended to be for a limited period (\"next 4 months\") ahead of an upcoming election cycle.","The council voted 4-2 to appoint Shelby Lambdin to fill the District 2 seat vacated by Lily Navarrete; public testimony expressed concern about appointing another person with nonprofit ties to the council.",{"_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},6149815,"Council accepts interagency agreement to receive consolidated homeless grant totaling roughly $24 million",27,465000,492000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5510477-f6f8b3a190d7792ef1e7cef8082a8b95&start=465&end=492","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5510477-f6f8b3a190d7792ef1e7cef8082a8b95/thumbnail_465000.jpg","/articles/6149815/Spokane/Spokane-County/Washington/Council-accepts-interagency-agreement-to-receive-consolidated-homeless-grant-totaling-roughly-24-million","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6149815-7611c4f508e665d9ea2291a64f9376e6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770503913&Signature=GN-ciCtlXvylFZNhDwibI8xtI9TzTUm-ktMPTl4~0zyYXEeXfwUvTMOAa6RdUb0jcGQETMDac7in5GrzlhUm~58FYGoAxn17rwfezNlfrlCe81X15wkiam3CB3NcwTg2r0CONOGPxnMtjcdI9TjfSJPoFZGVtKxDHMUv8w9AOshYX~KnN-AaasEIdz30blaExFMtNa2DtSPpQpXqfumXVcQm83kMZzy0Lpgs6C9BlcU45-dQvanjQKv3k5~xYBzjO0ArMc7i6fZe-k2yVgc1qc-C6qv-5fO~fzC-OWWt~-9goHzmTCJWDhsquuWj5wy-9t-MqOXNY8OmCGy4RaAfTQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Spokane City Council accepted an interagency agreement with the Housing Division Homelessness Assistance Unit to accept a consolidated homeless grant award covering July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2027. The item, read into the record as an interagency agreement, recorded a dollar figure read aloud in the packet and passed on a 4-2 vote.

Miss Farnsworth read the item as: \"Interagency agreement with the housing division homelessness assistance unit to accept consolidated homeless grant award for 07/01/2025 through 06/30/2027, $24,000,208.08 $208,803.\" Councilmember Bingle was acknowledged to speak to the item and signaled support before the roll call.

Councilmember Bingle moved to approve; the measure passed 4 to 2. The record does not include an extended policy debate on the council floor during this item, but public comments earlier in the evening included concerns about shelter siting, funding priorities and accountability for nonprofit service providers.

The interagency agreement authorizes the city to accept the award and execute related agreements; the transcript does not include a detailed breakdown of how the grant funds will be allocated among programs or subrecipients. The item passed as part of the consent agenda with separate public testimony allowed on the consent items.","The council voted 4-2 to accept a consolidated homeless grant award and approve an interagency agreement covering July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2027; councilmember Bingle spoke in support.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6149820,"Council approves $6.0M in HUD program awards despite legal concerns from one member",83,328000,411000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5510477-f6f8b3a190d7792ef1e7cef8082a8b95&start=328&end=411","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5510477-f6f8b3a190d7792ef1e7cef8082a8b95/thumbnail_328000.jpg","/articles/6149820/Spokane/Spokane-County/Washington/Council-approves-60M-in-HUD-program-awards-despite-legal-concerns-from-one-member","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6149820-f7a1f7f9a017dfebf01be90f8f774bd4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770503913&Signature=RX5dsegUfRDU5izD7vwER2dwYKsRjL7gcVMLhgY8CgGIeW6Xg3ufXrO~bgpy1gjaEEyTTQisKm4~IBFtPry1qSfuJK0DLu6xyxWMsw1hqykzfsoZryXc8N5knlBwg8EE9AynLUeLM2cSnP7j~IXzXoiJzXpnphU4ngR5Dmw2kLG-HIlr4vFv1rmnG6q7ikjQBt2wybmAd40mskyoDbF87OqpaUjfMEPCbcAGh6OTT9FAWPmGgwq2vSlILPkZS-BWvtID1hIc8eYrunVhTaVmPcJsVhIFknFSHB5mazWDz23uU7e89m8qZnBzumjf4TpEtHEbkNvNchl52NTuxQ7jlA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Spokane City Council on the consent agenda approved acceptance of fiscal year 2024 program awards from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and authorized subrecipient agreements totaling $6,001,535. The motion passed 4-2.

Miss Farnsworth read the item into the record as \"Acceptance of fiscal year 2024 program awards from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development and approval to enter into subrecipient agreements with the awarded grantees $6,001,535.\"

Councilmember Cathcart announced she planned to vote against the item, saying she had questions about how the awards interact with a recent executive order that specifically affects HUD funding. \"These are HUD dollars and that executive order very specifically, affects HUD. And so I would I would rather take a couple extra weeks and allow our legal counsel to take a look, give us their analysis and any recommendations before we take this on,\" Cathcart said.

After brief roll call, the council approved the awards. The consent agenda vote recorded the passage of the HUD award acceptance along with other consent items.

Public comment earlier in the meeting raised questions about nonprofit funding allocations in the mayor's budget; public commenter Derek Azaro listed multiple nonprofit awards to illustrate perceived imbalances and urged more funding to Carl Maxey Center. Those comments were part of public testimony on the consent agenda but not tied to any specific subrecipient agreement text in the council packet.

The record does not show the legal analysis Cathcart requested was completed before the vote. The item authorizes the administration to enter into subrecipient agreements with awarded grantees; it does not adopt spending beyond accepting the awards and approving the agreements.","Council accepted fiscal year 2024 HUD program awards and authorized subrecipient agreements totaling $6,001,535, passing 4-2 after Councilmember Cathcart said she would vote no pending legal review related to a recent executive order affecting HUD funds.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6149825,"Spokane adopts strengthened Complete Streets ordinance to guide future projects",869,3873000,4742000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5510477-f6f8b3a190d7792ef1e7cef8082a8b95&start=3873&end=4742","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5510477-f6f8b3a190d7792ef1e7cef8082a8b95/thumbnail_3873000.jpg","/articles/6149825/Spokane/Spokane-County/Washington/Spokane-adopts-strengthened-Complete-Streets-ordinance-to-guide-future-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6149825-540c271b835e5ab44e4ad1aa473df46f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770503913&Signature=lNxJpUvQJiT06XQtZCfqoK8hj4EuRM8SNTGHdox2aCLYFjtQlJZcQTxDeXFGHtZP-wjXFdbYhtml5HhM7LGJkU~bcVq8GNXMpG7dfVS-FvoO9tRZJygUknYU-WVzcNWR~r2~U3SJffcoZJpctTBIHk6EkGseKntLdEXCdz0DMbhujr-Ukkc-RYuWLznNIqCaRcN542JQJDSfrnqKivhTjGbz6vSC2GUDs4iKBD9GrQ9IaVjd6ttj2xYExWCMof5yXy4X5VZ1yAbGh5pridaTAFPcy7vN5XK85b52ohWAr-NKIjNPhtc8TSdExnR5BGBG~k9CEcESu9pCrUIy-Yb8iA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Spokane City Council unanimously approved updated Complete Streets rules intended to prioritize safety, multimodal access and measurable performance for the city's transportation projects.

The ordinance update incorporates standards from national guidance and establishes performance measures that include annual counts of fatalities and serious injuries across all modes, vehicle miles traveled, transit boardings and construction of new active-transportation facilities. The hearing drew testimony from transportation advocates and residents who urged stronger implementation and clearer metrics.

\"By utilizing best practices, as determined by the National Association of City Transportation Officials and American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, Spokane will ensure high quality and safe transportation facilities for all users,\" said Eric Lowe, a local transportation activist, during the public hearing.

Resident Dennis Flynn urged clarity and legislative oversight, recommending consistent terminology and caution about transferring decision-making authority from council to administrators. \"Are you willing to sacrifice the proclamations and of concern for multimodal safety identified in this complete streets ordinance update by willingly giving up your right, just, and proper authority to the administrator engineer?\" Flynn asked.

Council members said the ordinance strengthens the city's ability to pursue grant funding and implement safety-focused projects. Councilmember Dylan cited grant eligibility and an uptick in funding opportunities tied to complete-streets policies. Councilmember Klitschke said the update gives the policy additional \"teeth\" and that remaining definitional issues will be addressed through the comprehensive plan update.

The council closed the hearing and immediately moved to adopt the ordinance by a roll-call vote; the motion passed 6-0. Council discussion noted the importance of tracking implementation and agreed to watch annual performance reporting closely.","After a public hearing, the council approved updates to the city's Complete Streets policy, adding clearer performance measures and retaining council review for certain exceptions; vote was unanimous 6-0.",{"_33":124,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":125,"_41":126,"_43":127,"_45":128,"_47":129,"_49":130,"_51":131,"_53":132,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":133,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":134,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6149829,"Spokane City Council approves $3.655 million settlement in Robert Bradley case",819,979000,1798000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5510477-f6f8b3a190d7792ef1e7cef8082a8b95&start=979&end=1798","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5510477-f6f8b3a190d7792ef1e7cef8082a8b95/thumbnail_979000.jpg","/articles/6149829/Spokane/Spokane-County/Washington/Spokane-City-Council-approves-3655-million-settlement-in-Robert-Bradley-case","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6149829-344403f2631f4832111b29a508982742/orig.mp4?Expires=1770503913&Signature=gKapnR~ka18A3bFCSk848xRFFUJW~RM2t7K~pCYzkZEgoBnh5npLterq6RiY6FJCKAMXSCilWFTko0Z-BOit~0ARKWBT25Az99-eFZvYMP5HBAGcJN9AkRft7IfHhMIp092eJUOg1CBROSDp67ZNmxvAuOdL22zpW4ZcXt7iCBrEi20DsAu4IDyWLGtSQFPgObv0aDG5djUhyO2Qr~aoONfQMTsrSWFb-6OcL9mnkTpXKmxDgsreIbjt3F6ZkkSLsbOECl7APpX7c93WZa4sK7JY80roEULZPnsO6~2AayRgxO3WuQ-w9uDiItqfLB5YZCEcyV6pdCUOoOnfodATgw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Spokane City Council on a 4-2 vote approved a $3,655,000 settlement in the civil case brought by the estate of Robert Bradley, with the city's excess insurer, Safety National Insurance, covering the full settlement and the city paying $222,123.21 toward its self-insured retention.

The measure, Resolution 2025-0054, directs Safety National to pay the settlement amount in exchange for a release of all claims and dismissal of the pending lawsuit. The council took the vote after several members of the public, advocacy groups and relatives of people killed by police spoke during public comment.

Anwar Peace, City of Spokane human rights commissioner and a member of the Washington Coalition for Police Accountability, urged support for the settlement and called for accountability. \"I fully support the Bradley settlement,\" Peace said, adding the city had handled similar cases previously and raising concerns about repetitive patterns involving some officers.

Jim Leedy, executive director of Citizen 926 and a representative of the Washington Coalition for Police Accountability, also supported the settlement while demanding accountability for officers involved. \"We need accountability. We need justice. They are not getting justice,\" Leedy said, describing what he characterized as a pattern of repeated shootings involving particular officers.

Other speakers raised questions about the timing of judicial orders and the conduct of officers during the encounter. Dennis Flynn said he wanted more context before drawing final conclusions about tactics used in the contact that led to Bradley's death.

Council members did not debate the settlement at length during the legislative agenda; the measure moved to a roll-call vote and passed 4 to 2. The record shows the council voted to accept the terms negotiated with Safety National and to authorize payment of the city's self-insured retention portion.

The resolution does not change any pending internal or external investigations; it resolves the civil claims by the estate through settlement. The record before council identifies the settlement amount and the city's self-insured retention payment amount but does not include changes to department policy or disciplinary outcomes within the police department.

Public commenters invited the community to further discussion and events on police accountability; the Human Rights Commission publicized a separate community conversation on reimagining public safety scheduled for July 30.","The council voted 4-2 to approve a settlement in the Robert Bradley police-shooting case in which the city's excess insurer will pay the $3,655,000 settlement and the city will cover $222,123.21 of its self-insured retention.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves pilot reforestation program for Downtown Spokane

Council appoints Shelby Lambdin to fill District 2 seat amid public criticism about nonprofit background

Council accepts interagency agreement to receive consolidated homeless grant totaling roughly $24 million

Council approves $6.0M in HUD program awards despite legal concerns from one member

Spokane adopts strengthened Complete Streets ordinance to guide future projects

Spokane City Council approves $3.655 million settlement in Robert Bradley case