[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",6449806,"mediaKeyId","5907214-a80be2a2ebf95447b01c099102691720","parentId",5907214,"title","Council hears right‑of‑way delivery challenges; staff proposes in‑house acquisition agent","audioSeconds",1686,"startMs",7800000,"endMs",9486000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5907214-a80be2a2ebf95447b01c099102691720&start=7800&end=9486","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5907214-a80be2a2ebf95447b01c099102691720/thumbnail_7800000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6449806/Spokane-Valley/Spokane-County/Washington/Council-hears-rightofway-delivery-challenges-staff-proposes-inhouse-acquisition-agent","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6449806-aa5d1e823ece0df122dc617935006e94/orig.mp4?Expires=1770420809&Signature=PXIihky5z~BNQN6jIWI30QTykEZEMeZ3fC-4l7ApAJF1LHH19S7Igtt4bpnvH6nRzgx3t2Eh9w4YKw2mZfcZGmVGZOV~IbeI1qIr9SL8Sq-iWmb-AqrM9ggKHPa4uy7ClQ5Bkl-QdXQ6OwMqfQpKuhev366oOf1JKmTVtkgAiPn-zS9QOLEbK5wys5RD0ajFLzzJyzsqKAGGc-On-vkAE9oMe7AkuKfZMzNyehIqpCGUL-w19ip2bWdJXPUc0HaiR24cETnG2SoL76dmy-UGYv4-MxYZR0x6qunDxbvIy-woOxuMhgVjbXK42g1E6F88NuB5uCFyUWDsdi-Ka8cxMw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Spokane Valley","date","2025-10-07T00:00:00Z","article","Public Works Director Robert Blagan and City Services Administrator Gloria Manz briefed the Spokane Valley City Council on right‑of‑way (ROW) acquisition challenges tied to federal obligation requirements and growing consultant costs, then proposed creating an in‑house right‑of‑way agent by upgrading a vacant budgeted position.

Blagan told council the ROW phase is a frequent project bottleneck because federal grants require specific design and NEPA milestones before funds can be obligated. He said appraisal work (required for parcels valued over $25,000), negotiation periods with property owners and possible eminent‑domain proceedings lengthen schedules and increase cost risk. “We rely on consultants for this; we don't have qualified staff in‑house,” Blagan said, describing frequent consultant turnover and travel‑driven delays when out‑of‑town teams must negotiate with local owners.

Staff noted the consultant cost to manage ROW for projects has risen: cited averages moved from about $150,000 (2018 baseline) to around $317,000 in recent years for comparable delivery services. To reduce schedule risk and preserve federal obligations, staff recommended reclassifying a funded but vacant grade‑15 position to a grade‑18 ROW agent. That position would be principally funded from CIP grants and stormwater funds, with minimal net impact on the general fund.

Council members responding to the proposal praised the customer‑service and delivery benefits of an in‑house agent and asked for performance metrics and a plan to augment staff with consultants during peak workloads. Council signaled consensus to return the proposal in ordinance/classification form for final action in the budget/position control process.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","City staff told Spokane Valley’s council the right‑of‑way acquisition phase increasingly delays infrastructure projects and recommended reclassifying a vacant position to hire an in‑house right‑of‑way acquisition agent.","taxTitle","Spokane Valley, Spokane County, Washington","taxId",2645,"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},6449815,"Council confirms HCDAC appointment, adopts 2026 state legislative agenda and approves holiday closures",2218,537000,2755000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5907214-a80be2a2ebf95447b01c099102691720&start=537&end=2755","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5907214-a80be2a2ebf95447b01c099102691720/thumbnail_537000.jpg","/articles/6449815/Spokane-Valley/Spokane-County/Washington/Council-confirms-HCDAC-appointment-adopts-2026-state-legislative-agenda-and-approves-holiday-closures","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6449815-661d6786348b8c2f4d341e9ba238af3d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770420809&Signature=fpZA6bqzNsJKcVgt-6kpwrDJ138g7Qaa9g0RYIHNsamusP0OajtUnejIPdNYUn9DEFgJJSJxzNLOCvtd5UHrQHMq-vosaY1q65Ks0sH-qU-3BJxd-xd6quKnXgUUehqMmxD~7g9ppapkHW0ZWGqgeHDdTcDd4Kr5sYxe7Kbn6tJAlwagqmWYt28oym-gDT0cOCr~EYxhFfatATCMic68Oudvk6B3IXIGevsADOGhSKhBu1CkrML79YiqX7QQIGnBYDdmK2SngjeAdyEXO5aKJWmQQyLOzdFO88tRYEEAJSLdttag7CC6jyL-RQHtYfOrFjI4KmhJdm9MkujB2oZR~A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Spokane Valley City Council on Oct. 7 confirmed an appointment to the regional housing advisory committee, adopted its 2026 state legislative agenda with a late amendment and approved several City Hall holiday closures.

The council voted 6–1 to confirm the mayor’s recommendation to appoint Eric Robinson to the Housing and Community Development Advisory Committee (HCDAC). Mayor Pam Haley, who recommended Robinson, said the pick was based on his “deep knowledge of the homeless and housing situation in Spokane Valley” and existing familiarity with the committee’s work. Council Member Merkel said she would vote no, arguing the vacancy should have been advertised to allow for citizen representation; Merkel said staff are already represented on the committee and the city lost an opportunity for broader community involvement.

The council also adopted its 2026 state legislative agenda. The adopted package includes a small capital ask for components of Balfour Park (lighting for sport courts and a parkwide audio system), transportation placeholders and multiple policy statements on public safety, behavioral health and fiscal management. After discussion the council amended the agenda to add express support for state matching funding for the Sullivan–Trent interchange; the amendment was moved by Council Member Wick and carried by voice vote. The main motion passed 6–1, with Council Member Merkel recorded as the lone dissent.

Finally, the council approved a staff recommendation to close City Hall and CenterPlace for half-days on the days before Thanksgiving and Christmas and the full day after Christmas; the motion passed unanimously. John Whitehead, the city’s human resources director, told the council these closures are consistent with past practice and that staff continue to monitor service needs and will respond to emergencies.

The council did not take final action tonight on other programmatic items discussed at the meeting, including a potential automated school‑zone speed camera program and a proposed reclassification of a vacant position to create an in‑house right‑of‑way agent; staff were asked to return with ordinance language and additional analysis.","At its Oct. 7 meeting the Spokane Valley City Council confirmed Eric Robinson to the Housing and Community Development Advisory Committee, adopted its 2026 state legislative agenda (6–1) after adding support for the Sullivan–Trent interchange, and approved City Hall holiday closures for Thanksgiving and Christmas.",{"_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},6449802,"Retail Strategies reports recruitment wins; Dave & Buster’s performing above expectations",2208,3282000,5490000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5907214-a80be2a2ebf95447b01c099102691720&start=3282&end=5490","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5907214-a80be2a2ebf95447b01c099102691720/thumbnail_3282000.jpg","/articles/6449802/Spokane-Valley/Spokane-County/Washington/Retail-Strategies-reports-recruitment-wins-Dave-Busters-performing-above-expectations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6449802-5cf3e6f12575cfdb68ddccd3df15d931/orig.mp4?Expires=1770420809&Signature=YfqOmzHNIBhxIbQOwXnUmNqr-fxeR6Bs9DcqDCE5EKAuvgfgWafNtevnW8LcZMb899jJTKfbwW9fvdgnLH0ZZYF3ipS-Vnm5eqYA3Rqbr6p1EDlX4Na1JMdXFHxjeL8aUzRC31Zz9LeTO7GtuUwYeXtX~jS6hKLB5qNN3NEKr1t1FyvpLHeFcnDLnoeU8KtiMnxvxSOmVt6MvRIYWIF0YwHhj-rTPZKrUF2BfQzlBvNxtmsSBLQP~F7qIiQEIZpPYfzhyf1nD6fDtIx8f2KjMdHeYyUSQvXWX5kAkKMLfHRCn7526AlcHX4yWSCOLbG9jkqjG5HsKHcEF4~1ShjGaA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Retail recruitment consultant Retail Strategies presented its annual market update to the council on Oct. 7, highlighting a major recent opening, ongoing site marketing and a pipeline of prospects for Spokane Valley.

Brooke (Retail Strategies) said the firm acts as an extension of the city’s economic development team, maintaining relationships with national retail real estate directors and tenant‑representative brokers. Staff and consultants described a multi‑year timeline for national retail deals and emphasized the value of second‑generation sites that allow brands to enter a new market with reduced upfront construction costs.

John (Retail Strategies) told the council Dave & Buster’s closed earlier this year and “is performing above expectations,” a sign executives gave the brokerage team at a recent industry conference. Retail Strategies provided typical unit sales and job‑creation benchmarks: Dave & Buster’s average unit sales were cited around $10.5 million with roughly 45 jobs per location; 5 Below and a QSR burger concept were cited with brand typical annual sales in the low millions; combined, recent wins and prospects were presented as supporting roughly 81 jobs and tens of thousands of dollars in annual sales tax revenue.

City staff said Retail Strategies’ contract is $35,000 annually; deliverables include quarterly market reports, a post‑trade‑show report and monthly coordination with city economic development staff. Council members asked about vacancy and trends: Retail Strategies said Spokane Valley’s retail vacancy is roughly in line with national averages for national retail (about 4–6 percent), and second‑generation spaces—former Party City and Joann’s locations—have accelerated leasing interest.

Council thanked the consultant for the update and noted retail recruitment work will remain an ongoing priority as the city advances parks, youth‑sports and other destination investments.","Consultant Retail Strategies updated council on retail recruitment in Spokane Valley: Dave & Buster’s is open and exceeding expectations, second‑generation spaces (former Party City, Joann’s) produced quick leasing interest, and the city’s $35,000 contract covers quarterly reports and trade‑show representation.",{"_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},6449811,"Council hears speed‑camera pilot results; staff recommends all‑hours enforcement and one full‑time program coordinator",4432,3336000,7768000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5907214-a80be2a2ebf95447b01c099102691720&start=3336&end=7768","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5907214-a80be2a2ebf95447b01c099102691720/thumbnail_3336000.jpg","/articles/6449811/Spokane-Valley/Spokane-County/Washington/Council-hears-speedcamera-pilot-results-staff-recommends-allhours-enforcement-and-one-fulltime-program-coordinator","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6449811-0f7be82d3437e2a365bbc760e5ca3114/orig.mp4?Expires=1770420809&Signature=h-qr38JFAFeAzuBfSbYYUibrHepcB7hPhUV2zpwlw5bhMd-kcL56bJWXvb2DVUMFb4~tHTlytMUAmPXJTT7L0ThhDlGzVreT9cVIGvMkr6JG6H0elpXopVqGhEO1YrAqM~2mx-pde6uU5npUaeJZUb~yyA9R~WgM5clN~DGLQUcEV8nQkm7byB1Lff9ntDKs4T574GXx8adFfz8zUkiuM4S-YjQInLjCbX~YVAC-Pxx4Zq1oLA97m7y9CximPpLkfPKe0DRNoLodFkxz3AgemdEqswUuIU~SFRcDu7eJaIyJ5TiDqck4vqX6Gof~LP905UGcjWEBoil2rkBA8i8jHQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff described results from a January pilot study and outlined how an automated speed enforcement program could work in Spokane Valley, recommending cameras operate beyond school hours and that the city hire one full‑time coordinator to run the program.

Traffic Engineering Manager Jeremy Clark told council the pilot collected 15‑minute speed samples at five school zones and identified Centennial Middle and Bowdish Middle as having the highest number of potential violations during school arrival and dismissal. “The goal of the speed safety camera is to increase safety by reducing speed,” Clark said, summarizing the program purpose and the national safety guidance behind automated enforcement.

Staff presented revenue and operational assumptions used to estimate program sustainability. The presentation used conservative assumptions for fines, court appeals, and hardship reductions; it also modeled the common observed outcome that citations decline sharply after cameras are posted. Clark said a staff estimate for the first full year of operation was in the low millions of dollars in gross receipts under broad (all‑hours) deployment scenarios, and that a 10‑year net revenue projection could be in the multi‑million range; the projection assumes revenues fall year‑to‑year as compliance improves and that after four years 25% of net revenues must be forwarded to the state under the statutory framework.

Gloria Manz, City Services Administrator, and Clark said privacy protections required by the enabling state law would be built into any program: vendors would redact or discard images that identify vehicle occupants; automated citations would be civil violations not placed on a driver’s record; vendors operate under contract and the city retains ownership of collected data and decides retention periods.

Vendors described to staff typically use a fixed fee model (installation and monthly operation), not a per‑ticket percentage, and they commonly propose five‑year agreements. Staff compared peer cities’ operating and per‑citation review costs (city internal review costs were discussed as approximately $12–$35 per citation in examples from other jurisdictions).

Because camera vendor fees and program management represent ongoing costs, staff recommended cameras operate during all hours (not only posted school hours) so a single full‑time employee could justify the workload for review, oversight, reporting and vendor coordination. Clark and Manz said the city would re‑run counts in non‑winter months and allow vendor speed studies before bringing an implementing ordinance to council.

Council members asked about privacy, vendor contract terms, appeals and reduced fines for hardship or public assistance. Several council members urged expanded public outreach; Deputy Mayor Hatenberg urged placing this before the public sooner so counts can be collected before winter. Council asked staff to return with ordinance language, vendor proposals and non‑winter counts for community review before voting. No ordinance was adopted tonight.","Staff presented a pilot study of automated school‑zone speed enforcement and recommended citywide, all‑hours camera deployment at selected sites and creation of a full‑time staff position to manage the program. Council asked for further counts and public outreach before any ordinance is drafted.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council hears right‑of‑way delivery challenges; staff proposes in‑house acquisition agent

Council confirms HCDAC appointment, adopts 2026 state legislative agenda and approves holiday closures

Retail Strategies reports recruitment wins; Dave & Buster’s performing above expectations

Council hears speed‑camera pilot results; staff recommends all‑hours enforcement and one full‑time program coordinator