Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Active Transportation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Spokane Valley Council OKs application for Appleway Trail planning grant over two objections
Summary
The Spokane Valley City Council authorized staff to apply for a $200,000 Sandy Williams Connecting Communities planning grant to study a proposed Appleway Trail extension, advancing design work despite objections from two council members and several residents.
The Spokane Valley City Council voted to authorize the city manager to apply for the Sandy Williams Connecting Communities Program grant to fund planning for an Appleway Trail extension.
The motion, made during the council’s Sept. 9 meeting, would let staff apply for a $200,000 planning-only grant from the Washington State Department of Transportation’s Sandy Williams program. Engineering Manager Adam Jackson told council the request would be for “a $200,000 request to the program for a 100% grant award with 0 local match for a planning only grant to evaluate potential routing and implementation of the Appleway Trail from Dishman-Mica to our westerly city limit.”
The grant application cleared the council after several residents spoke for and against the idea. Several speakers said a continuous, well‑lit trail could increase “eyes on the corridor” and reduce illegal encampments, while others worried it would invite problems from nearby Spokane and stressed the city should complete other projects first. “I don’t believe it’s too late for us now, but this was another example of ill spent money,” public commenter Mike Dolan said. Art Sack, who said he bikes in Seattle and near the Centennial Trail, argued that trails add property value and reduce crime by increasing public use.
Council discussion focused on the project’s timing, the grant’s planning‑only scope and whether the city should pursue alternate projects that address more immediate needs. Council Member Wieck said the planning grant is an opportunity to “return some of our money” from state sources and to produce a design the city could use later. Council Member Patton said he was “not particularly in favor of spending it on this” and urged staff to look for projects with more immediate benefit to the community. Council Member Yeager said he was “opposed to this at this time.” Deputy Mayor Hatenberg and Council Member Wieck expressed support.
Mayor Haley put the item to a voice vote. Opposed remarks on the record came from Council Members Patton and Yeager; other members voted in favor and the motion passed.
The authorization is only to submit an application; Jackson and City Manager Hohman told council the grant — if awarded — would fund planning and design work only and would not obligate local funds to construction. Hohman clarified that the cross‑country course and a lodging‑tax‑funded project under discussion are separate and are not financed from the general fund.
If awarded, the planning grant would evaluate routing and implementation options, and staff said further design or construction steps would return to council before any local commitment.
Votes at a glance
• Motion: Authorize city manager or designee to apply to the Sandy Williams Connecting Communities Program for the Appleway Trail planning-only project. • Outcome: Approved (voice vote). Recorded opposition during debate: Council Members Patton and Yeager.
Speakers quoted or referenced in this article: Mayor Haley (Mayor), Adam Jackson (Engineering Manager), Mike Dolan (Resident), Art Sack (Resident), Council Member Patton, Council Member Yeager, Council Member Wieck, Deputy Mayor Hatenberg, City Manager Hohman.
Ending: Staff will submit the application if authorized and will return to council with results of any award and with recommended next steps for design or construction authorization.
