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Votes at a glance: Spokane Valley council approves a street vacation, housing authority bond approval and advances Argonne bridge design
Summary
At its May 6 meeting the council unanimously approved an ordinance to vacate an alley, cleared a resolution allowing the housing authority to issue bonds, and approved a KPFF contract for Argonne/I‑90 bridge design. Staff noted conditions, easements and valuation formula for the alley vacation.
The Spokane Valley City Council on May 6 recorded three formal actions: it advanced or approved a right‑of‑way vacation ordinance for a small alley, approved a resolution enabling the Spokane Housing Authority to issue bonds for an affordable housing project, and authorized a design services agreement for the Argonne/I‑90 bridge (see separate article for the bridge).
Ordinance 25‑005 — alley right‑of‑way vacation: Council approved by unanimous vote a privately initiated street vacation covering approximately 4,042 square feet of alley extending north from Appleway Avenue east of Long Road and west of Greenacres Road. Lori Barlow, senior planner in Community and Economic Development, said the planning commission held a public hearing and recommended approval by a 7‑0 vote. Utility providers Consolidated Irrigation and Avista requested easements; the ordinance includes conditions requiring easements and a record of survey prior to transfer. Using the council's 2022 valuation resolution, staff estimated the property value at $17,683.75; the final amount will be determined after the required record of survey is completed. Council voted to advance the ordinance to a second reading and then approved it unanimously at first reading.
Resolution 25‑010 — housing authority bond approval: Council unanimously adopted Resolution 25‑010, which allows the Spokane Housing Authority to issue bonds to fund acquisition and construction of an affordable housing project located in Spokane Valley. Gloria Mance, city services administrator, said Internal Revenue Service rules require the jurisdiction where a project is located to approve such bond issuance; she and John Chatburn of the Spokane Housing Authority told council the approval does not create an obligation or liability for the city.
Argonne/I‑90 design contract: the council also approved a motion authorizing the city manager to execute a $1,132,739 contract with KPFF for preliminary design of the Argonne Road bridge over I‑90. That motion passed unanimously; a fuller account of the bridge scope, funding and timeline appears in the article dedicated to that project.
Speakers and procedural notes: council excused Council Member Merkel earlier in the meeting; council members present voted unanimously on the items above. Staff noted that utility easements and parcel consolidation requirements are conditions of the alley vacation, and that state and federal grant coordination will be required for the Argonne bridge design and construction phases.
Ending: Staff will return with the second reading of the ordinance, and will continue to pursue funding and design milestones for transportation projects.
