The Council Brief · Spokane City Council
The Feb 2, 2026 Spokane City Council meeting features a heavy consent agenda (~$21M+ in contracts/purchases including refuse trucks, EVs, and IT software) plus major legislative items: a special budget ordinance carrying over ~$126M in unspent 2025 funds, an emergency development-fee ordinance reconsideration, a new eviction-prevention/diversion program, a kratom sales ban, a 50-year High Bridge Park land lease to the American Indian Community Center, and several housekeeping ordinances updating arterial streets, department names, and design review rules. No property tax rate items appear, but development fees, impact fees, and utility-funded purchases directly affect homeowner costs.
The gazette (Feb 11, 2026 issue, Vol. 116 Issue 6) publishes minutes for the Feb 2, 2026 Legislative Session and the preceding 3:30 p.m. Agenda Review Session, plus Jan 26, 2026 Finance & Administration Committee minutes (pages 2-7). First Reading Ordinances (C36842, C36828, C36829, C36830, C36835, C36831, C36836) had public testimony received but 'further action deferred' per the minutes — no vote is recorded for First Readings in this issue since final action would occur at a later meeting (likely Feb 23, 2026 given typical 3-week First-to-Final Reading cycle), which is outside this gazette's minutes. Two items on the provided agenda list ('Designated Festival Streets Amendment' and 'Prohibiting Sale and Distribution of Kratom Products') could not be located anywhere in this gazette issue's minutes or ordinance text and are marked not_found. Note a likely scrivener's error in the minutes text for the Special Budget Ordinance, which is introduced as 'C36837' but the roll call vote sentence refers to passing 'C36827' — the ordinance as printed later in the gazette (pages 152-154) is titled C36837, so this analysis treats it as the same ordinance.
This raises many permit and development fees (building permits, plan reviews, electrical/plumbing permits, zoning applications, etc.) by roughly 3.5-4% to keep up with inflation. Homeowners doing any construction, remodeling, or permitted work in 2026 will pay these updated fees; this is being reconsidered as an emergency ordinance after a prior vote.
Why it mattersDirectly raises the cost of building permits and development fees that homeowners pay for renovations, additions, ADUs, and any permitted construction work.
This matches Emergency Ordinance C36824 amending the Development Fee Schedule (Ch. 08.02 SMC), reconsidered and passed as amended by 7-0 Roll Call Vote; full fee schedule and CPI-based automatic annual adjustment mechanism published on pages 142-152.
gazette p. 2, 4, 5, 142, 143, 144, 152This is the same development fee increase ordinance described above, now up for a motion to reconsider after being passed as an emergency ordinance on January 26, 2026. It raises building permit and zoning fees by inflation-adjusted amounts affecting anyone doing construction or development work.
Why it mattersSame fee increases as above being reconsidered; directly affects cost of home construction/remodeling permits.
Duplicate/alternate reference to Emergency Ordinance C36824 (reconsidered via motion during Jan 26 Agenda Review Session, then passed 7-0 Roll Call Vote Feb 2). Same item as 'Emergency Ordinance - Development Fee Schedule Amendments.'
gazette p. 2, 4, 5, 142, 143, 144This ordinance requires landlords to tell tenants about eviction-prevention resources before filing to evict them, and sets up a process for landlords and tenants to try mediation/rental assistance before an eviction case can proceed to court. This affects Spokane landlords and renters directly, potentially slowing evictions and requiring more paperwork, while giving struggling tenants a chance to catch up on rent using city-funded programs.
Why it mattersSignificantly changes the legal process landlords must follow before evicting tenants, directly affecting rental property owners and could reduce homelessness/evictions in the community, though it does not cost homeowners money directly unless they are landlords.
Split voteThe council did not vote unanimously — voting no: Cathcart, Wilkerson.
Final Reading Ordinance C36808, as amended, relating to residential evictions; passed by Roll Call Vote after public testimony and Council commentary. Full ordinance text on pages 138-141.
gazette p. 5, 138, 139, 140, 141This ordinance overhauls the City's design review process to speed up approvals for housing and childcare projects, limiting design review to one public meeting (per new state law), exempting childcare centers from design review, and creating an administrative fast-track for "middle housing" (duplexes, triplexes, etc.). This could make it faster and cheaper to build new housing and daycare facilities in Spokane neighborhoods, potentially increasing density near existing homes.
Why it mattersStreamlines approval for new housing and childcare development citywide, which could increase construction pace and density in neighborhoods, a significant change for homeowners concerned about growth and character of their area.
Matches ORD C36830 implementing the HOME Starts Here Initiative to streamline design review requirements. Listed as First Reading Ordinance on Feb 2, 2026 with further action deferred; no vote recorded.
gazette p. 6The City is extending its contract with a towing company to remove abandoned RVs and junk vehicles from neighborhoods through the end of 2026, adding more funding. This directly addresses neighborhood blight and safety concerns that homeowners often report.
Why it mattersDirectly addresses neighborhood blight from abandoned RVs, a visible quality-of-life and safety issue for homeowners.
Contract Amendment/Extension with Evergreen State Towing for impound and abandoned RV disposal services, Jan 1 2025-Dec 31 2026, additional $175,000 plus tax (OPR 2021-0130), part of Consent Agenda approved 7-0.
gazette p. 4The City Council will approve a 50-year lease of 2.25 acres of High Bridge Park to the American Indian Community Center to build a new 22,000+ sq ft community center, in exchange for the AICC building nearly $900,000 worth of new public park improvements (restroom, parking, playground). This changes how a portion of a public park near the Spokane River will be used for the next half-century, adding a major new community facility and new park amenities nearby.
Why it mattersPermanently changes use of public parkland for 50 years and adds a large new facility plus park amenities, directly affecting nearby neighborhood character and park access, though it comes with a net benefit of new park improvements.
Matches ORD C36836 approving the lease of a portion of High Bridge Park to the American Indian Community Center for 50 years. Listed as First Reading Ordinance on Feb 2, 2026 with further action deferred; no vote recorded (only First Reading occurred).
gazette p. 6This ordinance re-approves roughly $126 million in unspent 2025 city funds (across nearly every department, from streets to parks to utilities) so the money can still be spent in 2026 on projects and contracts that were already committed but not finished. It's a technical budget housekeeping step, but the sheer scale shows how much city money is tied up in ongoing projects that affect streets, parks, and utilities.
Why it mattersReflects massive amounts of already-budgeted money for streets, water, sewer, and parks projects being carried forward, indirectly affecting project timelines homeowners may notice, though it's a procedural re-appropriation not new spending.
Special Budget Ordinance C36837 was amended via Wilkerson/Dillon Proposed Amendment (carried 7-0) then passed 7-0 Roll Call Vote as amended, carrying over unexpended 2025 appropriations; note minutes text reads 'passed...C36827, as amended' which appears to be a scrivener's error for C36837 (the published ordinance text on pages 152-154 is numbered C36837).
gazette p. 2, 4, 152, 153, 154This ordinance updates the rules for "Good Neighbor Agreements" required for homeless shelters and transitional housing, requiring that property owners and a neighborhood council representative be included in communication teams, and prioritizes removing unauthorized homeless encampments near these facilities. This directly affects how neighborhoods interact with shelters sited near them, giving residents more say and faster encampment removal.
Why it mattersGives neighborhood residents and property owners a stronger voice in shelter siting communications and prioritizes encampment removal, directly affecting neighborhood safety and quality of life near such facilities.
Matches ORD C36828 modifying terms of good neighbor agreements, amending SMC 12.05.005. Listed as First Reading Ordinance on Feb 2, 2026 with further action deferred; no vote recorded in these minutes.
gazette p. 6This ordinance corrects minor clerical errors in the 2026 transportation impact fee schedule that new development projects must pay across different districts of the city (Downtown, Northwest, South, Northeast, West Plains, Latah). These are fees builders pay per vehicle trip generated by new construction, which can influence new home/business costs passed to buyers.
Why it mattersThese impact fees affect the cost of building new homes in specific districts, which can be passed on to homebuyers and affects development costs, though this particular item is just a technical correction to already-set fees.
Matches ORD C36842 relating to transportation impact fees, amending SMC 17D.075.180. Listed as a First Reading Ordinance on Feb 2, 2026 with further action deferred (public testimony received, no vote recorded).
gazette p. 5, 6The City is building new pickleball courts on top of a combined sewer overflow (CSO) storage tank in the East Sprague business district, adding recreational amenities to a neighborhood. This directly creates a new community amenity for nearby residents.
Why it mattersAdds a tangible neighborhood recreational amenity that benefits nearby homeowners' quality of life.
Public Works Agreement with Cameron Reilly, LLC for CSO 34-1 sport court improvements, Oct 22 2025-Oct 22 2026—$359,658 plus tax (OPR 2026-0025), part of Consent Agenda approved 7-0.
gazette p. 4This ordinance bans the sale of kratom and 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) products anywhere in Spokane, citing FDA warnings about liver toxicity, seizures, and opioid-like addiction risks, especially from newer concentrated 7-OH products sold at gas stations and smoke shops. This affects local business owners who sell these products and removes access to a substance some residents use for pain or opioid withdrawal management.
Why it mattersAffects local businesses selling these products and residents who use kratom, a public health/safety measure but with narrower direct impact on typical homeowners' finances or property.
No mention of Kratom in the February 2, 2026 minutes or elsewhere in this gazette issue.
This ordinance updates the official map of which streets are classified as "arterial" roads, removing Wall Street's arterial designation (low traffic) and adding parts of Wellesley Avenue, Summit Parkway, Freya Street, and Wieber Drive as collector/arterial streets. This affects funding eligibility for road paving and maintenance on these specific streets, which matters to homeowners living along them.
Why it mattersChanges which streets qualify for arterial street funding and maintenance priority, directly affecting road quality and paving schedules for homeowners along the affected corridors.
Final Reading Ordinance C36823 relating to arterial streets, updating Section 12.08.040 SMC, passed 7-0 Roll Call Vote. Full ordinance text (adding Wellesley Ave, Summit Parkway, Freya St, Wieber Dr; removing Wall St) on pages 141-142.
gazette p. 5, 141, 142The City is replacing 8 aging diesel garbage trucks with new RNG-powered trucks as part of planned 2026 fleet replacement. This is a large purchase funded by Solid Waste reserves, which are paid for through garbage collection fees, so it could have a modest effect on future rates.
Why it mattersLarge capital purchase funded by garbage collection reserves/fees that could influence future solid waste rates, though it's routine fleet replacement.
Purchase from Dobbs Peterbilt of eight refuse trucks for Solid Waste Collections Department, 2026 planned replacements—$3,994,888 (OPR 2026-0023), part of Consent Agenda Staff Recommendations approved 7-0 Voice Vote.
gazette p. 3This ordinance would expand the list of city streets that can be closed for festivals and street events, including extending the Garland Avenue and adding Sprague Avenue festival street segments. Its first reading has been deferred to a later meeting, so it's not being voted on tonight, but affects which neighborhood streets will regularly see closures for events.
Why it mattersAffects which streets near homes are periodically closed for festivals, a moderate but recurring neighborhood inconvenience/benefit; however this item is deferred and not voted on this meeting.
No matching item found in the February 2, 2026 minutes; the only related reference is a WHEREAS clause in Ordinance C36823 mentioning a 'proposed Shared Street Ordinance,' but no 'Festival Streets' item or deferral to Feb 23 is recorded in these minutes.
The City needs outside engineering firm help managing 2026 street/utility construction projects because it is short-staffed by three employees. This adds $1 million to an existing on-call contract used across various neighborhood construction projects.
Why it mattersSupports oversight of various neighborhood construction projects citywide, but is an administrative/staffing contract.
Contract Amendment with Parametrix, Inc. for construction management on-call services for 2026 non-federal aid projects, additional not to exceed $1,000,000, total contract not to exceed $1,800,000 (OPR 2023-1197/ENG 2023117), part of Consent Agenda approved 7-0.
gazette p. 4The City will give $210,000 in federal COVID-relief funds to Meals on Wheels to provide home-delivered meals and wellness checks to vulnerable seniors who need to avoid public exposure due to health risks. This uses expiring federal grant money, not local tax dollars.
Why it mattersHelps vulnerable senior neighbors stay housed and fed safely, a community benefit funded by expiring federal grant money rather than local taxes.
Resolution 2026-0005 approving CDBG-CV contract funding with Greater Spokane County Meals on Wheels—$210,000, adopted 7-0 Roll Call Vote.
gazette p. 5This ordinance tightens the allowable pollutant discharge limits (like arsenic, cadmium, copper, lead, mercury, zinc, and PCBs) that industrial users can send into the sewer system, protecting the wastewater treatment plant and water quality. This is a technical regulatory update required by the City's federal discharge permit and mainly affects industrial dischargers, not residential ratepayers directly, though it helps protect the river and drinking water long-term.
Why it mattersProtects water quality and treatment plant function by tightening industrial discharge limits, an indirect environmental benefit for residents but doesn't directly change homeowner bills or property.
Matches ORD C36831 relating to pretreatment, Chapter 13.03A SMC. Listed as First Reading Ordinance on Feb 2, 2026 with further action deferred; no vote recorded.
gazette p. 6The City is renewing a contract for required environmental groundwater monitoring at its landfills, which helps ensure contamination doesn't spread and protects public health/water quality. This is a regulatory compliance requirement funded through solid waste fees.
Why it mattersEnvironmental monitoring protects groundwater quality, a modest but real benefit to residents near landfills.
Contract Renewal 2 of 2 with Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc. for landfill groundwater monitoring, data analysis and report writing at Waste to Energy Facility, Mar 10 2026-Mar 9 2027, not to exceed $49,000 plus tax (OPR 2022-0169/IRFQU 5563-22), part of Consent Agenda approved 7-0.
gazette p. 4The City will pay a Milwaukee-based company to provide an injury-recovery and health program for police and fire staff over three years without competitive bidding, since they're the only regional provider. This is funded through police and fire budgets and doesn't directly affect homeowner bills, but supports first responder health and readiness.
Why it mattersSupports first responder health/readiness which indirectly benefits public safety, but no direct cost or change for homeowners.
Resolution 2026-0004 declaring Ready Rebound (Milwaukee, WI) sole source provider for Personalized Health and Performance program for public safety staff, three-year contract ~$517,146.57 plus tax, adopted 7-0 Roll Call Vote.
gazette p. 5The City is adding funds to a grant-funded study testing how well green stormwater infrastructure removes a toxic tire chemical (6PPD-quinone) that is lethal to salmon, from street runoff. This is fully reimbursed by a state grant and has no cost to city taxpayers.
Why it mattersEnvironmental research funded fully by grant; indirectly benefits water quality but no direct cost or immediate change for homeowners.
Contract Amendment No. 2 with NB Engineering dba Evergreen StormH20 for Non-Vegetated Bioretention TAPE Study Project, additional $38,907 (100% reimbursable from WQC-2023-Spokan-00120 grant) (OPR 2023-1125), part of Consent Agenda approved 7-0.
gazette p. 4The City is renewing a maintenance contract for insulation work at the Waste-to-Energy plant that processes the region's garbage. This is routine facility upkeep funded by solid waste fees.
Why it mattersRoutine facility maintenance funded by solid waste fees with minor indirect rate impact.
Contract Renewal 1 of 1 with BrandSafway Services, LLC for insulation services at Waste to Energy Facility, Feb 1 2026-Jan 31 2027, not to exceed $200,000 plus tax (OPR 2025-0003/ITB 6083-24), part of Consent Agenda approved 7-0.
gazette p. 4This is the routine weekly approval of bills the City has already incurred, including payroll and vendor payments, covering claims through January 26, 2026.
Why it mattersRoutine payment of already-incurred obligations; not a new spending decision.
Report of the Mayor of pending Claims and payments through January 26, 2026, total $10,207,871.68 (Warrants excluding Parks and Library total $10,103,165.97) (CPR 2026-0002), part of Consent Agenda approved 7-0.
gazette p. 4This ordinance updates numerous sections of city code to reflect the creation of a new Transportation and Sustainability Division and a Parking Services Department, replacing old references to "Code Enforcement and Parking Services." This is an internal reorganization with no direct new costs or rules for homeowners, though it changes who homeowners contact for parking permits and complaints.
Why it mattersInternal department reorganization and renaming; minimal direct impact on homeowners beyond which office they contact for parking issues.
Matches ORD C36835 updating divisional and departmental titles as a result of Ordinance C36795. Listed as First Reading Ordinance on Feb 2, 2026 with further action deferred; no vote recorded.
gazette p. 6The City will buy two Ford F350 trucks equipped with service bodies for irrigation and right-of-way maintenance, paid for using Water Department funds but used by Parks. This is a routine equipment replacement funded by ratepayer reserves.
Why it mattersMinor indirect effect on water rates since it's funded from Water Department reserves, but routine equipment replacement.
Best match is Purchase from Bud Clary Ford of two 2026 F350 4X4 diesel chassis upfitted with service bodies using Water Department budget for Parks Department right-of-way maintenance—$231,072 (OPR 2026-0022), approved as part of Staff Recommendations Consent Agenda 7-0 Voice Vote. Note: minutes describe these as service body trucks for right-of-way maintenance, not explicitly 'irrigation trucks.'
gazette p. 3The City is renewing an annual HVAC maintenance contract for the Waste-to-Energy facility. This is routine upkeep for critical infrastructure funded through solid waste fees.
Why it mattersRoutine facility maintenance with minimal direct homeowner impact.
Contract Renewal 3 of 3 with McKinstry Co., LLC for HVAC services at Waste to Energy Facility, Mar 1 2026-Feb 28 2027, not to exceed $100,000 plus tax (OPR 2023-0026/IPWQ 5678-22), part of Consent Agenda approved 7-0.
gazette p. 4The City will buy two Toyota BZ electric vehicles to replace aging Development Services vehicles, using a state purchasing contract. This is funded through department budgets and has no direct cost to homeowners beyond normal city operations.
Why it mattersRoutine fleet purchase with no direct effect on homeowner costs or neighborhoods.
Split voteThe council did not vote unanimously.
Matches Purchase from Bud Clary Toyota of Yakima of two 2026 Toyota BZ Battery Electric Vehicles for Development Services—$82,000 (OPR 2026-0021). Taken separately from consent agenda; passed by Voice Vote 6-1. Dissenting member not named in minutes.
gazette p. 3This ordinance updates municipal code references from "Historic Preservation Office" to the renamed "Arts, Culture, and Historic Preservation Department," a technical cleanup with no substantive policy change. It does not change any homeowner obligations, though homeowners with historic properties will still interact with the same office under its new name.
Why it mattersPurely a renaming/technical cleanup ordinance with no substantive change to homeowner obligations or costs.
Matches ORD C36829 updating position and departmental titles/code provisions to conform to Ordinances C36752 and C36795. Listed as First Reading Ordinance on Feb 2, 2026 with further action deferred; no vote recorded.
gazette p. 6The City is renewing a software contract used internally to manage capital construction projects. This is an administrative tool and does not directly affect homeowners.
Why it mattersPurely internal software tool with no direct homeowner impact.
Contract with PMWeb, Inc. for Capital Project Management Software, Feb 1 2026-Jan 31 2027—$99,000 plus tax (OPR 2026-0024/RFP 4196-16), part of Consent Agenda Staff Recommendations approved 7-0 Voice Vote.
gazette p. 3The City is extending and expanding its online public records request software (GovQA) for five more years, adding a module for police interagency records requests. This is an administrative system upgrade with no direct cost to homeowners.
Why it mattersAdministrative software system with no direct effect on homeowners.
Contract Amendment/Extension with Granicus for public records request platform, adding a module and extending five years (Dec 1 2025-Nov 30 2030)—$348,555.96 plus tax (OPR 2022-0920), part of Consent Agenda approved 7-0.
gazette p. 3, 4This ordinance moves the City Council's regular legislative meeting from Monday nights to Tuesday evenings starting mid-2026, while keeping the Monday afternoon agenda review sessions. This is a purely internal scheduling change with no effect on homeowner costs or services.
Why it mattersPurely procedural scheduling change with no impact on homeowner costs, property, or neighborhood services.
Split voteThe council did not vote unanimously.
First Reading Ordinance C36738 (changing the day of regular Council meetings) was amended 6-1 with Wilkerson/Klitzke Proposed Amendment No. 2 during consideration of the Feb 9, 2026 Updated Draft Agenda; First Reading deferred from Feb 2 to Feb 9, thereby deferring Final Reading to Feb 23, 2026. No final passage recorded in this issue.
gazette p. 2The deep dive
This is ORD C36824, an emergency ordinance that amends Chapter 08.02 of the Spokane Municipal Code (fees and charges) to update the Development Services Center's entire permitting fee schedule for 2026 (pages 233-260, 323-350). Mechanically, it applies an annual "Fee Adjustment Factor" of 3.5292% for 2025 to nearly every permit, inspection, review, and licensing fee charged by Development Services — building permits, electrical/plumbing/mechanical permits, elevator/boiler fees, sign permits, plat and subdivision fees, zoning application fees, shoreline management fees, street/right-of-way obstruction fees, and more (pages 330-337, 340-350). Each fee is recalculated by multiplying the current fee by the adjustment factor, then rounded to the nearest dollar (for fees over $100) or nearest dime (for fees under $100), subject to a "backstop" cap of 4.08% maximum increase so no single fee can jump more than that ceiling even if the raw math would produce a larger jump (pages 233, 300, 330). Notably, this ordinance was first passed as an emergency ordinance on January 26, 2026, then it reappears on the February 2 agenda specifically because a Council Sponsor is requesting a motion to *reconsider* it (page 9-10), meaning the fee schedule adopted on Jan 26 could be revisited, amended, or re-litigated at this meeting rather than simply taking effect unopposed.
This affects anyone applying for a building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, elevator, boiler, sign, grading, demolition, or land-use permit in Spokane in 2026 — i.e., property owners undertaking any construction, remodel, or development project, plus developers, contractors, and real estate businesses (pages 330-350). It also affects Short-Term Rental (STR) operators via registration/renewal fee updates (page 349-350), and shoreline property owners along the Spokane River via Shoreline Management fee increases (pages 335, 348). Because Development Services fees are largely intended to be self-funding (i.e., permit fees offset the cost of running the department, per the General Provisions in Section 08.02.010, page 326-327), this is not a general tax increase — it hits people specifically pulling permits, not all homeowners uniformly. However, it indirectly affects renters and buyers city-wide because these fee increases raise the cost of new housing construction and remodeling, which can be passed through in rents/sale prices. No specific neighborhoods are named — this is a citywide, blanket schedule change.
Bottom lineIf you're a Spokane homeowner planning any permitted construction, remodel, or short-term rental in 2026, expect most Development Services fees to rise roughly 3.5–4% under this ordinance — but it's not final, since Council is being asked to reconsider the whole thing at this very meeting.