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[00:00:44]
Good evening, everyone and welcome to Spokane City Council agenda. Welcome. We will start with our land acknowledgment. We acknowledge that we're on the land of the unceded Spokane people and that these lands were once the major trading center for the Spokane's as they shared this place and welcomed other area tribes through their relations history, trade and ceremony. We also want to acknowledge that the land holds the spirit of the place through its knowledge, culture and all the original people since time immemorial. As we take a moment to consider the impacts of colonization, may we also acknowledge the strengths and resiliency of the Spokane's and their relatives. As we work together making decisions that benefit all, may we do so as one heart, one mind and one spirit. We are grateful to be on the lands of the Spokane people and ask for the support of their ancestors in all relations. We ask that you recognize these injustices that forever changed the lives of the Spokane people and all their relatives. We agree to work together to stop all acts of continued injustices toward native americans and all our relatives. It is time for reconciliation. We must act upon the truth and take actions that will create restorative justice for all people. Please join me in the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the united states of america and to the republic for which it
[00:02:24]
Stands one nation under god. Indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. Mr. Byrd if you call the roll Council President Wilkerson present Council member clint ski president Council Member Cathcart president Council members opponent Council member Dillon Council member tell us present Council member dixit. Let the record reflect that all Council members are present. Thank you. We will now have we have no hearing items. Mr. Birch we were going to express testimony. That's correct. And that is you will have three minutes to speak to any of the items on the legislative agenda this evening. Residents who testify at this time may not speak again and to open forum at the end of the meeting.
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Mr.. Of first I have daniel clemmie. Next will be jake mason and then derek azaro. All right. Good evening Council President and members of the Council. My name is daniel clement and I'm speaking on behalf of the rental housing association of Washington in opposition to the emergency ordinance. Our hearts go out to those harmed by the Spokane complex fires. If the City had been proposing rental assistance property tax relief or mortgage assistance we would gladly support it. A public disaster does deserve a public response but the ordinance itself just shifts the cost of the fire disaster and future emergencies onto housing providers for a qualifying tenant unpaid rent becomes an affirmative defense to eviction during the emergency and for 12 months of repayment afterward. The ordinance points to repayment plans but also states that these repayment plans are unenforceable. Food is essential. Grocery stores are not required to accept nonpayment. Transportation is essential. Mechanics are not required to work without payment. Mortgages, taxes, utilities and maintenance do not stop. Only housing providers are being told to finance this response. Now the Wilkerson amendment provides a guardrail and it limits these protections to the fires of the early August emergency orders.
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The Dillon amendment removes this guardrail. It writes a standing trigger into the code a future emergency declaration by the Mayor automatically activates this framework. It's not hypothetical just as a thought in 2024 Spokane declared an opioid emergency to help people affected by opioid use disorder. Have the Dillon amendment been law? This declaration would have triggered this ordinance's protections. A tenant could then claim that opioid related job loss reduced income qualified them for a defense to a nonpayment eviction. What does that claim succeed? Would be litigated at the housing providers expense. That's not rhetoric. This is what happens when every mayoral emergency is automatically written into landlord tenant law. And this should concern the Council. Emergency declarations let the executive respond quickly. Preventing an owner from recovering possession is a legislative decision automatically linking these powers diminishes the Council's role and carries legal consequences. The City of Spokane is already a defendant in the cedar lane case which is federal litigation over the COVID eviction moratorium and the constitutional right to exclude COVID did include rental assistance and mitigation programs.
[00:05:54]
This proposal creates a usable eviction restriction without funding for unpaid rents. Housing providers do not cause these fires. They should not become Spokane's emergency line of credit. I ask that you adopt the Wilkerson amendment, reject the Dillon amendment, protect disaster affected tenants through rapid rental assistance, a standing authorization for future eviction moratoriums without assistance or a separate legislative vote invites another legal challenge to the City. If the City chooses that path, it should expect one. Thank you. Thank you. Next I have jake mason online. Jake, I'm on meeting you and you can start whenever you're ready. Thanks so much. Good evening. I'm jake mason, government affairs director for the Washington multifamily housing association. It's one of five. This disaster is personal for me and my wife and I are temporarily relocated for work.
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Most of our belongings were stored with friends and were lost in the fire. I understand firsthand the devastation facing this community is real immediate and deeply personal in the work that we have been engaged in to help our friends and former neighbors in recovery. With all that in mind, wolf, I supports targeted emergency relief for residents who experience a genuine loss of income because of these wildfires. During this time of recovery I have spoken with our Spokane housing providers and while their experience may not capture every affected household, none has heard from a resident whose income was directly impacted by these fires. That does not mean hardship does not exist but it reinforces the need for documented and carefully targeted response. Fraud is not a hypothetical concern for our industry. The wall street journal recently reported that fraudulent rental applications including fake paystubs, fake employment records, fake social security numbers and purchased application packages represent as many as half of applications at some properties in overly demand markets. Other recent reporting has documented the growing use of artificial intelligence to create convincing financial records that are increasingly difficult to identify as fraudulent.
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Against that backdrop, an ordinance relying entirely on self-certification creates unnecessary risk and exposes housing providers and our entire housing system to fraudulent abuse. We ask the Council require tenants to submit their initial certification by the fifth day after rent is due before customary notice proceedings begin. Tenants should then have up to 14 days to provide objective documentation such as pay stubs, employer verification, unemployment determinations, benefit awards tax records or business income records. Updated verification should be required while protections continue. The ordinance should also define it's unclear eligibility terms and establish an expedited process for resolving disputed claims using the ordinary preponderance of the evidence standard material only fraudulent certification should result in the loss of protections and recovery of the housing providers resulting loss. Repayment agreements must also be enforceable after notice and an opportunity to secure. The ordinance must clearly coordinate with the City's pathways to eviction diversion program in the meantime. I know personally how important it is for Spokane to respond with compassion but accountability and compassion are not in conflict. Both are necessary to preserve a vibrant housing sector capable of serving the community when it matters most.
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As many of these families continue to look for relocation and new housing. Thank you so much. Thank you. Derek azaro. Derek azaro. The three Council members including his opponent aggressively attempting to criminalize all property owners in Spokane who provide housing to residents of the City, many of which are mom and pop landlords that are renting to tenants at below market rate. They are passing an ordinance as an emergency with the accusations wording such as unwarranted to offend referring to landlords without any documented evidence supporting this emergency ordinance. Present at this meeting to support their claims. There is no protection here for homeowners who lost their homes and can't pay their mortgages and face foreclosure and eviction as well with nowhere to go. Other emergency is a stated vaguely within as well no references to the apartment ordinance palisades fire has 91 foreclosures eight fire 121. These four Council members are submitting this ordinance as written with only.
[00:10:33]
It could accomplish one thing by criminalizing all landlords that is to force all mom and pops to dump their properties in the market at a time when the fire victims are looking to relocate in the City eliminating rentals scarps sorry. As per 2000 0204030 definition of this section of the fentanyl crisis in Spokane does qualify as other civil emergency but Mayor lisa Brown refuses to declare an emergency and ignores or act actively overrides citizen votes demanding law and order protecting victims. Ignores protecting victims ignores or actively overwrites citizen votes demanding law and order. Protecting victims rights is secondary to protecting the rights of habitual criminals. The Mayor and all five of you Council members are guilty of being soft on crime and turning a blind eye to the residents who don't share socialist ideology. These homes were lost caused by a criminal let go by your policies and a probation department that failed us responsibly to follow the rules of interstate compact green with arizona supervising the special criminal section oh two 0403 of the Spokane mental code authorize the Mayor to issue a declaration of civil emergency. Lisa Brown the law abiding citizens of Spokane challenge you to declare a null civil emergency to abolish crime in Spokane when there is a threat of death or injury of persons or the destruction of or damage to property require an extraordinary and immediate measure to protect the public peace, safety and welfare. Every home lost in Spokane fire is not only wiped out their homes but also years of equity profit
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Supporting generational wealth. The homeowners kids have lost all equity they would have inherited because of a criminal on probation in Spokane from another State repeatedly let go. Don't pass this ordinance without further proven facts. All landlords are criminals and won't work with their tenants asking for a one week deferral. Is that a good time for the three Council members and phone to present legitimate argument in support of this ordinance as written? It's all based on assumptions not facts. The homeowners are the fire. The homeowners are the fire victims. Business owners are victims. Residents are victims. Lisa beal of urbana salon is a victim in many other areas as a Mayor. Lisa Brown, thank you and the five members of the Council. Thank you. That completes our express testimony. We will go into our proposed legislative items only one testifier we have zeke smith o minutes.
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Thank you. Council President Wilkerson and members of the Council. Nice to see you. I'm zeke smith, president of waters meat foundation and fund and I'm a resident of Spokane. I appreciate Council recognizing the significant impacts of the Spokane complex fires and that this includes the reality that these impacts will extend beyond the devastation to date. Well, we don't know yet the full economic impact. We do know that some people who still have a home today may be at risk of losing it because the fires interrupted their work income, transportation or caregiving. This ordinance gives us a chance to prevent that. I'm speaking of ordinance see three six 928 importantly it does not forgive rent. It does give people who experienced a loss of real income time to recover and repay what they owe without immediately facing eviction. I support using the Dillon amendment as the starting point because it prepares Spokane not only for this emergency but also for the next one.
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I would ask you to strengthen it in a few practical ways. Keep at least the original seven day notice period allowing tenants to use whatever reasonable documentation they can access and do not weaken the standard used to challenge a tenants certification. I've also submitted more detailed written testimony outlining additional recommendations regarding the ordinance and the proposed amendments. People navigating a disaster may not have records reliable internet transportation or immediate access to an employer or benefits office. We should not create a protection and then make it unavailable to the people experiencing the greatest disruption. Recovery is not only about rebuilding what burned. It's also about keeping more families from being displaced in the months ahead. Please pass the ordinance and make sure its protections work under the real conditions people are facing. Thank you all very much for your consideration of this. Thank you. On to pending legislative items.
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It doesn't look like there's any public comment under pending board and commission appointments. There is one public comment under reports contracts and claims in the pending section. Justin heller I actually rode my bike here because I actually ride my bike but I don't want more bike lanes on my hands just now. Spokane, Washington district one. I saw something in the contracts about. Correct me if I'm wrong. We're talking about buying purchasing such because you know I always talk about the wrong thing at the wrong time. I like the fact that you're thinking about buying a mercedes sprinter van. Just make sure it's a diesel because diesels are more robust than gasgas. I happen to know this because my dad sold them as a kid and furthermore I sold my blue wagon which was firebombed in Spokane, Washington pacific and State with 286,000 miles. I was still running so buy white wagon diesel also for with 380 6000 miles.
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So these diesel wagons or diesel mercedes are quite robust so I definitely encourage that as long as this diesel but not if it's a bluetec because the blue diff material it just ruins engines get the cdi. That would be better. I don't know if you have a choice in that but I definitely have an opinion because I'm a taxpayer I'm very frustrated with the tax money that you guys already waste and to think about arrays when everyone else had their at the very least had to change a cabin air filter in their car. I'll just say that but I'll I'll save that for the rest of it. But I'm just very frustrated with the money you guys take from us and use for purposes that don't necessarily benefit Spokane. Thank you. Pending emergency ordinances ordinance c 36 9 to 8 an ordinance of the City of Spokane to ensure tenant protections during the Spokane complex fire and similar emergencies. Amending sections blank and blank of the Spokane municipal code declaring an emergency. Up first we have hannah swanson. And we'll have salvadore racine us and then steve caulker. Good evening. I'm hannah swanson with housing justice project. I also run the Spokane tenant disaster relief hotline which has been inundated with calls and I'd like to start by saying to say that there's no
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Tenants income affected is blatantly uninformed or completely blind. The amendments that we're talking about the Wilkerson amendments are concerning and don't track with the data that we have provided today through a letter from the hotline. This ordinance needs to be about protecting and reaching the tenants who are not receiving community funding. Those are our tenants that have been temporarily displaced but are financially impacted and will be at risk for months to come. I'm going to tell you a story because it is a trend and it's a story I've heard ten times a row this past week from Indian Trail residents. There was a family displaced 200ft from the fires. They came home to an ashfield townhouse. Their property manager refused to do any inspection. They demanded the tenants pay for one that they did on their own and when it came back recommending large remediation they had an uncertified maintenance man write a report saying the home was habitable.
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Now they're refusing to discount the rent and they're refusing to terminate the lease because the residents they can't go home. This family is still displaced. They're young children who have severe asthma cannot live in a home covered in ash and lead. And this family is having to pay for all of this to be safe. These are the tenants who need these protections and time to pay if the landlords won't comply. These are the tenants who are going to face eviction if we give them no help. Thank you. Salvador senos. Good evening. My name is salvador and I am a tenant Council manager with the tenants union in Washington State. I'm here tonight to ask that the City I support can learn from the experiences of renters impacted by our recent wildfires and strengthen protections before the next disaster happens. Please adopt the amendment and reject the Wilkerson amendment. I share the concern community partners like health and justice project have on how many evictions were scheduled last month this month and in the coming months we surveyed people affected by the wildfires and 90% of the people responded were renters. About one third of the people surveyed are still displaced, many staying with family, friends or short term housing.
[00:21:14]
More than 60% reported that their housing cost increased after the fires. Some lost their homes. Some could not find replacement housing. Others experienced temporary homelessness and had to stay with family because they could no longer afford or access housing. 10% of the respondents reported that their homes were destroyed about 20% to one third of the respondents reported paying rent during a period when they could not live in the rental because of the wildfire damage or evacuation. And about one third said that the landlord did not return or credit that rent. At the same time people's employment was disrupted. Employers closed, hours were reduced. People had to take unpaid leave. Some could not get to work. Others lost childcare. Council members. These are not simply individual problems. They are gaps in our disaster response system. We are asking the City establish stronger emergency tenant protections. The lessons should be that our laws need to be ready before the next disaster happens. We cannot wait until families are ready or already displaced to decide what protection City to serve.
[00:22:25]
Thank you. Thank you. Steve caulker Council President members of the Council. I would like to speak in support of the betsy Wilkerson amendment and I really want to go to a broader subject in the sense that I would really strongly urge you to begin to understand the impact of what the legislation is doing to the housing market in the City of Spokane and particularly low income rental housing. There was an article in the business journal that talked about some of the issues facing the industry as a whole. But I think what's happening is either by intent or by accident the actions they're taking are driving the private sector out of the low income housing market.
[00:23:31]
There are statistics out there that are showing this impact and what it's doing and I think it's critically important to do the research so that you don't create an environment where the dependency Falls entirely on government funding for low income housing. I'm not sure the government is going to have that responsibility fulfilled either locally or in the State of Washington. The private sector is responsible for about 95% of all housing. To ignore that reality is to ignore your ability to serve particularly the low income families in this area. I implore you to do the research that I hope will make you better appreciate the dilemma, the challenge and some new opportunities of solving the problem.
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Thank you. Thank you. Special budget ordinances and the pending section of tonight's agenda ordinance c 36 929 amending ordinance number c 36 794 entitled in part an ordinance adopting a mid biennial modification budget for the City of Spokane and amending it to accept wildfire relief donations in the home starts here account and provide financial assistance to individuals and families impacted by the Spokane complex fires and declaring an emergency. I have rick bowcock. I don't know if I could be declared emergency but I have serious issues about the evacuation situations. I was under a level two evacuation had to which was at a moment's notice. And my biggest issue is the landlords corruption because they only gave me an 18 inch this much an exit in my place and they blocked the fire exit door. And because I called the police and because I've done this because I've called the police. Now I'm being dealt with an anti harassment protection order because of this. So I have to deal with another court system
[00:26:00]
Of landlords weaponizing the civil protection. So I really have serious issues, you know, like emergency stuff. David said that I could move my girlfriend couldn't move, did any of these things I wouldn't be able to her. So I don't even know what kind of emergency they do for people in my position. But I have serious issues about the abuse that's been happening to myself, to my girlfriend, about weaponizing the civil protection orders and no accountability if you don't go to court the judge rules a default no matter how many lies or how many evidence you have against them. But I just know that my life is still in danger because we have a code enforcement thing that is an unpermitted dwelling. I still have to face emergency fire exits. Brad cannot go because there's still an 18 inch x and no accountable party.
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So I'm putting it out to the public about this kind of abuse that it needs to stop. If a landlord comes and tries to use anti-harassment protection order the judge needs to look at it with the landlord tenant issue and just dismiss it right away. Thank you. Thank you. Council President there being no further public comment in the pending section of the agenda I'll just continue to read the remainder of the items in the pending section special budget ordinances ordinance c 36 930 amending ordinance number c 36 seven 94 entitled in part an ordinance adopting a mid biennial modification budget for the City of Spokane and amending it to increase budget to account for increased claims experience for ricks risk management workers compensation and employee benefits and declaring an emergency resolutions in the pending section of the agenda resolution 2026 006 for setting forth the City Council's approval of investments from the opioid response fund for culturally responsive treatment services authorizing execution of related contracts without further City Council review and action ordinances and the pending section of tonight's agenda ordinance c369 25 relating to micro-housing and sewer utility rate enacting a new section 13.03.11292 chapter 13 of the Spokane municipal code and setting an effective date ordinance number 33c 36926 relating to utilities franchise taxes amending municipal code section 08.10.0402 chapter 08.10 of the Spokane municipal code and setting an effective date
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Ordinance c 36 927 establishing a temporary commercial activation process to support economic development, expand small business opportunities and activate vacant and underutilized commercial spaces and adopting a new section 17 f.040.210 to chapter 17 f.040 of the Spokane municipal code. Thank you. We're now going to our final legislative items board and commission appointments I don't none tonight no reports contracts and claims. As for that being said on the reports contracts and claims. All those in favor please indicate by saying I I in extensions that passes seven zero on to the emergency ordinance or no emergency ordinances or special budget ordinances on the final section of tonight's agenda resolutions resolution 2026 zero 061 granting a non-exclusive access and utility easement across airport property to inland power and light company on Spokane County assessor parcel number 15 341.9009 15 342.9 004 15 three 4 or 5.9010 and 15 355.9008 resolution 20 26 006
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To authorizing the airport we have one public comment on one 061 sure justin heller m sorry I don't have enough money to pay attention. Which one is this amount? This is regarding the purchase of the airport property. Airport property. Okay so I guess I put in for too many things I was trying to get over. I didn't realize the fire thing was on the next agenda but yeah, I got nothing. All right. Thank you, justin any Council commentary on resolution 0061? See none. Prepare to vote. I thank you. That passes seven zero. Go ahead, Mr. Byrd. Thank you.
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Council President resolution 2026 006 to authorizing the airport board to purchase property identified as Spokane County assessor parcel number 35014.0111 no public testimony that any Council commenter see none prepared to vote I thank you that passes seven zero Mr. Byrd. Council President in our new system I believe you want to actually take public comment on the final ordinances prior to me reading them individually. First I have a list guzman and then next will be justin haller good evening Council President and members of the Council. My name is alissa guzman and I am the downtown Spokane partnership's new policy and external affairs specialist. As I've settled into my role, I've had the privilege of getting to know some of you and I look forward to that continued engagement.
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As you may know, the dsp represents employers, small businesses, nonprofits and residents all throughout downtown Spokane. Last week we submitted written comments to Council outlining our continued support for ordinance c36920. I'm here tonight to reinforce that support and urge Council to approve the extension of the interim zoning ordinance concerning height limits continue continuing the elimination of height limits downtown through this interim ordinance provides greater flexibility for housing and mixed use development in our urban core. It also is consistent with the preferred growth alternative and the comprehensive plan update and sends a very clear signal that Spokane wants to encourage density and more housing. Housing continues to be a major priority for the dsp. Our downtown Spokane housing study recommends a ten year target of approximately 3200 net new market rate housing units downtown. Increasing the number of people who live in downtown is critical to not only meeting our housing goals but also creating a more vibrant urban core which will ultimately support local businesses and attract additional retail and amenities.
[00:33:11]
How City Council continues its comprehensive plan update and modernization of title 17 extending the interim ordinance preserves opportunities for housing and mixed use development while about longer term work continues. We appreciate Council's continued work toward permanent changes to the height regulations. And on behalf of the rdsp we urge you to approve ordinance c36920. Thank you. Thank you justin holler. I have mixed feelings I might as just now just one I mixed feelings on the height ordinance. I think it's a diabolical plan and a plot to ruin the downtown core and to decimate the property values with the current administration and their lack of willingness to handle the drug addicts and the homeless people.
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Can I have one of your City Council members attention considering that you guys are just protesting? Please direct all your comments to the chair. Thank you. Can I possibly, you know, instruct the other six people to hold one of your account one of your members accountable? Thank you. Could you continue your comments? Okay. I just think it's offensive when somebody has to City jobs and claims they don't have time to listen while they're grading papers. I think it's offensive and you're possibly getting a raise. I'm going to start petitions against you. Thank you, gentlemen. Here's here's the deal. The ordinance has a mixed reviews and here's why it's it's good for the property owners that are able to buy the property cheap. After most of you who are largely leftist leaning won't do anything about the crime lower the property values so that the developers can swoop in and buy stuff.
[00:35:07]
However, I think the next generation they're going to want cars. My niece and nephew don't want cars. They're drove that generation. They don't want cars they don't care about they want they think their parents are going to take them everywhere they think uber is going to take them everywhere or a scooter. But the next generation after that might want cars. And so for you guys to decide for multiple generations ahead of time that all we don't want cars because it's not fashionable right now it's not eco friendly. I got news for you the eco friendly nonsense is just that nonsense and I'm sick of the green agenda and you guys buying stuff from green gender whereas Spokane valley told sideshow bob and king inslee to kick rocks they said they couldn't afford stuff but you guys go oh no, we can afford it when you're $25 million over budget, huh? Thank you. Okay so ordinance see 36922 expanding access to cooling heating and weatherization services amending section 07.08.158 and 10.5 7.10 of the Spokane municipal code.
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Any Council commentary tells me we're doing. Yeah I'm just really excited that this trailer ordinance to their renters right to cooling came into play I think I say you know rights aren't right without access so being able to have that access to more weatherization and mobilizing quickly I mean I think we wish you would a paired together but it's still great that this is moving forward and I think it's a big win. Councilmember tell us yeah, I just wanted to thank. I too am very excited to pass this ordinance. I think it was a great example of collaboration between City Council and the City and numerous stakeholders to make sure that we were actually providing resources as well to get people the cooling and heating and weatherization that they need. All right.
[00:37:01]
Thank you. You know the commentary prepared to vote I thank you that passes seven zero ordinance c 36 923 repealing duplicative charitable solicitation license requirements amending section zero 8.01.080 and repealing chapter 10.42 of the Spokane municipal code. Anything else? Council commentary we'll just say that we are glad that we are repealing this. It came out of nowhere and it was really impacting our nonprofits in their ability to raise funds for the good services they do in our community. Prepared to vote I thank you that passes seven zero ordinance c36920 to extend the duration of interim zoning ordinance c36646 concerning height limits setting a public hearing and reiterating a work program you can come to Council member tell us I am excited to be supporting this in part because I am an environmentalist and I am a former prosecutor and I see this as accomplishing two things it accomplishes more density downtown. Any time we have a density within our core we are limiting the sprawl that is happening outside. Those two things go hand in hand. One is the opposite of the other and so I am very supportive of anything that increases density as I was with my colleague councilmember Dillon this morning at the thorp property it was another
[00:38:39]
Reminder of why we need to we as a City will continue to grow. We need to grow but we need to do it wisely and we need to do it in a way that preserves as much open and green space as possible and I really see this going hand in hand also if I'm going to put on my other hat as public safety chair the more we have a thriving, robust downtown and the safer we're all going to feel, the more robust our economy is and I think all of us want a thriving urban core. Thank you. Thank you. You come jerry prepare to vote. I thank you that passes seven zero that completes our legislative agenda for this evening. We will now transition into open form. You have two minutes. Please direct all your comments to the chair. Mr. D's first I have Mary Stohr next will be Linda Carroll and then deborah perkins good evening. My name is Mary Stohr and I'm chair of friends of the Spokane trees. I live in the Rockwood neighborhood and I have poor eyesight first as you know based on comments and petitions sent to you, your constituents want a six month extension to the public comment period for the comp plan. Secondly, there have been a number of claims made in favor of this version of the comp plan so let's deal with three there clearly faults
[00:40:14]
The comp plan will address our need for low income housing. Currently the infill law which continues under the plan has led to the building of mostly high income housing and expensive apartments that will continue the comp plan includes no incentives for the building of low income single family housing. The claim that the count two the claim that the comp plan has an environmental focus is false. Again, the infill law allows smaller lots and setbacks and this means there's no room for trees or green space in the last few years and due to a largely unregulated development from the infill law hundreds of trees have been destroyed due to development. The claim that people three the claim that people want greater density in their neighborhoods not downtown in their neighborhoods is false. The public comments regarding this clearly indicate people are very worried that the greater density with no parking requirements will lead to greater noise, more crime, less green space and the destruction of community in their neighborhoods. Given these points I would urge you to have a frank and honest discussion with constituents about the medium to high density from the comp plan that will come to all of their neighborhoods if people know how dense and how crazy their neighborhoods are going to be without parking provided they will be against the comp plan.
[00:41:40]
Thank you. I hope you vote against it and I hope you vote which would be a vote for us instead of developers. Thank you. Thank you, Linda Carroll. Next will be deborah perkins and then samantha mace. Good evening. Council President Wilkerson. Council members thank you for the opportunity to speak. My name is Linda Carroll. I live on Waverly Place. This side of the Spokane area suffered through four fires the upper river fire, the old trails fire, the fairview fire, the amber lake fire while still recovering from earlier fires and medical lake in deer park. This year's fires were close to the heart of the City and the most expensive in the State's history. Because of our location in a drought stricken region, experts predict that the wild wildfires will continue. The future land use map for the comprehensive plan introduces new or increased housing density near fire prone areas that are also near or along one or more critical evacuation routes.
[00:42:40]
This shows up very clearly when you compare current and future maps side by side. In district one bemis has new density along wellesley, which is an evacuation route. Nevada Heights has new density along upriver drive and evacuation route. Whitman has new density along both wellesley and Francis which are evacuation routes. In district two manitoba cannon hill has new density along grand which is an evacuation route. In district three Emerson-Garfield has added density atop the river gorge the part that hasn't burned yet and therefore has a very heavy fuel load. On Northwest boulevard which is an evacuation route. Northville has new density along frances Northwest along wellesley. West central has added density atop the river gorge along summit which is an evacuation route. It's not nice to for mother nature because mother nature doesn't get mad she gets even and this summers for fires were mother nature getting even for past mistakes? How will she get even for future mistakes? Isn't this reason enough to review the future land use map? Thank you. Thank you, deborah perkins. Next will be samantha mace and then Chris Coppen good afternoon City Council.
[00:44:03]
I'm a citizen of the complex fires and I live near rifle club road. And through the grace of god my house still stands. My house is in the wind river first edition with 71 lots and as you know all plots are supposed to have two exits. My plat only has one built out exit onto canon which empties out on the wind river first edition which ultimately empties out on wind river drive and rifle club road onto Nine Mile road. The second act's exit from my plat is an emergency easement that goes out to Nine Mile road but it goes through between two houses. This easement is not marked any on in any way on the ground and only the only way you know it exists is if you're looking at the plat map.
[00:44:57]
There should be signage. It is not graveled or paved. It is grassed and is being used by the adjoining lot owner for landscaping and storage of big rocks. There is no curb drop at the Nine Mile road. Both ends of the easement should have had curb drops. Sparks from low riding cars could have set the high grasses on fire on that end. The gate was padlocked shut in an emergency. Any citizen should be able to open a gate without bolt cutters. The emergency exits should be inspected on a yearly basis to make sure that they're not blocked and that evacuation map that the emergency management has created should show all of these secondary emergency accesses on it for during an emergency. Because I did use that map so you might. Each one of you should have received one of these things and you can see the pictures of what I'm talking about. Thank you very much. Thank you.
[00:46:00]
Samantha mace, samantha mace going twice. All right. We'll move on to Chris Coppen. Chris Coppen going twice. All right. We'll jump to Kirsten angel. Kirsten angel. I want to thank Council member dolan for your work on tharpe. Spoken values nature 93% of Spokane residents desire to protect wildlife habitats and conserve natural areas according to community surveys from the Spokane parks and rec master planning process. This 2046 framework and the flume are not adequately representing the value that Spokane residents place on the natural world. The planning department has fallen short on their obligation to balance development with protections of our quality of life.
[00:47:06]
We can and must provide for our low income housing needs without wholesale sacrificing our urban tree canopy or our natural areas and corridors. I'd like to ask you the same question that one of the Plan Commissioners asked at a recent planning commission meeting. How will the City ensure that wildlife habitat tree cover traffic congestion and other environmental concerns are adequately protected? In instances where we would no longer be going through the keeper process? The planning director quickly and effectively avoided answering that million dollar question. Have any of you asked the planning director this question? You should. Your constituents are asking you this question. Spokane wants to know and we deserve a good answer. I'd like to remind you that we have language throughout a comprehensive plan that states the need to identify, designate and design for the protection of natural areas and corridors. The natural environment chapter is full of language design a network of natural areas and connecting corridors distinct from developed parks throughout Spokane that support native habitats and natural landforms. Nine point one identify natural areas throughout the City 9.2 identify and enhance corridors.
[00:48:20]
9.3 acquire and protect natural areas and connecting corridors in a growth strategy. Chapter policy 8.1 advance siting identify in advance of development sites for parks, open space, wildlife habitat and corridors. Urban design 3.10 ensure development is designed in a manner that protects significant natural and cultural features, critical areas and identified wildlife habitat and habitat corridors. And thank you. Your time is up. Craig hammonds. Next we'll have rick bowcock and then Christopher Savage good evening. I'm Craig hammonds, resident of Spokane. I live in Rockwood right next door to six skinny houses where there used to be one house and 50 trees. That house was taken down as 50 trees were taken down and allowed to go in providing for high density. I'm here to ask the City Council to reconsider their support for the comprehensive plan as it's presently constituted. While the motives for the plan are laudable, the plan is a recipe for trouble rather than a solution to Spokane's housing problems. Density is not an end in itself a bad goal of course, but encouraging density in well-established single family neighborhoods is a mistake for several reasons. Density will result in the deforesting of neighborhoods. Density will negatively affect ecosystems drives out animals birds, bees. Dense density will contribute
[00:50:00]
To global warming. For instance the six skinny houses that are next to my house now will have essentially no yard, no trees but a lot of concrete. That's not good for global warming. Related to that density will lead to increased flooding. There's nowhere for the water to go now for instance in these houses because they're so cramped in their density will also lead to less open space and less play space for children. You know, I live in the hutton school district. Everybody wants to go to high school. Those houses that are set up for kids the kids don't have a yard to play in. Density will increase street parking. Finally, density simply undermines the character the livability and the stability of established single family neighborhoods. They lead to more noise, more traffic and fewer trees and fewer green spaces. It really destroys single family neighborhoods. One house at a time. And while density is a great thing, I think we need to reconsider how we go about achieving.
[00:50:58]
Thank you. Thank you. Rick bowcock. Next is Christopher Savage and then Brian Muegge. I'm going to put this on public because it's really concerning to me about my specific situation. Code enforcement did an inspection where I'm at and they declared that the place I'm living is an unpermitted dwelling. This is one of the things that they put down the internal circulation required for single family dwellings. I didn't really know what that meant but what it means is that when they saw that I'm supposed to have a doorway the other tenant supposed to have a doorway, there's supposed to be a hallway. That's what it means. I didn't know that but I know it now. So yesterday the landlord's letter let a police officer come in to my dwelling that goes into another tenant's dwelling which means to me they were violating the fourth amendment. But I don't know if they knew they were violating the fourth amendment.
[00:52:08]
But the landlord knows this so it's a very serious issue to me. Where's the accountability? You know, I mean I could make a complaint about the police but the police don't know. But at the same time the landlord should be held accountable for this because of this on permitted dwelling. With that written by code enforcement. So police officer comes into my tenancy to go into another tenancy. It's quite a legal matter there but I want it to be in public so that I can. So maybe it can be talked about this kind of situation because it's not right. It's not right at all especially like I said everything that's happening to me is not right. But this is an example of a constitutional issue and the police. They're supposed to uphold the oath.
[00:53:01]
They should. They should. And I don't know what they're going to do about this but it's very serious. Is it an actual constitutional issue? Thank you very much, Christopher Savage. Next is Brian Muegge. And then we'll have rick walters hotchkiss. Good evening, Council President. My name is Christopher Savage. I'm one of the seven over the 700 households that was affected by the complex fire and is now displaced or in another part of the Spokane. I'd like to address comments that were made by a district three representative last week. I think it's wholly represent irresponsible and vile that they think that they need to wait and essentially on an election year to that's coming up to create an evacuation plan that I would like to inform you. North Indian Trail labor Council although south the national labor Council Northwest and their Council five Mile neighborhood Council all have requested evacuation plans not just last year, not the year before that several years now. Had we had evacuated ocean plan I can only tell you what I saw as I went back into the flames to inform my family that was coming up to the house. I did not see an orderly organized kind of dispersal of area. It was jam packed. I get reports from five miles saying it looked like dante's peak. I get reports from seven Mile saying that the fire was licking their the sides of their cars as they were waiting for two hours trying to get out of there. We need evacuation plan now because the
[00:54:38]
Eye it is lucky that no one was harmed by this. We are so lucky that didn't happen. But I know we can do this because I think our neighbors to the south and later creek area same thing's going to happen there and we can see that fires are just coming more and more. And I know this can happen because I remember distinctly last year that one of our Council representatives from district two was actually a part of evacuation plan on the south hill. We can do this. I know we can do this. We need to partner with speedy the Spokane fire department and possibly the national guard to make sure we are having an orderly dispersal. I was lucky. I know the area I was able to get out of there fast with my family. Others aren't able to say the same. We need to work on this. I know we can and this will save lives so please let us work on this now and not next year. It'll be far too late. Thank you, breean. Maggie. Next we'll have rick walters, hotchkiss and then derek azaro. Greetings Council. My name is Brian Muegge, president of west central. I wore my special celebratory soy salmon shirt tonight in celebration of the Thorpe road exchange. So thank you again Council members Dillon and tell us for being there today. Like many have other folks have brought up. I'd like to talk about the comp plan and the PlanSpokane 2046 specifically the future land use map within the Grandview-Thorpe neighborhood.
[00:56:03]
So earlier today the media that took place media event was amazing. There are many stakeholders there and I was so inspired by the fact that we were able to bring together so many stakeholders that can serve this parcel. But I cannot help but think that this could potentially be the only parcel preserved as open space in that entire neighborhood because of some of the concerns I have with the new future land use map specifically in the new 2046 flume there are certain densities that are up zoned that I'm curious about or maybe not even up zoned but they're higher density that concern me in the fact that entire corridor and the 2022 parks and natural land master plan is circled as a priority habitat conservation zone and the fact that we are incentivize housing development particularly in that corridor which as we know is highly important and is also a bottleneck for safety and fire risk and then explicitly mentioned as an important critical area. So that's some of the content that I am concerned about in this forum. I think there's definitely opportunities to work to better allocate for that. Really my goal within that neighborhood as a strong advocate of open space where I believe it should be which is there is just working with members of the Council and other stakeholders to just make sure that we're able to get as much open space in that area as possible. So thank you. Thank you rick walters hotchkiss next will be derek azaro and then justin haller good evening Council men
[00:57:48]
And women of Spokane. I have several complaints but I would like to start with gratitude and appreciation for the Council. Today we have many difficult challenges here in Spokane and foremost I would like to thank the leadership of Spokane. I do know that as a public elected official would not have run and gotten your position without being able to build consensus. So again, thank you for your leadership. I would like tonight to speak about the unlimited economic development that can be Spokane. We do not have a homeless crisis in Spokane. We have an employment problem and I feel I can be the man that gets Spokane out of its economic slump. I would like to speak to each and every Council person about the redevelopment of free market freeway park and my vision for a neighborhood at the base of maple avenue. If you would like to allow me a walk through my neighborhood each of the individual plan in action to resolve and beautify the City. As an example, I would like to speak to parks and rec team about setting up a vendor mall as the City has done and other cities have done like in portland, oregon. This would encourage others aside from the homeless to enjoy the shelter and shade in both summer and winter months the homeless would be able to set up their dumpster dive items for sale under the bridge under the vendor and utilize the structure instead of being an eyesore under the bridge. This would allow people to earn a living and be an economic boon for the City. My company holy ghost transitional housing llc is a business and I do not operate as a nonprofit. My motives are economic in nature and I have been working with City planning team to redevelop my particular lot from residential to commercial. I have an eager talent pool to start working in the community
[00:59:24]
And my new speakeasy coming soon to Spokane just off the maple street corridor. I'm excited and have a vision for tiny homes in Spokane which I especially after the fires last month and we are in desperate need of housing. I have a plan for redeveloping the lower south hill that includes custom designed homes by ricky I studied architecture at the university of oregon and the whole tiny home community planned in my head. I would love to partner with the Mayor Council your Council. Thank you derek bizzaro next is justin haller and then theresa brooks. Derek our comprehensive plan Council President the real elephant the room that is affecting housing shortage in Spokane is a drain on the inventory by the demand of housing for university students that is conflict competing for housing with the residents of Spokane university students have overrun the logan neighborhood as a likely destination for the fire victims to rent or buy homes with an elementary and junior high within walking distance the neighborhood with brand new sidewalks I might add every new apartment complex built in the future in Spokane is a new destination for university housing built with tax incentives at the expense of taxpayers resulting in the expansion of student population exponentially.
[01:00:56]
The more apartments the bigger the university gets, the more local residents will be competing for housing in Spokane university housing must be built by the university's houser growth not taxpayers financing their profits. The City future plan is expansion of sga and more multi-unit housing along its routes not single family homes as a priority. This is a recipe for disaster to destroy opportunities for our future ownership by families to build family equity wealth now lost in the fires. Gonzaga alone has 7000 students not counting staff that 7000 bedrooms. The fire victims are competing in cans for temper permanent housing 850 permanent homes competing against 7000 temp residents in Spokane bringing the fema trailers for students make room for the victims of the fire caused by your policies of soft on crime. You thinking of anything I say I'm I'm lying. I suggest you look up santa cruz california you see sc shortage of housing for the students. I'm giving you a 60 year advance notice what has happened in santa cruz already it was the landmark offer they took over the City Council university took over the town.
[01:02:10]
They took over the housing and only recently they just passed an ordinance. The university is mandated to build their own housing. That's going to happen right here in Spokane as well. Thank you. Justin heller and theresa brooks. He's not wrong just now just one I don't know where we go start. I have so many things I'll address. It's very frustrating. There are at least three arsonists in Spokane and maybe now you guys live in listen, you know, it's very frustrating that we don't live in baghdad or belfast but my car was firebombed if you can State because I stand up to the methods and attack tactics and I'm pretty sure that I head of a catholic charities of eastern Washington had a hand in facilitating that the guy was over six foot four and walked away with a hunchback and a limp. They couldn't find the guy. How do you not find that guy? I can understand their and hope fast but couldn't find the guy not during hoop fest you know so there is at least three arsonists in town. Maybe now your list maybe now and maybe you won't take three weeks off when the City's burning. Meanwhile you're asking for a raise. That's just disgusting. If I was failing at my job at every frickin metric possible, there's no way in heck that I would have the kinds to go ahead. I'm so angry I can talk. There's no way I'd have the to ask for a raise.
[01:03:38]
No way in. You know and Indian Trail. There's a reason why my dad left because of the big complex that went in. He knew that was going to be a foster clock moving people out in an emergency and he was right. Just like the palisades fire in close to malibu there's one lane in one lane out. It was a foster clock trying to get him anyway I have friends who still live down there. You know, maybe if you end up funding to homeless you can hire more police, more firefighters. You can buy more fire trucks. The homeless industrial complex needs to end. There's no metric by success that rob mccann has had or jewel stealing hands has had to solve the problem. There's just been more homeless every low five every 50 unit low income housing rob mccann builds turns into a crackdown like that and you and for lisa Brown to blame anyone else but rob mccann for the decimation of the downtown core is disgusting. Thank you again, teresa brooks hello.
[01:04:43]
I'm here to talk about the youth that have been displaced throughout the community and basically I feel like this needs to be declared an emergency because these kids are still down by the river. They're still hanging out in the riverfront park and I've been doing what I can to keep them fed, to keep them busy. So I've just tried to keep them to where they're displaced doesn't affect them in their daily lives. A lot of these kids don't have drug problems. It's mental health. So I don't know who starting this that these kids are out here on drugs doing things. The other day when I was feeding the kids some guy called the cops on one of the kids and just said that they were in the park drinking what do I look like at 40 six years old? I'm a member in this community. I grew up in this community 46 years old. I'm not hanging out with kids to let them drink, smoke, hang out in the park so it's just these kids are just hanging out and they're getting problems on top of problem. So we have to figure out a way that we can get them placed and I'm willing to help. I've been trying to help, you know, build these relationships with them, let them know that there's someone in community that actually cares about them but I can only do so much. I want to take them runs with teresa because my record still hold right now 30 years I've been the fastest 400 meter from here with three degrees from Washington State university. Why am I not able to work with these youth and make sure that they have a safe place? This is lived experience. I know what I'm doing as a correctional officer in las vegas. I work with
[01:06:19]
Juveniles. This is not something that's new to me. I know how to get these kids to where they can be the best in our community if we don't get them now we're going to have a problem and it's going to be a problem that we're not going to be able to deal with and you're going to have that same problem you have a 7-eleven that these people are just out there venting fold and doing all kinds of stuff. So you think we have a problem now is going to get worse if we don't come together and work with me and stop calling people crazy, stop a narrative that we don't know what we're doing. We're saying we're out here doing the work. We're not behind a dance. You me said hey, time is up. Thank you. That concludes our open forum for this evening. I will entertain a motion for a german so moved second it's been moved and second all those in favor please indicate by saying I any nos abstentions we are adjourned thank you so much and have a nice evening
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[00:00:44]
Good evening, everyone and welcome to Spokane City Council agenda. Welcome. We will start with our land acknowledgment. We acknowledge that we're on the land of the unceded Spokane people and that these lands were once the major trading center for the Spokane's as they shared this place and welcomed other area tribes through their relations history, trade and ceremony. We also want to acknowledge that the land holds the spirit of the place through its knowledge, culture and all the original people since time immemorial. As we take a moment to consider the impacts of colonization, may we also acknowledge the strengths and resiliency of the Spokane's and their relatives. As we work together making decisions that benefit all, may we do so as one heart, one mind and one spirit. We are grateful to be on the lands of the Spokane people and ask for the support of their ancestors in all relations. We ask that you recognize these injustices that forever changed the lives of the Spokane people and all their relatives. We agree to work together to stop all acts of continued injustices toward native americans and all our relatives. It is time for reconciliation. We must act upon the truth and take actions that will create restorative justice for all people. Please join me in the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the united states of america and to the republic for which it
[00:02:24]
Stands one nation under god. Indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. Mr. Byrd if you call the roll Council President Wilkerson present Council member clint ski president Council Member Cathcart president Council members opponent Council member Dillon Council member tell us present Council member dixit. Let the record reflect that all Council members are present. Thank you. We will now have we have no hearing items. Mr. Birch we were going to express testimony. That's correct. And that is you will have three minutes to speak to any of the items on the legislative agenda this evening. Residents who testify at this time may not speak again and to open forum at the end of the meeting.
[00:03:21]
Mr.. Of first I have daniel clemmie. Next will be jake mason and then derek azaro. All right. Good evening Council President and members of the Council. My name is daniel clement and I'm speaking on behalf of the rental housing association of Washington in opposition to the emergency ordinance. Our hearts go out to those harmed by the Spokane complex fires. If the City had been proposing rental assistance property tax relief or mortgage assistance we would gladly support it. A public disaster does deserve a public response but the ordinance itself just shifts the cost of the fire disaster and future emergencies onto housing providers for a qualifying tenant unpaid rent becomes an affirmative defense to eviction during the emergency and for 12 months of repayment afterward. The ordinance points to repayment plans but also states that these repayment plans are unenforceable. Food is essential. Grocery stores are not required to accept nonpayment. Transportation is essential. Mechanics are not required to work without payment. Mortgages, taxes, utilities and maintenance do not stop. Only housing providers are being told to finance this response. Now the Wilkerson amendment provides a guardrail and it limits these protections to the fires of the early August emergency orders.
[00:04:44]
The Dillon amendment removes this guardrail. It writes a standing trigger into the code a future emergency declaration by the Mayor automatically activates this framework. It's not hypothetical just as a thought in 2024 Spokane declared an opioid emergency to help people affected by opioid use disorder. Have the Dillon amendment been law? This declaration would have triggered this ordinance's protections. A tenant could then claim that opioid related job loss reduced income qualified them for a defense to a nonpayment eviction. What does that claim succeed? Would be litigated at the housing providers expense. That's not rhetoric. This is what happens when every mayoral emergency is automatically written into landlord tenant law. And this should concern the Council. Emergency declarations let the executive respond quickly. Preventing an owner from recovering possession is a legislative decision automatically linking these powers diminishes the Council's role and carries legal consequences. The City of Spokane is already a defendant in the cedar lane case which is federal litigation over the COVID eviction moratorium and the constitutional right to exclude COVID did include rental assistance and mitigation programs.
[00:05:54]
This proposal creates a usable eviction restriction without funding for unpaid rents. Housing providers do not cause these fires. They should not become Spokane's emergency line of credit. I ask that you adopt the Wilkerson amendment, reject the Dillon amendment, protect disaster affected tenants through rapid rental assistance, a standing authorization for future eviction moratoriums without assistance or a separate legislative vote invites another legal challenge to the City. If the City chooses that path, it should expect one. Thank you. Thank you. Next I have jake mason online. Jake, I'm on meeting you and you can start whenever you're ready. Thanks so much. Good evening. I'm jake mason, government affairs director for the Washington multifamily housing association. It's one of five. This disaster is personal for me and my wife and I are temporarily relocated for work.
[00:06:52]
Most of our belongings were stored with friends and were lost in the fire. I understand firsthand the devastation facing this community is real immediate and deeply personal in the work that we have been engaged in to help our friends and former neighbors in recovery. With all that in mind, wolf, I supports targeted emergency relief for residents who experience a genuine loss of income because of these wildfires. During this time of recovery I have spoken with our Spokane housing providers and while their experience may not capture every affected household, none has heard from a resident whose income was directly impacted by these fires. That does not mean hardship does not exist but it reinforces the need for documented and carefully targeted response. Fraud is not a hypothetical concern for our industry. The wall street journal recently reported that fraudulent rental applications including fake paystubs, fake employment records, fake social security numbers and purchased application packages represent as many as half of applications at some properties in overly demand markets. Other recent reporting has documented the growing use of artificial intelligence to create convincing financial records that are increasingly difficult to identify as fraudulent.
[00:08:01]
Against that backdrop, an ordinance relying entirely on self-certification creates unnecessary risk and exposes housing providers and our entire housing system to fraudulent abuse. We ask the Council require tenants to submit their initial certification by the fifth day after rent is due before customary notice proceedings begin. Tenants should then have up to 14 days to provide objective documentation such as pay stubs, employer verification, unemployment determinations, benefit awards tax records or business income records. Updated verification should be required while protections continue. The ordinance should also define it's unclear eligibility terms and establish an expedited process for resolving disputed claims using the ordinary preponderance of the evidence standard material only fraudulent certification should result in the loss of protections and recovery of the housing providers resulting loss. Repayment agreements must also be enforceable after notice and an opportunity to secure. The ordinance must clearly coordinate with the City's pathways to eviction diversion program in the meantime. I know personally how important it is for Spokane to respond with compassion but accountability and compassion are not in conflict. Both are necessary to preserve a vibrant housing sector capable of serving the community when it matters most.
[00:09:18]
As many of these families continue to look for relocation and new housing. Thank you so much. Thank you. Derek azaro. Derek azaro. The three Council members including his opponent aggressively attempting to criminalize all property owners in Spokane who provide housing to residents of the City, many of which are mom and pop landlords that are renting to tenants at below market rate. They are passing an ordinance as an emergency with the accusations wording such as unwarranted to offend referring to landlords without any documented evidence supporting this emergency ordinance. Present at this meeting to support their claims. There is no protection here for homeowners who lost their homes and can't pay their mortgages and face foreclosure and eviction as well with nowhere to go. Other emergency is a stated vaguely within as well no references to the apartment ordinance palisades fire has 91 foreclosures eight fire 121. These four Council members are submitting this ordinance as written with only.
[00:10:33]
It could accomplish one thing by criminalizing all landlords that is to force all mom and pops to dump their properties in the market at a time when the fire victims are looking to relocate in the City eliminating rentals scarps sorry. As per 2000 0204030 definition of this section of the fentanyl crisis in Spokane does qualify as other civil emergency but Mayor lisa Brown refuses to declare an emergency and ignores or act actively overrides citizen votes demanding law and order protecting victims. Ignores protecting victims ignores or actively overwrites citizen votes demanding law and order. Protecting victims rights is secondary to protecting the rights of habitual criminals. The Mayor and all five of you Council members are guilty of being soft on crime and turning a blind eye to the residents who don't share socialist ideology. These homes were lost caused by a criminal let go by your policies and a probation department that failed us responsibly to follow the rules of interstate compact green with arizona supervising the special criminal section oh two 0403 of the Spokane mental code authorize the Mayor to issue a declaration of civil emergency. Lisa Brown the law abiding citizens of Spokane challenge you to declare a null civil emergency to abolish crime in Spokane when there is a threat of death or injury of persons or the destruction of or damage to property require an extraordinary and immediate measure to protect the public peace, safety and welfare. Every home lost in Spokane fire is not only wiped out their homes but also years of equity profit
[00:12:09]
Supporting generational wealth. The homeowners kids have lost all equity they would have inherited because of a criminal on probation in Spokane from another State repeatedly let go. Don't pass this ordinance without further proven facts. All landlords are criminals and won't work with their tenants asking for a one week deferral. Is that a good time for the three Council members and phone to present legitimate argument in support of this ordinance as written? It's all based on assumptions not facts. The homeowners are the fire. The homeowners are the fire victims. Business owners are victims. Residents are victims. Lisa beal of urbana salon is a victim in many other areas as a Mayor. Lisa Brown, thank you and the five members of the Council. Thank you. That completes our express testimony. We will go into our proposed legislative items only one testifier we have zeke smith o minutes.
[00:13:33]
Thank you. Council President Wilkerson and members of the Council. Nice to see you. I'm zeke smith, president of waters meat foundation and fund and I'm a resident of Spokane. I appreciate Council recognizing the significant impacts of the Spokane complex fires and that this includes the reality that these impacts will extend beyond the devastation to date. Well, we don't know yet the full economic impact. We do know that some people who still have a home today may be at risk of losing it because the fires interrupted their work income, transportation or caregiving. This ordinance gives us a chance to prevent that. I'm speaking of ordinance see three six 928 importantly it does not forgive rent. It does give people who experienced a loss of real income time to recover and repay what they owe without immediately facing eviction. I support using the Dillon amendment as the starting point because it prepares Spokane not only for this emergency but also for the next one.
[00:14:36]
I would ask you to strengthen it in a few practical ways. Keep at least the original seven day notice period allowing tenants to use whatever reasonable documentation they can access and do not weaken the standard used to challenge a tenants certification. I've also submitted more detailed written testimony outlining additional recommendations regarding the ordinance and the proposed amendments. People navigating a disaster may not have records reliable internet transportation or immediate access to an employer or benefits office. We should not create a protection and then make it unavailable to the people experiencing the greatest disruption. Recovery is not only about rebuilding what burned. It's also about keeping more families from being displaced in the months ahead. Please pass the ordinance and make sure its protections work under the real conditions people are facing. Thank you all very much for your consideration of this. Thank you. On to pending legislative items.
[00:15:35]
It doesn't look like there's any public comment under pending board and commission appointments. There is one public comment under reports contracts and claims in the pending section. Justin heller I actually rode my bike here because I actually ride my bike but I don't want more bike lanes on my hands just now. Spokane, Washington district one. I saw something in the contracts about. Correct me if I'm wrong. We're talking about buying purchasing such because you know I always talk about the wrong thing at the wrong time. I like the fact that you're thinking about buying a mercedes sprinter van. Just make sure it's a diesel because diesels are more robust than gasgas. I happen to know this because my dad sold them as a kid and furthermore I sold my blue wagon which was firebombed in Spokane, Washington pacific and State with 286,000 miles. I was still running so buy white wagon diesel also for with 380 6000 miles.
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So these diesel wagons or diesel mercedes are quite robust so I definitely encourage that as long as this diesel but not if it's a bluetec because the blue diff material it just ruins engines get the cdi. That would be better. I don't know if you have a choice in that but I definitely have an opinion because I'm a taxpayer I'm very frustrated with the tax money that you guys already waste and to think about arrays when everyone else had their at the very least had to change a cabin air filter in their car. I'll just say that but I'll I'll save that for the rest of it. But I'm just very frustrated with the money you guys take from us and use for purposes that don't necessarily benefit Spokane. Thank you. Pending emergency ordinances ordinance c 36 9 to 8 an ordinance of the City of Spokane to ensure tenant protections during the Spokane complex fire and similar emergencies. Amending sections blank and blank of the Spokane municipal code declaring an emergency. Up first we have hannah swanson. And we'll have salvadore racine us and then steve caulker. Good evening. I'm hannah swanson with housing justice project. I also run the Spokane tenant disaster relief hotline which has been inundated with calls and I'd like to start by saying to say that there's no
[00:18:29]
Tenants income affected is blatantly uninformed or completely blind. The amendments that we're talking about the Wilkerson amendments are concerning and don't track with the data that we have provided today through a letter from the hotline. This ordinance needs to be about protecting and reaching the tenants who are not receiving community funding. Those are our tenants that have been temporarily displaced but are financially impacted and will be at risk for months to come. I'm going to tell you a story because it is a trend and it's a story I've heard ten times a row this past week from Indian Trail residents. There was a family displaced 200ft from the fires. They came home to an ashfield townhouse. Their property manager refused to do any inspection. They demanded the tenants pay for one that they did on their own and when it came back recommending large remediation they had an uncertified maintenance man write a report saying the home was habitable.
[00:19:43]
Now they're refusing to discount the rent and they're refusing to terminate the lease because the residents they can't go home. This family is still displaced. They're young children who have severe asthma cannot live in a home covered in ash and lead. And this family is having to pay for all of this to be safe. These are the tenants who need these protections and time to pay if the landlords won't comply. These are the tenants who are going to face eviction if we give them no help. Thank you. Salvador senos. Good evening. My name is salvador and I am a tenant Council manager with the tenants union in Washington State. I'm here tonight to ask that the City I support can learn from the experiences of renters impacted by our recent wildfires and strengthen protections before the next disaster happens. Please adopt the amendment and reject the Wilkerson amendment. I share the concern community partners like health and justice project have on how many evictions were scheduled last month this month and in the coming months we surveyed people affected by the wildfires and 90% of the people responded were renters. About one third of the people surveyed are still displaced, many staying with family, friends or short term housing.
[00:21:14]
More than 60% reported that their housing cost increased after the fires. Some lost their homes. Some could not find replacement housing. Others experienced temporary homelessness and had to stay with family because they could no longer afford or access housing. 10% of the respondents reported that their homes were destroyed about 20% to one third of the respondents reported paying rent during a period when they could not live in the rental because of the wildfire damage or evacuation. And about one third said that the landlord did not return or credit that rent. At the same time people's employment was disrupted. Employers closed, hours were reduced. People had to take unpaid leave. Some could not get to work. Others lost childcare. Council members. These are not simply individual problems. They are gaps in our disaster response system. We are asking the City establish stronger emergency tenant protections. The lessons should be that our laws need to be ready before the next disaster happens. We cannot wait until families are ready or already displaced to decide what protection City to serve.
[00:22:25]
Thank you. Thank you. Steve caulker Council President members of the Council. I would like to speak in support of the betsy Wilkerson amendment and I really want to go to a broader subject in the sense that I would really strongly urge you to begin to understand the impact of what the legislation is doing to the housing market in the City of Spokane and particularly low income rental housing. There was an article in the business journal that talked about some of the issues facing the industry as a whole. But I think what's happening is either by intent or by accident the actions they're taking are driving the private sector out of the low income housing market.
[00:23:31]
There are statistics out there that are showing this impact and what it's doing and I think it's critically important to do the research so that you don't create an environment where the dependency Falls entirely on government funding for low income housing. I'm not sure the government is going to have that responsibility fulfilled either locally or in the State of Washington. The private sector is responsible for about 95% of all housing. To ignore that reality is to ignore your ability to serve particularly the low income families in this area. I implore you to do the research that I hope will make you better appreciate the dilemma, the challenge and some new opportunities of solving the problem.
[00:24:23]
Thank you. Thank you. Special budget ordinances and the pending section of tonight's agenda ordinance c 36 929 amending ordinance number c 36 794 entitled in part an ordinance adopting a mid biennial modification budget for the City of Spokane and amending it to accept wildfire relief donations in the home starts here account and provide financial assistance to individuals and families impacted by the Spokane complex fires and declaring an emergency. I have rick bowcock. I don't know if I could be declared emergency but I have serious issues about the evacuation situations. I was under a level two evacuation had to which was at a moment's notice. And my biggest issue is the landlords corruption because they only gave me an 18 inch this much an exit in my place and they blocked the fire exit door. And because I called the police and because I've done this because I've called the police. Now I'm being dealt with an anti harassment protection order because of this. So I have to deal with another court system
[00:26:00]
Of landlords weaponizing the civil protection. So I really have serious issues, you know, like emergency stuff. David said that I could move my girlfriend couldn't move, did any of these things I wouldn't be able to her. So I don't even know what kind of emergency they do for people in my position. But I have serious issues about the abuse that's been happening to myself, to my girlfriend, about weaponizing the civil protection orders and no accountability if you don't go to court the judge rules a default no matter how many lies or how many evidence you have against them. But I just know that my life is still in danger because we have a code enforcement thing that is an unpermitted dwelling. I still have to face emergency fire exits. Brad cannot go because there's still an 18 inch x and no accountable party.
[00:26:58]
So I'm putting it out to the public about this kind of abuse that it needs to stop. If a landlord comes and tries to use anti-harassment protection order the judge needs to look at it with the landlord tenant issue and just dismiss it right away. Thank you. Thank you. Council President there being no further public comment in the pending section of the agenda I'll just continue to read the remainder of the items in the pending section special budget ordinances ordinance c 36 930 amending ordinance number c 36 seven 94 entitled in part an ordinance adopting a mid biennial modification budget for the City of Spokane and amending it to increase budget to account for increased claims experience for ricks risk management workers compensation and employee benefits and declaring an emergency resolutions in the pending section of the agenda resolution 2026 006 for setting forth the City Council's approval of investments from the opioid response fund for culturally responsive treatment services authorizing execution of related contracts without further City Council review and action ordinances and the pending section of tonight's agenda ordinance c369 25 relating to micro-housing and sewer utility rate enacting a new section 13.03.11292 chapter 13 of the Spokane municipal code and setting an effective date ordinance number 33c 36926 relating to utilities franchise taxes amending municipal code section 08.10.0402 chapter 08.10 of the Spokane municipal code and setting an effective date
[00:28:33]
Ordinance c 36 927 establishing a temporary commercial activation process to support economic development, expand small business opportunities and activate vacant and underutilized commercial spaces and adopting a new section 17 f.040.210 to chapter 17 f.040 of the Spokane municipal code. Thank you. We're now going to our final legislative items board and commission appointments I don't none tonight no reports contracts and claims. As for that being said on the reports contracts and claims. All those in favor please indicate by saying I I in extensions that passes seven zero on to the emergency ordinance or no emergency ordinances or special budget ordinances on the final section of tonight's agenda resolutions resolution 2026 zero 061 granting a non-exclusive access and utility easement across airport property to inland power and light company on Spokane County assessor parcel number 15 341.9009 15 342.9 004 15 three 4 or 5.9010 and 15 355.9008 resolution 20 26 006
[00:30:14]
To authorizing the airport we have one public comment on one 061 sure justin heller m sorry I don't have enough money to pay attention. Which one is this amount? This is regarding the purchase of the airport property. Airport property. Okay so I guess I put in for too many things I was trying to get over. I didn't realize the fire thing was on the next agenda but yeah, I got nothing. All right. Thank you, justin any Council commentary on resolution 0061? See none. Prepare to vote. I thank you. That passes seven zero. Go ahead, Mr. Byrd. Thank you.
[00:31:04]
Council President resolution 2026 006 to authorizing the airport board to purchase property identified as Spokane County assessor parcel number 35014.0111 no public testimony that any Council commenter see none prepared to vote I thank you that passes seven zero Mr. Byrd. Council President in our new system I believe you want to actually take public comment on the final ordinances prior to me reading them individually. First I have a list guzman and then next will be justin haller good evening Council President and members of the Council. My name is alissa guzman and I am the downtown Spokane partnership's new policy and external affairs specialist. As I've settled into my role, I've had the privilege of getting to know some of you and I look forward to that continued engagement.
[00:32:06]
As you may know, the dsp represents employers, small businesses, nonprofits and residents all throughout downtown Spokane. Last week we submitted written comments to Council outlining our continued support for ordinance c36920. I'm here tonight to reinforce that support and urge Council to approve the extension of the interim zoning ordinance concerning height limits continue continuing the elimination of height limits downtown through this interim ordinance provides greater flexibility for housing and mixed use development in our urban core. It also is consistent with the preferred growth alternative and the comprehensive plan update and sends a very clear signal that Spokane wants to encourage density and more housing. Housing continues to be a major priority for the dsp. Our downtown Spokane housing study recommends a ten year target of approximately 3200 net new market rate housing units downtown. Increasing the number of people who live in downtown is critical to not only meeting our housing goals but also creating a more vibrant urban core which will ultimately support local businesses and attract additional retail and amenities.
[00:33:11]
How City Council continues its comprehensive plan update and modernization of title 17 extending the interim ordinance preserves opportunities for housing and mixed use development while about longer term work continues. We appreciate Council's continued work toward permanent changes to the height regulations. And on behalf of the rdsp we urge you to approve ordinance c36920. Thank you. Thank you justin holler. I have mixed feelings I might as just now just one I mixed feelings on the height ordinance. I think it's a diabolical plan and a plot to ruin the downtown core and to decimate the property values with the current administration and their lack of willingness to handle the drug addicts and the homeless people.
[00:34:08]
Can I have one of your City Council members attention considering that you guys are just protesting? Please direct all your comments to the chair. Thank you. Can I possibly, you know, instruct the other six people to hold one of your account one of your members accountable? Thank you. Could you continue your comments? Okay. I just think it's offensive when somebody has to City jobs and claims they don't have time to listen while they're grading papers. I think it's offensive and you're possibly getting a raise. I'm going to start petitions against you. Thank you, gentlemen. Here's here's the deal. The ordinance has a mixed reviews and here's why it's it's good for the property owners that are able to buy the property cheap. After most of you who are largely leftist leaning won't do anything about the crime lower the property values so that the developers can swoop in and buy stuff.
[00:35:07]
However, I think the next generation they're going to want cars. My niece and nephew don't want cars. They're drove that generation. They don't want cars they don't care about they want they think their parents are going to take them everywhere they think uber is going to take them everywhere or a scooter. But the next generation after that might want cars. And so for you guys to decide for multiple generations ahead of time that all we don't want cars because it's not fashionable right now it's not eco friendly. I got news for you the eco friendly nonsense is just that nonsense and I'm sick of the green agenda and you guys buying stuff from green gender whereas Spokane valley told sideshow bob and king inslee to kick rocks they said they couldn't afford stuff but you guys go oh no, we can afford it when you're $25 million over budget, huh? Thank you. Okay so ordinance see 36922 expanding access to cooling heating and weatherization services amending section 07.08.158 and 10.5 7.10 of the Spokane municipal code.
[00:36:06]
Any Council commentary tells me we're doing. Yeah I'm just really excited that this trailer ordinance to their renters right to cooling came into play I think I say you know rights aren't right without access so being able to have that access to more weatherization and mobilizing quickly I mean I think we wish you would a paired together but it's still great that this is moving forward and I think it's a big win. Councilmember tell us yeah, I just wanted to thank. I too am very excited to pass this ordinance. I think it was a great example of collaboration between City Council and the City and numerous stakeholders to make sure that we were actually providing resources as well to get people the cooling and heating and weatherization that they need. All right.
[00:37:01]
Thank you. You know the commentary prepared to vote I thank you that passes seven zero ordinance c 36 923 repealing duplicative charitable solicitation license requirements amending section zero 8.01.080 and repealing chapter 10.42 of the Spokane municipal code. Anything else? Council commentary we'll just say that we are glad that we are repealing this. It came out of nowhere and it was really impacting our nonprofits in their ability to raise funds for the good services they do in our community. Prepared to vote I thank you that passes seven zero ordinance c36920 to extend the duration of interim zoning ordinance c36646 concerning height limits setting a public hearing and reiterating a work program you can come to Council member tell us I am excited to be supporting this in part because I am an environmentalist and I am a former prosecutor and I see this as accomplishing two things it accomplishes more density downtown. Any time we have a density within our core we are limiting the sprawl that is happening outside. Those two things go hand in hand. One is the opposite of the other and so I am very supportive of anything that increases density as I was with my colleague councilmember Dillon this morning at the thorp property it was another
[00:38:39]
Reminder of why we need to we as a City will continue to grow. We need to grow but we need to do it wisely and we need to do it in a way that preserves as much open and green space as possible and I really see this going hand in hand also if I'm going to put on my other hat as public safety chair the more we have a thriving, robust downtown and the safer we're all going to feel, the more robust our economy is and I think all of us want a thriving urban core. Thank you. Thank you. You come jerry prepare to vote. I thank you that passes seven zero that completes our legislative agenda for this evening. We will now transition into open form. You have two minutes. Please direct all your comments to the chair. Mr. D's first I have Mary Stohr next will be Linda Carroll and then deborah perkins good evening. My name is Mary Stohr and I'm chair of friends of the Spokane trees. I live in the Rockwood neighborhood and I have poor eyesight first as you know based on comments and petitions sent to you, your constituents want a six month extension to the public comment period for the comp plan. Secondly, there have been a number of claims made in favor of this version of the comp plan so let's deal with three there clearly faults
[00:40:14]
The comp plan will address our need for low income housing. Currently the infill law which continues under the plan has led to the building of mostly high income housing and expensive apartments that will continue the comp plan includes no incentives for the building of low income single family housing. The claim that the count two the claim that the comp plan has an environmental focus is false. Again, the infill law allows smaller lots and setbacks and this means there's no room for trees or green space in the last few years and due to a largely unregulated development from the infill law hundreds of trees have been destroyed due to development. The claim that people three the claim that people want greater density in their neighborhoods not downtown in their neighborhoods is false. The public comments regarding this clearly indicate people are very worried that the greater density with no parking requirements will lead to greater noise, more crime, less green space and the destruction of community in their neighborhoods. Given these points I would urge you to have a frank and honest discussion with constituents about the medium to high density from the comp plan that will come to all of their neighborhoods if people know how dense and how crazy their neighborhoods are going to be without parking provided they will be against the comp plan.
[00:41:40]
Thank you. I hope you vote against it and I hope you vote which would be a vote for us instead of developers. Thank you. Thank you, Linda Carroll. Next will be deborah perkins and then samantha mace. Good evening. Council President Wilkerson. Council members thank you for the opportunity to speak. My name is Linda Carroll. I live on Waverly Place. This side of the Spokane area suffered through four fires the upper river fire, the old trails fire, the fairview fire, the amber lake fire while still recovering from earlier fires and medical lake in deer park. This year's fires were close to the heart of the City and the most expensive in the State's history. Because of our location in a drought stricken region, experts predict that the wild wildfires will continue. The future land use map for the comprehensive plan introduces new or increased housing density near fire prone areas that are also near or along one or more critical evacuation routes.
[00:42:40]
This shows up very clearly when you compare current and future maps side by side. In district one bemis has new density along wellesley, which is an evacuation route. Nevada Heights has new density along upriver drive and evacuation route. Whitman has new density along both wellesley and Francis which are evacuation routes. In district two manitoba cannon hill has new density along grand which is an evacuation route. In district three Emerson-Garfield has added density atop the river gorge the part that hasn't burned yet and therefore has a very heavy fuel load. On Northwest boulevard which is an evacuation route. Northville has new density along frances Northwest along wellesley. West central has added density atop the river gorge along summit which is an evacuation route. It's not nice to for mother nature because mother nature doesn't get mad she gets even and this summers for fires were mother nature getting even for past mistakes? How will she get even for future mistakes? Isn't this reason enough to review the future land use map? Thank you. Thank you, deborah perkins. Next will be samantha mace and then Chris Coppen good afternoon City Council.
[00:44:03]
I'm a citizen of the complex fires and I live near rifle club road. And through the grace of god my house still stands. My house is in the wind river first edition with 71 lots and as you know all plots are supposed to have two exits. My plat only has one built out exit onto canon which empties out on the wind river first edition which ultimately empties out on wind river drive and rifle club road onto Nine Mile road. The second act's exit from my plat is an emergency easement that goes out to Nine Mile road but it goes through between two houses. This easement is not marked any on in any way on the ground and only the only way you know it exists is if you're looking at the plat map.
[00:44:57]
There should be signage. It is not graveled or paved. It is grassed and is being used by the adjoining lot owner for landscaping and storage of big rocks. There is no curb drop at the Nine Mile road. Both ends of the easement should have had curb drops. Sparks from low riding cars could have set the high grasses on fire on that end. The gate was padlocked shut in an emergency. Any citizen should be able to open a gate without bolt cutters. The emergency exits should be inspected on a yearly basis to make sure that they're not blocked and that evacuation map that the emergency management has created should show all of these secondary emergency accesses on it for during an emergency. Because I did use that map so you might. Each one of you should have received one of these things and you can see the pictures of what I'm talking about. Thank you very much. Thank you.
[00:46:00]
Samantha mace, samantha mace going twice. All right. We'll move on to Chris Coppen. Chris Coppen going twice. All right. We'll jump to Kirsten angel. Kirsten angel. I want to thank Council member dolan for your work on tharpe. Spoken values nature 93% of Spokane residents desire to protect wildlife habitats and conserve natural areas according to community surveys from the Spokane parks and rec master planning process. This 2046 framework and the flume are not adequately representing the value that Spokane residents place on the natural world. The planning department has fallen short on their obligation to balance development with protections of our quality of life.
[00:47:06]
We can and must provide for our low income housing needs without wholesale sacrificing our urban tree canopy or our natural areas and corridors. I'd like to ask you the same question that one of the Plan Commissioners asked at a recent planning commission meeting. How will the City ensure that wildlife habitat tree cover traffic congestion and other environmental concerns are adequately protected? In instances where we would no longer be going through the keeper process? The planning director quickly and effectively avoided answering that million dollar question. Have any of you asked the planning director this question? You should. Your constituents are asking you this question. Spokane wants to know and we deserve a good answer. I'd like to remind you that we have language throughout a comprehensive plan that states the need to identify, designate and design for the protection of natural areas and corridors. The natural environment chapter is full of language design a network of natural areas and connecting corridors distinct from developed parks throughout Spokane that support native habitats and natural landforms. Nine point one identify natural areas throughout the City 9.2 identify and enhance corridors.
[00:48:20]
9.3 acquire and protect natural areas and connecting corridors in a growth strategy. Chapter policy 8.1 advance siting identify in advance of development sites for parks, open space, wildlife habitat and corridors. Urban design 3.10 ensure development is designed in a manner that protects significant natural and cultural features, critical areas and identified wildlife habitat and habitat corridors. And thank you. Your time is up. Craig hammonds. Next we'll have rick bowcock and then Christopher Savage good evening. I'm Craig hammonds, resident of Spokane. I live in Rockwood right next door to six skinny houses where there used to be one house and 50 trees. That house was taken down as 50 trees were taken down and allowed to go in providing for high density. I'm here to ask the City Council to reconsider their support for the comprehensive plan as it's presently constituted. While the motives for the plan are laudable, the plan is a recipe for trouble rather than a solution to Spokane's housing problems. Density is not an end in itself a bad goal of course, but encouraging density in well-established single family neighborhoods is a mistake for several reasons. Density will result in the deforesting of neighborhoods. Density will negatively affect ecosystems drives out animals birds, bees. Dense density will contribute
[00:50:00]
To global warming. For instance the six skinny houses that are next to my house now will have essentially no yard, no trees but a lot of concrete. That's not good for global warming. Related to that density will lead to increased flooding. There's nowhere for the water to go now for instance in these houses because they're so cramped in their density will also lead to less open space and less play space for children. You know, I live in the hutton school district. Everybody wants to go to high school. Those houses that are set up for kids the kids don't have a yard to play in. Density will increase street parking. Finally, density simply undermines the character the livability and the stability of established single family neighborhoods. They lead to more noise, more traffic and fewer trees and fewer green spaces. It really destroys single family neighborhoods. One house at a time. And while density is a great thing, I think we need to reconsider how we go about achieving.
[00:50:58]
Thank you. Thank you. Rick bowcock. Next is Christopher Savage and then Brian Muegge. I'm going to put this on public because it's really concerning to me about my specific situation. Code enforcement did an inspection where I'm at and they declared that the place I'm living is an unpermitted dwelling. This is one of the things that they put down the internal circulation required for single family dwellings. I didn't really know what that meant but what it means is that when they saw that I'm supposed to have a doorway the other tenant supposed to have a doorway, there's supposed to be a hallway. That's what it means. I didn't know that but I know it now. So yesterday the landlord's letter let a police officer come in to my dwelling that goes into another tenant's dwelling which means to me they were violating the fourth amendment. But I don't know if they knew they were violating the fourth amendment.
[00:52:08]
But the landlord knows this so it's a very serious issue to me. Where's the accountability? You know, I mean I could make a complaint about the police but the police don't know. But at the same time the landlord should be held accountable for this because of this on permitted dwelling. With that written by code enforcement. So police officer comes into my tenancy to go into another tenancy. It's quite a legal matter there but I want it to be in public so that I can. So maybe it can be talked about this kind of situation because it's not right. It's not right at all especially like I said everything that's happening to me is not right. But this is an example of a constitutional issue and the police. They're supposed to uphold the oath.
[00:53:01]
They should. They should. And I don't know what they're going to do about this but it's very serious. Is it an actual constitutional issue? Thank you very much, Christopher Savage. Next is Brian Muegge. And then we'll have rick walters hotchkiss. Good evening, Council President. My name is Christopher Savage. I'm one of the seven over the 700 households that was affected by the complex fire and is now displaced or in another part of the Spokane. I'd like to address comments that were made by a district three representative last week. I think it's wholly represent irresponsible and vile that they think that they need to wait and essentially on an election year to that's coming up to create an evacuation plan that I would like to inform you. North Indian Trail labor Council although south the national labor Council Northwest and their Council five Mile neighborhood Council all have requested evacuation plans not just last year, not the year before that several years now. Had we had evacuated ocean plan I can only tell you what I saw as I went back into the flames to inform my family that was coming up to the house. I did not see an orderly organized kind of dispersal of area. It was jam packed. I get reports from five miles saying it looked like dante's peak. I get reports from seven Mile saying that the fire was licking their the sides of their cars as they were waiting for two hours trying to get out of there. We need evacuation plan now because the
[00:54:38]
Eye it is lucky that no one was harmed by this. We are so lucky that didn't happen. But I know we can do this because I think our neighbors to the south and later creek area same thing's going to happen there and we can see that fires are just coming more and more. And I know this can happen because I remember distinctly last year that one of our Council representatives from district two was actually a part of evacuation plan on the south hill. We can do this. I know we can do this. We need to partner with speedy the Spokane fire department and possibly the national guard to make sure we are having an orderly dispersal. I was lucky. I know the area I was able to get out of there fast with my family. Others aren't able to say the same. We need to work on this. I know we can and this will save lives so please let us work on this now and not next year. It'll be far too late. Thank you, breean. Maggie. Next we'll have rick walters, hotchkiss and then derek azaro. Greetings Council. My name is Brian Muegge, president of west central. I wore my special celebratory soy salmon shirt tonight in celebration of the Thorpe road exchange. So thank you again Council members Dillon and tell us for being there today. Like many have other folks have brought up. I'd like to talk about the comp plan and the PlanSpokane 2046 specifically the future land use map within the Grandview-Thorpe neighborhood.
[00:56:03]
So earlier today the media that took place media event was amazing. There are many stakeholders there and I was so inspired by the fact that we were able to bring together so many stakeholders that can serve this parcel. But I cannot help but think that this could potentially be the only parcel preserved as open space in that entire neighborhood because of some of the concerns I have with the new future land use map specifically in the new 2046 flume there are certain densities that are up zoned that I'm curious about or maybe not even up zoned but they're higher density that concern me in the fact that entire corridor and the 2022 parks and natural land master plan is circled as a priority habitat conservation zone and the fact that we are incentivize housing development particularly in that corridor which as we know is highly important and is also a bottleneck for safety and fire risk and then explicitly mentioned as an important critical area. So that's some of the content that I am concerned about in this forum. I think there's definitely opportunities to work to better allocate for that. Really my goal within that neighborhood as a strong advocate of open space where I believe it should be which is there is just working with members of the Council and other stakeholders to just make sure that we're able to get as much open space in that area as possible. So thank you. Thank you rick walters hotchkiss next will be derek azaro and then justin haller good evening Council men
[00:57:48]
And women of Spokane. I have several complaints but I would like to start with gratitude and appreciation for the Council. Today we have many difficult challenges here in Spokane and foremost I would like to thank the leadership of Spokane. I do know that as a public elected official would not have run and gotten your position without being able to build consensus. So again, thank you for your leadership. I would like tonight to speak about the unlimited economic development that can be Spokane. We do not have a homeless crisis in Spokane. We have an employment problem and I feel I can be the man that gets Spokane out of its economic slump. I would like to speak to each and every Council person about the redevelopment of free market freeway park and my vision for a neighborhood at the base of maple avenue. If you would like to allow me a walk through my neighborhood each of the individual plan in action to resolve and beautify the City. As an example, I would like to speak to parks and rec team about setting up a vendor mall as the City has done and other cities have done like in portland, oregon. This would encourage others aside from the homeless to enjoy the shelter and shade in both summer and winter months the homeless would be able to set up their dumpster dive items for sale under the bridge under the vendor and utilize the structure instead of being an eyesore under the bridge. This would allow people to earn a living and be an economic boon for the City. My company holy ghost transitional housing llc is a business and I do not operate as a nonprofit. My motives are economic in nature and I have been working with City planning team to redevelop my particular lot from residential to commercial. I have an eager talent pool to start working in the community
[00:59:24]
And my new speakeasy coming soon to Spokane just off the maple street corridor. I'm excited and have a vision for tiny homes in Spokane which I especially after the fires last month and we are in desperate need of housing. I have a plan for redeveloping the lower south hill that includes custom designed homes by ricky I studied architecture at the university of oregon and the whole tiny home community planned in my head. I would love to partner with the Mayor Council your Council. Thank you derek bizzaro next is justin haller and then theresa brooks. Derek our comprehensive plan Council President the real elephant the room that is affecting housing shortage in Spokane is a drain on the inventory by the demand of housing for university students that is conflict competing for housing with the residents of Spokane university students have overrun the logan neighborhood as a likely destination for the fire victims to rent or buy homes with an elementary and junior high within walking distance the neighborhood with brand new sidewalks I might add every new apartment complex built in the future in Spokane is a new destination for university housing built with tax incentives at the expense of taxpayers resulting in the expansion of student population exponentially.
[01:00:56]
The more apartments the bigger the university gets, the more local residents will be competing for housing in Spokane university housing must be built by the university's houser growth not taxpayers financing their profits. The City future plan is expansion of sga and more multi-unit housing along its routes not single family homes as a priority. This is a recipe for disaster to destroy opportunities for our future ownership by families to build family equity wealth now lost in the fires. Gonzaga alone has 7000 students not counting staff that 7000 bedrooms. The fire victims are competing in cans for temper permanent housing 850 permanent homes competing against 7000 temp residents in Spokane bringing the fema trailers for students make room for the victims of the fire caused by your policies of soft on crime. You thinking of anything I say I'm I'm lying. I suggest you look up santa cruz california you see sc shortage of housing for the students. I'm giving you a 60 year advance notice what has happened in santa cruz already it was the landmark offer they took over the City Council university took over the town.
[01:02:10]
They took over the housing and only recently they just passed an ordinance. The university is mandated to build their own housing. That's going to happen right here in Spokane as well. Thank you. Justin heller and theresa brooks. He's not wrong just now just one I don't know where we go start. I have so many things I'll address. It's very frustrating. There are at least three arsonists in Spokane and maybe now you guys live in listen, you know, it's very frustrating that we don't live in baghdad or belfast but my car was firebombed if you can State because I stand up to the methods and attack tactics and I'm pretty sure that I head of a catholic charities of eastern Washington had a hand in facilitating that the guy was over six foot four and walked away with a hunchback and a limp. They couldn't find the guy. How do you not find that guy? I can understand their and hope fast but couldn't find the guy not during hoop fest you know so there is at least three arsonists in town. Maybe now your list maybe now and maybe you won't take three weeks off when the City's burning. Meanwhile you're asking for a raise. That's just disgusting. If I was failing at my job at every frickin metric possible, there's no way in heck that I would have the kinds to go ahead. I'm so angry I can talk. There's no way I'd have the to ask for a raise.
[01:03:38]
No way in. You know and Indian Trail. There's a reason why my dad left because of the big complex that went in. He knew that was going to be a foster clock moving people out in an emergency and he was right. Just like the palisades fire in close to malibu there's one lane in one lane out. It was a foster clock trying to get him anyway I have friends who still live down there. You know, maybe if you end up funding to homeless you can hire more police, more firefighters. You can buy more fire trucks. The homeless industrial complex needs to end. There's no metric by success that rob mccann has had or jewel stealing hands has had to solve the problem. There's just been more homeless every low five every 50 unit low income housing rob mccann builds turns into a crackdown like that and you and for lisa Brown to blame anyone else but rob mccann for the decimation of the downtown core is disgusting. Thank you again, teresa brooks hello.
[01:04:43]
I'm here to talk about the youth that have been displaced throughout the community and basically I feel like this needs to be declared an emergency because these kids are still down by the river. They're still hanging out in the riverfront park and I've been doing what I can to keep them fed, to keep them busy. So I've just tried to keep them to where they're displaced doesn't affect them in their daily lives. A lot of these kids don't have drug problems. It's mental health. So I don't know who starting this that these kids are out here on drugs doing things. The other day when I was feeding the kids some guy called the cops on one of the kids and just said that they were in the park drinking what do I look like at 40 six years old? I'm a member in this community. I grew up in this community 46 years old. I'm not hanging out with kids to let them drink, smoke, hang out in the park so it's just these kids are just hanging out and they're getting problems on top of problem. So we have to figure out a way that we can get them placed and I'm willing to help. I've been trying to help, you know, build these relationships with them, let them know that there's someone in community that actually cares about them but I can only do so much. I want to take them runs with teresa because my record still hold right now 30 years I've been the fastest 400 meter from here with three degrees from Washington State university. Why am I not able to work with these youth and make sure that they have a safe place? This is lived experience. I know what I'm doing as a correctional officer in las vegas. I work with
[01:06:19]
Juveniles. This is not something that's new to me. I know how to get these kids to where they can be the best in our community if we don't get them now we're going to have a problem and it's going to be a problem that we're not going to be able to deal with and you're going to have that same problem you have a 7-eleven that these people are just out there venting fold and doing all kinds of stuff. So you think we have a problem now is going to get worse if we don't come together and work with me and stop calling people crazy, stop a narrative that we don't know what we're doing. We're saying we're out here doing the work. We're not behind a dance. You me said hey, time is up. Thank you. That concludes our open forum for this evening. I will entertain a motion for a german so moved second it's been moved and second all those in favor please indicate by saying I any nos abstentions we are adjourned thank you so much and have a nice evening