Just when Spokanites thought we were done voting, it’s … A bevy of levies!

Spidertax does whatever Spidertax does. (Meme by Erin Sellers)

Welcome to CIVICS, where we break down the week’s municipal meetings throughout the Inland Northwest, so you can spend less time reading hundreds of pages of documents and more time getting involved and speaking out about the issues you care about.

Some things that stick out to us this week:

Potential property taxes to continue library funding and increase parks funding
Levies on the docket for discussion in school board meetings
Spokane City Council holds its first hearing on the proposed 2024 budget

Important meetings this week:

Also, the Board of County Commissioner meetings are canceled this week.

We interrupt this program with a message from our sponsor!
🍺 Golden Handle is an inclusive, worker-owned brewery. We donate $1 of every house pint to a local Spokane organization — all day, every day. November donations now support Odyssey Youth Movement to after recent bouts of vandalism, so bring some friends and support an important cause.

How Liberals Silence Racial and Class Oppression

In partnership with Eastern Washington University’s Jeffers W. Chertok Professorship Lecture Series, the Spokane Public Library is hosting a lecture and discussion with Dr. Angie Beeman, author of How Liberals Silence Racial and Class Oppression this Thursday. Beeman’s book examines divides among progressives and the role of liberal ideology in preventing significant change. Her work advances practical applications of what she calls “racism-centered intersectionality.” Attendance is free!

Thursday, November 16 from 6:30 – 7:30 pm
Liberty Park Library
402 S. Pittsburg St.

Spokane City Council

Because last week’s City Council meeting ended prematurely — we wrote four thousand surprisingly fun words on why! —- much of the agenda is the same as last week, but they’re also adding on most of the things they were already planning to do this week. So if you’re getting deja vu on a few of these items, that’s why!

Potential property taxes

There are three property tax related items in the resolutions and final readings section of the agenda for this week. The first item, proposed by councilmembers Betsy Wilkerson and Zack Zappone, looks to continue funding public library services by extending an existing property tax levy in the amount of $0.07 per $1,000 of property valuation. For a house worth $300,000 — roughly the average value of a home in Spokane these days — that amounts to $21 per year. The tax currently raises about $2.5 million per year and will expire at the end of 2024. If voters approve it during a special election in February, it would extend the tax another three years, from 2025 to 2028. In 2017, 71% of voters approved this tax.

It’s important to note that, if you don’t own property, you don’t pay these taxes, but you still get to vote. A pretty good deal for renters.

The second tax resolution, sponsored by councilmembers Wilkerson and Jonathan Bingle, seeks to fund citywide park improvements. The Spokesman Review put out an article on the potential new property tax, but here’s the TLDR: for an increase in the property tax of 29 cents per $1,000 of home value — $87 per year for that $300,000-valued home — for the next 20 years Spokane would get three new parks, over 30 new playgrounds, four new park ranger positions and more. The total price tag would be $225 million, or about 11.25 million per year. The neighborhoods that have been tapped for new parks are Shiloh Hills, Latah Hangman and North Indian Trail. If the city council approves the levy request, the property tax would also appear on the special election ballot in February.

Finally, the third property tax item fulfills the City Council’s yearly duty of passing the annual property tax levy and sending the County Assessor and the Board of County Commissioners the amount of property taxes levied on property in the City. This one doesn’t involve any special elections and seems to be more of an administrative duty to tally up all the property taxes on file and what they’re funding for 2024. If you’re curious about city property taxes, the resolution in its full text is worth a read and starts at page 701 in the agenda.

Officially historic … parking lots?

Council members Jonathan Bingle and Michael Cathcart sponsored an agenda item for council to review the Parkade Parking Garage’s qualifications to be put on the Spokane Register of Historic Places. To qualify for the register, a property must be more than 50 years old and have “significant character, interest or value as part of the development heritage or cultural characteristics of the city, county, state or nation,” according to city code.

The Spokane Historic Landmarks Commission reviewed the property, and found that it met the necessary criteria, stating in its recommendation to the council, “The Parkade was constructed in a period of change and challenge to Spokane and other downtowns in the United States. In the post-WWII boom, the central city was under siege as residents moved to the outlying suburbs and growth of the suburban shopping center and malls began. The Parkade and its related developments sought to reverse the trend of suburban flight and revitalize downtown.” The Parkade resides near what used to be called Trent Alley, and sits atop a former small theater district, until its destruction to facilitate construction as part of “urban renewal.”. You can find photos of the businesses that used to be located there here.

The Commission also listed the Parkade’s architectural significance as a second reason for nomination. The architect of the building was Warren Cummings Heylman, who received numerous awards for his “playful forms,” including an award for the Parkade from the Concrete Institute.

If city council votes to approve the contract item, which is in the consent agenda, the Parkade, which also houses Entropy and Rite Aid downtown, would become eligible to apply for property tax abatement, facade improvement grants, special code considerations and a Spokane Register historical plaque. This agenda item has already seen some debate on Twitter from folks concerned about what they see as a parking lot that already makes plenty of money from the people of Spokane receiving taxpayer dollars to fund its operations. The Landmarks Commission has also made RANGE news for the mayor’s veto and subsequent shifting of responsibility of efforts to remove the Monaghan statue from the Human Rights Commission to the Landmarks Commission, and the delicate balance between historical preservation and housing needs in the Cannon neighborhood.

First public budget hearing

As part of the annual budget process, City Council will hold their first public hearing on the 2024 Proposed Budget. The second hearing will be held at next week’s meeting. Public testimony on the budget is welcome at these hearings, and the proposed budget can be reviewed here. Some items in the proposed budget that have made the news lately include moving money generated by traffic cameras from the Traffic Calming Fund into the police department budget, and questions about the sustainability of the current administration’s attempts to plug ongoing budget holes with one-time funding sources. Questions about the funding of the Trent Resource and Assistance Center could also continue to be on the table for public budget discussions.

New clinic in Hillyard

The Northeast Community Center (NECC) is making moves for the development of a new clinic on their property. The goal of the clinic is to increase accessibility to mental health care in the neighborhood, and it’s being developed through a partnership between the NECC, the Department of Commerce and Multicare Health Systems. It’s appearing on the agenda tonight because the NECC is seeking to extend its current lease of the former Hillyard Library Building from 2032 until the end of 2038 to meet the requirements to receive Department of Commerce loans.

Interim extension Missing Middle housing ordinance

In July of 2022, the City Council passed an interim ordinance to expand middle housing options. The interim ordinance was expanded to expire December 18, 2023, but now certain sections could see a second extension, while other sections could be repealed. The sections of code on the table to be cut include low-intensity residential development standards, density requirements and low-intensity residential design standards. The center and corridor development standards portion of the ordinance is up for extension while city council awaits the results of the ongoing Center and Corridor Study.

Monday, November 13 at 6 pm
City Council Chambers – Lower Level of City Hall
808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd.
The meeting is also live streamed here.

Spokane Valley City Council

TBD on the TBD (Transportation Benefit District)

Now is the time to speak up if you have strong opinions on the Spokane Valley City Council taking on the responsibilities of maintaining roads in the city. The council is holding a public hearing and the first reading of an ordinance that would allow them to assume the powers of the TBD, which is currently a separate legal entity. According to the agenda item, “assuming the powers will significantly simplify the administration of the TBD, including administering the funds collected for transportation improvements for greater efficiency of government.”

Later on in the meeting, the council will discuss an administrative report on how they can fund the TBD. The current options include a vehicle license tab fee ranging from $20 to $50, depending on if council gets voter approval, and a sales tax.

Junk in the trunk

The council will have its second reading and vote of an ordinance that would make owning more than one junk or unlicensed vehicle on your property a code violation.

Agenda here
Tuesday, November 14 at 6 pm
CenterPlace Great Room
2426 N Discovery Place, Spokane Valley, WA 99216
Virtual attendance here.

Mead School District Board of Directors

Renewed commitment to public notification & access?

The Mead School District Board of Directors will vote to approve changes made to Draft Policy 1420 after its first reading earlier this year. Some of the changes codified in the policy ensure that the board doesn’t break state sunshine laws, like making sure the agenda will be posted to the district’s website not less than 24 hours in advance of the meeting as legally mandated. It would also protect the public’s right to comment by stating final action cannot be taken at special meetings unless it’s on business contained in the original notice of meeting and agenda. It also allows the board to hold one more confidential meeting between the superintendent and the board than before, from the current twice a year to three times a year. The policy also splits public comment into two sections: one for items that appear on the agenda, and one for items that do not appear on the agenda, kind of like the Spokane City Council does.

It’s levy season

Every three years, Mead seeks voter approval for an excess levy, which funds student enrichment and operations support. That levy is expiring, so at this meeting, the school board will also decide on the details of their excess levy, which will appear on the ballot for voters in February. The agenda item says they’re estimating the tax rate at $2.50, which would amount to a little over $29 million in funding in 2025, over $30 million in 2026 and over $31 million in 2027. This money represents 13.6% of the school district’s total operating budget and funds things like band, choir, drama, athletics, counselors, bus transportation and more. Because the Mead School District boundaries fall outside of Spokane-proper, this tax wouldn’t impact voters paying the other property taxes, if passed.

Agenda here
Monday, November 13 at 6 pm
Union Event Center
12509 N. Market St. Bldg. D, Mead, WA 99021
Watch via Zoom here.

Central Valley School District Board of Directors

It’s still levy season

Central Valley School District (CVSD) joins other school districts in defining details for a levy that could appear on the ballot in February, although CVSD could actually have two levies: their annual replacement levy to replace their general funding that expires after 2024, and a Capital and Tech Improvements levy to improve facilities, including $10 million in roofing improvement projects. The board has three different budget options to discuss for that second levy, which could change the language and tax rate appearing in front of voters in February.

Agenda here
Monday, November 13 at 6:30 p.m.
Learning and Teaching Center (district office)
Board Room at 2218 N Molter Rd, Liberty Lake
Watch via Zoom here.

Spokane School District Board of Directors

2023-24 Goals

In a special meeting held on the same day as their regular meeting, the board will discuss its legislative priorities for the next school year. Areas the board would like to focus on include funding for operations costs and special education, facility improvement projects, support for mental health and D.E.I. Board members plan to continue supporting an existing sales tax credit that goes towards building and maintaining schools

Shopping for tech

Two big tech purchases are on the agenda for approval this week. Through a partnership with STCU, five high schools would get video scoreboards for their gyms costing just over $310,000 all together. It’s also time to renew a $441,000 contract to have Microsoft Office and the Microsoft operating system on district computers. This contract lasts for a one period starting December 1 and ending November 30. 2024.

How are the kids doing?

The board will hear a presentation on student performance and how well the district has done in meeting its goals. According to data they’ve collected, the district is slightly below its goals for growth in literacy, growth in math and engagement at the elementary, middle school, and high school levels. The board will also use this time to choose its performance indicator goals for the next school year.

Agenda here
Wednesday, November 15 at 4:30 pm (special meeting) and 6 pm (regular meeting)
Spokane Public Schools Administration Building
200 N. Bernard, Spokane, WA 99201
The meeting is also live streamed here.

Spokane Transit Authority Board of Directors

Goodbye board chair

Soon to be former city council president Lori Kinnear will no longer be the chair of the Spokane Transit Authority Board of Directors. Kinnear has served on the board since 2018. The board plans to present Kinnear with commendations for her service at the end of the meeting.

Agenda here
Thursday, November 16 at 1:30 pm
STA Boardroom
1230 W Boone Avenue, Spokane, WA 99201
The meeting is also live streamed here.

Urban Experience Committee (Spokane city)

Agenda here
Monday, November 13 at 1:15 p.m.
Council Briefing Center in the Lower Level of City Hall.
808 W Spokane Falls Blvd, Spokane, WA 99201
The meeting is also live streamed here.

Spokane City Council Study Sessions

Agenda here (once posted)
Thursday, November 16 at 11 am
City Council Chambers – Lower Level of City Hall
808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd.
The meeting is also live streamed here.

Housing Action Subcommittee

Agenda here (once posted)
Thursday, November 16 at 9:30 a.m.
City Council Briefing Center, Spokane City Hall – Basement
808 W Spokane Falls Blvd, Spokane, WA 99201
The meeting is also virtual on Microsoft Teams here.

Just when Spokanites thought we were done voting, it’s … A bevy of levies!

How Liberals Silence Racial and Class Oppression