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City of Spokane
Community Update
Jan. 9, 2024
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Be a Hero, Volunteer for the Count
Volunteer registration is open for the 2024 Point-in-Time Count, an annual census to collect data on the needs of people experiencing homelessness in Spokane County. The count runs from Tuesday, Jan. 23, to Saturday, Jan. 27, and three-hour shifts are available in the mornings and afternoons.
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Snow Season Is Here
Snow response is a collaboration between the City and the community. Working together, we can make winter conditions better for everyone. Here is what you can expect:
- Snow season operations are November 15-March 15
- Weather conditions are monitored 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Priorities are arterials, hills, hospitals and school routes
- Materials are located throughout the City for efficiency
- Full-City plow during heavier snowfalls takes about 3 days
- Snow gates are used to reduce snow berms when possible
- Crews work to keep snow away from sidewalks when possible
Bookmark the City's snow response page and follow us on X (formerly known as Twitter) and Facebook for information when it snows.
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High Wind Gusts
The Community can contact 3-1-1 by phone or online to report trees blocking City streets. For trees or limbs entangled with power lines, please call Avista Utilities at 1-800-227-9187. If downed power lines pose an emergency, call 9-1-1. Don’t approach downed power lines. Intersections may be without power. Motorists should treat them as a four-way stop.
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Give Them Space!
Did you know that heating is the second leading cause of U.S. home fires, deaths and injuries? December, January and February are the peak months for heating fires according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). If you use space heaters, make sure you give them space, and turn them off when you go to sleep, or leave the room.
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Water Department Provides Advice To Avoid Frozen Pipes
With temperatures forecast to drop to single digits, the City of Spokane’s Water Department is providing some tips to avoid frozen pipes.
Before freezing weather:
- Advise all household members where the main water shutoff valve is located in case of emergency.
- Make sure hoses are disconnected from outside faucets.
- Make sure water pipes in unheated parts of your home, including crawl spaces, are insulated.
- Seal all openings in the basement around the foundation, windows, and doors.
- Insulate all pipes in your basement that are near windows.
- Drain all underground irrigation systems.
During freezing weather:
- Make sure you heat all rooms of your house that have plumbing fixtures.
- Leave the cabinet doors open to allow the heat from the room to enter if you have pipes that are located on an outside wall.
- Keep meter box lids closed during winter months to prevent cold air from freezing the meter. Don’t remove snow if you don’t have to. It helps insulate the meter.
- If you have experienced problems in the past during freezing periods and you have exhausted all other solutions, you can leave a trickle of water running from the faucet highest in the house. This trickle should be a steady stream slightly larger than the lead of a pencil.
If you have a frozen pipe:
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NEVER thaw a frozen pipe with an open flame. You may start a fire!
- Use hot air from a hair dryer, the exhaust from a vacuum cleaner, heat lamps, heat tape, or electric heaters to thaw a frozen pipe.
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City Services on MLK Jr. Day (Jan. 15)
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Garbage and recycling pickup will proceed as usual.
- The Waste-to-Energy facility will be open
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Spokane City Hall will be closed.
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My Spokane 311 employees will be available for phone or online customer service inquiries
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Spokane Municipal Court and Community Justice Services will be closed.
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On-street parking meters and kiosks will not require payment; remember all parking rules, including time limits, still apply.
- All Spokane Public Library branches will be closed.
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Spokane City Council is not scheduled to meet.
For more information visit our website.
The MLK Day Annual Unity Rally, March, and Resource Fair is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 15, 10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Click here for details.
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City Offers Curbside Tree Recycling
This is the last week for curbside Christmas tree pickup! The City will accept trees up to six feet in height; if they’re taller than that, cut them in half. Loose branches may be bundled next to the tree not to exceed six feet in length. Trees collected curbside will be chipped and composted. More info on our website.
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City Curbside Solid Waste Collection Moves to 6 a.m.
City of Spokane residents are asked to have garbage and recycling ready at the curb by 6 a.m. on their designated collection day. The earlier start time allows for flexibility when routes need to begin earlier because of operational adjustments for changing weather conditions like extreme heat and wildfire smoke impacting employee safety throughout the year. For more information visit our website.
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Remember to Register Long-Term Rental Properties
The City appreciates all landlords, property managers, and agents of property owners who registered their long-term (30 days or more) rental properties in December. The registry is focused on preserving housing stock, maintaining safe living spaces, and creating and maintaining a database to track rental units in our community. The online registry remains open and an in-person option at City Hall is also available. Read our blog post for more information.
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Comments Sought on CHHS Citizens Participation Plan
The City’s Community Housing and Human Services (CHHS) Department welcomes public comment on the draft 2024 Citizens Participation Plan through Thursday, Jan. 18. To comment on the plan, email or phone. Opportunity to comment will also be provided during a public hearing during the CHHS Board meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 4 p.m., at City Hall as well as City Council meetings. The plan is a requirement by the U.S. Housing and Urban Development for all recipients of Community Development Block Grant funds. The purpose is to promote citizen participation in the Consolidated Planning process.
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Council Recap
Council President Betsy Wilkerson recaps the Monday, Jan. 8, Spokane City Council meeting.
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New Year, New Hours
Riverfront Spokane has updated the hours for Numerica Skate Ribbon.
- Monday: Closed (except MLK Day and President's Day)
- Tuesday - Thursday and Sunday: 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.
- Friday and Saturday: 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.
View all of Riverfront Spokane's attraction hours on their website.
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Short-Term Rental Monitoring Starts This Month
The City will start short-term rental (less than 30 days) monitoring this month. Hosts operating without a permit received a letter that they’ve been identified as having a non-compliant short-term rental. Spokane City Council passed amendments to the short-term rental regulations on July 10, 2023. The regulations then went into effect on Sept. 1, 2023. Read our blog for more information. PLEASE NOTE: This program is separate than the one on long-term rentals at the City.
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Manito Park Loop Drive to Remain Closed to Vehicles
Manito Park has seen increased pedestrian activity over the years. To help ensure visitor safety, Parks & Recreation is removing thru-vehicle access to a Loop Drive that runs east/west between the Park Bench Café and Rose Hill. Loop Drive will be pedestrian only now. Visit our website for more information.
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CHHS Welcomes Comments On Amendment To Allocation Plan
The City’s Community, Housing, and Human Services Department (CHHS) welcomes public comment on an amendment proposal for the HOME American Rescue Plan (HOME-ARP) allocation plan. CHHS is requesting the amendment to decrease the amount of funding allocated to the development of affordable rental housing, increase the amount of funding allocated to supportive services, and add funding for tenant-based rental assistance to the allocation plan. Per the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the purpose of HOME-ARP funding is to provide homelessness assistance and supportive services. The public may send comments by phone or email. Public comments will be collected through Thursday, Jan. 18, and be presented along with the proposal to the CHHS Board for final consideration on Wednesday, Feb. 7.
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Spokane Rewards. Spokane Solves. Spokane Gives
The City of Spokane is a great place to combine community support with expertise. There are more than 30 boards, commissions and committees made up of volunteers who help shape our community. If you have one day a year, or one day a week, there is an opportunity for you. Pick your passion and get involved!
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Join ‘Adopt A Neighbor'
Long Term Care of Eastern Washington is launching a volunteer snow removal assistance program called "Adopt A Neighbor" for seniors in need and those with disabilities. The initiative seeks groups such as clubs, organizations, businesses, churches, community centers and schools in Spokane County. Individuals interested in participating will be paired with a group. To sign up, contact Adopt A Neighbor by email or phone. Click here to learn more.
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Winter Wonders: Community Waste Reduction Classes
Second Harvest is hosting a series of community waste reduction classes. These FREE classes are open to the community, especially neighbors receiving good assistance. The classes are held Mondays, 2 - 3 p.m. at Second Harvest, 1234 E Front Avenue. Click here to register.
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On the Bright Side
You can now stream even more eBooks and audiobooks for FREE at Spokane Public Library with The Palace Project. Download Palace to your iOS or Android device today for on-the-go reading anywhere. Thanks to Washington State Library for sharing this awesome new resource with us! Learn more about The Place App on the library's website.
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