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City of Spokane
Community Update
Jan. 30, 2024
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Greetings from the Mayor’s office!
It has been one month since I took office and I am happy to say that my administration has hit the ground running. Throughout the past few weeks, I have been working with my Cabinet members, the City Council and five transition committees to identify key priorities we hope to tackle in my first 100 days in office and beyond.
Those five transition committees have been focused on creating recommendations to enhance public safety, improve health and housing, invest in our economy and workforce, build a resilient future, and enrich families and communities. Details of those recommendations will be available later this week and I encourage you to join us in creating innovative solutions to accomplish our goals.
We are better when we all work together.
Sincerely,
Mayor Lisa Brown
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Mayor Lisa Brown on her first day! | |
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Thank You PIT Count Volunteers!
The regional Continuum of Care Board, tasked with performing the annual Point-in-Time Count of Spokane County in collaboration with the City’s Community, Housing and Human Services (CHHS) Department, thanks local partners and the more than 200 volunteers who helped survey last week and all the partners! Volunteers included students from Whitworth University and Washington State University’s School of Nursing. Thank you to Empire Health Foundation and Spokane Public Library for providing space for volunteer headquarters. The City of Spokane Valley and Spokane County were partners in the count.
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Gov. Inslee to Present City Housing Initiative Award
Washington Governor Jay Inslee will present the City the Governor’s Smart Communities Award for the Smart Housing Strategies Category. The City won the award for its Building Opportunity and Choices for All (BOCA) interim ordinance, approved in 2022 as a zoning program that modified residential zoning to accelerate the construction of more housing types. The award category recognizes creative plans, policies, programs, and/or actions.
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City Sponsors Homeless Connect
The City of Spokane was a proud sponsor of last week’s Homeless Connect community resource fair at the Spokane Convention Center. A myriad of services, including but not limited to haircuts, immunizations, insurance, food and health, identification, and pet services, were provided by local providers, agencies, and nonprofits. The event was also a survey site for the Point-in-Time Count, a project of the regional Continuum of Care Board in collaboration with the City’s Community, Housing and Human Services Department that helps determine funding for homelessness resources and for planning.
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Spokane Land Use Townhall
Learn about land use in Spokane at an upcoming townhall! At the townhall we will discuss development, open spaces, and growth management. The townhall is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 22, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. at the West Central Community Center. Click here for more information.
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Chief’s Chat with Chief Lundgren
Meet Interim Chief Justin Lundgren, formerly Spokane Police Department’s Assistant Chief, as he talks about the focus for SPD moving forward.
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Register to become a Master Composter/Recycler!
You're invited to join the 2024 Master Composter/Recycler class. This six-week course educates residents on how to reduce waste through home composting and recycling. This is an in-person program, free of charge, with weekly meetings and extended learning opportunities. Click here to learn more and register!
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Council Recap
Council Member Michael Cathcart recaps the Monday, Jan. 29, Spokane City Council meeting.
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Follow Mayor Lisa Brown on Social Media
Follow Mayor Lisa Brown on Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter), and Instagram to stay up to date on news from the Mayor’s office!
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Information needed for annual Housing Inventory Count
If you are aware of any programs throughout Spokane or Spokane County that provide beds and units (including vouchers) dedicated to serving people experiencing homelessness, please contact Zoe Hjelm via phone or email as soon as possible to ensure those programs are included in the 2024 Housing Inventory Count (HIC). The HIC, an annual project of the regional Continuum of Care Board, is conducted in conjunction with the Point-in-Time (PIT) Count. The HIC is a bed/unit count; the PIT a population count. Both heavily determine the funding that comes into the community for homelessness resources. They also serve as vital planning tools for the community, including stakeholders, service providers, and those experiencing homelessness or housing instability. More information here.
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Remember to Register Long-Term Rental Properties
The City appreciates all landlords, property managers, and agents of property owners who have registered their long-term (30 days or more) rental properties, per the City ordinance approved last year. The online registry remains open for applications and an in-person option at City Hall is also available. 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. Read our blog post for more information and requirements. Email Code Enforcement with questions.
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Short-Term Rental Monitoring Started This Month
The City started 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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Bicycle Priority Network
The City is working on a Bicycle Priority Network map to guide a fully connected, safe, comfortable, all-ages bicycle network and we need your input on the proposed routes. Check out the project page for more information and be sure to click on “view the map” to leave your comments on the map.
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Spokane Public Library Levy Presentation | |
Spokane Public Schools 2024 Bond Presentation | |
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Become A Foster Parent
Always wanted to foster, but not sure if you are ready just yet?
Here are three ways to support children and youth experiencing foster care in Spokane.
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If you have a few hours: Learn more about the child welfare system and foster care. Donate new clothes to foster care closets.
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If you have a few weeks: Volunteer with an organization that serves children and youth experiencing foster care. Start a meal train for a foster parent in your community.
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If you have a few years: Become a foster parent. Become a child advocate.
Become a foster parent today!
Contact Gabriela Mendez at 509.407.7829 or Gabriela.Mendez@dcyf.wa.gov.
Follow Future Foster Parents of Washington on Facebook.
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City of Spokane Jobs
The City of Spokane is hiring! Check out our featured jobs of the week:
For a full list of job openings with the City of Spokane click here.
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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!
CHHS Board Applications Due Feb. 9
The City’s Community, Housing and Human Services Board is accepting applications through Friday, Feb. 9, for four board member positions as well as a non-board member for its Evaluation and RFP Committee. For more information and to apply visit our website.
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Winter Wonders: Lunar New Year Celebration
Spokane Public Library will host a Lunar New Year Celebration at Shadle Park Library on Saturday, Feb. 10, starting at 10 a.m. The celebration will include a Lunar New Year storytime, Dragon Dance, Chinese Folk Dance, Shaolin Style Kung Fu youth demonstration, Shaobing cooking demonstration, K-Pop inspired accessory making, and K-Pop dance lessons. For more information visit the Spokane Public Library website.
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On the Bright Side
Mayor Lisa Brown presented the Neal Fosseen Award, an award that recognizes military units for community service, to the 92nd Logistics Readiness Squadron. The 92nd LRS earned the recognition for collecting and distributing over 11,000 pounds of food to more than 300 families in Spokane and northern Idaho.
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