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City of Spokane
Community Update
Jan. 16, 2024
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City Prepares for Storm
The City of Spokane Streets Department is preparing for the incoming weather forecast that includes heavy snowfall followed by rising temperatures. Crews have been fine-tuning equipment, ensuring materials at satellite locations are topped off and staff are trained for conditions. The community is urged to think ahead and be ready along with our crews.
Here is what you can expect from the City:
- Weather conditions are monitored 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Priorities are arterials, hills, hospitals and school routes. This means that if snow is continuous crews will return to arterials and hills to keep them clear before they move to residential.
- Materials are located throughout the City for efficiency.
- Snow gates are used to reduce snow berms when possible.
- Crews work to keep snow away from sidewalks when possible.
- When the snowfall rate is so high that the City crews cannot effectively plow all major arterial routes, the Snow Corridor Plan is enacted. These are major north/south and east/west routes motorists can depend on within the City boundaries.
Here’s what the community can do:
- Parking over the next 72 hours – If you can move vehicles off the street completely, that is best, otherwise, move them to the ODD-numbered side of the street or make alternative parking arrangements in congested neighborhoods.
- It’s not too late to move your recreational vehicle, boat or trailer, and basketball hoops off the street. This gives plows the maximum amount of space to clear snow for traffic and emergency response vehicles.
- Make sure you have adequate snow shovels or a working snow blower. Use salt, sand, or deicer as necessary. Try not to over-spread deicer, only rains down the drains!
- If you live near a school or school bus stop, help out students and clear paths for them in time for walking before and after school.
- Talk to your neighbors. Make sure you know who in your neighborhood might need help with shoveling and offer to help. Team up for a plan that spreads the work.
- Allow for extra time. Set that alarm to give yourself an extra 30+ minutes to get to your destination, especially during high traffic times.
- Use flexible commute options. Can you work from home or avoid high traffic times? Now is a good time! Ride the bus! There are many STA park and ride lots conveniently located. Learn more at STA’s website.
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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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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Warming Spaces Available
Spokane has a regional network of spaces and resources available for use by those needing a safe place to spend the night or day from the elements during emergencies. Those include shelter for single adults, families, young adults, and youths during days and nights and libraries during business hours.
Space is available on a night-by-night drop-in basis except where noted. A service-intensive program to rapidly move individuals into housing requiring a referral and day space are also part of the regional system detailed on our website. Shelters update space available on the Shelter Me Spokane website.
Public transportation is provided by Spokane Transit Authority, which has routes to and from resources during extreme weather. Additionally, The Salvation Army has vans that can meet people where they are at 24-7 and help them connect to local shelters. Call 509-280-6860 or 509-280-6894 for a ride.
Click here for an overview of all the resources.
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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 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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Old wood stove? Replace It!
If you have a wood heating stove or insert that is 20 years old or older, now is a great time to upgrade! Instant discounts of $1,000 - $2,500 are available to pre-qualified Spokane County homeowners when upgrading their old wood stove to a new wood, pellet, or gas stove or a ductless heat pump. For program details and to apply, visit the Spokane Clean Air website.
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Homeless Connect Resource Fair Set For Thursday, Jan. 25
The 2024 Spokane Homeless Connect resource fair will be Thursday, Jan. 25, at the Spokane Convention Center from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The fair also serves as a surveying site for the regional Point-in-Time Count. For more information visit www.spokaneconnect.org.
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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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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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City Council Announces Candidate Interviews for Vacant Seat
Spokane City Council has announced the candidates that have received an interview for the vacant District 2, Position 2 seat. City Council will conduct their interviews at the regularly scheduled study session on Thursday, Jan. 18, 11 a.m. For the list of candidates, visit our website.
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Numerica Skate with the Chiefs
Get your skates on and glide into an evening of family fun at the Numerica Skate Ribbon. Lace-up and hit the ice alongside the talented players from the Spokane Chiefs hockey team. Whether you're a die-hard hockey enthusiast or looking for a memorable family outing, this event promises unforgettable memories.
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Location: Numerica Skate Ribbon, Riverfront Park
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Date: Tuesday, Jan. 23
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Time: 6 - 8 p.m.
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 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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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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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!
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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: Library Learning Week
January 22 – 28 is Library Learning Week! Learn a new skill, find a new hobby, work your entrepreneurial muscles, and build community! This week is all about learning something new to help you become your best self.
In addition to regularly scheduled weekly events like storytime, you also have access to the following variety of FREE events for kids, middle & high schoolers, and adults! When you come to any event during Library Learning Week, you will be entered into a drawing to win an eReader! Learn more on the library website.
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On the Bright Side
Spokane Parks & Recreation has officially closed on the purchase of 3.8 acres of land for public recreational use thanks to the County Conservation Futures program administered by Spokane County Parks!
The purchase ensures an additional 1,000 feet of the historic Trolley Trail will be open to the public for the foreseeable future, shrinking the gap in the public ownership of the trail significantly. Learn more on our website.
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