CIVICS | This week you’ll see a lot of routine reorganizing, but there are some bigger items, too, like allocating money to fund shelter beds for the unhoused, discussions about sexual education in schools and finalizing the process for leasing out the former East Central Library.
Spokane public meetings are back in business after the holidays and some of them are coming out swinging. This week you’ll see a lot of routine reorganizing — board business like electing chairpeople and committee appointments — but there are some bigger items, too, like allocating money to fund shelter beds for the unhoused, decisions about sexual education in schools and finalizing the process for leasing out the former East Central Library.
Spokane City Council
Old East Central Library plans: The city council is set to vote on a resolution that will define the process, timeline and criteria for getting community input on any potential occupants of the former East Central Library. The resolution is in response to Mayor Nadine Woodward unilaterally moving the south Spokane police precinct into the old library building, which drew backlash from council members and the East Central community. This item came out of the Urban Experience Committee in late December. You can read more about it here.
Low-income housing incoming: There will be a hearing on the vacation of (essentially, the renunciation of the city’s claims to) a small public right-of-way near Highbridge Park so that Catholic Charities can use it to build a new low-income housing development. Catholic Charities has already purchased the properties on either side of the little road, they just need the city to vacate 7th Avenue east of Government Way so they connect. The properties they bought include a closed down motel on Sunset Boulevard and what appears to be a small office building on Government Way.
It’s important to note that this property is close to the West Hills Neighborhood, though technically outside its boundaries. That neighborhood council filed a lawsuit to oppose the Catholic Charities Catalyst project, which opened recently, so don’t be surprised if there’s opposition to this project as well.
A little reorganization: In one resolution, the city council will be deciding which members will sit on the various boards, committees and commissions that keep the city running. This includes committees like the Public Safety & Community Health Committee that oversees police and fire department matters and the Finance and Administration Committee, which makes a lot of financial decisions that are then sent to the full council for a vote.
In another resolution, the city council will be updating and approving their rules of procedure for 2023.
Agenda here.Monday, Jan. 9 at 6 p.m.Council Chambers in the Lower Level of City Hall.808 W Spokane Falls Blvd, Spokane, WA 99201The meeting is also live streamed here.
