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City of Spokane
Community Update
Dec 19, 2023
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Wednesday is Jack Geraghty Day
Mayor Nadine Woodward has proclaimed Wednesday, Dec. 20, as Jack Geraghty Day. Mayor Geraghty made a tremendous impact as a hard-working, talented, well-respected, and dedicated community member.
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City Closures Planned For the Holidays
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Spokane City Hall will be closed on Mondays, Dec. 25 and Jan. 1.
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Solid Waste Services will be a day late on the weeks of Mondays, Dec. 25 and Jan. 1.
- The Waste-to-Energy facility will be closed on Mondays, Dec. 25 and Jan. 1.
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Spokane City Council is not scheduled to meet on Mondays, Dec. 25, and Jan. 1.
- On-street parking meters and kiosks will not require payment on Mondays, Dec. 25 and Jan. 1; remember all parking rules, including time limits, still apply.
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Spokane Municipal Court and Community Justice Services will be closed on Mondays, Dec. 25 and Jan. 1.
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My Spokane 311 employees will not be available on Mondays, Dec. 25 and Jan. 1.
- All Spokane Public Library branches will be closed on Sunday, Dec. 24, Monday, Dec. 25, Tuesday, Dec. 26, and Monday, Jan. 1.
- The Numerica Skate Ribbon and Looff Carrousel in Spokane Riverfront Park will be closed on Monday, Dec. 25.
For more information visit our website.
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Recycle Right this Holiday Season
It’s that time of year when boxes and packages start arriving on doorsteps with packing materials and gift wrapping stations are littered with pretty holiday paper, ribbons, and bows. Cards are arriving in mailboxes with season’s greetings and joy is in the air. What’s on the recycling “Naughty and Nice List”? Here’s a guide!
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Riverfront Lights
Riverfront Park is all dressed up for the holidays! Don't miss it.
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Winter Activity Guide & Recreation Gift Cards
Winter activity guides are out now! Pick up your copy at your neighborhood grocery or convenience store, community center, or public library – or view it online. Find adventures for all ages and abilities this winter and spring. And, give the gift of recreation with a Spokane Parks & Recreation gift card.
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Golf Holiday Pass Sale
Purchase a 4-pack – one round at each City of Spokane course – for just $169 (a $39 savings). It’s the perfect gift for the golfer in your life. Our 2024 discount passes are also on sale, through Sunday, Dec. 31. View the golf holiday sale.
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Explore Riverfront's Holiday Gift Guide!
Surprise your loved ones with our All-Access Annual Pass, Riverfront Gift Card, Unlimited Ice Pass, or mix and match these choices to create the ideal present for lasting memories. Click here to view the gift guide.
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WSDOT Christmas Weekend Travel Charts
The Washington State Department of Transportation has released their Christmas weekend travel charts showing when I-90 North Bend to Cle Elum is expected to be the most congested to help plan your travel. Click here to view the charts.
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Drive Safely this Holiday Season
Law enforcement agencies across Washington State will have an increased presence on roads through Monday, Jan. 1, to help remind everyone to drive safely. Patrols will be monitoring traffic for instances of impaired driving. Last year, 740 people died on Washington roads, with more than half of those fatalities involving alcohol or drug impaired driving. More information on the Washington Traffic Safety Commission website.
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Get Ready for Winter with Friends
Our friends Otto, KC, Doris, and Ribby from Spokane Indians Baseball are helping us get prepared for winter. Make sure your snow shovels, ice melt, sand, and snow blower are on deck! Move your RV or trailer off the street and park on the odd-numbered side. Learn more on our website.
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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 Twitter and Facebook for information when it snows.
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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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Register Long-Term Rental Properties Before Dec. 31
The City of Spokane’s new online registry for long-term rental properties is open. All long-term rental properties must be registered either by landlords, property managers or agents of the owner by Sunday, Dec. 31. Registration is an online process where applications will be submitted directly to the City using our existing online application system, Accela Citizen Access (spokanepermits.org). Spokane City Council passed the Regulation of Residential Rental Housing ordinance in March 2023; read our blog and website for more information. PLEASE NOTE: This program is separate than one on short-term rentals (less than 30 days) at the City.
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Riverside Treatment Plant Protects the Spokane River
Did you know the Riverside Park Water Reclamation Facility’s Next Level Treatment Membrane Facility achieves over 99% phosphorus removal, elevating Spokane to the forefront of advanced water treatment in the nation? We have always taken pride in what we discharge to the Spokane River but with the facility’s state-of-the-art Membrane Facility, treated water flows out to the river 10,000 times cleaner and clearer. Modular tubes hold 6,000 tiny porous straws which help filter the water via water being pumped through the bottom of the tube, to the top, and heads to disinfection. Join Ezra Crooks, our Operations Supervisor, as he explains how this process works efficiently to keep our river as clean as possible.
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Short-Term Rental Monitoring Starts In January
The City will start short-term rental (less than 30 days) monitoring in January. Hosts operating without a permit will receive 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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Downriver Disc Golf Course Name Change Survey
The new Downriver Disc Golf Course will be finishing up soon and available for play! In the meantime, the Spokane Parks & Recreation Department and local disc golf clubs believe a name change would clear up some common confusion with the Downriver Golf Course next door and add to the fresh new course for our disc golf community. A brainstorming session with local disc golf clubs and active community members has turned out several alternative names. The top choice will be presented to the Park Board for consideration. Cast your vote today!
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Spokane City Council Seeks Applications To Fill Vacancy
The recent election of Council Member Betsy Wilkerson to City Council President has created a vacancy on Spokane City Council, representing District 2, Position 2. Applications for this vacancy are due Friday, Jan. 5 no later than 5 p.m.
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Streets Department Fun Facts
The City of Spokane Street Department had a busy year! Here are some of the highlights.
- 2,200 Lane Miles to Maintain
- 66 Bridges Inspected and Maintained (Monroe, Riverfront Park pedestrian, etc.)
- 91,042 Signs in 20,000 locations (Stop, One Way, Pedestrian, etc.)
- 2,300 Street Lights Maintained (traffic, 4-way stops, pedestrian beacons, school zones, etc.)
- 270 Intersections with Traffic Lights Programmed and Maintained (intersection traffic lights)
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Applications open for Spokane Neighborhood Leadership Academy
Applications for the 2024 Spokane Neighborhood Leadership Academy, a partnership between the City and Gonzaga University’s School of Leadership, are being accepted through Friday, Jan. 5. The free program is designed to equip new and emerging neighborhood leaders with knowledge, skills, and resources to work effectively with the City and contribute to the vibrancy of neighborhoods. More information is available on Gonzaga's website.
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Need Help With Child Care Tuition?
Community-Minded Enterprises (CME) has collaborated with the City of Spokane to launch the Family Tuition Assistance Grant program! This program aims to provide more families with the opportunity to access affordable child care through
tuition assistance grants. In 2024, the program will allocate over $800,000 for assistance. Visit CME's website to learn more and apply for tuition assistance.
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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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Become A Foster Parent
Have you ever considered making a positive impact on a child or youths’ life? Join our foster care community and unlock a world of support and resources!
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Access to Quality Trainings: Equip yourself with the knowledge and skills needed to provide a nurturing environment.
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Individualized Support Groups: Connect with fellow foster parents who share experiences and create a strong support system.
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Mentors: Receive guidance and wisdom from experienced foster parents who understand the journey.
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Monthly Reimbursement: Financial support to help cover the costs of caring for a child.
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Respite Support: Take a break when needed, knowing that support is available for your well-being.
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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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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Registration Open for Point-in-Time 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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Autumn Adventures: Numerica Free Family Skate
Are you and your family ready to have a blast over winter break? Numerica is offering five days of family fun with free activities! Head over to the Numerica Skate Ribbon for a day of free ice skating and rentals on Wednesday, Dec. 20, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.! Admission is first come, first served. For more information visit our website.
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On the Bright Side
Last week, the Spokane Police Department welcomed five new officers and the Spokane Fire Department welcomed 19 new firefighters. Congrats to all and welcome to the City!
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