City Clerk's Office

[(509) 720-5102]  Welcome.  As a service oriented division of your local government, the City Clerk’s office assists and supports the public and City departments by making available the records necessary for the City to advance its administrative, legal, and legislative function.  The City Clerk’s office was created by Spokane Valley Municipal Code 2.20.010 and by RCW (Revised Code of Washington) 35A.13.090.  It is the mission of the City Clerk’s Office to serve as a primary point of contact for the public and for staff regarding the actions of the City Council, and to maintain and produce documents that enable the public to participate in local government. We strive to fulfill this mission in an accurate, timely and courteous manner. (Read a history of the City Clerk profession here.) 

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Business Licenses/Registrations: Applications can be found on the City’s website or by directly contacting the State Department of Licensing. See also the City’s Municipal Code Title 5.
• City Council Minutes: The Clerk’s office coordinates the preparation and distribution of official City Council Agendas, legal and legislative documents, and City Council minutes. The Clerk’s office ensures that the City Council meetings are conducted in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order. The Clerk or Deputy Clerk attends all City Council meetings and is entrusted with the responsibility of recording actions taken by the legislative body.
• Claim for Damages Form: The City Clerk is the designated and appointed agent of the City of Spokane Valley to receive claims for damages under the provisions of RCW 4.96.020.
• Committees: The clerk is responsible for coordinating volunteer opportunities  for City Boards, Commissions and Committees.
• Contracts: All contracts come through the Clerk’s office, including Interlocal Agreements, and recorded property documents such as Deeds, Street Vacations, Mitigated Agreements, and Title Notices.  City owned property information can also be found under “Property Documents” for such City-owned properties such as City Parks, CenterPlace, and the City Police Precinct.
• Elections: The City Clerk serves as the Election Official for the City, and coordinates with the Spokane County Department of Elections for General Municipal Elections along with special elections called by the City Council. Additional information on City elections or Council terms and procedure is also available on our website.
• Logo: Information on the City’s Logo can be found in Chapter 1.06 of the City’s Municipal Code, which explains allowed uses of the Logo (which is recorded under State of Washington Trademark), and that requests for use of the City logo must be submitted in writing to the City Clerk.
• Municipal Code: The City Clerk’s office coordinates updating the City’s Municipal Code. The Code is a compilation of City laws and regulations and is also accessible at the City Clerk’s office for use and examination by the public.
• Ordinances: The City Clerk manages the preservation and protection of the City’s documents including ordinances, resolutions, Council minutes, agreements, election-related documents, campaign disclosure filings and many others. The City Clerk is also the custodian of the seal of the City of Spokane Valley and has the authority to acknowledge the execution of all instruments by the City of Spokane Valley which require acknowledgement.
• Public Notices:  The Clerk’s office is responsible for publication and posting of all legal notices related to public hearings or other actions of the City Council.
• Public Records Requests:  The City Clerk is the public records officer of the City and oversees compliance with the Public Records Act; and as such strives to provide the fullest assistance to requestors as set forth in SVMC 2.75.040. Hours for inspection of records are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (excluding holidays). Records must be inspected at City offices by appointment. Click here for a public record request form.
• Rosters:  Other duties of the City Clerk include administering oaths of office, receiving and conducting bid openings, receiving petitions and appeals, and maintaining small works, consultant, and vendor rosters.

Contact us:
Christine (Chris) Bainbridge, City Clerk
509-720-5102
cbainbridge@spokanevalley.org

Carrie Koudelka, Deputy City Clerk
509-720-5101
ckoudelka@spokanevalley.org