2010-2011 Councilmembers, l to r: Bill Gothmann, Rose Dempsey, Bob McCaslin, Brenda Grassel, Dean Grafos, Mayor Tom Towey, Deputy Mayor Gary Schimmels
THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
Read Councilmember profiles
Contact Councilmembers at
11707 E. Sprague Avenue, Suite 106, Spokane Valley, WA 99206
(509) 688-0180 FAX: (509) 688-0194
mayor/councilmembers@spokanevalley.org
or click on the links below to email individual Councilmembers
Form of Government
The City of Spokane Valley is a non-charter code city and operates under a Council-Manager plan of government. It is governed under the optional municipal code of RCW Chapter 35A. Under this form of government, legislative authority is concentrated in the elected City Council, which hires a professional administrator to implement its policies. The executive branch is led by the City Manager. Read more in the Spokane Valley Governance Manual.
Council
There are seven positions on the City Council, and all council positions are at-large positions. Councilmembers are generally elected to four-year terms, with elections held every two years. For continuity, position terms are staggered by two years so that all positions are not open for election at the same time.
For information pertaining to Spokane Valley City Council elections, click here.
For information on Councilmembers and terms, click here.
Click here to go to the Spokane County Elections Office web page.
Election of Mayor and Deputy Mayor
Biennially at the first meeting of the new council, the members choose a chair from among their fellow Council members. The chair of the council shall have the title of Mayor and will preside at meetings of the Council. The Mayor is a regular member of the City Council and as such has all the rights, privileges, and immunities of any other member of the Council. The Mayor is recognized as the head of the City for ceremonial purposes and by the governor for purposes of military law and has no regular administrative duties.
Also biennially at the first meeting of a new council, the members by majority vote, may designate a fellow Council member as Deputy Mayor to serve in the absence or temporary disability of the mayor.
Council Meetings
Regular meetings of the Council are held at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesdays. The second and fourth Tuesdays are generally the more formal meeting format which allows for general public comment; and the first, third and sometimes fifth Tuesdays are the study session, less formal format. Study Session formats do not have time allocated for general public comments; but if action items are included, comments are permitted after those specific action items. Unless otherwise noted, all meetings are held in the Council Chambers of City Hall, located at 11707 E. Sprague Avenue, Suite 101. All meetings are open to the public.
Agendas, including background materials, are generally available on the City's website by 5:00 pm the Friday before each meeting.
SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS: Individuals planning to attend meetings who require special assistance to accommodate physical, hearing or other impairments may contact the City Clerk at 509-688-0177 as soon as possible so arrangements may be made.
Approved Council minutes are also available through this link.
Except for occasional Executive Sessions for specific topics, all Council meetings and workshops/retreats are open to the public. Council holds a formal meeting format generally on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday; and the less formal format or study session on 1st, 3rd, and sometimes 5th Tuesday. Study sessions allow Council and staff to review details and options regarding various items of business that will come before Council as action items at later meetings. For directions to City Hall, click here.
Regional Representation
The City of Spokane Valley Councilmembers and community members are involved in a number of area boards and committees to remain active in issues facing our region. To access a list of the regional boards, commissions and committees on which Councilmembers participate, click here.
Click here to view the City Calendar.
Click here to view the City Council Agendas/Minutes
Sue Passmore, Administrative Assistant to the Mayor and City Council
11707 E. Sprague Avenue, Spokane Valley, WA 99206
(509) 720-5106 FAX: 688-0194
spassmore@spokanevalley.org
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