Jonathan Brunt

Sidewalk money safe with new Spokane City Council

Spokane’s new Martin Luther King Jr. Way won’t be complete by Martin Luther King Jr. Day. City officials had hoped the new road, which is the extension of Riverside Avenue east of Division Street through the University District, would be open by Monday’s holiday. But City Engineer Mike Taylor said last week that construction was slowed throughout the year by an unexpected amount of basalt that had to be removed.

The Spokane City Council on Monday filled positions on about 25 boards and commissions that have seats reserved for city elected leaders. Some seats are advisory or liaison positions, others allow members to cast votes. With the exception of the appointment to the Airport Board, which previously was reserved for the City Council president, the selections were made without much controversy.

Stuckart rearranges chairs, agendas

There’s a new majority in town. The Spokane City Council’s new, more conservative majority flexed its muscle in its first meeting of the year on Monday when it voted 4-2 to strip an automatic appointment of the Spokane City Council president to the Spokane Airport Board.

Hats on, hats off

The honeymoon period for the new Spokane City Council may have ended before its first regular meeting, with a debate about which council member should represent the city on the Spokane Airport Board highlighting the dynamics of the new council. Voters in November elected four new members to the seven-person council, resulting in a more conservative majority. The number of members affiliated with the Republican Party is now four, compared with one of seven on the previous council. Even so, the council will be led by new City Council President Ben Stuckart, who was backed by the Democratic Party.

Former Spokane Mayor Mary Verner and the leadership of the city’s fire union tentatively agreed to a new contract in the final days of Verner’s term. But the deal still needs approval of the union’s membership and the new City Council. Mayor David Condon will be able to make a recommendation to the council, but he can’t otherwise stop the deal.

Former Spokane Mayor Mary Verner and the leadership of the city’s fire union tentatively agreed to a new contract in the final days of Verner’s term.

Verner agreed to new fire contract, but new council will have final say

Spokane’s youth programs would remain independent from other nonprofit groups under a new plan that has support from Mayor David Condon. Former Mayor Mary Verner, whose 2012 budget eliminated the city’s Youth Department, originally proposed contracting with the YMCA or other nonprofit groups to oversee youth activities and the Chase Youth Commission. But after opposition emerged from the commission, she backed a plan crafted by General Administration Director Dorothy Webster to give the money and oversight responsibilities to the commission and its partner organization, the Chase Youth Foundation.

Condon will host inaugural ball to benefit Chase Youth Foundation

McLaughlin considering bid against Brown

Even before he officially took office, Mayor-elect David Condon shook up City Hall on Friday when he informed three top administrators that they won’t be back to serve with him as mayor. Receiving notice were City Administrator Ted Danek, Public Works and Utilities Director Dave Mandyke and General Administration Director Dorothy Webster.

Spokane Mayor-elect David Condon has decided to replace two long-time administrators at Spokane City Hall. Public Works Director Dave Mandyke and Administrative Service Director Dorothy Webster announced their retirements Friday.

Mandyke, Webster out at City Hall

David Condon was sworn in as Spokane's 44th mayor Friday morning in a short ceremony in front of the Clocktower at Riverfront Park.

Sanders named city administrator

Stephens named acting police chief but only through weekend

More from Verner's exit interview