Peter Barnes

With most of the money already set aside in this year's budget to pay for the work, Spokane Valley is likely to fully repave its streets after sewer lines are installed in three neighborhoods this summer. It will cost an estimated $1.1 million to repave, rather than patch, the streets and add drainage improvements, public works officials told the City Council at its meeting Tuesday night.

The Spokane Valley City Council extended a parks maintenance contract with Senske Lawn and Tree Care Tuesday, granting the company a 2 percent increase charged for the work for the last two years.

The conflict over police training in Spokane Valley's CenterPlace community center grew more intense Tuesday at the City Council meeting, with a roomful of Sheriff's Office supporters urging the city to change its policies, and the Community Colleges of Spokane recently threatening not to renew its lease. "This is a partnership, a true partnership we have established," Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich said during the public comment period at Tuesday's meeting.

Spokane Valley's sign code is headed back to city leaders and remains as contentious as ever among some business owners. Next week, the Planning Commission will hear recommendations from a committee summoned by the City Council after enforcement efforts a year ago provoked a backlash from Sprague Avenue retailers.

The Spokane Valley City Council gave the nod to two chapters of the Spokane Valley's new development code Tuesday night. Title 17, which includes general provisions for development, and Title 20 on subdivision moved forward by consensus. Both the Planning Commission and the City Council are reviewing the code chapter by chapter.

The topics were varied and the conversation brisk at Tuesday's Spokane Valley City Council meeting. Among them:

Spokane Valley will pick one of three longtime Spokane County Sheriff's Office deputies as its new police chief in the coming weeks. City Manager Dave Mercier said recently he hopes to hire a chief sometime next month.

Worried about idling police cars, firearms in the building and other concerns, Spokane Valley officials have ordered the Community Colleges of Spokane to stop subleasing space for Sheriff's Office training at Mirabeau Point's CenterPlace community center. "At no time did the city of Spokane Valley, when entering into the lease with the community college(s), intend to create a satellite sheriff's office or training center at this location," states a letter sent by Parks and Recreation Director Mike Jackson to the colleges, dated Jan. 12.

A year ago today, Central Valley School District asked elected officials to charge developers for some of the costs associated with its swelling student population. The answers so far from Liberty Lake, Spokane Valley and Spokane County: probably, maybe and no.

Spokane Valley plans to spend two to three months and $300,000 improving drainage in a neighborhood where heavy rain tends to flood roads and send streams through people's yards. The work in the Beverly Hills neighborhood between Park Road and the Dishman Hills will be the city's first large project using money from a $21 storm water fee on homeowner's property tax bills.

A proposal to subdivide 100 acres in the northeast corner of Liberty Lake into mixed-use housing and businesses was approved by the City Council Tuesday night. At its regular meeting, the council voted unanimously to approve the Liberty Lake Village preliminary plat with two council members absent, said city Finance Director Arlene Fisher.

Experts are confirming what some Spokane Valley residents have argued for six years – that Sprague Avenue and Appleway Boulevard should be two-way streets. "It's not just about moving cars from point A to point B," consultant Troy Russ told city officials and residents Tuesday.

This dog has enough energy to keep up with an owner training for a triathlon, and would probably bring a lot of joy to someone who has an active lifestyle. Though young, Shotzie is house-broken and already responds to "sit" and "down." Like all puppies, she could use some training but is friendly and seems to get along with cats and other dogs.

The Spokane Valley City Council will again decide whether temporary zoning that preserves large lots in the Ponderosa and Rotchford Acres neighborhoods should be extended for another six months following a public hearing at Tuesday's meeting. "They wanted to show their support so they all came," Spokane Valley Mayor Diana Wilhite said of a large group of neighbors who attended the meeting.

The head of Spokane County's major crimes unit is now among the officers under consideration to become the new police chief in Spokane Valley. Jim Goodwin was promoted from sergeant to captain and will replace one of the three original chief candidates. That candidate announced plans to retire.

A farmers' market that kept north Spokane stocked with fresh vegetables and homemade crafts is considering a new home in Millwood. The Humble Earth Farmers' Market's previous location near Ash and Wellesley won't be available this summer, and community leaders are talking about hosting the weekly market in the town of 1,600.