WEEKLY REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL February 2, 2026 Members of the City Council City of Airway Heights, Washington Dear Council Members: ACTION REQUESTED 1. The City Council is asked to amend the study session agenda on Monday, February 9th to add two items. The agenda additions include the following: * Spokane Transit Moving Forward and Connect 2035 presentation * CivTech workorder to help the City with grant writing for US2 Phase 2; The City has several grant applications it is pursuing within a short timeframe. The proposed workorder will help the City prepare the funding applications. 2. On Monday, February 9th the City Council is scheduled to receive a presentation and briefing on the upcoming comprehensive plan chapters. This session is intended to give Councilmembers an opportunity to ask questions and engage with the legally required elements of the plan as they move from informational review toward a formal action item. Over the past year, we have discussed a range of updates to the comprehensive plan, including the elements required by state law. Monday's presentation will highlight how those required components - together with extensive community feedback - have been woven into a cohesive vision for the city's next 20 years. Light refreshments will be provided during the meeting. 3. In the fall of 2025, the City Council started to consider the placement of an Aquifer Protection Area (APA) on the ballot for voters' consideration. The matter was tabled until new members of the Council could join the discussion. During the City Council's February 23rd study session staff will brief the Council on the proposal. TOPICS OF INTEREST 4. The Spokane Airport comment period is open. The City of Spokane and Spokane County have entered into a legal order related to PFAS discovery at the airport. The order requires an investigation to find the full extent of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) and other contamination in soil and groundwater and a study to assess cleanup options. The order also requires potentially cleaning up areas of high concern or providing safe drinking water if off-property impacts are found. The comment period is open February 6- March 9, 2026. You can share comments here https://tcp.ecology.commentinput.com/?id=ECah5MUFK . 5. During the past few months, we have discussed the potential impacts of the new public defense case standards. Staff estimates the City would need to hire six additional public defenders and the public defense budget would need to increase from $160,000 to over $1.2 million to meet the new standards. During the City Olympia trip last month we advocated for legislators to change the standards from a "one size fit all model" to give cities greater flexibility in providing the constitutional required service. On Saturday I testified before the House Appropriations Committee to support HB 1592. This bill seeks to create a more effective method of funding the constitutionally required public defense services. A link to the House Appropriations Committee testimony is available on TVW here: https://tvw.org/video/house-appropriations-2026021140/ . 6. In conjunction with the City Council adoption of its 2026 federal legislative agenda, staff submitted an application to Senator Maria Cantwell's office requesting the City be granted inclusion under Section 219 for financial support from the Army Corps of Engineers for utility projects. An application was submitted this week requesting inclusion in the program and for $5.7 million for water system improvements listed on the City's water comprehensive plan. 7. The Police and Fire department completed the department efficiency initiative brainstorming session this week. City staff shared a variety of creative ideas. The list of ideas will be shared with the City Council during the February 23rd study session meeting. UPCOMING COMMITTEE MEETINGS 8. The Public Works Committee is scheduled to meet February 9th at 2:00 at city hall to discuss the following agenda items: * City Service Campus Phase 2 & 3 (Police and Court Improvements) * Cheney Public Schools Middle & High School Proposal * Cheney Public Schools Transportation Hub Proposal * Garfield Road Septic Tank Elimination Project * St. Johns Stormwater Agreement * Reclaimed Water Services * CPM, Apricus 9. The Public Safety Committee is scheduled to meet February 9th at 4:00 at the police department to discuss the following agenda items: * Cheney Public Schools Middle & High School Proposal * City Service Campus Phase 2 & 3 (Police and Court Improvements) * Fire impact fees * Residential sprinkler ordinance DEPARTMENT REPORTS 10. Building & Planning - Heather Trautman * The Planning Commission is scheduled to meet Wednesday, February 11th at 6:00 pm. A copy of the packet is attached. 11. Fire - Mitch Metzger * Fire Department Weekly Calls for Service 7 Days 14 Days 14 Day Percentage Calls for This Year 241 197 22% Weekly Calls 45 58 -22% MVA 3 5 -40% Structure Fires 1 0 - HazMat 0 0 - Brush Fire 0 0 - AFA 1 3 -67% Service Call 1 0 - Aid Calls 39 50 -22% Spokane Tribe 2 3 -33% Kalispel Tribe 0 0 - 12. Police - Brad Richmond * This week two Spokesman Review editorials highlighted the Police department's work to accomplish Strategic Plan objective 6.3 - Public Safety - increase the safety and security of all residents. The Spokesman reported: * An Airway Heights man was sentenced to life in prison for molesting a friend's children in 2018 - https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2026/feb/04/airway-heights-man-esentenced-to-life-in-prison-fo/ * 'Heinous acts': Airway Heights woman sentenced to 32 years for abusing 8-year-old daughter to death - https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2026/feb/06/woman-sentenecd-to-32-years-for-abusing-8-year-old/ More importantly the stories highlight the department's work to provide justice for the community's most vulnerable. * Police Department Weekly Calls for Service 7 Days 14 Days 14 Day Percentage Total Incidents 339 Traffic Collisions 9 Citations 37 Welfare Checks 40 Vehicle Prowls/ Thefts 25 Thefts/Malicious Mischief 20 Assault/Argument/Domestic 12 Burglaries/Arson/Robbery 5 Spokane Tribe Properties 27 Kalispel Tribe Properties 9 13. Parks & Recreation - JC Kennedy 0. Parks & Rec Director JC Kenndy shares the attached revenue report for January 2026. 1. The Park Board meeting minutes are enclosed from their February 5th meeting. 2. Weekly Recreation Center Memberships Airway Heights Recreation Center Market Share Date Total Memberships All Types Additions Weekly % Market % 1/9/2026 3,133 1/23/26 3,093 -40 1/30/26 3,243 +150 2/6/26 3,313 +70 MARK YOUR CALENDARS 14. You have been invited to the following events: Date Event Address 2/11/26 Spokane County PFAS Response Task Force Meeting 13033 W. State Route 902 Length of Event Audience Contact 6:00 PM City Council Albert Tripp Date Event Address 2/25/26 SIA PFAS 7217 W. Westbow Blvd Length of Event Audience Contact 6:00 pm City Council Albert Tripp Date Event Address 3/8/26 2026 Purple Ribbon Banquet Center Place Regional Event Center Length of Event Audience Contact 5:00 PM City Council Albert Tripp Date Event Address 5/19/26 PFAS & Erin Brockvich Spokane Convention Center Length of Event Audience Contact 3:00 PM-5:00 PM City Council Albert Tripp Sincerely, Albert Tripp City Manager