RIVERSIDE NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL MEETING – regular business meeting
01/16/2024
Spokane Public library
906 W Main Spokane WA 99201
Attendance:
Pia Hallenberg, Chair
Donna Elgin, secretary
Lorna Walsh, Community Assembly rep
Emily Paradis, clean up coordinator
Rod Moore, Pedestrian and traffic rep
Paul Mann, The Ridpath
Brenda Clark,
Bill Heaton,
Spencer White,
Katie Tolley, Lutheran Social Services
Rebecca Mack, representing the Saranac Building
*The group was told the meeting was being recorded so the new secretary Donna Elgin could take good notes. A map of homeless resources was passed around.
We learned the city also has an Owl camera on the main floor of the library that can be checked out by groups.
Introductions
Pia Chair, Donna Elkins- Secretary, Lorna-Community Assembly representative, Emily- clean up coordinator, Rod Moore: Pedestrian and traffic committee representative
Chair report
Pia reminded the group Anyone who lives or owns a business within the neighborhood boundaries are automatically members of the council, but they have to attend at least one meeting prior to voting. This is why taking attendance is so important so please remember to sign in.
Speed trailer applications are out and due by April 8. Suggestions for new speed spots were between Monroe and Cedar on Riverside, south stevens from the park past the parkcade, 3rd and Stevens near Subaru dealership.
Mayor Lisa Brown contacted Pia to find out what the council’s thoughts were on the homeless situation downtown. Pia told her people overwhelmingly were concerned about the trash left by the homeless. The next most common concern is how best to help, rules, regulations and best practices. Anyone can reach out to the mayor, but Pia is also willing to convey our thoughts.
Pia is now the Working chair of the Ones committee, which is comprised on all the neighborhood councils in district 1. They are a 501 C3 so we can use them to apply for grants. Pia has already applied for an STCU grant to build and maintain a new Riverside Neighborhood Council website. We should know in about 3 months if we were awarded the grant. In the meantime, Pia said she will fund the website until funds become available for that.
COPS is trying to reopen cop shop on 3rd. Community Efforts are being made to reopen the downtown COP shop on 3rd. They have not been able to open because they need to have volunteer staff at the front desk at all times. The front desk person would listen to citizen reports, help them find the correct resources to address their concerns. Shifts are 3 hours long. To be a certified staff member there, you need to complete 1 hour training and have a background check. Due to privacy issues, the COPS station can’t be housed at the downtown precinct, although it would appear to be the perfect spot.
Pia asked for help working with the city on figuring out what to do with the dead trees. Lorna said she would participate.
Another work group will be night out against crime. Donna volunteered.
Tour Schedule
02/20- tour of the Spokesman Review building. This is the Only tour where registration is required.
03/19- City Hall
04/23- STA Plaza
05-21- Spokane regional transportation center
*A social event will be planned after each tour.
Other ideas for tours were included. the Masonic Temple now called Riverside Place, the Podium, the Stadium, the Saranac building, Dry Fly, Thomas Hammer on Pacific, the Cracker building, police station, the Paulsen Center building, the old AT&T building, The pump house and dam, and the courthouse.
City hall report
Annie Deasy shared news about the recent press release in regard to the upcoming large snowfall reminding residents to move cars from the even side of the street to the odd, to keep sidewalks clear and safe.
The city now has Biweekly meetings with the traffic committee.
It was discussed that property owners adjacent to the sidewalk are responsible for snow removal. Snow is supposed to be removed within 24 hours of a “snow event”, but offenders are not fined. They are sent letters asking to clear the sidewalk in the future. The city can’t enforce it. There is a My Spokane 311 app where residents can report concerns like snow removal and much more to the city. If you submit a report, it is a public record.
Even though the neighborhood asphalt art needs to be repainted, it will be pushed back until the city repairs a water main that is damaged in that area. There was confusion about whether the spot was meant for one year use so Annie will check with the streets committee and get back to us.
It was suggested we move our spot to the north bank because the Podium and the Stadium pull a lot of traffic through there and there is not much in the area to represent downtown council.
There were questions about the recent changes to air B&B short term and long term rentals. Annie will get more details and report back.
The city is considering strategically placed graffiti walls.
Community Assembly report
Lorna reported at the end of the year there were extra funds from grants so they purchased new items any neighborhood councils could borrow. Items include a generator, folding tables and chairs, coffee maker, popcorn maker, a projector and more. The assembly meets once a month with a representative from each council.
Spencer has volunteered to help design and develop a website. Pia will create content, and everyone can submit photos. The cost will be $5000. This new site will have features like a better calendar, live feed from social media and the ability for people to submit content. The cost to maintain the site is $25 per month if you pay a year at a time or $45 a month if you pay monthly. This cost includes the ability to edit the site, domaine and hosting. Donna volunteer to help with accessibility testing.
Land Use Committee
Bill from Emerson Garfield Neighborhood Council reported the land use committee is hoping for more people to get involved. Our neighborhood does not have open spaces but topics like accommodating bikes, traffic calming, the homeless and zoning are all part of land use. Spencer is interested and will attend a meeting and report back.
Voting
The group voted to change the name of the council from Riverside Neighborhood council to Downtown Spokane council. Spencer made a motion to change the name and Lorna seconded it. Motion passed unanimously. There was no further discussion.
All future business meetings of the council will take place quarterly in the same room in the library. The group thanked Pia for all her work and dedication to the council.
