City of Spokane
COVID-19 Community Update
January 19, 2021

#InlandStrong
Spokane County COVID-19 Data
Each day, information evolves COVID-19. At the City, we want our citizens and visitors to know that we are working to reduce the spread of this disease in our community, continue to provide critical City services, and address impacts of closures of schools, business and events. For the most recent and local data on cases and outcomes, visit SRHD.org.

State of Washington COVID-19 Data
Track information with these interactive dashboards for risk assessment, health data, economic impact and recovery, schools and PPE information.
Healthy Washington Plan
As of January 11, the state is following a regional recovery approach with every region beginning in Phase 1. Read the details here.

Updated Vaccination Plan
Gov. Jay Inslee announced an updated statewide vaccine distribution and administration plan to increase the number of people vaccinated and establish infrastructure capable of mass vaccinations in the coming months. With the expanded vaccine distribution system, the state set a goal of vaccinating 45,000 Washingtonians per day.
Spokane County Vaccination Plan
Health officials in Spokane County support expanding eligibility to Tier B1 while continuing to ensure Tiers A1 and A2 which include health care employees, first responders and staff and residents of long-term care facilities have prioritized access. Those who are eligible for the vaccine are encouraged to use DOH’s Phase Finder at www.findyourphasewa.org to confirm eligibility and to be directed to vaccine providers in Spokane County. Learn more details on the SRHD website.
Spokane received some good news in making the COVID vaccine more readily available to people in our community. As the state advances to the next phase of vaccination eligibility, the Spokane Arena will become one of the very few initial locations in the state for widespread administration of the vaccine. Your personal healthcare provider will also be able to assist you in receiving the vaccine.

Taking the next steps mean anyone 65 and older is immediately eligible to receive the vaccine along with those 50 and older who live in multi-generational households. So far, our healthcare providers and first responders have already received the vaccine and remain eligible if they have not yet received it. 

We appreciate that the state has prioritized Spokane. Greater access to the vaccine keeps us moving forward in our community fight against the spread of the virus. We are all anxious to safely advance as a community and the combination of mask wearing, watching our distance, limiting our gatherings, and wider-spread access to vaccination is the way we accomplish that. 

Those most at risk of contracting the virus have been prioritized in the state’s vaccine administration plan, which is also informed by federal public health guidance. The sooner we get on top of protecting those who are most at risk, the healthier our community will be. 

Spokane continues to be an innovator and collaborator that seeks partnership to fight the spread of the virus and limit the impact to our healthcare system. CHAS healthcare has been operating a drive-up testing site at the Arena for weeks now and that demonstrated ability to accomplish that mission in a safe and orderly way has undoubtedly helped Spokane be a leader in access to the vaccine.

Spokane continues to impress in its ability to come together, work together, and stay healthy together. Continuing that is what it will take to get us through this global pandemic. 

Nadine Woodward
Mayor, City of Spokane
Wind Storm Response Update
  • City crews completed primary clean up of trees and tree debris in the right of way on Sunday evening with a handful of sites that remained to be cleaned up. Those sites were entangled with power lines.
  • As of Tuesday morning, there were 6 cleanup sites that needed to be addressed following the restoration of power and line cleanup.
  • City Street & Utility crews ended up addressing about 250 tree/branch removal locations.
  • On Saturday, City teams moved 88 dump truck loads of tree material out of City neighborhoods.
  • Free disposal of tree debris began at the City’s Waste to Energy Facility and Spokane County’s two transfer stations on Friday, Jan. 15.
  • Friday through Sunday, the Waste to Energy facility saw 425 customers bring in material with a total of 165 tons of debris.
  • The City also began a special week of curbside clean green pickup on Monday for subscribers to that service.
SNAP Project Share is a Resource
Project Share can be used to help customers with service-related situations to help to pay to restore services from wind storm damage. Examples of how Project Share funds may be used in these situations include: filter replacement, repairs, damage to gas piping, replacing a mast, etc. Maximum assistance is $500. Make a Project Share appointment at 509-456-SNAP (7627).
City Parks Recover from Wind Storm
Urban Forestry and Park Operations crews are working diligently to address down or high-risk trees at more than 25 park properties and a total of 130 trees following the January 13, 2021 wind storm. Major destruction impacted Comstock Park. Spokane Parks and Recreation is working in a phased approach, tackling the most critical issues first. Full removal of debris will likely take several weeks.
The City is offering free disposal options for tree debris from the storm. See the information on the City’s web site. Residents who need assistance with clearing tree debris from private property are encouraged to refer to the list of licensed arborists at spokanecity.org.

Storm cleanup also will require repairs to damaged roofs and fences. Permits are needed, but the City is waiving permit fees for those storm repairs. Please call 509.625.6300. More information on residential permits is found on the City’s web site.
Utility Payment Options

We know that the pandemic has created economic hardship for many of the City’s utility customers. Assistance with monthly City utility bills for water, sewer, and solid waste is available during the COVID-19 pandemic:

Residential property owners as well as tenants can seek direct financial assistance through the City's U-Help program by calling 456-SNAP. Utility Billing can also provide interest-free payment plans for residential customers. More information.

Business owners with an active City of Spokane utility account, may qualify for a small business assistance utility bill deferral. More information.

Late fees and water shutoffs for non-payment have been suspended to assist customers during the pandemic. Donations for this effort are always appreciated.
Your City at Work
Understanding Housing Displacement Risk
How do we nurture development without displacing existing communities? Who is at risk for displacement in our community and where? The City of Spokane is asking these questions and more to help identify our community’s risk factors related to displacement. This is part of the part of the process to assess housing needs of all Spokane residents and build the Housing Action Plan.
Division Connects is looking at the future of transportation and land use along the Division Street Corridor Study. With the completion of the North Spokane Corridor in 2030, the community can re-think how we use Division Street. Join the conversation at an online open house!
Municipal Court Judge Appointment
Mayor Nadine Woodward appointed Kristin O' Sullivan, current Spokane Municipal Court Commissioner to fill the vacant judge seat in the same court. O’Sullivan has covered cases on the Municipal Court judge docket for more than two years as a commissioner and is a committee member of the District Municipal Court Judges’ Association. She has also previously worked as the chief assistant city prosecutor, deputy county prosecutor, and a private criminal defense attorney. Watch the judges forum here.
Pathways to Public Service
Are you interested in employment with the City of Spokane? Do you want to learn how to navigate our hiring process? Are you interested in learning about our broad and diverse career fields? If you said yes to any of these questions, join us for an upcoming hiring workshop Thursday, Jan. 21.
Water Use Workshops
Spokane City Council is working with the Water Resource Collaboration Group volunteers to update the City of Spokane’s Water Conservation Master Plan to better address local water resource issues. Learn more at a Community Water Use Workshop this Thursday, Jan. 21. Register here.
School Levy Ballots Arrive this Week
Spokane Public Schools is proposing a replacement levy in the Feb. 9 election. For more information about the levy renewal and what it will mean for public schools, visit their website.

Do you have questions about the upcoming Educational Programs and Operations levy? You can read these Frequently Asked Questions to get answers.
KSPS: A Voter's Guide to School Replacement Levies Program
2021 Spokane Public Schools Replacement Levy: Funding the Gap
Spokane Rewards. Spokane Solves. Spokane Gives.
Megan's Volunteer Experience
The City of Spokane is a great place to combine community support with expertise. There are over 30 Boards, Commissions and Committees made up of volunteers who help shape our community. If you have one day a year, or one day a week, there is an opportunity for you. Pick your passion below and get involved!

  • Meals on Wheels Volunteer Drivers
  • Human Rights Commission
  • Civil Service Commission
  • Plan Commission
  • Office of Police Ombudsman Commission
  • Salary Review Commission
  • Food Bank Assistance
  • School Program Tech Help
Winter Escapes: Game On! Gaming for Teens
Play competitive or cooperative video games online with other teens in the Spokane area. Get the details here!
On the Bright Side
Check out the cool art on the side of Marilyn's on Monroe Antique Emporium! #MuralMonday #ArtOnMonroe #MeetOnMonroe
Mural by Desmond Boston
Need Access to Food?
Contact SNAP at (509) 319-3050 or SRTC@snapwa.org

Need Mental Health Help?
Contact 24/7: Frontier Crisis Line (509) 838-4428
Contact or Walk-In: Inland Northwest Behavioral Health (509) 992-1888

CHAS Health: (509) 444-8200

Excelsior Wellness Center: (509) 559-3100
Help for children, adults and families is available via telehealth.

Veterans Crisis Line: (800) 273-8255


Lutheran Community Services: (509) 747-8224
Intensive Behavioral Health, Victim Advocacy and Foster Care, are available.
COVID-19 and Food Access Survey
The University of Washington and Washington State University, with support from Tacoma Community College, have created the Washington State Food Security Survey (WAFOOD) to monitor how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted economic security and food access for Washington State residents. This information will help state and community partners to identify needs and support resource allocation for WA State residents.
This survey will ask questions about your health, food access, and economic needs. The goal is to learn more about how WA residents are handling economic and food disruptions due to the pandemic. Washington State residents who are 18 years or older may participate.

Upon completing the 15 minute survey, you will have the option to provide an email address to enter a drawing for a $50 grocery store gift card.
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We are here to help! Simply dial 311 or if outside City limits: 509.755.CITY(2489).