City of Spokane
Community Update
February 22, 2022

#InlandStrong
In Woodward's Words
Spokane Mayor Nadine Woodward voices her support for Senate Bill 5919.
Snow Zone
Tips to Avoid Frozen Pipes
With these freezing temperatures the Water Department has some tips to avoid frozen pipes.
  • Make sure you heat all rooms of your house that have plumbing fixtures. Water pipes in unheated rooms are subject to freezing and could cause extensive damage.
  • Leave the cabinet doors open to allow the heat from the room to enter if you have pipes that are located on an outside wall.
  • Keep meter box lids closed during winter months to prevent cold air from freezing the meter. Don’t remove snow if you don’t have to. It helps insulate the meter.
  • If you have experienced problems in the past during freezing periods and you have exhausted all other solutions, you can leave a trickle of water running from the faucet highest in the house. This trickle should be a steady stream slightly larger than the lead of a pencil.
For more tips visit our website.
Your City at Work
City to Resume Yard Waste Curbside Pickup Feb. 28
The City of Spokane will resume curbside yard and food waste pickup on Monday, Feb. 28! Yard waste carts can be filled with yard waste, food scraps and food soiled paper products. Learn more about this optional service on our website.
Become a Master Composter/Recycler
You’re invited to be a Master Composter/Recycler! Spokane County residents can register for the 2022 Master Composters/Recyclers Program now. The FREE six week program teaches residents how to reduce waste through home composting and recycling. The deadline to apply is Friday, March 4.
Free Parking Perks During Renovation
As the City prepares for new devices to arrive and begin installation, areas of on-street paid parking are currently offline and not operational. There are areas of downtown with meters that have clear plastic bags on them and are signed “Change is Coming” to indicate they are currently not operational. These on-street parking spaces are temporarily FREE to park in until upgraded devices are installed in the spring. For more info visit our website.
City Adding Temporary Shelter Capacity This Week
Yesterday Mayor Nadine Woodward announced immediate additions to temporary sheltering capacity as interim measures while conversations continue to introduce stable temporary and long-term solutions.

Here’s what the City is adding through contracts and partnerships so far this week:
  • A contract for hotel space has been expanded through a new partnership beginning tonight. Individuals at the Cannon Street shelter will be referred to the new hoteling spaces to open up access to 40 low-barrier beds at the shelter.
  • Union Gospel Mission will make 14 emergency weather beds available for women during the cold snap.
  • Hope House has added four additional spaces for women.

For more information visit our website.
City Reminds Residents to Dispose of Lithium Batteries Safely
Following a fire at the Waste to Energy Facility the City is reminding residents to take the time to dispose of lithium batteries safely. While an exact cause of Wednesday’s fire on the garbage tipping floor could not be determined, a lithium battery that was thrown away in the trash is the expected culprit. For tips on how to correctly dispose of lithium batteries visit our website.
Last Day to Ice Skate Is Feb. 27
The last day to ice skate at the Numerica Skate Ribbon will be Sunday, Feb. 27! The ribbon will reopen for roller skating and scooters in the spring.
Local COVID-19 Data
For the most recent and local data on cases and outcomes, visit SRHD.org. Track State of Washington information with these interactive dashboards for updates.
All Washington Residents Age 5+ Eligible for Vaccine
All Washingtonians age 5 and up are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. The Governor and the state Department of Health (DOH) have also prioritized equity issues to ensure vaccine access to populations disproportionately affected by the virus, including communities of color and low-income communities.

The CDC now recommends that everyone ages 12+ receive a COVID-19 booster shot. Get more information on the CDC’s website.
Local Vaccination Distribution Information
Three COVID-19 vaccines have been approved, and are widely accessible throughout the state. Information on the vaccine and its distribution in Washington is found on the DOH website. Learn more details on the SRHD website.

State COVID-19 Information Hotline
1-800-525-0127 (press #)

Text the word “Coronavirus” to 211211 to receive information and updates on your phone wherever you are. You will receive links to the latest information on COVID-19, including county-level updates and resources for families, businesses, students and more.
CDC Guidance for Fully Vaccinated People
Currently authorized vaccines in the United States are highly effective at protecting vaccinated people against symptomatic and severe COVID-19. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has published updated interim recommendations for people who have been fully vaccinated. Until more is known and vaccination coverage increases, some prevention measures will continue to be necessary for all people, regardless of vaccination status.
Get Vaccinated!
Find a COVID-19 vaccine near you
COVID-19 Testing Sites
Drive-up and walk-up COVID-19 testing sites are open to the community. These testing sites offer free testing and are open to anyone who is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or has recently been exposed to someone with COVID-19.
Spokane Falls Community College
3410 W. Whistalks Way, Spokane, WA 99224
Hours: Mon, Tue, Thur, & Fri, 8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Appointments are recommended but not required.


Mead Union Stadium
12509 N. Market St., Mead, WA 99021
Hours: Wed – Fri, 4 – 8 p.m.
Hours: Sat & Sun, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Appointments are recommended but not required.
Spokane County Fair and Expo Center
5100 E. Broadway Ave., Spokane Valley, WA 99212
Hours: Mon, Tue, Thur, & Fri, 8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Appointments are recommended but not required.

CHAS Health Denny Murphy Clinic
1001 W. Second Ave., Spokane, WA 99201
Hours: Tue – Fri, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Hours: Sat, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Appointments are recommended but not required.
Indoor Mask Mandate Will Be Lifted In March
Starting Monday, March 21 masks will not be required in:
  • schools, childcares facilities, and libraries
  • restaurants and bars
  • houses of worship
  • gyms, recreation centers, and indoor athletic facilities
  • grocery stores, business, and retail establishments
For additional details click here.
Need Access to Food?
Contact SNAP at (509) 319-3050 or SRTC@snapwa.org

Need Mental Health Help?
Contact 24/7: Frontier Crisis Line (877) 266-1818
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

Need Resources? 
Call Washington 211 at 2-1-1 or (877) 211-9274 to speak to a local agent
Text your Zip Code to 898211 or email ew211@incontactmail.com
Apply for Basic Food assistance over the phone!
Access to resources online at: wa211.org
Sign up for their Newsletter!


Lutheran Community Services: (509) 747-8224
Intensive Behavioral Health, Victim Advocacy and Foster Care, are available.
Resident Assistance
The impacts of COVID have created hardships for people in many ways. The City continues to connect residents with available and eligible resources.
Utility Assistance
There are Resident Assistance programs for emergency help to pay for City utility bills, which include charges for water, wastewater, stormwater and garbage collection. Interest-free payment plans are also available for residential and commercial customers.
Rental Assistance
The City’s Emergency Rent Assistance Program has helped landlords and tenants avoide evictions due to hardships caused by the pandemic. Nearly all of the $27 million funding has been distributed and allocated. Online application portals administered by LiveStories and Family Promise of Spokane are currently paused for new applications. For complete information and current application information visit the City’s Resident Assistance page.
Spokane Rewards. Spokane Solves. Spokane Gives
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 and get involved!
The Plan Commission is currently accepting applications for one vacancy. This position will fill a vacated seat with a term expiration of Dec. 31, 2023.

As a member of the Plan Commission, you will have an opportunity to participate in City planning by providing informed opinions to complement the work of the City's elected officials and administrative departments. The Plan Commission also solicits and evaluates public comments on planning issues of City-wide importance or of a substantial community concern.

The Plan Commission holds public hearings and makes recommendations to the City Council regarding the following matters:
  • Amendments to the City's Comprehensive Plan and the development regulations implementing the Comprehensive Plan.
  • Changes in the corporate limits of the City, including the land use designations and zoning to become effective upon the annexation of any area proposed for annexation or which might reasonably be expected to be annexed by the City at any future time.

Applications must be submitted to the Mayor’s Office by Monday, Feb. 28.
Solid Partnerships That Strengthen Our Community
The Resource Center of Spokane County (RCSC) and its 19 agency partners, including the City of Spokane, serves all residents of Spokane County.
Available services include: housing support and utility assistance, homeless prevention services, re-entry services for the justice-involved, healthcare resources with direct referrals, pre-employment training opportunities, and financial literacy workshops and education.
There is much more to discover at our region’s integrated social services one-stop center. Walk-in customers are welcome, no appointment necessary. To learn more about the Resource Center of Spokane County’s vital services, resources, and support, please visit their website.
Winter Wonders: Snowshoe Headlamp Hike
Start your weekend right with a snowshoe headlamp hike! Watch the glimmer of your headlamp illuminate the snowy trails as you are guided through the quiet forest of Mt Spokane. Snowshoes, guides, walking poles, headlamps and transportation provided!

Date: Friday, Feb. 25
Time: 6 - 9:30 p.m.
Fee: $29
Registration Deadline: Wednesday, Feb. 23
On the Bright Side
Congratulations to Eastern Washington University alum and Super Bowl LVI MVP Cooper Kupp on winning the Super Bowl!
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We are here to help! Simply dial 311 or if outside City limits: 509.755.CITY(2489).