Council approves several procedural changes: emergency fee amendment, schedule deferrals and agenda additions

At its agenda-setting meeting the Spokane City Council approved several procedural actions and schedule adjustments affecting upcoming ordinance readings and agenda placement.

Council agreed to suspend rules and adopt an amendment to Ordinance C36824 (development fees and charges). Councilmember Klitsky explained the amendment converts the ordinance to an emergency ordinance so the fees will be in effect by the time the city's fee-schedule software platform is expected to go live on Feb. 23. The council adopted the suspension and amendment by voice vote.

The council also voted to defer the kratom ordinance (listed in the meeting as C36,820) to first reading on Feb. 23 and final reading on March 2 so the city can consider pending state-level legislation on kratom before acting locally.

Staff requested and the council approved adding Ordinance C36837 (a budget/carryforward ordinance) for final consideration on Feb. 2.

Separately, the council debated the schedule for adopting new council rules (Ordinance C36738 and Resolution 2026-0009). After discussion about amendment deadlines and holidays, the body amended the deferral motion so that the ordinance's first reading would be Feb. 9 and the resolution/final reading would be Feb. 23; the amended schedule was adopted.

The agendas for upcoming meetings were approved and the session recessed until 6:00 p.m.