Approved by the Council. These are the official minutes of record.
Location: Wine & Taps (Suite D) at Latah Bistro Date/Time: November 20, 2025, 6:00–7:30 p.m.
Attendance
Voting Members Present: Jim Schrock, Becky Dickerhoof, Ron Dickerhoof, Duane Huesers (Vice Chair), Stephanie Watson (Chair), Patricia Nault
Additional Attendees: Kathy Larsen, Charlene Faoro, Elizabeth Goldsmith, Jamie Eggink, Eme Ray, Austin and Brittany Schmidt, Erik Lowe, Ralph Heaton, Kadon Smith, Kevin Marshall, Jordan Bilodeaux, Bonnie Asien, Lee Poquette, Ron Goldhammer, Conifer Defour
(Bolded names in the original are eligible to vote next meeting; email LatahValleyNC@gmail.com to correct attendance.)
Call to Order
Chair Stephanie Watson called the meeting to order at 6:10 p.m.
Consent Agenda
Patricia Nault moved to approve the Consent Agenda; Duane Huesers seconded. Motion passed.
Updates: Speakers + Reports
Welcome — remarks shared by Susan Shelby.
Spokane Police Department Update — Officer Micah Prim
Officer Prim shared a police data report and discussed activity and concerns in the following areas: 7th Avenue and Inland Empire Way; High Bridge Park; Vinegar Flats (noting increased displacement); Fish Lake Trail (camping and trash issues).
Officer Prim advised residents to call 911 or Crime Check whenever aware of crime, as these calls are how the police department develops crime statistics. For trash on the Fish Lake Trail, residents should contact 311. Code Enforcement will coordinate trash pickup and graffiti clean-up. 311 can be called or filed online. New laws regarding camping are now in effect. Officers have been able to divert some illegal campers to community resources as intended by the law. Officer Prim noted that the best outcomes occur when officers have background knowledge of the individual involved.
Jim Schrock commented that he is seeing more homeless activity in Vinegar Flats as emphasis has increased on clearing downtown areas.
City Legislative Update — District 2
- Ginny Ramos: gramos@spokanecity.org
- Paul Dillon: not present (pdillon@spokanecity.org)
- Kate Telis: will be sworn in on November 25 for a two-year term (ktelis@spokanecity.org)
Transportation & Traffic Calming — City of Spokane Transportation & Sustainability Department
Presenter: Jon Snyder, Director of Transportation & Sustainability. Staff support: Abby Martin. Jon Snyder shared an overview of City transportation processes and traffic safety efforts:
- Mr. Snyder works for the Mayor on city processes related to traffic and transportation.
- The Traffic Calming Program, in place since 2011, focuses on creating safer streets for all users. Drivers’ behavior has deteriorated since COVID.
- Traffic safety data shared: 22 traffic-related deaths in 2024; 17 deaths to date in 2025, including 9 pedestrian fatalities.
- Spokane Transportation Commission: recently formed to replace several former transportation-related committees and advisory groups. Meets on the third Wednesday of each month, both in person at City Hall and online (recorded meetings). District 2 Commissioner: Grant Shipley. Neighborhood input and participation supports long-term planning.
- Project Updates and Q&A: In response to questions, Mr. Snyder stated the City is beginning to explore widening the Thorpe Road tunnels. Traffic safety concerns were noted along WSDOT 195.
- Development & Planning contacts: Donna Debit; Long Range Planning — Spencer Gardner; Development Services Center — Tami Palmquest; BNSF public projects update — local contacts?
Office of Neighborhood Services Update — Heather Hamlin
- Serves as the Neighborhood Services liaison to LHNC; Director of Office.
- Noted the very successful Neighborhood Clean Up event held on October 10 in Vinegar Flats with City partnership.
- Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) applications for neighborhoods and nonprofits are due January 15. Approximately $400,000 is available for neighborhood improvement projects.
- In the November municipal election, both the Parks Levy and the School District Bond passed. Projects will be sequenced over the next 20 years.
- Leaf pickup on city streets is scheduled: Hangman Valley, December 18–20; Eagle Ridge, December 21–23.
- Residents are encouraged to sign up for the weekly Office of Neighborhood Services newsletter.
Land Use Committee — No report.
Cougar Cliffs Development Proposal — Erik Lowe
Erik Lowe presented draft plans for development of his family’s 164-acre property south of Eagle Ridge. Seventeen acres are currently within city limits; Mr. Lowe plans to request city annexation of the remaining acreage.
Proposed vision includes: single-family homes; mixed-use development (retail, offices); senior housing (single-level, no steps); potential library (County); fire station; long-term goal of a transit anchor. The proposal aligns with Spokane Reimagined principles, including transportation access, SRTC coordination, and a frontage road from Inland Empire to Hatch (with grandfathered access to Highway 195). Water and sewer access discussions involve both City and County jurisdictions; much of the property is zoned Urban Reserve. Broader statewide movement and engagement with environmental groups were noted.
Contact: Erik Lowe (contact information on file with the Council)
Neighborhood Clean Up Debrief
The Clean Up event was a very positive experience. Many thanks to Ron Dickerhoof for volunteering and organizing a successful event. Additional thanks to the Spokane County Corrections Geiger work crew and Chris Kopinski, landowner of the event site in Vinegar Flats. The City allocates $6,000 per neighborhood to support these services.
New Business — Neighborhood Name Discussion
Ron Dickerhoof moved to enter New Business; Becky Dickerhoof seconded.
Discussion focused on the name of the neighborhood: Latah-Hangman, Latah Valley, and Latah. Stephanie Watson shared discrepancies on the current name and previous efforts to rename the neighborhood due to historical connotations of the word “Hangman.” Others prefer Latah Valley (Nez Perce named) due to location as fishing grounds and stories of peace and trading across tribal nations.
Stephanie emphasized that many stakeholders would need to be consulted, including Tribal Councils, to make a name change and honor history. Stephanie proposed forming a Committee of interested members to explore the issue further. No action was taken at this meeting.
Additional discussion included:
- Stephanie outlined a potential process for engaging Tribal Councils, including outreach to the Spokane, Nez Perce, Yakama, and Coeur d’Alene Tribes with a letter of inquiry.
- Becky Dickerhoof noted the Cheney–Spokane entrance land owned by the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, including their salmon and fish hatchery projects, and referenced Department of Natural Resources land near the Thorpe development that may be considered by the Spokane Tribe.
- Neighbors expressed a desire to honor history, engage community members, and build broad buy-in if a name change is pursued.
No motion was made and no vote was taken on this item.
Officer — Neighborhood Business
The Secretary position remains unfilled. A Bylaws Committee was called for. Stephanie Watson suggested that the Comstock Neighborhood Council bylaws could serve as a model for revising LHNC bylaws, and other resources by email for the Committee.
Adjournment
Ron Dickerhoof moved to adjourn; Duane Huesers seconded. Motion passed. The meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
Prepared by Stephanie Watson, Chair, Latah–Hangman Neighborhood Council.