Kratom
The council held a workshop on whether to ban Kratom. Mayor Cooper described the substance as an unregulated psychoactive substance with stimulant and opioid‑like effects that is currently sold in local stores with no age restrictions, making it easily accessible to youth. Staff was able to play a recording of testimony from the Washington State Toxicologist, who reported rising poison‑center calls, two toddler near‑fatal overdoses reversed only because naloxone was available, widespread lack of child‑resistant packaging, and the emergence of synthetic kratom alkaloids that can be up to 9 times more potent than fentanyl.
Council members emphasized that consumers have no way to know potency or purity, that products are marketed in youth‑appealing ways, and that combining kratom with common substances like caffeine can increase toxicity. The draft ordinance would prohibit the sale, distribution, and advertising of kratom in Medical Lake, with violations treated as a civil infraction carrying a $250 base fine (about $513 after state‑mandated fees).
Council members expressed strong support for moving forward, noting that Spokane and Spokane Valley have already enacted bans and that local action may be more effective than waiting for the state legislature, which failed to pass either a regulatory or prohibition bill this last legislative session.
West Plains Aquifer Protection Area
During public comment, several speakers urged the Medical Lake City Council to support creation of a West Plains Aquifer Protection Area (APA)—a regional funding mechanism designed to protect the unique and increasingly stressed West Plains aquifer system. Speakers explained that an APA would provide predictable, 20‑year dedicated funding for groundwater studies, monitoring, stormwater management, infrastructure improvements, and public education. The cost is estimated at $15 per household per year, with an additional $15 for properties on septic systems; households on municipal water or without septic would not pay the extra fee. The West Plains aquifer is a 130‑square‑mile, discrete groundwater system facing significant pressures, including PFAS contamination. It was noted that Airway Heights had already approved participation, Cheney is supportive, and Medical Lake’s action is needed if they want to be included in the measure which will be sent to the voters. Speakers highlighted that the APA could generate roughly $400,000 regionally, with about $160,000 flowing to Medical Lake for eligible local projects, and that these local funds could strengthen the city’s ability to secure state and federal grants requiring matching dollars. One speaker also raised concerns about fairness in cost distribution, noting that some West Plains residents already pay stormwater fees due to high‑risk drainage zones, and urged the council to consider proportionality when shaping the ballot measure. Overall, commenters framed the APA as a modest, community‑driven investment to safeguard drinking water, support long‑term growth, and address contamination challenges affecting the entire West Plains.
The Council voted unanimously on April 7th to approve including Medical Lake within the boundaries of the proposed West Plains Aquifer Protection Area which will go before voters for their consideration.
Street Vacations
City Senior Planner Elisa Rodriguez brought forward a series of amendments to the Medical Lake Municipal Code for Councils consideration. One of which was to add a new section regarding street vacations.
Elisa, noted that the City of Medical Lake periodically receives requests from property owners and developers to vacate streets or alleys for purposes such as lot consolidation, redevelopment, public utility access adjustments, or to eliminate obsolete or unused right-of-way segments. “Historically, these requests have been processed on an ad hoc or case-by-case basis without a dedicated chapter in the Municipal Code outlining uniform procedures” said Rodriquez.
The proposed process includes gathering signatures from more than two-thirds of the abutting property owners, payment of a petition fee, a public hearing with defined notification procedures including mailing written notices to all petitioners and posting signage at each end of the street or alley sought to be vacated and then review by the City Council.
The process also defines that the council reserves the right to require compensation which includes up to full appraised value if the right-of-way has been dedicated for 25 years or more and was acquired at public expense, and that half of all compensation received shall be dedicated to the public open space or transportation capital projects within the city.
The proposal was approved unanimously at the April 7th city council meeting.
Commercial Kitchen Update
At the March 17th City Council meeting it was noted that the WF General Contractors who had been awarded the project to build out the commercial kitchen in City Hall, a contracted in the amount of $211,225.65, was declared to be in default as of January 21st 2026. “After multiple attempts to correct deficiencies, the contractor was declared to be in default in accordance with our contract” noted city administrator Sonny Weathers.
When asked about what happened, Weathers responded that the company had declared bankruptcy.
“In the end, our down payment and the demolition work they did was close in value and that the cost for legal recovery fees would be more than we would recover” explained Weathers.
Moving forward Weathers noted that the City staff will be assuming the General Contractor role for the project and work with subcontractors in each of the specialty areas including electrical, plumbing, and roofing.
“We have the expertise to deliver this project and in taking it on ourselves and we believe we can deliver the project within the existing budget”
Later in the March 17th agenda, the Council approved a contract with Titan Mechanical, Inc to build out the kitchen’s plumbing and gas piping elements in a time and materials contract not to exceed $30,000. Which Mayor Cooper noted is $15,000 lower than the prior contract.
The goal for the project is to be completed by August 1st
Federal Lobbyist
The city has been engaging at the Federal Government level to help identify grant funding programs and relationships with the cities federal delegation to support city priorities and projects.
John Colton with Capital Path Consulting. Councilmember Pritchard asked about the selection process and whether a bid process was used. City Administrator Sonny Weathers responded that a bid process was not required and was not utilized for this selection. Mayor Cooper identified the urgency for getting this assistance “one of the funding request windows closed this week. Mr. Colton helped us get our ask submitted with Congressman Baumgardner before we got this contract in place.”
The contract with Capital Path Consulting is for $3,000 per month plus expenses or $27,000 for 2026.
Mayor Cooper noted that she has arranged a visit to Washington DC for the following week in order to advocate for the cities projects and highlighted how this contract would help with that visit.
The council noted that this was not a budget expense and cited concerns around the suddenness of this proposal. Staff noted that there was room within the end fund balance of the general fund to accommodate the contract for this year.
Contract was approved with Councilmember Kennedy opposed.
Additional Public Safety Contracts
The City Council approved the 2026 contract with the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office establishing the process to request additional Sheriff Deputies during summer events and activities when they are available.
If available, the city will pay $105 per hour per deputy with a four hour minimum, and an additional hour drive time added to each shift and an additional $5 to $12 per hour per vehicle depending on use.
The city also approved a contract with the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office to install, maintain, and operate the 20 approved cameras as city facilities, parks, open space areas, public streets, or other public locations. The cost for the service was set at $5,427 including the cellular service annually. The contract was approved with Councilmember Pritchard opposed.
In Brief
At the April 7th City council meeting the council approved a franchise agreement with NFC Northwest LLC which was noted as the parent company to Ziply Fiber. The agreement was substantially similar to the one previously approved for Ziply Fiber but allows the company to show ownership of their infrastructure under either name.
