Cheney June Overview
Hi folks! June is here and already moving faster than expected. Happy Pride Month to all who celebrate!
This month's overview includes some community happenings alongside the usual civic rundown, because summer is officially underway and there's a lot going on.
As always, much of this information is also available in the Cheney Connections city newsletter, which arrives with your paper utility bill and is posted to the city website. For public city meetings, I recommend cross-checking the Agenda Center and/or the City Calendar for the latest updates, since last-minute changes do happen. Sometimes information or packet materials appear in one spot but not the other, so it's worth checking both.
I'm getting this out a week into the month, but the overview covers the full scope of June meetings and events to give you the complete picture.
June 2 at 1pm | City Council - Special Meeting
City Hall - Council Chambers
At the final May City Council Regular Meeting, several resolutions were pulled from the agenda at the start of the meeting, including one to approve applying for a Heritage Capital Projects grant from Washington State for restoration of the Sterling-Moorman House. With the grant deadline falling on June 5, a subset of council and staff met to revisit the city's financial plan for the project and work through the concerns that had led to it being pulled. The updated resolution was the focus of this special meeting. Council approved it, the application made it in on time, and now we wait on the award decision!
Agenda:
https://www.cityofcheney.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06022026-671?html=true
Video Recording:
Zoom recording of the Cheney City Council June 2nd Special Meeting
June 3 at 12pm | CMA - General Meeting
Wren Pierson Center
The Cheney Members Association (CMA) represents local businesses and community members, with formal membership available for those who want to take advantage of member perks (especially useful for business owners). Their monthly general meeting is held the first Wednesday of the month at noon at Wren Pierson, and it's open to the public. It's a great place to catch updates from the City, Cheney School District, EWU, the Library, and local businesses and organizations. Note: there will be no July meeting.
June 3 at 5:30pm | CMA - Merchant Meeting
Touchstone Realty
The CMA also hosts a monthly merchant-focused evening meeting on the first Wednesday, providing space to support local businesses. Topics are more business-oriented than the lunch meeting. This month's gathering was used to discuss a CMA restructuring and solicit volunteers for new subcommittees. Note: no July meeting for this one either.
June 4 at 5:30pm | Historic Preservation Commission
Utility Building
The Historic Preservation Commission is an official City Commission that serves as an advisory body to Council, meeting the first Thursday of each month. June's meeting was cancelled due to no agenda items.
June 4 at 6pm | First Sip of Summer
Cheney Aquatic Center
The Friends of the Cheney Pool organized this fundraiser to support the Cheney Aquatic Center, and the community came through in a big way: $39,000 raised!
June 8 at 1pm | Civil Service Commission
City Hall - Council Chambers
The Civil Service Commission oversees hiring, firing, and promotions within our Police and Fire Departments to ensure equity and fairness. Earlier this year, Council passed an ordinance expanding the Commission from 3 to 5 members. The two new seats are still vacant, and we're actively working to fill them. If you're interested in serving, please reach out!
June's meeting wrapped up in under five minutes. The one agenda item was brief, and the Commission is still working to finalize its rules, which are currently in legal review.
Agenda:
https://www.cityofcheney.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06082026-673?html=true
June 8 at 5:30pm | Cheney Monday Night Dinners
Salnave Park
Cheney Monday Night Dinners is a newer community group dedicated to creating space for neighbors to share a meal together. Once a month, on the second or third Monday, they host a potluck open to everyone. June through September, they're taking advantage of the weather and hosting in local parks.
June 8 at 6pm | Planning Commission
City Hall - Council Chambers
The Planning Commission meets the second Monday of each month. This month's meeting featured four public hearings gathering community feedback on four elements of the City's Comprehensive Plan. Feedback on those elements is being accepted through June 29th. Send yours to the Planning Department.
Agenda:
https://www.cityofcheney.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06082026-672
Government Websites by CivicPlus®
June 9 at 6pm | City Council - Regular Meeting
City Hall - Council Chambers
Council meets on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month. The headliner this meeting was the third and final reading of Cheney's local ordinance to ban the sale of kratom products. I'll have a deeper write-up on the ordinance later this week for anyone who wants the full picture.
Agenda:
https://www.cityofcheney.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06092026-670?html=true
Video Recording:
June 10 at 6pm | Park Board
Wren Pierson Center
The Park Board meets the second Wednesday of each month, generally at Wren Pierson though occasionally at the Aquatic Center.
Agenda:
https://www.cityofcheney.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06102026-674
June 11 at 6:30pm | Cheney High School Graduation
Eastern Washington University
Graduation season is here! The Cheney High School Class of 2026 celebrated their commencement Thursday evening at Eastern Washington University. Congratulations, Blackhawks!
June 12 & 13 | EWU Commencement
Pavilion - Reese Court on Cheney University Campus
Eastern's graduation ceremonies run back-to-back across Friday and Saturday. All EWU commencements are now held in Cheney on the main campus. Go Eags!
June 13 from 9-1pm | Cheney Farmer's Market
Veterans Memorial Park, 612 4th St
The Cheney Farmers Market runs every second and fourth Saturday from May through October at Veterans Memorial Park.
June 13 | Spokane Pride Parade & Festival
Downtown Spokane & Riverfront Park
The Spokane Pride Parade and Festival takes place this Saturday in downtown Spokane. The parade starts off at noon (route map below), with the festival beginning at 1pm in Riverfront Park.
The EWU Pride Center are walking in the parade and invited the broader community to join them. I will be there in solidarity with our EWU friends, who do important work creating an inclusive and welcoming space here in Cheney.
June 17 | Pool Opens!
Cheney Aquatic Center
Summer is officially here! School wraps up on June 17th and the Aquatic Center opens for the season at 11am. Thanks to a generous donation, opening day will be free for the whole community!
June 20 | Pool Grand Opening
Cheney Aquatic Center
The official grand opening of the Cheney Aquatic Center is Saturday, June 20th!
June 20 at TBD | Coffee with Council and Friends
Tentatively at Hagelin Park next to the Aquatic Center
In May, Council partnered with the Police Department for a Coffee with a Cop and Council event, and it was a great turnout! For June, we're looking at doing something similar alongside the pool grand opening. Details are still coming together, so keep an eye out for updates!
June 23 at 6pm | City Council
City Hall - Council Chambers
Council meets on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month. Agendas are posted to the Agenda Center the Thursday before each meeting, so check back there for details as it gets closer.
June 27 from 9am-1pm | Cheney Farmer's Market
Veterans Memorial Park
The Cheney Farmers Market runs every second and fourth Saturday from May through October at Veterans Memorial Park.
Lots going on this month! Hope to see you out at some of these events. Come say hi if you spot me!