[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6576438,"mediaKeyId","3105001-faf0fd95f27d3112b4a52e36aad09c1f","parentId",3105001,"title","Rathdrum council adopts FY23–24 audit, water-meter ordinance and True North subdivision; declares K9 retired","audioSeconds",287,"startMs",1457220,"endMs",1744814,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3105001-faf0fd95f27d3112b4a52e36aad09c1f&start=1457&end=1744","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3105001-faf0fd95f27d3112b4a52e36aad09c1f/thumbnail_1457220.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6576438/Rathdrum/Kootenai-County/Idaho/Rathdrum-council-adopts-FY2324-audit-water-meter-ordinance-and-True-North-subdivision-declares-K9-retired","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6576438-d2f211b8644ec582e7b47f92a31f2238/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181444&Signature=SBE5l6n6mOeMSwfgtb9d4oV6pznrMRApae-jZ5SxC3-gOSOSTDy6j4yi1HYomgOWOMXyXd4xhQnI6LYbMBJTCoBI8W-4ZOP-DtCbByy5Y~VeHT4LI95paP22LdjbPQJfTI7Fv6VanQNT9dlVT6HTVE0zqij5As-z59wpuXm4gO8LulVnt1oC4qenJ9q2ZalEhGe~61yb1pqqeaBFyuc2vWRhOHmyyiFKgVXraejpgwXVTeekyeT1PUtd-SMzjnBah~btocQsmWK2hSBFeYOxTBuUT1DKhPtMLh2k1nNxjqFMY-tq5xoECWpbmZNPILlfte937~2t-R0I7n0a2gGWxw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Rathdrum","date","2025-04-24T02:09:19.807Z","article","RATHDRUM ' The Rathdrum City Council approved the city's fiscal year 2023'24 financial audit, adopted an ordinance amending city code on water meters, approved the True North Subdivision short plat and adopted a resolution retiring K9 Atara at a council meeting.

The council voted unanimously or by recorded roll calls to approve the consent calendar (minutes of April 9 and April 18, 2025; acceptance of findings of fact and notice of decision for the City Hall additional preliminary long plat; and acceptance of the Meyer Meadows short plat) and then took up the audit, ordinance and subdivision items.

The financial audit for fiscal year 2023'24 was presented to council in a prior session and, after a period for review, the council voted to adopt the audit. The city provided no additional changes at the meeting.

The council adopted an ordinance amending Rathdrum City Code sections 8-1-7 and 8-3-9 to require commercial irrigation meters for certain commercial users and to remove provisions for wastewater meter users (the city stated it has no wastewater meter users). The ordinance was placed on first reading by title only under suspension of the rules, waived second and third readings, adopted, and the council approved publication of the ordinance summary with the title incorporated.

On land use, the council approved the True North Subdivision short plat. Planning and zoning recommended approval; the property on Fourth Street is zoned R-3 and the applicant proposed subdividing a single large parcel into four lots, each able to support up to a triplex under the existing zoning. The council voted to approve the short plat after staff confirmed the application met the criteria in the city code (Title 12 and Title 15).

The council also adopted a resolution retiring K9 Atara from active city service and declaring the dog surplus property so Chief McLean may retain Atara for the remainder of the animal's life.

Other routine items in the consent calendar were approved as presented.

Votes at a glance

- Consent calendar: Motion to approve the consent calendar as presented (minutes, preliminary long plat findings, Meyer Meadows short plat). Outcome: approved; tally: motion passed (6 yes reported). Notes: items listed in consent packet.

- Fiscal year 2023'24 financial audit: Motion to adopt. Outcome: approved.

- Ordinance (Rathdrum City Code sections 8-1-7 and 8-3-9): Motion to place on first reading by title only under suspension of the rules, waive further readings, adopt ordinance, and publish summary by title. Outcome: ordinance adopted; publication approved.

- True North Subdivision short plat (Fourth Street): Motion to approve short plat as recommended by planning and zoning. Outcome: approved.

- Resolution to retire K9 Atara and declare the dog surplus: Motion to adopt resolution retiring and surplus Atara to Chief McLean. Outcome: approved.

What the council did not decide

No other new budget appropriations or changes to staffing were adopted at the meeting. Staff reports and routine financial statements were provided as information.

Meeting context and next steps

Staff will publish the adopted ordinance summary and proceed with administrative steps for the subdivision approval and other approved consent items. If appeals or additional submittals are required for the short plat, those processes will follow the timelines in city code and planning procedures.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","April 23, 2025 - City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","RATHDRUM ' The Rathdrum City Council approved the city's fiscal year 2023'24 financial audit, adopted an ordinance amending water-meter provisions of city code, approved the True North Subdivision short plat and adopted a resolution retiring K9 Atara.","taxTitle","Rathdrum, Kootenai County, Idaho","taxId",55014,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6576428,"Council reviews draft public camping and sleeping ordinance; asks staff to add residency exception for RVs and return ordinance for adoption",301,2094330,2396254,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3105001-faf0fd95f27d3112b4a52e36aad09c1f&start=2094&end=2396","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3105001-faf0fd95f27d3112b4a52e36aad09c1f/thumbnail_2094330.jpg","/articles/6576428/Rathdrum/Kootenai-County/Idaho/Council-reviews-draft-public-camping-and-sleeping-ordinance-asks-staff-to-add-residency-exception-for-RVs-and-return-ordinance-for-adoption","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6576428-17676a0b16589a54e7f97259475ecb3f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181444&Signature=lLWCkhO978liHkcepHOilTub~sh-Iw-j-TqQUuuLlKSzMiXqiCNe-Wr2NIpVDWjTkdqcbzVKdxP4X-KsmBv5Dfgouwz-zh4FRoggOSFX9jlUiZmERvb-AUBCTRKLxkyrR~f~xZmanW7AXPWBewkrCGxEk7UdF7hokM0bH8MDHQ7q8iiMLFvFKf2z-ZNa0-1uaTj38290R~ntj3KTan9h1ce4GzSpQGcXw0NRwMpYV7Rr4DeOa5w3hVqweZynrI9Gmx5swnRV3X3t56DKH-2ghn6h0qvFZFfyXA~I1M7HCRIlgDU2DiuDOo3rJb2SuDkqG5IyDUajcOAkw6~Xfok-NA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","RATHDRUM ' City staff presented a draft public camping and sleeping ordinance and sought direction from the Rathdrum City Council on enforcement language and exceptions following recent state-level developments and U.S. Supreme Court rulings.

Staff said the Idaho Legislature recently enacted a law on public camping/sleeping that will take effect in July and described the Supreme Court'level decisions that influenced state action. The draft ordinance adapts the state language for Rathdrum and adds a misdemeanor penalty provision; the city prosecutor reviewed the draft and told staff she felt comfortable enforcing it as a misdemeanor.

Councilmembers and staff discussed scope and enforcement. Questions focused on geography (the ordinance applies to rights-of-way, public parking lots and other public property inside city limits but does not apply outside city limits or to county or state land), how to define 'prolonged' or 'habitational' use of vehicles versus temporary parking, and how officers and prosecutors will document and prove an offense. Staff and the prosecutor said a strict hourly threshold can create enforcement difficulties and that officers would use observable indicia (tents, cooking gear, bedding) in addition to time on scene.

Council also discussed exceptions. Staff noted existing exceptions for sanctioned events (for example, an organized overnight stay associated with a city-authorized event or a scout camping event on city property) and proposed an additional exception allowing recreational vehicles to park adjacent to a residential property with the property owner's permission for a limited time. Councilmembers asked staff to add language similar to a Coeur d'Alene provision cited by staff: parking an RV adjacent to a residential property with the owner's permission for a maximum of one week per calendar year, with a city-permit or notification mechanism to inform police.

Brandon, a police department representative, told council that leaving the ordinance's time threshold flexible would aid enforcement: officers can judge whether a vehicle has become a habitation based on the totality of circumstances rather than a strict hour count. The prosecutor agreed and offered to provide additional guidance on implementation if needed.

Direction to staff

Council gave staff general direction to prepare a formal ordinance for the next council meeting that incorporates the state law language, retains the misdemeanor penalty provision, clarifies the scope of public property covered, and adds a limited residential RV exception (example language: owner permission; maximum one week per calendar year) or a permitting/notification process to inform police of a lawful short-term stay.

","At a workshop, staff presented a draft public camping/sleeping ordinance based on recent Idaho case law and state legislation. Council discussed enforcement thresholds, exceptions for sanctioned events and short-term RV stays in front of private residences, and gave direction for staff to draft a formal ordinance for a future meeting.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6576433,"Rathdrum council tables update to police chief job description after lengthy discussion on degree and certification requirements",942,248545,1191055,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3105001-faf0fd95f27d3112b4a52e36aad09c1f&start=248&end=1191","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3105001-faf0fd95f27d3112b4a52e36aad09c1f/thumbnail_248545.jpg","/articles/6576433/Rathdrum/Kootenai-County/Idaho/Rathdrum-council-tables-update-to-police-chief-job-description-after-lengthy-discussion-on-degree-and-certification-requirements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6576433-a5c4c9c2752671b7ca985d4b4d19bdb6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181444&Signature=Z7lhEAxT7MS04kAcTdL0TAM4i3141W~JeetmH6GIFmWvmNPZcumTWko81HIojnmps3JIqM~K6TfiKezHcH3ZT9tNcacWFkWDtPLeKxMpe2zUqHzuxlSA~IST6n1vsThjadboEWCPIkWJ8kfgV6NoAi9i0cr66rL30R1z~CE2Nvz8CpEFDxreyZTvV~0kFmJOchLNdIBp4kqaiwvyvVhwJy7~uMmdFcSif08HMAPVp3ps1~EwuP2YRIG0bOgvKGemqvkOUHkoYZJJLi0Ig3drRAOvdqelB5IYB4mXcMdHltMaMKtG6rmHZO3wgYW8I3yGC1b-ESkT~7CGfIl0KCNjZg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","RATHDRUM ' The Rathdrum City Council discussed proposed revisions to the city's police chief job description, including education and Idaho POST certification requirements, and voted to table the item while staff prepares a rewritten draft.

Staff presented an updated job description that would require candidates not already certified by Idaho POST to obtain Idaho POST advanced or management certification within 12 months of hire; the change was intended to broaden the candidate pool for a nationwide search. The draft also included a line referencing a bachelor's degree in police administration, criminal justice, law enforcement or a related field. Councilmembers asked whether the degree should be required or preferred and whether related degrees (for example, business administration or education) should qualify under a 'related field' designation.

Councilmembers and staff discussed how Idaho POST certifications work: one certificate route (the advanced certificate) requires college credit hours (a bachelor's degree satisfies those credits), while the management certificate can be earned based on supervisory service and does not necessarily require a college degree. Several councilmembers said they did not want the city to exclude experienced law-enforcement candidates who might lack a bachelor's degree but hold relevant POST certification or decades of supervisory experience. One councilmember argued that a bachelor's degree should be required; others favored language that requires a bachelor's degree but allows latitude for related fields or, alternatively, retains the bachelor's degree as required but clarifies preferences.

Staff said the draft can be reworked to separate required experience from preferred qualifications and clarified that Idaho POST certification may be obtained after hire when appropriate. After debate about whether to postpone the hiring process while language is refined, a motion was made and seconded to table the police chief job description and return a revised draft at the next regular council meeting. The motion to table passed.

What was clarified in the meeting

- Idaho POST certification: Council and staff clarified there are different POST certificates (advanced and management). The advanced certificate requires college credits (a bachelor's degree would meet those credits), while the management certificate can be earned without a degree but requires supervisory experience. Staff said the city can require candidates to obtain needed Idaho POST certification within 12 months of hire if they are not currently certified in Idaho.

- Education language: Council asked staff to reword the education section to make clear whether a bachelor's degree is required or preferred and to define what constitutes a 'related field.'

Next steps

Staff offered to gather sample police-chief job descriptions from neighboring agencies and to rewrite the document; council voted to table the item and return with a revised draft for consideration at the council's next regular meeting.

","Council members debated proposed changes to the police chief job description, including whether a bachelor's degree should be required and how to treat Idaho POST certifications for out-of-state candidates. After extended discussion staff was directed to rewrite sections and the item was tabled to a future meeting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Rathdrum council adopts FY23–24 audit, water-meter ordinance and True North subdivision; declares K9 retired

Council reviews draft public camping and sleeping ordinance; asks staff to add residency exception for RVs and return ordinance for adoption

Rathdrum council tables update to police chief job description after lengthy discussion on degree and certification requirements