[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6067297,"mediaKeyId","3140298-d7e57b82db7a169e4191f86b2691ccfc","parentId",3140298,"title","Council approves Lamar Advertising request to relocate and digitize billboard on Government Way after variance finding","audioSeconds",2261,"startMs",5309000,"endMs",7570000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3140298-d7e57b82db7a169e4191f86b2691ccfc&start=5309&end=7570","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3140298-d7e57b82db7a169e4191f86b2691ccfc/thumbnail_5309000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6067297/Coeur-dAlene/Kootenai-County/Idaho/Council-approves-Lamar-Advertising-request-to-relocate-and-digitize-billboard-on-Government-Way-after-variance-finding","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6067297-dc83b009d5e3000b7ac001c81e9a1625/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447550&Signature=a71m35zEyPZHg-KPMAmWVy8NSDpdWzjgoq7KBF8EdKrOu8jIvhdCkyJX2jDVWIobur7EqMznq6Ey14B50215THVcgx3f32bdUE7mzX6ECRDCY5aPz2m~Z8wYSl0bkUPRUKClsNt~LcdGWwl7~7ntsaKzfl87CtOv~p4j32AtiigVNwn~l7ERSaX11vl56sMpEilagfeH5lGd~xgDdlXT6-dlWK6zkxLawAoKcIvPfjDtZtXNpndyEMvHtcAtLyihktGRtw8w09ODcN8Y5ZUfx532J8OkLA0IKs17yMSYQaazkhccz51HzLKT2JD9keQpzk31Qg8r~d3sYEzHtNubGw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Coeur d'Alene","date","2025-02-04T00:00:00Z","article","The Coeur d'Alene City Council on Feb. 4 approved Lamar Advertising’s request to relocate an existing billboard from Northwest Boulevard to a site along Government Way and to convert it to a two-faced digital display, granting variances for height and minimum distance from residential zoning.

Lamar representatives told the council the relocation would put a billboard in a commercial corridor with higher traffic counts and allow the company to remove billboards from Northwest Boulevard. Neil Schreibis and Dwayne Halliday of Lamar argued that site constraints—power lines, intersection setbacks and available C‑17 zoning parcels—limited viable locations and justified variances. \"We are not adding any additional billboards to the city,\" Schreibis said; \"we are not increasing the size or the square footage of the faces of the billboard.\" They proposed a V-shaped sign to direct faces toward commercial uses and away from nearby residences.

Public comment included objections from local resident and planner Jeff Conaway, who said digital signs are an “eyesore” and noted the proposed face size (300 square feet) is larger than typical business signage in the area. Council members also asked planning and legal staff about conflicting code language in two subsections that address allowable height and building-related exceptions.

Council findings: The council determined that Lamar had demonstrated undue hardship based on site characteristics for both the 500‑foot residential-zone spacing requirement and the height restriction tied to the existing sign, and that granting the variances was not contrary to the public interest or the sign-code purposes. Council then voted 5–2 (Evans and Miller opposed) to approve the relocation, conversion to an electronic message display, and the variances. The approved sign will be approximately 37 feet tall; staff noted the site is adjacent to a 30‑foot building and that trees and intervening structures will limit visibility from the nearby residential parcels.

Why it matters: The decision lets Lamar remove a short, legacy billboard from Northwest Boulevard and install a modern digital display along Government Way; it also sets a precedent for future relocation applications and underscores unresolved tensions over billboard regulation, visibility and community character.

Ending: Planning staff noted the applicant must meet construction, lighting and safety standards in code and the project will be subject to inspection and illumination controls designed to limit nighttime glare.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Coeur d'Alene City Council Meeting- February 4, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","After a quasi-judicial hearing and public comment, council voted 5–2 to allow Lamar Advertising to move a Northwest Boulevard billboard to 3119 N. Second St., grant variances for height and distance from residential zoning, and permit an electronic message display.","taxTitle","Coeur d'Alene, Kootenai County, Idaho","taxId",3568,"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},6067302,"Council selects KEP Concerts to run free McEwen Park Wednesday series after debate over contract terms",1313,5667000,6980000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3140298-d7e57b82db7a169e4191f86b2691ccfc&start=5667&end=6980","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3140298-d7e57b82db7a169e4191f86b2691ccfc/thumbnail_5667000.jpg","/articles/6067302/Coeur-dAlene/Kootenai-County/Idaho/Council-selects-KEP-Concerts-to-run-free-McEwen-Park-Wednesday-series-after-debate-over-contract-terms","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6067302-f23a75a13b5d410f540056c133a68562/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447550&Signature=euAXbAtQOKtFXawOeR~MBRSsLPiOAGQymHXJkR8DrkjV6S21kD9ehdmbb0J2NNibn3~jxQ880LC7cxFC4bQ5e-4bSNtDu~UWZ-SfWse5mvy8ag3b~gSuomfleAXL5zcMa0a-laaGi5FeX386D65byZPLk80hTGxE0OEOFLU1pq-WfazFhTYgEvBFKBVLyNK3-4RbltJga8I4Hbbomx0rz2yB0aZ7TmtXiMShU70dM14-CZhe5TXsnDPcCCy5oKLlYRsfMzcb9VxpH4rq0N2glzvjn0VFPiOl6hIice6-AgtmlmiZ~Mcb61xzKGjdKvjvl0ZeoKCWbjVgQM-yYKbA6w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Coeur d'Alene City Council approved a five-year agreement on Feb. 4 to let KEP Concerts run a free Wednesday evening concert series at McEwen Park, a decision that followed public testimony, a late-arriving proposal from a former promoter and council discussion about contract protections.

Bill Greenwood, special events staff, said KEP (Michael Koepp) submitted a creative response to the city’s request for qualifications and proposed a free concert series for Wednesdays at McEwen. Greenwood said the chosen proposal would provide a third free weekly concert in the city (joining existing City Park and Riverstone events) and cover hard costs of production.

Tyler Davis, who had run prior seasons and addressed the council during public comment, told council he supported Koepp but also described financial difficulties he experienced last season and floated an idea involving selling liquor-rights to an investor to repay prior debts. \"I have to replay this what if could've,\" Davis said, describing a challenging prior season and vendors left unpaid.

Michael Koepp spoke to council and emphasized community benefits and his plan to fund artists and operations. Koepp said he did not intend to charge admission and described the event as a community gathering: \"These things I'm completely open to... I want it to evolve into something,\" he said.

Council members raised contractual details: Councilwoman Evans and others asked for a termination clause and an explicit first-year performance review to allow amendments if the series created unexpected costs or required pricing changes. City legal staff said termination-for-cause and termination-for-convenience clauses are standard and can be used; the motion approved the agreement as presented. The resolution passed by roll call vote.

Why it matters: The program restores a long-running free-concert tradition at McEwen Park and aims to keep community access while protecting the city through standard contract terms and the administrator’s authority to finalize details.

Ending: Staff said they will continue to work with the vendor on logistics and that event security, insurance and alcohol-service zones will be enforced under the agreement.","After public debate and questions about contract terms and protections for the city, council voted to approve a five-year agreement with KEP Concerts to run a free Wednesday night series at McEwen Park.",{"_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},6067307,"Council approves pavement-management review, ADA ramp evaluation and Centennial Trail relocation agreement",1064,4256000,5320000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3140298-d7e57b82db7a169e4191f86b2691ccfc&start=4256&end=5320","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3140298-d7e57b82db7a169e4191f86b2691ccfc/thumbnail_4256000.jpg","/articles/6067307/Coeur-dAlene/Kootenai-County/Idaho/Council-approves-pavement-management-review-ADA-ramp-evaluation-and-Centennial-Trail-relocation-agreement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6067307-74ff57acc82cba86df178ae2f50a4bf9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447550&Signature=AxHE2~IjvjF3aI0SGOvy6INru5vUug~hCgbtdS7rqcN-9dG9jy2r5ftnIIyrvd0M6byzoog1tb4MftLYTRPynuhRidxZIPoHJM62U1MCPChfc4gGWml7P0laUuqHZdHpQxf7yTAE7jkai~DisD~fK7NOXwoCgwQ4PZ9UyjEV~J2tFA0N~E7hsqwrOv~UmAlMztuDV1m2pCUQJ8GBrHhqOObh4HvHPS8Ed-5ojGxe0Nu11~l5cZBi3qJ3h-PHA0zf83GDCvIXQO8DS0AF8gmLX5LaUB29VBl5eU4wtGsj8KATWaJ6EaWTaej7A9HyOMKI~cUttm~znqB8W3-QHpiqlA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Coeur d'Alene City Council on Feb. 4 approved three infrastructure-related professional services and interagency actions: a pavement-management review with JUB Engineering, an ADA pedestrian-ramp evaluation with HMH Engineering, and a cooperative agreement with the Idaho Transportation Department to relocate a segment of the Centennial Trail required by the I‑90 widening project.

The council unanimously approved a professional services agreement with JUB Engineering, not to exceed $15,700, to review the city’s pavement-management system. Todd (last name in staff packet), street/engineering staff, said the work will help the city prioritize chip seals, mill-and-inlay projects and pedestrian infrastructure across about 600 lane miles the city maintains. \"It gives you how much service life is left,\" he said, adding the system can extend to sidewalks and help target residential streets.

Council then approved a professional services agreement with HMH Engineering, not to exceed $18,062.28, to assess and inventory ADA pedestrian ramps and sidewalks in areas where paving projects will require upgrades. Staff said the inventory will inform necessary ramp and landing upgrades tied to mill-and-inlay projects and that the work will be coordinated with traffic-signal push-button locations.

Separately, the council approved a cooperative agreement with ITD for relocation of a portion of the Centennial Trail adjacent to an I‑90 widening project. Todd said ITD will realign the trail to accommodate a drainage swale and bridge work tied to I‑90 improvements; staff said detours rather than total trail closures are planned during construction. Council approved the cooperative agreement unanimously.

Votes at a glance: the council approved Resolution 25-005 (JUB Engineering, $15,700) and Resolution 25-006 (HMH Engineering, $18,062.28) and Resolution 25-007 (cooperative agreement with ITD) by roll call.

Ending: Staff said JUB’s work would be completed within about 60 days and that the ramp inventory will be coordinated with upcoming mill-and-inlay projects; staff will return with findings and recommended project priorities.","Council voted to hire JUB Engineering for a pavement-management review, HMH Engineering for ADA ramp evaluation and approved a cooperative agreement with ITD to relocate the Centennial Trail for the I‑90 widening project.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6067312,"Coeur d'Alene Fire Department revises acquired-structure training process and launches ARU vehicle",432,2200000,2632000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3140298-d7e57b82db7a169e4191f86b2691ccfc&start=2200&end=2632","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3140298-d7e57b82db7a169e4191f86b2691ccfc/thumbnail_2200000.jpg","/articles/6067312/Coeur-dAlene/Kootenai-County/Idaho/Coeur-dAlene-Fire-Department-revises-acquired-structure-training-process-and-launches-ARU-vehicle","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6067312-49e40839be831ec28345e50e731fbf3f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447550&Signature=IdXJ~rGrFVaXOeiVuLjmHsfbT~2hz9EkDNsrVzXIvQxyaYTwjwCQM8GsWfQyfqrsmdNPsUsGk8FPxNr7RUzQQ9QOqbaJ17c5--0JYyCYzcBji6qk7kb3OSXdDFPje1IwBgZlDSBMq73DVLEMwxYcpWOZuKW-nqXd0XPQZYuPumz6Jgy4HRw4jCSG5SB-ZrAxJB2VChpWz-tj82jCTWIDQyOM5MMOIKw4brzE0ItLUdKfuBFGEt-IlKIvqgZwRIEEe-x-oOF7fzE~0ZOk~t6yd2JX~EF1Z~J~rIPCg7ygv8JG1ecJxbihuZg40vyqE0ioalXqbD21cBDcYMG8HV47pg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Coeur d'Alene Fire Department on Feb. 4 told the City Council it has revised the city permit and demolition-review process for acquired-structure training after a recent “hiccup” and put a budgeted alternate response unit (ARU) into limited service.

Deputy Chief Tom Grief and Fire Captain Bill (last name not specified in staff packet) described the department’s acquired-structure training program—using donated or purchased buildings for live-fire and search exercises—and the changes they’ve made to the city’s permit checklist and demolition review to reduce future conflicts with the Historic Preservation Commission.

\"We acquire structures for training because the structures that we acquire resemble most of the buildings that are in the city,\" Bill said, explaining the operational benefits of hands-on training for firefighters. The department told council it has added demolition permits and historic-preservation review to the Development Review Team checklist and will run dummy permit cases to confirm the new workflow.

The department also provided a brief update on an overtime-funded ARU vehicle the council funded in last year’s budget. Deputy Chief Grief said the SUV-style unit went into service for one weekday and ran roughly six calls in its first day. Staffing is limited to overtime shifts and is not yet 24/7; the department plans to provide analytics to the council after more days in service.

Why it matters: Officials described the changes as corrective steps following a recent partial demolition of a historically contributing house at 918 Pennsylvania Ave., which prompted extra coordination between the fire department and the Historic Preservation Commission. The department said the revised permit process is intended to protect historic properties while keeping firefighter training available.

Ending: Staff said they will test the new permit workflow and report back if changes are needed. Council members praised the department’s responsiveness and asked several operational questions about the frequency of training requests and how the city documents asbestos and safety steps for acquired structures.","Fire officials told council they have revised permit steps after an issue with a recent demolition review and put a new alternate response unit into limited service using budgeted overtime.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6067317,"Coeur d'Alene police outline new opioid task force, warn fentanyl is reshaping local drug scene",224,526000,750000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3140298-d7e57b82db7a169e4191f86b2691ccfc&start=526&end=750","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3140298-d7e57b82db7a169e4191f86b2691ccfc/thumbnail_526000.jpg","/articles/6067317/Coeur-dAlene/Kootenai-County/Idaho/Coeur-dAlene-police-outline-new-opioid-task-force-warn-fentanyl-is-reshaping-local-drug-scene","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6067317-0cfc8ba0d361ff7bd824d6753fb3f4ce/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447550&Signature=bdIsigM5U-n~5Q-Qihx2XQIQRAC-6rO3A7mLSSRjaIFUlDc0dEVMmTv80JH5-CXMgyHEmOa55PpclKe8DjiS9unKOdi~z6wA0K7vtS5sDxNzkRTIoRTs6q3k2VVGSt~139DKlNECl0QtMf15snZ7rHET7lE3ILJnpk05zXrwPCHJ7WSwJY6jISrLXG~8o4MjgDyOEIMRY-iSTDpwvYqTNl1Eq8DTU9HKekxDHxYNRX8hXrK-NYNDXS3D9uaeSfj41~F~dkwX5rVwRS0kvkbsfHMjyoU~TLuYnAIDtrQvc2Nd7XtJQAJ0xc-a-D-KP8rK4p-H~itqIj7tM2fTtJN~Hg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sergeant Eric Boardman of the Coeur d'Alene Police Department told the City Council on Feb. 4 that the city’s new opioid task force will focus on overdose response, community and first-responder training, partnerships with health providers and investigations into illicit opioid trafficking.

Boardman gave a 25-minute presentation during a council meeting after Chief White introduced the program, which the council funded last year using opioid settlement dollars. “The landscape of narcotics and illicit drug use has changed significantly in the last 10 years,” Sergeant Eric Boardman said, adding that fentanyl and polysubstance use now dominate local cases.

Boardman summarized the unit’s work: responding to overdoses and offering assistance to survivors; training first responders, school staff and community groups; coordinating with nonprofit behavioral-health providers and Kootenai Health; and investigating distribution networks. He described how fentanyl pills and powders have become delivery methods that are “tasteless and odorless” and said two-milligram doses can be lethal. He noted emerging adulterants such as xylazine, a veterinary tranquilizer that can blunt naloxone effectiveness in some cases.

Why it matters: Boardman said overdose deaths nationwide and regionally remain high and that fentanyl has altered patterns of use and procurement. He showed local seizure photos and described youth-targeted products—brightly colored candies and pressed pills—linking them to rising juvenile overdoses. \"They absolutely assign a dollar value to our kids' lives, and they're actively targeting them as a demographic,\" he said.

Council members asked about interagency coordination, and Boardman said the task force already works with Kootenai County SIU, the DEA, Idaho State Police and regional counterparts in Spokane. He said a member of the team is a DEA task force officer, which allows some cases to be elevated to federal prosecution. Council members also praised the department; Council President Wood said she was “incredibly proud” of the work and asked about directed patrols and cross-jurisdictional operations.

The presentation included operational details Boardman offered for community awareness—signs of use, common paraphernalia and the limitations of naloxone—and he urged residents to report suspicious materials to reduce harm. He concluded by offering to answer follow-up questions and framed the task force as a mix of public-safety response and public-health partnership.

Ending: Council thanked the department for the briefing and for the work of the new unit; Boardman said the department will continue outreach and coordination with regional partners.","Sergeant Eric Boardman told the City Council that fentanyl and polysubstance use have transformed overdoses in the region and described the new task force’s duties: overdose response, community training and investigations.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves Lamar Advertising request to relocate and digitize billboard on Government Way after variance finding

Council selects KEP Concerts to run free McEwen Park Wednesday series after debate over contract terms

Council approves pavement-management review, ADA ramp evaluation and Centennial Trail relocation agreement

Coeur d'Alene Fire Department revises acquired-structure training process and launches ARU vehicle

Coeur d'Alene police outline new opioid task force, warn fentanyl is reshaping local drug scene