[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-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",[32,74,86],{"_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":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6566430,"mediaKeyId","3205794-b51bd8459459db3fc89e9525fe4e9abe","parentId",3205794,"title","Residents urge lower speed limit on Atlas Avenue, voice concerns about police records, and local chamber backs firefighters bond","audioSeconds",441,"startMs",3034000,"endMs",3475000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3205794-b51bd8459459db3fc89e9525fe4e9abe&start=3034&end=3475","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3205794-b51bd8459459db3fc89e9525fe4e9abe/thumbnail_3034000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6566430/Coeur-dAlene/Kootenai-County/Idaho/Residents-urge-lower-speed-limit-on-Atlas-Avenue-voice-concerns-about-police-records-and-local-chamber-backs-firefighters-bond","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6566430-3c744593f0c1389d2b5e9af1c6f1af4b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181509&Signature=ZOf6NYllTW26~7eCeaS6b1Hr~pBKtocwjXP-ubv2JkQZyO5hBfIRL3H4VhVp38Z~OaBbnG9ugxGde5~OsqhMF7GYudkVdAd307eEscJsTddrqzGN~E1X34rcZnDdbCOjrV27Pt9CpNa3KaRY1cE2KP5kXFZOUiGAdiH0hDq~SP-~ov8FY37bRmNG1C39iOiK-vb2l6UwDxL6IevXYlcdyVWwmG7u3xnbEQw8Ydau6wwjKz-PU8EHNC7N68zopAvk5vi1pyjKRyCp4wIwYiqmfI4AkEwNjB3Nw~-VdNYAE9-xhHw1UPeVnH2RTPmoqtGIhkAajfCloUZteTJ~etb63A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-05-07T15:03:54Z","article","Three public commenters addressed the council on May 6: a neighborhood petition to lower speed limits on Atlas Avenue, a business‑community endorsement of a May 20 firefighters bond, and a caller alleging problems with police recordkeeping and interagency cooperation.

Michael Sims, a resident, said he submitted a petition asking the council to lower the speed limit on Atlas between Prairie Avenue and Hanley to 25 mph, citing severe traffic noise for roughly 100 nearby homes and an increase in truck traffic. Sims said the 35 mph limit produces high speeds and that slowing vehicles is the most effective, low‑cost noise abatement he is aware of. He said he had provided studies to the city’s streets and engineering department and invited council members to visit his home to hear the noise.

Linda Coppes, president and CEO of the Coeur d'Alene Regional Chamber, told the council she spoke for the chamber’s board and nearly 1,000 member businesses in urging support for an upcoming firefighters bond on the May 20 ballot. Coppes said the fire department is operating out of aging, undersized facilities and needs upgraded stations, modernized equipment and expanded training; she argued those investments support public safety and local economic vitality and encouraged citizens to vote in favor on May 20.

Justin Nagle raised concerns about alleged police activities outside city limits and what he described as a long‑running problem obtaining investigative files from other agencies. Nagle said he had interacted with the Coeur d'Alene Police Department and county law enforcement and had not received satisfactory responses to public‑records or operational questions; he characterized the issue as a public‑safety concern and urged the council to look into interagency programs and accountability. The council thanked him for the information; no formal action was taken.

Council response and next steps: councilmembers and staff acknowledged the public comments. Streets and engineering had previously been informed about Atlas Avenue traffic; staff did not schedule an immediate vote but the topic is in the city’s purview for speed‑limit studies and traffic engineering review. City staff or the appropriate departments will follow up on specific public‑records or interagency inquiries where applicable. The chamber’s endorsement is a public comment on the upcoming ballot measure and not a council decision; the council did not take action on the bond at this meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Coeur d'Alene - City Council Meeting - May 6, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Public comment at the May 6 council meeting included a petition to lower speed limits on Atlas Avenue, a Chamber endorsement of a firefighters bond on the May 20 ballot, and allegations about police recordkeeping and interagency practices.","taxTitle","Coeur d'Alene, Kootenai County, Idaho","taxId",3568,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6566441,"Council approves street tour license, goats ordinance, fairground purchase, brine system and paving change order",259,6652000,6393000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3205794-b51bd8459459db3fc89e9525fe4e9abe&start=6652&end=6393","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3205794-b51bd8459459db3fc89e9525fe4e9abe/thumbnail_6652000.jpg","/articles/6566441/Coeur-dAlene/Kootenai-County/Idaho/Council-approves-street-tour-license-goats-ordinance-fairground-purchase-brine-system-and-paving-change-order","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6566441-6a85f0bd02f8b83ce76d2fa6a3ebb3ad/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181509&Signature=DWOvxipmtKBcXlDcM-s0JlyjzCn7vG-oWsMsHhtWHt7BXIc90heeoA1wkfHc47U6r6PyjfnXDEQtM2PedE131kjPOM1rCVTXqsOQZ1jNbv16OuIBcA538K58OMT7IO7Wj~dfx5UcdGPY3JpcalcWubJS72oNHoy8Eealme8Ad~J9U9PVa65YC9GvRtlH~Gy~X8YYLnp8T6y2IGLOsTSjhXej4B3clj6j8ZJeEzt3UVSuAvhcFSlHaDue71ckA-TLqfWh-WuRTsfmXf6ejuUpD-WIi2DDaWIddsCCg4aU8aSsOjwCjW-Ouh6QzXndwJbd6FxHrc-lA68FykxEAQRD4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Coeur d'Alene City Council on May 6 approved multiple administrative and legislative items, including a commercial recreational-transit agreement, an amendment to allow limited use of goats for weed abatement in homeowners association open space, the sale of a modular building to the North Idaho State Fair, purchase of a new salt‑brine production system, and a change order for additional street mill-and-inlay work.

Why it matters: the actions affect street use rules and downtown commercial activity, expand the city’s toolbox for wildfire fuel mitigation, move city property to a public fairboard partner, update winter road‑treatment capability, and accelerate pavement repairs on several arterial and neighborhood streets.

Key votes and motions
- Recreational-transit agreement (Resolution 25-020): Council approved a letter of agreement allowing Keenan Johnson to operate a seasonal, electrically assisted recreational transit/trolley with both nonalcoholic scenic tours (8 a.m.–3 p.m.) and alcohol-permitted evening tours (1 p.m.–10:30 p.m.) that begin and end at Jeremiah Johnson Brewing. The council adopted the agreement with language reserving the city the right to modify conditions for public safety. Roll call recorded: Miller — aye; Gabriel — yes; English — yes; Wood — yes; Evans — yes. Outcome: approved.

- Fees and millstone niche wall direction: Council directed staff to include new pricing for a decorative millstone niche wall at Forest Cemetery in the next public fee hearing. Roll call recorded in support. Outcome: directed staff to proceed.

- Amendment to municipal code allowing goat weed-abatement (Council Bill 25-1010 / ordinance): Council added subsections to MC 6.15.010 to permit limited use of goats for weed abatement on homeowners‑association open space areas, subject to an application and conditions reviewed by animal control. The ordinance limits days of use, prohibits intact male goats, requires insurance, and allows the police department to impose additional conditions. Roll call recorded: English — yes; Wood — yes; Evans — yes; Miller — aye; Gabriel — yes. Outcome: adopted.

- Sale of modular unit to North Idaho State Fair Board (Resolution 25-021): Council approved a purchase and sale agreement to transfer a triple‑wide modular unit to the North Idaho State Fair Board for $125,000. Roll call recorded: English — yes; Wood — yes; Evans — yes; Miller — yes; Gabriel — yes. Outcome: approved.

- Purchase of new brine production system (Resolution 25-022): Council approved the purchase of a new brine production system including upgrade kits and accessories from Cargill Salt (through Sourcewell cooperative purchasing) for $88,321. Staff said the existing equipment is no longer supported and replacement reduces the risk of being unable to produce liquid brine for winter operations. Roll call recorded: English — yes; Wood — yes; Evans — yes; Miller — aye; Gabriel — yes. Outcome: approved.

- Mill-and-inlay change order (Resolution 25-023): Council approved Change Order No. 1 for the city’s 2025 mill-and-inlay program with Interstate Concrete & Asphalt in the amount of $283,730.65 to add additional streets (including Birch between Third and Fourth, and portions of Kathleen and St. Michel). Councilmember Miller recused from the vote. Roll call recorded: Wood — yes; Evans — yes; Gabriel — yes; English — yes; (Miller — recused). Outcome: approved.

Other formal actions
- Consent calendar: approved by roll call (Evans — yes; Miller — aye; Gabriel — yes; English — yes; Wood — yes).
- Appointments: The mayor announced appointments of Thomasina to the Design Review Commission and Olivia Metz to the Ignite Coeur d'Alene board; council approved by roll call.

Implementation notes and conditions
- The recreational transit agreement includes a reservation allowing police to require modifications to protect peace, order and safety.
- The goat‑use ordinance requires an application routed to animal control, limits the number and timing of grazing events, requires insurance, and disallows unneutered males because of odor concerns.
- The brine system will be purchased through Sourcewell; staff intends to install the system by mid‑August to be available by November, and said budget savings from a mild winter and vacant positions can absorb the purchase.

Looking ahead: staff said they will present a broader campus plan for police, fire and public works at an upcoming meeting; the sale of the modular unit is a step toward that campus planning process.","The Coeur d'Alene City Council on May 6 approved multiple administrative and legislative actions: a commercial recreational‑transit agreement, an ordinance to allow limited goat weed‑abatement on HOA open space, a $125,000 sale of a modular unit to the North Idaho State Fair Board, an $88,321 purchase of a new brine production system, and a $283,730.65 change order for additional paving work.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6566435,"Fire department warns of higher‑than‑average wildfire risk; burn permits required May 10",256,1689000,1945000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3205794-b51bd8459459db3fc89e9525fe4e9abe&start=1689&end=1945","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3205794-b51bd8459459db3fc89e9525fe4e9abe/thumbnail_1689000.jpg","/articles/6566435/Coeur-dAlene/Kootenai-County/Idaho/Fire-department-warns-of-higherthanaverage-wildfire-risk-burn-permits-required-May-10","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6566435-68cb56bab04940907c81422cf1d60050/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181509&Signature=jA8XC9wx5Bnj42SBGyt6c9Vl4GgXhle7COALZYhEFo2~kgBXnSgycp85HkbO5LeWfcxf22wjmghdgJgDM-ISba2X441n9vbJVuNb3OG0kvSNBIRwSla9UUstpf3QJTFbjI64lBfyIMvLUJ0OOBgyp9LJgTtHwn5JaXCJ2VsiUla0bYDb3WGt8klJjEOjYNRMIFczvZSaVPzoXx9bJtccxTnBhgrb6D6pYlMJCwMZVLFqSxNXsXojytA~6UFG0dey9cSGzf9bLxdYMz4v3iIsRnwr9qQL5dqmuUwzdx67P-LIbnC~SKi6EYhLLA3Su0fGTHKSW83LD52qqla2oD60Ng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Deputy Fire Chief Jeff Sells told the Coeur d'Alene City Council on May 6 that regional weather and snowpack forecasts point to a higher‑than‑average wildland fire season ahead, and he outlined the city’s preparedness steps and community resources.

Sells said the region is in drought and has below‑average snowpack, and that multiple forecasting resources show an elevated risk of fire activity. He told council the city uses specific, localized weather reports to make operational decisions such as increasing staffing during red‑flag warnings and determining whether the city can send resources to assist neighboring jurisdictions.

Sells described every area of the city as falling within the wildland‑urban interface (WUI) and urged property owners to adopt fire‑resistant building exteriors, maintain defensible landscapes, and comply with burn restrictions. He said burn permits will be required starting May 10 and are available free through the Idaho Department of Lands; the permit requires the applicant to acknowledge burn rules so the city can require noncompliant fires to be extinguished.

The deputy chief reviewed mitigation partnerships: the county’s FireSmart program (administered by Inland Forest Management) funds fuel‑break projects; Kootenai County Fire Chiefs coordinate a pre‑determined wildland task force plan for deployments; and the Idaho Department of Lands has formal agreements with the city that allow access to air and additional ground resources during WUI incidents. Sells also referenced the Idaho Cooperative Mobilization Agreement (ICMA) that documents statewide resource lists, costs and reimbursement procedures for large incidents.

Sells noted the public can sign up for Alert Kootenai for emergency notifications and described optional apps such as PulsePoint and WatchDuty that can provide notifications about medical events or local wildfires. He also explained Avista Utilities’ public safety power shutoff (PSPS) program, which allows the utility to de‑energize lines when conditions indicate a high fire risk or to aid firefighting operations.

Councilmembers asked about public outreach; Sells said the department hosts targeted community meetings (he planned to speak with the Tubbs Hill group) and that staff will perform property visits on request to advise on defensible‑space landscaping and preparedness checklists. He and staff urged residents to have evacuation plans and to keep curtains and porch furniture secured if evacuating.

Why it matters: the city’s wildfire messaging sets public expectations for seasonal restrictions, clarifies where residents can get official information, and identifies partnerships and funding sources for mitigation projects that protect neighborhoods and firefighting operations.","Deputy Fire Chief Jeff Sells told the Coeur d'Alene City Council that regional forecasts predict higher‑than‑average wildfire activity for summer 2025, urged residents to prepare and sign up for local alerts, and noted resources and partnerships for mitigation and response.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents urge lower speed limit on Atlas Avenue, voice concerns about police records, and local chamber backs firefighters bond

Council approves street tour license, goats ordinance, fairground purchase, brine system and paving change order

Fire department warns of higher‑than‑average wildfire risk; burn permits required May 10