[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-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",[32,74,86,98,110],{"_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",6639713,"mediaKeyId","3413716-44ead2cbe456dbb30fc0da4df3bf491c","parentId",3413716,"title","Council hears letter about cash parking payments; staff says vendor can accommodate cash with notice","audioSeconds",103,"startMs",2486000,"endMs",2589000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3413716-44ead2cbe456dbb30fc0da4df3bf491c&start=2486&end=2589","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3413716-44ead2cbe456dbb30fc0da4df3bf491c/thumbnail_2486000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6639713/Coeur-dAlene/Kootenai-County/Idaho/Council-hears-letter-about-cash-parking-payments-staff-says-vendor-can-accommodate-cash-with-notice","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6639713-6979b12cb4d5b6654b03c35f7f37fca7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157082&Signature=dBnUqfpYXr9zPzciqS7BgH94jK~JHq1R71IB-hyQtAJoWlT6EvSmYAh74saNdW-hprpwPghbp-ZViSOU3yJqQnZNawvn8A~BfMc4Y8oh7cs815~Nk2ZuEfFsI64SQaHQjpmm7zNb58bjTHmKq~lLKuQtBSduZGcWmtwHagCVxktNH08ZUENYEGMISS2boS--Ztwy5EGyrq1SwFZr7jmWBcQlxJdiqZUnJO3HcrQfY985hsOhvHHFuHiNQ9VAi3H18~f94wxFdg0VmQsHVWOe5LuuOTfBaPC8U6VPjxMkeE~~BulHFlsCNWnMdS05AiR2v81jvxEDUNeF8-55PJXXbQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-05-21T05:01:00.297Z","article","Council members discussed a letter about downtown parking that said customers must use a smartphone app to pay; the letter noted a state law requiring acceptance of cash payments was raised by the writer.

City Manager Troy said the parking vendor (referred to in the meeting as Diamond) can accommodate cash payments if customers make arrangements ahead of time, including calling the vendor'a process that may not be convenient during short parking stays. Troy said the cited state legislation applied mainly to state agencies and did not automatically require local governments to accept cash at every pay station.

Council members urged staff to explore more customer-friendly cash options. One council member recommended reinstating some physical drop boxes or a simple pay envelope system so people without smartphones can drop a note and cash with their license and space number. Troy said the downtown association and vendor were aware of the issue and staff would continue to work on practical accommodations, including accepting checks by mail if needed.

No formal action was taken; council asked staff to follow up and report on more accessible cash-payment options for on-street and lot parking.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Coeur d'Alene - City Council Meeting - May 20, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A letter to council raised concerns that downtown parking enforcement requires a smartphone app; city staff said the parking vendor can accept cash payments if customers contact the vendor in advance or use other accommodations, and council members asked staff to explore easier on-site cash options.","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},6639718,"Resident raises safety concerns about large cottonwoods; city says removals already approved and owner responsible",1162,1631000,2793000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3413716-44ead2cbe456dbb30fc0da4df3bf491c&start=1631&end=2793","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3413716-44ead2cbe456dbb30fc0da4df3bf491c/thumbnail_1631000.jpg","/articles/6639718/Coeur-dAlene/Kootenai-County/Idaho/Resident-raises-safety-concerns-about-large-cottonwoods-city-says-removals-already-approved-and-owner-responsible","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6639718-81331c3e11c57248fd3580963b68fcec/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157082&Signature=HU8LksfHHSqd6neI7TzEX6sbmE8PKpUbA9px5t5Eg0VRTa4LXSuixgJjDTIP4rBgCDBkWSmBFo8xXOcdH7Rt~4xXBgXHoYqBIbKJh79T8mzKxizdX8PH51CjicGBJbLrY9-KWeeT2p2AOOsHcY5mBgs10EtTYHWQy9nsnjzK82cDXHbnX4nNaFjtbaS-TLWEo3OLSNdoy905xWY8myCd~mHfcXtVgkngIot~jUhxZ5Ov5Lrc3uuWVA~7XXP7RImWpZVZutHa9noHd-rvjv5Kg43exwnPl5373HuRLdSoIzGXid1KAZl-e8qLoB8kDIqHBvawMn2DXmEA6NoByQ6a3g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Coeur d'Alene resident told the City Council at the May 20 meeting that towering black cottonwood trees on North Seventh Street regularly shed large limbs and pose a danger to children walking to nearby schools. The resident, Zach McLean, described an incident in which a roughly 500-pound limb fell 10 feet from where his daughter had been playing.

The city's urban forester, Nick, told council the city does not plant black cottonwoods as street trees and that existing specimens often predate current ordinances or grew as volunteers. Nick said black cottonwoods are \"not a desirable street tree species\" and are more prone to breakouts, but he also said they do not automatically meet hazard thresholds established by the International Society of Arboriculture for the city to force removal.

Nick explained that city code places maintenance responsibility for street trees on the abutting property owner. He said the group that reviewed the location previously approved the trees for removal in February 2019 to permit sidewalk replacement; that work did not proceed then. Nick said the city is now working with the current property owner to obtain estimates and remove the trees as part of planned site work, though the schedule depends on logistics and cost.

Council member Dan Gookin and others pressed for clarity on who pays for trimming and removal; Nick said the code makes adjacent property owners responsible, though licensed tree contractors may perform work and the city issues no-cost tracking permits for routine maintenance. Nick also said licensed companies can perform routine maintenance without a permit, and property owners can obtain a free permit to do the work themselves with inspection.

Council directed staff to continue working with the property owner and to report back; council also discussed adding a future agenda item on sidewalk requirements for property owners and asked staff to prepare that discussion.

Speakers and testimony: Zach McLean (resident/public comment), Nick (city urban forester/arborist), Council members including Dan Gookin and others.","A resident told council that large black cottonwood trees on North Seventh Street are dropping large limbs and pose a hazard to children; city arborist said removals were approved in 2019 for sidewalk work and the property owner is responsible for removal, and staff are working with the current owner to remove the trees.",{"_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},6639721,"Council approves rezone to allow expansion of daycare near Kootenai Health",1057,7589000,8646000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3413716-44ead2cbe456dbb30fc0da4df3bf491c&start=7589&end=8646","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3413716-44ead2cbe456dbb30fc0da4df3bf491c/thumbnail_7589000.jpg","/articles/6639721/Coeur-dAlene/Kootenai-County/Idaho/Council-approves-rezone-to-allow-expansion-of-daycare-near-Kootenai-Health","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6639721-1733121bd39b9a654b8baff7a9425c66/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157082&Signature=VMrqioZWtXHC8EbIChQlpCBuS3S4vzuFaUdDthPp0CfXtzyF7tgwrsnO0luCMOcCjRZkuAxyZmrgys6VOK2OXZdWPsbBGIPLi~MexGRD3E0UoyJrFGi5EUmD4gGbSAWROzNTc-dAvMKfSVyjMIokPmPUgDjWwN0QHO7pL0VlAI-eYyLkrwCB-RSD9GTcHaorYkRzVNad8CTqk5YCvvQMmdnoumnQ7wAjAa0nfHOXO1IGgLbgRqs6wmVz7eh7H1RduwaSf2MqWfs1IO-xUUPmzjEtNDas2TMx2H8iVhybXcL3jcadwScDjEkvNJtNNABiQszXqrfE-5ZqUEAEkvGPIw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Coeur d'Alene City Council on May 20 approved a zoning change from R-12 to C-17L for three parcels along West Emmett Avenue, clearing a path for possible expansion of an adjacent daycare used by Kootenai Health employees.

Planning staff presented the request, ZC-325, on behalf of Melrose Properties LLC (doing business as Parkwood Business Properties). The parcels total roughly 0.957 acres at 417, 421 and 503 West Emmett Avenue. Staff told council the request conforms to the city's comprehensive plan and falls within a transition area between commercial and residential uses. The City's Planning Commission recommended approval at its April 8 hearing.

Chris Meyer, representing the applicant, told council there is a waiting list of about 50 children for the existing daycare and that Kootenai Health considers childcare an employee retention tool. Meyer said the property assemblage will allow the owner and the hospital to plan a future expansion if needed; he also noted the area is in an urban neighborhood and inside the Health Corridor urban renewal district.

Council deliberations touched on neighborhood impacts, traffic and parking. Staff noted the existing sidewalk on Emma Avenue ends at the parcel and said engineering would review approaches and access to minimize driveway conflicts. Several council members said they support childcare expansion while balancing residential concerns.

The council adopted the ordinance amending the zoning map (Council Bill 25-111) after public hearings and the required findings. Roll call recorded unanimous support.

Speakers and staff: Shawn (city planner/staff), Chris Meyer (Parkwood Business Properties/Melrose Properties LLC).","Melrose Properties LLC received council approval to rezone three properties on West Emmett Avenue from R-12 to C-17L, a step the applicant said will facilitate possible expansion of an existing daycare serving Kootenai Health employees.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6639726,"Council approves Ramsey campus pole building; police training facility discussion pushed to next meeting",3158,3638000,6796000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3413716-44ead2cbe456dbb30fc0da4df3bf491c&start=3638&end=6796","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3413716-44ead2cbe456dbb30fc0da4df3bf491c/thumbnail_3638000.jpg","/articles/6639726/Coeur-dAlene/Kootenai-County/Idaho/Council-approves-Ramsey-campus-pole-building-police-training-facility-discussion-pushed-to-next-meeting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6639726-2b039fea7b5985d076e37308699c7f21/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157082&Signature=mef7eVyilgSFMryE3WwA4Hf6oXDuadv0-mSEgdc2lQVZTIeoq57iBG6~hzEL9b428EBFWk~lgABd54~uKvQvgPBm4QFr4z-mbAw1ZTEAl~DWzNDS11Kszmnow0ulCuNZRLkoY5Xb~nA6j5C31VKEuNiaR9zyjrMWA~HvKIFnXH9lAlqEyxzdUkeiPjGMn3GD7T-tMi3Ttz~VyfWbBIEn9qCHkRDkuYb4PuMysDGtRLt3Q~kXCzqfQl3rrHrp7GxEbvRIIelhv0a5RioFCKcDv0n3iJPByYqxzOdiUXmCl0sLYg47BQ2nDEcNbyaq94RPTxzy2wWrD3VYrkbN17WEaQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Coeur d'Alene City Council on May 20 approved $125,000 in budget authority to purchase and site a pole building at the city's 3800 Ramsey Road campus for expanded salt storage and brine operations, while postponing a final decision on a proposed police training facility until the next council meeting.

Todd Fishner, the city's streets and engineering director, told the council the new 50-by-100-foot building would increase salt storage capacity from roughly three loads to about 17 and improve operations by making it easier to load salt into the brine system. Fishner said a contract with Steel Structures America for $113,310 had been identified; the council approved a $125,000 budget amount to cover the building plus associated site work and contingency.

Police Chief White and other staff described a plan to use the existing salt-storage building'after modification or removal'as a training facility for the police department. Chief White said construction bids for a new training structure starting from scratch produced a lowest bid of about $114,317; including heating and site prep the total would be closer to $135,000, he said. City staff and the chief said it may be cheaper to tear down and rebuild the existing pole barn than to add onto it.

City Administrator Troy Nazario (identified in the meeting as Troy) and engineering staff said they had concerns about timing, reuse of the existing salt building, and coordination with other campus work. An engineer was scheduled to inspect the existing salt structure to determine whether it could be adapted or must be removed.

Council member Dan Gookin had asked at the start of the meeting to add the police training item to the agenda as an emergency amendment; council approved adding it to Other Business earlier in the meeting. After discussion on timing and the need for additional engineering and cost details, council voted to place the police training item on the next council meeting agenda as an action item rather than take final action May 20.

Chief White said the police department has historically had minimal force-on-force training space and that an on-site facility would improve training frequency and quality. Fishner said the city planned to secure the new salt building and have it in place in time for the fall, with a target to be ready by September \"to have us ready in time for the upcoming winter season.\" Chief White and Fishner both said they would coordinate sequencing so the police department could gain access to a new training area without risking salt supply for winter.

Council debate focused on timing, contractor availability, whether to reuse the existing building and associated demolition/disposal costs, and the potential budgetary impact if the city's proposed general obligation bond failed. Several council members said they supported the project in principle but wanted the engineering report and final cost breakdown before final approval.

Actions at a glance: Resolution 25-026 (Ramsey campus pole building) passed; council also voted to bring the police training facility back as an action item at the next meeting.

Speakers and staff: Todd Fishner, Streets and Engineering Director; Police Chief White; Troy (city administrator); Council members who participated in the debate included Dan Gookin, (Dan) English, Christie, Kiki, Amy Evans, and others.","Council approved $125,000 budget authority to build a pole barn for salt storage at the Ramsey campus and directed staff to return a police training-facility proposal for formal action at the next meeting after additional engineering and timing details are provided.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6639731,"Council approves $101,507 amendment for wastewater outfall assessment",557,3224000,3781000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3413716-44ead2cbe456dbb30fc0da4df3bf491c&start=3224&end=3781","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3413716-44ead2cbe456dbb30fc0da4df3bf491c/thumbnail_3224000.jpg","/articles/6639731/Coeur-dAlene/Kootenai-County/Idaho/Council-approves-101507-amendment-for-wastewater-outfall-assessment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6639731-da4e87bea12dc0cebc6da32e1c208a02/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157082&Signature=ao1Uqmzsdfq3KQh99ZInAi0j0t3WVIlxnE8ice7gXMy2b6uUO3iXdWHp71akojYbL5HwRL3Dqvu-kDwUYcRcSfcOk0F~uuDc85Ck993oCGLkmSlJgGKia-kBCo~6aSvL0CBQaa15X8zNccpaFPk4G5w6EN95T5DNqqOYAzI40YPu1DUd9cE9vWUI6Kzb4hFMMMvDN1c6z9kVSEaDQe-7A9Irqonjk5NukBQiVzTjWouD43zcv-YuRNXDSALmw0t9Yv5yU8yKe6k~yuhSmaAKix7amQCgphWSigkagB29~X9-09NQs83wdsFEgeSuHQex1MB23dkPqdbIVcUg3lF68w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Coeur d'Alene City Council on May 20 approved an amendment to a professional services contract with HDR Engineering Inc. to perform a conditional assessment of the city's wastewater outfall in the Spokane River, adding $101,507 to the existing contract.

The work, presented to council by city staff, will shift the project from a preliminary engineering report toward a conditional assessment that identifies the maintenance and rehabilitation tasks likely needed for continued operation of the outfall. The amendment brings the contract total to $198,687, staff said. The city budgeted for work that will extend into the next fiscal year.

\"We do this through an outfall line in the Spokane River that was installed in 1985,\" a wastewater staff member told the council, describing the outfall as the treatment plant's only discharge line. After underwater photography and consultations with a diving firm and other municipalities, staff concluded the outfall likely needs maintenance/rehabilitation rather than full replacement, and requested the expanded scope.

Council members asked procedural questions about phased amendments on large infrastructure projects. Staff said amendments are common when more detailed information becomes available after initial inspections and that the city followed Idaho procurement law in negotiating the addendum.

A motion to approve resolution 25-025, authorizing amendment number 1 to the wastewater outfall evaluation contract with HDR Engineering Inc. for professional services in an amount not to exceed $101,507, passed on a roll call vote.

The staff report described an eight-item scope of added work included with HDR's proposal. Staff said the conditional assessment will identify specific maintenance alternatives and support later design or bidding if construction is needed.

Council members had no further questions after the presentation and vote. The city will return updates to council as the assessment proceeds.

Votes at a glance: Resolution 25-025 passed on May 20. Roll call recorded the following votes: Dan Gookin — yes; (Dan) English — yes; Wood — yes; Miller — aye; Amy Evans — yes; Gabriel — yes.

Staff and speakers: Mike Becker, wastewater staff member (presenter).","The Coeur d'Alene City Council approved an amendment to the professional services contract with HDR Engineering to perform a conditional assessment of the city's wastewater outfall in the Spokane River, adding $101,507 to the contract.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council hears letter about cash parking payments; staff says vendor can accommodate cash with notice

Resident raises safety concerns about large cottonwoods; city says removals already approved and owner responsible

Council approves rezone to allow expansion of daycare near Kootenai Health

Council approves Ramsey campus pole building; police training facility discussion pushed to next meeting

Council approves $101,507 amendment for wastewater outfall assessment