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