Parks staff to seek new Jewett House caretaker; NIC to fund proposed Memorial Field turf under MOU

Parks staff told the Coeur d'Alene Parks and Recreation Commission on Sept. 15 that the department will seek a new caretaker for the Jewett House and is working on a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with NIC for possible turf installation at Memorial Field.

Adam (staff) told commissioners the Jewett House caretaker of many years, Marla, has been asked to vacate the residence and given a deadline of Feb. 1 to move out. Staff said the current arrangement dated to roughly 1985 and the department plans to issue a request for qualifications (RFQ) to find a new caretaker whose responsibilities and public-facing role will be updated to emphasize programming and rentals.

Adam and Bill described the department’s intent to adjust the caretaker position’s expectations: less emphasis on personal residence and more on being “the face” for wedding clients, senior groups and programming tied to the property. Bill said caretaking responsibilities originally included maintenance tasks that are now handled largely by city maintenance staff.

On Memorial Field, staff reported that NIC has asked for a formal MOU regarding long-standing, largely informal use of the field by NIC’s softball team. The department said NIC has offered to pay for synthetic turf and other facility improvements. Bill said once an MOU is completed, staff will write an RFQ for a contractor to perform the turf installation.

Staff also described revenue arrangements for recent program partnerships: the department said it has implemented a 70/30 revenue split on some co-sponsored camps (staff collects 30 percent to cover administration). Commissioners were told the fall youth soccer season enrolled about 600 children and included a modest fee increase.

No formal vote was taken on the caretaker or MOU items at the meeting; staff said the MOU will be brought forward to council when ready.