Council authorizes forest‑survey contract for Rathdrum Mountain and approves surplus firearm for retiring chief

Rathdrum City Council on July 9 authorized the mayor to execute a professional services agreement with Inland Forest Management to perform forestland surveying and consultant services related to potential selective timber harvests on several city parcels of Rathdrum Mountain. Staff described the work as a pre‑harvest assessment to estimate volumes and species and to support any future harvest bidding and marketing. The agreement places a not‑to‑exceed limit of $10,000 on initial surveying and consultant work if the city elects not to proceed with a harvest.

Council discussed the scope: the survey will produce board‑foot estimates and help identify sawlog, pulp and cedar pole potential; staff said the contract does not obligate the city to harvest and that further approvals and reforestation commitments would be required if harvesting proceeds. Council asked whether the contract could be expanded later to include timber on other city properties, and staff said that would be possible through an amendment or separate negotiated task order.

Separately, the council adopted a resolution to surplus a firearm to retiring Chief McClain; the resolution passed on roll call.

Staff indicated next steps: Inland Forest Management will perform surveys and return estimated volumes; city staff will then evaluate whether to proceed to harvest procurement and required environmental and reforestation steps. The council approved the professional services agreement and the surplus resolution in separate votes.