Coeur d'Alene City Council Regular Meeting – September 3, 2025

The Coeur d'Alene City Council convened on September 3, 2025, at 6:00 PM for a regular meeting. The agenda included a presentation commemorating the September 11 terrorist attacks, public comments, council announcements, a consent calendar, a second reading of an ordinance on animals left unattended in vehicles, a presentation from the Police Officers Association (POA) on supervisory pay negotiations, and a public hearing on the annual appropriations ordinance (FY26) including a proposed use of 1% foregone taxes. Key outcomes included adoption of the animal ordinance, adoption of the FY26 budget with a 3% property tax increase and 1% foregone tax recapture, and a resolution certifying the foregone increase. The meeting concluded with a motion to enter executive session to discuss labor contracts.

Consent Calendar

• The consent calendar, including Resolution 25-046, was approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• John Pilshner: Expressed support for three immediate priorities: improving city communication (publishing notices beyond the CDA Press), creating a volunteer chaplain program for first responders, and establishing a lodging tax benefiting the city. Also introduced the “Better CDA Challenge,” a 60-day series of weekly activities to unite the community; he completed a mile run in 11 minutes 5 seconds.
• Roger Smith (retired engineer, resident): Made suggestions for enforcing the city’s noise ordinance, including more police presence (parked cars, ghost cars), fix-it tickets for loud vehicles, electronic message signs activated by loud vehicles, and public outreach to muffler shops. He noted the current ordinance (about a year old) is enforceable without sound level meters. He also requested an update on a potential working group on noise.

Discussion Items

9/11 Commemoration

• Colt Kingsbury from Summit Christian Academy recited President George W. Bush’s September 11, 2001 address to the nation. The council thanked him.

Council Announcements

• Councilmember Christy clarified that a noise working group has not yet been placed on a future agenda; it was discussed informally at the last meeting but not agendized.
• Councilmember Dan English reported a code enforcement concern at 2nd and Harrison (overgrown vegetation at a corner lot) and requested follow-up.
• Mayor appointed Corey Keller to the Design Review Commission; motion carried unanimously.

Council Bill 251016 – Animal Cruelty (Unattended Vehicles)

• Chief White (Police Department) presented an amendment to Municipal Code 6.15.110 adding a new subsection F prohibiting confining animals in unattended vehicles. During a six-month period, the department received approximately 110 calls for service on this issue. The amendment uses a “reasonableness” standard (adequate ventilation, food, water). He emphasized education over citations.
• Councilmember Gookin asked about ambiguity in “adequate ventilation”; Chief White responded that officers would use a reasonableness standard and receive additional training.
• Councilmember Christy noted the ordinance does not cover pets at special events and asked the city attorney and chief to research other cities’ approaches.
• Councilmember English noted cold weather risks for animals in vehicles.
• The ordinance passed unanimously on roll call (all ayes).

Police Association Supervisory Pay Proposal

• Officer Daniel Haley (POA President) presented the POA’s proposal to address supervisory pay compression for sergeants and lieutenants. He stated that the city’s proposal (10% above current pay for senior officers promoting to sergeant) would create pay disparity among sergeants doing the same job. The POA proposes increasing the sergeant pay range by 3.16% and the lieutenant range by 2.57%, costing approximately $89,859 total ($67,319 for sergeants, $22,540 for lieutenants). He noted that only three officers tested for the last sergeant exam due to financial disincentives.
• The city administrator declared an impasse. Councilmembers expressed willingness to continue negotiations. The item was discussed and then moved to executive session.

FY26 Budget & Foregone Tax Resolution

• Katie Ebner (Finance Director) presented the annual appropriations ordinance (total $151,945,475) and the use of 1% foregone taxes ($290,146). She explained that property tax revenue is insufficient to fund growth due to state-imposed limits; new construction added $93 million in valuation but only $202,000 in new revenue. The recommended budget includes a 3% property tax levy increase and recapture of 1% foregone taxes. Expenditures decrease by $2.1 million compared to prior year (due to completion of one-time projects), but wages and benefits increase by $2.1 million (including 3.5% for fire, Lake City Employees Association, non-exempt employees, and a proposed 3.5% for police; health premiums up 3%). The budget also adds new FTEs: three custodians, two firefighters, and one permit technician. The city expects to use $1.8 million of fund balance, which could lead to unhealthy reserve levels.
• Councilmember Gookin made a motion to table the ordinance until the end of September to allow more time for negotiating two unsettled bargaining units and discussing employee retirement incentives. Ms. Ebner responded that the levy paperwork is due to the county next week; delaying could result in an inability to levy and a nearly $30 million deficit. Gookin withdrew his motion after hearing that.
• Councilmember Gookin voted no on the budget, citing insufficient cuts; councilmembers English, Wood, Evans, Miller, Gabriel voted yes. Gookin also voted no on the foregone resolution; others voted yes. The ordinance and resolution passed.

Key Outcomes

• Council Bill 251016 (Animals in Unattended Vehicles) adopted unanimously.
• Council Bill 251017 (Annual Appropriations FY26) adopted with one opposed (Gookin). Total appropriation: $151,945,475; 3% property tax increase and 1% foregone tax recapture approved.
• Resolution 25-047 (Foregone Increase Certification) adopted with one opposed (Gookin). Amount: $290,146.
• Motion to enter executive session (Idaho Code 74-206(1)(j) and 74-206(1)(a)) to deliberate on labor contract offers passed with one opposed (Gookin). The council then entered executive session.