Coronado City Council Meeting Summary - December 16, 2025

This meeting of the Coronado City Council convened on December 16, 2025, to review administrative updates, address significant public concerns regarding the Corterra development and Indian Meadows neighborhood, and vote on several financial resolutions and policy amendments. Public testimony was heavily focused on safety, traffic infrastructure, and the conduct of the Planning and Zoning Commission during recent hearings.

Consent Calendar

• The Council unanimously approved the Consent Calendar, including routine administrative items and previously prepared resolutions.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Mike Sims: Representing 154 property owners of 77 homes bordering Atlas Road between Prairie Road and Hanley, Mr. Sims expressed full support for lowering the speed limit to 25 mph. He argued that the current 35 mph limit (with an 85th percentile speed of 42 mph) causes excessive emissions, noise, and air pollution in residential backyards, and that reducing the limit would not impede traffic flow on this straight stretch of road.
• Carol Root (Indian Meadows): Expressed disappointment in the conduct of two Planning and Zoning commissioners who she stated repeatedly interrupted residents during the December 9th meeting, violating the three-minute speaking limits. She voiced strong concern regarding unaddressed traffic impacts on Atlas Road, noting a lack of confirmed funding or timeline for widening the road from Celties to Hanley, and emphasized the need to address infrastructure impacts during the planning stages rather than later.
• Pam Holcomb (Indian Meadows): Echoed concerns about the Planning and Zoning meeting, stating that residents felt disrespected and unheard after being interrupted. She highlighted the emotional distress caused to residents, including one neighbor who became physically ill after the meeting, and argued that the current city code flawedly prevents discussion of broader traffic impacts beyond just Phase One of the development.
• Tom Burkey: Expressed profound shock and opposition to the Planning and Zoning commission's perceived disconnect with residents and bias toward the developer. He criticized commissioners for dismissing resident solutions and dismissed the commission's reliance on their volunteer status as an excuse for poor performance. He specifically cited a commissioner's comment implying danger to her student-driver son on neighborhood bike paths, which he found baffling and alarming.
• Suzanne Knutson (Indian Meadows): Expressed appreciation for the Council's respectful hearing but criticized the Planning and Zoning process as circumvented and flawed. She argued that the city's December 3rd direction to find alternatives to using Appaloosa and Nez Perce for through traffic was ignored, the traffic impact analysis was missing from prior packets, and the Master Plan was written concurrently with the Comprehensive Plan rather than after adoption. She urged the Council to pause the current PUD process to fully consider Industrial Loop as a primary collector.
• Alison Croos (Indian Meadows): Expressed disappointment over the disrespectful treatment of residents at the Planning and Zoning meeting, stating that neighbors were ridiculed and silenced. She argued that the meeting was "smoke and mirrors" because Phase One was predetermined, and called for city code revisions to ensure impacted neighborhoods are formally involved in the PUD planning process to prevent severe traffic issues.
• Anonymous Resident (Carl Kruger): Read a statement from an elderly resident who fears the loss of neighborhood character due to traffic noise and exhaust. The resident expressed sadness over neighbors who feel powerless, but advocated for using Industrial Loop as the sole connector to protect the community, asking the Council to show they "listen and care" even if the decision to proceed is made.
• Kenny: Congratulated the City of Idaho women's soccer and football teams on their national tournament appearances and praised the staff's food drive efforts. He also encouraged public support for the Santa Claus fire truck event.
• Christy: Reported on CityLink meetings where county commissioners had not yet agreed on a philosophy, expressing hope for a solid agreement. She also noted a presentation by Park and Recreation regarding a potential new facility that might require city land.
• Council Member Guken: Reported positive meetings with legislators regarding property tax relief and introduced Police Chief White regarding windstorm preparations.
• Public Safety Update: Police Chief White confirmed preparations for an impending windstorm, including staffing an Emergency Operations Center and coordinating with Streets and Parks.

Discussion Items

• Winter and Leaf Operations Update (Todd): Streets and Engineering Director Todd presented operational updates. He confirmed the fleet is ready for winter, noted that snow gates are used to reduce berms (though not eliminate them), and clarified that alleys are not plowed. He highlighted the success of the leaf pickup, which removed 1,104 loads. He apologized for the lack of GPS tracking on leaf trucks due to map inaccuracies and conflicts with garbage collection routes, confirming they are exploring new asset management software.
• Museum Update (Todd): Confirmed the museum demolition is underway, with the expectation that most of the structure will be cleared, fenced, and backfilled by Christmas to restore the view of the lake.
• Software Upgrade (Katie, Finance Director): Explained the need for Resolution 25071 to upgrade the ERP software suite (Springbrook to Cirrus) because the current version is no longer supported. The request was for an additional $66,049.85 outside the original budget to modernize accounting, payroll, and billing functions.
• Historic Preservation Grant (Hillary): Requested approval to apply for an America 250 in Idaho grant of $2,500 for a joint celebration with Kootenai County on July 3, 2026, to mark the state's bicentennial and the courthouse's centennial. The event would include a time capsule.
• Firefighter Air Replenishment System (Craig): Proposed amending the municipal code to tie the requirement for FARS installations to the definition of a "high-rise" building (75 feet) rather than the previous four-story threshold. The change was made to align with other Idaho cities and reduce cost burdens on mid-rise development.
• Voluntary Separation Incentives (Katie): Presented Resolution 25073 regarding voluntary separation agreements for 23 employees. The program offers a one-time incentive based on wages and years of service in exchange for early retirement by December 31, 2026. Financial analysis projected a net cost in FY26 ($458k cost vs. $281k savings) but significant cumulative net savings in subsequent years ($317k in FY27, $200k in FY28) to help stabilize the budget.
• Water Treatment Upgrade (Glenn): Recommended accepting a single bid of $122,575 from Filtration Technologies to replace a chlorine generation unit at the Locust well with a MyOx unit to reduce the risks associated with gas and liquid chlorine.
• Police Support Services Building (Adam): Requested approval for two change orders totaling $16,320.55 to the $1.1 million project. Changes included re-compact of soil, utility trenching for a future training center, and electrical/data revisions, all to be covered by insurance proceeds from a previous fire.
• Bank Signatory Authorization (Katie): Proposed adding Mayor Daniel Gukin as a second authorized signer on all city bank accounts, effective January 7, 2026, to improve internal controls and operational continuity.

Key Outcomes

• Unanimous Approval: The Consent Calendar was approved.
• Resolution 25071: Approved to grant additional budget authority of $66,049.85 for the ERP software upgrade.
• Resolution 25072: Approved to authorize the application for and acceptance of the $2,500 America 250 in Idaho historic preservation grant.
• Council Bill 25-1021: Passed (Roll call: Miller-Aye, Gabriel-Yes, Guggen-Yes, Wood-Yes, Evans-Yes) to amend the municipal code, making the requirement for Firefighter Air Replenishment Systems (FARS) contingent on the building meeting the "high-rise" definition (75 feet).
• Resolution 25073: Approved to authorize voluntary separation incentive agreements for 23 listed employees, including Troy Timeson, George Daly, Bill DeWriter, and others.
• Resolution 25074: Approved to accept the bid and award a contract of $122,575 to Filtration Technologies for the MyOx chlorine generation unit at the Locust well.
• Resolution 25075: Approved to authorize Change Orders #1 and #2 totaling $16,320.55 for the Police Support Services Building project.
• Resolution 25076: Approved to authorize Mayor Daniel Gukin as an added signer on all city financial instruments effective January 7, 2026.
• Executive Session: The Council moved to enter an executive session to discuss the hiring of a public officer/employee.