OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

City Council Meeting Summary – August 5, 2026

City Council — Wednesday, August 5, 2026
BodyCoeur Dalene, Idaho
SessionCity Council
DateWednesday, August 5, 2026
StatusNEW · FILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:39:18
Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

Will home Park owns the line under the ground, not up into the house from the from the shutoff in the ground.

0:09

Then the third page shows that freezing protection have to be protected for freezing.

0:16

On that first page, why should we have to provide a heat tape to prevent freezing of someone else's property?

0:24

And then it also says on that same page meter boxes, it says that they have the water meters have to be in meter boxes.

0:31

Okay, the next page shows the permit that was issued and approved.

0:36

And then the page after that shows more clarification because some of it is unreadable towards the bottom.

0:43

It shows the address and the permit fees and the property owner on that.

0:49

The next one shows the plumbing contractor that actually pulled the permit on that project.

0:56

This was approved in one day on July 31st.

1:00

It was not assessed by the city attorney or anyone else.

1:06

The city plumbing inspector approved the permits right away.

1:10

The next one is actually a clarification of what the permit is.

1:14

It's a blanket permit.

1:16

Well, blanket permit can mean anything.

1:18

We'll fix anything that's wrong.

1:20

It doesn't.

1:21

And it also says on that that they're going to be replacing existing meter assemblies and reconnecting to existing plumbing.

1:31

The issue with that is those other water meters are on the wrong line.

1:34

They're on the homeowner's line, not on the mobile home parks line.

1:39

Okay, and then the next one after that shows the total fees.

1:42

I talked to the city plumbing specter, and he said that they were not going to be crawling under mobile homes to look for these installations that the skirting would have to be removed.

1:52

Some of the skirting has already been damaged because of this.

1:56

And then the last page shows where I actually through my company removed the water heater that was not permitted back in April.

2:05

So the issue is not can we put the meters in, it's they need to be put on the proper line and be permitted properly.

2:16

And that's what my grievance is.

2:20

And thank you very much.

2:22

Thank you.

2:24

Next we have Christy Masters.

2:34

Good evening, Mayor and Council members.

2:37

My name is Christy Masters, and I'm the treasurer of Shared Harvest Community Garden, a small 501 C3 nonprofit here in Courtal Lane.

2:46

The Shared Harvest is a community garden located at the corner of Tenth and Foster in the historic garden district.

2:54

Unlike traditional community gardens, we do not have individually assigned plots.

2:59

Instead, we garden together as a community.

3:02

Our volunteers take home a small portion of the harvest while the rest of the produce we grow goes to Father Bill's kitchen at St.

3:09

Vincent DePaul to provide their evening meals for our neighbors who are homeless and food insecure.

3:16

This year alone, we've already donated over 900 pounds of produce, and we expect to exceed 3,000 pounds by the end of the growing season.

3:26

Over the years, shared harvest has also provided vegetables to local food banks, Union Gospel Mission, Anchor House, and other community organizations.

3:36

We partner with the Boy Scouts on Eagle Scout projects.

3:40

We work with homeschool groups in the garden, and we provide garden space for special needs recreation so that participants can grow vegetables to use in their cooking classes.

3:51

I'm here tonight for two reasons.

3:53

First, I would like to personally invite each of you to our annual fundraiser dinner under the stars on Saturday, August 22nd in the garden.

4:03

The evening includes a buffet dinner, beverages, a silent and live auction, and paddle race.

4:10

Our board would be honored to host the mayor and city council with a complimentary table for eight.

4:16

RSVP information is included on the postcards that I'll leave with the clerk.

4:22

Secondly, I'm providing each of you with a copy of a letter explaining the future of shared harvest.

4:29

Marshall and Dolly Mend have generously allowed us to use the three city lots for the past 18 years.

4:37

And we understand the city played an important role in helping establish the garden 18 years ago.

4:43

We are now exploring the possibility of purchasing the property to ensure that this valuable community space is preserved for future generations.

4:53

We are beginning conversations with community leaders to determine whether a capital campaign is feasible.

5:00

And we welcome your ideas, your guidance, and partnership.

5:04

Together we have an opportunity to protect a unique green space that nourishes not only our community with fresh food, but also with connection, education, and service.

5:18

Thank you for your time, and I hope to see you on August 22nd.

5:22

Thank you, Christy.

5:24

Next up we have Max.

5:35

So I came to this council meeting about three weeks ago.

5:38

Christy, you said you were gonna look into you find out anything because I didn't receive an email.

5:42

Oh well, you should have.

5:44

Not from me, but from staff.

5:46

From who actually that I'm not sure they're even here tonight, but I just sent the do you want me to answer?

5:55

I'm sorry.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Legal And Ordinance██████████████████████22%
Budget Equity Analysis████████████████████20%
Public Engagement██████████████14%
Procedural████████8%
Personnel Matters████████8%
Technology and Innovation██████6%
Healthcare Trust Management██████6%
Engineering And Infrastructure█████5%
Water And Wastewater Management███3%
Summary of Proceedings

The Coeur d'Alene City Council met on August 5, 2026, to discuss a range of items including public comments, fee increases, a proposed data center moratorium, a self-insured health trust amendment, and the annual CDBG action plan. The council approved most resolutions, rejected a proposed change to the benefit trust appointment process, and set a public hearing for the FY2026-2027 budget.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved the consent calendar including Resolution 26-060 unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Will Home Park: Expressed grievances regarding water meter installations on the wrong line and permit approvals, alleging improper oversight and damage to skirting.
  • Christy Masters (Shared Harvest Community Garden): Invited council to the annual fundraiser on August 22, 2026, and reported over 900 pounds of produce donated so far this year. Requested partnership to explore purchasing the garden property to preserve the space.
  • Max: Complained about a FOIA request response, alleged retaliatory actions from city staff related to a no-contact order with neighbors over a city tree, and disputed a permit issue. Accused the city of malicious prosecution and sovereign immunity misuse.

Council Announcements

  • Christine: Announced a week-long donation drive (August 8–15) for victims of Spokane wildfires, coordinated with the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations and the Human Rights Education Institute. Encouraged cash donations to the Avista Foundation for the Spokane Complex Wildfire Response Fund.
  • Dan English: Commended the use of comfort animals in wildfire recovery.
  • Kiki: Reminded of an attainable housing panel on August 20 at The Den, featuring Senator Ali Robbie and other leaders.
  • Mayor: Announced student representative opportunities on city committees (Parks & Rec, Pet & Bike, Urban Forestry, CDA TV) with application deadline September 18, 2026.

Discussion Items

Resolution 26-061 – HUD Code of Conduct Update

  • Sherry Battershire presented a resolution to ratify an updated code of conduct to meet HUD grant requirements, covering procurement integrity and conflict of interest for federally funded projects. Council approved unanimously.

Resolution 26-062 – COPS Microgrant for Digital Forensics

  • Lt. Tilson requested approval to apply for a $128,290 COPS microgrant to establish in-house digital forensic capability by expanding an existing crime analyst’s duties. The grant requires no match and covers training, equipment, and software. Council approved unanimously.

Resolution 26-063 – Chip Seal Change Order

  • Todd Fusair presented a change order ($98,287.80) for the 2026 chip seal program to add extra layers on Canfield and Pine Grove sections, within the existing $1.5 million budget. Council approved unanimously.

Resolution 26-064 – Budget High Watermark and Public Hearing

  • Katie Ebner outlined the proposed budget ceiling of $155,307,037 in total expenditures and a property tax revenue cap of $34.1 million. She noted a projected $1.9 million general fund deficit even after proposed cuts (e.g., delaying an HVAC technician position, a building inspector, and two pickup trucks). The tax increase for a $600,000 home is approximately $66 annually (city portion only). Council set the public hearing for September 1, 2026, and approved the high watermark resolution unanimously. Council requested an additional budget workshop before the hearing.

Resolution 26-065 – Data Center Opposition

  • Dan English read the resolution opposing construction of data centers within city limits until further study and policy review are completed. Christy and Dan English supported the moratorium as a precaution for the aquifer and infrastructure. Hillary (Planning) noted that data centers are allowed only in manufacturing zones (very limited) and would likely require a special use permit in other zones. Council approved unanimously.

Resolution 26-066 – Benefit Trust Amendment (Contested)

  • Randy Adams proposed an amendment to the City of Coeur d'Alene Employee Benefit Trust Agreement to clarify that successor trustees are appointed by the trustees themselves, removing council approval. The trust had recommended a candidate, but the mayor indicated he might appoint someone else. Several council members (Wood, Sheckler, English, Evans) argued that council should retain appointment authority and that the amendment would remove public oversight. A motion to table for more information failed (2–3? Actually the motion to table: ayes and nays, the nays had it, so it failed). A subsequent motion to reject the amendment passed (5–0). Then a motion to request the trustees bring forward a name for council consideration at the next meeting passed unanimously.

Public Hearing – Fee Increases (Resolution 26-067)

  • Renata McLeod presented proposed fee updates from building, library, planning, streets, and water departments. Highlights: building valuation chart updated to 2026 ICC rates; new fees for expired permits, appeals, project review; library 3D printing material fee; planning fee-in-lieu-of-parking increase (from 2008 levels) – several council members expressed concerns about the parking fee program and asked for future policy review. Water department added a fourth offense category for improper operation. Council approved the resolution unanimously.

Public Hearing – CDBG Annual Action Plan (Plan Year 2026)

  • Sherry Battershire presented the draft plan for $277,561 in CDBG funds, including $20,000 for Lake City Center (Meals on Wheels), $143,000 for the MRAP emergency home repair program, $60,022 in community opportunity grants, and $54,539 for administration. Community opportunity grants recommended: $10,000 to Coeur d'Alene School District for McKinney-Vento supports and $10,000 to CDAid for emergency rent assistance. Public testimony was supportive. Council approved the plan unanimously.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Calendar – Approved.
  • Resolution 26-061 – Approved (HUD code of conduct).
  • Resolution 26-062 – Approved (COPS digital forensics grant).
  • Resolution 26-063 – Approved (chip seal change order).
  • Resolution 26-064 – Approved (budget high watermark $155,307,037 and public hearing set for September 1, 2026).
  • Resolution 26-065 – Approved (data center opposition).
  • Resolution 26-066 – Amendment rejected (5–0). Council directed trustees to bring a successor trustee name to the next meeting for council approval.
  • Resolution 26-067 – Approved (fee increases).
  • CDBG Plan Year 2026 – Approved.
  • Executive Session – Entered (Idaho Code 74-206A.1.a) to discuss a labor contract offer/counteroffer (motion approved).

Meeting Transcript

Will home Park owns the line under the ground, not up into the house from the from the shutoff in the ground. Then the third page shows that freezing protection have to be protected for freezing. On that first page, why should we have to provide a heat tape to prevent freezing of someone else's property? And then it also says on that same page meter boxes, it says that they have the water meters have to be in meter boxes. Okay, the next page shows the permit that was issued and approved. And then the page after that shows more clarification because some of it is unreadable towards the bottom. It shows the address and the permit fees and the property owner on that. The next one shows the plumbing contractor that actually pulled the permit on that project. This was approved in one day on July 31st. It was not assessed by the city attorney or anyone else. The city plumbing inspector approved the permits right away. The next one is actually a clarification of what the permit is. It's a blanket permit. Well, blanket permit can mean anything. We'll fix anything that's wrong. It doesn't. And it also says on that that they're going to be replacing existing meter assemblies and reconnecting to existing plumbing. The issue with that is those other water meters are on the wrong line. They're on the homeowner's line, not on the mobile home parks line. Okay, and then the next one after that shows the total fees. I talked to the city plumbing specter, and he said that they were not going to be crawling under mobile homes to look for these installations that the skirting would have to be removed. Some of the skirting has already been damaged because of this. And then the last page shows where I actually through my company removed the water heater that was not permitted back in April. So the issue is not can we put the meters in, it's they need to be put on the proper line and be permitted properly. And that's what my grievance is. And thank you very much. Thank you. Next we have Christy Masters. Good evening, Mayor and Council members. My name is Christy Masters, and I'm the treasurer of Shared Harvest Community Garden, a small 501 C3 nonprofit here in Courtal Lane. The Shared Harvest is a community garden located at the corner of Tenth and Foster in the historic garden district. Unlike traditional community gardens, we do not have individually assigned plots. Instead, we garden together as a community. Our volunteers take home a small portion of the harvest while the rest of the produce we grow goes to Father Bill's kitchen at St. Vincent DePaul to provide their evening meals for our neighbors who are homeless and food insecure. This year alone, we've already donated over 900 pounds of produce, and we expect to exceed 3,000 pounds by the end of the growing season. Over the years, shared harvest has also provided vegetables to local food banks, Union Gospel Mission, Anchor House, and other community organizations. We partner with the Boy Scouts on Eagle Scout projects. We work with homeschool groups in the garden, and we provide garden space for special needs recreation so that participants can grow vegetables to use in their cooking classes. I'm here tonight for two reasons. First, I would like to personally invite each of you to our annual fundraiser dinner under the stars on Saturday, August 22nd in the garden. The evening includes a buffet dinner, beverages, a silent and live auction, and paddle race. Our board would be honored to host the mayor and city council with a complimentary table for eight. RSVP information is included on the postcards that I'll leave with the clerk. Secondly, I'm providing each of you with a copy of a letter explaining the future of shared harvest. Marshall and Dolly Mend have generously allowed us to use the three city lots for the past 18 years. And we understand the city played an important role in helping establish the garden 18 years ago. We are now exploring the possibility of purchasing the property to ensure that this valuable community space is preserved for future generations. We are beginning conversations with community leaders to determine whether a capital campaign is feasible. And we welcome your ideas, your guidance, and partnership.

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