RATHDRUM - Rathdrum has received a $50,000 citywide transportation planning grant that will outline future projects and needs.

The City Council tonight will consider allowing staff to search for a consultant for the first two phases of the study.

"It will develop a travel demand model based off intersection traffic counts," said Brett Boyer, city administrator. "The idea is we would be able to have models that, as we grow, will help direct what infrastructure improvements should be made."

The grant from the Local Rural Highway Investment Program requires a $10,000 match from the city that will be paid with transportation impact fees.

A consultant is expected to be selected in March.

In other business, the council will consider a law prohibiting the use of air compression brakes in city limits unless there's an emergency.

"This would protect our citizens from a specific loud noise that can be prevented," Boyer said.

A citizen recently complained about the noise on Highway 41 coming into town from the north.

Current city law addresses noise problems, but Boyer said it's difficult to enforce when trucks are moving in and out of town.

The council is expected to discuss the proposal and, if it agrees that it's needed, would likely approve it at the next meeting.

The council is also expected to discuss parking problems on Stevens Street between Main and Bard. No Parking signs were placed on both sides of the street last month due to the narrowness of the street, but some citizens continue to park there despite the signs and the city asking residents to voluntarily stop a few months ago.

Parking was previously allowed on Stevens for years, but has become a safety concern with more traffic, city officials say.

There are no plans to widen the street.

The meeting starts at 5 p.m. at City Hall, 8047 W. Main. There are no public hearings.