With a brief introduction and welcome, the first official meeting of the Coeur d’Alene Preservation Commission snapped into existence.

“Thanks to all of you,” Councilmember Kiki Miller told the nine newly-appointed commissioners in the City Hall conference room, Monday night. “You always need a champion to get something done, so I’m thrilled we have people like Hilary [Anderson, community planning director for the city of Coeur d’Alene, in attendance], and I’m thrilled we have people like all of you here to get something done.”

The commissioners were appointed by Mayor Steve Widmyer after the council voted to create the new commission, which will identify and designate buildings, sites and objects of historic significance. One of its top priorities — and, in fact, one of the driving forces behind its formation — is to seek out grant money, something that will come easier later this week, after Pete L’Orange made his announcement via conference call in the inaugural meeting.

“I’m pleased to announce the Coeur d’Alene Historic Preservation Commission will become the 39th [Certified Local Government] to partner with us, probably later this week,” the historic preservation planner and CLG coordinator for the Idaho State Historic Preservation Office told the commissioners from Boise. “Part of the purpose of the CLG program is to guide funding and provide resources. What we expect from you is to be liasons between the city government, community members and our office.”

The nine commissioners — Bob Singletary, Jon Mueller, Walter Burns, Courtney Beebe, Anneliese Miller, David Walker, Sandy Emerson, Lisa Straza and Alexandria Marienau — discussed their future roadmap during the meeting with Anderson, the city staff liason, and Miller, who represented the council. The Historic Preservation Commission will meet at least quarterly.