Staff Writer

Meet Renata McLeod, the municipal services director of the City of Coeur d’Alene, which includes the appointed role of city clerk. She celebrated her 30th year with the city this summer. She manages 13 staff members and a $1.8 million-dollar budget.

Generation:

“I am within the Gen X timeline; however, I feel like I associate a lot of my work traits with the boomer generation, as I have worked with that generation most of my life.”

Career and community involvement:

“I have been involved with the chamber of commerce leadership group in the past, serving on its committee and attending its graduate academy. I truly love being involved with the community, getting to know what businesses are out there and who is operating them, on a friendly level. I served on the United Way board for approximately eight years. I currently serve as needed so that I could focus on raising my daughter while being a working mom. I also have served on the ICCTFOA (Idaho City Clerk Treasurer and Finance Officers Association) over the past six years.”

Parental status:

“My husband and I have a wonderful, lovely, almost 8-year-old little girl named Alyssa. If you meet her you will find her to be lovely, super friendly and outgoing (you all might know where she gets those traits!). I also claim another daughter, that we have termed a “rent-a-daughter,” named Kahyla that is now 29 years old. It has been so fun to watch her grow up into a wonderful young lady, serving in the United States Air Force!”

1. What exactly is a city clerk’s job, and how long have you been doing it?

“I started an apprenticeship under our previous city clerk about nine years ago in order to absorb her knowledge before she retired, and have been doing the job ever since. The city clerk is a role established under the Idaho State Code that outlines the responsibility of the position to include the keeping of accurate city records, the taking of city council meeting minutes, ensuring that open meeting and public record request laws are complied with, and the issuance of business licenses and liquor licenses according to law. At the city, this position also includes management of the information technology division.”

2. What do you look forward to each morning when you wake up?

“First is getting the daughter to school on time, which is a management event in and of itself. Next, is getting things done! I love accomplishing projects, finishing contracts/paperwork and just being available for the unusual citizen call that will invariably come in.”

3. What are a couple of your favorite things about Coeur d’Alene?

“Of course, the lake; it is so amazing and beautiful to me. When I come over the bridge from Montana and see the lake, I always exclaim, ‘I am home.’ Next, I love the restaurants, as I am a self-proclaimed foodie. There are so many options. As I travel to other cities, it becomes more and more obvious that we have something special here. Then there are the people… so friendly, courteous and understanding. I work downtown and I see so many of the citizens helping out people with directions and giving suggestions of things to do and places to go, and I hear how much it is appreciated.”

4. What is something people would be surprised to learn about you?

“I can’t imagine many surprises, as I am usually an open book. Maybe it would be a surprise to know that I go backpacking with a group of girls every summer, and we pack in everything we need for a three-day adventure. Maybe it would be surprising to know that I have attended all the colleges offered here in Coeur d’Alene: North Idaho College, Lewis-Clark State College and University of Idaho, where I received my master’s degree in 2010. And yes, I started at the city when I was a baby!”

5. What is the biggest change to our town that’s taken place in your time with the city?

“Well, over 30 years there have been changing mayors and council members, a recall effort, urban renewal implementation, redevelopment of all sorts of spaces and the removal of an outdoor movie theater (had to be included for us old-timers). The most iconic change was the construction of The Coeur d’Alene Resort and the changes that occurred thereafter, meaning a change from a logging/mining town to a resort/tourist town with a year-round economy.”