COEUR d’ALENE - The Coeur d’Alene City Council on Tuesday night voted 6-0 to approve a request to seek proposals for construction of private docks to provide business operations for public recreation on the Spokane River near the Harbor Center.

Three people spoke against the proposal during the public hearing portion of the meeting in the Library Community Room, while one supported it.

Under the proposal, businesses whose proposals were accepted would build and maintain the docks. They would lease “riparian rights” from the city.

Each dock would lease for at least $15,000 per year, and perhaps as much as $50,000, which would go toward capital improvements in parks and the waterfront.

Parks Director Bill Greenwood said the 26-slip docks should help alleviate congestion at the Third Street boat launch, create outdoor recreation opportunities for the public, and he did not believe they would increase water traffic.

He said the area was part of the Bureau of Land Management’s master plan adopted by the city years ago.

“These docks are part of what we have promised the public with the adoption of this master plan,” he said.

The city had docks there in the '90s, and cutouts for docks are there.

"We have an opportunity to provide a dock system that will help spread some of the congestion we have at our (10th Street) marina and our Third Street launch area,” Greenwood said.

But those opposing said it would increase river traffic, could create safety hazards if young people dive from the docks when it is closed, and pointed out the city’s wastewater plant discharges about 100 yards upriver.

“It’s not a very pleasant place to have it,” said Dwight McCain of Coeur d’Alene said.

Jim Stafford, president of the Spokane River Association and a founding member of River friends 2019, said the two groups represent over 200 people. He said they oppose the dock plan.

Stafford said the river is about 600 feet wide and 12- to 18-feet deep. He said traffic has increased over the last 10 years and private docks are being added on the river.

“The river environmentally is under attack,” he said.

Stafford said safety issues have arisen and property damage has become a bigger issue.

He said some locals with boats and canoes don’t go on the river anymore because it’s too busy and dangerous.

“Adding commercial docks is only going to increase the amount of traffic on the river. And I find it kind of hard to believe that the city needs $30,000 a year income that will severely impact those that recreate on the river and those that live on the river,” he said.

Seth King supported the dock plan. He said the Third Street launch is crowded and becoming more so every summer.

The area of the Spokane River for the docks is slow moving and has light traffic, he said, and is a no-wake zone.

“(The new docks) would be (an) extremely wise move for the safety of all concerned,” King said.

Greenwood said he thought the proposal was about providing an outdoor recreation opportunity for the general public, but said after hearing public comment, it “appears to me it is much more than that.

“This is more about the haves and have nots. I applaud the folks who are able to afford a home on the waterfront, the dock and a boat to enjoy the river and the lake. But there are some people who do not have this ability to enjoy the river and a lake and others already have those docks. What we will provide is this recreation opportunity for those who are the have nots. And we've seen an abundance of have nots these days."

Greenwood said he spoke to wastewater treatment plant staff and said what is going into the river from the plant “is pretty good stuff” and meets national discharge standards.

He said he expected that whatever businesses build the docks and operate from them would secure them when they are closed.

Most likely use of the docks would be rentals of jet skis or boats. Kayaks, paddleboards or selling fuel would not be allowed.

Councilwoman Kiki Miller questioned whether easing congestion at the Third street boat launch by adding commercial docks on the Spokane River would open opportunities for new businesses to come in.

"And you'd have the same congestion but now we've got more boats?” she said.

Greenwood maintained he believed it would alleviate congestion.

The city hopes to receive proposals by April 29; review of proposals by May 2; negotiation and award of contracts by May 17; notice to proceed by May 24; dock installation by Oct. 1.

But officials made it clear they were not approving the new docks, but only the request for the city to seek proposals to build them and outline what type of businesses would operate from them.

Once proposals are received, Greenwood and staff will review them. They will then go the Parks and Recreation Commission and eventually back to City Council for consideration. The public would still have a chance to comment.