The city of Coeur d'Alene plans to spend $4.3 million on a new water tank.

The 1 million gallon tank to be located at the end of Thomas Lane is aimed at keeping the city’s infrastructure ahead of population growth. 

“Currently we have pressure issues that have been identified in the upper zone in the eastern quadrant,” said Kyle Marine, water department director. “We continue to look forward (to the) future and try to stay ahead of the city’s needs because it takes time to put this infrastructure and these facilities in place.” 

The winning bid, one of eight, was awarded to Apollo Inc.

The proposed tank will be around 100 feet tall and painted green to help obscure it within hillside foliage. Crews will not construct a permanent road to the tank and instead will make it accessible by a biking path. 

“We got an alternative access through the property to the back to limit the amount of disruption of the hillside. So we can try to save as many trees as possible and limit disturbance to the public and neighbors,” Marine said. 

According to a staff report, in the 2012 and 2023 comp plan, it was determined that additional storage would be needed in the northeast portion of town in the upper zone by 2025. Staff began looking for a suitable location for a tank site. The water department identified and acquired a suitable tank site at the end of Thomas Lane.

The transmission main for the tank was completed in 2025. 

"The project has been planned as part of the Department's long-term capital improvement strategy, and the necessary funding is available through capitalization fees that were collected specifically for growth-related water infrastructure improvements," the staff report said.

Councilwoman Christie Wood liked what she heard.

“It’s a lot of money, but your presentation was so thorough that we don’t have any questions,” she said. 

The city has 11 wells capable of pumping more than 40 million gallons to meet summer demand.

“Engineers that we work with identified that we’re going to need additional storage and wells throughout the city as the city grows,” said Marine. 

The City Council also approved a near $250,000 proposal to buy and install new turf in the play area for kids at McEuen Park. 

Interim Parks and Recreation Director Adam Rouse said crews have done their best to fix and patch problem spots in the current turf, but it is time for replacement.  

“We’ve been looking at this turf for quite some time,” Rouse said. “Our playground inspection team that we have on staff looked at it and has recommended that it is time for replacement.” 

The estimated life cycle of the current turf is around 10 to 12 years. McEuen Park playground was constructed in 2014.

The bid was awarded to Stewart Contracting Inc. The project will be paid from the Parks and Recreation capital funds. 

Installation is expected to begin in August and will temporarily close the popular playground for around 14 days. 

“I think it’s important that the playgrounds are well-maintained. This is where our youngest members of our community recreate,” said Councilman Dan Sheckler. “I think our children are our most precious assets in our community.”

The Coeur d’Alene Police Department requested approval for the purchase and upfit of three new Ford Explorer squad vehicles, a move that cost $282,000 for the rigs and upgrades but is expected to save money. 

“We are saving between $12,000 and $24,000 just in the cost of the vehicles if we can buy them early,” said Police Capt. Dave Hagar. 

Hagar said Ford Motor Company only builds police vehicles for about two months of the year and bases production on a demand prediction for the year. 

The City Council approved the request and the funds for the new vehicles will be allocated from the police department's existing general fund.

The council also approved two requests from the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department, one to hire three probationary firefighters in a fall fire academy, and the other to purchase protective equipment and gear for three firefighters. 

According to Fire Chief Jon Fugitt, the cost to outfit the new firefighters is estimated to be just below $13,000 per firefighter.     

Fugitt said the hiring of the three probationary firefighters is expected to save around $300,000.

Mayor Dan Gookin said the hirings won’t reduce the budget but would help curb the issues coming from the constant staffing budget. 

“This is not a savings as far as reducing our overall budget, but this cuts into that constant staffing budget, which is just ballooning every single year with injuries and all that,” he said.