Funding requests on Rathdrum agenda

RATHDRUM - The Rathdrum City Council will consider two funding requests tonight at 6.

The council will consider sponsoring four summer concerts at Rathdrum City Park for at total of $2,500. The proposed contract is with Chris Guggemos of Handshake Productions and reflects a similar commitment by the city in recent years.

The concerts will be on July 24, July 31, Aug. 7 and Aug. 14, with bands to be determined. The concerts, which run from 6 to 8:30 p.m., are open to the public and there is no admission.

There also may be a concert on Aug. 21 if other sponsors can be secured.

In non-musical news, the recently-formed American Legion Post 154 in Rathdrum is requesting $2,205 from the city to assist in the setup of the post.

"These funds will be used to buy essential items which will be used by post members and the Honor Guard for veteran funerals as well as patriotic ceremonies in the community," Michael Warren, first vice commander, wrote in his request.

City officials earlier verbally told Legion members the city could help provide startup funds, but an amount was not specified.

In other business, the council will consider Mayor Vic Holmes' recommendation to re-appoint Darrell Rickard to the Planning and Zoning Commission. Rickard has served since 2010.

The council will also consider a proposed new worker's compensation policy.

"The main crux of the new policy is that an employee can use their sick, vacation and comp time to cover the difference between their worker's compensation check and their normal net pay," City Administrator Brett Boyer wrote in a memo to the council. "Once their accruals are gone, they only receive their worker's compensation check that is usually about 67 percent of their normal pay. This (change) also fits with what most other cities are doing."