Coeur d'Alene councilors, mayor eye new year

The Press asked Coeur d'Alene City Councilors for their thoughts on what they see as key issues and challenges in 2025. Here are their answers.

Dan English, council president

While public safety is always a top priority for our city, 2025 will be very significant in that we are expecting to run a General Obligation Bond in May for the fire department that will address several critical areas of need. Our citizens have a history of being very supportive of our public safety needs, including extra fiscal support when the needs are clearly outlined. We will also see the completion of the major addition to our city police department facility that began earlier this year and will help address documented needs for improved space and working conditions for our police staff.

One of the areas I believe we are making progress on, but is still being fleshed out, are our communication efforts with our citizens through various forms of the media, like our current broadcasts of many city related meetings, public service videos and timely press releases.

I would also like to strengthen our bonds and alliances with our other neighboring cities and the county. In years past, there were regular joint meetings that focused on mutual areas of concern, and looking at creative options to assist all of our citizens and taxpayers for better service in the most fiscally responsible ways possible.

Dan Gookin

It's my hope that the city of Coeur d'Alene continues to offer excellent services to our citizens. We have some great employees, and we can do more to let them know how well they are appreciated.

I believe the City Council needs to work on improving support for business and treating all businesses fairly. Council needs to be more responsive to the requests of our citizens, many of whom feel ignored, especially when they attend a meeting to express concerns about their neighborhoods. We need to work on communications between staff and council, and improve transparency. I would also like to see more involvement with council members at every level of the decision process, not just an expected yes vote on the many complex issues presented to us.

Kiki Miller

I’m proud of the efforts the city has put behind addressing the housing crisis locally. I hope to help that momentum continue. The city will need to address short-term rental issues, zoning and new housing strategies in order to keep our local workers here. The budget is of concern, but we are fortunate to have a talented staff to help us address that. Our street department has made consistent progress in keeping our roads in great shape, in all seasons, with more improvements to come. We live in a beautiful, safe and thriving community, I’m happy to have been part of it and look forward to helping continue that through 2025.

Kenny Gabriel

My top priority will be working to get the Public Safety General Obligation bond going and hopefully passed. It is so important to assure the level of service our community has come to expect and deserve. I also want to see the addition and construction of the police department building that was tragically destroyed rebuilt. I see density and height restrictions downtown being looked at this coming year as well. 

Continuing to look at the needs of city staff as they work to deal with growth and expanding tourism, making visitors experiences in Coeur d'Alene something they come back to year after year, are also concerns.

Amy Evans

In 2025, my hope is that everyone who visits or calls Coeur d’Alene home not only feels safe and welcome, but truly is safe and welcomed here.

We will continue to make progress in the areas that matter most to our community — affordable housing, parks, open spaces and trails. We will also strengthen public safety to ensure all residents are protected and supported, creating an environment where everyone can thrive. Together, we will build a community that prioritizes the well-being of all its members. By working as one, we can make Coeur d’Alene not only a beautiful place to live, but a place where every person feels a true sense of belonging, opportunity and security.

Mayor Woody McEvers

Probably the most critical thing the City Council and I have to look at and see where we can make a difference is with affordable housing. When you can’t find workers and people can’t afford to live here, it’s going to get all lopsided.

Better communication would be another thing. I don't have all the answers, but I have become aware of how good things are in many ways. I guess I'm one of those guys who appreciates the staff and what they do. The city does a lot of good things people don’t know about.

Councilor Christie Wood could not be reached for comment.

    Gookin
  

    Miller
  

    Evans
  

    McEvers

    English