New Sandpoint officials to be sworn in Wednesday

SANDPOINT — The newly elected mayor and city council members will take their seats following old business action items at today’s city council meeting.

Before they do, the council will consider a proposal that would establish a James E. Russell Sports Center Endowment Fund with interest earnings from a donation received from James and Virginia Russell. The fund would support future maintenance, operations, and capital improvements for the sports facility and the adjacent Gateway Plaza, city officials said on the meeting agenda. 

They will also consider moving forward with construction design development at the Travers Park inclusive playground and splash pad following a presentation of results from a recent public survey. 

“[The] project update will include final concept, and explanation of process to date and going forward,” officials said. 

The last item the current administration will consider will be moorage policy changes that could include prioritization of city residents on the waitlist and prioritization of sailing vessels on the dry dock.

Once incoming mayor Jeremy Grimm and new council members Pam Duquette and Kyle Schreiber have taken on the dais, the council will elect a president. They will also nominate an appointee to serve as the city’s representative on the Selkirk Fire Joint Powers Agreement Board, filling a vacancy of outgoing Council President Kate McAlister. Per the JPA, an alternate representative must also be appointed.

The council will also discuss a strategic planning retreat that could include elected official training/refresher and discussion. 

The meeting will take place tonight at Sandpoint City Hall, 1123 Lake St., starting at 5:30 p.m. The public can attend in person or online at sandpointidaho.gov.