Committee backs MOU with Coeur d'Alene Chamber for Fourth of July parade and fireworks

The General Services Committee voted to recommend a multi-year memorandum of understanding with the Coeur d'Alene Regional Chamber of Commerce to produce the city’s Fourth of July parade and fireworks through 2028.

Renata Mloud, municipal services director, explained the chamber will continue as lead coordinator for both the daytime parade and the later fireworks program. She said staff had used the prior agreement language with minor edits, including tweaks to traffic-control responsibilities. Private traffic-control services this year are expected to cost about $11,000; the chamber estimates its total expenses at roughly $77,000 (including volunteer value). City operational costs for the day—police, fire, streets, engineering, and parks—were estimated around $68,000.

The draft agreement retains the chamber’s responsibility for private traffic-control costs and includes a 5% annual escalator on the city’s special-event fee. Committee members said they supported sharing costs and acknowledged the event’s public expectations and employee workload; the committee moved and seconded a recommendation to council, and the motion carried.

Staff noted the chamber’s representatives were unable to attend the committee meeting; staff offered to follow up with the chamber on outstanding details before the matter reaches full council.