The Hayden Citizen

04/05/2025

Nine Hayden residents are running for office in the local elections on May 20, 2025.

Luke Sommer, a previous mayoral candidate who lost to now-Mayor Alan Davis in the Nov. 2023 election, has filed to run for a four-year term as a trustee for Kootenai Hospital District.

https://www.haydencitizen.com/p/nine-hayden-residents-run-for-office

03/23/2025

The Owl Cafe building on Government Way is gone. The Hayden Urban Renewal Agency bought the property in 2024 and recently tore it down.

What do you want to see HURA do with the property, the rental property next door, and the parking lot adjacent? HURA owns them all and could make changes between now and the end of 2029 when the district expires.

03/08/2025

Hayden City Council meeting for Tuesday, Mar. 11, 2025

* Arbor Day proclamation
* Consent calendar includes Re-Appointment of Mary Howard to P&Z, payroll, events, contracts, etc.
* Unfinished business: City infrastructure projects

New business:
* Veterans Commission appointment - Ray Verbrugge
* Parks & Rec appointments - Helen Paris, Dennis Parent, Adam Reed
* Consider Authorizing the Mayor to Sign the Letter of Intent to Participate in the All Hazard Mitigation Plan with Kootenai County.
* Consider Setting FY2026 Budget Hearing in Compliance with I.C. 63-802(a)

Reports from City Admin, Law Enforcement, Mayor, Council.

See the city website for the full agenda.

03/01/2025

Kootenai Journal: “There is a well-known enmity between certain council members, driven mostly by differences in political ideology. The unorthodox behavior of the Hayden City Council often appears to be more about settling personal scores than that of good governance.

“For those who favor a functioning city government with the stability of clearly defined procedures enshrined in statute, H172 promises to bring a little order back to the city chambers.”

The article provides a summary of consent calendar drama in Hayden City Council and the change the state legislature is making with HB172 during the 2025 legislative session.

HAYDEN, Idaho — House Bill 172 was initiated in Boise this year out of the State Affairs Committee and passed the House 67-0-3 on February 13 and is expected to pass the Senate after receiving a “D…

10/15/2024

HURA has meetings this week including its regular meeting on Tues., Oct. 15 at 3pm, and a workshop on Thurs., 3:30pm. Both meetings at Hayden City Hall.

The regular meeting’s new Business includes a discussion of Owl Cafe sign removal and demolition. The Thursday meeting includes discussion of future uses for the Owl Cafe property.

09/22/2024

Christian Brothers Automotive will be opening a new location in Hayden, Idaho, with franchise owner Kris Kramer. The groundbreaking on Sept. 10, 2024, was done by Kramer and Hayden Mayor Alan Davis. Pastor Paul Van Noy gave a prayer to bless the site.

"It’s an honor to continue our family’s legacy by opening my own business here in Hayden, a place I’ve always dreamed of owning a business since my college days,” said Kramer.

The new location plans to open in Q2 or early Q3 2025. Kramer hopes to make it the first choice for automotive repair in his hometown of Hayden. It will be located at 419 W. Miles Avenue, in the Northwest corner of Highway 95 and Miles.

07/20/2024

Hayden City Council agenda for Tues., July 23 at 5pm is available.

Includes consent calendar and public comment. HURA's executive director will be giving a report.

Action items related to comprehensive plan updates, a preliminary plat extension request, FY25 budget presentation and potential hearing scheduling, '25 to '29 cap improvement plan, and a follow-up related to professional services for the Ramsey Road extension.

HURA's Fiscal Year 2024 budget includes $4.06 million in expenses including $3.92 million for infrastructure projects including Croffoot Park, Ramsey Road Sewer, Ramsey Road LHTAC project shortfall, and benches.

HURA expects to have $6.5 to $7.5 million available for "infrastructure, property purchase, or other capital purchases" before the close of the district at the end of 2029.

07/03/2024

Hayden Public Safety Commission meeting notes from Jenny Holmes.

1. Public comments welcome.
2. Not recommending a stand alone police department because it is too expensive.
3. Enhancing contracted services is the best path.
4. Crime in Hayden is low.
5. The commission will be receiving a monthly crime activity report.
6. Hayden currently has 11 contracted officers from the Sheriff's department.
7. They want to satisfy the community's desire for control, responsiveness, accountability, and good public relations.

Next meeting: Tuesday, September 3rd, 1:00pm.

05/25/2024

The agenda for the Tues., May 28 @ 5pm meeting of the Hayden City Council is available.

Consent calendar items include an Arts Commission appointment (Nancy Jones), a funding agreement for the Ramsey Road extension ($3,423,257), and other bills, payments, purchases, and agreements.

Three significant Hayden Urban Renewal Association items are on the agenda under unfinished business and new business.

1. Continued discussions of an engagement letter with Elam & Burke to facilitate the expansion of HURA.
2. Reconsider Hayden Urban Renewal Revenue Allocation Area Expansion.
3. Authorization to Sign Professional Services Agreement Alivia Metts of the Metts Group to Prepare an Eligibility Report and Economic Feasibility Report for the Hayden Urban Renewal Revenue Allocation Area Expansion.

Other items include Kancor Zone Map Amendment Ordinance.

05/05/2024

Hayden Public Safety Commission meeting on Tuesday, May 7 at 1pm.

Agenda includes a fire district presentation and a sheriff summary of his organization.

There is a workshop to discuss law enforcement strategy in Hayden.

04/26/2024

Precinct Committeemen and the Battle for the Republican Party in Kootenai County

Out of the 10 precincts that include Hayden, eight Republican incumbents are running for PC.

Many names will be recognizable due to current or prior elected political positions, previous candidacies, or involvement in the community in various capacities. For the purposes of this post, we are only providing information about political donations.

04/13/2024

"Hayden's transportation infrastructure is in dire risk." - City Councilman Thomas Shafer