City of Cd’A Offers Access to Services Online

COEUR d’ALENE – Concerns about the potential spread of the COVID-19 virus have many people changing their habits – such as limiting contact with large groups and avoiding public spaces. The City of Coeur d’Alene can help by providing access to many public services online or over the phone.

The web address for the City’s website is www.cdaid.org. The city’s main phone number is 208-769-2300.

The City’s home page is a portal to every city department and service.

If you are not sure which department will fulfill your needs, a good place to start is at the tab at the top of the page which reads: “I want to …”

The tabs at the top also include information focus on residents, businesses, and visitors, as well as the “Government” tab which provides a list of every department in the City of Coeur d’Alene.

At the bottom of the page are several links to frequently requested services and information. This will allow you to do such things as check job listings for the city, pay utility bills online, find a phone directory of city offices and staff, and even to view videos of City Council meetings that aired on CDA-TV, the city’s cable channel.

Drilling deeper into the City’s website, let’s take a look at how you might handle something like reporting a nuisance in your neighborhood.

First click the “Government” link and select the Police Department. Among the options you will see is “Online Services” which will include the option to file a report on a variety of situations. Remember, the police advise to use this reporting system only for nonemergency situations, if in doubt call 911.

As noted, you can pay for utility services with a credit or debit card through the website link. You’ll be asked to provide your account number and sign in.

If you don’t have access to a computer the City also allows residents to pay utility bills with a card over the phone. Drive-up and walk-up drop boxes are also available outside City Hall, off of Eighth Street; at Silverlake Mall, on Hanley Avenue, next to the Food Court; at the Avista building on 15th Street; and in front of the Ace Hardware on Fourth Street.

There are several departments at www.cdaid.org where you can go online to apply for permits. The “Parking” link, for example, gives you access to apply for the city’s 2020 Residential Parking Permits, and you can even file an appeal of a parking ticket.

The Fire Department page allows you to apply for a burning permit or a mobile food vendor permit. You can also access numerous educational and informational items related to public safety. Again, emergencies should be reported using 911.

Operating most businesses and providing in-home services in the City of Coeur will require permits and/or licenses. This is where the “I want to ...” link on the home page is most useful. Click on the tab and then click “licenses” to see a complete listing for whatever you want to do.

The City’s website also provides access to information from county, state, and federal agencies. It also is a jumping-site to local tourism services such as the Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Association.

The departmental link for the Coeur d’Alene Public Library takes you to the main library website: www.cdalibrary.org.

As a precaution the library has cancelled all programs and non-city meetings during March, but the library remains open for patrons at this time. But for people who are currently avoiding public spaces, many library services are available through the website.

With your library card and password (your last name in all-caps unless you changed it) and you can manage your library card account. You can request hold and renewals, and check your due dates. Your library card also gives you access to downloadable ebooks and eaudiobooks through the Overdrive and Libby apps. Also, resident cardholders can also download and keep up to five songs a week through Freegal or can stream music with their Internet-enabled devices.

Clicking on the “Explore” link opens up several possibilities – reference materials, auto manuals, back issues of magazines and newspapers, and links to specials sites for children and teens, to name a few.

And, of course, many library services are just a phone call away. The main library can be reached at 208-769-2315. During its open hours the Lake City Public Library can be reached at 208-763-0814. The general email address for the libraries [email protected].

The best way to learn what the city’s website has to offer is to visit the page and look inside. You will find that you don’t have to leave your home to let the City serve you.

For the latest information on the coronavirus visit the Panhandle Health District website: http://panhandlehealthdistrict.org/covid-19