CHS Grainland donates land for fire dept.
As the City of Holyoke has made plans for a new fire hall, part of the proposed site on North Baxter Avenue was owned by CHS Grainland. At the Dec. 5 meeting of the Holyoke City Council, City Superintendent Mark Brown reported that the CHS Grainland board voted to donate the land to the City.
In turn, the City voted to accept the agreement to acquire the ground and to hire Josh Skelton of Dickinson Land Surveyors for survey and plat work. The one condition for the acquisition of the land was that the City remove two nearby concrete foundations from old bins.
2018 budget approved
Following a public hearing, council members approved the budget for the 2018 fiscal year with a resolution. Total appropriations are $6,306,112 and were adopted as follows:
General Fund ......... $2,589,322
Utility Fund $3,591,378
Sale of Heginbotham Land Fund $700
Equipment Replacement Fund $93,532
Library Land Fund $777
Cemetery Perpetual Care Fund $4,875
Fire Pension Fund $10,700
Massman Memorial Fund $128
Cemetery White/Leeper Memorial Fund $12,200
LeBlanc Estate Fund $2,500
Total Approp $6,306,112
Water, sewer and refuse rates increase
Also at Tuesday’s meeting, the council adopted resolutions to increase the rates for water, sewer and refuse, all effective Dec. 19.
For water, the service charge was set at $6.47 per account per month, and all usage at $0.55 per 100 cubic feet. Outside of city limits, rates are doubled.
To use the sewer system, one-family dwellings within city limits will be charged $18.69 per month. Outside of city limits, the rate is $37.38. Commercial rates based on measured water service begin at $21.58 within city limits and $43.16 outside city limits.
The monthly rate for residential refuse will be $18.05. Commercial rates begin at $19.74, depending on volume, plus an additional $48.41 per month for those outside city limits.
Officials, rec director report
Brown reported that electric crews have been fixing street lights and installed new electric service at 944 E. Gordon St. Water and sewer have continued work at the new water main at the Phillips County Fairgrounds. The street crew hauled the sweeper dirt pile, cut down trees at the cemetery and continues to pick up leaves.
Police Chief Doug Bergstrom reported that the Holyoke Police Department handled or generated 189 calls for service from Nov. 16-29. Including code enforcement, they made one arrest, wrote seven citations and two reports, and gave out 31 warnings. Code enforcement handled four animal complaints and 13 ordinance violations.
City Clerk/Treasurer Kathy Olofson reported that the City’s 2017 assessed value came in at $16,691,231. Based on 21.811 mills, that translates to $363,868.84 that the City should receive from property taxes. She also noted that the City received the 2017 state contribution for the volunteer fire pension fund at $8,331.
Recreation director Victoria Timm noted that the City’s holiday plate decorating activity is all set for 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17, at the Event Center. Registration for the Jan. 15, 2018, 3-on-3 basketball tournament will soon open for students in grades 1-8. Timm will receive materials from the Colorado Association of Recreational Athletics for the upcoming Nuggets Skills Challenge as well.
She also reminded council members that the recreation advisory committee’s last meeting of the year is Dec. 20. In 2018 the committee intends to switch to quarterly meetings.
Other business
In other business Dec. 5, Holyoke City Council:
—Certified the mill levy at 21.811 mills — 21.2 general, 0.6 volunteer fire and .011 refunds/abatements.
—Purchased a conversion unit upgrade shaft for the water department from Hydra-Stop for $6,193.
—Approved a travel request for Timm to attend a CARA meeting Dec. 13 in Centennial.
—Offered two individual vacation days as door prizes for employees at the Christmas party.
—Accepted the recommendation of the planning commission and changed the zoning from commercial to residential at 1000 E. Denver St. and 1050 E. Denver St.