City allots funds to help small businesses
Holyoke City Council allotted $70,000 in COVID-19 relief funds to the Phillips County small-business relief fund at its Dec. 1 meeting.
Council members were scheduled to hear from the Department of Local Affairs by Friday, Dec. 4, regarding approval of the use of COVID-19 relief funds for the construction of a security wall in the city office that would allow for controlled access using a buzzer entry system. The wall, which wasn’t approved by DOLA due to its permanence, was estimated to cost $45,869.
At their Dec. 1 meeting, council members approved two scenarios.
If the wall weren’t built, then $70,000 would go to the Phillips County small-business relief fund. If the wall were built, then the amount going to small-business relief would be approximately $21,000 after the cost of the wall.
Pool closed, work on control system to start
City Superintendent Mark Brown said Holyoke City Swimming Pool has been closed due to positive COVID-19 tests among patrons and staff. He has been working with Engineered Controls of Lincoln, Nebraska, to upgrade the pool’s control system while it is closed.
Engineered Controls is currently in the process of designing the control program. They were expected to begin work at the pool by the middle of this week, and they estimate the work will be done by Jan. 4. The pool will be closed until at least that date.
Council hears reports
City Clerk/Treasurer Kathy Olofson told the council that the Heginbotham Trust gave $15,000 toward the new firetruck purchased at the Sept. 21 special city council meeting.
“It’s very greatly appreciated,” Brown added.
Olofson reported a change in the city’s workers’ compensation premium from HUB International. The quote accepted at the Sept. 15 meeting was $46,439. Olofson said the official premium is $36,346, over $10,000 less than the quote.
Brown reported that crews are done putting up Christmas lights downtown and finished picking up leaves Dec. 1.
Brown said Koellner Enterprises has moved the necessary equipment to the sewer lagoons to start crushing concrete.
Police Chief Doug Bergstrom reported that Holyoke Police Department handled or generated 74 calls for service from Nov. 12-24, including one animal complaint and one municipal code violation under code enforcement.
Bergstrom also informed the council that HPD purchased one new vest carrier, and a donation from Chris Edwards of Hometown Heating and Air allowed the purchase of three more for HPD officers. Bulletproof vests and armor plates fit inside the vest carriers worn by the officers.
Other business
In other business at the Dec. 1 meeting, council members:
— Allowed publication of a notice for the 2% electric rate increase for usage in 2021.
— Appointed Tom Bennett and Luke Goldenstein to each serve another two-year term on the Recreation Advisory Committee.
— Appointed Judy Beavers to serve another three-year term on the Cemetery Board.
— Approved the liquor license renewal for Red’s Liquors.
— Approved a special events permit for Pheasants Forever Inc. at Phillips County Event Center Feb. 6, 2021.