City denies minor subdivision exemption for Robin Lake Development

    At their Feb. 6 Holyoke City Council meeting, council members returned to the issue of two minor subdivision exemption requests made by Robin Lake Development (Rupert and Claire O’Neal), which was postponed at their Jan. 2 meeting.
    A month later, the response to that request was a resounding “no.” Furthermore, the motion made by council member Gene Bittner stipulated the answer will be “no” to all further requests until litigation between the O’Neals and the City is finalized.
    The vote followed a report made by City Superintendent Mark Brown, outlining several concerns he had with the requests:
    1. Minor subdivisions must be four or fewer lots fronting existing streets. The two subdivision exemption requests made by the O’Neals are for three and two lots, amounting to five total.
    2. The City already passed a subdivision exemption in 2014. Though the O’Neals did not move forward, it still stands in the City’s books.
    3. The proposed drainage plan hasn’t been discussed in detail and is clearly marked as “preliminary” on the request.
    4. The proposed stormwater inlet from the drainage pit to pipe would be sitting on private property, leaving Brown questioning who would maintain the inlet and the pipe.
    5. C1 zoning allows building to the property line, without setbacks. If someone were to build on the proposed property line, stormwater could be forced onto the adjacent property.
    6. No curb and gutter plan was proposed. Brown said the drainage plan needs to have a curb and gutter plan that makes provisions for the runoff.
    Brown concluded that the drainage plan included a field overflow location to coordinate with a farming operation. He asked, “Are we farming or developing?”
    Representing RLD, attorney Russell Sprague was at Tuesday’s meeting to get feedback, address the council’s concerns and answer questions. Council members had neither questions for Sprague nor discussion with one another before voting unanimously to deny the O’Neals’ requests.
    
Lease agreement with Vistabeam discussed
    In the past, the City had a contract with Chase 3000, allowing the internet provider to house equipment on the water tower. Recently, Brown discovered maintenance being done on that equipment by Vistabeam, who purchased Chase 3000 last July. Brown pointed out the need for a new contract with Vistabeam.
    At one point, Chase 3000 provided internet to the City as their end of the contract. The value of that service was about $400 per month, so that was the number suggested for Vistabeam to pay. It was also suggested Vistabeam should be responsible for back pay. Council member Brian Akey moved that Wall look over the contract before the council accepts, and that motion passed.
    
Ordinance passed
    Last Tuesday, council members also passed an emergency adoption of Ordinance No. 1-2018, which changed the deadline to file as a write-in candidate for City offices to 64 days before the election. Previously that deadline was 19 days before the election.
    Along with that, an election may be canceled if the number of candidates does not exceed the number of offices to be filled on the 64th day before the election.

Officials, rec director report
    Brown reported city crews have been busy hauling snow. The new heater has been installed at the pool and is up and running. A new door to the chemical room at the pool has also been installed.
    Brown also noted that he and City Attorney Al Wall drew up a preliminary lease agreement for the hangar Crop Production Services plans to have at the airport. It’s been delivered to CPS for their review.
    Though not at Tuesday’s meeting, Police Chief Doug Bergstrom provided a report of the police department’s activity from Jan. 11-31. Including code enforcement, HPD handled or generated 332 calls for service. They made six arrests, wrote six citations and eight reports, and gave out 33 warnings. Code enforcement handled four animal complaints, three dogs at large and six ordinance violations.
    Recreation director Victoria Timm reported that the Jan. 15 3-on-3 basketball tournament brought in a total profit of $1,563.60. Council members approved payment of 60 percent to the Dragon Booster Club, who co-hosted the event.
    Timm also reported a successful Jan. 28 local Nuggets Skills Challenge and said she is planning to attend the sectional competition Feb. 18 to support the local participants and learn about how the larger event is run. Council members approved her travel request to do so.
    She also noted a lodging tax update meeting will be held Wednesday, Feb. 28, at the Peerless Center. Hotel owners, the recreation advisory committee and community members are invited for a presentation of total funds for 2017, as well as activities conducted and future plans for 2018.
    Looking ahead to next month, Timm’s department is planning some spring break activities for the week of March 12-16. She intends to collaborate with the swimming pool and the Peerless.
    
Other business
    In other business at the Feb. 6 meeting, the council:
    —Had a lot drawing for city council candidate ballot positions. The order was Lisa Werts, Steve Moore, Brian Akey, Gene Bittner.
    —Replaced the Fire & Police Pension Association of Colorado’s deferred compensation plan with the multi-employer deferred compensation plan.
    —Approved a tasting permit application renewal for Red’s Liquors, LLC.
    —Approved 2017 year-end transfers as presented.
    —Contributed $10,900 to Phillips County Economic Development for 2018.
    —Purchased a new insulated pool blanket cut in two panels from Arnold Pool Company for $8,989.95 and approximately $600 in freight.
    —Purchased an extra-long chute for the RPM215 snowblower from Power Equipment Company for $2,478.50.
    —Heard from Akey that the golf board is in search of a new greenskeeper.
    —Discussed appointing Bergstrom to the 911 authority board for a four-year term.