City opts in to receive opioid settlement funds

Holyoke City Council decided to opt in to an opioid settlement fund allocation at its Tuesday, July 5, meeting.

Currently, the city is set to receive $16,402.23 over 18 years, but that amount is subject to adjustments.

According to the Colorado attorney general’s office, over the last 20 years, more than 7,600 Coloradans have died from an accidental opioid overdose, and thousands more have struggled with addiction.

In August 2021, after announcing several historic settlements with major drug manufacturers and distributors, the attorney general’s office announced framework for distributing nearly $400 million in opioid settlement dollars throughout the state for addiction treatment, recovery and prevention programs.

The funds are being split up between regions, local governments, the state and infrastructure needs.

The city of Holyoke will have to consider stipulations on how it can spend the money in the coming years.

Other business

In other business at the July 5 meeting, the council:

— Approved Ordinance No. 1-2022, an ordinance amending Title 10, Chapter 10.16 of the Holyoke Municipal Code regarding insurance requirements for utility terrain vehicles operating in city limits.

— Passed a motion allowing the utility committee to set wages and possible relocation fees during the hiring process of a water/wastewater foreman, noting that fees for commercial driver’s license testing may also be a factor.

— Approved allowing special events permits for the Phillips County Fair board July 27-30 as well as waiving the local permit fees.

— Tabled discussion on joining or opting out of the Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance program. City attorney Al Wall noted that the city needs to have an employees’ meeting and then have them vote on it.

— Tabled discussion on policies and procedures for Holyoke Swimming Pool.

— Tabled discussion on what to do with stray dogs, the availability of nearby shelters and the requirements for building a dog pound in Holyoke.

— Heard from visitor Gary Herr, who asked the council to consider a collapsible cage for stray dogs in the Holyoke Police Department pickup.

— Heard reports from Superintendent Mark Brown, Clerk Kathy Olofson and Wall.