City plans for airport updates

At the Tuesday, June 6, meeting, City Superintendent Mark Brown informed Holyoke City Council that a problem with the automated weather observation system at the airport was found during inspection. Following Brown’s advice, council members elected to divide the work that needs to be done between this year and next.
    According to Brown, the most immediate needs are upgrades to the radio and the humidity and temperature probe. The cost, as quoted by DBT Transportation Services LLC, totals $5,079 for both.
    The more costly concern is the ceilometer, which measures the height of clouds. While the current system is outdated, it will probably last until next year before failing. Brown suggested the City wait until next year and budget for the $27,488 project, and the council agreed.
    
    Memorandums of understanding signed
    Mayor Orville Tonsing was authorized to sign memorandums of understanding with the University of Colorado engineering department to draw up plans for both the fire and police departments at a total cost of $2,500 to the City.
    With additional space and improvements necessary for both departments, the City is moving forward with plans to meet those needs.
    Graduate-level students from the UC Denver architecture and planning program will prepare both plans under the supervision of UCD Community Development Supervisor Jennifer Kovarik. Students will produce architectural plans and renderings, as well as an opinion of probable cost.
    Plans for the police station are expected to cost $1,800 for staff work, travel expenses, follow-up review and preparation of final documents. The fire station design is estimated to cost $3,200. City of Holyoke will be responsible for half of the cost, with a Department of Local Affairs match covering the remainder.
    Clerk/Treasurer Kathy Olofson noted that Kovarik emailed her, expressing interest in bringing students for a site visit soon so they can get started. She added that summer is a good time for them to work on the project before fall classes begin.
    The memorandums state that work is expected to be completed by the end of September for both projects, with formal completion dates set for Oct. 30.
    
    Truck concern voiced
    Council member Kevin Scott asked Police Chief Doug Bergstrom whether there is anything that can be done about Seaboard Foods feed trucks parked in residential areas. Council member Scott Murray noted that as long as trucks aren’t parked overnight, they aren’t in violation of current ordinances.
    Brown agreed that the heavy trucks do take a toll on the streets and suggested that many cities have limited tonnage allowed in residential areas. Murray commented that moving trucks and delivery trucks fall into the same category. Feed trucks can’t be singled out, as they are not the only offenders.
    
    Strategy reviewed for CDOT meeting
    Brown asked the council for its input on how to approach a June 16 meeting he and Scott have with Colorado Department of Transportation regarding the contract for state highways within city limits.
    This year, the City ran into some trouble with CDOT concerning repairs needed on East Denver Street. Historically, CDOT has taken responsibility for such repairs, but this year it pointed out that the contract states Holyoke is responsible.
    While CDOT did end up taking on the task as usual, Brown said he wants to avoid such problems in the future by having a true and factual contract.
    Council members agreed that the contract should reflect the actual expectations, that the City is responsible solely for snow removal and street sweeping. If CDOT does not agree to the contract changes, the council would rather there be none. All they need is the right to remove snow and sweep the streets if necessary.
    Ultimately the contract will go to Tonsing to sign, but Brown and Scott will convey the City’s desires at the CDOT meeting.
    
    Officials report
    Brown reported an estimated 250 participants attended a swim meet at the pool June 3 and that the new sound system sounded great. He commended Zeke Finch and the crew for a good-looking cemetery for the Memorial Day program.
    Since the last meeting, there was one power outage at Frenchman Heights caused by a squirrel, and a power pole was replaced in the 300 block of South Sherman Avenue.
    Water and sewer crews worked on two lines for the Bennett apartments. Crews also fixed outdoor lights at the pool, mowed, dragged roads, cleaned storm sewer inlets and picked up branches.
    The Division of Aeronautics will conduct its inspection at the airport June 13.
    Bergstrom reported that the police department handled or generated 408 calls for service from May 11 through June 1. They made one arrest, wrote 40 citations and eight reports, and gave out 91 warnings. Included in that, code enforcement handled seven animal complaints, two dogs at large and 29 ordinance violations.
    Olofson reported that workers’ compensation and property-casualty renewals are complete and she should receive a quote by Sept. 1.
    She distributed copies of the audit for council members to review before the next meeting when Scott Szabo will be in attendance.
    Olofson provided copies of Explore magazine for the council to view the City advertisement it placed. She noted Officer Joe Marcum is working on a final design for the Venture magazine ad the City is running.
    
    Other business
    In other business at Tuesday’s meeting, the council:
    —Rescheduled the July 4 meeting to Monday, July 3.
    —Increased the hourly wage for Kayla Marshall, who earned water safety instructor certification, from $9.80 to $10.05.
    —Added Keegan Shaw and Lali Marquez as lifeguards at $9.30 per hour.
    —Decided to run an advertisement about building permit requirements in the Johnson Publications home improvement special section.
    —Held a 37-minute executive session with Attorney Al Wall, Brown, Bergstrom and Olofson for the purpose of receiving legal advice and developing strategy for negotiations.