Dog, library draw crowd
Council chambers were crowded Nov. 5, with several controversial topics drawing visitors to the Holyoke City Council meeting. Among the visitors were Josh Clark and Brylea Irons, who spoke to council members regarding the Aug. 2 shooting of Irons’ dog by Sgt. Mark Werts of Holyoke Police Department.
Acknowledging that Werts’ actions were already reviewed by outside agencies, Clark told council members that he did not think the reviews were sufficient and that he thinks there should be an investigation.
Having gone through video and statements, he believes there are discrepancies in Werts’ police report that cannot be ignored. At this point, he and Irons are less concerned with the dog being shot and more concerned with the notion that a police officer may not be doing his job right.
Irons compiled details from Werts’ report, the other officers’ body cameras, calls to the communications center, witness statements and a chemistry report that found no capsaicin on the dog.
Council member Steve Moore suggested that each council member receive a copy of the material provided by Irons so they could read it before the Nov. 19 meeting. City attorney Al Wall suggested that they also look at Police Chief Doug Bergstrom’s report and the reviews from outside agencies.
Bergstrom told council members that he would provide the entire case file. The matter was tabled to give council members a chance to go through the materials.
Library operating agreement remains a work in progress
For quite some time, the city council and the Heginbotham Library board have been working together to establish an operating agreement. A draft provided by the library board was reviewed at the Oct. 15 city council meeting, but Wall suggested some changes.
At the Nov. 5 city council meeting, Wall’s draft was presented. The library board, however, was unsatisfied because it wasn’t a revised version of their operating agreement. Rather, it was the same agreement that Wall initially proposed back in January, prompting the library board to draft its own in the first place.
“We know that everybody here would like to see this thing settled,” board member Mary Austin said, but she found it disappointing and frustrating that the same draft is what came back after all the months that had passed.
Ultimately, it was decided that a work session between council and board members would be necessary to come up with a document that both sides agree with. After that is done, the council will have a chance to approve the agreement.
Moore opposes ‘red flag’ law
In April, Gov. Jared Polis signed House Bill 1177 into law. On Jan. 1, 2020, the “red flag” law will go into effect, creating the ability for a family or household member or a law enforcement officer to petition the court for a temporary extreme risk protection order. If warranted, a continuing ERPO may be issued for that person, prohibiting them from possessing, controlling, purchasing or receiving a firearm for 364 days.
At the Nov. 5 city council meeting, Moore asked that members address the law on a local level. Back when Bill 1177 was signed, the council discussed passing a resolution to declare Holyoke a Second Amendment sanctuary city. Having waited to see what other cities would do, Wall reported that they “dropped it” and that the attorney general will prosecute those who don’t enforce the law.
Yes, some counties and cities (including Phillips County) have passed Second Amendment sanctuary resolutions, but they don’t mean anything, Wall said.
“You may not like it, but it’s the law,” he added. If the police chief gets an order from a district court or a district judge to comply with it, he will be faced with a decision. If he disobeys a court order, he can be in contempt, Wall explained.
Unsatisfied, Moore responded, “When we took the oath here for city council, we took an oath to protect the constitution.”
Following Moore’s lead, fellow council members agreed to proceed with a resolution stating their disapproval of the red flag law.
Recommendations accepted
Recommendations from the planning commission and the airport committee were also heard at last Tuesday’s meeting, and both were accepted by council members.
The planning commission recommended that the city council approve the final plat of R.O.C.’s first replat of part of Lot 3, Block 1, Young Subdivision and part of Block 4, JRE Subdivision part of Robin Lake Addition of Holyoke.
The airport committee recommended that the City enter a five-year contract with Armstrong Consultants for airport planning and engineering. Also being considered for the contract was Dowl/Benesch.
Officials report
City superintendent Mark Brown reported that electrical crews have started working on Christmas lights. The water and sewer department handled a water main break in the 100 block of South Sherman Avenue. Street crews have been clearing leaves and snow.
Brown also noted that Timberline was working on installing the first phase of the SCADA system upgrade.
Bergstrom reported that HPD, including code enforcement, handled or generated 575 calls for service Oct. 11-Nov. 3. The department made two arrests, wrote 38 citations and eight reports, and gave out 51 warnings. Code enforcement handled one animal complaint, eight dogs at large and eight ordinance violations.
Bergstrom also noted that Halloween was uneventful.
Other business
In other business at the Nov. 5 meeting, Holyoke City Council:
— Renewed liquor licenses for Happy Jacks Barbeque, Kwik Stop and Red’s Liquors.
— Approved a special events permit for Because on Dec. 31 at the Phillips County Event Center.
— Hired Perla Olivas at the library starting at $11.10 per hour.
— Provided prize money for the annual lighting/decorating contest.
— Approved the mayor’s signing of a merchant agreement with Government Payment Service Inc. for credit card services.
— Approved an ad recognizing City employees in the Enterprise 2019 Workforce Salute.