Ferguson subdivision rezoned to commercial
Holyoke City Council members accepted the planning commission’s recommendation to change the zoning of Nick Ferguson’s property on the west side of Holyoke from A-O, agricultural and open, to C-2, commercial, at their Jan. 19 meeting. Council member Kevin Scott cast the sole dissenting vote.
The rezoning allows Ferguson, who attended the meeting, to proceed with the next steps toward his goal of building a travel trailer park there.
He will need to submit an application for a travel trailer park for council approval and will also have to put in the curb and gutter around the development as well as electric, water and sewer utilities.
Superintendent Mark Brown said Ferguson has also applied to drill wells on the lots that are on the far west end of the development.
Brown said the state requires a letter from the city to allow the on-lot wells to be drilled, which council members ultimately approved.
The property is bordered by Furry Street and Walsh and Lewis avenues, with additional property south of that area.
Walsh/Johnson property annexed
Council members approved an ordinance annexing the property on the west side of Holyoke at the intersection of Walsh Avenue and Johnson Street.
The next step is to dedicate the property as a public right of way to be used for street, public ways and utility purposes within Holyoke. This is expected to be on the Feb. 2 meeting agenda.
Council hears reports
Brown reported on a power outage that occurred Jan. 14 in the 100 block of North Interocean Avenue. He said it was due to a broken jumper wire on a transformer. Electric crews have been addressing trouble calls about service drops and blinking lights.
He told council members that the spotlights that light up the water tower at night have been changed from incandescent to LED.
At City Park, crews have removed six dead or dying trees. Brown said he will be looking at bids to grind and remove the stumps so grass can be planted in the spring.
City personnel have been spreading grass at the airport and topdressing the area around the runway. They have also been picking up tree branches blown down by the recent high winds.
The water and sewer department continues to work to convert city wells from chlorine gas disinfection to a liquid chlorine disinfectant solution.
Brown said his work with the Colorado Water Conservation Board in reviewing flood plain mapping for Phillips County is in the final stages, and he hopes to have a new flood plain study in the next few weeks.
Police Chief Doug Bergstrom reported that Holyoke Police Department handled or generated 76 calls for service from Dec. 31-Jan. 13, including six animal complaints and eight municipal code violations under code enforcement.
Other business
In other business at the Jan. 19 meeting, council members:
— Purchased new equipment for three wells and a SCADA update from Timber Line Electric & Control Corporation for $31,967.
— Purchased new computers, printers and server for $21,690 from GTac and office furniture for $2,300 from Office Depot and Amazon for the police department.
— Approved Lauer, Szabo & Associates, PC to complete the city audit for 2020 for a cost not to exceed $13,300.
— Allowed $10,900 to be paid to Phillips County Economic Development for 2021 membership.
— Purchased 145 cubic yards of wood chips for the playground at City Park for $3,987.50 from A to Z Recreation of Littleton.