Fire department continues USDA grant application process
A public meeting regarding the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, grant that Holyoke Volunteer Fire Department is in the process of applying for was held at the March 15 Holyoke City Council meeting.
A pre-application was filed for financial assistance to purchase equipment for the new fire station, including lockers, computers, printers, office furniture, a sound system, projector and screen, and other equipment.
One of the requirements of the grant process was to give members of the public a chance to comment on the proposed project.
HVFD members in attendance included chief Stacy Rueter, president Josh Young and Bob Heldenbrand. No other community members attended to provide comments.
The maximum amount that the USDA will grant is $50,000. It only provides funding for equipment, not the building itself.
Young said that as they get further in the process, HVFD will provide a list of the desired equipment, which will be approved or denied.
“We’re just trying to get the process moving so when our building’s finished, we can get some equipment in there,” Young said.
No council members had an objection to proceeding with the grant application process, which includes submitting the meeting minutes to indicate a public meeting was held.
Council hears reports
City Superintendent Mark Brown reported that the water fill station in the 100 block of North Baxter Avenue is up and running. Council members voted to change the rate from 125 gallons for 25 cents to 100 gallons for 25 cents to stay in line with the increase in water rates.
He said workers from Cornhusker Glass were scheduled to view the glass at Holyoke Swimming Pool on Wednesday, March 16, and work on scheduling for the replacement project.
The airport lighting project is now finished after the flight check for the precision approach path indicator lights was completed without any issues.
City Attorney Al Wall informed council members that smaller communities outside Denver are being barraged with homeless people, and some of the communities are seeing them camp in their parks. He said if the trend continues, Holyoke may be eventually faced with that issue since it’s statewide.
Deputy Clerk/Treasurer Tillie Fisbeck reminded council members that Scott Szabo of Lauer, Szabo & Associates, PC was scheduled to be in Holyoke starting Monday, March 21, for the city’s 2021 audit.
Recreation director Victoria Dunker reported that she had a Great Outdoors Colorado meeting regarding Holyoke’s parks master plan. She said the first GOCO application is due in August.
At the time of the meeting, 104 kids were signed up for soccer, which was set to start this week.
Dunker told council members that a youth golf tournament at Holyoke Golf Club is scheduled for Saturday, July 9.
Police Chief Doug Bergstrom reported that Holyoke Police Department handled or generated 131 calls for service from Feb. 25-March 10, including seven animal complaints and eight municipal code violations under code enforcement.
Other business
In other business at the March 15 meeting, council members:
— Renewed the Corners for Conservation project on the city’s farmland south of Holyoke at $75 per acre for 76 acres.
— Tabled further discussion of the replacement of Brown as city superintendent when he retires since Mayor Orville Tonsing was absent from the meeting.
— Discussed the code enforcement/building permit technician position, which received an applicant. Brown suggested getting a committee together for an interview.
— Agreed to be a sponsor for Holyoke School District’s 13th annual Emerald Awards for $190.
— Donated $100 to the 2022 Holyoke High School post-prom party, which the city had included in its budget.