New fire station discussion continues
After Holyoke City Council members made no motion to vote on bids for the new fire station at their June 4 special meeting, discussion continued behind the scenes to see if parts of the plans can be salvaged and built at a reduced cost.
Mayor Orville Tonsing told council members at their June 15 meeting that he spoke to a contractor who reduced the cost of a new fire station by making changes to the original plans.
Tonsing stressed that this was a rough estimate and not a firm bid. It includes only the building, sewer system, water and electricity in the east end, two bathrooms and pipes.
He said even with eliminating so much, it still only reduced the cost by $265,000.
“Here we have a group of people who are volunteering their time away from their jobs, away from their families,” Tonsing said of Holyoke volunteer firefighters, adding that they’re ready to help when the whistle blows, day or night.
“All they’re asking for is a decent place to work out of, some place where they have all their equipment in one place,” he continued. “That’s all they’re asking for.
“So, OK,” he said, “we’re going to see what we can get this cut down to, and then we’ll proceed from there.”
Council member John Schneider emphasized the firefighters’ sacrifices, including being in life-threatening situations and spending time away from their families for training and more.
“We’re just asking for a decent building,” he said, noting that they’re not requesting something that other nearby communities don’t have. “We just have got to figure out a way to get this thing done.”
Schneider said the firefighters risk their lives, and he feels the council members need to do what they can to make the new fire station work.
Neither Schneider nor council member Ashley Sullivan was present at the June 4 special meeting when bids were discussed.
Council approves funds for airport lighting project
City Superintendent Mark Brown said the bid for the airport lighting project was better than anticipated, coming in $12,100.35 over the funds available in the grant that was received for the project and the local match.
Council members approved paying the $12,100.35 to move forward with the project, which calls for changing runway lights over to LED, including precision approach path indicator lights, runway end identifier lights and taxi lane lights.
Council hears reports
Recreation director Victoria Dunker told council members that she received an email from Ripley Design about potential new designs for the park master plan. She said she will meet with the recreation advisory committee to go through the plans.
Brown reported no power outages since the last meeting. City personnel were busy getting electrical needs ready for Dandelion Daze.
Water and sewer crews were working on getting lead and copper samples for state testing and also started the installation of the sprinkler control system for the cemetery expansion project.
He reported that street crews have been patching potholes and filling the gap between the curb and gutter on Johnson Street by Cobblestone Inn & Suites.
Police Chief Doug Bergstrom reported that Holyoke Police Department handled or generated 73 calls for service from May 28-June 10, including seven animal complaints and one municipal code violation under code enforcement. He added that 17 dogs were licensed at the June 12 dog clinic at Holyoke Veterinary Service.
City Clerk/Treasurer Kathy Olofson reported that the two printers that the council approved purchasing from Amazon at the June 1 meeting will now be purchased from Printers Paper and More.
Other business
In other business at the June 15 meeting, council members:
— Renewed the annual lease agreement with Holyoke Golf Club.
— Passed a resolution to designate a representative for purposes of nonmember associate class participation in the Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska. Brown will be the representative.
— Approved the replacement of the air conditioner at city hall by Yuma Sheet Metal at the cost of $10,187.75, which includes an extra $1,000 if needed for the removal of the rooftop unit using a crane and placing the new unit back on the roof.
— Approved a wage increase to $13.07 per hour for lifeguards Erin Andersen, Elby Kropp, Summer Martin, Josie Schlachter and Rylee Schneller, all of whom earned their Water Safety Instructor certification. Wages for lifeguard Tayla Martin were approved at $12.32 per hour.