Walsh/Johnson annexation final approval set for Jan. 19

Holyoke City Council members approved on first reading an ordinance annexing the property on the west side of Holyoke at the intersection of Walsh Avenue and Johnson Street at their Jan. 5 meeting.

If approved on second reading at the Jan. 19 meeting, the next step will be to dedicate the property as a public right of way.

Council receives letter from residents of Frenchman Heights

Council members discussed a letter they received from Frenchman Heights residents concerning the maintenance of areas in Frenchman Creek against potential flooding.

City Superintendent Mark Brown said that after a flood in 1998, the city cleaned the creek out for clear passage. At that time, the city had written permission from landowners to do so.

Since then, some of the property has changed hands, and the city no longer has written permission to send crews to trim down vegetation in parts of the creek to allow for clear passage in the event of heavy rains. Certified letters have been sent to the residents in question without reply.

Council members will continue to consider possible solutions to the situation.

Council hears reports

City Clerk/Treasurer Kathy Olofson reported that the High Plains Land Conservancy has donated $30,000 toward the new fire station.

She informed council members that the approximately $92,702 funds appropriated to the city in the second round of COVID-19 relief can be spent through Dec. 31, 2021. She

said the Department of Local Affairs is still discussing potential approval of the construction of a division wall at the city office.

Brown reported no power outages since the last meeting, and electric crews were in the last stages of taking down the city’s Christmas lights.

Brown said that the water and sewer department is working on converting city wells from chlorine gas disinfection to a liquid chlorine disinfectant solution.

Street crews have been working on removing snow from the streets and ice spots from gutters after recent snow and cold temperatures.

Brown informed council members that Engineered Controls finished updating Holyoke Swimming Pool’s control system Jan. 5. He reported that he has been working with pool manager Karla Pargas and Holyoke JR/SR High School Principal Angie Powell, and the pool was scheduled to open Monday, Jan. 11 for lap swim and water exercises.

Police Chief Doug Bergstrom reported that Holyoke Police Department handled or generated 63 calls for service from Dec.11-30, including five animal complaints.

He also reported that the officer-involved shooting that occurred  Dec. 28 is being investigated by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation and the district attorney’s office.

Recreation director Victoria Dunker reported that a committee of community members has been put together to meet with a Ripley Design representative when he travels to Holyoke to discuss the creation of potential upgrade plans for some of the city’s recreation areas.

She told council members that he was originally supposed to visit Holyoke the week of Jan. 4 but was unable to due to quarantining after traveling for Christmas. She said he will hopefully be able to make the trip to Holyoke the week of Jan. 18.

Dunker also said that the Showdown on the Plains cattle show is scheduled to be held Jan. 30-31 at Bank of Colorado Pavilion.

Other business

In other business at the Jan. 5 meeting, council members:

— Approved a purchase request from the recreation department for supplies that can be used multiple years for Showdown on the Plains in the amount of $1,492.56 and $500 for advertising.

— Passed a resolution establishing electrical rates for Holyoke, which will take effect Jan. 20.

— Approved the 2021 wage proposal for city employees.

­— Increased the cellphone stipend from $35 per month to $50 per month for eligible employees, including on-call employees in the electric and water and sewer departments and the recreation director.

— Approved a request for a minor subdivision exemption for BelFur Property for the duplex at the intersection of Belford Avenue and Furry Street.

— Appointed Gail Schlachter to serve a five-year term on the Heginbotham Library Board.

— Set a hearing date of Feb. 16 for a new liquor license for Brewed Awakening Coffee and Bake Shop.