Water drainage for fire station approved
Noting that the bid was only good until Friday, Jan. 7, Mayor Orville Tonsing told Holyoke City Council members at their Jan. 4 meeting that Holyoke volunteer firefighters would like to have two drain lines in the new fire station — one under each row of trucks.
He said the pumps on the firetrucks leak every once in a while, and since the plan is to seal the concrete floor, this causes safety concerns about the possibility of people slipping and falling.
Tonsing said Holyoke Volunteer Fire Department conferred with the general contractor on the project, who provided a bid of $49,000 for the work. The council approved the variation to the fire station plan in a 6-1 vote. Council member Gene Bittner voted no.
Bittner said that if the floor is level, then it should slope toward the drain as it should and water should run straight underneath the truck and not somewhere else, and he didn’t see the need to spend $49,000 for drain lines under each row of trucks.
City Superintendent Mark Brown gave an example of water on the floor being a safety concern from his 26 years in the fire department.
He said they were going out on a call, and one of the firemen slipped on water and slid under the truck near its rear tires as it was pulling out, putting his life in danger. Brown pointed out that all it takes is one incident for something tragic to happen.
Visitors speak to council
Holyoke Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Holly Ferguson was at the meeting to answer questions about the request she made at the Dec. 7 meeting for the city to contribute $12,000 to the chamber in 2022. The city contributed $6,000 in 2021. The council did not take action on the request at the meeting.
Council member John Schneider asked if she thought the chamber will eventually be self-supporting.
“After 2022, I’m hoping that I’ll have a better gauge for forecasting that,” Ferguson said, adding that the chamber aspires to be self-sufficient hopefully within the next two years.
She reported that in 2020 and 2021, they were able to increase their revenue through grant writing, but those opportunities are decreasing. She said chamber membership dues have been increased for 2022, which hasn’t been done in a while.
She pointed out that the chamber will be running the concessions stand at Bank of Colorado Pavilion, and she hopes that this will show a substantial increase in the chamber’s revenue.
She is also is working with a software company to update the chamber’s website to highlight the community’s amenities and everything it offers all in one place to add value for the chamber’s membership and benefit the community. The website is scheduled to be up and running in March.
Gary Herr approached the council to ask about large-item pickup. Citywide cleanup typically happens the first week in May but has been canceled the last two years. Brown said this year’s citywide cleanup has not yet been discussed.
Herr also asked if any council members have looked into the federal infrastructure bill to see if some funds can be used for Holyoke’s infrastructure.
Tonsing said part of the criteria had just come out the week before the meeting, but it’s going to be reviewed, and he thinks there’s money that Holyoke will able to use.
Council hears reports
Police Chief Doug Bergstrom introduced officer cadet Clara Courtright to the council. She was scheduled to leave for the academy last weekend and will be back the first part of May.
Bergstrom discussed HPD’s request to purchase a 2022 Chevrolet Silverado. He noted that HPD does not currently have any pickups in its inventory, and officers have increasingly had to use personal vehicles to move evidence and for other tasks. He said it could take four to six weeks for the lighting package for the vehicle to arrive.
Council members approved purchasing the Silverado for $34,889 and the lighting package for $17,350.08. HPD’s 2012 Dodge Charger will be traded in.
Bergstrom reported that HPD handled or generated 41 calls for service from Dec. 17-29, including three animal complaints under code enforcement.
City Clerk/Treasurer Kathy Olofson provided an update on the Department of Local Affairs Energy Impact Grant that Holyoke Community Childcare Initiative, with the city as the applicant, applied for in 2020.
She reported that no funding was granted for the project, but there is another round in March.
Brown said the electric department has had several trouble calls due to the recent wind, but there were no power outages since the last meeting.
Water and sewer crews have been working on restoring water service to 108 S. Interocean Ave., and the street department has been busy picking up tree branches.
The infield project at the small baseball/softball field is temporarily on hold until they can get more dirt, as they are about two loads short.
The airport lighting project, on the other hand, is making progress. Brown said the precision approach path indicator lights and the main controller have arrived, and flight checks can now be scheduled.
Recreation director Victoria Dunker reported that registration is open for Showdown on the Plains, and there’s a lot of interest. She said that 18 kids were signed up for the first grade basketball clinic, which was scheduled to start Thursday, Jan. 6, but was ultimately canceled due to weather.
Other business
In other business at the Jan. 4 meeting, council members:
— Passed resolutions establishing Holyoke’s electrical, water and sewer rates, as well as the refuse fee schedule, all of which take effect Jan. 20.
— Approved the purchase request from HPD for three new ballistic vests for a total of $2,698.80.
— Approved the purchase request from HPD to order four new iPhone 12s and four cases for a total of $1,319.96.
— Allowed a contribution of $1,330 to support the County Express public transportation services.
— Approved the 2022 wage proposal for city employees.
— Renewed the liquor license for Happy Jacks Barbeque.
— Held a 27-minute executive session to receive legal advice and to discuss a personnel matter.