Library pitches tree trimming proposal
Moving forward to meet the needs of the Heginbotham Library, Holyoke City Council now has a plan in place to remove two trees and have three others pruned.
At the March 20 city council meeting, library board members Sandy Triplette, Briar Bergner and Heather Linne-Speidel were present to answer any questions council members had about the two bids received. Triplette noted that the library board contacted four businesses about the job but received bids from just two.
The two large trees that will be removed are in the water garden on the southeast corner of the property. Three smaller trees bordering Baxter Avenue on the west side of the property will be trimmed since they’re growing into a power line above.
The primary concern was one of the large trees with branches hanging over the library itself, but council member Gene Bittner said he went by the library to look and thought that both large trees should be removed. Triplette said the library board agreed. Tree removal and trimming is set to be completed by Thompson Tree Service.
HVFD seeks support for ice rescue equipment
Representing Holyoke Volunteer Fire Department, Bob Heldenbrand went to the March 20 city council meeting about two issues. He requested that the City pass a resolution regarding its Designed Emergency Response Authority and that it consider investing in ice rescue equipment for the department. Firefighters Josh Young and Lance Murray were also in attendance.
Designating a DERA, Heldenbrand explained, is a state requirement. If no one is designated, the default is the fire department. He suggested that doing so is best done by resolution and provided the council with a copy of the resolution Haxtun passed.
As for the ice rescue equipment, Helenbrand reminded council members of the incident at the Lions Club Fishin’ Hole last winter in which a dog and two individuals went through the ice. Though only the dog ended up needing rescued, HVFD had to improvise to get it out.
Since then, five local firefighters went to Limon for an ice rescue course. Four are now certified technicians, and one is a certified shore tender. HVFD intends to purchase ice rescue equipment, costing about $5,000, to outfit two technicians and six shore tenders. Heldenbrand pointed out that the equipment will be a regional asset as there are other nearby communities that do not currently have ice rescue capabilities.
Heldenbrand said HVFD intends to approach the Holyoke Rural Fire Protection District and the Lions Club for support as well.
Both items will be on the agenda for the next city council meeting Wednesday, April 4, which was rescheduled from April 3 due to the municipal election.
Bid accepted to haul rock for sealcoat
Last Tuesday, council members also opened bids to haul rock for upcoming sealcoat work. City Superintendent Mark Brown explained that they will need 16 loads, which equals about 395.2 tons.
Two bids were received. Blackwolf Brokerage Inc. quoted $15.50 per ton, totaling $6,125.60. Nick Ferguson Trucking’s bid was $10 per yard, totaling $6,080. The council accepted the Nick Ferguson Trucking bid.
Vistabeam contract finalized
The City has now received a signed contract from Vistabeam, who will pay $400 per month to have their internet equipment on the water tower. The contract also stipulates an annual increase of 4 percent and that prior notice must be given any time they will be working on the equipment. Vistabeam will also pay $3,600 for the nine months they had equipment on the water tower before the contract was signed.
Officials report
Brown reported that the electric department upgraded the electric service at 201 E. Denver St. and cleaned the 385 pit for spring runoff; water and sewer department has been rodding sewers and working on the alfalfa sprinkler system; and the street department continues crack-filling for sealcoating.
He also presented information on the March 27 weather spotter class, which he said all available crews will be attending. He also suggested city officials attend the March 23 Emergency Operations Center awareness workshop.
Police Chief Doug Bergstrom reported that Holyoke Police Department handled or generated 213 calls for service, including code enforcement, from March 1-14. HPD made one arrest, wrote one citation and five reports, and gave out nine warnings. Code enforcement handled one animal complaint, two dogs at large and six ordinance violations.
City Clerk/Treasurer Kathy Olofson reported that the first-quarter deposit from the Conservation Trust Fund came in at $4,865.50, which is down from last year’s. She also noted that Scott Szabo was at the City office for two and a half days working on the 2017 audit and that everything looked good. He plans to present in late May or early June.
City Attorney Al Wall reported that he’s expecting a recommendation on what to do about ordinances in the recodification in 30-40 days.
Other business
In other business at the March 20 meeting, the council:
—Agreed to sell the police department’s 2009 Tahoe to the HVFD. It had previously been approved that the Tahoe would be traded in at $8,500 for a new vehicle. HVFD will pay $8,500 for the Tahoe, and the money will still go toward the new police vehicle.
—Approved special events permits for the Phillips County Fair board for races April 14, May 12, May 26, June 17, July 4, Sept. 2, Sept. 29 and Oct. 13.
—Approved an addendum to amend the lease for Cornhusker Ag Aviation Inc.
—Approved a lease with Air Methods Corporation.
—Approved a lease with Crop Production Services.
—Received a report from council member Brian Akey that a new greenskeeper has been hired at Holyoke Golf Club and that the board is still working to set dates for the recreation department’s youth golf clinics.