Proposition CC doesn’t have Holyoke City Council support

On the agenda for the Oct. 15 Holyoke City Council meeting was a would-be resolution in support of Proposition CC on the Nov. 5 ballot. Council members were divided, and ultimately a motion to adopt the resolution failed 4-2.

Proposition CC seeks to amend the Colorado statutes to:

— Allow the state government to keep all of the money it collects from existing sources every year beginning in the 2019-20 state budget year.

— Require that any money the state government keeps over its existing revenue limit be spent for public schools, higher education and transportation projects, rather than refunded to taxpayers.

Mayor Orville Tonsing and council member John Schneider were in favor of adopting a resolution in support of Proposition CC. Council members Steve Moore, Gene Bittner, Brian Akey and Scott Murray were opposed.

Holyoke Chamber of Commerce requests continued support

At last week’s meeting,  council members also reviewed a letter from the Holyoke Chamber of Commerce Board and Executive Director Jody Maupin requesting that the City extend its funding of the chamber into 2020.

Since February, the City has contributed $250 per month toward funding the executive director position. As a result, City funds have helped supplement such projects as welcome bags, harvest snack sacks, hunter bags and the community calendar. In exchange, the City is listed as a corporate sponsor of events including the Chamber Gala, Dandelion Daze, Ladies Night Out and Country Christmas.

Council members agreed to take the request into account when working on the 2020 budget and to have an answer for the chamber by year end.

Library operating agreement to be on Nov. 5 agenda

Throughout 2019, the city council and the library board have been working together to establish an operating agreement. The agreement is meant to address such things as funding, building ownership and control, maintenance and repairs, oversight, and employees.

At the Oct. 15 meeting, city council members received a copy of an agreement provided by the library board. City Attorney Al Wall recommended minor changes to the provided agreement, and the council asked that he draft a new copy with those changes.

The library board will be invited to the Tuesday, Nov. 5, city council meeting, where the revised operating agreement will be up for approval by council members.

Officials report

City Superintendent Mark Brown reported that the electric department has upgraded a couple services around town. New LED streetlights were also installed downtown, and Brown asked council members for their feedback after they get a chance to see them.

The water and sewer department continues to work on backflows. Crews have blown out sprinkler systems for Phillips County and Sunset View and will soon do the City’s. Brown also reported that they’re getting ready to do a water tap at 735 E. Emerson St.

Street department finished the Southwest Interocean Drive project and has begun picking up leaves.

The airport had to purchase another load of jet fuel, which should be plenty for winter. Brown also reported that the required request for qualifications for airport consultant selection is underway. Airport committee members Bittner and Scott will go over options with Brown and make a recommendation to the council. Holyoke Municipal Airport currently uses Armstrong Consultants.

Chief Doug Bergstrom reported that Holyoke Police Department, including code enforcement, handled or generated 283 calls for service Sept. 27-Oct. 10. HPD made two arrests, wrote 12 citations and five reports, and gave out 20 warnings. Code enforcement handled four animal complaints, four dogs at large and five ordinance violations.

Other business

In other business at the Oct. 15 meeting, city council members:

— Hired Municode to host the Holyoke Municipal Code on MunicodeNEXT at an annual fee of $550, and new ordinances will be posted at a cost of $35 each.

— Appointed Terry Hofmeister to the cemetery board to finish Dale O’Neal’s term, which ends December 2021.

— Renewed the liquor license for Hometown Liquors.

— Received a first draft of the 2020 budget from City Clerk/Treasurer Kathy Olofson.