Holden resident Danny Crews asked the council to consider closing 13th Street from Main to Market so he could build a garage on the platted, but never developed roadway at the city council meeting held Tuesday night. 

Crews stated that he had lived at his location, adjacent to where the roadway would be, for 26 years and had maintained the property for that time.  He brought signatures of his neighbors also living adjacent to the undeveloped street showing their approval of the closing. 

The council agreed to send the proposal to the street committee for review and recommendations at the next council meeting.

At the request of Carolyn Corson, Community Development Block Grant administrator, the city approved a disability non-discrimination policy and a statement that Holden recognized that the law does not tolerate discrimination in housing. 

She also asked that the city approve a proclamation that the city is opposed to using income as an impediment to fair housing.  The council tabled the matter in order to have time to study the proclamation before voting.

Corson attended the meeting to discuss issues pertaining to closing of the Board of Public Works sewer grant.  She explained that a closeout monitoring inspection would be made today, (Thursday).

Also tabled at the council meeting was selection of the two bids which were received for cleaning of city hall, and passage of an ordinance which would change fees and rules for fowl hunting at the city lake.

Anstine, representing the chamber of commerce, updated the council on chamber activities coming up.  The activities include a fair board meeting March 9 at noon at Jamie’s Place, St. Patrick’s Day Parade, March 17; Settler’s Day program at the library, March 18 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.; and the fact that the chamber is putting together a committee to formulate plans for Holden’s 150th anniversary celebration.  Anstine also reported that the Holden Image and chamber co-sponsored basketball tournament held recently at the Community Activity Center netted the chamber $4,100.  The money will be used to purchase new Christmas decorations for downtown.

In other council business, Councilman Shore moved that Holden Police Chief Ed Bone be asked to hand-deliver delinquent city business license invoices.  The council approved the motion.

In a final council action, Chief Bone was given the approval of the council to purchase eight new narrow-band portable radios at a price of $336 each.  The new narrow-band sets will be required for use in the near future.

The council adjourned to re-convene at the next meeting scheduled for March 14.

By Steve Sullins
Editor

Continued discussion of the South Clay Street expansion and improvement project took place at the regularly scheduled meeting of the Holden City Council held last Tuesday night at the Hallar Building.

In an effort to get organized in the formulation of a plan, councilman Charles “Butch” Shore suggested that a citizen’s committee be formed to come up with questions and solutions on how to handle the project and report back to the council.  The council unanimously approved the motion.

Shore recommended that local businessmen and leaders Dwight Anstine, school superintendent Scott Slava, Jim Gilcrest, Western District county commissioner Destry Hough, street commissioner Larry Miller and Tony Lerda be appointed to the committee.  He also suggested that a member of the city council also be appointed as part of the group.  Councilman Chad Manford volunteered for the position.

Manford also stated that in a street committee meeting held before the council meeting, Miller had quoted a a price of $134,063 for just base rock and asphalt to pave the street from State Highway 58 to the new Holden R-III School District’s auxiliary services building.  The price included no other services such as dirt work or moving of poles or labor.

Being that the street handles a great deal of high school and middle school traffic, Miller said that approximately 1,000 vehicles per day are on the road.  The improvements that he presented to the committee would handle up to 1,500 vehicles.

Shore also pointed out that two residents along the route have already stated their willingness to donate land to the city for the widening and improvement of the street.  He also indicated a desire that the city should seek to secure a grant to pay for the project.

In his report of street committee business, Manford told the council that the first phase report of URS Corporation’s Infrastructure Inventory and Assessment Program has been delivered to the city.  The report outlined recommendations for storm sewer and drainage improvements in East Holden, but cautioned the city to wait until the second phase, which will cover West Holden is completed. 

The next phase, which will be completed by July, might change the overall assessment of what to do with drainage problems the city has incurred.

He said Miller would begin completing the corporation’s minor recommendations such as cleaning and repairing culverts, but would wait until the complete URS report has been received before formulating more expensive projects.

In a letter from URS, the corporation stated that the completion of the later phases would give Holden a more comprehensive set of recommendations, addressing the city as a whole instead of two parts.  Those recommendations would encompass what URS believes to be better informed and more cost-effective solutions.

In a last item addressed by the street committee to the council, approval was given Miller to put a 1978 dump truck up for bids, with a reserve.  Miller also said he would like to see the city purchase a state surplus dump truck which can be bought from the internet until March when the vehicles will be sold at auction.  Although not in this year’s budget, the street commissioner felt the city could secure short-term financing to delay actual expenditures until the next budget year.  He explained that since state vehicles are bought usually on a five-year cycle, there would most likely be no more surplus deals like these for several years.

By Steve Sullins
Editor

The search will continue for a new Holden Intermediate School principal as assistant principal Gary Manning turned down the Holden R-III School District’s offer of the position late last week.

Citing family reasons, Manning stated that although he wants the position in Holden, he and his wife talked at length about the mandatory move to the district and decided that is was not the right time for a relocation.

“My wife and I are expecting our third child the first of April,” Manning explained.  “And that coupled with the stress of a move and a new job, we decided that it would be just too much stress on the family.”

The school board had voted in an executive session in their regular February meeting to offer the position to Manning with a residency requirement.  In a special executive session last Thursday, the board agreed to extend  the residency requirement to one year, to give Manning time to relocate his family to the school district.

Manning  felt that the one-year time frame was still too soon considering his wife’s pregnancy and impending birth.

Manning has worked for the Holden R-III district for eight years, and before taking over as the intermediate assistant principal in 2002, he has held positions including district activities director, elementary physical education teacher and high school boys basketball coach.

He came to Holden from Northwest Hughesville School  District in Pettis County.

According to a board spokesman, there were 35 applications for the position with six chosen to interview.  The spokesman stated that the board would continue to seek to fill the position.  The position came open when present principal Donna Fizer was selected to fill the full-time position of  district director of instruction and curriculum.

By Steve Sullins
Editor

Discussing the Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP),  HOPE executive director John Roberts told the board at their regular meeting Monday night, “We are nearing the completion of our latest NAP project (June 30, 2006) and will be submitting a new application for more NAP credits as early as March/April.  The state has indicated it would like to see all NAP funds spent before new credits are issued.”  Roberts indicated he would like to have a HOPE NAP committee  meet before the next board meeting and discuss a strategy which might keep HOPE accounts in positions of strength.  The board voted to have a small committee meet with Roberts on the issue.

In other grant business, Roberts told the board he recently completed a small grant application to FEMA and is in the final stages of preparing funding requests to the Johnson County United Way and the Combined Federal Campaign for 2006-2007.  The FEMA grant would be earmarked to help HOPE deliver food, shelter and utility assistance to those needing such while the Johnson County United Way/Combined Federal Campaign would provide funds to help HOPE in its general operation.

In Community Activity Center (CAC) business,“The  CAC volunteers have requested some new equipment,” Roberts told the  board.

According to Roberts, he received a request from CAC volunteers Amy Morrison and Beth VanMeter for additional keys to operate the basketball goals and dividing curtain, an electrical “wand” used to raise and lower the basketball goals, and a gate in the men’s restroom to separate tables, chairs and other supplies used in the CAC.

Roberts obtained bids on the needed equipment which totaled approximately $382 and the board voted to pay the expenditure to purchase the new equipment.

In other CAC business, Roberts announced a range of motion class to be held at the CAC beginning March 1 from 10:30-11:30 a.m. for five weeks.  The cost of the program is $20 per person for the session.  Scholarships are available if needed.  Pre-registration is required.  Interested individuals should call Beth at 816-732-3522.

In old business, Roberts told the board that the strategic planning sessions have been completed.  The HOPE board concluded that it would keep their current programs, including Clothes Closet, Harvester, WIC, GED, continuing adult education, emergency supply room and youth and senior health and recreational programs, and also do the following: revitalize their job referral program; add a series of immunizations clinics and health screenings; and work with area school districts to learn if they can assist with any early childhood development screenings.  Roberts added he believed the strategic planning sessions were very successful.

In other old business, the audit of the 2004 books is being conducted by Westbrook & Company, Richmond, Missouri, according to Roberts.  “A fee proposal was presented for $4,860 for the audit with $2,000 being submitted as a tax credit application for in-kind services,” said Roberts.  ‘The remaining $2,860 will be payable by HOPE, but due to a consultation fee, this figure will be higher,” added Roberts.

In other financial business, Roberts told the board that budgets for the 2006 fiscal year should be completed by the end of the week.  Morrison submitted a 2006 budget for the CAC several weeks ago.

In other old business, Roberts reported that HOPE received a letter of donation from K&R Heating and Cooling for a new furnace at the Community Service Center (CSC).  According to Roberts this is approximately a $6,000 value.  A thank you letter is being prepared for K&R.

In other business, Roberts told the board that both the construction and concrete for the handicapped accessibility pad at the rear of the CAC has been completed and donated by Jim Ponder, a contractor working at Eagle Crest Estates.  The pad was a requirement for the CAC to host the upcoming elections slated to be held April 4, August 8 and November 7.

In new business, Roberts reported that the Dollar General Store donated approximately 438 items to HOPE earlier this month.  “Mostly they were Christmas candies, toys, and fruit cakes, but can be used in a variety of ways,” said Roberts.

In Harvester news, Roberts told the board that Harvesters representative JoAnn Graham came to the CSC to inspect the premises for Harvesters distribution suitability.  There were no areas of concern, according to Graham.  Graham also shared information about programs that Harvesters could provide to HOPE’s volunteers.  Essentially, these were cooking lessons teaching kids to make nutritional “stoveless snacks,” and adults how to stretch their food budgets with dishes made from Harvesters goods.  The classes are conducted in a portable kitchen.  The volunteers, in turn, would teach the Harvesters clients.  “It is a great program and one that we hope to incorporate later in the spring,” added Roberts.

In other old business, board president Bob Mickey informed the board that a committee, consisting of himself and Aline Kirchhoff conducted a job review of the executive director’s position.  They did an evaluation of each item on the job description and went over these with Roberts.  Mickey reported it was a very successful process for all parties involved.

The board voted to go into executive session and closed the regular meeting to reopen March 13.

By Dana Neubert
News Staff

Paramedic Ben Minks and emergency medical technician Ashley Hollis were cited for their professionalism at the board of director’s  regular meeting of the Johnson County Ambulance District held last Thursday.

The two district employees were lauded for rendering “impeccable care” and the manner in which they handled the stressful situation of a two-fatality automobile accident they recently  responded to according to ambulance district director Earl Neal.

Hollis, a resident of Centerview, is a new EMT to the district, and Minks, formerly an EMT, recently graduated from the approximately two-year paramedic training course.

Neal also briefed the board on the status of district employees currently enrolled in the paramedic school.  There are three individuals due to graduate by next June, while two more will finish the course in September or October.  One person is scheduled to finish August 2007.

In the director’s report, Neal presented the two bids they had received for the new ambulance the district was considering.  Braun’s bid was $113,281, while Wheeled Coach submitted a $103,512 proposal. 

After discussion the board approved the purchase of the Wheeled Coach bid, which came to $93,000 after more than $10,000 worth of fleet and multi-vehicle discounts were subtracted from the purchase price.  The district’s van ambulance was also traded-in for $17,500, making the final purchase price $75,500.  In addition, the company  added a light/accessory package worth approximately $1,500  at no extra charge. 

Neal updated the board members on the new Johnson County central dispatch center which opened in December.  He stated that the dispatchers were doing a good job, and the new system is working well with only a few small problems, which will be worked out.  He also stated that the dispatch process was being refined and mapping and dispatch issues clarified.

Discussion was held on the building project for House 4 located at Pittsville.  Board members approved the general plans for the building and moved that Neal secure bids for a 40X60 building to be placed on the Pittsville property.
In a final item in the director’s report, the director announced that 32 turn-out helmets had been purchased by an emergency management grant from Johnson County.  The helmets are basically fire helmets which are required wearing when responding to auto accidents, calls which include hazardous materials and other hazardous situation.

The zone report indicated that the district ran 378 calls in the month of January, with 294 of those resulting in transport or transfer.  The bulk of the calls, 235, were made in the city of Warrensburg, while Zone 2, which includes Holden, had 60 calls.  The remaining 83 calls were spread around the other county zones.

Written reports were prepared and submitted by Lieutenants Gonzalez, vehicles; Kenney, training; and Vogelsmeier, scheduling.  Within the lieutenants’ reports was the fact that 17 students completed the first EMT class and 12 have passed the practical examination.  Eighteen students are enrolled in the new EMT class.

New board member Carolyn Chambers was introduced, while other members present included Rick Ring, Gene Strate, Ron Morrison, Ron Fitterling, Ray Patrick and Mary Kidd.

The next regular meeting of the board will be held March 9.

By Steve Sullins
Editor