Randolph to provide Belden’s emergency services
RANDOLPH — The town of Belden will pay an annual fee to share costs for emergency medical services provided by Randolph.
The interlocal agreement was approved at the Randolph City Council meeting last week after discussion led by Tony Backer and Junior Pfanstiel of the Randolph EMT squad.
Randolph is already providing services for 75 percent of Belden’s emergency calls, they said, with the Belden service area seven miles by eight miles. “I can see them saying why buy the cow when they
“I can see them saying why buy the cow when they can get the milk for free,’’ Pfanstiel said. Backer said that a cost share of 25 percent Belden and 75 percent Randolph has been discussed and generally accepted. Currently, the area makes up about one-third of all calls received by the Randolph department.
Pfanstiel said only a few people on the volunteer department answer calls and are stretched thin with 140 calls every year. Expanding the area to include Belden will hopefully recruit more people to the squad, they said. As part of the agreement, Belden is to pay $10,000 annually for the shared services.
In other council news, the fate of the Cedar Motel was discussed.
City crews have finished emptying rooms and Olson Pest Control treated the property twice. Environmental Services is set to do asbestos abatement next week. City Administrator Ben Benton was given authorization to seek bids to demolish the Cedar Motel. Sealed bids are due to the city by Jan. 4 and will be opened Jan. 5. The bids should include the cost for demolition, hauling away debris and backfill dirt at the motel site.
The council also opened bids in executive session for metal roof removal at the motel prior to demolition. The highest bid was from Derrick Frederick for $1,856 plus a $75 administrative fee. Frederick must remove the metal roof from the motel by Dec. 31.
The Council also heard a report about the annual Christmas lighting discount. More than 90 residents signed up for the discount that appears as a credit on the January billing, said City Treasurer Josh Rayford. Those residents who light up the outside of their homes with Christmas lights and decorations can still sign up to receive the discount by contacting the city office.
At its meeting last week, the council also:
- Authorized the city administrator to seek bids for a 1980s Ford F150 truck.
- Approved sidewalk renovation building permits at 212 E. Hughson St.; 210 W. Kemp St.; 220 W. Broadway St.; 402 E. Jackson St.; 535 W. Broadway St.; 311 E. Hughson St.; 408 E. Hughson St.; and 301 W. Broadway St.
- Approved merit wage increases of 4 percent for Public Works Director John Dickes and City Administrator Benton. The Council also approved a wellness program for employees from money saved on insurance claims.
- Heard a report from City Administrator Benton. One part-time employee was hired to extend coverage in multiple Public Works departments and a full-time position remains open. More than $40,000 has been donated to the aquatic center project. Phase I of the city’s Floodplain project has been completed. Bridge Street bridge is open and Phase II will begin in spring.
- Heard a report from City Treasurer Rayford. The city’s annual audit was completed and the city acquired a new credit card through Farmers State Bank in Carroll as First State Bank in Randolph does not offer credit cards. The city will also now accept funding for water payment assistance from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services for low-income households.
- Approved a fence permit at 302 W. Randall St.
- Approved changes to the Randolph Summer Youth 2022 Code of Conduct to include a cool down period before issues and concerns can be discussed after games, and some terminology.
- Passed a resolution to enter into intergovernmental agreement with the Northeast Nebraska Economic Development District. NENEDD will perform an income study in spring 2022 in an effort to change Randolph’s low to moderate income level to 51%. If this is achieved, the city will qualify for additional funding opportunities and grant match applications for downtown revitalization funds.
- Discussed but took no action on changes to city code related to sex offenders.
- Heard a report from Police Chief Pat Eller. In November, there was two accidents, one theft, one non-traffic citation, four traffic warnings, three rescue calls, one welfare check, one assistance call with other agencies. - Authorized Benton to make changes to employee manual.
- Approved re-appointments of: City Street Superintendent-Terry Mead of JEO; City Attorney-Keelan Holloway; Ambulance Services for 2022- EMS Billing Services, Inc.; City Physician-Kelly Ellis; Building Inspectors-Building Inspection Services with City of Norfolk; Economic Development Advisory Board – Mark Linville; Golf Board-Jessarae Swift; Planning Commission -Jason Schmit; and the mayoral appointments of: City Engineer – JEO; Economic Development Advisory Board-Kurt Focken; Golf Board-Morgan Gorsuch; Planning Commission-Jeremy Sudbeck and Angela Nordhues.
- Passed a resolution authorizing the annual signing of the year-end certification of city street superintendent by the mayor.
