City of Colby reviews cell towers
The City of Colby Common Council will be joining the City of Abbotsford as both municipalities look into re-negotiating a contract with a cell tower in the area.
Deputy of Public Works Harland Higley and Mayor Jim Schmidt have been working with Selk Electronics to re-negotiate the contract for the use of the south cell tower. The agreement is slated to be up for renewal in June of 2022. The contract was ultimately negotiated to give the city $125/month with an annual auto renewal clause.
The city also negotiated with Country Wide Wireless regarding the use of the north cell tower. The company has equipment located at the local feed mill and has asked to put their antennas on the north cell tower. The negotiated contract would pay the city $150/month for a threeyear contract and would include an annual auto-renewal clause thereafter.
Mike Voss of MSA Engineering gave an update on the Community Drive and North Second Street projects. He also stated that WATCO would like to have a meeting with the city to discuss a railroad permit.
The department of public works has begun the process of cleaning up and repairing the damage from last year’s tornado that ravaged the Colby softball diamonds.
Police chief Jason Bauer reported that their K-9 was deployed six times in March which resulted in four arrests. He also noted that there were 780 total activities within the Colby/Abby Police Department with a total of 2,245 in 2022. That is compared to 2,499 total activities reported for the first three months of 2021.
Bauer said new cameras were being installed in the interview room and intoxication room with the installation being done inhouse to save on expenses related to the project.
The council, along with the Abbotsford City Council, has approved the hiring of Brandon Nelson who will be starting the first week of May.
Bauer said the department would still be operating one officer short and that some overtime will be required during this time.
The new CAPD squad car has arrived and a new radio will be installed in the vehicle by “Light Them Up”, a local company that has also worked on Spencer Police Department and Clark County Sheriff’s Department vehicles in the past.
Three officers were required to deal with a mental health situation recently which resulted in an individual being transported to Winnebago as no local agency would take the individual.
Upcoming meetings include: Colby-Abbotsford Police Commission on May 9 at 6:30 p.m. at the Police Department.
Central Fire & EMS District on May 19 at 7 p.m.
Joint Review Board and City Planning will meet on May 18 at 5:45 p.m.
Board of Review will meet on May 17 from 4-6 p.m.
Parks/Rec/Recycling will meet on May 11 at 7 p.m.
