The Yuma City Council whipped through a fairly short regular meeting, last week.
Six of the council members eventually participated in Zoom meeting — Mayor Ron Swehla, and council members Dan Baucke, Daniel Ebersole, Marc Shay, Tim McClung and Steve Hoch. Council member Marylu Smith-Dischner was absent.
In fact, Smith-Dischner also was on the agenda to make a presentation about the Northeastern Junior College Yuma Campus, where she is campus coordinator, so that item will be moved to the next meeting.
The council did hold a brief discussion about doing a traffic study within the city limits. City Manager Scott Moore explained that McClung had visited with Police Chief Jerry Thompson about city’s traffic codes. Moore and Thompson then got together to put a plan together.
Thompson told the council he agreed the speed limits on the city’s streets should be reviewed. He said the plan is to borrow a mobile speed monitor, set it up at various locations around town, gather the information and bring it back the council.
Shay noted the study is detailed with six characteristics to be addressed.
All the council members agreed to move forward with the study.
It was time to approve selling a used ambulance as the Yuma Ambulance Service cycles its fleet. Moore shared with the council the city had received one bid, from Colonia El Valle in Chihuahua, Mexico, for $10,000. He read a letter that came with the bid, outlining how the same agency had purchased a used ambulance from Yuma in 2016, and it has proved to be very beneficial to the community, helping save a lot of lives. The ambulance in 2016 was sold for $7,000.
It was noted $10,000 was a good bid for a used ambulance, with the council voting 6-0 in favor.
The council approved the purchase of three sets of bunker gear for new members of the Yuma Volunteer Fire Department, for a total cost of $6,503.55. It also approved spending $13,721.12 to repair the city’s street sweeper. Moore said it is currently out of service there was damage to a bearing, which led to damage to a shaft, leading to more damage. Moore said the sweeper requires constant maintenance, such as greasing, which is what led to the problem.
Council members asked about the street light that was knocked down on S. Main St. Moore said he has been in contact with the supplier for a new one, and Thompson related a ticket had been issued in regards to the incidence.
Shay, as a member of the Library Board, related the decision made in regards on how to spend a $20,000 donation from the Marilyn Workman Memorial. He said $1,000 will be spent on furniture for the adult reading area, and $500 each for the summer reading program, youth book club and adult book club. Shay said the rest will be held in reserve, with decisions made each year on how to spend the funds, and that it will last several years.
