City makes a few purchases

    Imperial City Council members voted Monday night to purchase computer software and resident security equipment for Imperial Manor-Parkview/Heights.
    Three bids were received for bracelets for Manor residents. The council approved a low bid of $26,601.49 from Wanderguard. Currently the facility has 32 bracelets, with four residents needing them.
    The bracelets are no longer being manufactured, requiring a new system.
    The bracelets work at all exits at the Manor, alerting staff to a resident’s attempted exit from the building, according to Administrator Lynne West.
    Also approved for purchase was a Point Click Care bid of $20,880 for a new software program for the facility.
    The program should streamline data in hopes of increasing the effectiveness of the staff, along with staying ahead of the need for new rules and regulations.
    West said no new computers or devices will be needed, as the current ones will be absorbed into the new software.
    Councilman Charlesa Kline noted that the council and Imperial Senior Service board have been discussing the purchase of the new programs for awhile.
    Another purchase approved by the council was an in-car camera for a police cruiser. With the application of a grant, the cost of the camera will be $1,070 to the city. The cost without the grant would be $4,279.
    The camera will be similar to one purchased previously for another car.
    The council also discussed selling a 2015 Dodge Charger that was purchased from the City of Colby, Kansas along with canine equipment.
    The agenda item was tabled until the next meeting.
    The council received a request to close an alley behind houses in the Cornerstone addition. The alley is being used by homeowners due to construction on Holland Street between the Imperial United Methodist Church and AgWest Commodities.
    Homeowner Scott Way requested the closure due to an increase in fast traffic.
    City Works Director Pat Davidson said it will be three to four weeks before Holland Street is open again.
    Council members declined to block off the alley. However, they approved the placement of signs informing drivers that Holland Street is closed, thereby directing traffic away from the area.
    Economic Development Director Tyler Pribbeno asked the city for approval of a Fall Pole Decorating Contest and $500 in prize money.
    The council agreed to the project and funding. This will be the third year the contest pits individuals and businesses against each other in the decorating of light poles along Broadway Street in Imperial.
    The Chamber of Commerce, which is sponsoring the event, will release details of the contest soon.
    Pribbeno said there were 30 decorated poles in 2019 and 19 in 2020.
    The decorations will remain in place from the middle of October until December. They will be judged shortly after they’re put up.
    In other business, the council approved a subordination agreement with Gigabit and Waypoint Bank. The previous agreement had been with Adams Bank and Trust.
    The city is second in the loan position with Gigabit.
    After an executive session held with attorney David Dudley of Baylor Evnan of Lincoln, council members upheld a resolution to deny benefits from the City of Imperial Benefit Plan for a family dependent of a City of Imperial employee.
    The decision was made following a request for the review and reversal of a prior determination to deny those benefits.