The Prescott City Council gave the go-ahead last week for using contingency funds to purchase safety equipment for officers.

The purchase will total $6,434.80 for personal protective equipment.

“I would like to purchase the officers personal protective equipment,” Chief Eric Michaels wrote in a memo to the city council. “This equipment would be used in the event of a mass gathering which has gotten out of hand, or in the event of a large fight downtown. Currently the only item the officers have to protect themselves from head injuries are bike helmets.”

Michaels said situations are arising where the equipment is necessary.

“On August 2, officers responded to the 100 block of Broad Street for a fight in progress. When officers arrived, there were multiple groups fighting. While attempting to disperse individuals and take those responsible for the fight into custody, officers were kicked, pushed, screamed at, had items thrown at them and were spit on. The officers had nothing to protect themselves with,” Michaels wrote. “We have seen an increase in violent fights and actions toward law enforcement, even in Prescott..”

The gear to be purchased includes helmets with visor, clear shield and padding for arms legs and chest.

Maintenance agreement

As part of the Pierce County Historical Society taking over the Prescott Welcome and Heritage Center ownership, the council agreed to a maintenance agreement to keep up the grounds of the center and to shovel snow on sidewalks around it.

The city also has agreed to maintain the clock tower.

Pool fences

The Prescott City Council’s Ordinance Committee will be bringing a plan to the council Monday regarding fencing around pools.

The committee decided that 15-inch depth pools would be exempt from pools but all other pools would require a fence.

The fence would need to be at least 4-foot high and have a self-closing and self latching device on the door or gate.

The fence could be around the pool or around the perimeter of the entire property.

The city will need to issue a permit for each fence. The committee decided that no pools will be “grandfathers.” The fence needs to be up before water is put in a pool.

Library opening

The Prescott Public Library is working with Pierce County Public Health to develop a reopening plan.

Right now, the library has been offering curbside service to library patrons.

The library board was reviewing a revised plan from Public Health to help with opening. There likely will be a time limit for patrons to be in the library and a limited number of patrons allowed.

The Prescott City Council’s Personnel Committee voiced the opinion at its Sept. 8 meeting that it would like to see the library open to the public soon. Curbside hours now are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Wednesday noon – 7 p.m.

Allina lease

As part of Allina Health System taking over the River Falls Ambulance Service that serves Prescott, the Town of Oak Grove and the Town of Clifton, the company will lease space in the Prescott police building where it has agreed to keep an ambulance.

The five-year lease calls for $700 in rent payment to the city this year, and that amount goes up slightly each year, ending in $757.70 monthly in year five.