VoyentAlert!

Idaho Springs Assistant City Administrator Jonathan Cain presented an update June 27 on a new notification system for the city called VoyentAlert!.

Based on the City Council’s decision to move forward with it in February they’ve now signed the contract, and expect the service to be running within two weeks at an annual cost to the city of $1,900, Cain said.

The service can send emails, texts or calls depending on people’s preferences, along with changing what types of notifications to receive, according to Cain. He gave notification examples like, “There’s a City Council meeting tonight,” “There’s a picnic in the park,” or “There’s a fire, here’s how to get out.”

Once the service is up and running, Cain said the City will share further information on Facebook, along with through the already existing email list.

Fireworks

Cain also proposed continuing with the city’s plan to have fireworks on the 4th of July, even with the current fire ban in place, as long as the Clear Creek Fire Authority is comfortable with it. 

He mentioned the current rain conditions for the week leading up, it being a contracted fireworks show — essentially meaning they have already paid for it — and not necessarily knowing what the weather will be like near Thanksgiving, the next time there could be a fireworks show with the same contract.

Some Council members agreed that the weather seemed to allow it, while others argued for changing it to a drone show in the future to avoid the question moving forward.

“The west is burning, and I think we just need to be proactive with our guidance,” said City Council Member Katie Collier.

City Council eventually agreed to have other ideas brought up in the future, but to move forward with the fireworks show, barring any sudden weather changes or the Fire Authority having a differing opinion on the safety.