Life-saving efforts receive recognition

Three residents, seven police officers and 14 firefighters came together Jan. 5 to save a life.

During Richmond Common Council’s Feb. 18 meeting, those individuals were honored for their efforts to rescue and save a suicidal person who had become impaled on safety fencing along the South G Street bridge. Each received a certificate.

“Their quick thinking, calm demeanor and willingness to act in a critical moment made all the difference,” Oler said. “By not only reassuring the individual, but by working together to prevent him from jumping or falling, they demonstrated extraordinary compassion, bravery and commitment to the safety of others.”

Oler first honored Nate Glenn, Brian Knutson and Kyle Lamb for their initial actions holding the man. Lamb secured him to the railing with a strap from his tow truck. 

“Their actions reflect the strength, unity and heart of our community,” Oler said.

As Richmond Police Department officers arrived, they grabbed the man’s upper body to create a more stable platform, standing on the bridge railing for 40 minutes holding the man, RPD Chief Kyle Weatherly said. Others helped control traffic and assist Richmond Fire Department.

Weatherly then recognized officers Dru McClain, Kiefer Uphaus, William Purcell, Zach Ponder, Chris Cooper, Tyler Alexander and Aaron Stevens.

“Tonight, we celebrate the exceptional work that our law enforcement and first responders put in on a daily basis,” Weatherly said.

Richmond Fire Department personnel arrived to set up a ropes rescue and cut the fence, said RFD Chief Jeff Kinder. The man was lowered to the bridge without further harm, then transferred to Reid Health. He was released two days later.

Kinder honored members Kyle Vickers, Nick Carrizales, Gabe Morris, Zack Robbins, Travis Delk, John Lakes, Jim Brattain, Jeremy Blake, Caleb Harmon, Grace Townsend, Joshua Scott, Alex Carrizales, Nick Arbogast and Jerry Benjamin.

“Incidents like this also remind us of the importance of checking in on one another and ensuring that those who may be struggling know that help and support are available,” Oler said.

Individuals can contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988.

Parks financing

A resolution and two ordinances regarding $11 million in parks project financing were referred to council’s finance committee.

The $11 million would be split between $5 million of bond anticipation notes and $6 million in long-term bonds. The bond anticipation notes enable the city to receive funding sooner to begin priority parks projects immediately, rather than waiting for the long-term bond process.

Revenue collected from the city’s 1% food and beverage tax that takes effect March 1 would be put toward the bond debt. The food and beverage tax money, which will be collected from sales of prepared foods and drinks at establishments within the city limits, may only be used for parks projects or the repayment of bonds for the projects.

Other issues

• Lucas Gosnell addressed council about difficulty traversing city sidewalks both before and after the recent snowstorm, saying it’s dangerous to walk the city. A.J. Sickmann, the city attorney, said the onus for removing snow from sidewalks is on property owners because it’s impossible for the city’s street department to undertake the responsibility. It’s also impractical to attempt enforcing a requirement that sidewalks be cleared.
• Council referred a zoning request from Richmond Power & Light to the city’s Advisory Plan Commission for its Feb. 25 meeting. RP&L has acquired two parcels that it wants to rezone and combine with its parent parcel along U.S. 27. The land is critical for its coal combustion residue remediation plan.