Police:
∙ Brandt Smith graduated from the Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center’s 215th Basic Academy on December 15th and has returned to begin Field Training with our department. We are very proud of Brandt for putting in the work to become a Nebraska Certified Peace Officer, while sacrificing time away from his family, as he recently became a new father.
∙ Parker Dahlberg was hired as our newest Police Officer Recruit and transferred from APD Communications to Patrol on December 11, 2023. Parker will attend the Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center’s 216th Basic Academy in January for 16 weeks of certification training.
Electric:
∙ We finished the single phase “reject” pole change outs and line upgrade south of Valley Road.
∙ Energized a new service on Rock Road for a shop and grain bin facility.
∙ Started a three phase rebuild project on CR 55 south of Rock Road.
∙ Installed the new three phase transformer for the WESTCO fertilizer facility.
∙ Repaired/replaced several streetlights.
∙ Energized a new service for a garage on Meadowlark Avenue.
BBDC:
∙ Assisted the City with Community Tours for two of the Chief of Police Candidates.
∙ Worked with Rachel Sissel, our Community for Kids Lead, on year-end reports.
HR:
∙ Processing open enrollment benefit changes.
∙ Preparing Affordable Care Act Reports for end of year.
∙ Assisted in conducting Police Chief interviews.
∙ Completing pre-employment conditions and scheduling start dates for new hires. Chamber:
∙ The scavenger hunt last night was fun with good participation. The end of the year is here and the New Year is going to bring many great things to the Community.
∙ Our Annual Chamber Banquet will be held on Wednesday January 17th @ West Side Event Center from 6-9pm! RSVP your tickets online or through the Chamber Office.
RSVP & Senior Center:
∙ Hosted a Christmas Party at the Senior Center with an excellent turnout.
∙ Continued providing dine in and delivery meals for area seniors.
∙ Also had great attendance at a presentation by local author Bernie Burgess.
∙ RSVP had 21 volunteers out in the community helping this week.
Parks:
∙ Mowed and picked up grass clippings at Bower field in preparation for top dressing. ∙ Top-dressed the outfield at Bower Field by applying sand and dragging to level the low spots. ∙ Assisted with moving inventory to Carhenge as necessary.
∙ Ongoing maintenance on equipment and pickups.
∙ Dug a cremains grave for next week since the weather is currently nice.
∙ Finished mowing Carhenge to improve the appearance of the site in the spring. Museum:
∙ Continued putting displays back to normal after minor rearrangements for the Christmas Tree Festival.
∙ Responded to several requests for burial and family history information.
∙ The Theater was rented for a presentation on afternoon this week.
∙ Had a surprising number of visitors this week, with many people traveling for the holidays.
Golf:
∙ Course has been unseasonably busy due to the amazing weather conditions.
∙ Course will be closed the week between Christmas and New Year’s.
Library:
∙ Finalized adult & children’s programming for February.
∙ Removed old movies from the new DVD shelf & sorted those items.
∙ Cleaned, shelved and attended to Library patrons as necessary.
∙ Hosted the book club at Highland Park Care Center.
∙ Processed Inter-Library loans for patrons and new book clubs.
∙ Made final Bookmobile deliveries before the holidays.
∙ Assisted patrons on computers.
∙ Assisted with training the new Library Clerk.
∙ Enjoy these chilly winter nights by reading one of our classic books from the new display in the fiction section.
Administration:
∙ Conducted interviews for the position of Police Chief. Thank you to the Civil Service Commissioners, Law Enforcement Officials from Chadron, Scotts Bluff County and Gering, City Council Members, various staff and the Human Resources Department for their assistance in bringing this event together.
∙ Attended to multiple personnel matters.
∙ Began work on the FY25 Budget
∙ Attended Council Meeting on the 19th.
∙ Received training on the new citizen Notification App. This will allow interested individuals to sign up for various message boards and receive texts or phone calls to stay abreast of City activities.
∙ Work on Proclamation and “Key to the City” honors on behalf of Alliance local Jordan Hooper, who is scheduled to have her jersey retired from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln in January 2024.
∙ Worked with architects on a walkthrough and by providing building plans for the building at 1207 W 2nd as we continue to evaluate it for suitability as a new police station.