Reflections for the Week of January 27

Police:

 Attended APS Leadership Meeting

 Attended citywide IT Meeting

 Met with Brent Kusek regarding city ordinances, fines and updating both on the city website

 Attended City Strategic Planning Meeting

 Began updating our E-Citation processes

 Working with Action Communications to integrate dispatch headsets with both the radio consoles and telephones

 Completed Annual Report for 2024. This report will be submitted to Council at next week’s City Council meeting

Water/Sewer:

 Repaired water main at 5th and Potash

 Collected water samples; chlorine residual samples

 Completed 10 work orders; 6 locates

 Flushed 3 hydrants

 Finished putting dirt cover back in main break hole by Elementary School

 Cleaned out fire hall floor drain

 Organized shelving in shop; cleaned all tools and equipment

 Ongoing repair of water main and fire hydrant struck by vehicle at 1st and Black Hills

 Installed 35 water meter radios

 Assisted with tour of facility for Cub Scout group

Streets:

 Assisted with hauling of dirt for water main breaks

 Street sweeping and cleaning of roads around water main breaks

 Addition of stop sign near Grandview School

 Assisted with tour of facility for Cub Scout group

 Cleaned all equipment and shop floor

 Hauled crushed concrete from landfill

 Installed light bar on unit # 920

 Graded Sweetwater Ave

Landfill:

 Applied dirt cover

 Moved bales to MSW hill

 Adjusted paddle scraper elevator

 113 customers this week

 138 tons of refuse collected this week

 Ran burn box

Fire:

 Participated in the Nebraska Traffic Incident Management (TIM) Statewide Virtual Meeting.

 Staff attended the BBGH ER/ICU/Trauma Committee Meeting.

 Chief attended the Council strategic planning follow-up meeting.

 Participated in the Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month Series

 Chief continuing to update the City of Alliance portion of the Region 23 EMA Multi Jurisdiction Hazard Mitigation Plan Update.

Electric:

 Continue installation of load control/disconnect boxes

 Connected house service on Conestoga Avenue

 Repaired/replaced several street/security lights

 Started removal of unwanted trees in line rebuild project area north of Nance east of Highway 87

 Attended City Council strategic planning workshop

 Performed several maintenance items at substations

Parks:

 Took the Toro cart to Denver to have the engine replaced

 Removed the skimmer gutter grates at the pool and delivered them to H & H to have them recoated.

 Removed snow and remaining ice in several areas as it melted

 Picked up the snow piles at the Senior Center

 Assembled the picnic tables that will go to Carhenge in the Spring

 Removed the Christmas lights from the fountain. Checked over the fountain lights, ordered parts, and stored them until next year. Thank you to the Electric Department for their assistance.

Golf:

 Maintenance staff continued maintenance and repairs on equipment

 Placed orders for next season

 Making progress on the tournament schedule

 Quite a bit of play this week on the days that the weather was mild

RSVP & Senior Center:

 RSVP had 15 volunteers in the community this week

 Signed two MOU’s with partners participating in the Youth Volunteer Alliance program

 Renewed three MOU’s with partner sites for the RSVP program

 Continued making plans for the Valentine’s Day Dinner next month

 Provided dine-in and delivery meals

 Senior Center hosted Card games, bingo, coffee and treats, and bunco

 The senior center will host an art project for seniors on February 3rd

Library:

 The library staff is very excited to be acting as hosts for the AARP Foundation Tax-Aid Program. The program is open to taxpayers of all ages and income. All volunteer staff is IRS Certified. If you would like to have your taxes done for FREE, please call 402-238- 1323 to schedule an appointment. Services will be provided Wednesday-Friday, 12-5PM in the Green Room inside the Library.

 Technical Services Librarian Emily Nelson helped set the Green Room for the upcoming tax preparation services. She also made Book Mobile deliveries, assisted patrons, and processed ILLs for individuals and book clubs.

 Children’s Librarian Cynthia Horn held Story Time featuring “P is for Pajama Party!” which included “P” stories, puppets, Paddington movie with popcorn, and making penguin puppets. Cynthia shared library events on KCOW radio, and cataloged new items. Additional projects include organizing Book Mobile items, updating book displays and preparing for upcoming events.

 Adult Services Librarian Nalani Stewart cataloged new materials and prepared a new book club kit. She also hosted the APL Book Club and the book clubs at Highland Park Care Center and Highland Park Assisted Living.

 Library Clerks Stephanie Hamilton and Pam Becker have been helpful in continuing with the patron database cleanup, adding many new accounts, and processing new materials. Museum:

 Hosted several community meetings this week

 Continued sorting, organizing, and filing information in the Heritage Room. Continued work on database development

Human Resources:

 Scheduled and conducted Entry Level Police Officer testing.

 Scheduled Certified Police Department testing for applicants. Coordinating for anticipated interviews next month.

 HR attended the City Council’s Strategic Planning meeting held this week. HR staff will review 2025 goals to ensure HR initiatives align with City goals for the community.

 Completing reference and background checks on candidates.

 Planning start dates and setting up onboarding tasks for new hires.

 Completed onboarding for new Public Safety Dispatcher.

 Meeting with new employees to review benefits and employment information.

 Processing new applications, working with department heads to Schedule interviews for open positions.

 Completing required continuing education for certifications.

 Ensuring compliance for Worker’s Compensation reports, FMLA, and Drug and Alcohol testing.

 Reviewing monthly medical insurance premium bills for accuracy and updating with new employee changes.

 Enrolling newly eligible employees in retirement benefits. Ensuring all employees have access to their online accounts and assisting them with beneficiary designations and other end-user questions.

Transit:

 802 Riders

Administration:

 Attended the Box Butte County Comprehensive Plan Update meeting at Knight Museum.

 Participated in citywide IT update meeting.

 Preparations for City Council Meeting

 Held Strategic Planning workshop with City Council. The areas identified by the Council will be used by staff over the next 3-5 years when prioritizing activities and budgets. The focus will be on public safety, infrastructure, fiscal responsibility, economic development, and housing.

 Met with various City Council members.