Fire:
• Chief Shoemaker graduated from the 2022 National Fire Service Staff and Command Course.
• We continue to search for that right applicant to fill the open Fire Apparatus Engineer/EMT position.
• Participated in on-line pre-fire plan platform with APX Data.
• Chief met with footing contractor for the fire training center project.
• Chief and the Asst. Chief of EMS attended the ER/Trauma Meeting at Box Butte General Hospital.
Library:
• The staff has been very busy with their continuing education classes through the Nebraska Library Commission. They all enjoy learning from others in libraries from across the state and implementing this knowledge into their daily practices here. Every day they find new ideas and ways to do something better!
• The APL book club had 15 at their meeting this week! The next book selection is The Paris Library. That discussion will be held April 26 at 1PM. Books can be checked out at the circulation desk. Everyone is welcome.
• The staff is looking very forward to the Jeff Barnes presentation on the Modisett Baseball Park in Rushville to be held Thursday, April 7 at 6:30PM in the community rooms. We are planning on having “Ball Park” refreshments beginning at 6PM, so please plan on joining us early to chat with Mr. Barnes before the presentation.
• Library Director Stephanie O’Connor traveled to Lincoln last week for a meeting of the NE State Advisory Council on Libraries. Some of the discussions include current legislation associated with NE libraries, book challenges, programming opportunities, and input from what other libraries are experiencing around the state.
• Both Luck of the Irish contests end March 31st. We would like to send a special thank you to Edison Red Nest at Alliance Theater for donating the $50 prize for youth. The library staff feel “lucky” to live in the generous and supportive community we do!
• Met with engineers to finalize plans to replace the library roof and skylight after storm damage in 2021.
Pool:
• If the pool is to be open all season, we will need to find a manager who can work the whole season, plus an assistant manager and swim instructors. These positions require some certifications and aquatic experience so they are more difficult to fill. If you are interested, or know someone who is, please contact Human Resources at 308-762-5400.
• Conducted interviews for seasonal staff. Scheduled staff training days with the lifeguard trainer.
• Developed the pool opening timeline based on scheduled training days and opening the Saturday before Memorial Day.
Golf:
• Staff moved the rental carts out of the cart barn and up by the building in anticipation of letting carts go. There is still a lot of frost in the ground but staff is hoping the warm weather will work that out and carts will be allowed soon.
• Warm weather has increased course use.
Parks:
• Painted areas of the bathhouse at the pool.
• Getting items out of buildings that will be torn down.
• Purchased and installed a water heater in the bathroom of the new park shop.
• Drained the ice rink.
• Pumped water from the pedestrian tunnel and picked up a lot of broken glass in the tunnel.
• Repaired the fence on the North side of Sudman field that was hit over the winter.
• Toured with potential bidders for the herbicide application bid.
• Three funerals this week.
• Received replacement beams for the bridge in Central Park and packed and shipped the incorrect ones back to the vendor.
Museum:
• Hosted safety training for the railroad and catered for the two-day event.
• Assisted local groups with locating individuals for class reunion invitations.
• Ordered and added items to the gift shop.
• Assisted with requests for family history information.
• Continued assembling cemetery databases.
HR:
• The City continues to accept applications for Finance Director, Public Transit Driver, Journey Line Worker (or apprentice), Fire Apparatus Engineer/EMT, Police Officer, Public Safety Dispatcher.
• The Department is taking applications for Summer Positions.
• Interviews were conducted for Account Clerk, Airport Maintenance Worker and Public Safety Dispatcher.
• Completed on-boarding for a new employee and working on pre-employment conditions for potential new hires.
• Carla attended and lead the March Western Nebraska HR Association Meeting.
• Managed benefit enrollment, FMLA requests, and work-related injuries.
Police Admin:
• Had a meeting on the rollout of Lumen (911 answering system meeting).
• Participated in the State Radio System (SRS) Meeting.
• NLETC Management Training.
Police Communications/Intelligence:
• Coordinated 556 calls for service.
• Completed 6 report requests.
• 2 firearm permits issued.
Police Operations:
• 6 Child Welfare Investigations.
• 1 DUI, 22 Traffic Stops.
• 5 accidents.
• 0 K9 deployments.
• 197 Building Checks.
• 16 Community Contacts/Business Checks.
• 8 Active Investigations.
Animal Control:
• 22 Animal Calls.
• 3 Dog Impounds. 2 Dogs Returned.
Code Enforcement:
• 15 Code enforcement issues.
Electric:
• Finished the three phase rebuild project on CR 62 north of Otoe Road.
• Started a single phase rebuild project along Nance Road, west of HWY 385.
• Removed a service pole on west 2nd street in preparation for a building to be built.
Airport:
• Conducted interviews on Tuesday and Wednesday for maintenance worker position. We are hoping to make a final decision early next week.
• Met with Jon Coleman who is the new Director of Business Development for Denver Air Connection. Schedules, pricing, car rentals, marketing efforts, and future growth were the main topics of discussion. I look forward to working on some new things for Alliance!
• Lynn Placek reports that “Knocking on wood as I write this, we have not had a canceled flight in a whole year!” Reliability with an airline continues to see increased passenger counts.
• Working on updating our emergency and security plan to add plan for Unmanned Aircraft System Response Plan.
• Snow, prairie dogs, and tumbleweeds have been the focus of maintenance this week.
Finance:
• Planning for Choice Gas Selection Period.
BBDC:
• Listened in on the SCEDD Digital Divide Zoom Monday – discussing the importance of broadband connectivity for business and rural communities.
• Researching need for a general Community Foundation and what options we may have, non-specific. Please reach out to Chelsie Herian if you have an opinion or questions on the matter.
• Attended Leadership Box Butte planning committee meeting.
• Attended Ribbon Cutting at Nutrien.
• Met with Olivia of Eagle Communications to plan our first Annual “BIG IDEA BOX BUTTE” event for this fall, entrepreneurial ‘shark tank’, stay tuned for more information.
• Participated in NEDA Legislative Call Friday morning.
• Submitted follow up questionnaire to KSU TAB Resource Roundtable April 21 on the Alliance Power Plant – there is potential to apply for clean-up grant.
• Met with a couple of prospects on entrepreneurial needs.
• Taken MANY calls for people looking for rentals (pharmacist, teachers, Parker interns, traveling nurses to name a few) We need more housing!! If you are a housing provider, please contact BBDC to be added to the renter’s list.