HR:
• Welcome to Bryan Buskirk as the newest employee of the Alliance Police Department!
Originally from Alliance and as life-long resident, Bryan attended Southeast Community College and is new to law enforcement. Officer Buskirk stated “I am looking forward to working for the City of Alliance because I want to be part of helping move the department in the right direction and to make Alliance a safe community for my family.”
• Insurance Open Enrollment meetings were held for employees this week and we are now processing all insurance changes in preparation for 2022.
BBDC:
• Entrepreneurial assistance: retail/service/rail/production/real estate industries.
• Looking into Virtual Spec-Building options/cost for BBDC Industrial Site to help with marketing of the site.
• Attended the OpenSky Workforce Retention & Recruitment seminar via zoom.
• Attended Community Huddle Wednesday afternoon.
• Attended the American Recovery Act online update related to housing Thursday morning.
• Held new board member orientation for two newly elected members, Maverick Churchill & Cindy Baker.
• Friday night & Saturday morning will host UNL College of Architect & Design professors from Lincoln to explore “Placemaking” options on three proposed projects (more details to come if Alliance is chosen).
Animal Control/Code Enforcement:
• Following a sever vehicle accident, we are grateful to have Toni Ravert back to work safely with only minor injuries! One dog was taken in and returned last week; two kittens were taken in this week.
Dispatch:
• New 911 answering system has been programmed and installed. The switchover to the new system will happen in the next two weeks.
• We are recruiting more dispatchers. Contact the Human Resources Department at 308-762-5400 for more information.
Patrol:
• Traffic accidents are up, with seven in the last week. We want to remind everyone to be cautious while driving and to encourage your family, friends and neighbor’s to drive carefully.
• Due to these accidents, traffic enforcement is up with 22 stops in the last week.
• No thefts, burglaries or criminal mischiefs were reported during the week of Thanksgiving!
• Successfully received three grants: one “micro-grant” to help with minor vehicle infractions, one to help with CALEA accreditation, and $500,000 to help pay for additional officers over the next three years.
• Tell us how we are doing! The Community Survey is posted on www.cityofalliance.net and will be available until Dec. 14.
Fire:
• Applications closed for a Full-Time Fire Apparatus Engineer/EMT position on Nov. 24. Four applications received.
• Staff participating in respective EMS recertification training. Two volunteer firefighter/EMT’s are currently in Paramedic Training at Western Nebraska Community College in Scottsbluff. One volunteer firefighter currently in basic EMT training with Panhandle EMS Education.
• We are awaiting results for five volunteer firefighters who tested on their Hazardous Materials Operations Level training.
• Annual pump testing completed by UL Fire Equipment Services
Chamber:
• Attended the Autumn in Alliance Fall Festival planning meeting.
• Hosted the 2021 Christmas Parade with Santa in his house after the parade.
• Worked with Viaero to have the reindeer in the mini-park for the Christmas festivities. Thank you Viaero!
• Will attend the Placemaking Partnership on Saturday at BBDC.
Community Development/MIS-GIS:
• Runza’s underground plumbing and floor slab are complete. The parking lot is about 80% complete. Building framing will begin after the parking lot is done.
• Goodwill is working on their ADA accessible bathroom. Most of the interior space is finished. The next part of the project is to construct an awning over the drop off area along the west side of the building.
• Held a meeting for all building and business owners located in the Business Improvement Districts (downtown) during which we discussed the legal projects of Business Improvement Districts and the overall finances and budget of BID #1 and #2. Feedback from the discussion will be presented to the BID Boards for further consideration.
Public Works:
• Street Department continues grading work on gravel roads and site preparation for snow stockpile locations.
• Ongoing dirt haul to landfill for cover.
• Lift Station A bypass pumps in place; valve work underway.
• Public Works building is almost complete. They are hoping to have the building mostly finished by the 20th of December, but are awaiting ignitors for the heaters in the truck bays, which are delayed in customs. A ribbon cutting and public tour will be held soon!
• Transit 693 riders this week.
• Landfill 214 customers this week 316 tons of refuse.
• Transit selling punch tickets BOGO 50% off until Dec. 30.
Airport:
• 2020 Hailstorm claim – work on all siding and roofs done, still waiting on overhead and walk-in doors.
• New requirements for daily vetting of airport employees completed and implemented.
• Presidential mandate for masks at and on airport property has been extended until March 18, 2022.
• Snow & ice training for winter season completed.
• Remodel of the office and conference room is 95% complete with city staff refurbishing the desk at substantial savings! Kudos to both Wayne and Dusty who did nearly all of the work on this project!
Administration:
• Continue to work with FEMA from the July 9 and 10 storms; Work with engineer to prepare bid packets from July 9 and 10 storms.; Working through reimbursement process with insurance for 2020 hail storm claims.
• Researching additional companies to manage the kiosk at the cemetery.
• Completing renewals for all tobacco license holders.
Electric:
• Replaced a street light pole as a result of a traffic accident. Replaced/Rebuilt an irrigation well pole and transformer bank.
• Finished hanging all of the Christmas decorations.
• We continue to work on the rebuild project on East 3rd from Sunshine Ave to CR 58.
• Switched all load off of Emerson Substation. De-energized substation and performed maintenance on the 34.5 kv breaker, re-energized substation, and switched all load back to normal after work was complete.