Police:
∙ Observed Columbus Day
∙ Met with FirstNet about available technology
∙ Met with Mental Health Alliance about local services for mental health/substance abuse.
∙ Attended APS Leadership Meeting
∙ Provided the Mayor and City Manager an APD facilities tour and discussed the need for more space
∙ Attended the PET Emergency Management Meeting
∙ Attended City Council
∙ Attended Department Head Meeting
∙ Met with Motorola to receive final pricing on repeater and radio upgrade proposal
∙ Attended the Activate Alliance Meeting
∙ Met with Know Your Force
Fire:
∙ Chief attended City Council and Senior Staff meeting.
∙ Met with Motorola Solutions along with the Police Chief.
∙ Monthly EMS training was held Wednesday evening.
∙ Chief and four department members attending the 142nd Annual Nebraska Volunteer Firefighters Association Conference in Gering Nebraska.
Accounting and Finance:
∙ Attended NextGen EAP Demo
∙ Attended Council Meeting
∙ Paid Council Claims
∙ Completed Payroll
∙ One staff member attended Caselle Conference
∙ Attended webinar: Compliance Considerations for Fringe Benefits
Utility Billing Services:
∙ Eight new residential accounts
∙ Conference with H&H regarding Commercial accounts
∙ Refuse account audit completed
Public Transit:
∙ 677riders this week
Water/Sewer:
∙ Drained and washed out W. 3rd tower
∙ Winterized sewer pivots
∙ Collected airport well and town well samples
∙ Collected amp and volt readings on all wells
∙ Cleaned drains and pit in vehicle wash bay
∙ Collected chlorine residuals
∙ Completed 22 locates
∙ Completed 27 work orders
∙ Installed 30 water radios
∙ Repaired water line at airport damaged during fire training
Streets:
∙ Completed 22 locates
∙ Ongoing sweeping and leaf pickup
∙ Ongoing sign replacement
∙ Relocated radar sign
∙ Graded E. 9th Street.
∙ Serviced dump trucks 904,911,912,914
∙ Washed all trucks and waxed inside of boxes
Landfill:
∙ 221 customers this week
∙ 311 tons of refuse this week
∙ Laid dirt cover
∙ Operated burn box
∙ Conducted interviews for new equipment operator
∙ Attended council meeting
∙ Ongoing baler repair
∙ Ongoing equipment maintenance
Parks:
∙ Drained, power washed, and started winterizing the Fountain
∙ Started blowing out parks irrigation systems. About half of the 31 systems have been done.
∙ Removed a large, dead tree at Laing Lake.
∙ Graded the driveway in Central Park to the shelter house.
∙ Removed, cleaned, and reinstalled the lenses of the fountain lights.
∙ One funeral this week
Library:
∙ It was a busy week at APL! The coffee lounge in the hallway has been enjoyed by several of our patrons and college students alike! We are very busy with preparing for the annual “Bountiful Basket” auction that will begin November 4, with ending bids taken until Thursday, November 21st at 7PM. Watch our Facebook page for daily previews of the baskets that will be featured this year!
∙ Technical Services Librarian Emily Nelson compiled the minutes from the last APL Board meeting, helped create bid sheets for the upcoming basket auction, and made weekly Bookmobile deliveries. She also assisted patrons on the computers and updated the social media pages and website.
∙ Adult Services Librarian Nalani Stewart cataloged new materials, hosted the Monday Night Mystery book club, and the True Crime Book Club. She also prepared for future programs, and hosted the book club at Highland Park Care Center
∙ Children’s Librarian Cynthia Horn held Story Time featuring “Glorious G” with Cassielien, our Chamber of Commerce Director! Cynthia helped the LEGO Club work on their projects and continued the Search for Gertie Ghost, which will go through October. She also did KCOW announcements, organized the Book Mobile deliveries, made preparations for upcoming events, cataloged new items, did backpack maintenance, compiled recent photos, and updated book displays and the website.
∙ Library Clerks Pam Becker and Stephanie Hamilton have been inundated with all the new Fall releases! They just processed over forty new books for grades Preschool-12 and are ready to get them into the hands of our younger patrons!
Museum:
∙ Hosted the traveling “Tomb of the Unknown Soldier” from Georgia. Over 500 people visited this exhibit over the six days it was here. This was a cooperative effort between the Eagles club and the Knight Museum
∙ The inventory project continues in the basement. This week staff sorted, cleaned, and boxed the toys, housewares, medical and holiday items.
∙ Staff hosed the monthly meeting of the Museum Board.
RSVP & Senior Center:
∙ Continued to provide dine-in and delivery meals for area seniors
∙ Attend the NESSCA conference in Kearney. It is always great to meet with other directors to discuss programs and activities.
∙ Hosted cards, bingo, bunco and coffee and treats at the Senior Center
∙ WNCC will be conduction their annual homecoming bingo on October 23rd at the Senior Center.
Human Resources:
∙ Completed timely and accurate payroll processing changes for all City employees, including cost-of-living adjustments (COLA), Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) wage changes, and exempt bonuses for the October 18 pay date.
∙ Attended the City Council meeting on October 15 to support discussions on Employee and Employer Health Insurance Renewal, amendments to the Firefighters Retirement Plan, the Expenditure of Public Funds for Certain Purposes policy, and proposed updates to the Personnel Policy.
∙ Participated in a leadership team meeting to address key issues impacting various departments and the organization as a whole.
∙ Engaged in a vendor meeting with ENI about NexGenEAP, alongside a small group of employees who advocated for this benefit. Additionally, prepared a public posting for a Request for Information for Retirement Advisor Services concerning the City’s three retirement plans.
∙ Met with employees and department heads to discuss and address confidential matters, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and organizational policies.
∙ Worked collaboratively with department heads, supervisors, and employees on Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Workers’ Compensation, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and processing related requests. Maintained two Department of Transportation (DOT)-required drug and alcohol testing programs.
∙ Managed the application process, administered applicant testing, completed pre employment and post-offer conditions for new hires, and facilitated onboarding for newly hired employees.
∙ As President of the Western Nebraska Human Resource Association, the Human Resource Director led the October chapter meeting via Zoom, discussing how WNCC Workforce Readiness department can better support employers with their training needs. The HR Director also attended the HR Nebraska State Council meeting via Zoom to address HR issues facing the state.
∙ The Personnel Technician held a recap meeting with supervisors from the Culture & Leisure Department to review the seasonal hiring process for 2024. This annual meeting evaluated the hiring and offboarding processes for seasonal employees and planned for the upcoming year, including any necessary changes to these processes. The discussion covered updated employment requirements for minors and how the City will ensure compliance with federal E-Verify regulations.
∙ Collected documents needed for the Safety Committee meeting, including first reports of accidents and supervisor follow-ups related to incidents. Updated the OSHA tracking log through the HRIS system (Paylocity) for annual reporting purposes.
∙ Coordinated a testing plan for Police and Sergeant applicants in preparation for the upcoming Civil Service Commission and Police Review Board interviews scheduled for November 1.
∙ Set up automatic training modules for employees who complete onboarding packets, allowing them to familiarize themselves with the new HRIS system right from the start to ensure a smooth transition into their new roles.
Airport:
∙ Seal coat Runway 12/30 & 8/26 – Runway 8/26 markings are completed. The intersection of the two runways is also complete. The majority of the markings left are on Runway 12/30. Weather has prevented painting on some days but hoping this project will be complete by the end of next week.
∙ Terminal parking lot is completely painted.
∙ Service to small plow was complete. This is the piece of equipment that we use during summer and winter to spray either weeds or apply de-icing chemical to runways. ∙ Maintenance staff repaired small mower tire and then moved mowing equipment to warehouse for storage during winter months.
∙ Drive-In fence was repaired.
∙ Special inspection of all light fixtures on the airfield was completed. Part of Runway 8/26 is all the remains to be done.
Administration:
∙ Council Meeting held
∙ Issued Invitation to Bid on securing the 1st Interstate Inn
∙ Attended Employee Assistance Program meeting
∙ Met with multiple City Council members. Met with multiple department heads ∙ Toured the Police Department Buildings with the Mayor to assess needs ∙ Held staff meeting with department heads
∙ Updates to Purchasing Policy
∙ Work on FY26 Budget