REFLECTIONS FOR THE WEEK OF MARCH 25-29, 2024 by the City of Alliance and City Administrator Seth Sorensen
Museum
• We hosted several birthday & celebration events this past week.
• We hosted an all-day workshop for city employees on Thursday.
• Staff has completed a comprehensive collection of information on the Hyannis Cemetery that joins the information that we have available on 38 local cemeteries. This collection encompasses over 18,000 area residents. These are available for all to look at and use for research.
• It is never dull here at the Knight Museum… this week someone sent a new resident to us for help, he was looking for local para-normal (ghost) stories to explore. Then a patron
wanted more information on a murder they read about in the Times-Herald “Blast from the Past” column. This tied to his family through a cattle brand that is still in use. If you enjoy the unusual tidbit, stop and check out the vast variety of information that is available in our Heritage room.
• April 5th & 6th is the next Scrapbooking event. Call Becci for more information if you are interested. All are welcome.
RSVP & Senior Center
• Continued to serve dine-in and delivery meals to area seniors. Just over 1,200 meals were served this month.
• Staff attended several training sessions offered by the City of Alliance
• RSVP coordinated to provide 14 volunteers working in the community.
Parks
• Staff prepared for and worked one funeral this week.
• Overseeded bare spots at the cemetery.
• Cleaned the tennis courts in preparation for matches and painted over graffiti as necessary.
• Replaced broken latches on tennis court gates.
• Repaired picnic tables at the swimming pool.
• Continued raising up chain link fences and installing weed block rubber barrier at the
softball complex.
• Removed dead bushes in landscape beds at the library.
• Removed concrete waste from the old swimming pool parking lot and several empty lots.
• Filled and leveled several spots in the parks with dirt.
Library
• The winner for the Luck of the Irish contest will be chosen soon! We will announce the winner on Monday, April 1st. Thanks to the APL Foundation for the gift of $300 to the Tin Lizzie Resort in Deadwood! Summer reading preparations are beginning to take
shape, and the staff is working on some great displays for spring.
• Adult Services Librarian Nalani Stewart cataloged new materials, hosted the APL Book
Club, and planned future programming. She also hosted the book club at Highland Park Care Center and aided with the Spring Storytime craft.
• Technical Services Librarian Emily Nelson updated the Facebook/Instagram pages and website with upcoming events. She also processed book club kits for the APL Book
Clubs and a private book club, made weekly Bookmobile deliveries, and helped with several craft items for an upcoming fundraiser.
• Children’s Librarian Cynthia Horn hosted two “Spring Sparkle” Story Times featuring stories and handprint flower baskets with Granny B and an Easter Egg Hunt! She also did final preparations for April programming, updated displays, made contacts for the Summer Reading Program, organized the Book Mobile, performed backpack maintenance and inventory.
• Library Clerks Pam Becker and Stephanie Hamilton have been busy helping with
programming needs and processing new materials.
Golf
• The weather continues to provide nice days for play much earlier than normal.
• Membership renewals are picking up as the season progresses.
• The course is in great shape considering the time of year and crews will probably need to start mowing soon.
• Inventory continues to arrive in the shop.
Human Resources
• Completed the annual FTA audit for Drug and Alcohol Testing compliance. Received great feedback on the City’s current policy and practices with minor changes being implemented. HR is working with our testing site to make needed corrections while updating the Drug and Alcohol Testing policy for both FTA and FMCSA to ensure legal compliance and best practices.
• Assisted departments with interviews for open positions and are completing background checks and pre-employment conditions for the same.
• Enrolling eligible employees in benefits and assisting with other requests.
• Held the annual Retirement Committee Meeting to review the General, Fire, and Police Retirement Plans.
• Now accepting applications for Part-Time Transit Driver, Part-Time Meter Reader, Public Safety Dispatcher, Temp Airport Maintenance Worker, Police Officer, Part-Time Flexible Police Officer, Police Sergeant, and all Seasonal Positions.
Water
• Changed out battery backup in Well # 4
• Working on Auto reel for Vactor truck
• Replaced blown fuses at Well # 7
• Completed 1” water tap at 1019 Box Butte
• Fixed chlorine leaks at Burnham well
• 12 utility office locates. Completed 8 locate requests
• Fixed the tank filler door and hung security camera after break in
• Collected chlorine residuals and samples
• 240 total radios installed to date
• Shut down all of west well field for line crew Streets
• Picked up barricades and signs on Box Butte
• Greased equipment
• Cleaned all vehicles
• Cleaned shop
• Completed 8 locates
• Placed patch box in truck and patched potholes
• Completed tool inventory
• Graded Sweetwater Ave.
Public Transit
• 746 riders this week
Landfill
• 219 customers this week
• 242 tons of refuse
• Conducted baler repairs
• Laid dirt cover
• Ongoing dozer work
• Ran burn box
• Ran trommel
Electric
• Work continues on the solar field line build and Schiff Feedlot line extension
• Removed roughly ½ mile of three-phase line at Schiff Feedlot to accommodate their
expansion project
• Performed maintenance on several of our trucks
• Reviewed yearly truck di-electric and maintenance test results from testing performed last week by certified tester
• On Wednesday we replaced a faulted pad-mount transformer at Sheriff’s Office/Police Department
• 4 department personnel attended “7 Habits of Highly Effective People” training
Airport:
• Conducted interviews for the airport vacancy.
• Submitted the capital requests for budget.
• Met with two different engineering firms interested in submitting qualifications for new airport layout plan.
• Wildlife Training and plan review was conducted Wednesday morning.
• Preliminary work completed for a possible grant for electrical project on the airfield. The project could include all runway and taxiway lights along with guidance signs. The replacement and addition of some navigational aids for pilots would also be included.
Fire:
• Department-wide weekly EMS training was on Airway Management.
• Work continues on upper restroom remodel.
• Chief participated in the monthly NSVFA Recruitment and Retention Committee meeting.
Administration:
• Preparations for the upcoming Council meeting
• Taught and attended “7 Habits of Highly Effective People”
• Participated in the annual retirement plan review
• Preparations for Chief David Leavitt first day of work on April 1, 2024
• Assisted Chamber of Commerce with Easter Egg Hunt
Community Events:
• April 2 - City Council Meeting at the Library, 7:00pm
• April 6 – Daddy Daughter Dance at Eagles Club, 5:00pm
• April 6 - Masquerade Murder Mystery at Hemingford’s Fitness Center, 8:00pm
• April 9 – Perfect Blend at Open Plains Transit Depot in Alliance, 9:15am
• April 16 - City Council Meeting at the Library, 7:00pm
• May 7 - City Council Meeting at the Library, 7:00pm
• May 14 – Perfect Bland at Valor General Store in Hemingford, 9:15am