Point of View

Punxsutawney Phil didn’t see his shadow Friday, predicting an early spring from Gobbler’s Knob, Pennsylvania, the scene of the country’s largest & best known Groundhog Day celebration. This is Punxsutawney Phil’s ex wife Phyllis. She now lives in Arizona & says that Phil is a compulsive liar.

Monday, 6pm - City Council

Thursday, 9:30am - Thrive Steering Committee; 11am - Urban Redevelopment Corporation

• City Council will hold public hearings regarding 353 agreements for 519 & 604 SKC Ave. before considering tax abatement for planned improvements for re-roof, exterior paint, sidewalk improvements, electrical, plumbing & interior remodel @ 519 & planned improvements for new roof, detached garage, siding replacement, exterior paint, sidewalk repair, interior remodel to include paint, flooring, countertops, doors, & lighting @ 604. Presentation on Community for All Ages Program update; consideration of F550 truck purchase for PR [Funding Parks $50,829 ]; purchase of Conex containers for Fire Training structure [Funding CIP $53,878]; agreement with TranSystems for design of RAISE projects [Funding RAISE/CIP $3,070,829 ]; Closed session.
• Urban Redevelopment Corporation will review 353 project @ 526 Isley Blvd. Planned improvements include repair of siding, porch with exterior paint & gutter replacement.

• Celebrating work anniversaries this week: Courtney Kennedy, Transportation Coordinator & Walter Bowen, PT Firefighter Paramedic - 2 years; Alexis Blankenship, Recreation Coordinator - 1 year.

• Police Department held their annual awards banquet this week to recognize employees with meritorious performance.
  
• Federal Highways approved agreement with TranSystems for the design of RAISE projects & approved the use of federal funds for pre-construction activities to include planning & design, Right-of-Way acquisition, project management, audit, & legal review.
  
• The tunnel connecting the community center to the dome was completed this week, as soon as the inspections are done, the outdoor pool will be reopened.
• The National Strategy Council for Local Government Public Utilities has asked the City of ES to be a part of the conversation with City Managers around the country to pinpoint the most impactful strategies to ensure that our cities have access to safe, reliable infrastructure while maintaining fiscal and operational integrity. The overarching goal of the Council is to focus civic leaders to address what we see as being the 3 Grand Challenges of our times: local government's ability to manage financial resources to ensure long-term viability, stability & resilience, ability of citizens to comfortably manage the costs of the services without undue financial burden or hardship, ensuring generational equity (the principle of fairness that considers the rights, needs, & interests of both present & future generations).

The Chocolate Festival yesterday was a big success! This can't be a surprise to anyone, why else would you do this festival 18 times. Such a great combination to celebrate, closing up winter and reaching out toward spring. Chocolate in as many ways you can imagine, and shopping in our cute downtown.