Point of View

“Let us be thankful for the fools. But for them the rest of us could not succeed.” – Mark Twain. April 1st is widely recognized & celebrated as a day when many people play all kinds of jokes & foolishness. The day is marked often by the commission of good-humored or otherwise funny jokes, hoaxes, and other practical jokes of varying sophistication on friends, family members, teachers, neighbors & work associates.

Sunday - Palm Sunday

Monday, 6PM - Planning & Zoning Special Study Session

Wednesday, Noon - West Side Committee

Thursday - April Fool's Day

Friday - Good Friday, 7:30 AM - Council Work Session

• Taran Svoboda, Municipal Court Administrator, has earned the title of MACA Advanced Certified Court Administrator upon completion of the requirements & recommendations from Missouri State University Office of Access & Outreach. Taran has served in her chosen profession for 10 years.
• New employees starting in January/February include Gregory Brown, Police Officer; Marissa Gregorwich, Communication Officer; Brandon Carty, Code Enforcement Officer; Jacob Riemann, Recreation Coordinator; Pam Burlingame, Finance Account Technician I; Cole Dickey & Peter Moore, Lifeguards; Mason Marshall, Wellness Café Server; & Emily West, Fitness Attendant I.
• The Community Center & Parks/Recreation currently employ over 50 young adults addressing a need for more jobs for high school/college students in the community.

Agenda for PZ Special Study Session: HPC Design Guidelines Comparison Chart, Code Review for Districts A, R-1 to R-5 & Non-Conforming Buildings, Structures, & Uses.

Agenda items under development for the council meeting include: contracts for Jesse James/Miller/Dunbar overlay [Funding: CIP, TT], brush truck for Fire [Funding: PSST], agreement with SFS for Community Center Planning [Funding: CC Bond]; amendments to code pertaining to false security alarms; consideration of Woodchux Liquor License; Board Appointments; amendment to agreement with McClure.

• The change from 1st Class County to Charter County requires Cities to submit their 2021 unofficial tax rates to Clay County based on August assessed valuations now.
• Bond closing on the Community Center & Golf Course refinancing is done; comparing old & new debt schedules, the interest savings on the Community Center is $4M, and $200K for the Clubhouse between (2022-39). The Community Center original debt is paid off 4 years earlier & Clubhouse 1 year. [Funding: CC Sales Tax, Golf TIF]
• We have a push to finalize the Safe Streets & Sidewalk 2nd Survey this week. We will submit our funding application by the end of next week for consideration. If our entire request is funded, this project would create intersection improvements on McCleary Road at Kearney Road & Wornall; install sidewalks along McCleary, Wornall, Crownhill/Corum, & W. Jesse James/Kearney Roads; construct pedestrian bridge over HWY 69 @ Wornall along with several other pedestrian enhancements.
• Community Center Phase II planning will advance in the next couple of weeks with a meeting with the Community Center Advisory Committee. [Funding: CC Sales Tax]

I seriously cannot say enough good things about The Elms! My daughter and I stayed 3 nights, and this was the most relaxing getaway ever! The restaurant was delicious, and the spa was definitely worth the money! The hotel was clean and tastefully decorated. It is only a few blocks from the quaint downtown area, and the grounds at the hotel are spacious and beautiful for a stroll. We did notice the hotel got quite a bit busier on Friday, so I would definitely recommend a mid-week stay if you want quiet, relaxing, and uncrowded. Oh, and the bed was by far the most comfortable hotel bed we have ever slept on!! Review on Trip Advisor by FindX, Little Rock, AR, March 2021

Email: mmcgovern@excelsiorsprings.gov
Website: cityofesmo.com
Location: Hall of Waters, 201 E. Broadway, Excelsior Springs, MO 64024
Phone: (816) 630-0752