Point of View

“Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.” This quote by Søren Kierkegaard, a 19th-century Danish theologian, philosopher, & social critic, seemed an appropriate thought for the end of the year. It expresses both the wisdom gleaned from turmoil & the optimism declared by moving forward. Wishing you wisdom, optimism, & the faith to believe in each in the coming New Year.

Sunday - Christmas Day

Monday - Holiday - City offices are closed

Tuesday, 5PM - Deadline to File for City Council Seat; 6PM - Parks & Recreation

Thursday, 11AM - Urban Redevelopment Corporation

Parks & Recreation Board will review financials, hear director's report, discuss Milwaukee Street Park space update, Piccadilly Gala 2023 update, consider truck bids & new registration software.

• The new pool gutters have been installed and look great. Next will begin backfilling the site around the pool.
• Work continues on the water bar floor/pool ceiling; materials selected to replace damaged terrazzo and tile around the water bar are a great match.
• We have been approved by funding agencies to select engineers for the Traffic Study on US-69 between MO-92 & Rainbow Drive and for the Garland Street Bridge.
• We are in the contract development stage for the Safe Streets & Sidewalks & the Fishing River Watershed Phase I improvements that was recently approved for funding.

City Council members recently met to define the values that are most important to them. The values they share function as a guides to what is seen as good & important to the organization they lead. When considering whether a proposal meets our values, consider -

1. Is it fiscally responsible?
2. Will our action be good for the future?
3. Will our action respect our heritage?
4. Is our action forward thinking?
5. Is our rationale defensible?

City Council's Six-Year Capital Investment Priorities are:

1. Healthy Outcomes - Communities of Excellence is bringing formal & informal leaders together throughout the community to reduce chronic diseases, increase physical activity, improve access to healthy food, & gain access to care.
2. Marketability - To enhance community attractiveness will increase property values & investment. This is a mixture of incentives & enforcement.
3. Fix it First - Failing to protect assets not only costs more in the future, but also exacerbates community deterioration. 20-year capital plan will identify the annual minimum investment needed to sustain the plan.
4. Financial Resiliency - Build & maintain adequate reserves. Policy is to maintain 15% in reserves, goal is to have 6 months revenue in reserve.
5. Competitive Salary & Benefits - Recruit & retain quality workforce.
6. Customer Service - Streamline internal processes & interdepartmental procedures. Knowledge sharing to improve problem solving & customer experience.
7. Consistent Level of Service - Improving customer experience is how we create a culture of service. It takes all of us to make a difference. Every job regardless of whether we interacted with the customer or not made an impression. We want to make sure that lasting impression is a good one.
8. Cultural Change in Communications - Continue to look for many ways to reinforce accurate information, actions matching words. People rely upon those they trust to shape what they believe, which is also how inaccurate information spreads.

Jacia Phillips is an architectural & fine art photographer with a true passion for Art Deco architecture. She has photographically fallen head-over-heels for The Art Deco Style & makes pilgrimages to appreciate new examples of the style whenever she can. Now based in the KC area, when Jacia heard the historic Hall of Waters needed inspiring images to gain attention & investment for its renewals, she knew she was the one who could best present its value & potential for all to envision.

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