point of view

This week, we came together to move our comprehensive plan forward to guide the next 15 years. Our State of the Cities address reviewed the highlights from the last year. Day in, day out, we work on the details to move us to be a better community, and .... we are doing this work together. We are excited about the Mayor's Block Challenge, because a stronger community is possible, when we have stronger neighborhoods. "We can never get a re-creation of community and heal our society without giving our citizens a sense of belonging." Patch Adams

Sunday - Easter

Monday, 6pm - City Council Meeting

Tuesday, 4pm - Community Center Board; 4:30pm - Municipal Court; 6pm - Parks & Recreation

Thursday, 9:30am - Community Foundation; 10am - Housing Authority; 6pm - Volunteer Appreciation Dinner

Saturday, 9am - Earth Day /Stream Clean-up

City Council will certify the results of the election & administer the Oath of Office to Mark Spohn; the council will elect Mayor & Mayor Pro-Tem to serve for the coming year; council will consider -

• PSST recommendations for lease-purchase agreement to replace rescue pumper & minor equipment [Funding: Public Safety Sales Tax $1,102,652.80]. The build time is 3-4 years, current pumper is 13 years old with expected life of 15 years.
• National Park Service requested amendment to conservation easement placed on Hall of Waters reduced from 50 years to 15 years. Easement is result of accepting Saving America's Treasures funding to stabilize the foundation of the Hall of Waters;
• authorize the release of lien on 201 South Street. The lien is result of city's cost of the emergency demoliton of the east half of the Royal Hotel. [Funding: CIP $225,164]
• preventative maintenance agreement at Community Center with Quality Plumbing for plumbing, boiler & HVAC systems [Funding: Community Center Membership dues $20,980]
• Title VI Civil Rights Plan update to remain compliant with the FTA offer of funding for the bus system.
• Planning & Zoning recommendations for District R4 land uses was modified to permit two-family dwellings without planned zoning requirements
• Financial report for March & acknowledgement of Board applications for Board of Zoning Adjustment & Community Center. Notice of openings for Planning & Zoning and Parks & Recreation will be posted to be filled by the end of May.

Community Center Board updates for activities, timeline of upcoming improvement projects

Parks & Recreation Board considers financial report, staff reports, Earth Day Clean up Event, Harper's Playground Workshop

Community Foundation will consider financial report, receipt of ES Education Foundation dissolution.

Volunteer Appreciation Dinner will be at the Hall of Waters, kicking off the Mayor's Block Party Challenge. So come enjoy some games, barbeque, and good company.

Celebrating work anniversaries this week - Eric Clevenger, Chief Sewer Plant Operator - 17 years; Pam Vogler, Group Fitness Instructor & Melinda Mehaffy, Economic Development Director - 8 years; Sevin Heins, Water Maintenance Worker - 4 years; Kylie Deason, Youth Activities Coordinator & Al Miller, Streets Maintenance Workers - 3 years.

Recognizing Administrative Professionals this week, who provide invaluable support to their departments: Susan Conyers (City Manager & Council), Sarah Davis (Fire), Jenni Kerr (Police), Kelli Kincaid (HR), Janet Morehead (Parks), Lisa Morgan & Pam Friedman (Community Development), Rachel Fincher & Tracy Sanchez (Public Works).

National Community Development week (April 21-25) is to acknowledge the importance of CDBG programs. In ES, CDBG funding has assisted with over 20 projects - downtown streetscape, sewer & bridge replacements, DEP revolving loan fund & initial downtown manager salary, road, water & sewer improvements for industries (AIPC, Cox Tool, Miller Cabinets, Magna, EPI, Pacoor), railroad spur & bottling equipment, flood buyout, housing rehab & sewer digester at Treatment Plant.

• The City Comprehensive plan was back in the forefront this week. We appreciate community members who participated in the deeper dive regarding future land use, transportation, vision & more. It was fun to see under utilized properties re-imagined during the design charrette to start a conversation on what could happen in the next 15 years if we are so inclined. Private investment can occur when public priorities are known, provides confidence private investment can realize a return on their investment.
• City hosted the chamber luncheon this week & gave their State of the Cities Address that was provided with other Clay County cities at Harrah's the following day. The City received high praise for their presentation, that featured a video that was prepared by Brian Rice, scripted & presented by Mark Spohn. While the video is very professionally done, it outshines the rest who are using powerpoints that fail to advance in time with their speaker's presentation.
• The Connecting Entrepreneurs Conference planning is underway, with 200 registered to attend, we will need volunteers to help with the conference at the end of September.
• Methodist Church has signed an agreement to house a Co-Working space for remote or small offices providing community entrepreneurs support. A second site is under consideration as well.
• Thrive Economic Vitality is forming business recruitment teams to assist with the business development priorities that have been established.
• Thrive Health & Wellness is planning Lunch n Learns, a resource share event & a booth at Farmer's Market
• Thrive curb appeal program is looking for houses to be nominated for the yard of the month, and sponsors
• Thrive Housing Task Force has formed sub-groups to advance their work for homelessness, blight, financial literacy, & workforce housing. A message from experts working with the unhoused, work must start by addressing mental health before there is readiness for housing solutions.
• Thrive Engagement is hosting the Citizen's Leadership Academy, developing a website, & encouraging participation in taking the survey.
• VA outpatient clinic groundbreaking was a great way to end the week full of good events.

I just want to say how heartwarming it is to see all of the good & positive things the ES community is doing for each other. Especially as the world gets more disconnected from humans helping humans. It is so disheartening to see so many take an opportunity to bring others down via the internet, when they can just choose to be kind & be part of the solution instead. I spend many years as an ES resident it's so good to see so many people coming together & being a light for each other. Great job to all who are being that at any chance! You are setting a wonderful example of giving hope, sharing love & showing kindness. Read it on FB.