point of view

"Wonder and knowledge are both to be cherished." Stephen Jay Gould, paleontologist, evolutionary biologist, writer

Monday, 9-11am - Opioid Discussion; 6pm - City Council Meeting

Tuesday, 4:30pm - Municipal Court

Wednesday, noon - Chamber Member Luncheon

Thursday, 9am - Thrive Excelsior Joint Task Force Meeting

Saturday - Christmas in Excelsior Springs - all day celebration & multiple events (Lighted Christmas Parade, Lane of Lights, etc.)

Celebrating work anniversaries this week - Carol Hunter, 911 Communication Supervisor - 39 years; Rebecca Gudehus, Group Fitness Instructor - 4 years; Chloe Carlyle, Fitness Attendant, Randy Ussery, Street Maintenance, & Richie Marsh, Building Monitor - 3 years.

Community Grants were awarded -

• Chamber of Commerce $1,600 to complete a complete all-in-one guide that highlights assets, project & community engagements within ES for potential residents & businesses; $4,950 for Farmer's Market; $3,000 for Virtual Job Fair highlight job opportunities with local businesses;
• DEP $5,500 digital marketing campaign to attract tourists, $5,250 to install new banners and planters; $4,200 to produce high-quality images & video to promote ES.
• Excelsior Citizen $12,000 to produce documentary series focused on promoting economic development by highlighting its local businesses & the people behind them.
• Friends of the Wells $728.31 to produce souvenir book to sell
• SAFE $2,940 Strengthening Families Program

Opioid Discussion - The purpose of this meeting is to listen, learn & collaborate on the topic of reducing the harm of opioid use in our community. With opioid settlement funds starting to come in, it's a good time to collectively discuss possible strategies for reducing overdose and opioid abuse in Excelsior Springs.

City Council 's agenda includes -

• presentation on Excelsior Springs' designation as one of the Most Neighborly Cities in MO
• Setting Filing Dates for 2025 Municipal Election, 4/8/25 - Filing will open on 12/10 at 8am & close at 5pm 12/31/24
• amending Schedule of Fees related to Golf Rates
• Intergovernmental Agreement with MARC Solid Waste Management District relating to 2025 Regional Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program [Funding - $11,991.56, Refuse Rates] rate is based on 2023 Census at $1.13 per capita rate
• Engineering Contract with Lamp Rynearson for 2025 Streetscape Maintenance Project [Funding - $98,900, Transportation Trust Sales Tax] Improvements planned in 2025 Chip/Seal for streets between Grand, Salem Road, between Garland & Prospect & between S. Marietta & Kent. 2025 UBAS for streets between Bell Drive & High Dr., 2025 Base Repair & Crack seal for streets between Milwaukee, Rose & Miller; & 2025 Base Repair & Curb Repair for streets in King's Addition & Wilson Acres.
• Notice of Award and Approval of Agreement with Mega KC for Dry Fork Greenway Project [Funding - $3,446,468 MoDNR provides 80%; local match from ARPA and CIP]
• agreement with DEP for ARPA Obligation [Funding $162,000 from ARPA to complete Wayfinding Signs, Electrical Panels for Festivals, Placer, ai subscription, and Lane of Lights
• partnership agreement with DEP to complete several community projects if Community Change Grant is awarded [Funding 100% Grant - $20 Million to complete downtown streetscape, Fishing River Watershed improvements, Hall of Waters improvements, workforce training & weatherization improvements for downtown buildings and adjacent residential neighborhoods]
• October 2024 Revenue Report and Financials for Review

Chamber Member Luncheon - The City is this month's sponsor for the Chamber Luncheon, we look forward to giving a presentation on community highlights.

This weekend is all about Christmas -From the tree lighting ceremony to the lighted parade downtown. Meet Santa himself, create one-of-a-kind gifts & crafts, explore festive tours, shop for unique holiday treasures, & join in joyful celebrations & parties. Online wreath auction, downtown holiday open houses, Mistletoe Market, Elf Factory, Hall of Trees, letters from Santa.