Point of View

My selection this week is to highlight Read Across America & Employee Appreciation Days. So, here is a quote book with a thought-provoking collection that compiles the timeless wisdom of great original minds, such as "Wisdom begins in wonder" — Socrates, "Leap and the net will appear"—John Burroughs, and "Be curious, not judgmental" — Walt Whitman.

Monday - Read Across America Day falls on Dr. Seuss' B-Day; encourages parents & teachers to celebrate the joy of reading.

Monday, 6:00 pm - City Council Meeting

Monday, Wednesday - Benefit Enrollment

Wednesday, Henrie Hill Pre-Bid Conference

Wednesday, 5:00 pm - Historic Preservation Commission

Thursday, 11:30 am - SAFE @ Hospital

Thursday, 5:30 pm - Paramedic Advisory Board @ Career Center

Friday - 6:00 pm - ESports event with Sporting KC Player Appearance - FIFA20 tournament

Friday - Employee Appreciation Day - It is a day to thank our employees for their hard work & effort throughout the year.

Council executed Owner/Mortgagee Waiver requested by Hospital. Council Retreat to review annual work plan, measurable objectives & discussed Strategy to inform work plans for upcoming budget. The next Council Meeting is scheduled for March 2nd - Agenda items include: Agreements with Lamp Rynerson for on-call services & overlay projects; Service Agreement with Pedrotti to maintain Scada equipment, authority to issue administrative warrants enabling dangerous building inspections without owner's cooperation, Board appointments, Planning & Zoning Annual Report, appropriations.

Clay County EDC hosted the State of the Cities Address & heard presentations from all Clay County cities this week. Melinda Mehaffy envisioned a presentation of 2019 highlights, asking Mackenzie Cole to partially illustrate our story. The HGTV Home Town Take Over video prepared by Jason Cole was also used. We're proud of our presentation & the talented people willing to volunteer their time to make it happen. Kudos to CD Neighborhood Specialist Laura Mize & PD Lt. Paul White for hosting a successful neighborhood meeting for Golf Hill, neighbors selected a block captain & will be starting a National Neighborhood Watch group. Thank HR Shannon Stroud & Admin Sara Davis for work with Bill Griffey to prepare for benefit enrollment next week.

• PD is progressing on transition to new communications software & equipment; electronic improvements completed provides connection with Gladstone PD. [Funding: PSST] WHY? Upgrade to newer technology & share maintenance costs with Gladstone.
• Coordination with Cemetery Sexton to inform PW when burials occur so they can schedule needed work along with seed & dirt as graves settle. Signage corrections will inform families to remove all ornamentation that inhibits mowing/trimming. [Funding: Cemetery Lot Sales] WHY? Desire to improve Cemetery's condition.
• Ken Fousek is assisting with records management research. [Funding: none] WHY? To prepare scope of work needed to seek grants for protecting our oldest ordinance & minutes.
  

• The 2020 Census count is technically underway. We expect our 2020 Census invitation in the mail by mid-March. We are working to identify hard-to-count populations. WHY? It's a problem if we miss counting, data collected is used to allocate federal funds, draw political maps, & assign congressional seats. This year, people will be able to complete the census online via computer or mobile phone. Let’s do everything we can to make 2020 count.

Excelsior Springs: Haunted Haven by local author Jane Reed, takes the reader back to a time when miracle cures were the stuff of legend. Practically overnight, ES became a luxury resort town known as "America's Haven of Health." Many who arrived hoping to be restored by the waters that gushed forth from the depths may still linger on as spirits. Ghostly tales surrounding this area have been carefully researched. (Google "Books about Excelsior Springs" & you'll also find Matchbooks for sale in the selection)

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