point of view

In winter's grasp, where silence lies, 🍦 A gentle frost beneath the skies.🍨Amidst the snow, a whisper sweet, 🍦 The memory of ice cream's treat.🍨Oh, creamy tides of flavor's dance, 🍦 In frozen dreams, we found our chance, 🍦 But seasons change, as all must do, 🍦 The winter's chill has claimed the hue.🍨Yet in the heart, where warmth resides, 🍦 Each scoop we shared, the joy abides.🍨So let us mourn the melted streams, 🍦 For icy laughter still redeems.🍨With every flake that softly falls, 🍦 Remember whispers in the halls, Of winter nights, to springtime's heart, 🍦 Where ice cream’s joy shall never part.🍨Dari B is now open for the season!

Monday, 6pm - City Council Meeting

Tuesday, noon - Citizen's Leadership Academy Kickoff

Thursday, 2pm - RAISE Team Meeting

Saturday, YARD WASTE & RECYCLING CENTER OPEN on weekends during March

City Council will hear the annual presentation on Communities for all Ages Program. CFAA recognizes communities that have taken steps to make sure their communitiy works for people of all ages & pursues initatives that will make it easier for people to stay in their homes longer, & also be able to use public buildings & outdoor spaces more easily

• considers Usage Agreement to address cost & liability for outside agencies who wish to rent the Fire Training Tower;
• considers agreement with ESSD to open the safe room at Cornerstone & Lewis Elementary Schools for public use during inclement weather;
• consider Planning & Zoning Commission recomendations for Special Use Permit @ 817 Rowell to operate a short-term rental for a 2 year period, & text amendment to permit Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) in Agricultural Districts. Currently ADUs are permited in the R1, R1A & R2 zoning districts;
• consider agreement with USI Insurance Services to provide a gap companion health insurance plan [Fee allocated across funds, $36,000 in addition to premiums]

Celebrating work anniversaries this week - Marla Ellison, Accounting Specialist - 10 years; Andy Starkebaum, Project Manager - 2 years; Jenna Thomas, Recreation Program Supervisor, Kayla Phipps, Ava Brose, Elizabeth Demers, Jordin Price, & Isabella Shay, Lifeguards & Daltyn Farris, Refuse Coordinator - 1 year.

• Congratulations to Nate Williams for receiving the Missouri Parks & Recreation Association Distinguished Associate Fellow award last week at their annual conference. It is a real honor to be recognized by your peers for your contributions to the profession.
• Welcome to Mallory Brown, who will be joining our team this week as Community Development Director. The Community Development Department oversees planning, building trades, neighborhood services & code enforcement. Appreciation to Melinda Mehaffy for reorganizing the department to treat all citizens with professionalism, kindness & respect. Melinda will turn her focus to Economic Development & advocacy to businesses who need assistance in their interaction with the City

• Dry Fork Greenway - Road Closure starting March 3 until June 2 (weather permitting). Kennedy Ave from Caldwell St. to N. Salem Rd & N. Main St from Grand Ave. to Salem Rd. The N. Main low water bridge will be replaced & the roadbed raised to make the roadway passable during a heavy rain; reconstruct Kennedy Street; the streambed will be terraced to increase the storage capacity & create basins to hold back floodwater to slow the flow so it does not contribute to flow coming from the East Fork until later; the plantings will not occur until fall. Over 90% of the funds will come from ARPA with CIP Sales Tax providing $273,00 match. Please stop & see the project board in the Hall of Waters Lobby.
• Road Closure - CPKC is raising the tracks @ the McCleary Crossing & will also raise the tracks @ the Italian Way crossing.
• Our concept paper for Ameri-Corps Vista was accepted & now we are submitting an application for funding to support programs between ESSD & Community Center to provide programming for youth
• Compliments go to Public Works for excellence in snow removal. Thank you!

Thank you again. I am very happy with the information and support I have been getting from every city employee. We are going to love living in Excelsior Springs!!! [email to compliment the staff for their service.]