We started the week by cleaning up all the barricades and cones for the Chamber Chili Fest this past Saturday. The event was a huge success and continues to grow each year. We were also closed on Tuesday, November 11th in observance of Veteran Day.
The Fire Department responded to fifteen (15) calls for service. Nine (9) were in the City, and six (6) were in the County. Nine (9) of the calls were EMS related, one (1) was a motor vehicle accident, two (2) were environmental calls, one (1) was a public assistance call, one (1) was a grass fire, and one (1) was an unauthorized burning call.
We held our only Council Meeting for the month of November on Monday. The Council addressed two major issues: one regarding guidelines for non-profit organizations to request grants from the City, and one issue regarding a de-annexation request. Our next Council meeting is December 8, 2025 at 5:30 pm.
The Parks and Recreation Department removed the last concrete picnic table from the lake area and are preparing to pour foundations for new tables around the lake.
The Street Department worked on Mesquite Street near the Veterans Memorial to repair an area that had been washed out from rains this past summer.
Distribution and Collection responded to nineteen (19) service calls. Additionally, we opened the dump for eight (8) residents to dump trash and brush, and we delivered five (5) dump trailers.
We provided help to Fort Richardson as they prepared for the first day of a reenactment. They anticipate more than 2,000 students will attend the event.
As a reminder, the Grocery Gift Card Drive supported by multiple organizations is still open until December 10, 2025. The goal is to help recipients purchase items that are not available the Food Pantry.
Upcoming Events:
November 14 - 15: Fort Richardson State Park Reenactment
December 4, 2025: Christmas Parade - theme is "Christmas Through the Decades"
Our Employee Spotlight of the Week is Richard Davies. Richard is one of our two Operators at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. He is an outstanding employee and does one of those rare jobs where he is seldom seen but constantly depended on to maintain the plant. He has recently been operating the plant single-handedly and continues to over perform.
Our next Council Meeting is December 8, 2025. As a reminder, we only have one Council meeting in December due to the holidays.
Respectfully,
Mike S.
MICHAEL R. SMITH, Lt Col, USAF (ret)
City Manager