Mayor proclaims November Homeless Awareness Month

Talk about it

Monday evening’s Alexandria City Council meeting featured some fairly routine business – a purchase request, an employee hour reduction request, gambling license requests, and a request to temporarily block an alley.

In other business, the council designated November as Homeless Awareness Month and adopted an out-of-state travel policy for elected officials and city employes. Following are the details:

November designated Homeless Awareness Month

Mayor Dan Ness signed a proclamation designating November 2009 as Homeless Awareness Month, as requested by the Douglas County Homeless to Housed Committee – a group that seeks to bring awareness and an end to homelessness by coordinating a community response to address the issues of homelessness.

Out-of-state travel policy

City Administrator Jim Taddei reported that all local units of government were notified by the state auditor’s office regarding out-of-state travel for elected and public officials.

State law places restrictions on such travel, and the state auditor recommends local units of government establish a travel policy addressing these concerns.

Taddei drafted a resolution adopting an out-of-state travel policy for the city’s elected officials and employees. The resolution was approved by the council.

Gambling licenses issued

The council approved gambling license applications and authorized issuance to:

•Alexandria American Legion to conduct bingo on December 3 at the Elks Lodge.

•Vikingland Builders Association to sell raffles for a January 16, 2010 event at Broadway Ballroom and for a February 28, 2010 event at Viking Plaza Mall.

•Parent Advisory Committee, Inc. to conduct bingo on December 4 at Woodland Elementary School.

Living Nativity request

The council granted a request from First Lutheran Church to block off the alleyway behind the church from 5 to 8 p.m. on December 12 and from noon to 2:30 p.m. on December 13 so that the church may conduct its annual Living Nativity event.

Board, commission expiring terms

The council held a brief discussion on board and commission assignments for 2010. There will be a number of terms up at the end of 2009, including:

Airport Commission – 3 year term

Alexandria Area EDC Joint Board – 3 year term

Alexandria Lakes Area Sanitary District – 3 year term (appointed by mayor and confirmed by council)

Board of Health – 1 year term, 3 positions

Board of Public Works – 3 year term, two positions

Budget Committee – 1 year term

Cable TV Commission – 2 year term, two positions

Convention and Visitors Bureau – 1 year term

Cultural Competence Committee – 2 year term, five positions

Deferred Compensation Committee – 1 year term, three positions

Douglas County Regional Planning – 3 year term

Economic Development Board – 3 year term, two positions

Housing and Redevelopment Authority – 5 year term

Industrial Park Board of Design – 1 year term, five positions

Joint Airport Zoning Board – 2 year term

Joint Planning Board – 3 year term

Legislative Committee – 1 year term, two positions

Liquor Commission – 1 year term, three positions (appointed by mayor)

Park Board – 3 year term, two positions

Planning Commission – 3 year term, two positions

Police Advisory Committee – 3 year term, three positions (appointed by mayor, confirmed by council)

Police Civil Service Commission – 3 year term

President Protempore of Council – 1 year term

Runestone Community Center Commission – 3 year term, two positions

Storm Water Utility Committee – 2 year term, four positions

Tree Board – 2 year term, three positions

West Central Initiative Economic Development Board – 3 year term

The council discussed advertising the positions with local media and also discussed the importance of ensuring there was no conflict of interest with people added to the positions.

Drum roller, trailer purchase

Public Works coordinator Bryan Bjorgaard requested the purchase of a new 6000# dual drum roller and trailer. He informed the board that the purchase was scheduled for early 2009, and that there is enough money in the street department equipment fund for the purchase.

The roller cost is $35,817.02 and the trailer is $9,798.00. This equipment will aid the paving team in packing base material and the hot asphalt wear coat. The roller replaces a worn out roller currently owned by the city. The council approved the purchase.

Other items:

•Taddei shared quotes for headset microphones of about $4,500, compared to a $3,200 quote previously received for lapel microphones. The council discussed the need for microphones, asking for input from meeting attendees. It was determined that much of the problem lies in taped meetings rather than the actual meetings. The council will continue to study the need.

•The council approved a memo of understanding from an employee requesting a temporary reduced time work arrangement following maternity leave.

•Taddei informed the mayor and council that they were invited to an open house November 12 at Plaza Liquor Store to celebrate the completion of its remodeling project.

•Council members were informed of the Veterans Day celebration on Wednesday, November 11 at 11 a.m. at Living Waters Church.

•Mayor Dan Ness congratulated Tom Hedine for his retirement from the Alexandria Fire Department after 24 years of service.

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