New reports from Alexandria's two city-owned liquor stores, Downtown Liquor and Plaza Liquor, show that sales are up.

Sales at both stores this past January and February exceeded the sale totals from those same two months in 2020, according to a report that was in the Alexandria City Council’s March 8 meeting packet.

Sales at Downtown Liquor are up $50,954 while the Plaza Liquor sales are up $81,675.

Customer counts are also up. A total of 13,853 customers shopped at Downtown Liquor in January and February, which is up 87 customers from last year. Plaza Liquor had 21,244 customers during those two months, which is 32 more than a year ago.

Following are other items from the March 8 meeting that were not covered in other council stories.

A special assignment for Miltona students?

Students from Miltona Elementary School may soon have new work cut out for them.

City staff is looking into the possibility of partnering with students by having them paint the blades on the city’s plow trucks.

In a memo to the council, City Administrator Marty Schultz said the goal is to create some decorative blades while engaging students in the activities of the city.

Joint meeting with Douglas County Board

City staff has confirmed that the council’s annual joint meeting with the Douglas County Board of Commissioners will take place Monday, March 22, at 4:30 p.m. at City Hall.

City Administrator Marty Schultz asked council members to let him know if they have any agenda items to add to the meeting.

A seventh member, Andrew Peabody, has been appointed to the city’s Cultural Inclusiveness Committee.

The committee was formed in 2004 but eventually disbanded. It started meeting again in 2010 but was only active for a couple of years.

Renewed interest in the committee prompted the council to advertise the openings on the committee last November but by early January, the city received only one application. Since then, six more people applied and were appointed last month.

The latest appointment brings the number of members to its maximum amount, seven.

Council member Roger Thalman will also serve on the committee as the council’s liaison.

According to city ordinance, the committee serves as an advisory body to the council in “matters intended to develop and implement inclusive policies, programs and practices to foster a community which is welcoming, vibrant and inclusive of diversity.”

The committee also advises the council on services and programs that may be of special concern to the city's growing and diverse populations.