Reports from department heads and committee chairs were presented during the July 9 Auburn City Council meeting.
Street Commissioner Harry Bridgmon reported mostly routine activity for his crew, plus some concrete work, putting chemicals in Auburn Optimist Lake to help control algae and assisting with asphalt overlay work on some city streets and alleys.
Police Chief Kris Baker said his statistics for June were considerably above those for the same month last year when only three full-time officers were on staff. Last month, Auburn Police issued 53 citations and 92 warnings, made 16 arrests and investigated three accidents. During June of last year when area highways and Interstate 29 were impacted by Missouri River flooding there were 19 accidents reported here. Baker advised he has completed a TASER instructor recertification class and will be attending the Nebraska Sheriff’s Association and Police Officers’ Assn. of Nebraska Fall Conference in Kearney.
Library Director Heather Koeneke reported the Summer Reading Program is off to a great start with total attendance for the first two weeks being 179. She said the library would receive 40 percent of the profits from a Scholastic Book Fair held July 9-16. Koeneke added that the library addition construction is a couple of weeks ahead of schedule. The statistical report for June compared to June of 2011 indicated that less items were circulated by fewer patrons.
City Treasurer Joe Casey advised work would begin soon to prepare for next fiscal year’s budget. City sales tax receipts for April showed $32,021.76 collected, slightly under the budgeted amount of $32,500. Sales tax collected so far this fiscal year (nine months) is $312,978.71, an increase of $3,365.36 from last year and $20,478.71 above budget.
Committee Chair Reports
Councilman Larry Holtzman, who serves as Street Committee Chairman, reported that the asphalt overlay project was keeping everyone busy. Some final adjustments will be needed by the contractor before the project is considered completed, he added.
Councilwoman Katy Billings reported the Auburn Development Committee would meet that Wednesday.
Councilman Frank Critser said visibility issues remain with some of the city’s fire hydrants.
Councilwoman Mary Kruger reported lots of handwatering of plants at the city’s parks and she said three youth baseball and softball tournaments had been held recently at the Auburn Recreation Complex, bringing a number of visitors to the community and dollars to local businesses. She also commended those serving on the City Recreation Committee as having done a great job with the tourneys.