Reports from department heads and committee chairs were given near the conclusion of the July 12 Auburn City Council Meeting.
City Services Commissioner Harry Bridgmon reported mostly routine summer tasks, plus the repair of an alley and two alley approaches. He added that a chemical was being applied every two weeks in Optimist Lake to control the normal problem with vegetation there.
Fire Chief Randy Bennett said the Auburn Volunteer Fire Department responded to seven calls during June.
Police Chief Dan White said his officers made 11 arrests, investigated eight accidents, devoted 15 hours on animal control, and wrote 24 citations and 54 warnings and equipment repair orders. Regarding city ordinance violations, the police issued three citations and 10 warnings.
Library Director Sherry Black reported attendance for the Summer Reading Program is up with 91 children attending the first week and 92 the second week. The statistical report for June showed 3,736 patrons circulated 6,447 items and generated $749.30 for the city. The number of patrons was considerably higher than the same month last year.
City Treasurer Glen Krueger reported on city sales tax receipts for the month of April which showed $35,882.31 collected, considerably above the budgeted amount of $27,083.33. So far this fiscal year (seven months) the city’s sales tax collections reflect a $21,190.36 increase over the same period last year and the year-to-date figure is $35,376.69 over budget.
Committee Reports
Street Committee Chairman Larry Holtzman said the City Services crew did a great job with alley approach work instead of the city needing to hire an outside contractor to do the work.
Budget/Finance Chairman Bill Snyder said the budget preparing process has begun and he anticipates the committee to present an extraordinarily conservative budget due to continued questions about the economy as a whole. He said some more long-term decisions will be delayed until after this year’s elections which will seat a new mayor and two new council members.
Economic Development: Annie Thomas reported the Orscheln store construction is progressing well and the temporary opening of Grimm’s Gardens and Nursery business in Auburn went well from all reports.
Safety: Chris Erickson said he was still awaiting to hear back from the Nebraska Department of Roads about possible pedestrian safety issues with U.S. Highway 136 in the vicinity of Auburn High School/Middle School. He indicated he would try to get some information as soon as possible.
During discussion, Councilman Snyder said his recent vacation experience made it clear that in some other countries people rely heavily on bicycles for transportation and how important trails are for both cycling and walking.