Town and Country reports on parks events, inspection-fee waiver success and IT upgrade

Board members recognized outgoing Aldermen Sue Allen and Fritz Lisenhand for their service and praised city staff at the April 28 meeting. Sue Allen said serving seven years had been an honor and highlighted her chairing of the Ways and Means Commission; Fritz Lisenhand also thanked colleagues and city staff.

Alderman Murphy reported that the parks and trails commission’s recent concert drew strong community attendance as part of the city’s 75th anniversary celebrations and said volunteers helped distribute materials to residents. The board announced a ribbon-cutting and Parks and Trails Commission meeting at Drace Park Pavilion on Tuesday, May 20, at 6:30 p.m., and said a painted tunnel at Town Square is expected to be ready for the next concert on Friday, May 16.

City staff reported early results of a policy to waive inspection fees for new office tenants to encourage occupancy. The city administrator said three new businesses used the waiver in the first quarter, with fee waivers totaling approximately $10,000; staff said projected business-license revenue from those businesses for the year is roughly $20,000. The administrator characterized the program as successful in its initial quarter.

Staff also acknowledged the IT coordinator and assistant city administrator for completing a major IT infrastructure upgrade over a weekend with consultant support; officials said systems are back online with improved security and robustness.

The board noted an anonymous $225 contribution toward pet waste bags and discussed animal-care-service line items during the meeting’s reports section.