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2005-01-07 Friday News The Friday News January 7, 2005 COMMISSIONER’S APPOINTMENTS At the January 4, 2005 meeting the City Council reviewed the 2005 Commissioner appointments. Two Commissioners each, from the Planning Commission, Parks and Recreation and Airports Relations Commissions were up for re-appointment. All Commissioners, except Gregg Fitzer from the ARC requested to be re-appointed. Gregg Fitzer, who is a “charter member” of the Airports Relation Commission, has a new role at NWA, his place of employment, which is making it difficult for him to attend meetings. He requested that we replace him. Because Gregg is a pilot, he has brought those special insights to the Commission. He has been a wonderful asset to the ARC and the City during his 11+ years of service. We will miss him. Also “retiring” this year is Mike Sokol, who is our Citizen Representative on the Northern Dakota County Cable Communications Commission (NDC4). Mike has served on the commission for 18 years, and he is currently the Chair of the commission. Mike has served through, and assisted the NDC4 with many challenges during his long tenure with the Commission. We will miss him. The Council asked me to advertise in the local papers and the January edition of the City’s newsletter for replacements for Mike Sokol and Gregg Fitzer. AUDITORS BEGIN WORK Esther and Samantha from HLB Tauges Redpath, Ltd were at City Hall this week to begin their work for completing the City’s 2004 Audit Report. They were here for three days now to get started and will return in May for two more weeks to finish up. EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION AWARDS The City hosted a reception beginning at 7:00 pm before this Tuesday’s City Council meeting to recognize 13 employees who had reached the benchmark of 5, 10, 15, 25 or 30 years of service. During the regular meeting the Mayor made a formal presentation of plagues recognizing the employees service to the City. ACTING MAYOR A “first of the year” requirement is appointment of an Acting Mayor to serve during times that the Mayor has to be absent. Council member Krebsbach was appointed to serve as acting Mayor for 2005 and Council member Vitelli was designated to be appointed to serve in that role for 2006. COMMUNITY PARKS CONNECTION On Wednesday Teresa Ganglehoff (Parks Recreation Programmer) and Guy Kullander participated in a new NDC4 program intended to give city park and recreation departments the opportunity to share information with the public on current seasonal programs and activities offered by local recreation departments. Stephanie LeGros from the Dakota County Parks Department is the on-air host interviewing invited representatives from the park and recreation departments in Inver Grove Heights, South St. Paul, Mendota, West St. Paul, Lilydale, Sunfish Lake, Mendota Heights and Dakota County. Interspersed between the on-air interviews are taped video clips or stories from past "Local Happenings" segments and lists of current and upcoming events in each City including contact or registration information. Future planned video taping sessions, highlighting upcoming seasonal activities, are planned for March 9th, May 11th, August 10th, and December 14th. The winter episode of Community Parks Connection will play on Government Channel 18 on: Thursdays at 6:00 pm (January 6, 13, 20, & 27, February 3, 10, 17, & 24 and March 3rd; Fridays at 10:00 am January 7, 14, 21, & 28, February 4, 11, 18, & 25, and March 4; and Saturdays at 1:00 pm January 8, 15, 22, & 29, February 5, 12, 19 & 26 and March 5. The six-minute guest interview segment with Teresa and Guy also included Gunnar Bruestle, the Mayor of Mendota, and the acting director & recreation programmer, Barb Kasel from West St. Paul. Teresa and Barb collaborate closely when scheduling and planning joint City "Day Trips" or other special programs. Three other interview segments taped that day included participants from Dakota County and other invited city park and recreation departments. HOLIDAY PARTY Next Friday, January 14th will be the City’s Holiday Party at the Pool & Yacht Club. Festivities will begin at 4:30 for City employees, Council members and Commissioners. If you have not already done so, please RSVP to Linda Shipton (651) 452-1850. Hope to see you there! Respectfully Submitted, Jim Danielson City Administrator Attachments: Just the Facts, Pipeline, Parks and Recreation Meeting Agenda, Airport Relations Commission Meeting Agenda, Planning Commission Agenda Synopsis.