Joplin city manager provides weekly update

(Joplin City Manager Sam Anselm sent the following update to the City Council Friday.)

Good afternoon, everyone. Please see below for this week’s update.

Key Meetings

-On Tuesday, I met with Director Tuttle and a representative from SixTwo Digital, a consulting firm, to review their report on the Strategic Marketing Evaluation of JCVB marketing efforts.

-On Wednesday, AtCM Kelly and I traveled to Columbia for the MCMA winter professional development workshop. We spent the afternoon in a planning meeting for our annual conference, which will take place in May.

-On Thursday, we heard from AJ Wilson, ICMA Senior Advisor and former city manager of Kansas City, Missouri, on the topics of coaching and mentorship. During the afternoon, AtCM Kelly participated in a speed coaching session while I attended two committee meetings, one to discuss emerging issues in local government, and the other to discuss ways to improve regional efforts to promote better collaboration among cities.

-Earlier today, I met with our employee engagement committee to discuss our employee intranet/idea system, employee training and development opportunities, etc.

Miscellaneous

-Earlier this week, I received a report from our finance department that we have collected $559,506, or 86.13% of the total amount owed under the FEMA duplication of benefits program as noted in the state audit.

-Earlier today, our public information office issued a news release announcing the dates and times for the pre-disaster training workshop to be held in the council chambers at city hall, being brought to Joplin courtesy of the St. Bernard Project, for the benefit of homeowners and small- to mid-sized businesses. There is no cost to attend.

*Times and dates for the Homeowners Sessions are: 7 p.m. Thursday, January 28; 1 p.m. Tuesday, February 2; 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. Wednesday, February 17; and 6 p.m. Thursday, February 18. o Sessions for Small to Mid-Size Businesses will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, February 2 and Wednesday, February 17.

In the Pipeline

-As discussed at our meeting this past Monday, please mark your calendars for a work session on Monday, February 8th, to discuss our change order policy. If there are any other items you would like to discuss, please let me know so I and/or staff can prepare for the discussion. The work session will be held at 6 p.m. in the council chambers.