Over the last five years we have made a lot of changes to our processes and procedures I want to list a few of those since we are rotating out more than half of our council next week and welcoming in three more
Officer reports in writing - Once I took office in 2020 one of the first changes we made was putting officer reports in writing to be included in our council packets – the reason was that way too much council meeting time was being used to go over daily work of our staff that could be summed up in a report. Asking clarifications or questions takes a lot less time.
Why? This leaves time for our governing body to discuss in depth all issues and make informed and educated decisions.
Purchase Order Request Forms - Another change we made was all money requests from staff would be in writing and not just presented verbally to our council. We use PO Request Forms that allow detailed stats and costs to be attached along with more than one option and the suggested option.
Why? Again, this allows for more informed decisions and discussions
Laminated sheets to outline allowed Executive sessions
Verbal review of ALL ordinances and resolutions in council meetings - We tried a few things and had discussions, but we landed upon verbal review because it works for us. I think our council has become quite expert in listening and noting changes as needed.
Why? If the council “rubber stamps” documents coming from the staff there are no real checks and balances even of wording and spelling and the meaning and understanding of these laws are important. Remember our Governing Body is in charge of making the laws – reviewing the laws and standing by those laws. Our staff is charged with using the books of those laws to administer the laws
We try hard to use our Standing Committees – This frees up time in our council meeting – we still discuss and provide all information to the whole council, but those committee members become the subject matter experts and help give their suggestions.
These standing committees are now:
- Utilities Committee
- Facilities Committee
- Public Safety Committee
- Employee and Training Committee
- Street Committee
La Cygne Community Park - We dissolved the volunteer board for the Community Park and moved the responsibilities to the city. We researched the charter ordinance that formed the Community Park and made sure that the city and the Lincoln Township understand that Lincoln Township is the taxing entity for the park. That the Mayor and one member of the Township form the Board of Trustees and that the Board of Trustees will meet each year and set the amount needed to levy for park operations.
We have spent a lot of time and discussions modifying and implementing procedures and policies –
Administration policies - like evaluations and disciplinary processes
We have worked to clean up and fix up our city using Codes Enforcement – This has paid off in new homes and other structures being built plus new businesses and just a nicer and cleaner city. A cleaner city is also a safer city
Other activities from Mayor:
- 3rd Annual Weiner Dog Races - Mayor and Maggie Foster organized Weiner dog races again. For 2026 they are planned for the day of Blast in the Park just as an additional activity run by volunteers including Mayor
- Mayor attended League of Municipalities Conference
- If I Were Mayor Contest and outreach to school (5th Graders)
Governing Body
- City Property on 602 N 5th Street – Lauber Addition – first home is almost complete the other two are planned
- Proclamation for Keith Smith
- Accepted the property at 402 S. Broadway - will be listed soon
Future
- Live streaming Council Meetings
- Townhall meetings about streets and sales tax info
- Landlord License and rental agreements
Activities in the city
- Dog days - April or May – City sponsored event
- Easter Egg Hunt-city supported event
- Prayer Breakfast
- City Wide Clean Up and Garage Sales
- Memorial Day events
- Farmers Markets - Fridays during growing months
- Dancetopia in June
- Blast in the Park/Swanfest – City Sponsored event
- Veterans Day
- Ray of Hope Fish Fry-October
- Halloween activities
- Election in November
- Thanksgiving/Holiday meal
- Customer Appreciation Day – City Hall
- Christmas on Broadway with Parade of lig