To the flag of the United States of America  and to the republic for it stands one nation   under God indivisible with liberty and  justice for all. Good morning everyone   and thank you for joining us. Council  Member Ballard and Council Member uh   Glascock are both online right now. Um and we  are waiting for either city manager Marstall or uh comms. There's no sound. Well, I don't know about that. [laughter] wear all the hats.   It looks like we now have sound. Uh, good morning  again. Uh, we have council member Glascock and   council member Ballard online at this moment and  we are waiting for either city manager Marsall   or assistant city manager to provide the agenda.  I just texted y'all. So, who's leading this?   This is Dennis. If you can hear me. We  can. We can hear you. I'm sorry. Last day.   I'm here. We have Assistant City Manager  Troy Anderson. Today is his last day. So,   thank you very much. You don't have to wear  a jacket on. Uh, [laughter] would you like to   walk us through the agenda? I can. Actually,  we're here. I can take care of it. Okay, perfect.   Yeah, sorry. Uh, now my camera's not working, but  I've got the microphone and I can hear you all.   Happy Friday to everybody. So, walking through the  agenda, mayor and council, if you look on the 14th   agenda, we do have some items. One there, and  we do have Kathy Ston on the uh line here where   we're going to do a ethics code updates. Um,  two things with that one for you all to know.   There were there were some edits done to reword  a lot of the language within the ethics code.   But then the second step is for the past two years  basically WSU has served as our ethics officer   and so they've taken some complaints over the  last two years and this is to renew them as our   ethics officer as well going forward. So there's  two items within the ethics code update. So, we   want to draw your attention to that. City manager,  what is the cost? Yes. What is the cost for the uh   ethics officer contract? I correct. Let me do some  digging on that. I'll ask um some others see if   they can pull that up and see if we can get  that to you here in a second. Okay. Thank you. And then, um looking at some other agenda  items on there, we do have some actuary reports   for you related to the retirement  system and we'll present some updates   showing the soundness of our retirement system.  But we've also got another agenda item related   to the police and fire retirement system about how  we take some funds into that system to be in line   with some state laws related to contributions  to the police and fire retirement system.   And then you will see on your  agenda, we have a big packet for you   related to the vocal arts funding. We have five  organizations that we do annual funding for.   And so we have that item for you with  detail on the five organizations.   And then you will see under the unfinished  business, we are bringing back the EPC um   group that we're working with on uh parking and  the hotel and apartments to finalize that within   the language change from the discussion last week  or this week. And then um city manager question,   sorry, a question regarding that parking um plan.  Uh what is the status on the website? [snorts]   I know uh Jim was working on that. Let  me see if we are go live but there is   information being developed so that we  can have it done on Monday if not sooner.   Hey Jim here uh law is looking into the prepared  document that we have on this item. Thank you.   All right. So, yeah, we'll have that Mayor.  I know we wanted that up before the meeting,   so we'll try to have that Monday at the latest.  Um, so that's in the works. And then, um,   the question you just had about the, uh,  contract cost for the ethics advisor,   I believe I saw is 25,000 uh dollars for that  contract. Um, so we [clears throat] have that out   there for you and we can highlight that for you.  Um, we do have some planning, housing and airport   items on your agenda as well. Some zoning, zone  changes and planning. We do have some sale of   properties on the housing agenda. And then for  the airport agenda, we do have an on call planning   services contract to bring before you as part  of the agenda item as well on next Tuesday 14th.   Thank you. So that is the highlights.  I'll entertain certainly some questions,   more information that council may  need before the meeting on the 14th.   Thank you, city manager. I will not be at that  meeting on April 14th. So, Vice Mayor Glascock   will be leading that city council meeting.  Thank you for that update. This is council   member Shepard. I do have a question and it  might be in the cultural arts funding packet the   regarding the funding for the five organizations  item number three under new council business. But   um I just wanted to make sure that there's  information on who all applied for that funding. Okay. Thank you. All right. If you want to look ahead to the  21st agenda. Any other questions of the 14th?   To give you a little preview of the 21st agenda.  We have agenda item business improvement district   to talk about that. We also have an  item related to the Nomar Plaza stage   and district up there. No more as well. We will be   we will be talking about updating our fire station  alerting and auto dispatch system and contracts.   And then we're going to have a lot of  conversation for you around transit. Um with   the new hub scheduled to come online, we have the  uh ribbon cutting scheduled for the end of May.   So, we are ready to roll out the new network  redesign plans. There's some route changes   to accommodate our uh driving routes through  the hub in Atlanta now when that opens. Um but   we will also talk about veterans ride free some  other services um and we're looking to update   and talk about some of the funding mechanisms  as well between the transit fund federal fund   and then how much is contributed from the  city's general fund. So we'll have a big transit   conversation the 21st and then um otherwise the  agenda item on the 21st we have a lot of public   ements acquisitions for a lot of our road program.  So that's the highlight for the 21st agenda.   If there's anything else we can talk, we will talk  about um looking forward to bringing on the 21st   some potential changes to the Deleno business  district as well. So that should be ready on   the 21st. Um any questions we can entertain  related to the 21st or anything else today? None. Thank you. Oh, I I can wait until comments.  I don't have anything related to the 21st agenda.   Thank you. City Manager Mars. Do we have a legislative update? Yes, we have  Kim Swatt is on the line, Mayor, I believe,   and she uh can give us the status update.  Kimberly, we'll take it away. Okay. Well, good   morning everyone. It's good to be with you all. Uh  the Kansas legislature did return yesterday for a   three-day veto wrapup session and they have been  very very busy the last 30 hours or so. So, uh,   the time in between, uh, March 28th and  then yesterday morning at 9:00 a.m. when the   legislature returned, the actions that were taken,  uh, or all of the different bills that were sent   to the governor for for consideration were either  signed into law, they were allowed to become law   without her signature, or they were vetoed. And so  there were upwards of 20 some odd vetos that were   that came down in those roughly 9 to 10 days um  when the legislators were home in their district.   And there was also the budget was signed. There  were 30 line item vetos in that particular   budget as well. So the legislature needed  to come back address any veto overrides that   that they wanted to try and make. uh and  then also address the budget line of vetos.   And then as we know, one of the largest issues  was what to do with the property tax situation.   And um certainly more information has come out in  recent days about the impacts to the bond market   specifically of House Bill 2745 as it was uh sent  to the governor and and certainly many communities   around um the city of Witchaw and South Central  Kansas uh unfortunately suffered some negative   consequences just even before the bill became  law as it relates to some of their law. So   we are in the midst of the veto session right  now. Uh they have undertaken a series of veto   overrides thus far and I'll I'll kind of note a  few of the bills that were was following closely   and the status back. They're also working on a  new property tax bill. There was a constitutional   amendment yesterday which again failed in the  house. So, it's not clear what um is going to come   about today as a result of the failure of that  constitutional amendment yesterday. So, um but   our number one legislative priority by the city  of Waw was our water reuse issue and that was   signed by the governor yesterday. So, that's  great news um for the public works department   here. We got that across the finish line and  I know that was a top top priority for the   city and and for all of our future plans. So was  very excited about that. Council member Johnson,   his golf cart bill was also signed  into law last night. So [laughter] I will not. I know you won't. I love when you were  talking about water reuse and you know for many   people it seemed like it was just a very much  a regulatory change but when I think about the   future of Kansas and I think about water policy  going forward this will probably wind up being   one of the most consequential water changes  that the state will have made in decades. So   I was so pleased to to get to bring that home for  everyone. Um the governor did veto legislation   that impacted the local government's ability  to enter into litigation in certain instances   and it only allows for that litigation to um be  held with the attorney general's office. That was   overridden yesterday. um legislation related  to local governments and landlords so that um   landlords can no longer um deny an individual  for um for renting if they had previously been   receiving public assistance vouchers  or or things of that sort. And that um   was want make sure I get that right. that  they did override as well. The governor did   sign Senate Bill 418, which is the housing bill,  and um that will essentially allow for greater um   single family home uh housing to be constructed  around many communities. And then another bill   that Bushaw was really interested in particularly  on the legal side was Kora and open records   exemptions and maintaining certain exemptions  and that was signed into law um by the governor   as well. And I apologize the governor did sign  the affordable housing the buy right bill. She   they have not yet fully overwritten her veto  on the local government landlord. So that's   one that they're bringing to TF. Um, and then  council member Hoheisel had a question about uh   the removal of the squatters act, which is House  Bill 2378. And that bill was signed into law by   Governor Kelly. And that that bill spells  out the procedure to remove a squatter from   a dwelling unit. Um, that bill passed the Senate  31 39 to1 and then the House 114 to 8. So that   was signed into law. Uh but I'll have there was  a full report that was sent out yesterday to Jim   kind of detailing some of our top initiatives and  where they stood uh in this veto session process   where they they've been signed into law whether or  not they needed to be um veto sustained or not. Um   and then we'll have the final final report in  the coming days after the session ends. And then   lastly, we're looking forward to hosting many of  the South Central Kansas delegation legislators   to city hall on April 29th for a lunch with the  city manager. So, what questions can I answer?   Uh, thanks Kimberly. Um, do you did any  housing legislation of note specifically   protecting tenants rights um make it  through? um those bills did not advance   to the legislative session. There was however a  bill um that Representative How was working on   related to previous evictions and whether  or not that was on your so that that   is pending still before the governor and I believe  that you will sign that. So um but as far as some   of the other there was a litany of other five  other bills that really um bolstered tenant rights   and and those bills did not advance. So that was  the landlord tenant um eviction reconciliation.   Is that what that was? the landlord  tenant eviction that bill um   there was there was a lot put into that  particular piece of legislation and that has   been that's pending before the governor overrode  that Senate Bill 391 um but they the legislation   has not taken that up and that bill bars local  governments from requiring landlords to lease   property to tenants based solely on their source  of income. So that's the one that she she did veto   and is it's hanging out there. But there were  a litany of other bills that um did more to   bolster tenant rights and Senate Bill 391 was  really the only one in that vein that advanced.   Okay. Yeah, that sounds like quite a departure  from the original uh bill as it was presented. So,   I appreciate the update. Kim, uh this is Council  Member Shepard. to Council Member Hill's point,   I believe the bill you're referring to that um   doesn't it allow for uh for a waiver of some  sort for evictions that are three years past? So, Senate Bill 391, uh that one I don't I'll  go back and look. I'm not sure that that one   is what we're talking about. There's there's  house eviction. It was It was Leah House that   I'm referring to. Yeah. And that Yes, that one.  That one may have. Let me go back and clarify.   I think that one is being signed. Mike, well, they  Yes, that one is they and they when they worked   it, they added um a number of things into the  bill that's maybe not in line with the original   spirit of the bill. So, I think that's kind of  why the governor did what she did with it. So, thank you, Kimberly. Any other comments,  council members? Oh, just in general,   we're good with the legislative update. Very  good. Uh, thank you, Kimberly. Thank you,   uh, city manager Dennis. We will now  open it up for council member comments.   Mine mine are more so I have several, but parking  at city hall. I know that we've kind of been   talking in a circle about this, but I'm really  hoping that we can just nip it in a bud so folks   can have clarity moving forward. Um, but I am  wondering if we can have a conversation. Jennifer,   I don't know if this needs to happen from the  bench, but interested in making sure that we have   exemptions in place for um victims who are coming  to meet with WPD. I don't think WPD should have   to take that from their budget. um exemptions for  media. I don't believe media should need to pay   to come to city hall either. And uh if Tuesdays  can be free so that folks who are attending city   council meetings can have access without any  potential barriers to come and engage. But um   other than that, I think folks folks should need  to continue to pay as they have been in the past.   But hoping maybe uh providing that suggestion can  allow us to move forward with some clarity so we   can stop talking about this in a circle and  actually move forward and get it executed. So   um please let me know Jennifer if there's  anything I need to do as far as legal concern.   Your hands now if we have an administrative  regulation that deals with city parking   at city hall we can absolutely take those uh  recommendations into consideration. Thank you.   Um and I think some of my colleagues join me in  some of those exemptions as well. Um, I also would   like to discuss proclamation process. Um, I do  not like currently how the proclamation process   works. I think it's a strain on a lot of our staff  having to send every single proclamation out for   an email vote. Um, I'd be interested in working  with all of my colleagues on coming up with the   process that may model one that takes place at  the state of Kansas. I know that you have to   have someone sponsor a proclamation typically if  that's the case. And if there's a more efficient   process, we can create voting from the bench.  Um, so that way staff don't have to email out   every single proclamation and keep record of every  single vote. Um, I think it can take away from the   additional unnecessary work as well as help with  transparency. May I add something on to that? Of   course. Thank you. I could not agree and I've  talked to city manager at my last three weekly   meetings about this exact same thing. the the  burden on staff, the fact that um I think that   it should be everybody should vote and so I agree  with having it vote from the bench. Um I will   just if it's okay and we can chat more, but the  caveat of having to have like a council member   sponsor it is prohibitive maybe for some folks if  they don't know a council member. Um but I would   echo everything else you said. Thank you  and I would love to have this discussion.   The only other thing that I would like to see  too, and I've talked to city manager about,   is we had a proclamation request a couple  weeks ago, and it was for someone's business.   And in our policy, it says communications has  to review it to see if the business, whatever.   And that didn't make a lot of sense to comms.  It didn't make a lot of sense to city manager.   So, he was also going to re-evaluate the policy  to see if anything else needs to be updated.   Awesome. And yeah, I think we can have more  conversation with everybody. And thank you.   Happy to compromise and just solidify something  so we can move forward. I I would concurep Go ahead. Go ahead, Vice Mayor. Uh, Council  Shepard, I would concur. I tried to make some   of those changes last year and I would support  a council member sponsor. I think that's good   governance. I think it's good policy. I think  it's reflected what they do at the federal level   and state level. And so I would support something  that would require a um a sponsor for the bill.   I concur again on that. That was something that  came up last year, but there was no interest. But   I definitely have interest in having a sponsor for  a bill. And if you don't know your council member,   I think one of the ways you could do that is  whoever is submitting the proclamation has to   submit their address. and based off of their  address, you will know which council member   is represented and that person can say yes or no  about sponsoring that bill or that proclamation.   And so I think that there are ways to have  an actual sponsor. However, it also will   uh probably slow down the process. Uh last year  over 100 plus proclamations were uh sub submitted   uh and approved. Therefore, it is a very timely  uh or time uh a lot of time is spent on those   and so it will slow down the process which I'm  in favor of because um I think that there are   times that we need to uh have uh true discussion  about what these u proclamations are all about.   Absolutely. Couldn't agree more. And again, I  think we're already having healthy conversation   and I think we can come together and have  more. Um, two more things. Uh, I'm curious. I   was looking at some of the RFPs online and and  would love to understand the rationale behind   I think I saw on one that if you bid for the  design, you can't compete for the construction   side of the project. And I'm wondering what's  the rationale behind that? Is that legal? Is that   If you had a specific project in mind, we could  probably I can email you. Yeah. Yeah. Yep. I have   several that I can email over to you. I just I  I don't understand the respective department and   make sure that we give you some background.  Right on. Okay. Because my understanding is from   a fiscal standpoint, it's sometimes cheaper to be  able to combine those. And as we talk about fiscal   responsibility, those those small things really  matter. So any rationale you can provide would be   great. And then finally, just want to give a huge  shout out. Every department is is great and works   really hard, but this week I feel like I have been  blowing up public works emails and cell phones   and so um I just really want to say thank  you. There was a situation with a constituent   about her sidewalk and uh she was very unhappy  about it and did not understand the process   and we were able to connect her with public works.  public works went out engaged with that resident.   Ultimately the outcome was not what that resident  wanted but one of the things that uh that resident   mentioned was that they had a hundred questions  and public works set there to make sure that   there was clarity provided and understanding  and I think it is uh to be commended that we   have staff who who will do that work but also it  goes to speak to how sometimes people just need to   to know what's going on and why things are  happening. And so I want to give a huge shout   out to public works one for taking all my emails  and calls and two uh just you know celebrate   the good things that are happening in city hall  and the staff that are contributing to that. So uh district breakfast tomorrow morning  9:30 uh we're talking budget we're talking   um just people letting us know what's  important to them and um what things   we're going to have to change or look at moving  forward. So, uh, welcome everybody there. Again,   great breakfast. Love to see as many people  there as possible. And a follow. Go ahead.   Sorry, Council Member Ballard. Can I just do a  quick followup to uh, Council Member Hoheisel's   breakfast. This is one of seven town  halls that are scheduled regarding um,   post sales tax and uh, just priorities. Um, so  that people know this information is online. Uh,   but District 3 will have theirs tomorrow, April  11th. District 1 will have theirs on May 2nd.   District 4 will have theirs on May 9th. District  5 will have theirs on May 9th. Uh, District 2 will   have theirs on May 11th. City Hall will have uh  ours on May 27th and District 6 will have theirs   on May 30th. Council member Valor, thank you. Um,  again, just want to send Troy off. Congratulations   on your new role. We will miss you. Um, and I hope  we can text you still [laughter] alone. You have   my number. Feel free to call, text anytime, both  personally, professionally, but you won't pick up.   Feel free to call [laughter] anytime.  try to get away really quick.   Um, sorry. Um, tomorrow from 11 to 3, uh, Emporia  Park over in Midtown is giving away 100 trees.   Um, ICT Trees has um, received a grant from Everg  and we are very excited. So, if you live in the   60214 area, please um, come by. All of the trees  are native. are super excited and staff is always   really awesome at that event. At 3:00, if there  are any trees left, anyone is will is allowed to   come and get them so that um we can get them  in the ground. So, uh just pass that on. I'll   try to update my social media um leading up to  3:00 if there will be trees available so that we   can uh get those distributed. So, everybody have  a great evening. April is child abuse prevention   awareness month. Um, and last Friday I had  the pleasure of presenting a proclamation at   the WSU Child Development Center. Um, the Kansas  Children's Service League always takes the lead on   this initiative. Today is wear blue day. Thank  you to Council Member Shepard for helping take   some photos so that we can do some social media  posts. Um, Tuesday there will be a proclamation   and many childcare providers are going to try  and attend. It's hard for them with kiddos and   sometimes they bring the kiddos which we all  love. But um being a past mandatory reporter,   I understand the importance of awareness of  this what child abuse is either neglect or   or actual abuse. So thank you to all of the  mandatory reporters in the community for what   they do. And um if you see something, even if  you're not a mandatory reporter, please report it. With that, I just have two things. Number one,  congratulations, Troy, on your new role, and   thank you again for your service to our city and  our community. Um, we're very grateful that you   took on a lot of uh tough projects, uh, including  parking, which is my next topic. Um, I just want   to uh, quickly add one more thing to the uh, to-do  list. I know I mentioned it last week, but I do   want to see an ordinance uh, that eliminates  the backing into a parking stall uh, being   illegal. Um, I don't believe that there were any  citations that were issued by the Witchaw Police   Department last year. However, there have been  uh citations issued by the new parking management   system uh personnel. And so, um, I would like  to see an ordinance come before the council   to eliminate that as a violation. Um, with that,  I see no other, uh, comments. Uh, have a great   weekend and thank you again, Troy. Troy, do we  have a director's report? Yeah, thank you. You do.   Everybody sit down. Thanks. We have  a director's report from library. Thank you so much. So, wanted just to take a moment to talk with you  a little bit about our 2025 performance. It was   an atypical year for us, but we're pretty proud  of what we were able to accomplish. Plus, we have   the honor of celebrating our 150th anniversary  this year and wanted to give you a little bit   of details about what's ahead. So, our mission  at Witchah Public Library is connect, discover,   learn, and thrive. 25 we were open three 3% fewer  hours than we were in previous years because of   our um remodels, but as a result we were really  gritty and we got a lot of work done. Our library   card holder database is astonishing. Right  now we have over 299,000 issued active library   cards. These are things that aren't expired. That  doesn't mean that all of these people are always   using their public library, but more than 72%  of our city's population, the equivalent of more   than 72% of our population has a card. We issue  library cards all throughout no matter where you   live. Um, so we have out of district library users  and we receive grant funds as a result of that.   In the course of 25, we issued over 20,000 new  cards. So we're really good at getting cards out.   Part of this has to do with the partnership that  we have with USD259 and a number of other schools   that are and education providers. WSU Tech is  now um and Goodwill are now issuing library cards   electronically. Um and we just saw yesterday that  the city of Chicago has picked up our model which   is turning student IDs into library cards. And so  that student ID number is what persists throughout   the entire um schooling years and they don't  have to remember lots and lots of numbers. Our   circulation was close to two million. We'll say  that this looks like we sold out all of Arrowhead   Stadium home games last year. This is impressive.  Um the visitation was up 12% despite being closed   or in remodeled circumstances. Our visitor  count also grew this last year to over 658,000.   Our meeting room use this last year. We and this  is part of being a civic institution. We want to   get people together so that they can do really  important work just like today the strong leader   strong neighborhood conference is happening at  the Witchah public library. Um in 2025 meeting   rooms actually were um rented at a fee. Our  library board um worked with us to change   our policy because we wanted to see our spaces  activated significantly more. And to date, um,   in 2026, we've had over 330 bookings already.  Um, so we're going to outpace this last year.   And we can see the next number, which is our  collaboration room. So there the study rooms,   smaller meeting spaces, the public are really  needing that. Um, and we can see that through   constant use of these spaces at the library.   We answer tons of questions. Any question is  a good question. It may take a long time. It   may be really quick. Um, but we do sampling and  we answered close to 80,000 questions from our   community. In addition, we spent a significant  amount of time answering technology questions. So,   these weren't just how do I get into this? How do  I reset my password? This is like more than five   minutes worth of sitting with someone and guiding  them through whatever technology need they have.   We have a book a librarian program that actually  goes into even more depth. Um, so this is up to   an hour with a librarian. Primarily, these are  technology related, but we've just relaunched   it because we can help with a lot of things.  Genealological research, finding um new donors   for your nonprofit. And so, we've invited the  public to just book a librarian no matter what   they need. And we'll do a we'll sit along and  research with them um and help them get unstuck.   Our programs last year, we offered um 1771  programs. Um, our attendance was a little   bit down last year from previous years, but  that's due to all of the remodels. Um, of note,   559 literacy based programs were offered  by your Witchah Public Library system.   We believe supporting creative writers also is  an important aspect. Um, but I wanted to call   out that um, right now our Evergreen and Alfred  branches are voting centers and with the remodel   changes happening downtown, the advanced learning  library will be a voting center this next year.   our initiatives and our programs are all paid  for by the foundation and friends um with staff   support provided by the city of Witchah. Um our  largest initiative, it's around early learning and   family engagement. And so this is um some of the  statistics related to our performances last year.   We're really stepping deeper into familybased  programs where we can provide parent support   so then they can go home and replicate with their  with their children. Um, at the Advanced Learning   Library, we have certified it as a family place  library. And if you remember the ro we're naming   this after Robert Leighton, the Robert  Leighton family place um will be expanded   to more libraries over time. But at the advanced  learning library itself, the play space had about   28,000 people um and nine families and kids were  there over the course of any of our open hours.   We offer a parent educator workshop. This last  year we offered two, this is relatively new so   it's growing but we were at weight list only. Um  we offered two sessions brought in five partners   and in total our parenting collection and juvenile  collections circulated close to 80,000 um items.   Outreach and partnerships um are part  of our fabric um for delivering modern   library service. We have to attend to those  who aren't currently using the library.   Um and we don't do anything on our own. We're  constantly looking to partners when we want to   fill a gap in the community. And so we have 195  active partnerships. It could be that we've just   done one thing with them once or it could be  that we're embedded um and we have embedded   services. So it's a whole spectrum of of how we  treat partnerships. Um I think most notably we   were at 44 different USD25 schools this last  year despite our small and mighty staff. Um,   I think I think what we're going to be looking  at though is really focusing on community schools   and those where we've got um lower attendance,  higher behavioral issues, and we're working with   the school system to identify how we can show  up a little bit differently and more intently.   Um, our book boss is going gang busters. My  goodness, she's had to turn away a lot of outreach   requests recently. She's maxed, but um, we had 293  stops. um engaged more than 20,000 individuals and   this doesn't you see that number I have an extra  five in there I apologize um it doesn't include   all of the parades that she attended as well but  um circulation is going really well on the bus   we see a lot of barriers however because kids  are coming and they may not have a library card   so what we do is we bolster the collection on the  bus with donated materials from the friends of the   library so that every child who comes on the bus  is able to leave with something of the um program   programs that we've started a couple of years ago  is an every other month education support network.   Um more than 20 different education agencies are  coming to that lunch. It's a lunch and learn. Um   I think we're getting a lot of collaboration and  collective thinking happening as a result of that.   Digital inclusion is a huge initiative as well.  Um this is holding steady year-over-year. We're   seeing about the same needs. Um more than 40,000  households in our community don't have home   internet. library is one of the key leading  providers for um access for both devices and   Wi-Fi. Um even today we're making improvements  for this. We're adding Wi-Fi um access points   on the outside of all of our buildings so  that we can have a strong broadcast across   all library property. So when our hours when  we're closed and someone's working third shift,   they could still be able to come to a Witchah  Public Library and connect. not most conveniently   and from the probably the safety of their own  vehicle, but still that access is incredible.   Um we'll be installing nine more Wi-Fi benches  this spring as well. Um so we have three that have   been been really well received in three different  communities. Um we've been working with parks um   to identify where to place nine more. So by  the end of by summertime, we should have 12 um   throughout the community so that people  are able to access even if they aren't   um close to a library. This program is  huge and it's a lot of what people are   coming to the library for. I mentioned  book a librarian sessions as well,   but we um are stretched. We're not able to  offer classes at our branches at this time   significantly. And we're leaning on technology  volunteers, people who have skills and prowess,   who are willing to spend some time working  with individuals who have those skills. Um, now to the positive stuff. We're 150 years  old. Um, I will say that we've archived ourselves   and you're going to see a lot more um, information  coming, but um, we have really a whole suite of   things that we're trying to accomplish this year,  including um, we we engaged with local artists who   actually came up with this really lovely graphic,  but they've done some activity pages that really   center around our mission um, and the city of  Witchah. Um, and it's just they're really fun. Um,   I wanted to invite you to our friends at the  library have completely stepped up this year, you   guys. Um, one, last year they were started selling  merchandise which resulted in more than $20,000   coming to the library to support programming. Um,  this year they're going to be popping up at some   local businesses. White Crow on April 12th from  1 to 5, reverse or Central Standard Brewing from   1 to 5 on the 26th and at Rey from 10 to 1 on May  9th. in district one. We're we're trying to expand   out, but um these are the these are the brewers  the partners that are really really keen to work   with us right now. Um so the friends will be  selling merchandise, but um Central Standard   Brewing actually created a beer on our behalf  and it's called the Bibloomaniac. So do come out   and grab a grab a drink. Come to D1. We'll get  you a beer. We'll get you one in D3, too. Just   we're planning some summer bus tours that will  highlight the art that are in li and throughout   the city on the way. Um, our friends are hosting  some ice cream socials, so one in each district.   Um, these are the dates for each of them.  They'll be at the public library and they're   working to secure the ice cream at this point.  One in almost every district. Oh, I apologize.   [laughter] One for you. One for you in district  two. You come to Rockwell. Right on. Right on.   Bitter. Number one, this one's super exciting.  Um, even just today we've we're were talking   um with a group at the library at the conference  about a civic action passport. This was an idea   that was collaborative. We're partnering with the  Kansas leadership center or neighborhood resource   and um um lead witchah to launch the civic  action passport and it's really a lowrisk   highreward way of getting people to understand how  to activate their voices. what are the different   ways that community engagement can look? And  ideally, we'll have quite a few people um   participating throughout the year. This  is a year-long program in celebration of   the 150th plus America's 250th. Um finishers will  receive a lapel pin just like what you're seeing,   but we're launching it officially on April  23rd at 6:30. Invite you all to come to the   advanced learning library. Author Pete Davis  will be talking about his book dedicated   and it's really taking the concept that we aren't  really committing to much in the in today's world   scrolling um and it's a lot of research from  Robert Putnham's book bowling alone where   social infrastructure has been declining and so  um Pete has a real challenge to say get committed   commit to something and stay with it because it  makes a huge difference and intrinsically we then   have a lot less social isolation which is part  of um kind of the the challenges postcoid.   Finally, I wanted to invite you to a program that  will happen on May 2nd at 10:30 at the Advanced   Learning Library. This is a program we're calling  uncover the story of your Witchah Public Library.   So, some of those tales of our history, where  we've been will be uncovered. Um in addition,   we're rebranding ourselves. Um we're we're  rebranding ourselves. So, Gardner Designs will um   do a big reveal of what that new logo look  and feel is for your Witchah Public Library.   And then myself and a team member, Savannah Ball,  will provide um a state of the young child and   parents report. This was part of the commitment  that we made to the Robert Leighton Family Place   um library initiative. And so we will be um  just sharing some information about what um   what are the struggles and some of the ways  that we can help our parents and and the littles   in our community. Any questions? Yes. First  of all, thank you for all you do. You know,   I'm a huge fan of the Witch Public Library and I'm  a huge fan of yours. Um it's been so awesome to   see the libraries grow and expand and I love the  mindset of it's not just books anymore, right? Um,   and thank you too. Um, some of my colleagues may  not be aware, but a very special u partnership has   is being developed with the Witchaw Library  and child care licensing here at the city   and how can we encourage our child care  providers, especially our home providers   to better utilize the free resources  that are available at the library. So,   thank you for that. I also wanted to thank the  public library for the Witchaw public library   for joining the Witchaw collective impact workg  group on literacy. The city was able to officially   join and sign theou last Tuesday at our council  meeting. So you all beat us, but I'm super glad   to see you there. Um, and then finally, if you can  make sure you send me the dates for the tours of   the arts at the public library, I will make sure  that we get it out to not only the arts council,   but the art network in the community. Very good.  Thank you for all you do, Jamie. Truly, thank you.   Thanks. Hey, Jamie. I just have two quick  comments. Uh, first off, I happened to look at   my receipt from the Waw Library this week and I st  $1129. Congrats. from my rentals, which I think is   a great tool for people to look at their receipts  when they check out books. Um, and I can guarantee   that I the percent of my property tax dollars  going to the library is less than $1129. So, I'm   getting greater value out of what I'm paying for  every year. So, I'm appreciative of that. I think   that's a story that we should tell people as well.  And I don't think I saw it on one of your slides,   but can you talk about the big read? even if I did  then or if you did say it then sorry I missed it   but I think I'm excited about that this year as  well. Yeah. Yeah. I apologize. I've overlooked   it because we're actively in it. Um the big  read launched a couple of weeks ago. It's a   book called um the catalog of unabashed gratitude  by Ross Gay. Um we have a number of programs that   are happening. I will say that we didn't receive  our NEA grant this year. So it's a much smaller   program than we've ever had in the past. But the  selected book really um it's it's indicative of   what we're trying to do all year long. Um so  I recommend looking at our event calendar and   you'll see a number of upcoming programs. So  even the Pete Davis um um civic action passport   dedicated conversation really does kind of it  even it fits really nicely with our big read.   But I I will say um part of the big read too, we  centered it at the Maya Angelo branch primarily   because we wanted to show off that we have um the  beginnings of a community garden and I'm going to   a meeting later this afternoon where we're going  to figure out how to build the gardens and get   things planted. So ideally the next time you pop  over um into district one on the north side, you'd   be able to see um a really lovely community garden  space which extends our programming outdoors.   It's getting salty. Yeah, we got asphalt  all around our library. So, I don't know.   There's room for a community garden there. But  that's all right. That's all right. Council member   Sheepard. Um I guess uh one two quick questions.  One, um the original library 150 years ago in   Dalton, maybe you know this, you're a Witchaw  history buff. What building was that? Yeah,   we were nomads. Um, I think for a long time we  were in storefronts. We moved up and down Douglas   and Main Street until we found a home. I believe  it was on the fourth floor at the city building   which is now the historic museum. And we stayed  there um I believe we moved to the first floor   and then the Carnegie Library was built in 1915  and that became our first our first real home.   Okay, that's interesting. Are there any events  planned for um any of these places to celebrate   the 15? all of the places the previous lunchon.  Yeah. Yeah. So on that May 2nd um program I think   we're going to be talking about our lineage and  then I'm also giving a presentation at the friends   volunteer lunchon. So if you attend that you'll  get to see lots of pictures and and history of us.   All right. And then the second item is still  kind of working out the plan and everything   but I didn't know if you wanted to touch base  on uh the library services being offered at   the plane view center. Yeah. What we're trying to  think about is I mean the library is beyond books   and we're also beyond a building itself right and  so what are ways that we can bring aspects of our   collection our staff our resources um so what  we've conceived of for the plan community center   is an outlet library collection we'll be exploring  different technology like a vending device for   browsing for the browsing collection but then also  something akin to an Amazon hold pickup locker.   Um, what this does operationally is it adds us  an extra delivery stop to us. So, we're able to   provide more access to resources  um without the staff investment.   Thank you, Jamie. Appreciate that  volume return. Council member Shepard,   lots of great things happening in every district,  but lots happening in district one with Witaw   Public Library, which I'm really grateful for. We  love we love everything that you all are doing. I   just want to had a couple comments. Thank you for  partnering with USD259 to really complement what   they are doing with the communities and schools.  I think that that is going to be a gamecher.   Council member Glascock and Council Member  Ballard are getting ready to um go on a trip with   and council member Hoisler are also going  on a trip with USD259 to uh see the model   uh the original model to see how we can bring that  back to our community. Uh I don't know if council   member Hoassel is going but Ballard and Glascock  are. So really interested in learning from them.   wanted to thank you also for keeping in mind  our friends uh with physical and intellectual   disabilities too and including them. Um I have a  major passion for the blind and visually impaired   specifically and I love the fact that they can  go into our branches and that they can feel   um that they are being served there too. And  then we had some visitors from Los Angeles come   uh to the city of Witchah. They are with  the Church of Scientology celebrating a 75th   anniversary of when their founder actually made  their way through Kansas to do some research and   write a book and they were able to go to the  advanced learning library and go through the   archives and the collections and learn uh about  history that they were looking for. And so again,   your work is touching not just Witchans,  it's touching people all across the country,   including LA. And I'm really grateful  for all that you're doing. Thank you.   Thank you, Jamie. I actually got tagged this  morning regarding Chicago, specifically the   library card. Can you expand on that just a little  bit more that we were actually a spearheader   and how um really it's something that can continue  to expand? What are other ways that USD259 and   Witchah uh libraries can continue to collaborate?  Each of these uh schools has libraries inside   those buildings. Have we thought about how we  can incorporate those libraries into the system?   Yeah, I think at some point in our history, we um  had a deep partnership with the school system and   had lots of resources being shared. I believe  the last embedded library school partnership,   it was about 20 years ago. It was the Plain  View um library in Ken Elementary. we um   resource shared and I think that um changes within  the school system indicated that you know having   members of the public coming into an elementary  school during the day there was just a a tension   with safety and security. So um at that point  I I put in air quotes we kind of broke up. Um   but I think part of where I'm at um when I first  joined it's been about four and a half years ago.   I can't believe it's been that fast. Um, we were  issuing library cards to students based on teacher   interest. The teachers were needing to do school  assignments. We'd arrange a tour. They would get   we would issue about 30 cards at a time. Um, that  manual process wasn't something that we could   maintain, nor was it something that could scale,  nor was it equitable. So, we had conversations   with um, Assistant Superintendent Gil Alvarez  to to talk about like what could this look like?   And we wanted to make it as possible. We wanted  to make it as smooth as possible. And so,   um, at school register, we piloted with high  school, then scaled it down the next year to   middle school, and now all students at enrollment  are able, parents are able to opt in for a Witchah   Public Library card based on the information  the school has provided. We get data that then   we upload into our system really, really easily  because they've provided us the student ID numbers   and then the cards are issued. Um, they're able  to use them. and they don't renew until they're 18   or they don't expire I guess until they're  18. But um the success I think we've got   it might be close to 30,000 students in USD259  with Witchah Public Library ecards now. Wow. Yeah.   So we were first before Chicago. I think they  maybe have done a different type of program but   the ease of the student ID I think is the  new new bit for them. Cool. We were first. Thank you, Jamie. Thank you, Jamie. Thank  you, Jamie. Have a great weekend, everyone.