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The quality of being creative; the ability to use the imagination to develop new and original ideas or things.

On January 9, 2012, Lindsborg City Council hosted the fourth annual Community Partner Forum in Lindquist Hall on the Bethany College campus. The concept and initiation of the event began in 2009. The forum style setting provides an opportunity for different agencies in the community to come together as a group and present on successes, challenges, programs, goals and direction for the coming year.

The City of Lindsborg strives in meeting opportunities and challenges CREATIVELY and effectively.

Although there are no defined outcomes for the evening, there is the sharing of information and development of a better understanding of the various organizations that make up the community of “Lindsborg”.

Participating partners over the last four years have been Bethany College, Bethany Home, The Lindsborg Chamber of Commerce, Smoky Valley School District-USD 400, The Associated Churches of Lindsborg, Mid Kansas Coop, McPherson County, The Lindsborg Senior Center, Raymer Society, Sandzen Gallery, The Children’s Center, Lindsborg Community Hospital and Smoky Valley Community Foundation.

The forum over the years has always been informative, however once the evening was concluded, there was never any post session discussion or assessment on the information. This year a change was instituted. The following week Council gathered for the evening’s recap and to determine if actions needed to be taken on the part of the city to enhance community efforts.

The work session ended with the development of three short-term objectives. The first objective was an immediate dialogue with Bethany Home on discussing their infrastructure needs for the planning and advancement of an assisted living facility. The second objective was to meet with Bethany College administration to enhance college / city engagement. The third objective was to study the potential for Smoky Hill Riverfront and Old Mill development.

A final suggestion from the work session was to do live broadcasts on future Community Partner Forums on City Watch Channel 13. This would provide the opportunity for the larger community to learn about the various groups and organizations that contribute to the quality of life in Lindsborg.

The City of Lindsborg welcomes Bethany College International student Ruzanna Boyakhchyan as an intern with the City’s Administration Department. Ruzanna comes to Lindsborg from Armenia and is studying Political Science for a year through a scholarship won from IREX (International Research Exchange).

To begin her internship, Ruzanna attended City Hall Day on February 1, 2012 at the State Capitol in Topeka with the Mayor, several Council members and the City Administrator. She met Kansas Legislators, Senator Jay Emler and Representative Clark Shultz, toured the State Capitol and sat in on one of the legislative hearings. Besides learning local government protocol, processes and participating in administrative tasks and research, Ruzanna will observe monthly City Council and Committee meetings. Ruzanna is proficient in English, Russian, French, elementary Spanish and native Armenian. Her intern-ship with the City is scheduled through mid May.

Spring Energy Tips: ♦ Turn your water heater down to 120 degrees Fahrenheit and save money on your electric bill. ♦ Make sure all ceiling fans are working properly and are dust-free. During the warm months, switch the

direction and push air downward, cooling the room and ensuring constant airflow. ♦ Regularly wash or replace furnace and air conditioner filters. ♦ If you have a sliding glass door make sure to keep its track clean. A dirty track can ruin the door’s seal

and create gaps where heat or cold air can escape. ♦ Pets shed during the spring—when dust and pet hair build up on refrigerator condenser coils, the

motor works harder and uses more electricity. Make sure the coils are cleaned so air can circulate freely.

♦ Turn off the thermostat, take off storm windows, put in screens and open up windows to get the house to a comfortable temperature.

♦ Use natural lighting as mush as possible. Check lights on a timer to make sure they are on only when needed.

♦ Open windows at night when the temperature drops and close them in the morning to keep the cool air in and hot air out.

♦ Some energy improvements made this year may qualify for a tax credit on next year’s taxes. ♦ Dust or wipe light bulbs. Clean bulbs provide more light.

February 17, 18 Broadway RFD Dinner Theatre March 25 Våffeldagen April 1-8 Messiah Festival April 20, 21 Broadway RFD Spring Production April 27 US Coastguard Band April 28 Artist Studio Open House May 5, 6 Millfest

The City of Lindsborg has scheduled a Community-Wide Testing on the City’s Notification & Alert System starting at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 29, 2012. The purpose of this test is to assure that all citizens have correct and valid contact information for important messages sent through this delivery system.

City Connection is an automated voice and messaging program that is designed to relay information quickly and effectively by calling homes, businesses and cell phones. Information messages may also be accessed via email.

The City Connection service allows City Hall and Public Safety officials to notify citizens entirely or by specific groups and locations on cases of emergencies, utility outages, project work, street closings, court dates, payment reminders and/or other details relating to the City. The system delivers recorded messages that will direct citizens to action when necessary.

PRIOR TO TESTING (by February 25, 2012) - Please verify your address and contact information by sending an email to lindsborg@lindsborgcity.org with City Connection as the subject line or call City Hall directly at (785) 227-3355.

IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE A CALL DURING TESTING - Register your contact information online by accessing CITY CONNECTION on the city’s website homepage under Popular Pages and submitting the City Connection Sign Up Form or contact City Hall at (785) 227-3355.

NOTE: It is important that citizens verify their address and contact information in the event of a localized alert message or emergency. City Connection is able to integrate citizen addresses with the system’s mapping capabilities. Submitted information will remain with the City of Lindsborg and used for Community Notification System purposes only.

The following is a list of accomplishments in 2011 for the City of Lindsborg. This is not a comprehensive list of the work of Lindsborg City Council and City of Lindsborg employees, but is a representative sample. ♦ Municipal Code book on City’s Website (www.lindsborgcity.org) ♦ Citizen Communications Program - City View Newsletter/City Website/City Watch Channel 13/Facebook/Twitter ♦ Updated City Council Paperless Agenda Program ♦ Launched City Connection Community Notification & Alert System ♦ Live Broadcasts of monthly City Council meetings on City Watch Channel 13 ♦ Programmable Thermostat Rebate Program continued - promoting energy efficiency ♦ Instituted Average Monthly Billing option for Utility Accounts ♦ Approval of several Public Arts donations ♦ Municipal Court sessions changed to 1st & 3rd Tuesdays for Court efficiency ♦ Broadcast of 2011 Hyllningsfest Festivities ♦ City Clerk receives 2011 Mildred Vance Kansas City Clerk of the Year Award ♦ J.O. Sundstrom Building Design Contract as downtown Conference Center ♦ Adoption of 2012-2014 Neighborhood Revitalization Plan for Commercial Zoning Districts ♦ Ordinance to allow first floor residential in the Downtown Commercial District ♦ Renewed participation in NFIP-recognized Floodplain Management Program ♦ Convention Visitors Bureau receives 2011 NATJA Award ♦ E-Marketing Campaign growth by 40% with National and International contacts in database ♦ Updates and distribution of Visitors Guide - electronic copy available on CVB website (www.visitlindsborg.com) ♦ 65 Tours / Groups visited Lindsborg in 2011 ♦ City Hall Meeting Facilities Program ♦ Certified Travel Information Center ♦ Marketing support for 8 Wonders of Kansas ♦ Arts Awareness Marketing Campaign ♦ Transient Guest Tax increase by 2% for enhanced Marketing ♦ Agreement with McPherson YMCA / Recreation Commission for Youth Activities ♦ Expanded Adult Aerobic Programs to be offered year round ♦ Received Tree City USA Award for 27th Consecutive Year ♦ Citywide Street Tree Mapping and Management System completed ♦ Riverside Park Gazebo landscape renovation ♦ GIS Mapping initiated in Parks Department ♦ Container added to Recycling Center for office paper ♦ Effluent Water Line to Golf Course for expanded Irrigation and Reuse of gray water completed ♦ Golf Course successful Groupon Marketing effort ♦ Growth in Men’s Golf Night and revitalization of Ladies Night Programs ♦ Curb & Gutter Replacement Program continued ♦ Brick Street Preservation Program continued ♦ Asphalt Mill & Overlay on Roosevelt & South First Streets ♦ Garfield Retention Pond development to enhance Flood Plain Management ♦ Received $200,000 Grant Award from KDOT for resurfacing East McPherson Street ♦ Extension and temporary surfacing of Hiking & Biking Trail to Emerald Lake Subdivision ♦ Installation of new Water Main (100 block of North Cedar and 200 block of South Cedar Streets) ♦ Painting of Fire Hydrants completed to enhance fire safety ♦ Completion of the Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade / Expansion ♦ Sewer Line Cleaning Program continued ♦ Extension of High Voltage Service to Riverside Park ♦ Installation of underground Electrical Service to Gazebo at Riverside Park ♦ Tree Trimming Program to maintain Electric System reliability

♦ New Radial Feed to Substation constructed with Westar Energy ♦ Installation of SCADA system for monitoring of Substation ♦ GIS Mapping of primary Electrical System ♦ Lindsborg Emergency Medical responses - 420 ♦ Electric Power Cot acquired by EMS for safety in lifting patients ♦ Revised EMS Protocol Manual allowing BLS service to run as ALS service ♦ Lindsborg Fire Department responses - 101 (34 City vs. 67 Rural) ♦ New Fire Gear for Fire Department Personnel ♦ Disaster Drill session for Public Safety Departments + Mid Kansas Coop and Life Team ♦ Police Department cases - 617 with 331 complaints filed with City Municipal Court ♦ Received Award on Bulletproof Vest Partnership from Bureau of Justice Assistance ♦ Officer Certification on interviewing children through the Child Advocacy Center using Finding Words technique

P&Z Commission Meetings

►February 21, 2012 ► April 17, 2012

Council Chambers 7:00 p.m.

(scheduled on the 3rd Tuesday of even months) Board of Zoning

Appeals (scheduled when needed)

SIGN UP

to receive P&Z Meeting notification on the City’s website with NOTIFY ME

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Throughout the past year, surveys were available to visitors at several locations around town. The survey asked visitors for their contact information and to rate their Lindsborg experience based upon a range of questions.

Results of the survey indicated representation from 25 states and 3 foreign countries. Although day visits were very popular, on average, guests stay 2 nights and made the most of their visit exploring the 8 Wonders of Kansas winners, the Prairie Trail By-ways, museums, shops and events. Word of mouth was still the primary way people heard about Lindsborg. Billboards and print ads were tied for second place with the internet as the number one resource used for trip planning.

As a merchant and citizen, a commitment to customer service, quality merchandise and a friendly greeting ensures that visitors and guests have a positive experience. This gives Lindsborg a great reputation and is priceless when it comes to marketing and promotion.

CVB 2011 RECAP & 2012 OVERVIEW The CVB currently maintains 5 billboards with an additional billboard coming in 2012 giving us a vital presence on I-70 and I-135. The 2011 print ads in publications targeted individuals as well as groups. In 2012 the CVB will take print ads to the next level with direct mail pieces to a select marketing list.

Web based e-marketing and social marketing continues to grow at a steady pace. E-marketing publications in 2011 totaled 11 spotlight articles, 12 newsletters, 48 press releases, 5 tour profiles along with the added functionality of text-to-join for the convenience of smart phone users. To meet the requirements for Facebook fans and Twitter followers , a bi-weekly post titled, In the ‘Borg? continues to share lesser known facts, hidden treasures and the fun side of Lindsborg.

Also in 2011, the CVB added 14 new pages to their website, visitlindsborg.com. The site continues to offer the most current and complete information on Lindsborg lodging, attractions, shops and events. Lindsborg event information was also listed on 14 independent websites doubling the number of sites since 2010.

A conscious effort was made to direct people to the CVB site for information and for a printable version of the Lindsborg Visitors Guide. This helped to lower the amount of printed copies and costs associated with printing and postage. A total of 17,500 guides were ordered in 2011 for continued use in 2012. 1,912 were mailed directly to individuals and information centers, 590 were sent to tour and meeting planners and an additional 1,000 were distributed at state meetings to information center directors.

10,000 Lindsborg postcards were printed to use as marketing tools. Local mail order businesses and ticket sales offices included a postcard in each order. The postcard provided direction to the Lindsborg CVB website and marketing assistance towards community events.

Lindsborg hosted 65 groups in 2011 and CVB staff served as step-on-guides for 15 of them. The CVB will be training volunteers to serve as step-on-guides for bus tours in 2012 and offering regularly scheduled Tours for individuals.

To increase the number of groups that visit Lindsborg, a promotional video is being produced and will be available in late spring. Segments of the video will also be posted on YouTube giving internet users a fresh new look of Lindsborg.

CVB Staff enjoys serving the community, being a source for information and marketing events and attractions that Lindsborg offers. We are looking forward to working with you in 2012!

Growing the population and the tax base of Lindsborg are the two comprehensive, long-term goals of the Community Development Department. But in today’s economy, even sustaining these two critical components of our economy is a difficult task. To address the challenge, the department will focus on three objectives uniquely suited to local government involvement:

OBJECTIVES: 1. Contribute to creating an environment where new and existing businesses will grow and hire new

employees. 2. Expand the availability of housing to a wide range of demographic groups. 3. Build upon existing community assets.

The following action items have been identified as important steps in achieving these objectives:

♦ Complete the J.O. Sundstrom Conference Center. Located in the heart of the downtown commercial district, this tastefully renovated and well-run meeting space will bring additional foot traffic to the area, increasing the demand for retail and restaurant trade.

♦ Promote Neighborhood Revitalization Plan to commercial property owners. Initiated in 2008, this program offers up to 20% return of investment on qualified improvements. The program was recently expanded and will be available through 2014.

♦ Develop a façade improvement incentive for commercial properties. Introduced in the early 2000s, this program didn’t pick up any traction until the year it was set to expire. Similar initiatives based on revolving loan funds for qualifying improvements are being reviewed.

♦ Update the Design Review process and facilitate downtown street and sidewalk improvements.

♦ Provide demographic and population metrics to potential businesses and developers.

♦ Complete a housing assessment survey and market results to area developers.

♦ Revise and update developer agreement contacts for future expansion of residential subdivisions.

♦ Establish a vacant property inventory and registration process, and promote infill development.

♦ Continue expanding the Välkommen Trail.

♦ Further develop the lower reach Cow Creek detention pond(s) and establish new park acreage.

♦ Continue to enhance Park assets (Swensson Fountain, Riverside Park facilities) and participate in the Tree City U.S.A. program.

We all know that dumping garbage within the City Limits is against the law. What is not so well-known is the ordinance prohibiting streambed dumping, specifically lawn debris, brush, fill and other organic material. By streambeds, the law means all ditches, channels and basins that carry or collect storm water, which includes Cow Creek, more commonly know as the Slough. Continued dumping of grass clippings, tree limbs and weed debris eventually causes the channel bed to rise and reduces its capacity to carry rainwater. This increases the potential for damaging floods. Properly dispose your yard debris and do your part to keep our streams clean.

What is it that citizens want or expect from a Public Safety Department? Perhaps one response would be to feel safe and secure in their homes and on the streets. Another may be for the provision of resources in the event of a disaster or personal incident such as severe weather, house fires and medical emergencies.

Police, Emergency Medical Service (EMS), and Fire personnel continually and creatively search for ways to provide services that are effective, efficient and timely. Each respective area of Public Safety is committed and determined to meet citizen service expectations while working within their limited budgets. An important part of the preparation is staff training and the implementation of the practices learned. Drills and exercises utilize and cross over the three disciplines creating situations where department and City employees work toward the solutions that minimize threats to life and property. It is important to those involved with Public Safety to know that these situations can be handled from within the City and that other resources can be contacted when the need arises. The City of Lindsborg is fortunate to have dedicated employees and volunteers that ensure the provision of services that Lindsborg citizens want and expect.

Välkommen to Courtney Lee Braddock, a senior at Bethany College majoring in Criminal Justice. Courtney completed her practicum with the Salina Court System and recently finished her Experience Based Education with the Lindsborg Police Department.

Courtney is from San Diego, California and was recruited to play volleyball. She graduates this May and plans to return to California.

In 2010, the Federal Government mandated the modification requirements on siren and paging systems. The deadline given for compliance was January 2013.

The Lindsborg Siren and Paging System were switched over in January 2012 when McPherson County made the changes to the narrow band radio requirements a year ahead of schedule.

Most of the paging issues have been resolved, however the tornado siren system required a lot of upgrades due to technological support and age. The Federal Government failed to provide funding through the Hazard Mitigation Plan to offset the costs for compliance. It is still the goal to have the upgrade complete prior to the start of the tornado season.

Technological advances have brought a new level of efficiency to the Public Works Department. Prior to this article, it was reported that automated meter reading equipment had reduced the amount of time required to read the City’s water and electric meters. The Department has recently added to that efficiency with a mobile meter reading device that allows the meter reader to collect both water and electric readings from a City vehicle. When fully implemented, the new hardware will reduce the total reading time to a half a day which will save over $22,000 per year in labor costs when compared to previous manual read methods.

Another type of technology that has been in place for a few years is the SCADA (Supervisory Command And Data Acquisition) system for monitoring the City’s water towers and well fields, which are located approximately 10 miles southwest of town. This SCADA system allows the Department to remotely monitor the water levels within the two towers, power failures at the wells or chlorination building, issues with the pumps and other related factors. By knowing the nature of a problem in advance, the necessary tools and equipment can be taken directly to the well field and worked on immediately. A number of after hour alerts can be remotely accessed and altered to prevent the need for a call-out.

The recent renovation of the Wastewater Treatment Plant also utilizes a similar SCADA system for remote monitoring of the plant processes. The plant operator is able to examine and adjust many of the processes from a cell phone.

In 2011, a SCADA system was also added to the City’s electrical substation. It collects a huge amount of data which is generated daily by the master meter that is the link between Westar Energy and the City of Lindsborg. In the past, a City employee would spend a half hour at the substation each morning and afternoon to manually log the data generated by the meter. The data, which is critical in the analysis of the City’s electrical needs, is now stored by the SCADA system and is downloaded onto one of the computers at the City shop. This saves an hour a day and the data is available in a usable format that requires no further formatting for analysis. The current system set up does not allow remote control of the substation; however the option could be added at a future date.

In this day and age, most would agree that technology can be convenient, interesting and fun. The City of Lindsborg focus with technology is to be creative and cost effective when implementing advance systems and services that translate into a real savings for our citizens.

The Old Mill Trestle Bridge is a one-lane, weight-limited bridge. It is signed with a 10 ton weight limit at both the north and south ends of the bridge. In addition, notification of the weight-limited bridge is posted at Old Mill Road and 14th Avenue (Old 81 Highway). This limits the bridge crossing to standard vehicles such as passenger cars and pickup trucks. To ensure the safety and integrity of the bridge, the weight limit will be enforced.

The City of Lindsborg

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The Swensson Park fountain and lily pond, commissioned and built in the early 1930’s will finally be replaced this year. Plans call for construction of a large, shallow, vanishing edge pool with water circulating from a 4’ by 4’ cube rising out of the center of the pond. Vanishing edge pools, also called infinity edge pools, produce the effect of water extending to the horizon. Water flows over one or more edges, usually flush with the decking elevation, and is collected in a trough and then recycled to the fountain base. The dimensional layout will be identical to the existing park feature, but the effect will be dramatically different. The pond’s shallow depth will allow for the removal of the chain link fence, and the existing concrete walkway surrounding the pool will be replaced.

LGC staff is gearing up for the 2012 season and extend their invitation to become a Lindsborg Golf Course member. Applications for new and renewal memberships are available at the Clubhouse, City Hall or online at www.lindsborgcity.org. View course details and information on the City’s homepage under Departments, Recreation and Lindsborg Golf Course. Join the fun and PLAY in a relaxed and enjoyable environment. Clubhouse winter hours through February— 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. (weather permitting and temperatures above 55 degrees)

Membership Fees: April 1, 2012—March 31, 2013 Single $320 Student $150

Family $490 Includes parents and children (under 21) living in same household

Daily Fees: Week 9-holes $10 18-holes $13

Weekend 9-holes $11 18-holes $18

10 PLAY Card $100 Additional $5 for weekend or holiday use Car Rental 9-holes $6.50 per seat 18-holes $10 per seat

PRIVATE POOL PARTIES - CALL TO RESERVE YOUR POOL PARTY FOR 2012 Fee: $100 first hour / $50.00 second hour Available Time: 8:00-10:00 p.m. (parties may be booked June 1-August 3) A $40.00 deposit must be received within two weeks of booking a party or the reservation will be canceled. Pay-ment for the remaining balance can be made at the time of the party. The deposit will be applied to the party cost or refunded if party is canceled by pool staff due to weather or unforeseen pool problem. Deposit is non-refundable when the reservation is canceled in less than 48 hours.

POOL Party Reservations: Contact CITY HALL at (785) 227-3355

MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL

CONTACT INFORMATION

MAYOR Judy Neuschafer

jneuschafer@lindsborgcity.org

COUNCILMEMBERS Ken Branch - WARD 1

kbranch@lindsborgcity.org

David Higbee - WARD 1 dhigbee@lindsborgcity.org

Becky Anderson - WARD 2 banderson@lindsborgcity.org

Betty Nelson - WARD 2 bnelson@lindsborgcity.org

Russ Hefner - WARD 3 rhefner@lindsborgcity.org

Rick Martin - WARD 3 rmartin@lindsborgcity.org

W.R. Chestnut - WARD 4 wrchestnut@lindsborgcity.org

Brad Howe - WARD 4 bhowe@lindsborgcity.org

101 S. Main Street PO Box 70

Lindsborg, Kansas 67456-0070

• Police, Fire and Ambulance: 911

• Police, Fire, Ambulance: 785-227-2988 (non-emergency) • Water, Sewer, Electric, Streets: 785-227-3428

• Water, Sewer, Electric, Streets: 785-227-3469 (after hours, weekends and holidays)

• City Council Meetings - March 5, April 2, May 7

• Recycling Center - (OPEN 24/7)

• Valentine’s Day - February 14

• President’s Day - February 20

• Daylight Savings Time - March 11

• St. Patrick’s Day - March 17

• Palm Sunday - April 1

• Good Friday - April 6 (City Offices Closed)

• Easter Sunday - April 8

• Mother’s Day - May 13

• City View Newsletter - Issue 22 (mid-May 2012)