In a recent government meeting, city officials highlighted the success of their summer internship program, which concluded with impressive presentations from interns who contributed significantly to various city projects. The program, which included engineering interns focusing on ADA compliance and traffic signaling, reportedly saved the city substantial costs compared to traditional contract work, which can exceed $100 per hour. The city plans to retain six interns for the fall and is exploring funding opportunities through the Center for Workforce Innovations.

Additionally, the meeting addressed the launch of leadership training initiatives for city employees, including customer service training and DISC assessments to enhance leadership skills. These programs aim to equip staff with the necessary tools to effectively manage city operations.

The discussion also touched on the declining revenue from riverboat funds, with officials acknowledging a history of overestimating these funds in budgeting, leading to a depletion of cash reserves. To address this, the city has partnered with Baker Tilly for budget assistance and long-term financial forecasting.

City officials reported on a productive meeting with South Shore regarding property management and maintenance responsibilities, as well as updates on infrastructure projects, including addressing water puddling issues related to the double track.

The meeting concluded with praise for the city’s recent family-friendly events and a commitment to continue fostering community engagement through upcoming activities like Oktoberfest. Council members expressed their support for the internship program and acknowledged the mayor's efforts in securing funding for city projects, emphasizing the importance of these initiatives for the community's future.