Welcome to the city of St Joseph's weekly digital newsletter. City Link is your source for timely and relevant information from your local government.
Thursday, September 23, 2021
Parks Ambassador Public Meetings

In August, voters, very positively, supported the parks tax to restore and improve our parks. Shortly after the first of next year, the projects will begin, and our community will start to see the results. However, now is the time to start planning for ways we can work together to protect our parks and park assets to ensure they stay safe and well-maintained for many years to come.

A series of public meetings will be held in October to gather community input on how we can all work together to safeguard our parks. The public is invited to attend to hear updates on the parks tax and implementation of the projects, and to share ideas they may have on programs to get the public engaged in our parks system. There will be opportunities for those interested to sign up for different programs being considered and established.

The meetings will begin at 6pm, and will be held at the following dates and locations:
  • Tuesday, October 5 at Fairview Clubhouse, 3302 Pacific
  • Thursday, October 7 at Remington Nature Center, 1502 MacArthur Drive
  • Wednesday, October 13 at Community Christian Church, 2009 Mason Road

Our parks belong to all of us, and everyone has the right to use them and feel safe while in the parks. Working together, we can establish programs that will keep the parks safe and maintained for our generation and those to come. Afterall, our Parks are for Life.
Renewal of Airport Joint Use Agreement

The city of St. Joseph and the 139th Airlift Wing has agreed on the renewal of the Airport Joint Use Agreement (AJUA). The purpose is to authorize the cost sharing of certain joint operational expenses between the military and the city at Rosecrans Memorial Airport. This is a way for the military to reimburse the city for their use of the taxiways, runways and other air operations areas. The airport staff consist of six employees and those employees are responsible for the maintenance, mowing and snow removal of all runways as well as the taxiways, which is over two million square feet of concrete and approximately 300 acres of grass to mow. 

Work on the AJUA began in November 2020, when the city began compiling financial figures to send to the National Guard Bureau for their review of approved joint expenses. After submitting the estimated costs for joint use expenses, the office of the Secretary of the Airforce reviews and adjusts the figures as per their regulations. The final step is a review by both parties together and agreeing on a payment amount and the language for the AJUA.

The new AJUA will take effect on October 1, 2021, and it will be a 10-year term. This will provide the airport $55,156.28 annually. The city, however, must commit the funds collected through this agreement and use it solely for the operations and maintenance of jointly used assets and areas at the Rosecrans Memorial Airport.
A New Kind of Sports League

In the world of new technology and more indoors for many, a new industry has busted onto the scene in a big way. Esports is one of the fastest growing industries worldwide as the video gaming community offers a competitive, organized gaming environment. This allows those who play to show off their in-game skills while also working on some real-life skills like teamwork, creativity, problem-solving and communication. Additionally, social distancing and physical isolation has allowed people of all ages to make connections with not only the people in their physical community, but beyond through in-game chat rooms and streaming services.

The Parks, Recreation & Civic Facilities Department is excited to help bring the world of esports to the community as the department has partnered with GGLeagues to offer this competitive environment. GGLeagues offers users a safe, fun and inclusive environment online to compete against those within the community as well as across the state and region. It is open to people of all skill levels and is segmented into three age divisions of ages 8-12, ages 13-17, and age 18+ to keep the environment as safe and fun as possible for all users. Their platform allows for children to play their favorite games in a structured environment, free of toxicity. Through their methods, they ensure players are watched and cared for every step of the way in their competitive gaming journey.
 
This fall, the parks department and GGLeagues are offering leagues for Fortnite, Super Smash Brothers Ultimate, Madden 21, and Rocket League . For just $30, participants will have the chance to sign up for one or all four leagues. The six-week league will include five weeks of pool play and one week for the final tournament. The ultimate victor will receive in-game currency, a GGLeagues swag pack, and a chance to compete at the national level against other league victors.

If participants are not interested in committing to the full six-week league, GGLeagues also offers free weekly tournaments in Madden 21, Fortnite, Super Smash Bros and Rocket League. These weekly tournaments offer a great way to try out the GGLeagues platform to see if they are ready to compete in the full league.

Those wishing to participate in the fall 2021 season can register online or by scanning the QR code. Registration closes on September 29.
Financial Reporting Award

The city's Administrative Services Department was recently awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for its comprehensive annual financial report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020. According to the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada, the report was judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program, which includes demonstrating a constructive "spirit of full disclosure" to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the report. This award is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting and represents a significant accomplishment by a government. This is the 31st consecutive year the city has received this award.
Nature Center Craft

Have plans this weekend? Head down to Remington Nature Center this Saturday, September 25, from 1-3pm, for the monthly make and take craft. This month, kids will get to create their own alien or monster lunch sack puppet and put on a show. The craft is included with regular admission. For more information, contact Remington Nature Center at 271-5499.
(816) 271-5300