Daniel's Farewell Party

Everyone is invited to join us the Olivia City Council and Staff’s Farewell Gathering for city administrator, Daniel Hoffman on Thursday, January 19, 2012 at the city council chambers from 3:00 to 4:30.  Daniel will be retiring the end of January.  He has been city administrator for the City of Olivia for four years and has been instrumental in bring the current infrastructure project with its $7 million grant portion into the city.  This project would not have happened without his leadership.  His keen eye and attention to detail will be missed.  Please join us for coffee and acknowledge his contributions to our city.

Colleen Revier retirement

Retiring this week after many years of service to our city is Colleen Revier.  Colleen was the cable access coordinator for many years and is retiring from that position as of January 15, 2012.  Cable access will be now be handled within the city office.  The phone number is 320.523.2361 and email is oliviacableaccess@gmail.com .  There will be some transition so we ask everyone to be patient.  The City Council and the entire city staff and community appreciates the contribution Colleen has made these past 20+ years.  She has been a reliable worker and has seen many changes in the technology field.  There will be more to come as the city looks to a new city administrator in the coming months.  

Greater Minnesota Regional Parks & Trails Coalition

There is an organization that lovers of outdoors in our area should be aware of.  I attended an ITV meeting of the Great Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Coalition this last week.  This group is a young organization which has joined together to provide networking opportunities for regional parks and trails throughout Greater Minnesota.  It also believes by joining together we will improve the quality of life for our citizens outside of the Metropolitan area.  Areas of focus include providing legislative support and promoting funding opportunities.  In our area, the City of Olivia is the only governmental agency supporting this effort.  I look forward to other cities and Renville County supporting this regional effort in addition to townships and regional development commissions.  Please contact me if you would like more information. 
Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Coalition

RADkids Committee to Start

At the last City Council meeting there was established a RADkids committee.  This organization is a nation-wide program.  RADkids stands for “Resist Aggression Defensively”. It is a personal empowerment safety education program that includes bullying prevention through the eyes of our children, while breaking the cycle of violence in our children’s lives.  This program has been discussed and presented at numerous community service groups.  Members of our community have been learning about this program for a year or so and now it is time to move to the next step.  If you would like more information or are interested in being part of this committee please contact me or Brian Stenholm at the Olivia Police Department. 

Olivia Community Center for Family Gatherings

If your family needs a bigger space than your house for hosting any type of gathering the Olivia Community Center is available at a very reasonable cost.  It is a smoke free handicapped accessible facility that is available for gatherings and celebrations, such as anniversaries, receptions, class reunions, etc.  The center accomodates 102 people and has a full kitchen with a dishwasher and large coffee pots.  There are tables and chairs, cable TV, a DVD player and on-site parking.  Please contact city office (320-523-2351) or cityofolivia@olvia.mn.us

Getting ready for winter!

Happy 2012 to everyone!

We all knew winter would eventually come.  Now is the time to make sure our cars are equipped with those winter survival kits, items that we took out of our cars in May.  You know, that extra pair of mittens, hats, scarfs, snow pants, wool blankets and that coffee can with the candles, matches, flashlight with new batteries, colored ribbon or emergency tag, that shovel that is somewhere in garage, an extra pair of socks and extra boots.   We need to find all that stuff and put in back in our cars for our future travels.  Better to be safe than sorry, hopefully we will never have to use any of it, but if we do, it will be there. 

Employee Recognition

I am one week away from completing my first year as Mayor of Olivia and it has been a learning experience to say the least.  I have learned more about streets and sewers and sanitary systems than I ever thought possible.  I’ve learned about waste water, runoff water, lift stations, pump stations and a lot about budgets.  I also learned what it takes to run a city.  The most important commodity the city of Olivia has is its employees.  We are fortunate to have a very dedicate work force.  That is why at the end of every year I am Mayor I would like to recognize those city employees who have reached a n employment milestone.  For 2011, they include: Kathy Herdina with 30 years of service, Marsha Brandt with 15 years of service, Shad Evenson with 15 years of service, Michelle Jensen with 15 years of service and Daniel Reinert with 5 years of service.  I and all the citizens of Olivia truly appreciate their work for our city and acknowledge their achievement.  Thank you and thanks to all our city employees and I look forward to working with you in 2012.  

Christmas Greetings

This is my first Christmas as mayor and it is indeed a merry one. The City of Olivia is able to cut down and chop up all the trees damaged by the July storms instead of moving snow which is our usual December activity.  As a holiday traveler I appreciate the clear highways and the ease of getting around to our many destinations.  I am sure the snow will eventually be upon us and it will force us to stop.  School will be late or cancelled. We will just have to let it snow, and then will dig out like we do every winter.  We will then enjoy all our snow activities.  This week, however, I will enjoy the brown Christmas, it doesn’t happen too often. 

My wish is for everyone to have a safe and Merry Christmas.  Enjoy every moment with your loved ones, treasure those near and send the warmest of blessings to those far from you during this Holiday Season.  Drive safely, and remember every destination will still be there in another few minutes so we want to see everyone after the Holidays.

Committee Members needed

It doesn’t have to be said to any Olivia resident that doing volunteer work can make you happier and even healthier, but it is true and research has shown that to be so.  Social scientist, Michael Argyle, who studied the psychology of happiness, found volunteering to be the second-greatest source of joy.  According to this study, people enjoy volunteering because it brings them together with like-minded people.  They benefit from seeing the result of their work and gaining life experiences.  Olivia residents seem willing to do what needs to be done to help out each other.  That being said, I want to share some volunteer opportunities in the city committees.  Every year there are areas the city would like citizen involvement and 2012 is no different.  The following committees have openings.  The Board of Appeals has an opening.  The committee only meets as necessary during the year.  The Community Betterment Committee has an opening.  This committee was formerly the park board and it has not had regularly scheduled meetings in the past couple of years, but it is my hope with a new city administrator we can make this a more vibrant board, find some funding and address some our recreational areas.  Finally the Technology Committee meets monthly, usually the 4^th Thursday of the month at the library.  We have be discussing the updating of the city council chambers, updating the city website, cable, and social media. 

Anyone who is interested in making application to any committee must live in the City of Olivia and should stop by the city office and pick up an application or there will be available online, check under the mayor’s notes on the City of Olivia website (www.olivia.mn.us).  

Christmas Spirit

I always envy those people who complete their Christmas shopping in August.  They are the organized friends that know everyone’s sizes, likes and dislikes.  They have Christmas presents purchased and organized way before the first leaf begins to turn.  They have their cards ready to go and baking done and so on.  I am a more “in the mood” type Holiday person.   I am now in the Christmas mood thanks to the marvelous Christmas Cantata Thursday night.  “O Holy Night” was performed to a packed St Aloysius Church.   Over $1900 was raised for Santa’s Closet and the Renville County Food Shelf.  This is a $600 increase from last year.  With 11% of Renville County residents living in poverty, 16% of our children, these services are truly needed this year.  The 70+ members of this choir are from all over Renville County and we practice 2 days a week for 6 weeks prior to this concert.  What a joy this program is and so many make is possible.  Thanks especially to our director, Deb Rath and accompanist, Cyndia Washburn.  Special thanks to Olivia Kiwanis, Diane Zenk, Dick and Gladie Hagen, and Linda Wagemaker for organizational help.   Thank you also to Faith United Methodist Church for allowing us to use their church for practice and to St. Aloysius Church for allowing us to perform in their beautiful church.  It is truly a wonderful community event.  

I feel like every year I must first participate in the Christmas Cantata before any other Christmas preparations begin.  It is my method of getting in the Christmas Spirit.  However, I am still not quite ready for snow.