The Big Rapids City Manager Newsletter April 24, 2009

 The City is moving away from Eden software to BS&A. Eden is a west coast company that has difficult hours, expensive support and training difficulties. BS&A is a Michigan company, user friendly, support and training friendly and willing to customize programs for the customer. The conversion is fairly expensive, but the savings in annual support will return the investment in two+ years.

WORKMAN’S COMPENSATION

 The City continues to have pretty good safety records resulting in significant savings to the Workman’s Compensation rates. In late March, a check was written back to the City from WC for $16,969 as a result of our local efforts in safety. Kudos to the employees of the City.

WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT

 I mentioned at the Commission meeting that the City has employed Trojan (manufacturer of the UV disinfection system at the WWTP) to review and make recommendations on the maintenance and upkeep of the UV system. This is very important and strategic since that seems to be the weak link in the WWTP. If there are ‘tricks of the trade’, we want to know what they are PRIMARILY because it is important to the environment and we care very much about our responsibility in that arena. It is also important because we are at the advent of the plant construction. If there are ways to keep the plant in compliance during this two-year journey we want to be compliant.

 We, however, are not blind to the fact that the DEQ is looking at us to make a mistake or become lax in our operations. Our trip to Lansing strongly suggests that more than due diligence is in order. Also, we need to know NOW if there are continuing difficulties, because it would be easier and perhaps cheaper to remedy UV needs now, when a contractor is active at the plant – rather than wait and take remedial action later. The first phase of this investigation took place on Wednesday. We will be updating DEQ on our findings and updated maintenance activities as we receive the report from Trojan.

 I am personally pretty happy at this point with the WWTP staff and the seriousness with which they are addressing the UV issues. We are receiving a good analysis and suggestions for the future. I am quite upbeat about our effort to find ways to review and monitor the UV system for a more effective operation.

MUSKEGON TROUT

 The Fremont Foundation has again awarded the City $1,000 to stock the River with trout in advance of the Travel and Tourism fishing derby later this year. The ‘Make a Wish’ foundation is part of this very popular annual event.

ACTIVITY

-Tim Moslener reports that the connection to Central Dispatch is nearly complete which will give the City greater speed and reliability for emergency services.

-Softball leagues are starting up

-Riverwalk III design is underway; trees are being trimmed in advance of this project

-Façade contract/beginning construction expected before May 4

-Earth Day activities are THIS SATURDAY beginning at 9 am

-Sidewalk contractor is expected to begin the repair program next week

-Union negotiations underway with Police Supervisor’s unit

-A Mexican lunch fundraiser was held Thursday, netting $132. Thanks to all who cooked

Especially Tim and Eric (who are our extraordinary chef’s), and to all who contributed their appetite – it was a fun event….next up Italian!!

BUY BACK THE NEIGHBORHOOD

 The City has two homes, which were purchased before the State cancelled the remodeling program. We have been looking for appropriate ways to complete the renovation on these homes. The Planning Board is reviewing the PILOT for Country Way in which one of the requirements for PILOT approval is participation in neighborhood renovation as well as project development/redevelopment. We have suggested to the contractor that 424 Woodward would be a very good target for his neighborhood assistance requirement. He has received this suggestion with great interest.

 The second home on Division is in a more dilapidated condition and has a basement water problem as well as a very low ceiling issue on the second floor. We had anticipated extensive support from the State in this renovation effort. Mark Sochocki has suggested that perhaps a better idea in the absence of state funds for renovation would be state funds for demolition (which are available in the stimulus package). A new structure could then be built which could avoid these two existing problems.

 Staff has concurred with these approaches and is encouraging the funding of these efforts by these outside groups. It would be a good thing to have the properties both become functioning properties in the private sector again, as was originally intended.

CHAMBER INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE

 The Chamber sponsored a lunch and learn meeting on the International Fire Code. The meeting was attended by 32 interested business folks – including Lee Schwartz from Lansing, who is a representative of the Homebuilders Association. Lee was quite helpful in presenting the needs for codes. As an outside professional, his comments were supportive and helped clarify several issues raised at the meeting. There was positive feedback at the meeting and a greater understanding of the City’s desire to update our 1970 code to a 2006 version.

HEALTH COMMITTEE

 The Health Committee met and discussed the disparity of the costs and contributions of the retirees health care program. While no one wants costs to increase, there certainly was acknowledgement that retirees in some cases were subsidized by as much as $1,000 per month. This has serious impact on the full time employees and the overall City budget. The committee in the end endorsed the changes in rates to narrow this subsidy and to encourage the retirees already eligible for Medicare to move to a Medicare/supplemental type coverage to keep their benefits at a more reasonable price. Meetings will be held next month to individually review the options with these retirees.

PUBLIC WORKS ACTIVITIES

APRIL 12, 2009 thru April 24, 2009

 This week began cold, dark and dreary and ended sunny with temperatures nearing 70 degrees. Activities in the parks are increasing daily and River-walk is being inundated with pedestrian traffic of all kinds.

 We have been receiving applications from people interested in life guarding this summer at the pool. When Pat Horan returns from Arizona, we will begin training with staff. We already have scheduled for the cleaning to be done as well as some maintenance that needs doing before we open for the season. We will be asking Bill Prince to return as assistant coordinator for the pool this summer, with his experience and great work last year we will be lucky to have him.

 Locations for the spring tree plantings have been staked. This year there will be over forty new trees planted in the public Right of Way. Other activities are listed below:

Streets –

• LED street light display demo has been taken down in front of City Hall
• Winter snow dump site North of the Dial-A-Ride office was cleared of debris
• File cabinets moved from Middle School to City Hall for Jill Buse
• Shelf installed in City Hall lobby for Tree City ten year recognition plaque
• Clean debris from gutter bump-outs downtown
• Inspected banners downtown
• Installed display board outside for posting of City meetings and events
• Crack sealed on Colburn Avenue and South Bronson from M-20 to Colburn
• Sweeping City and FSU streets
• Painting sign posts
• Road box replacement for gate valve on 300 block of East Spruce Street
• Curb and gutter repairs, two locations

Parks –

• Working on lawns, bathroom and garbage activities

Sewer –

• Cleaning of sewer mains
• Routine inspection of sewer lines

Motor fleet –

• Maintenance of Dial-A-Ride busses
• Small engine tune-up of park equipment
• Ron Duff’s mower serviced and fabricated changes to deck
• Ball field tractor serviced and ready for summer

Water, "Main Maintenance" –

• Repair of touch reads
• MISS DIGS

• Repairs made to remote touch reads of water meters
• Repair of fire hydrant
• Assisted Public Housing with water leak
• Located services for City Records
• Tested water for Northend Park hand pump
• Rebuilt meter pit
• Assisted plumber for township water customer

Stephen Sobers, City Manager