Big Rapids City Manager Newsletter For May 22, 2009

Attached is a kind letter from Haworth indicating thanks for the accommodation the City made for their cleanup efforts in the National Forest. A bigger thanks to Allied Waste who agreed to haul the debris from the City dumpster. Haworth needed to use the city facilities as they have a ‘0’ garbage policy at the plant. ALL refuse is recycled or reused in some manner. They have no dumpster, as they have no garbage stream. Kudos to Haworth and that kind of aggressive care for the environment.

After the discussion at the Commission on Poly-Carts and an additional meeting with the BRPOA, it appears that there is interest in the Poly Cart approach, but numerous questions make a comprehensive approach nearly impossible by July. I have placed a call to Allied to see if they would be willing to extend the contract for 3-6 months and be part of a waste management committee that would look at answering these and other hauling issues. If acceptable, that approach will be recommended by staff to be determined by the Commission.

Officers Jim Eddinger and Jeff Hauger are attending an advanced training class on traffic accident reconstruction in Alpena.

-New motorcycles have been received for the next year. These are leased at very advantageous rates from Harley Davidson and serve to reduce gas consumption and save miles on the vehicle fleet of the City.

-Union negotiations continue with the Supervisors Union of the Police Division. 3-4 non-monetary issues remain…and the issue of pay.
-59 fire hydrants painted (3 ward, Perry, 15 mile).
-Jetted sewers, fixed potholes.
-Swept downtown and put up umbrellas.
-Read water meters.
-Fixed Vogel field, and Industrial ball field parking lots.
-Worked on emergency call boxes in Hemlock Park.
-Fixed water service on North Third.
-Completed application submittals to USDA loan for Community Hangar at Airport.
-Firemen are working on refurbishing the Dive Team Trailer and response effort.

Stephen Sobers, City Manager