Big Rapids City Manager Newsletter For Friday October 30, 2009

October 30, 2009

RETIREMENT

 Bruce Everitt announced his retirement this week and will  be leaving November 5.  Jack Fraser will be serving as interim plant manager.  Don, Roberta and Steve had a long discussion with Jack concerning the operation of the plant, his abilities, and the plant’s ability to maintain success through the remainder of the construction process.  Jack is extremely upbeat about the plant, the processes, and personnel that will be guiding its operation.  We certainly appreciate the dedication of Bruce Everitt, but also look forward to new leadership under Jack.

ENERGY AUDIT

 The HVAC class at Ferris has chosen City Hall for a public building to study energy savings.  Wednesday the class ‘descended’ on City Hall with tape measures, questions and energy data.  This report is the result of this semester’s class and will be partially complete by Christmas.  The full analysis will await an additional look by next semester’s class.

H1N1

 Two employees have been diagnosed with H1N1-a Ferris Student and our School Liaison Officer.  The rest of us are taking precautions.  The Public Safety officers were offered the flu shot for H1N1 this week.

CITY ELECTION

Remember the Municipal City Election is this Tuesday! The Clerk’s office has been working diligently in preparation.

AVIGATION EASEMENT

 The ‘final’ map of the avigation easement has been forwarded to Jim White for review.  If approved, this will finally be on the Commission agenda at the next meeting.

MITCHELL CREEK PARK

 Prein and Newhof have agreed to survey this park preserve property at a highly discounted rate (possibly at no cost).  The preliminary survey was completed today and forwarded to Eric Williams for review and preparation of closing documents.  The closing with Judy Shroyer has been set for November 11.

USER CHARGE

 Accounting information has been highlighted for Eric Williams and Jim White’s discussions.  It appears that the final documents will be ready for the Commission meeting!  Thanks especially to Gail Dolbee for all her efforts to update the varying requests of the Townships to negotiate these alterations! 

COMMUNITY HANGAR

 Mike and Steve met with Peckham engineering who will be designing the Community Hangar.  A recommendation is anticipated on the design engineering/architecture for the next Commission meeting.  Design will then proceed with bidding anticipated in March and construction in the Spring of 2010.

 The Airport Advisory committee met Tuesday.  The group reviewed the Minimum Standards for airports and has agreed to send it on to the Commission for adoption. The overall activity at the airport is down only about 5% which is considered progress in the state of Michigan!! 

 The annual MAP meeting to review the Airport’s 10-year plan will be held in Lansing this coming Thursday.  An airport update and review of all matters will be scheduled with the Commission, likely at the next meeting.

ID CARDS

 The Public Safety Department has received the ID card making equipment and will begin the making of these cards for the entire City Staff.  These cards will double in the future as entrance keys to the building.

INSPECTION SOFTWARE

 The City has been looking at software to help the inspection and fire services.  This software will allow the department to have access to accurate data on the floor plan of buildings, the location of electrical and gas services, the location of hazardous materials and many other features.  This will undoubtedly become both a life and a property saver in emergency situations as it will allow the fire service to plan a method of ‘attack’ on structures before sending firemen in a burning building.  The BRPOA received a demonstration of this software this week and has agreed to help in the purchase of this program!!  Thanks, Thanks and Thanks.  We hope other groups will see the advantages of this program and wish to help as well!!

ART WORKS

Art Works will reopen November 3.  The ‘opening event’ is scheduled for Nov 7.

PUBLIC WORKS ACTIVITIES
WEEK OF OCTOBER 25, 2009

Streets –
ï‚· Picking up fall leaves
ï‚· Fixed signs on North Fourth
ï‚· Pavement marking were applied for new parking lot at Community Library and signs installed
ï‚· Dug up and replaced gate valve for water service to Waste Water Plant
ï‚· Staked curbs for winter snow plowing
ï‚· Laid out barricades for weekend parades
ï‚· Made pot hole repairs
ï‚· Graveled alleys and roads and graded

Parks –
ï‚· Maintaining City’s park system and the downtown
ï‚· Getting ready for winter
   
Sewer –
ï‚· Cleaning sewer lines and performing other daily scheduled duties
ï‚· Checked lift station operations in the City and Big Rapids Township

Water utilities –
ï‚· Performing Miss Digs
ï‚· Reading water meter finals

ZONING ADMINISTRATOR ACTIVITIES

Vehicles
1 - Notice of Violation of inoperable disabled vehicle. Vehicles that are tagged have 14 days to comply.

Trash
1 - Door hanger for removal of futon on front porch
1 - Contacted renter for having four couches on curb for trash pick-up, couches had been left out for a few days.  Contacted Waste Management to ensure they would be picked up this week.

Fence Permit

1 – Approved fence permit

Temporary Sign Permits
3 – Businesses contacted to explain that they need to have a temporary sign permit for the type of sign they are currently using for advertising. There is a $15 yearly fee for this permit.

Parking
1 – Contacted property owner involving a parking ticket to explain the ordinance and confirm where their approved parking area is located.

Stephen Sobers, City Manager