Big Rapids City Manager News Letter For November 20, 2009

November 20, 2009

BRPOA

 Three very important topics were reviewed at the meeting.  First, Don Jones is attempting to raise several thousand dollars to purchase software and two laptops for the Inspection/Fire Division.  This program will record the internal rooms of structures, detail the access points for utilities, outline hazards on the site, and delineate parking, fire hydrants and other outside features.  It also connects with internet sites, which give firefighters access to chemical MSDS sheets telling of the potential hazards and firefighting techniques for various chemicals.  Don is writing letters to several businesses in the area to raise these funds.  What a great public service!

 A meeting time was set to begin serious discussions on an initiative to conduct inspections on a bi-annual basis rather than every year.

 Finally, an initiative concerning property improvements in neighborhoods was reviewed.  This program was the result of some discussion from the Good Neighbors, but has application and positive promise for all parties.  It would try to combine assistance from the Housing Authority, Ferris (Big Event etc.), civic groups, GNA, BRPOA, and City to pick and assist 10 homes (or rentals) annually to fix/repair their structures.  The BRPOA was quite receptive to the discussion and will be reviewing the discussion in the next month for a joint initiative for the spring.

JACK FRASER

Jack has been appointed to the position of Wastewater Treatment Plant Superintendent effective Sunday November 22.  We look forward to his leadership. Jack also met with the DEQ (Chris Veldcamp) to begin a liaison with the agency and to get assistance with the process of filing reports and other paper requirements with the State.

IDENTIFICATION TAGS

 With the purchase of an identification maker, the City administrative staff will be wearing ID tags to help citizens know the employees. 

BAIRD INVESTMENT COUNSELORS

 Bob Graves has advised the City that he is leaving the Baird company and starting his own investment company, called Wealth Management.   The City Commission has previously passed legislation designating the third party administrator for the Act 345 program as the Baird Company.  At this point, Baird has not contacted the City with any follow-up information and the opinion of the administration is that we will want to have guidance from individuals who know our situation.  A request for proposals will be forthcoming so a new professional management firm may become the third party administrator.

ACTIVITY

 Sent additional documentation to the USDA for the Community Hangar.  The proposed contract with the Peckham Engineering firm is the next item for approval.  At present that document is being reviewed by the USDA and the FAA before presentation to the City Commission.

 Received a legal opinion from Eric Williams that mobile homes that are abandoned, for which no rent is collected, are not subject to the monthly property tax on these dwellings.  Only mobile homes that are occupied are subject to this monthly payment.

PUBLIC WORKS ACTIVITIES

Streets –
ï‚· Leaf Pick-up
ï‚· Fixed light pole at the Community pool
ï‚· Graded alleys
ï‚· Fixed potholes
ï‚· Filled in stump holes
ï‚· Checked lift stations
ï‚· Signs

Parks –
ï‚· Maintaining City’s park system and the downtown
   
Sewer –
ï‚· Cleaning sewer lines and performing other daily scheduled duties
ï‚· Root foam sewers – 4000 feet

Motor fleet –
ï‚· Vehicles 402 and 404, New police cars, additional equipment added and placed into service
ï‚· Old vehicles 402 and 404 stripped of all equipment and removed from service
ï‚· Performed service on vehicle 212
ï‚· Vehicle 407, 2009 Canyon, service and safety inspection
ï‚· Vehicle 905, Dial-A-Ride bus, grease service and washed for Christmas Parade

Water utilities –
ï‚· Performing Miss Digs
ï‚· Reading water meter finals
ï‚· Replaced water meter for 701 Magnolia
ï‚· Meter reading
ï‚· Repaired touch reads at various locations
ï‚· Took water samples, new water main for Optometry Building
ï‚· Installed radio read for meter at Parkview
ï‚· Checked on vacant homes
ï‚· Checked on high consumption calls, city and township
ï‚· Assisted Fire Service Repairmen with fire suppression system
ï‚· Repaired water stack at 112 E. grand Traverse

WWTP
 
ï‚· Water testing of the new aeration tank is still on track.
ï‚· Administrative Consent Order (ACO) Monthly report submitted for UV Maintenance.
ï‚· Monthly Operational Report (MOR) submitted with no violation for the month of October.
ï‚· Preparation for move to the new maintenance building has begun with dumpsters for recycle and trash in place. 
ï‚· A high level of cooperation between the operators and construction crews continues to minimize the potential interruption of the treatment process.

Stephen Sobers, City Manager