City Manager Newsletter For December 11, 2009

The Supervisors Union at the Police Division is nearing completion. A fundamental ‘agreement’ has been reached on all non-financial issues, with language and positioning remaining to be finalized. Pay issues are also ready to receive Commission input. With the Supervisors unit coming together, we look forward to Police and Fire discussions slated for 2010.

With another successful luncheon for United Way, the City has raised $3,200 for United Way this year. The overall campaign is nearing its overall goal – even at this economically challenging time.

Many employees participated in the MDA jail-a-thon this year, including Brian Miller, Frank West, Dawn Fuller, Roger Schneidt, Steve Sobers and Warren Hansen.

Rotarian members of City Staff are taking part in the Salvation Army bell ringing on Saturday December 12^th.

The service award luncheon and employee year end activity reporting will be at the Department of Public Safety building at 11:30, on December 15^th. All Commissioners are encouraged to attend.

The Generator Grant bids are being advertised and will be opened January 12. This will update the generators at the Water Plant, the State Street tower location, Novak Lane and install a new generator at City Hall. We certainly look forward to these improvements!

With the change in policy on Retirees Health insurance (folks over 65 who are also on Medicare) coming off the City policy, the 3 month impact of this decision is a reduction of $42,000 in claims and a reduction in monthly advance premium paid to Blue Cross Blue Cross of $13,000 per month.

The Media Committee met and is asking a series of questions for research purposes, with other communities to see what other towns are doing in this area. In the meantime the emphasis of this savings by staff and Commissioners who have already elected some form of paperless communication has resulted in a 1,200 paper savings this past meeting. More is anticipated after the committee reports early next year.

Code Enforcement

12- violation notices distributed this week (5 - Blight, 6 - Illegal Signs, and 1- Illegal Parking in front yard).

The recent snow has definitely affected code enforcement. It is difficult to see violations under the snow. I am hoping to stay busy over the next few weeks with new violations that will start materializing. For instance, I have been told that parking in front yards will become even more of an issue once the snow flies.

Site Plan Review

I reviewed one site plan this week for Spruce Ridge that will be presented to the Planning Commission on December 16, 2009.

Streets –

• Dropped off damaged street light pole to Cook’s Welding for repairs
• Filled potholes
• Salt and sand applied to streets
• Plowed snow, 4:00 a.m. start time, Wednesday and Thursday
• Fixed Christmas lights on Maple and North US 131
• Installed winter snow markers for fire hydrants on Bjornson and Perry Avenue

Parks –

• Painted park trash barrels and making repairs and painting park signs

Sewer –

• Cleaning sewer lines and performing other daily scheduled duties
• Checked City and Township sewers and lift stations

Motor fleet –

• Received 2 new GMC trucks and began preparing them for service and installing front snow plows
• Serviced plow trucks as needed, replaced under body blades and repaired hydraulic leaks
• Assisted in snow removal in parking lots

WWTP –

• The aeration tank pipe fitting continues.
• ACO: UV Maintenance Program Template verbal approval received to be followed by written from DEQ.
• ACO Update for the quality assurance / quality control (QA/ QC) manual and written lab procedures is in progress.
• The move to the new maintenance building continues.
• The administration building North end partially enclosed and work continuing.
• Plant process continues without major issues.
• Weather slows contractor advancement.
• Sludge haulers clearing storage basin.
• Replacement of plug valves has started.
• A high level of cooperation between the operators and construction crews continues to minimize the potential interruption of the treatment process.

Water Utilities

• Replace meter at 610 Cypress
• Monthly shut offs for non-payment
• Continue with Touch Read repairs
• Miss Digs

Final reads

Stephen Sobers, City Manager