Big Rapids City Manager News February 19, 2010

February 19, 2010

PRECINCT FOUR VOTING LOCATION

 The schools have approached the Clerk stating they would like to remove the voting process from Eastwood School, due to the large number of students there.  They suggested opening Hillcrest up just for the voting process.  Once they discussed it further, they decided that they would not be able to turn the water back on at Hillcrest for the day, and therefore, have stated that Eastwood can be used for the May and August elections.  That gives the Clerk until November to attempt to locate another place on the east side that could be used for voting.

MEETING TRAINING

 Those individuals who attended the Thursday February 18, 2010 training on how to conduct a meeting led by Coco Siewert, had nothing but praise for the information she provided.  Coco does many of the MML training sessions on such topics.  She has a way of making the information interesting and always welcomes individual questions.  Several members of the various City boards, as well as staff, were in attendance.

CUSTODIAN

 The City welcomes new custodian Tom Nelson.  Tom has worked several construction jobs, including some survey work and is anxious to move into and ‘upward’ in the City ranks.  He will begin his service Monday and will work with Mic Joynt for a couple of days before Mic begins his new assignment at the Wastewater Plant.

POLICE SUPERVISORS CONTRACT

 Final administrative review has been completed for the Supervisor’s contract.  With Union approval, the acceptance of this three-year agreement will be on the next agenda of the City Commission for approval.

AVIGATION EASEMENT

 The Avigation easement is done!!  We have submitted the closing statement to the MDOT-FAA and will be reimbursed in short order.  This action frees the funds, which had been sequestered in the FAA office to be used for the Community Hangar, currently under design.  Airport projects are moving forward nicely at this point.

 Bob Peckham delivered the first draft of the Community Hangar to the City for review today.

CITY BUILDING

 The Clerk’s office has advised (for years) that there is an occasional offensive smell that permeates their offices.  This intermittent illusive problem finally required major surgery.  It was discovered that below the Southern section of the office is an ‘open vault’ about 4-5 feet deep.  The old restroom that was in this area had pipes that had been cut off but not capped and sealed by previous construction.  They are now capped and sealed.

ZONING ADMINISTRATOR ACTIVITIES

Code Enforcement
There were 11 violation notices distributed over the last week.
1-Blight
4-Illegal parking
1-Illegal Signs
5-Unlicensed, Disabled or Inoperable Vehicle
  
Meetings/Trainings
Planning Commission 2/17/10
How to Conduct a Board or Commission Meeting 2/18/10

Miscellaneous

 I recently received a site plan for a property involving a change use from a doctor’s clinic to a multi-family dwelling.  The Ordinance requires that when there is a change of use to a property that the minimum parking requirements and structure setbacks are met.  Upon review of the site plan, it was determined that several variances are needed before the site plan can be approved.  The Zoning Board of Appeals will be meeting on February 25th to determine if these required variances will be granted. 

 A rental on Ives is currently undergoing renovations; the contractors have been there for a few weeks.  I stopped in to reinforce that the Residential Professional Zone does not allow duplexes and that the rental inspector will be aware of the recent renovations.

PUBLIC WORKS ACTIVITIES

Streets –
ï‚· Filled pot holes throughout the City
ï‚· Cleaning up the back room, cold storage
ï‚· Salted and sanded streets
ï‚· Check conditions of winter utility patches
ï‚· Fixed and straighten street signs
ï‚· Trimming street trees in the public right of ways and parks
ï‚· Type II Barricades checked to insure proper working order
ï‚· Plowed and cleaned up parking lots where needed and at the airport
ï‚· Located bad smell in City Clerk’s office and remedied

Sewer –
ï‚· Cleaning sewer lines and performing other daily scheduled duties
ï‚· Checked City and Township sewers and lift stations

Motor fleet –
ï‚· Vehicle 909, DART bus, replaced block heater and fixed water leak in drivers area
ï‚· Vehicle 222, pickup truck, replaced door latch
ï‚· Vehicle 214, parks pickup truck, performed 4 wheel brake job, repaired coolant leak, replaced both outer tie rod ends, replaced loose clutch fan, and serviced.
ï‚· Setting up and learning new diagnostic software for the new International chassis

Water, “Main Maintenance” –
ï‚· Miss digs
ï‚· Check for high consumption at 409 Sanborn
ï‚· Exercised hydrant #250 valve for Ferris contractor
ï‚· Check valve  #250 in  water transmission line at Ferris drive and State Street for possible use in case of emergency.
ï‚· Replace 2" water meter at 811 Division
ï‚· Out of service order on newly installed hydrant on Ferris Drive until system line inspected, and pressure tested by contractor at Ferris and ready for use.
ï‚· Met with State contractor installing pedestrian crosswalk signs in median on south State Street.
ï‚· Monthly meter reading cycle for treasurers office

WWTP –
ï‚· Plant process continues without major issues.
ï‚· SCADA system links continue to link the processes
ï‚· Spencer Bower tuning for process DO control and setup of remote access being developed
ï‚· Total abandonment of ole blue control panel done
ï‚· Removal of old control building continues this week with prep work and removal of asbestos materials started
ï‚· Work on aeration basins 1 and 2 replacements of gate valves and drain vales started
ï‚· Ceiling and floor work being done in Training room continuing and floor in IPP garage sealed
ï‚· Basic Valve exercise program begun

Stephen Sobers, City Manager