Big Rapids City Manager Newsletter For March 19, 2010

March 19, 2010

HEALTH CARE

 It was an enormously fortunate decision to move the over 65 retirees off the City insurance plan.  These employees had Medicare as a primary carrier and the City coverage was secondary/supplementary in any case, so there was no real personal negativity to that decision. 

 However, health insurance in this volatile environment for the City coverage rose 49% this year.  The monthly premium for the umbrella coverage went up from $77.47 per month to $115.43.  This increased benefit alone would have cost budgets $50,562.   Continuing to carry the contracts for these 25 retirees would have added another $67,000 in costs.  Health care will continue to be a very dominant subject in future discussions!

 In light of these numbers, it is ever more important the all employees become vitally aware of the use of medical services and the implication of their aggressive use of saving practices.  On average, the City employees request generic drugs about 65% of the time.  An aggressive use of generics would reach 80% according to our Blue Cross carrier.  This additional use would save another $60,000 annually.  Suggestions are underway to create incentives for this to happen.  Also, the increase of stop loss coverage from $60,000 to $70,000 would result in another 11.5% savings.  Implementing this option should be chosen.  The implication, however, is that the fund balance in the health insurance account must be increased to provide additional ‘protection’ for the entire program.  An annual wellness program by the City could save another 5-6% and will be reviewed.   Overall, the renewal meeting for Blue Cross was extremely productive with many options for holding the costs in a very volatile market. 

 On the bottom line, if all these options are implemented, the renewal could be done with no real financial impact on the City budget.  Without these changes however, the renewal will experience a 8.46% increase on the ‘contract/month basis.

LUNCHEON

 The Office staff enjoyed a ‘pot luck’ fund raiser for the Mecosta County Medical Center’s digital mammography project on Wednesday.  $221 was raised and conveyed to the hospital.  The benefit, as well as the camaraderie, make these events more than worth while.

DOWNTOWN

 A meeting was held with merchants concerning the VSCI Streetscape project coming this summer.  Over 30 attended with appreciation concerning the project, and apprehension about some of the mechanics of implementing the construction.  Most merchants have back doors to help in access for the short times that the street and sidewalk will be under repair.  In all, the meeting was very positive in nature…continued communications will take place, including weekly progress meetings, which are available and open to all.

PRECONSTRUCTION

 Meetings were also held with the successful contractor in order to help get the project off to a positive start.  The staging for the VSCI will be on the old site of the Chinese restaurant (it is so great that this property is available!!).  The plan is to start in the west side of that same block and proceed south down Michigan street on the same side to the far end of the project … then cross the street and continue back north to City Hall.  This approach should cause the minimal disruption to traffic, and should speed the construction of curb and sidewalk in front of any one store.

BUDGET

 Many long and productive meetings are being conducted to put the budget together.

APPLERIDGE APARTMENTS

 Director Frank West is working with Appleridge on another potential padlock issue with one of their units.  This appears to be more of a domestic issue of noise through the walls within a large complex, rather than a party issue.  The offending tenant has been removed.  After completing the research and documentation, this issue will need to be reviewed by the City Commission.

JASON COON

 Officer Jason Coon has been an active member of the CMET task force for the past year.  He also serves in the reserves, which have activated his unit for service in Afghanistan for the next year.  Jason will be reporting in the next month for service.  Jason joins Sean Shantz.  Budgets permitting, the City will look to hire (so that we may remain only one officer understaffed).  We anticipate that there will be some turnover within the next year and a half, which will not create an ‘over staffing’ issue in the future.

LIBRARY

 Gaylynn reports that the Library received word that a grant was available for replacement of all public access computers at the library.  This grant of $18,000 will allow the upgrade of the nine computers serving the library. 

AERIAL LADDER 

 The Aerial Ladder is in Michigan, complete of construction, but ‘visiting’ the radio shop for installation of communication equipment.  Delivery is anticipated this coming week.

ZONING ADMINISTRATOR ACTIVITIES

Code Enforcement
There were 10 violation notices distributed over the last week.  
9-Blight
1-Illegal parking
Three (3) parking tickets were issued.
Six (6) civil infraction were issued for an over occupied rental unit.
 
Permits
1 – zoning permit issued to convert dwelling to singe family rental.
1 – zoning permit issued for a three-thousand (3,000) sq. ft. office addition to an industrial property.
1 – temporary sign permit issued.

Meetings
City Commission
Planning Commission
Riverdays Festival
Bandshell Concert Series

Misc.
I received a blight complaint concerning 210 Woodward Avenue.  After visiting the site, it was determined that the property was a public nuisance and would need to be abated immediately.  The vacant home was under foreclosure and there was a considerable amount of trash.  Three staff members spent an hour and removed two pickup truck loads of trash.

PUBLIC WORKS ACTIVITIES

Streets –
Grading alleys and gravel streets
Pothole repairs
Replacing dropping ceiling tiles at Community Library
Changed smoke detector batteries at Community Library
Replacing out a number of steel post for street sign
Repairing lawns torn up by winter snow removal processes
Made repairs to Hemlock Park’s bench damaged by tree fall
Building new barricades for the up-coming construction season
Cleaned up residential front lawns on Ridgeview Drive resulting from water main break
Reading water meters
City’s Safety Program, inspection for garage – made corrections
Parks –
Reinstalling park signs repaired over the winter
Began moving picnic tables out of winter storage and placing them in the parks
   
Sewer –
Cleaning sewer lines and performing other daily scheduled duties
Checked City and Township sewers and lift stations

Motor fleet –
Vehicles 208, 223, and 225, pickup trucks, annual services on park’s equipment
Serviced ball field tractor and trailer
Vehicle 212, pickup and vehicle 415, staff car, serviced
Vehicle 301, street sweeper, serviced
Vehicle 909, DART bus, serviced
Installed sidewalk broom and hydraulic tank on the John Deere tractor
Annual services on small equipment e.g. leaf blowers, chain saws, trimmers…

Water, “Main Maintenance”
Shut off valve #250 for contractors at fsu to relocate fire hydrant (twice)  need to get parts
Water meter finals
Miss digs
Township samples
City samples
Shut off water for 903 Sheridan for repairs
Shut off water for 921 Woodward for repairs
Shut off 1215 Maple for repairs
Shut off for non- payments for treasurers office
Turn ons for payments for treasurers office

WWTP –
Grit removal from aeration basins 1 and 2  and the influent aeration flow channels done allowing for valve repair and testing of basins for blowers.
New RAS pump installed and operating.
IPP garage and office finished and occupied.
Demolition of old control building nearing completion.
Removed scum from final clarifier and scum pits.
Contractors working on completion of underground piping including NP yard hydrants.
BR Twp lift stations checked.
Semi annual effluent and plant Quarterly testing collected and submitted to State of Michigan lab.
Plant continues to meet DNR-E requirements.

Stephen Sobers, City Manager