Big Rapids City Manager Newsletter For Friday April 16, 2010

    April 16, 2010

ROBEN HOOD AIRPORT

The Community Hangar plans are nearing completion. A final review will take place next week with AeroMed and the power companies to complete` the drawings. The preliminary set of plans will be on hand at the Commission meeting on Monday. Eric Williams is putting together a template lease agreement, which we hope to finalize after the bidding when we will have actual data on the costs that need to be collected. We continue to be encouraged by the support from both AeroMed and Integrity Air.

BUDGET

Steve and Julie met with Lorraine to review the budget projections and gain some of Lorraine’s experience with the budget challenges this year. Many additional suggestions were made in preparation for the budget adoption. An update will be available reflecting these talks by the meeting Monday.

Several Commissioners and staff attended the Michigan Municipal League conference this week. Much concern was evidence over the State’s budget deficit and the lack of leadership on making any progress on solutions. The quote of the conference is that of all the jobs lost NATIONWIDE in the past three years, 1 out of every 2 jobs lost occurred in Michigan!!! It is no wonder that every community and governmental unit in the State has concern.

STIMULUS PAVING

The bid award has been finalized for paving in the industrial park with the State and Reith Riley. The award was made on April 8, 2010.

TECHNOLOGY

The Road Commission received two computers this week, which have been installed. Information Technology (IT) anticipates a significant rewiring of the offices to help in their efficiency.

Wastewater Treatment Plant – installation continues with pulling wires for the permanent location of computers. Backup software is being purchased.

Airport – Installed a new laptop, moved the old computer and connected it to a modem to allow the gas pump data to transfer.

Public Safety – Installed new wireless system.

Meeting with Verizon representatives to save some money on a new rate plan.

AERIAL LADDER

Training has been completed on the new aerial ladder truck and it has been placed in service.

CMET

Two search warrants were executed Thursday and illegal drugs were confiscated. We continue to benefit from the activity of this unit.

SEAN SHANTZ

Sean is home on leave from duty in Iraq. He returns for the remainder of his commitment next week. He reports good things – and we certainly appreciate seeing him and celebrating his commitment to our country.

Neighborhood Services

• Earth Day clean up is April 24 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Starting from City Hall. Please plan to assist.

• A Downtown Streetscape preconstruction meeting will be held with merchants on April 20 at 8 a.m. at City Hall.

• Downtown children’s parade will take place April 29^th.

• Streetscape starts construction May 3^rd.

• The Big Event takes place Saturday April 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 200 homes and 1,500 students are involved, almost doubling last year’s effort.

INTERVIEWS FOR HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATOR

Interviews will take place with six potential providers on Tuesday April 20th. All Commissioners are welcome to attend any portion of this review. The Employee Health Care Review Committee will be leading this process.

ZONING ADMINISTRATOR ACTIVITIES

Code Enforcement

There were 14 violation notices distributed over the last week.

7-Blight

2-Indoor furniture for outdoor use

2-Unapproved parking

3-Unregistered or disabled vehicle

Six parking tickets were issued.

Permits Issued

1-Zoning permit issued to convert from owner occupied dwelling to single family rental.

Meetings

Riverdays Festival

BRPOA

PUBLIC WORKS ACTIVITIES

Streets –

• Cleaned up snow dump

• Patching pot holes

• Picking up tree limbs from street right of ways resulting from winds

• Made repairs to catch basin on Colburn Avenue

• Picked up leg portion of pergola for prime and paint fabricated by FSU welding class – Streetscape

• Delivering trash cards

• Checked downtown banner arms for reliability and sound condition

• Washed out sanders

• Graded allies and gravel streets

Parks –

• All parks are open for the new season

• Daily park activities beginning

• York raked and graded ball diamonds

Sewer –

• Cleaning sewer lines and performing other daily scheduled duties

• Checked City and Township sewers and lift stations

Motor fleet –

• Dart buses

• Placed advertisement on 3 buses for FSU event

• 905, diagnosed service engine light and replaced intake manifold pressure sensor

• DPW

• 104, dump truck, installed new tarp system. Diagnosed and repaired ABS problem. Repaired passenger door.

• 657, trailer, serviced and replaced a tail light

• Removed salt spreaders from dump trucks and put into storage

• Fabricated new ramps for trailer

• Serviced brush hog for airport use

• 318, tractor, replaced radiator and serpentine belt

• Public Safety vehicles

• 404, serviced and replaced front brakes

• 405, replaced tie rod ends

• 407, serviced and swapped out tires for summer

• 409, fabricated warning lights

• Water, “Main Maintenance” –

Emergency turn off hydrant #262 – Broken stem (out of service)

Miss Digs

Shuts Offs

Repair and raise stack at 210 2^nd Ave.

Help contractor with service line repair at 120 S. State

Replace meter at 812 Sherman St.

Repair stack at 226 Perry Ave.

Township water samples

Check meter at 206 S. Michigan

WWTP –

• Denny assisted Don with review of South end lift station review in BR Twp.

• EQ basin cleaned.

• First section of digester tank wall poured and iron work being set for the remainder of the tank

• Painters paint the SDC room and other areas.

• Plant continues to meet DNR-E requirements.

Stephen Sobers, City Manager