Big Rapids City Hall Newsletter For Friday April 23, 2010

April 23, 2010

FINANCE

Excellence in Financial reporting continues.  The City has been notified that Julie Tetsworth will be receiving a plaque from the GFOA certifying that for the year ending June 30, 2009, Big Rapids will receive recognition for excellence in financial reporting. Congratulations to Julie and the finance staff for this important designation.

BIDS FOR COMMUNITY HANGAR

The drawings for the community hangar are complete in preliminary form. Eric Williams is working on template rental agreements for the tenants.  Final meetings have been held this week with the tenants to make adjustments on their quarters.  When the bids are received, and true construction cost are known, rental numbers will be negotiated.  Steve Mann, from Miller Canfield has been contacted to work with the USDA to issue the necessary financing.

AFSCME

Lori Hamilton is being reassigned to a different part of the State, and Barry Thurston will be the new representative of the AFSCME union for Big Rapids.  Barry and Lori visited town this week and helped wrap up two pending grievances.  We welcome Barry who had been Big Rapids representative several years ago.

FERRIS

The Legislative Lunch is scheduled for Tuesday in Lansing.  This is such a good time to represent the City and Ferris with the legislators.  A continuing presence is valuable for Big Rapids, especially in this economy.

HEALTH CARE

Interviews were conducted with six Benefit Agent/Brokers on Tuesday.  The candidates ranged from relatively small companies to the largest Benefit Broker in the world.  The Employee Health Care Committee is reviewing references for the most competitive applicants and will be making a recommendation at the next commission meeting.

POLICE NEGOTIATIONS

Police negotiations get underway next Monday.  Positive discussions are expected.

EARTH DAY

This Saturday is earth day.  All are invited to take part in cleaning up the roadways and parks of the community.  See you there!!!

PUBLIC SAFETY TRAINING

Twelve executives from Ann Arbor, Battle Creek, Holland and across Michigan are meeting two days a week for seven weeks to take a Fire Administration course at the Department of Public Safety.  With funds at a premium, Public Safety/Cross Training is becoming more important.  The venue is great, and an overnight stay adds to the local economy.

TREASURER INTERNS

Thanks to Ali Grooters for helping in Accounting for the past year.  Joshua Raymond is a new intern starting this week.  Interviews for Ali’s replacement will begin soon. 

COLD CASE

The preliminary hearings on Scott Graham’s cold case will begin next week.

FERRIS

Gerry Johnson invited the Planning staff to attend senior presentations in the Public Administration/Planning divisions, which have some research value, and innovative elements in local governing.  Mark has attended several and accumulating ideas, which might have some application for Big Rapids.  Links to the University continue to be of benefit to the community!

PUBLIC WORKS ACTIVITIES

Streets –
Filled pot holes
Fixed water service stack at 225 Linden Street
Repaired two storm water catch basin - Colburn Avenue & public parking lot
Made repairs to florescence light in City’s Treasurer’s office
Removed accumulated brush along Muskegon River south of Maple Street Bridge
Sweeping City streets
Sweeping FSU campus streets
Brining streets and alleys
Fixed sidewalk in front of McDonalds, damage resulting from repair of leaking water service

Parks –
All parks are open for the new season
Removed downtown benches and garbage containers in preparation for streetscape project
York raked and graded ball diamonds
Mowed grass in parks
   
Sewer –
Cleaning sewer lines and performing other daily scheduled duties
Checked City and Township sewers and lift stations

Motor fleet –

Dart buses
904 – grease job, repaired passenger door, replaced parking brake shoes
905 – replace clearance light lens.
906 – diagnosed brake problem, caliper seized causing brake to over heat.  Replaced brake caliper, hose, rotor and pads.  Repaired cancel cam for turn signal switch
908 – Serviced and performed safety inspection

DPW
104 - dump truck, finished installing new tarp system
106 – dump truck, started installing new tarp system
101 and 102 – dump trucks, sprayed under carriage with rust inhibitor, greased and oiled roller chain for storage
Replaced cable system on sign post puller
318 – Sewer Jet, replace main ball valve
Old garbage truck – started removing packer box for scraping

Parks
Fabricated and repaired ball field drag
Repaired tire on wing mover

Public Safety vehicles
401  - serviced and replaced front brake rotors and pads.
405 – diagnosed and repaired anti lick brake problem

Water, “Main Maintenance” –

Miss Digs (Several)
206 S. Michigan Install Meter & Turned Water On
303 Woodward Install Meter & Turned water on
Finals
Checked for loss of Flow at 202 Dekrafft
Read Meters

WWTP –
Digester tank wall poured
Site work continues for Grease and Grit unit
Yard piping for Thickener Tank completed
Painters paint the SDC room and other areas
MOR-UV completed and submitted to DNR-E with no violations
Plant continues to meet DNR-E requirements

Stephen Sobers, City Manager