Photo feature, Big Rapids City Commissioner Lorrane James
The next time your at a Big Rapids park, you might notice a park worker driving a brand-new GMC Sierra 3/4-ton 2-wheel drive pickup truck. That's because, on January 12, 2011, a Department of Public Works truck number 214 was involved in a major accident on an icy road. The truck, that was used year-round by the Parks Department for transportation and hauling equipment, was completely wrecked.
The insurance company paid out $7,100 for the totaled truck; the City of Big Rapids has been shopping for a replacement, and after making a posting on the Internet, bids were received from three different dealerships. According to a position paper from Director of Public Works Mark Gifford, sent to the City Commission, the department would like to accept the bid from Red Holman Buick for a GMC Sierra pickup truck for $20,280.00 with a 5-year, or 100,000 mile warranty. On Monday, March 7th, the City Commission adopted a resolution to accept one of the bids.
Another resolution adopted at the city commission meeting was for the purchase of four 800 megahertz radios for the Big Rapids Department of Public Safety. In a position paper by Public Safety Director Frank West, sent to city manager Steve Sobers, West reported that these radios would allow first responders to access all state resources. One of two examples given by West was the drowning of the Simmons sisters, the other was the case of the Jonathon Good jail-break. West reported that in the past, public safety officers were able to borrow 800 megahertz radios from the state police, but there is just not always enough of them to go around.
The Meijer Corporation has made annual donations in the past to the Big Rapids Department of Public Safety, and this year they have donated $2000.00. With the city accepting the $2000.00 grant, and throwing in $172.00, this would allow West to make the purchase of the radios.
Another resolution adopted was for the acceptance of an under age drinking grant from the State of Michigan. The $7,500.00 grant will be awarded to the Big Rapids Department of Public Safety to help combat underage drinking. In another position paper from Director Frank West, he reported the money will be used to fund special enforcement efforts, and offset the cost of overtime spent on targeting underage drinking patrols.
Other resolutions adopted, but not covered here are as follows:
Special Assessment Roll No. 11-514 - 2010/2011 Sidewalk Improvement Project.
Authorizing Michigan Department of Transportation Master Agreement Amendment for Fiscal Years 2007-2011 (Contract 2007-0177/A1 – Dart.
Accepting Michigan Department of Transportation Section 5311 Operating Assistance Agreement No. 2007-0177/Z11.
Authorizing Debt Services Payments for the Airport Community Hangar.
Authorizing Increase in Debt service Payments for Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Mayor Appointments to Boards and Commissions.
Click here if you would like to download the City of Big Rapids current commission packet along with the City Manager Newsletter.
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