Summer is certainly gathering momentum not only in warm days at the beach rushing by, but also in the number of projects being scheduled now that the 2016-2017 Budget has been activated. Most of the road projects, milling with an asphalt overlay, are scheduled for mid to late August. City Hall’s parking lot is scheduled for replacement July 26 and the 27, weather dependent of course.
 
A number of capital equipment has been ordered and received, the largest being the new vacuum/sweeper truck which was delivered last week. This item alone has an interesting story that needs to be told. When I visited the DPW garage to view the new vacuum/sweeper truck, representatives from Fredrickson Supply came up to me to say thank you to the city and to also share an observation. The observation they shared was this: In all their travels around the state, they rarely, rarely see a DPW garage as clean and as organized as the City of Coopersville’s. They said the trucks and loaders are clean, the workshop is spotless, the floor is free from dirt, and more of the same. They continued commenting on how much the crew cares and takes ownership of the city and that can be seen in the physical condition of the DPW site and the city at large.
 
I’m sharing this with you as another example on the caliber of our employees. It has taken time to assemble this group, but we have a special team of individuals that bring more than just skill sets and talent; they bring commitment and they bring a personal desire to do the best they can because they care. I felt very proud of these men especially when visitors from outside of the city, and without prompting, share their thoughts. Nicely done gentlemen!
 
Monday night, we have the usual bills that need to be paid. We also have a recommendation from the Planning Commission regarding the city’s Master Plan. We’ll also start discussions on goal setting as mentioned by the Mayor at the July 11 council meeting. We might even have a special visitation by a certain red and white vac/sweeper truck Monday night. Continue to enjoy these precious days of summer and wherever your travels take you, be safe out there.


Wastewater Treatment Plant 

The spare blower motor has arrived, finally. I believe it came from Brazil. We will have this motor tested and “tuned in” before we install. Our goal is to have four functional motors be available for the three blowers. Aeration is a critical and extremely important function in processing wastewater. Our goal is to provide reliable redundancy in the aeration treatment side of the WWTP and to accomplish this goal sooner than later. I will keep you updated on progress made.
 
 
Water Project Phase I

I stated in the last memo that we would have something for council in terms of information on bonding for the July 25th council meeting. I’m sorry, but I have to push that out again another two weeks as other more pressing issues moved up the priority list. As always I urge everyone on council to contact me if have questions or would like to provide comments regarding this project.
 
 
Ottawa County Technology Collaborative

Jonathan Seyferth and Anisa Williams have recently started attending a group that meets to discuss ways of collaborating for cost savings on technology and IT services such as hardware purchases, phone systems, off site data storage   and other numerous and similar items. The group consists of a few local governments such as Grand Haven, Zeeland, Holland Township, Ottawa County, and the Ottawa County Central Dispatch and others. Coopersville is now a part of this group and our goal is to find ways to reduce technology costs and partner with others when appropriate and feasible.
 
 
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)

Significant progress has been made for our new NPDES permit from the MDEQ. As has been stated recently, the city is requesting a new permit that will allow us a couple of options to upgrade the existing WWTP. The latest draft was sent us yesterday. We need to respond before August 3 with any comments or proposed changes. For the record, I want to compliment the MDEQ for their timeliness and cooperative spirit in assisting the City of Coopersville in this latest phase of upgrading the WWTP. As always, I will keep you informed of future progress.
 
 
 
Strategic Planning – A Reminder
For the last few months, the below text was included in your packets. These words still remain as a reminder of future tasks we as a group will ultimately embrace. Some areas you may want to begin thinking about, but certainly not limited to, are:
 
a.Economic development
b.Future recreation facilities
c.Utilization of Deer Creek watershed that runs through the city
d.Future of utility expansion
e.Issues of aesthetics for new construction, parks, and gateways into the city
f.Regional planning
g.Long-term vision for sidewalk maintenance and new construction
h.Bike trails
i.Road Maintenance and Reconstruction Policy
j.Public safety
 
The arrival of our Assistant City Manager Jonathan Seyferth has allowed more attention and time to revise the City’s Master Plan (Comprehensive Plan). I would like to begin exercises in strategic planning from the City Council as to how we want to control the city’s future. Yes, the Planning Commission does extensive work and drafts the Master Plan, and will perform professionally in that task. But the City Council must take action on the approval/disapproval of that plan. According to the ICMA (International City/County Management Association) and Gerald L. Gordon PHD, strategic planning is:
 
“…a means of understanding change, forecasting change, and setting a course of action to manage the expected implications of change. Even in the most negative situations in the life of a community, strategic planning is a positive means of moving forward.”
 
City Council must begin a conversation of where you want the community to grow and what our future will look like in the next five, ten, and twenty-five years.  More information will come in the next few months.

WWTP Project Phase II

Since our last council meeting, city staff has been actively working with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) to update our discharge permit application. As has been noted in past council meetings, this update will become three permits in one, giving the City flexibility in determining which way to move forward with our upgrade capacity. This is a unique situation for a West Michigan community and the MDEQ, so both parties are learning as we go. City staff and the MDEQ are taking things step-by-step to ensure things are done correctly.
 
The three permits will include: COW Water diversion (for which the new pump station was designed), a dual treatment track taking advantage of both the mechanical plant and the former activated sludge system, and/or expansion of the mechanical plant with the addition of an additional clarifier.
 

 
Water Project Phase I

I stated in the last memo that we would have something for council in terms of information on bonding. That information is more likely to be available at our July 25 meeting. Other than that update, there is not much to report in terms of new information except we’re still moving forward.
 
Prein&Newhof continues the process of designing the upgrade to the 60th Avenue Booster station, as you already know because you approve this expenditure on a regular basis. Please contact me if you have questions or would like to provide comments.
 
 
Signs

Briefly, progress continues on adding and upgrading signage around the city and around city owned property. The DPW crew has installed the new sign at the Randall Street Lift Station. It looks great! On Garfield heading west from 48th Avenue to the WWTP, there is a new solar powered LED lighted sign (Hidden Drive) to alert drivers that there is a drive-way that could have vehicles exiting as they speed over the hill. Our goal was to attempt to make that stretch of road safer for city employees as they exit the WWTP as well as drivers on Garfield.
 
 
Downtown Pocket Park

Jan Richardson informed me that she had a question from a business owner in Coopersville who was questioning the wisdom of the Pocket Park and more importantly, the cost. He said that there were a number of people that didn’t think the park was necessary. My reply to her is provided below. The reason I’m including the information is to assist others in understanding the reasoning and the logic for this investment, and it is an investment. Please contact me if you wish to discuss further.
 
The DDA has already spent millions of dollars in the downtown area to improve the north parking lot area. The DDA extended Main Street to 64th Avenue. The DDA replaced and extended water and sewer to improve infrastructure so future development/investment in the downtown could occur. Monetary grants in the amount of thousands of dollars were paid to property owners on Main Street to improve their facades in the hope more customers would want to enter their businesses. Many people objected to these expenditures because other projects needed funding. But what happened? More people visit downtown than ever, so something is working. Visitors to Coopersville routinely comment on how quaint and beautiful our downtown is and they wish they had one. Allendale, Hudsonville, Rockford and others are have commented positively on what we have.
 
The goal of the DDA is to revitalize the downtown so that it becomes a destination for residents and visitors alike. The Pocket Park will be another element to bring people downtown. Its uniqueness will draw future customers to Main Street. The Pocket Park will bring life, shade, and character to a bald asphalt car lot that currently is an eyesore to the downtown. Is the Pocket Park going to cost some money? Yes. Is it a significant amount? Yes. But what amount is too much? What amount is not enough for a project that helps bring more awareness to our historic downtown and provides a “sense of place” and a place where individuals and families can meet and share another experience in Coopersville?
 
With the train bringing in tens of thousands of riders a year, the Pocket Park will become a focal point for them as they wait for a train ride. Without a doubt, they will share with others their experience on the train and how cute and unique Coopersville’s Pocket Park is and how they wish their own city, village, or township could have one.
 
Change and growth is difficult, it simply is. But without change and growth a community will eventually die or become less than desirable. Less than desirable leads to store vacancies and the economic dominos will fall, leaving downtown dusty and unattractive.