Monday night, Council will be asked to take action on the new Master Plan 2035. For those individuals that may not be familiar with that term or are a bit nervous as to its intent, the following is offered. Master Plans simply state the goals or policies of a local government for future land use, economic development elements, walkability, and transportation related questions, parks and recreation, and other typical issues. The master plan provides a “road map” for elected officials and city staff to follow when decisions must be made regarding growth and its potential impact.
 
It’s a delicate balance between maintaining the unique flavor and nuance of a community with managing the inevitable growth that simultaneously comes with that. In other words, the very elements that generated the attraction for residents and business owners to locate in Coopersville in the first place can be in jeopardy without a plan to manage the impact of that growth. And that’s exactly what the city’s new Master Plan 2035 was designed to accomplish and I believe that goal was achieved.
 
I want to thank the Planning Commission Chairman Ross Conran and Planning Commission members, Planning Director Jonathan Seyferth, the consultant, and the participation and involvement of our citizens in the creation of our new Master Plan. It was a long and laborious effort by all and it’s a testament to the resolve of our volunteers and city staff; well done. The document is on the website for those that have yet to review its contents.
 
Monday night, we have a few interesting agenda items to study and take action on if Council so desires. Have a great meeting and an even greater weekend. Be safe out! 
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Downtown Pocket Park
It’s finally happening; the downtown Pocket Park project will begin in earnest Monday July 24th. This project has been in limbo for the past few years mainly of funding challenges. Those challenges have been resolved, the bids are in, and the project awarded by the DDA Board. In the next few weeks and months updates will be provided by this office and notifications on Facebook and the city’s website.  
 
 
Road Construction
​Crews will be resurfacing and re-striping roads around the city beginning August 1. The roads will be closed during resurfacing with posted detours; local traffic will be guided by flag crews. Here is the schedule for closures and construction:
 

• 64th Avenue (between Randall & Cleveland) – 8/1 - 8/4
• Randall Street (between Ironwood & Eastmanville) – 8/3 - 8/4
• Watson Street (between Main & Division) – 8/16 - 8/17
• O’Malley Drive (between 68th Avenue & River) – 9/5 - 9/8

Road patching will occur on the following streets on 8/23 - 8/24 with no road closures: First Street, Ann Street, East Street, East Randall, Spring Street, Roberts Court.
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Further updates will be provided on the city’s Facebook page and website. Any questions, please call city hall at 616-997-9731 or email [email protected]. Thanks for your patience while we make the city shine!
 
 
2017-2018 Fiscal Year
Beginning July 1, 2017, the City of Coopersville began its new fiscal year. The city’s web site has the 2017-2018 Budget, the Annual Financial Report, and a simple dashboard of how the 2017-2018 tax dollars are being utilized for citizen and property owners to review. I encourage all citizens, business owners, and students to visit the website and learn more of the details of how our local government operates and how taxpayers’ dollars support that effort.
 
 
Water Project Phase I
Next week the city is meeting with relevant parties to finalize the details of the project which now includes constructing a new booster station building in Allendale as retrofitting the existing facility is impractical and will create additional challenges and new costs. Details will be provided in an upcoming council workshop once costs are recalculated. As always please contact me if you required further detail.
 
 
Muskegon Waste Water Treatment Plant Option
Again, nothing major to report at this time other than we had a meeting last week with Fairlife, CDF, Muskegon County, and of course Jonathan Seyferth and myself. Financial options were discussed and presented by representatives from Muskegon County that included bonding scenarios and possible grants. As new information becomes available, and is sharable, I will keep members of this council informed. Please contact me if you have comments or require answers to questions.
 

The City of Coopersville’s entire staff hopes everyone had a great Fourth of July and that we all appreciated the significance of this special day. The birthday of this unique country changed – and raised - the world’s political expectations: a government based on principles of the people rather than a ruling monarch went against every standard the world had created. Of course, some have argued that raising expectations has created disappointment but at the same time, those high expectations have inspired others. Happy Birthday America; may you celebrate this day 241 years from now and beyond.
 
In my last memo to council and the City Manager’s Blog, I discussed the critical importance of “volunteerism” to the city and the community. Obviously, nothing has changed since then and my desire, as well as many others, is that awareness was expanded. At the very least, the memo initiated more discussion amongst the caring, insightful, and visionary citizens of our community to consider what their role may be in the future growth and character of the city.
 
Another issue that lies beneath the surface of local government is the “management of local government” or more to the point, the issue of city management professionals. The profession as a whole has seen a dramatic reduction of trained personnel over the last many years due in part, but not exclusively, to the “baby boomers” retiring. But a more critical aspect is the diminishing number of young people enrolling in public administration programs that emphasize government management. Many young adults are seeking graduate degrees emphasizing “non-profit” organizations, which will ultimately lead them to work for organizations such as Amnesty International, Children’s Defense Fund, NAACP, American Red Cross, United Way, and Easter Seals, to name but a few with hundreds more available.  All genuinely important, but it creates a certain neglect on the governmental side.
 
The potential problem of a dwindling attraction to governmental or public management is that without competent and well-trained individuals studying public management, there is a shrinking pool of talent who will oversee and direct the operations of local governments such as the City of Coopersville. The depth of quality candidates for local governments around the state will be – and already is - critically shallow. Obviously, this has the potential of influencing how core services are administered, the cost efficacy of administering those services, and the overall level of quality of those services. There is a direct link between the level of competency of city staff and leadership to the services being provided.
 
Last week, I attended the reception and retirement dinner of Kent County Administrator Daryl Delabbio. Why is that event of any significance to this discussion? It’s important to me because when I decided to change careers from the private sector to the public sector in city management, Mr. Delabbio took an interest in my career goal. He opened doors for me so that I could gain experience and more importantly to become familiar with the lifestyle; the late nights, partnering with incredible people, having the opportunity to make a difference in the context of the community’s goals. He showed by example what a passionate governmental leader could accomplish. Ultimately, he made me proud of being a city manager; he made me proud of the profession as a whole. Obviously, I received my Master’s Degree in Public Administration due to my efforts, but I was deeply influenced by Daryl and hundreds more.
 
Daryl’s retirement prompted me to raise the discussion here, both in this memo and in Coopersville. Believe me, the talent gap is occurring around the state as local governments, regardless of population size, begin managing the evitable sea change that will occur when the two forces of boomer retirement and a missing talent pool knock at their door. We all know that it’s far better to be proactive than reactive to trending events. When you’re reacting, you’re doomed to fall short of excellence.
 
City management is a very rewarding career. Even with its demanding goals, tight budgets, variable stakeholders with conflicting expectations, the profession grows you and unexpectedly showers you with many professional and personal rewards. So, if you know of someone that is contemplating either a career change or contemplating what degree to pursue, the answer may be closer than they think.
 
Monday night’s council meeting looks at this time to be a short meeting. We have a couple of items requiring action. Please have a delightful review of this packet and we’ll see each other Monday night. Be safe out there!

2017 Hazard Mitigation Plan for Ottawa and Kent Counties

In your Council Packet, Council Information, there is information on the 2017 Hazard Mitigation Plan for Ottawa and Kent Counties created by Ottawa County Sheriff Department, Homeland Security, FEMA, and a number of local municipalities. A link to the full document (47MB) can be found here:  https://www.accesskent.com/Sheriff/pdfs/GGRHazMitPlan_2017.pdf. Due to the size, we cannot email it. However, you can read online or download/print from the above link. Please review within the next two weeks as we will be taking action at our July 24, 2017 council meeting. Once adopted, physical copies will be distributed to each city location and electronic copes to each Supervisor. Please contact me if you require additional information or have any questions.
 
 
Water Project Phase I

The goal of applying for a grant from the EDA (Economic Development Administration) will not be achieved. We were unable to obtain critical data from a business here in Coopersville to satisfy the requirements of the application. We will pursue option “B” and provide more detailed information to you within thirty days or sooner. As always please contact me if you required further detail.
 
 
Muskegon Waste Water Treatment Plant Option

Nothing new to report at this time other than we have a meeting scheduled for next week Wednesday July 12 with all appropriate parties. Plus, there has been a $2.5 million grant allocated for this project from the State of Michigan. As new information becomes available, and is shareable, I will keep members of this council. Please contact me if you have comments or require answers to questions.
 
 
REPEAT - Master Plan Update: Jonathan Seyferth
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We are nearing the end of feedback window on the draft master plan which has been ongoing since mid-February. The end of the feedback window back in March started a timeline that, if all goes according to plan, should allow the master plan to be considered for final adoption in July.
The timeline is as follows:

• July 17 – The Planning Commission would hold a Public Hearing on formal adoption of the master plan – step one in a two-step adoption process. If approved by the PC, it is sent to the City Council for final adoption.

 

• July 24 – At the second City Council meeting in July, the City Council will be asked to take the second step in the process with a final adoption of the master plan.

 
A draft and executive summary of the Master Plan can be found at  www.plancoopersville.com. Updates and comments on the final draft will also be accepted on the website.