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Council Update - September 25

9/26/2017

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​The city and the community have been witnessing the start --and completion-- of many projects over the summer, from numerous roads being resurfaced to the highly publicized Pocket Park in our historic downtown finally under construction. Work is proceeding on another upgrade to the WWTP; efforts are still in motion for the water system upgrade that includes a second river crossing; the DDA has initiated a series of vinyl and electronic billboards around the Grand Rapids metro area to bring awareness to Coopersville’s economic opportunities. Expansions at Betten Baker, Conveyor Concepts, fairlife, and of course the new housing development The Reserve of Coopersville is testament to the desirability of investing in Coopersville.
 
There is a certain momentum occurring here in Coopersville that is real and positive. For those with experience in project management, I’m sure you can attest to the phenomena that momentum is not natural to the process. Momentum is achieved and maintained by people with purpose, vision, and effort. Without sustained effort, momentum can reach a state of rest in a remarkably short period of time. I have witnessed this numerous times, so I took note when I came across a passage by Polybius, a Greek stateman and historian who lived around 120 BC, in which he wrote:
Some men give up their designs when they have almost reached the goal; while others,
on the contrary, obtain a victory by exerting, at the last moment, more vigorous efforts
than before.
Polybius may not have had the word “momentum” in mind when he wrote about a behavior he witnessed, but the two are connected. Momentum ceases if someone is not providing the energy to sustain it. And if the momentum is not sustained, projects are not completed or aren’t completed in a manner that achieves the original goal. “Vigorous efforts” achieve stated goals. Just because the end of a project or goal is in sight doesn’t mean momentum will sustain the effort; it’s just the opposite.
 
Currently, the city has momentum. The reasons for this momentum are multi-faceted and is the result of many individuals that have purpose, vision, and are exerting effort. If Coopersville is to continue to make strides in economic development and enhancing the quality of life for our residents and business owners, then momentum must be sustained. We must never allow our momentum, once achieved, to falter. I believe this is one of the major attributes we must consider when voters elect council members, when management hires new employees, when engineers and lawyers are consulted on critical issues, or when naming individuals to the city’s various boards and committees. I believe the concept of momentum in an organization or city is real, and it is impacted by both large and small decisions that all of us make.
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I highlight this subject now to bring awareness to one element of accomplishment and success here in Coopersville. I bring it up to remind myself that I also must be aware of my responsibility to maintain momentum in whatever project or program that council and others assign to me and city staff. It’s an exciting time here in Coopersville and we’re riding a wave of momentum that has significant promise for our community. May it never stop; please share your thoughts on this discussion if you so desire.
 
…may the momentum be with you…
 
 
Monday promises to be a special evening because we are thanking former Ottawa County Sheriff Gary Rosema for his service and commitment to the City of Coopersville. Gary’s personal connection to Coopersville helped motivate his desire to pilot the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office replacing our police department; it became a solid success. Yes, others were involved and were critical to implementing and sustaining the program, but Gary’s desire efforts and momentum was vital to the success of the program and we thank him. 
 
Members of the Wage & Compensation Committee will meet after the council meeting Monday night to further discuss the City Manager’s review and compensation. This is rescheduled due to my absence last week. Autumn officially begins today and tomorrow so enjoy this unusually warm weather and have a fantastic weekend; be SAFE out there!


Michigan Infrastructure Asset Management Pilot Program

“The 21st Century Infrastructure Commission identified the need to begin looking at infrastructure in an integrated and holistic way as one of the tenets to maintain Michigan’s position as a leader in public infrastructure planning. To begin the process, the Commission recommended that Michigan develop and implement an integrated asset management database system, create a statewide council to oversee the long-term coordination and strategy, invest in our infrastructure systems and remain committed to embracing emerging technologies. In April of 2017, I announced the Michigan Infrastructure Asset Management Pilot Program to help coordinate and unify infrastructure efforts across the state. The statewide asset management system and the council will help the state, regions, local governments and utilities make more informed, strategic decisions and coordinated investments.
 
The pilot includes agencies and communities in southeast and west Michigan that will begin to develop the process of integrating drinking water, storm water, sanitary systems and transportation asset data into a comprehensive database that will eventually be used to support integrated planning efforts across these assets and across the state. This collaborative pilot is key to maintaining and improving our infrastructure statewide and will help make Michigan a national leader in asset management and planning…”  Governor Rick Snyder
 
Staff will be bringing more information on the Michigan Infrastructure Asset Management Pilot Program in the forthcoming weeks. Coopersville will become part of this database collection and there are a couple of action items the city council will be asked to consider. SEMCOG (Southeast Michigan Council of Governments) and the GVMC (Grand Valley Metro Council) have already been meeting to identify what data should be collected, how best to catalog that data, and how that data will be utilized by policy and decision makers. Much has already been done, with much more needing to be done. Please contact me if you have questions or would like additional information.
 
 
DDA Billboard

As written for the last council packet, the DDA has a message on vinyl and electronic billboards around the Grand Rapids metro area; have you seen them AND have you visited the website?
Have you noticed the DDA billboard on west bound I-96 just past Fruit Ridge in Walker? We will also have “time” on a few electronic billboards located in the Grand Rapids Metro area with one specifically near Fifth Third Ball Park. The purpose of these billboards is to make more people aware of the investment in our DDA and our downtown, attributes of the community, so that ultimately more investment will take place to enhance economic vitality. In other words, please “CHECK US OUT.” As part of this new campaign, we’ve also completely revamped the DDA website to make it mobile friendly and to reflect the professionalism, vision, and vitality of DDA projects and their goals and the community in general. Check it out at http://www.coopersvilledda.com
 
 
Water Project Phase I

The project continues to move forward. City staff is working closely with Allendale Township and Ottawa County to formulate a final plan for a new booster station. Part of this plan includes the feasibility of acquiring additional real estate for the larger booster station facility. Allendale will continue to have space for their water pumps to provide redundancy and possible expansion if required as part of the project.

 
Downtown Pocket Park

Relative progress continues at the Pocket Park site. There have been a few delays but work continues. Obviously if major hiccups occur and requires additional resources, responsible parties will be notified. Till then, work continues.   
 
 
UPDATED: Road and Sidewalk Construction

​Crews will be resurfacing and re-striping roads and the only section remaining is:

  • 10/7 – 10/9:  O’Malley Drive (between 68th Avenue & River) will be closed during resurfacing with posted detours; local traffic will be guided by flag crews.
 
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 construction@cityofcoopersville.com. Thanks for your patience while we make the city shine!
 
 
 
REPEAT: 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. 


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Council Update - September 11

9/8/2017

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​With the cool mornings that we’ve been having lately, there’s no denying that summer is quickly coming to an end! Summer’s end has not slowed the activity in the city, however. Coopersville continues to be a hub of activity for construction projects – both public and private. You’re aware of our public infrastructure projects, and I thought you’d find it interesting to hear a few highlights of current activity in the private sector.
 
Betten-Baker is well underway on their expansion project – already moving much of their inventory to their new parking lot on the north side of O’Malley, making way for two new showrooms on their main site. Conveyor Concepts is nearing completion of its new facility on Mason and St. John’s Trucking/Exit 16 has completed its new building on O’Malley. There’s always activity at CDF/Fairlife – the past few months are no exception.  Even our local fast food establishments are getting in on the remodel/construction game: Taco Bell recently completed a remodel project, remodel work has begun on Arby’s, and McDonalds is slated for a facelift later this year. All told, there is about $10 million worth of private investment currently going on in Coopersville.
 
I bring this up because sometimes it’s easy to overlook how much activity is actually going on in our city. This is something to be proud of and is a sign that not only do businesses and residents want to be here, but that both are willing to make significant investments to make Coopersville home.
 
In relation to ongoing private investment in the city, we’ll start our evening with a Council Workshop at 5:45 PM prior to the Council meeting to discuss a payback agreement between the Reserve of Coopersville and the City. Assistant City Manager Jonathan Seyferth and I will go into more detail on the agreement that was in place when the Reserve first decided to invest in the City and what Council is now being asked to consider. 
 
I want to thank Jonathan Seyferth and Anisa Williams for preparing the greater part of this memo while I took a couple of extra days off after the Labor Day weekend. Please contact me if you have questions regarding this memo or any issues of interest to you. Have a fine weekend and be SAFE out there!


DDA Billboard

Have you noticed the DDA billboard on west bound I-96 just past Fruit Ridge in Walker? We will also have “time” on a few electronic billboards located in the Grand Rapids Metro area with one specifically near Fifth Third Ball Park. The purpose of these billboards is to make more people aware of the investment in our DDA and our downtown, attributes of the community, so that ultimately more investment will take place to enhance economic vitality. In other words, please “CHECK US OUT.” As part of this new campaign, we’ve also completely revamped the DDA website to make it mobile friendly and to reflect the professionalism, vision, and vitality of DDA projects and their goals and the community in general. Check it out at http://www.coopersvilledda.com
 
 
Water Project Phase I

The project continues to move forward. City staff is working closely with Allendale Township and Ottawa County to formulate a final plan for a new booster station. Part of this plan includes the feasibility of acquiring additional real estate for the larger booster station facility. Allendale will continue to have space for their water pumps to provide redundancy and possible expansion if required as part of the project.

 
Downtown Pocket Park

​After encountering a few underground surprises as construction got underway, things are now moving along smoothly. The underground infrastructure has been improved and a water connection has been brought into the park. Flatwork has begun and we’ll start to see things really taking shape over the next few weeks and months.   
 
 
UPDATED: Road and Sidewalk Construction

​Sidewalk replacement along the north side of Main Street between Church and East Streets is complete. All residents who were impacted were very cooperative during the process and the finish product looks great. Sidewalk replacement continued this week when crews began removing sidewalk on the east side of Eastmanville. The crew is moving swiftly and the project should be completed on schedule.
 
On Sunday, Sept. 10, Main Street between Eastmanville and Church will be closed from 6AM-Noon for crews to crack-seal the road. Businesses on Main Street were notified by a hand-delivered letter and notices went out on social media. Staff will be following up with the businesses at the end of the week to remind them of the closure and temporary signs will be placed at various locations on Main Street to let others know of the temporary closure as well.
 
Crews will be resurfacing and re-striping roads and the only section remaining is:

  • 10/7 – 10/9:  O’Malley Drive (between 68th Avenue & River) will be closed during resurfacing with posted detours; local traffic will be guided by flag crews.
 
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 construction@cityofcoopersville.com. Thanks for your patience while we make the city shine!
 
 
REPEAT: Muskegon Waste Water Treatment Plant Option

(Below is a repeat from the last council packet and is included keep you informed. As new information is obtained, this memo will be updated.)
Engineers from Prein&Newhof met with city staff this week to review the proposed route of the sewer forcemain from Coopersville to the Muskegon County Wastewater Management System. The distance is slightly over 19 miles with a few segments of route needing to be finalized. The meeting was to discuss the route but other questions were discussed and will be revisited at the appropriate time. 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.
 
 
REPEAT: 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. 


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