I don’t often share personal thoughts such as these but I feel compelled this time.
 
The terrorist shootings and bombings in Paris on the previous Friday and the recent terrorist threat in Hanover Germany last week is a stark reminder of how precious and fragile freedom is around the world and in this country. Regardless of political leanings, we should be thankful for this country’s relative stability. Yes we have issues, and yes terrorism has struck our country, and yes it has altered our way of life; just try and board a plane.
 
But the very act of writing this memo for Coopersville’s City Council members is a testament that democracy is alive and thriving in our country, and in our city of Coopersville complete with all its beauty and flaws. Many of us take the freedoms and our special way of life for granted while we strive to make our personal lives successful and meaningful. This is certainly understandable, normal, and expected. But events such as the Paris terrorist attacks and our own 911 tragedy, certainly snaps us back to reality and reminds us that freedom is not free and we must be diligent to insure that the “experiment of democracy” will live for centuries to come. It is our obligation as citizens to nurture and protect such a rare and beautiful concept called democracy.
 
I must confess that I don’t always appreciate the uniqueness and specialness of our democracy, and that I need to try harder. During events like these I am reminded that being in local government is a personal and professional honor and it needs to be acknowledged each and every day. It needs to be acknowledged every day especially when democracy is under siege around the world where citizens here and abroad give the ultimate sacrifice simply by living their lives in an environment of democracy.  
 
I could go on for several pages on the anger and frustration I feel for those that have no regard for personal freedom and the pursuit of happiness. However, I must confess that during these events I do appreciate my family more, my friends more, my country more, and our military more for their sacrifice and protection. I also appreciate life itself more and to be reminded not to take that for granted either.  Embrace the positive and the good that life can offer and to the best of my ability ignore the negative and trivial.

As we move into the Thanksgiving weekend, be safe in all your travels and have a thankful, relaxing, and beautiful holiday as well. 


​Water Project Phase I

Today we had a joint meeting with Allendale Township and its engineers, Ottawa County (serving as Polkton Township representative), Prein&Newhof, and city staff to discuss Phase I of the proposed water system upgrade. A number of issues were discussed, predominately on the operational side of the design. As they say, “the devil is in the details.” There are many details that require resolution. This project is one of the reasons for the need for a Council Utility Advisory Committee (UAC). There is complexity and variables that staff needs to share and in turn, receive a bit of feedback from the UAC & Council. Granted there will be no action taken at the committee level but detailed conversation needs to take place, at least during the preliminary stage.

  
WWTP Project Phase II

The city and CDF (Continental Dairy Facilities) have received the proposal from the Muskegon Waste Water group. The numbers are still being studied. Also, the city needs to meet with Muskegon to review a number of questions that still remain and that will take place after the Thanksgiving holiday. I will provide more information as it becomes available.

Summer is over, Daylight Savings Time is over, the bulk of the construction season is over, and now the elections are over as well. Now is the time for the “new.” On Monday night, we will swear in new council members, the beginning glimpse of winter is present, and a new year will quickly follow in its path. This is an exciting time of the year for the City of Coopersville and its citizens.  The city staff and I congratulate the re-election of James Ward and Brian Mooney. However at the time of this writing, the entire election hasn’t been certified by the County Board of Canvassers (BOC). The election results have to be certified BEFORE the oath of office takes place for all those that have been elected, including write-ins. Kim Borgman, City Clerk, is relatively confident that the election will be certified before Monday night’s council meeting per the BOC. If there are any specific questions regarding the status of the elections please contact Ms. Borgman.
 
Regardless of when the election is officially certified, we look forward to working with our new council in the continuing journey of making Coopersville a prosperous, safe, and desirable place for or residents to live and business owners to thrive.
 
I would also like to wish Charlie Vander Kolk and Larry Crandle well as they depart the city council. Both have provided a valuable service to the citizens and businesses of this city and the staff and I thank them for their many years of service. 
 
Enjoy your weekend and as I have said countless of times, and I sincerely meant it and still do, be safe out there. 

​
Utility Advisory Committee

I am recommending that council form a committee who can work with me on the various utility projects which are being planned and discussed. There are numerous options being studied to upgrade the water and sewer systems for the City of Coopersville and it would be best if we had a committee who could review options and have solid discussions before proposals come before council for final action. It’s also important that council have a few members that could act as advisers for other council members, in order to provide a more robust exchange of ideas and shorten the learning curve on more complex areas of these projects. 
 

Dedicated Sewer Main – Lift Station

Our new lift-station and dedicated sewer main is now working. As with any major project of this type, there were a few things to work out but by and large the system is working. This expansion to our waste water system will provide more flexibility and by default more capacity in the city’s domestic portion of sewer system.

 
WWTP Project Phase II

I have again included a previous statement on the WWTP Phase II project below for new council members. Last week I met with individuals representing the Muskegon Waste Water Plant. They once again indicted they would like to contract with City of Coopersville rather than an individual business such as CDF (Continental Dairy Facilities). They will have their formal proposal November 13th rather than November 1st. Once CDF and the city have had time to review their proposal, I will then inform council of what additional options are available to us. 
 
We are studying options for long-term plans that would include constructing Phase II of the City’s WWTP to process 3.3 gallons per day (GPD). Estimated price, depending on the extent of pre-treatment by Continental Dairy (CDF), ranges from $12 Million to $19 Million. The City has already met with our bonding attorney to explore feasibility of financing through an existing bond to construct Phase II. The conclusion is that the City will be able to access additional funds if we so choose. Estimated timeline dependent on financing approval would see construction commencing the summer of 2016 and in operation late spring to early summer of 2017.
 
A secondary long-term plan is an option currently in discussion with CDF, Coopersville, and Muskegon. It is a concept to divert future incremental flow increases from CDF to the Muskegon WWTP. There are a number of parameters that will need to be finalized if this option were to become a viable choice for all parties. The City of Coopersville will continue to update council as more information becomes available.
 
 
West Randall Street Reconstruction Project

Hopefully this will be my last comment on the West Randall Street re-construction project. All lanes are open, the trees are planted, the electrical posts are installed, and even the new lift-station is operational.
 
Just a quick clarification, as I’ve heard there are a few questions on the electrical posts/outlets. They were installed to provide power for decorative lighting as a means to highlight the corridor from the roundabout to the historic downtown. There is obviously more work to do to make this a complete decorative corridor to Eastmanville and the north to Main Street, but we’re closer than we‘ve been in years. This is truly an exciting project and we thank the DDA Board for their financial contribution to this project.
 

As always, any questions or concerns about the above projects or other undertakings of the city, please feel free to contact City Hall.