As we all know the Thanksgiving Holiday is within sight. Many of us can’t believe Thanksgiving Day is already here, but it is, and the clock just keeps ticking one second at a time and the next time you turn your head, it’ll be New Year’s Eve. 3, 2, 1…Yeah…  
 
It’s natural to reflect on what we’re thankful for during this time of year. Personally, I’m thankful that my mother is home after a trip to the ER and a few days in the hospital last week. Here in Coopersville, I am thankful for the privilege of working with wonderful colleagues, each and every one of them, and because we have become a team that not only has numerous accomplishments together, but that our time here is personally enhanced not lessened. I am thankful for the privilege of working and collaborating with individuals here in the community and elsewhere. There are many outstanding associates that are smart, that are committed, and that bring value to their communities as well as Coopersville.
 
I am thankful, most of the time, for being challenged that in turn repels complacency and boredom, which are cousins to mediocrity and the status quo. This reminds me of a quote by Alphonse Karr that I read the other day which states,

“Some people are always grumbling because roses have thorns; I am thankful that thorns have roses.”

I’m surprised on a regular basis, and ultimately thankful, of what each day brings to my life and to the lives of others. More often than not, the challenges that come our way are thorns that deliver roses; challenges that deliver opportunities.
 
Happy Thanksgiving and I wish you and yours a most enjoyable day!
 
 
Save Monday, December 11, 2017 for the annual Joint City Council, DDA Board, and Planning Commission meeting. It will be at the new Community Room at the Coopersville Area Library, starting at 6:00 PM. This is always an informative meeting where the boards and city departments update each other on their respective areas of responsibilities and goals. There’s always new information revealed that is timely and useful. Hope everyone can attend. FYI, it’s the only meeting the boards and council will have in December.
 
For the November 27, 2017 agenda, we have a number of resolutions requiring action from council members as well as a couple of guest including Mike Hammond. Mike has served the city for 21 years and yesterday Monday, he made public that he is resigning effective November 30, 2017. I have always admired Mike for his dedication, attention to detail, and willingness to do whatever is required. He will be missed, and he is wished well on his new career endeavor.
 
In the Council Information packet is a memo and scope of work pertaining to the Cross-Connection Control Program, which is an annual compliance program that the city must provide to the DEQ. We are introducing the program and DEQ recommendations here that you can have time to read up on it to take action at the December 11 Joint Council meeting. 
 
As a FYI, I will not be in attendance as I have taken a PTO day for an extended Thanksgiving weekend. Jonathan Seyferth has graciously “volunteered” to fill in for me as he has done so before. Have a fantastic Thanksgiving with friends, family, or whomever or however you choose to celebrate. If you travel or you stay close to home, please be safe out there. 


Downtown Pocket Park

The past two weeks have been busy at the Pocket Park site.

• Laying of sod complete
• The water feature plumbing and electrical near completion with final cement pour schedule for Monday November 27th
• Cement slab for utility controls scheduled for Monday November 27th
• The roof for the pavilion is scheduled for Friday November 24th
• Fencing will be installed before the Santa Parade

All-in-all, each day shows progress, yet it does seem slow at times.
 
 
Residential Recycle Carts

For those who currently have residential recycling service, recycle carts will be dropped off at your driveway on Thursday, December 7 and Friday, December 8. The recycle pickup schedule will remain the same – every two weeks with the next recycle pickup scheduled for December 15. After December 8, trucks will ONLY pick up recycle carts; the old bins can’t be used anymore.
 
All-in-One Recycling means you can put everything into the same cart. We just ask that you adhere to the guidelines of what can and cannot be recycled, and how best to package small or light items like paper and plastic film. The guide can be found here:https://www.republicservices.com/resid…/all-in-one-recycling Just be sure all your recycled goods are empty, clean, and dry.
 
So, what do you do with your old bins? You may keep them for personal storage in your home or garage. Alternately, you can drop them off at the DPW Storage facility at 98 Main Street for recycling by Sunday, 12/17. Please wash your bins before bringing them for recycling to ensure they are clear of all debris and recyclables.
 
Please feel free to contact us with questions at (616) 997-9731.
 
 
REPEAT: Waste Water Treatment Plant Upgrade

Design plans and specifications were sent to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) over a month ago for review and the issuance of a permit. We are still in a holding pattern waiting to hear from the MDEQ on where we are in the process.
 
 
More on “Thankful” from: Glaser & Associates

“Saying “thank you” is the ultimate win/win. Research shows that expressing gratitude increases feelings of personal well-being. As Americans approach our official day of giving thanks, perhaps all of us can take a moment to consider how we might make gratitude an ongoing part of our lives.”
 
If you are looking for someone to practice your “thank you” on, start close to home (Tweet it!). John Gottman, Executive Director of the Relationship Research Institute of Seattle says: “Masters of relationships have a habit of scanning the world for things they can thank their partner for. People whose relationships go down the tubes scan the world for their partner’s mistakes.”
 
 
NOTE:
Obviously, there are other projects and issues I’m involved with as is Jonathan Seyferth and others. It’s not always a wise decision to write about the status of these projects and issues when there are delicate, complicated, or confidentiality aspects still in motion. I will always be available to answer any of your questions to the best of my ability within the confines of the aspects just mentioned. There is certainly never a dull day in the bustling and thriving environment of Coopersville.

There are numerous subjects to write about this week, each with its own unique importance and urgency. However, I thought I would use this time and space to review five issues and topics that are not prone to an “expiration” date, so to speak. As an FYI, I encourage others to send me ideas that may be of interest to them or to the community as a whole.
 
1. If you’ve ever thought about becoming part of a rewarding team of Rescue medical first responders, please contact City Hall or submit one of our applications (http://www.cityofcoopersville.com/human-resources). There are a number of forthcoming changes that will make training more affordable to those that need it. There will be other changes in the works to reflect the current reality of doing more with less. As we make progress, future updates will appear here and on the city manager’s blog.
 
2. As was stated months ago, 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. This city hall is very transparent on all financial details of the city operations and its budgets. We welcome any suggestions that might enhance the information provided.
 
3. The Pocket Park located in our beautiful historic downtown is methodically progressing in its creation. Trees were planted today with sod scheduled to be laid next week. It’s all coming together, it really is. There are lists of details being addressed as there always is with projects of this scope and complexity. I welcome everyone to walk by the site before its completion to get an idea of the “before” and “after.”
 
The Pocket Park project reminds me of a phrase I heard at my ICMA Conference a week or so ago. A keynote speaker stated, “You can’t be what you can’t see.” In Coopersville, there were many that had a vision of the Pocket Park and the significance and beauty it would add to the downtown. They could “see” the vision and thank goodness they could, as the final results will be a positive testament to the value added to our downtown.
 
Interesting that the same phrase can be applied to a plethora of concepts, situations, and strategic thinking. Part of building for the future is being able to see or visualize what kind of future you want, either as a person or as a community. As we all fully realize, the future arrives each and every morning whether we want it to or not. If you want the future to be a positive and enlightening goal, then you must visualize what that future will look like and then take action to realize that vision, all the while keeping your eyes and your effort glued to that vision. “You can’t be what you can’t see:” if you can’t see it or visualize it, it will not come to fruition. It’s a simple but profound observation.
 
4. Lastly, 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 council members, a new mayor, the beginning glimpse of winter is present, and a new year will quickly follow in its path. I always believed that 2017 would be a time of change for the City of Coopersville and its citizens; and guess what?
 
5. Save the date for the annual Joint City Council, DDA Board, and Planning Commission meeting on Monday, December 12, 2017.  It will be at the new Community Room at the Coopersville Area Library, starting at 6:00 PM. This is always an informative meeting where the boards and city departments update each other on their respective areas of responsibilities and goals. There’s always new information revealed that is timely and useful. Hope everyone can attend. FYI, it’s the only meeting the boards and council will have in December.
 
We have a full agenda for Monday night in that we basically have two agendas. The first half of the council meeting will be to address “old business” which will include a presentation from Joe Kuiper from Kiekover Scholma & Shumaker PC on the 2016-2017 Financial Audit as well as going into closed session to discuss the City Manager’s compensation. This has been on-going for months. We will also discuss the updates occurring in the Emergency Rescue Department. Please, please contact me if you have questions or are in need of further information. Have a fantastic weekend and don’t exhaust yourselves raking leaves. Be SAFE out there!


Downtown Pocket Park
The past two weeks have been busy at the Pocket Park site.

• Pavers are close to completion;
• Trees are planted;
• Light posts have been installed and functional;
• The water feature plumbing and electrical are in motion; and
• Installation of sod scheduled for Monday and Tuesday of next week.

All-in-all, each day shows progress.
 
 
UPDATE: Water Project Phase I
Our sources from Lakeshore Advantage (our economic development consultants) is that the EDA is ready to make a decision on our water project any day now. Below is a repeat summary of our current status.
 
The EDA grant application, as you know, has been submitted and now they are requesting supplemental information and data. This is a positive sign, but requests take up additional time of staff; hopefully it will generate positive results. Purchasing land from the church next to the existing booster station has delayed the project somewhat as finalizing the design is dependent on how much land will be acquired. It also should be noted that there is a bit of uncertainty in water demand from CDF and fairlife due to recycling discussions now taking place. This may or may not be an issue. I will keep you updated as new information is obtained. As always, you’re are welcome to contact me if you have questions.
 
 
Waste Water Treatment Plant Upgrade
Design plans and specifications were sent to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) over a month ago for review and the issuance of a permit. We are still in a holding pattern waiting to hear from the MDEQ on where we are in the process.
 
 
NOTE:
Obviously, there are other projects and issues I’m involved with as is Jonathan Seyferth and others. It’s not always a wise decision to write about the status of these projects and issues when there are delicate, complicated, or confidentiality aspects still in motion. I will always be available to answer any of your questions to the best of my ability within the confines of the aspects just mentioned. There is certainly never a dull day in the bustling and thriving environment of Coopersville.

As most of you and the residents and businesses already know, the city has a number of departments and responsibilities from the Recreation Department and the Department of Public Works, to the Waste Water Treatment Plant. We also have the Treasurer’s Office, the Zoning Administrator, the City Clerk, and numerous key administrative staff. All are essential to providing some of the highest levels of service in a city of our size.
 
One of the more high-profile departments is Emergency Rescue, the subject of this memo. Emergency Rescue is our first response to medical emergencies for the City of Coopersville. Polkton Township contracts with the city for Emergency Rescue to respond to medical emergencies as well. They are a critical unit (for obvious reasons) and provide another layer to maintaining a certain “quality of life” for Coopersville and the surrounding areas. Emergency Rescue has been a city department for decades and has numerous volunteers providing excellent service and care.
 
However, this department is currently suffering; how, you might ask? The answer is that there are fewer and fewer individuals that want to or are unable to cover the day shift. This department relies on trained and certified volunteers, who are compensated per call, to be available 24/7 and part of that coverage is during the day when most individuals are at work or at home taking care of loved ones. It’s a tough situation but a common one in municipalities of our size across both Michigan and the nation. Day staffing issues have reached a critical state here in Coopersville.
 
But that is not the last of the bad news for this department. Last week I received letters from two of our most experienced and dedicated responders, giving their retirement notice. With combined years of service totaling 52 years, their medical knowledge and experience will be missed. The city thanks them for their service and commitment to the department and to the citizens they served. However, their departure reduces the numerical count for day coverage.
 
The leadership of the Emergency Rescue squad, the City Manager’s Office, and certain council members have been aware of the shrinking pool of volunteers for some time now, even before the retirement announcement. The city and squad have been actively recruiting at local expos and advertising on the web and social media; there have been discussions on alternative “models” that might have relevancy in our city; and more importantly we’re asking how we cultivate and nurture future medical responders in an era of changing opinions and attitudes on the concept of volunteerism. Providing emergency medical service to the city and the township will be a significant challenge, but a challenge that we can face and overcome.
 
If you’ve ever thought about becoming part of a rewarding team of medical first responders, please contact City Hall or submit one of our applications (http://www.cityofcoopersville.com/human-resources). There are a number of forthcoming changes that will make training more affordable to those that need it. There will be other changes in the works to reflect the current reality of doing more with less. As we make progress, future updates will appear here and on the city manager’s blog.
 
We have a variety of topics requiring thoughtful discussion and action which includes Conveyor Concepts submitting an application for IFT which requires a public hearing. Rotary will also present a check to NEO Forum and the Del Shannon Scholarship Fund. Please contact me if you require further explanation or additional support material before Monday night. As a reminder I will not be present at our meeting due to attending the annual ICMA Conference, thus ACM Jonathan Seyferth will be in the “Chair.” Have a great meeting Monday evening and an even better weekend while basking in this beautiful weather. Be SAFE out there!


Downtown Pocket Park

Busy week at the Pocket Park site. Forms have been placed for additional concrete work as well as brick pavers. The pavilion has been mostly wired for electrical outlets to accommodate events and provide decorative lighting. The light posts and lamps are due shortly, with the water feature sub-assemblies due at the end of the month. We’re planning on a change order from grass seed to grass sod to quicken the growth process. All-in-all, each day shows progress.
 
 
Water Project Phase I

The EDA grant application, as you know, has been submitted and now they are requesting supplemental information and data. This is a positive sign, but requests take up additional time of staff; hopefully it will generate positive results. Purchasing land from the church next to the existing booster station has delayed the project somewhat as finalizing the design is dependent on how much land will be acquired. It also should be noted that there is a bit of uncertainty in water demand from CDF and fairlife due to recycling discussions now taking place. This may or may not be an issue. I will keep you updated as new information is obtained. As always, you’re are welcome to contact me if you have questions.
 
 
NOTE:

Obviously, there are other projects and issues I’m involved with as is Jonathan and others. It’s not always a wise decision to write about the status of these projects and issues when there are delicate, complicated, or confidentiality aspects still in motion. I will always be available to answer any of your questions to the best of my ability within the confines of the aspects just mentioned. There is certainly never a dull day in the bustling and thriving environment of Coopersville.