​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. 

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! 
​

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.
​
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!
 
 
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.
 

First, I’d like to express what a gorgeous Labor Day weekend we just experienced. I don’t know what your thoughts are, but even though summer can be short, it’s all worth it when we can experience such outstanding weather in such a beautiful state.
 
Monday night, September 12, we start off with a workshop at 6:00 P.M. to bring everyone up to speed on the WWTP upgrades and the Water Project Phase I projects. This meeting is important as I will be seeking guidance and approval on new project configurations later at the council meeting. At our council meeting, we also have a number of significant items to discuss from the bids we received for the 64th Avenue Sidewalk project to formalizing the status of the DPW Supervisor. Until then, continue to enjoy the remaining days of summer. Please contact me if you have any questions or comments regarding this memo and the council agenda.
​

WWTP Upgrade

The MEDC offered a proposal to relevant parties, which in turn was turned down for substantive reasons. It is difficult to discuss the WWTP upgrades without delving into the macro view of economic development incentives by the State of Michigan and how it prioritizes economic opportunities, so I won’t. Instead I will reiterate from what our workshop will reveal, is that Coopersville at this time is on its own to provide an economic development and a financial plan to continue to serve the businesses and residents alike in Coopersville…and that is what we will do.
 
 
Water Project Phase I

Again, as with the WWTP upgrade, the scope of the project will have to be revised due to financial considerations in context of limited financial assistance from state agencies. The only item of certainty from where I stand is that action must be taken relatively soon, and that action will have to come from us.
 
 
Road Projects

I thank you council members for approving the various road projects that were recently competed. I thank you Bryan Buist for coordinating the contractors, and I thank you residents and business owners for your patience as we improved several roads in our city. Randall, Center, Ottawa and 48th Avenue look great! A little here, a little there and suddenly the city begins to sparkle. Obviously we have a couple of more streets to complete before winter but we’re making progress.
 
 
Grove Street Park

If you haven’t already done so, please visit Grove Street Park. The field has been regraded and seeded. It looks great and once again it’s one more step to making the community as a whole look better. Of course, the overall condition of the field will make for safer play but it also makes for better aesthetics. Nicely done!
 
​

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.

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. 

Enjoy your weekend and as I have said countless of times, and I sincerely meant it and still do, be safe out there. 

2015 ICMA Conference
During last week’s conference, I attempted to keep a log of the various breakout sessions, keynote speakers, and thoughts that came forth on relevancy for Coopersville. Believe it or not there was quite a bit of information that was applicable for what’s happening in Coopersville both organizationally, with staff, council, and the community at large. Over the next couple of months, I will be sharing some of those thoughts with you in the NON-AGENDA ITEMS section of future memos.
 
Dedicated Sewer Main – Lift Station
Nothing to report other than the project continues to move forward with relatively few misfortunes. The goal is to still to be functional by the end of October. Site clean-up, landscaping and such, will continue after if weather conditions are favorable. If for some reason that’s not the case, final landscaping would be next year spring.
 
Second River Crossing - Water Project Phase I
I met with Prein & Newhof this week as they have completed the Engineering Evaluation for the Phase I -  Water Supply and Transmission Improvements. On October 26, I am suggesting another special council meeting to review the contents of this study and to bring council up to date on the particulars including the updates on funding options. So, please keep October 26 at 5:45 PM open for this special meeting.
 
WWTP Project Phase II
Since the last memo there have been a number of events that have required staff’s immediate attention as stated earlier in this memo for the WWTP. The special meeting prior to council meeting will also touch on the following as also stated in last month’s memo.
 
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. Obviously we will discuss this at our October 12 special meeting.
 
West Randall Street Reconstruction Project
I was informed this afternoon that the tentative schedule for traffic to move both east and west on West Randall Street is Monday, October 12. The two center lanes will be open with the far south lane and the far north remaining closed. These lanes will remain closed until the landscaping, tree planting, and any water and electrical that needs finishing. I do not have a specific date at this time when all four lanes will be open to traffic, but it is estimated to be another couple weeks. 

I hope you can take advantage of these excellent fall days before temperatures start to seriously fall for real. Be safe out there!

Assistant City Manager Search
The search for a new Assistant City Manager (ACM) is complete. We interviewed six qualified candidates out of 34 applicants. We decided to have two candidates return for a second interview, both with strong credentials and experience. After having a second interview with the two finalists, which took over three hours for each, we made a decision. This morning I offered a gentleman the position and he accepted. After a contract is agreed upon in principal I will make the announcement. The reason for this delay is that if for some reason either party decides not to follow through with a contract there is no embarrassment to either. My desire is to make the appointment public no later than October 9 if all goes as planned.   
 
Dedicated Sewer Main – Lift Station
Nothing to report other than the project continues to move forward with relatively few misfortunes. The goal is to still to be functional by the end of October. Site clean-up, landscaping and such, will continue after if weather conditions are favorable. If for some reason that’s not the case, final landscaping would be next year spring.
 
Second River Crossing - Water Project Phase I
Prein & Newhof has completed the first draft of an Executive Briefing for the Water Supply and Transmission Improvement, or Phase I of the Water Project. The city will schedule a meeting with Prein & Newhof, Polkton Township, Allendale, and Ottawa County to make seek comments and eventual agreement with the proposal. After this meeting I will review with council.
 
WWTP Project Phase II
We are planning on a workshop on October 12 prior to the council meeting to discuss this topic. In the meantime 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 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. Obviously we will discuss this at an October 12, 5:45 p.m. workshop, prior to Council meeting.
 
West Randall Street Reconstruction Project
We are rapidly approaching the pour of concrete for the two north lanes, or the west bound lanes. Not much to report other than the project is progressing in large part to the decent weather. As with any project of this size there have been a few glitches that are dealt with in a timely manner. Thanks again to EVERYONE for their patience during this seemingly long time of reconstruction. We’re almost there.
 
City Hall Roof Work
Work is being done this week to the city hall roof, soffits, and other related areas in an attempt to significantly reduce the enormous ice damning that occurs during winter and to reduce the size of icicles that often will be the height of city hall.  We’ll soon see if our efforts were successful.