VOLUNTEERISM: The principle of donating time and energy for the benefit of other people in the community as a social responsibility rather than for any financial reward. (Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 2014)
 
Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Rotary, Del Shannon Car Show, the Santa Parade, and many, many more events and organizations in this community and the immediate area function because of volunteers. Centers of worship function because of volunteers. The Outhouse 500, landscaping assistance around the city have been touched by volunteers. Various events at the school happen because of the efforts and investments by volunteers. It’s a very positive and bold statement about the character of a community and the affection that motivates people to volunteer and give back to the community.
 
The City of Coopersville also functions and relies on volunteers through its various boards from the Recreation Advisory Board to the Planning Commission. There is also the DDA Board (Downtown Development Authority), the Zoning Board of Appeals, the Cemetery Board, Construction Board of Appeals, Election Commission, Local Officers Commission, and the Board of Review. We also rely on individuals to give of their time for a minimum monetary payment to serve in the Emergency Services as first responders on medical emergencies. The Coopersville-Polkton Fire Department heavily relies on volunteers to serve as first responders for fire calls, significant accidents on I-96, and mutual aid to surrounding communities.
 
Without volunteers, the City of Coopersville and the community at large would cease to function properly. Sure, the city has the administrative staff which manages the mandates and requirements of the City Charter and the State of Michigan as well as the day-to-day responsibilities of answering questions of the public, managing the various financial funds required to provide services to the residents, and providing support for the city council. The Department of Public Works removes snow from our streets, maintains various landscaping tasks, empties trash containers, sweeps the streets, and many more tasks to make the city look attractive. The Water and Sewer Departments provide and maintains these utilities to the highest standards.  

However, to name but a few:

• Policy is determined by city council members, NOT city staff.
• The Planning Commission takes action on development within the community and makes recommendations to the city council on ordinance language and updates; NOT city staff.
• The DDA Board oversees the economic development of the DDA District to enhance the economic growth within the city; NOT city staff.
• The Zoning Board of Appeals acts on requests to make a variance on existing ordinances; NOT city staff.

 
I could go on and on, but the point is fairly simple and profound. Volunteers are the life blood of a city and its community, without them there is no functioning city or community. The reason for this memo is this; we are having difficulty filling vacancies in most of the boards, Emergency Services, and the Fire Department. It will be critical within a year especially for our medical first responders in the Emergency Rescue Department. We will have multiply vacancies at the end of this year on the DDA Board. 
 
All of our lives have become busy, complicated, and the societal distractions are endless. When I pause and evaluate what I have done in the “volunteering mode” I’m a little embarrassed as I probably could do more. It’s difficult to carve out a couple more hours a month for yet another item on our “To Do List”, and we all have that annoying list. I hope all of us can at least consider where we might be most effective in the areas mentioned above and at least contact city hall and ask a few questions. Until then, thank you for reviewing this memo and enjoy your summer.

Monday night we have a fairly “light” agenda, relatively speaking. There are a couple of resolutions which I will detail later in this memo. Enjoy your weekend, and be safe out there.


Water Project Phase I
​
The application to the EDA (Economic Development Administration) is still being processed by staff and Ken Rizzio at Lakeshore Advantage. Application is on schedule to be sent to the EDA before the end of June. As always if you have questions please contact me.
 
 
REPEAT - Muskegon Waste Water Treatment Plant Option 

Nothing new to report at this time. There have been some rumblings as to possible funding mechanisms, but nothing of any substance. As information becomes available, and is sharable, 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

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:

• Late June – The 9-week feedback window will close in late June which is also the June Planning Commission meeting date.
  
  
• 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. ​

By Mark Horoszowski, Next Avenue Contributor 

(This article previously appeared on MovingWorlds.org.)

The power of volunteering has been documented for the last 2,500+ years, however a slew of recent research is shedding even more light onto its surprising benefits. Science now proves what great leaders and philosophers have known for years:

“One of the great ironies of life is this: He or she who serves almost always benefits more than he or she who is served.” - Gordon Hinckle

Here are five surprising benefits of volunteering:

1. Volunteering time makes you feel like you have more time. Wharton professor Cassie Mogilner wrote in the Harvard Business Review that her research found those who volunteer their time feel like they have more of it. This is similar to other research showing that people who donate to charity feel wealthier.

Said Mogliner: “The results show that giving your time to others can make you feel more ‘time affluent’ and less time-constrained than wasting your time, spending it on yourself, or even getting a windfall of free time.”

2. Volunteering your skills helps you develop new skills. In my experience, skills-based volunteering is an excellent opportunity to develop talents to help you get ahead in your career. In fact, an article in Stanford Social Innovation Review called skills-based volunteering overseas “the next executive training ground.”

At MovingWorlds, we’ve found that skills development in technical and leadership-related areas is the primary reason corporations invest in international skills-based volunteering programs.

(MORE: Volunteering Pays for Job Hunters)

3. Volunteering your body helps you have a healthier body. A Corporation for National & Community Service report noted: “Research demonstrates that volunteering leads to better health… those who volunteer have lower mortality rates, greater functional ability, and lower rates of depression later in life than those who do not volunteer.”

The fact that volunteering has been proven to make you healthier is reason enough to engage in pro bono activities. For more information on this, read “Can Volunteering Lower Your Risk of Heart Disease?”

4. Volunteering your experience helps build your experience. We consistently see this with highly skilled professionals like investment bankers and business consultants. Also, volunteering in a new industry will give you knowledge to help you switch fields. And if you want to move from the corporate world to the nonprofit sector, volunteering first can help prove your commitment.

Beyond our own research, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and Next Avenue have published articles about how volunteering can help you earn your next job.

As the Journal wrote: “According to the survey of 202 human-resource executives, skilled volunteer work — such as helping a nonprofit with its finances — makes job applicants look more appealing to hiring manager.”

5. Volunteering your love makes you feel more love. Admittedly, love is a hard thing to measure. But when researchers at the London School of Economics examined the relationship between volunteering and measures of happiness, they found the more people volunteered, the happier they were. Volunteering builds empathy, strengthens social bonds and makes you smile  — all factors that increase the feeling of love.
​

We have a special council meeting Monday night in that we honor the tenure of Rodney Lloyd as Coopersville’s Mayor from November 2013 to April 2017. Representative Roger Victory will be on hand to present former Mayor Rodney C. Lloyd with an Honorarium. The city will also present Mr. Lloyd with a gift of appreciation for his outstanding service to the city and its citizens. Mr. Lloyd had to step down as mayor because his residency changed from the City of Coopersville to Wright Township. I want to thank Mr. Lloyd for his service, his dedication, and his enthusiasm for this community and for the voters that placed him there and the trust that was bestowed to him.
 
Running for public office and serving in an elected position is one of the basic tenets of our form of government. I applaud those that choose to serve in an age where other events, responsibilities, and social distractions vie for everyone’s time and attention. Late night workshops, personal appearances at city events, and of course council meetings can put a strain on one’s personal and professional life. But as I have witnessed, there is a personal commitment to the betterment of Coopersville and it is reflected by those that “serve” not only on city council but on the Planning Commission, the Downtown Development Authority Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, and others. Elected and appointed officials are the foundation to the continuation of this endeavor called local government.
 
As Coopersville continues to grow economically, it fortunately has kept its essence as a friendly community with a rich tradition and a desire to continually improve its quality of life. Those that serve can take  significant pride in this fact as they have influenced the energy that has made it a reality. So again, thank Mr. Lloyd for your service, and thank you to all the other elected and appointed individuals that continue to respect and love this community.
 
As a reminder, the NEO-Forum Golf Outing is scheduled for Saturday, June 17 at Western Greens Golf Course, just southeast of Coopersville on Johnson Street. This golf outing is a “scramble” so don’t be too intimidated if you are not a good golfer or not a golfer at all. It’s really a great day of fun, an outstanding catered lunch, and a chance to receive some very nice gifts. Above all else, the golf outing is a fund raiser for the NEO Forum, a program that provides “counseling services, education, support and resources to youth in order to reduce substance abuse, violence, juvenile delinquency and other risky behaviors. The NEO Forum staff is a unique combination of a full-time counselor and an on-site Sheriff Deputy who work closely with the school personnel and community members to help our youth.” Hope to see you there, but if you have conflicts please consider sponsoring a “hole” where your name or business will be placed at the “tee-box.” Sgt. Dennis Luce has all the particulars plus there is a brochure enclosed in Council Information.
 
 As always, please have an enjoyable weekend now that decent weather has enveloped us. See you all Monday night; be SAFE out there!


Medical Marijuana Dispensary Discussion
There is a meeting at the Pinnacle Center in Hudsonville June 20, 2017 from 1:00 – 5:00 PM for township officials and city council members. There are a couple of keynote speakers as well as a panel discussion on the subject of Medical Marijuana that include County Prosecutors from Ottawa, Muskegon, and Allegan Counties, as well as the WEMET Section Commander. If you are interested, seating is limited so please contact me or Anisa Williams and we can register you; free to attend but you must register. 
 
 
REPEAT: Medical Marihuana (marijuana): Jonathan Seyferth
Due to scheduling conflicts the May 15, 2017 medical marijuana presentation was cancelled and is tentatively rescheduled for June 19, 2017 at the next Planning Commission. The public is always welcome.
 
Over the next few months we are going to engage in a long-term and slow education process on Michigan’s new medical marihuana law. That education process will include hearing from groups on both sides of the topic. At the conclusion of that education process (likely in June or July) the City Council and Planning Commission can then decide if it would like to tackle any changes to the city’s current medical marihuana ordinance.
 
This is being precipitated for two different reasons. First off, in December 2016 the state legislature passed a new law regarding commercial activities related to medical marihuana. This change authorizes five different type of commercial activities that can be engaged in when explicitly allowed by a municipality. Secondly, the city has received requests that the city consider allowing one or more of those five activities.
 
Our current ordinance regulating medical marihuana, which is found in Section 1280.21 – prohibits any commercial activity related to medical marihuana. This was put into place in July 2013. Several communities throughout the state enacted similar ordinances in the absents of clear state action on the topic. 
 
The state’s new law, the Medical Marihuana Facilities Licensing Act (PA 281 of 2016) will come into effect in December 2017. The delay on implementation is to allow communities to determine what (if any) of the five activities they’ll allow and to allow the state to develop permitting for these activities.
 
The Michigan Municipal League (MML) has produced a few brief documents on the topic, I’ve included those for your reading pleasure. The MML memos outline the five activities and provides a FAQ sheet on the topic.
 
The good thing about the new state law is it gives municipalities a lot of flexibility. 1. Communities do not have to explicitly outlaw medical marijuana facilities – it’s an opt in law. 2. It’s not an all or nothing thing, a municipality can choose which of five activities to allow and how many of each it would allow (again, if any at all).

 
REPEAT - Muskegon Waste Water Treatment Plant Option
Nothing new to report at this time. There have been some rumblings as to possible funding mechanisms, but nothing of any substance. As information becomes available, and is sharable, I will keep members of this council. Please contact me if you have comments or require answers to questions.

Water Project Phase I
SEE AGENDA ITEM 8. A.
 
 
REPEAT - Master Plan Update: Jonathan Seyferth
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:

• Late June – The 9-week feedback window will close in late June which is also the June Planning Commission meeting date.
  
  
• 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. 

The following is not necessarily a new concept or a personal discovery. Most of us already know (or are in the process of learning) that what we communicate within ourselves is what we ultimately become. A number of phrases come to mind such as, “I become what I think about all day”; “How we choose to think is how we choose to live.” It’s basically a reflection of the “Law of Attraction” which can be defined as focusing on positive or negative thoughts that brings positive or negative experiences to a person.
 
I’ve been thinking about this for months because of a few personal and professional experiences that were both positive and negative. I’ve been trying sincerely to analyze what actions or thoughts might have influenced those events in my life. It was sobering to realize that I had as much to do with what happened negatively to me as what happened positively to me. I’m sure many of us have had similar experiences and thought processes, and, if we’re being honest with ourselves, we’ve discovered remarkable truths, sometimes uncomfortable truths, but truths nonetheless that have made a profound impact, if we made a conscious decision to act on our discovery and change.
 
All of this made me think: to what extent can this mental behavior impact a city or a community? It is possible that an individual may not “move the needle” much when it comes to a community, however it only takes one person to influence another either positively or negatively. That other person can then influence another, and so on. In this way, the sway of one powerful thought can move metaphorical mountains. Much in the same manner as when one person enters a room with either a positive attitude or a negative attitude, the attitude of those already there can noticeably change.
 
Staff and the Planning Commission are in the process of adopting a new Master Plan that will help guide the City of Coopersville’s future development and how the city defines itself regarding issues such as walkability, overall aesthetics, infrastructure demands, and the like. My question is, can what we think about Coopersville, either positively or negatively, impact the final outcome of our quest to make Coopersville a truly attractive “place” with high scores in “quality of life?”  How can we, as individuals living and working here, change our thinking about our community in order to positively impact its global desirability?
 
This may seem all metaphysical but there is certainly significant anecdotal data to support its existence; just to be fair, the scientific method has yet witnessed the phenomenon. Regardless, it at least gives us something to think about, and maybe even experiment with it in our personal lives. Who knows? We may be better for it.
   
We have an interesting council for May 22, 2017. Enjoy your weekend, although somewhat cooler, and of course BE SAFE OUT THERE!

​WWTP Upgrade
As of last week, effluent water samples were taken and sent to the manufacturer to be analyzed and used in sizing the UV unit(s).  OMM did get those UV test results back and now knows the size of the UV units.  They are continuing with the design of the building to house the UV disinfection equipment.  We are also working with the structural engineering consultant and our electrical designer to move the design forward.  OMM is anticipating having plans and specifications ready for submittal to the MDEQ for construction permits in approximately four weeks. Please contact me if you have questions.
 
 
Muskegon Waste Water Treatment Plant Option
Nothing new to report at this time. There have been some rumblings as to possible funding mechanisms, but nothing of any substance. As information becomes available, and is sharable, I will keep members of this council. Please contact me if you have comments or require answers to questions.
 
 
Water Project Phase I
The city has a meeting planned with a representative from the Economic Development Administration EDA) at the end of May. The city is exploring varies funding opportunities, like everyone else, to offset the amount we will eventually have to borrow.
 
Further discussions with Allendale on the booster station design/upgrade need to be schedule but not until after Memorial Day. There are a couple of outstanding details to be resolved, mostly details to enhance future considerations desired efficiencies and redundancies. More later as updated information becomes available.
 
 
REPEAT: Medical Marihuana (marijuana): Jonathan Seyferth
Due to scheduling conflicts the May 15, 2017 medical marijuana presentation was cancelled and is tentatively rescheduled for June 19, 2017 at the next Planning Commission. The public is always welcome.
 
Over the next few months we are going to engage in a long-term and slow education process on Michigan’s new medical marihuana law. That education process will include hearing from groups on both sides of the topic. At the conclusion of that education process (likely in June or July) the City Council and Planning Commission can then decide if it would like to tackle any changes to the city’s current medical marihuana ordinance.
 
This is being precipitated for two different reasons. First off, in December 2016 the state legislature passed a new law regarding commercial activities related to medical marihuana. This change authorizes five different type of commercial activities that can be engaged in when explicitly allowed by a municipality. Secondly, the city has received requests that the city consider allowing one or more of those five activities.
 
Our current ordinance regulating medical marihuana, which is found in Section 1280.21 – prohibits any commercial activity related to medical marihuana. This was put into place in July 2013. Several communities throughout the state enacted similar ordinances in the absents of clear state action on the topic. 
 
The state’s new law, the Medical Marihuana Facilities Licensing Act (PA 281 of 2016) will come into effect in December 2017. The delay on implementation is to allow communities to determine what (if any) of the five activities they’ll allow and to allow the state to develop permitting for these activities.
 
The Michigan Municipal League (MML) has produced a few brief documents on the topic, I’ve included those for your reading pleasure. The MML memos outline the five activities and provides a FAQ sheet on the topic.
 
The good thing about the new state law is it gives municipalities a lot of flexibility. 1. Communities do not have to explicitly outlaw medical marihuana facilities – it’s an opt in law. 2. It’s not an all or nothing thing, a municipality can choose which of five activities to allow and how many of each it would allow (again, if any at all).
 
 
REPEAT - Master Plan Update: Jonathan Seyferth
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 June.
The timeline is as follows:
 

• June 19 – The 9-week feedback window will close on June 19 which is also the June Planning Commission meeting date. At that meeting, 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.

 

• June 26 – At the second City Council meeting in June, 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. 

I jump back and forth between ESPN radio and WGVU’s Public Radio Morning Edition at the start of each day. I’ve done it for years and the mix of news and news features with sports is like sprinkling blueberries on top of cornflakes. I know, but it works for me and the juxtaposition of the two provides mental islands of rest early in the morning when I just don’t want to hear about Iraq for one more second; not one more second!
 
The current waste water expansion issues, alongside creating a budget for Fiscal Year 2017-2018 when there are more “unknowns” than “knowns” may not be Iraq, but it causes angst nonetheless. That’s why switching to ESPN and hearing a dialogue between Ernie Johnson (TBS Sports - NBA) and Mike & Mike (ESPN) is one of those mental islands of rest. Today their dialogue revealed a practice that Ernie does when he grocery shops: He always buys two bouquets of flowers for his wife along with the groceries. Well, originally, he bought two bouquets for his wife which eventually turned into only one arriving home.
 
The first-time Ernie bought the two bouquets for his wife, he noticed an elderly woman loading groceries in her car when he left the store. Ernie thought, does my wife really need two bouquets? So, without much deliberation and forethought, he approached the elderly woman and offered her one of the bouquets. Of course, she was a bit suspicious but accepted them with a sincere thank you and the following comment. “Thank you so much; how thoughtful. Today is the first anniversary of my husband’s passing and I just don’t receive flowers from him anymore.” Wow, how a simple bouquet of flowers becomes the key that opens someone’s heart and memories; simply profound.
 
So now Ernie always buys two bouquets of flowers when he grocery shops and always arrives home with just one. He stated he has heard many comments that range from, “Thank you, I just lost my job yesterday” to “Thank you so much, you’ve really made this a special day.” Ernie commented that, “None of us know what another person is going through each day or even for that brief moment when we decide to approach another person.” Yes, it’s another version of “random acts of kindness” that has been embraced by millions, but this time with flowers!
 
Two bouquets, one for the person you love and one for a person that needs love, is simple enough. But it’s always the simple things that bring light and warmth to a person’s soul. We can’t change the world by ourselves, but we can change how we interact with the world. And that can be just as powerful and fulfilling especially when our act connects with someone who feels separate from the world. It’s got me thinking; and by the way Ernie, thank you for connecting.
 
Surprise, it’s still raining with a side order of snow tomorrow; Michigan, ya gotta love it. Enjoy the weekend and we’ll see each other 7:00 PM Monday night. Be safe out there. 


REPEAT - Master Plan Update: Jonathan Seyferth
We are nearing the end of feedback window on the draft master plan which has been ongoing since mid-February. We’re asking that all feedback be in by Wednesday, March 29. The end of this feedback window starts a timeline that, if all goes according to plan, should allow the master plan to be considered for final adoption in June.
The timeline is as follows:

• April 7 – The Planning Commission will be provided with a finalized Master Plan. 
• April 17 –The Planning Commission, if satisfied with the document, will vote to release it for distribution. This triggers a 63-day (9 week) feedback period for neighboring governments, the county, and regional planning organizations. (Distribution means that the city will send copies of our proposed master plan to these organizations and invite feedback.) 
• June 19 – The 9-week window will close on June 19 which is also the June Planning Commission meeting date. At that meeting 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. 
• June 26 – At the second City Council meeting in June, 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.
 
 
Michigan Regional Prosperity Initiative
As you know already from press releases and local media sources, Governor Snyder was in Coopersville this past Monday to meet with officials from CDF and fairlife, as well as other regional dignitaries. The purpose was to highlight cooperation between local governments and the need to design and implement a uniform infrastructure “asset management” program throughout the State of Michigan. Fortunately, the City of Coopersville has already begun its own asset management program and will be significantly completed and implemented yet this year. More information will be provided as this program picks up momentum and clear goals are set. Please contact me if you require additional information.
 
 
WWTP Upgrade
Work continues with the design/engineering of the effluent pump upgrade that also included the addition of a UV treatment chamber. Updates will be provided as they are available.
 
 
Muskegon Waste Water Treatment Plant Option
Due to weather forecasts, we are rescheduling the meeting with interested parties on the Muskegon/Coopersville wastewater forcemain. The agenda is yet to be defined but there will be a meeting nonetheless, hopefully to focus on what specific steps need to be taken first in ultimately resolving this issue. As always, I will report on the progress of this project and the details of discussion that relate directly with Coopersville.
 
 
Water Project Phase I
After meeting with the Utility Advisory Committee a couple of weeks ago, Jonathan and I met with Prein&Newhof to re-establish the parameters of the project. They were instructed to study and review updated costs on the varies details within the revised scope of the Water Project Phase I. Those updated costs arrived this week and we are now preparing material for council to review within the next two to four weeks for possible action and/or comment. As always please contact me if you have questions or require further clarification.

We have Kevin Kieft from Prein&Newhof visiting our council meeting Monday to provide a brief update on the SAW Grant Project. Have an enjoyable weekend, they say rain but at least it’s not snow. Be safe out there and see all of you Monday night.


Recreation: Matt McKinnon

Folks: Coopersville Rec needs your HELP!!! – Please read and share!!!
 
We are in a CONTEST to WIN a $15,000 customized equipment grant from Let’s Play and Dr. Pepper/Snapple Group.
We were selected out of a pool of over 200 entries.  We made the top 15, now it is a VOTE to see who will capture the top prize.
 
Here is the prize structure
Grand Prize:  $15,000 customized equipment grant
2ndPlace:  $10,000 customized equipment grant
3rdPlace:  $5,000 customized equipment grant
4th–10thPlace:  $1,000 PE Kit (contains cones, basketballs, volleyballs, footballs, flag football belts, jump ropes, frisbees and scrimmage vests)
 
You can vote once per day on facebook…by following this link woobox.com/ho7j5g
Righgt is a picture of what I submitted….to assist you in recognizing which one to vote for…click on the link above.
​
Please help me show the WORLD that Coopersville is a force to be reckoned with….ROCK THE VOTE!  (as of the publishing of this packet, we are holding onto a slim second place but need to keep it up)
 
 
Master Plan Update: Jonathan Seyferth

We are nearing the end of feedback window on the draft master plan which has been ongoing since mid-February. We’re asking that all feedback be in by Wednesday, March 29. The end of this feedback window starts a timeline that, if all goes according to plan, should allow the master plan to be considered for final adoption in June.

The timeline is as follows:

• March 29 – public feedback on the draft plan closes (the feedback window will have been open for about 5 weeks)

 

• April 7 – The Planning Commission will be provided with a finalized Master Plan.

 

• April 17 –The Planning Commission, if satisfied with the document, will vote to release it for distribution. This triggers a 63-day (9 week) feedback period for neighboring governments, the county, and regional planning organizations. (Distribution means that the city will send copies of our proposed master plan to these organizations and invite feedback.)

 

• June 19 – The 9-week window will close on June 19 which is also the June Planning Commission meeting date. At that meeting 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.

 

• June 26 – At the second City Council meeting in June, the City Council will be asked to take the second step in the process with a final adoption of the master plan.

 
If there’s feedback that you’d like to get to the consultants before March 29, please visit www.plancoopersville.com and fill out the comment form. Draft documents are also located there.
 
 
WWTP Upgrade

Work continues with the design/engineering of the effluent pump upgrade that also included the addition of a UV treatment chamber. Updates will be provided as they are available.
 
 
Muskegon Waste Water Treatment Plant Option

At this time, there is a meeting scheduled for the early part of April. The agenda is yet to be defined but there will be a meeting nonetheless. As always, I will report on the progress of this project and the details of discussion that relate directly with Coopersville.
 
 
Water Project Phase I

The Utility Advisory Committee met with Jonathan and I and a number of concepts were discussed and somewhat decided upon, as well as a direction on how to configure costs for the construction. Later in the week we met with Prein&Newhof and defined the project more succinctly, the process by which to proceed, and a request for updated costs to each segment of the project. Prein&Newhof should have that updated information yet this week or early next. The most significant item to take from this memo is that the city has clarified the scope of the project in a more affordable package in terms of our short and long term goals. As always, please contact me if you have questions or comments. 

My ride back from the City of Flint on Tuesday provided a couple of hours of reflection on the Water Infrastructure Conference I attended. There are MANY lessons that can be learned from the Flint water crisis that every community with a water transmission system should take seriously. My biggest take away was the realization that in order to overcome the challenge of obtaining lead free water, the partnering between state, federal, and local agencies that needs to occur. Finger pointing, accusations, and second guessing wasn’t going to provide clean water to the residents of Flint. I have more comments below.
 
Well, Celebrate Coopersville is just hours away. I’m so proud of the cooperation, dedication and going the extra mile in organizing this event. There are many individuals that help make this celebration a reality and most of them are employees of the city. We also thank the West Michigan Plumbers, Fitters & Service Trades Union for allowing us to use their facility Thursday night as well. See you all there, and don’t forget to bring money for the silent auction.
 
Have a fantastic weekend and please be safe out there.


WWTP Upgrade

Work continues with the design/engineering of the effluent pump upgrade that also included the addition of a UV treatment chamber. Updates will be provided as they are available.
 
 
Muskegon Waste Water Treatment Plant Option

Tuesday morning, I had a conference call with Muskegon officials and other interested parties. As you know, the city has already submitted a letter of support for the Muskegon wastewater option for a long-term solution to wastewater treatment capacity. Representatives from Muskegon, Coopersville, and fairlife will be meeting in the next few weeks to continue discussions on the specifics. As always, I will report on the progress of this project.
 
 
Community Expo

March 18, 2017 is the scheduled date for the yearly Community Expo and Book Fair sponsored/organized by the Coopersville Area Chamber of Commerce. The city will have a booth with our elected officials attending along with available staff to answer questions and provide information concerning projects, recreation opportunities, rescue activities and other related topics.  Come to the South Elementary School from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM for this great annual event.
 
 
Water Project Phase I – No New Update to Report

I have spoken informally with Allendale on when we can set up a meeting to further define exactly where we can partner on the Water Project Phase I. Next week a meeting is scheduled for the Utility Advisory Committee to meet with me to discuss recommendations on the proposed scope of the Water Project Phase I. Yes, there has been much discussion already, but there have been many variables still in play that hindered a clear, concise, definable plan. My desire is to make a decision on the scope of the project yet this month. As always, please contact me if you have questions or comments.
 

Water Infrastructure Conference

​There are a number of lessons from the Flint experience that have relevancy for the City of Coopersville. Below are a few worth mentioning:

• Don’t build infrastructure that exceeds demand. Flint built infrastructure to meet the growth it was experiencing for decades because of the auto industry. When that industry closed, or relocated, including the suppliers, and residents began to relocate elsewhere, water consumption eventually fell by two-thirds, or 66%. Water did not circulate or move as once engineered and so it often times remained in one location for as many as six or seven days, thus allowing lead and other elements to intensify in terms of parts-per-million. The City of Coopersville must make every effort to not “over construct” in its capacity based on promises and incomplete data used to support projections of water usage. We must never forget the historical assumption that Delphi would never close in Coopersville.

 

• Accurate documentation on the infrastructure you have is critical. Flint’s outdated record keeping regarding location of curb boxes, type of material of laterals, and the exact location of those laterals, unintentionally added challenges and significantly increased delays in replacement and repair of existing infrastructure, and still does. Fortunately for Coopersville, the SAW grant has provided the tools and the means to accurately document existing infrastructure including material, type of mechanical fixtures, and the like. This will become MORE valuable as the city’s infrastructure ages.

 

• A well-funded and robust maintenance program for infrastructure must be valued and practiced. As property taxes and water consumption decreased, there was far less revenue to support a robust maintenance program for Flint. Thus, maintenance turned into just fixing what became “broken” and the spiral downward continued for years. Once again, the SAW Grant has been a blessing for Coopersville to inventory what assets and infrastructure we have, but also to quantify the condition of that asset so we can actively prioritize capital expenditures and have the information necessary to act on those capital expenditures in a timely fashion.

 
I understand that we are not Flint, either in our economic history or the size and magnitude of our infrastructure. We are also not experiencing the tangential consequences such as health issues, loss of jobs, and the serious loss of quality of life that defines a community. But, we do have infrastructure that each year becomes older and less sound. Only through wise guidance by Coopersville’s elected officials and a highly-qualified staff will Coopersville’s infrastructure future be secure. More detail to come at our budget workshops.

On Monday January 16, our Assistant City Manager/Planning Director Jonathan Seyferth and the consultants at McKenna Associates conducted the first public exercises (round table discussions) designed to be a part of updating the city’s Master Plan. Topics included Recreation/Transportation, Downtown, Neighborhoods, and the evening finale was a Community Meeting where citizens could provide input and comments. All and all, it was a day of solid input which equates to substantive value in the pursuit to define and map out the future growth of the city.
 
This process, although not totally unique to Coopersville or the generic planning process, reminds me of the metaphor “connecting-the-dots.” As most of us know, connecting-the-dots is an exercise of finding or associating one idea or event with another. The usual reason this exercise is practiced is to reveal the “big-picture” of an idea or event, or to bring meaning to an unknown. But before one can connect-the-dots, as author, actress and musician Amanda Palmer stated, “We can only connect the dots that we can collect.” The more dots we can collect, the better or the higher definition of the big picture we can create and thus invite action to be taken.
 
All day and into Monday night city staff, residents and non-residents, business owners, and consultants were collecting dots; lots of dots. Dots about recreation…dots about downtown…dots about sidewalks…dots about neighborhoods…dots about development…dots about signage…dots about housing…dots about transportation…dots about EVERYTHING. In the next few weeks and months, all of the dots collected will be part of the connect-the-dots exercise. This will be an exciting time as each dot is metaphorically connected to another dot over and over again. In time an image will begin to reveal itself and that image will be a new Master Plan for the City of Coopersville. It will guide the city, the community, as we grow and as we manage development while at the same time enhancing the unique character of this special place. Jonathan Seyferth and I will update this process to you in the coming months as new information becomes available.
 
We have a lengthy agenda which includes two ordinance related items, discussion on the proposed WWTP Upgrade Phase II, and the usual action to pay invoices. Have a great weekend and take advantage of winter’s reprieve if you so desire. Be safe out there!


Celebrate Coopersville

Yes, it’s that time of the year when the anticipation of bringing everyone together for great food, excellent conversation, and the chance to celebrate all that is positive about Coopersville gathers momentum. This year the event will be a bit earlier in the year than in the past, March 9, 2017 at 6:00 PM. We’ve already had over 60 RSVPs to date and we would be most pleased to receive yours as well. Tickets and table sponsorships are available at http://tinyurl.com/CelebrateCoops2017. As always, the silent auction is looking for donations to raise money for NEO Forum. More information will be forthcoming as we inch closer to the 9th. Please mark this date on your calendars, it’s always a special event!
 
 
Community Expo

March 18, 2017 is the scheduled date for the yearly Community Expo sponsored/organized by the Coopersville Area Chamber of Commerce. Most years, the city rents a booth with our elected officials attending along with available staff to answer questions and provide information concerning projects, recreation opportunities and other related topics.  As the date approaches more details will be provided by Anisa or myself.
 
 
Water Project Phase I – REPEAT
​
Just before the holidays, the City of Coopersville, Allendale Township, Polkton Township, and Ottawa County met to essentially re-establish where the city stands on this project. Allendale Township has a new supervisor so part of the meeting was also to make sure everyone was up to speed and to compare notes on any pending revisions to the original project. FYI, the meeting was positive and all parties appear to be in unison again.
 
We are to meet again soon once the city determines exactly the direction they want to pursue on the Water Project – Phase I. What I mean by this is that we have to determine what level of “risk” long-term we want to assume financially. The city needs a $12 million upgrade to its water system to prepare for the future and to increase reliability and redundancy to the current system. A $12 million upgrade also requires firm commitments from its largest water customers.
 
A lessor option at $5-6 million can provide basic improvements and less risk financially but does not provide the strong reliability and redundancy assets that the $12 million option provides. And that is the core discussion that is taking place. At this time, my goal and commitment is to have a firm decision made before the third quarter of our fiscal year is reached (March 31, 2017) which also means the UAC will be busy and eventually the council will be requested to make a few substantive and heavy decisions.    

Happy New Year, and all that jazz.
 
As I thought about this memo, I also thought about the word “new.” What does that word mean besides its use as an adjective and the other obvious meanings? What is the historical significance of the word and where does its originate? As I scrolled through various reference materials and other resources, I found myself a bit distracted and was drawn to what nouns “new” was placed before. I know, a squirrel moment, but regardless I was intrigued by all that is “new.” I also realized my original desire to unearth the origins of “new” would be a journey I didn’t have time to experience. Below is a list of a few concepts involving “new”:

• New Age (Politics, Sociology)
• New Class (Politics, economics)
• New complexity (Music)
• New Criticism (Literary Theory)
• New Deal (Economic)
• New fiction (Literary)
• New historicism (Literary Theory)
• New left (Politics)
• New mathematics (da)
• New Music (European based, artistic high ground)
• New Orleans (gotcha)*
• New riddle of induction (Philosophy)
• New right (Politics)
• New simplicity (Music)
• New wave (Originally French cinema)

 
Obviously, the list can be much longer with a bit more research and a whole lot more time. However, I learned something “new” as I studied the definitions and historical backgrounds of each “new” version of the original definition of the noun. It reminded me that the original goal, or intent of finding the origins of the word “new”, diverted by a squirrel moment, can reap unintended rewards that bring a fresh and “new” life to established beliefs or established norms. It’s a reminder not to be so focused on a goal or desire that we are not aware of our surroundings to discover something “new” that was not in our original field of vision. Perhaps another variation on the “unknown, unknown” maybe. Just a thought; plus it can be darn fun.
 
That being stated, looking forward to a “new” year in Coopersville and working with you, city council members, and city staff to continue our quest to make this city one of the best. Happy New Year! Enjoy your weekend, be safe driving and we’ll see each other Monday night as we begin the new year deliberating the varied issues of Coopersville. 


WWTP Upgrade

There has been significant movement for resolving the direction of the WWTP Upgrade - Phase II Project.  I will be scheduling the Utility Advisory Committee (UAC) to review the specifics that include what CDF and fairlife have agreed to, and ultimately what the scope of the end project will look like and how it fits the intermediate and long-term goals of the city.
 
As we all are very aware, this has been a very long process up to this point. Much of it has been the uncertainty of funding which so often dictates all other attributes of a project. In this case, I believe there is now a definite direction that all parties can agree to and now it’s time to dig in and get it done. Council will be advised once the UAC and I have met and there is a comprehensive understanding of the proposed project.
 
 
Water Project Phase I

Just before the holidays, the City of Coopersville, Allendale Township, Polkton Township, and Ottawa County met to essentially re-establish where the city stands on this project. Allendale Township has a new supervisor so part of the meeting was also to make sure everyone was up to speed and to compare notes on any pending revisions to the original project. FYI, the meeting was positive and all parties appear to be in unison again.
 
We are to meet again soon once the city determines exactly the direction they want to pursue on the Water Project – Phase I. What I mean by this is that we have to determine what level of “risk” long-term we want to assume financially. The city needs a $12 million upgrade to its water system to prepare for the future and to increase reliability and redundancy to the current system. A $12 million upgrade also requires firm commitments from its largest water customers.

A lessor option at $5-6 million can provide basic improvements and less risk financially but does not provide the strong reliability and redundancy assets that the $12 million option provides. And that is the core discussion that is taking place. At this time, my goal and commitment is to have a firm decision made before the third quarter of our fiscal year is reached (March 31, 2017) which also means the UAC will be busy and eventually the council will be requested to make a few substantive and heavy decisions.    
 

*New Orleans was founded in 1718 by the French as Nouvelle-Orléans, on the site of an abandoned Quinpissa village. The city was named in honor of the then Regent of France, Philip II, Duke of Orléans, the brother of Versailles-builder and prosperous King of France, Louis XIV. 
 
(source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_New_Orleans)
​

The process of upgrading the water and wastewater systems continues, and the end is still uncertain because of the need for specifics, based on a number of assumptions (yet to be considered), known facts, beliefs and bits of knowledge. The reason for this situation can be associated with lack of information from certain customers. It is also from uncertainty of future needs, coupled with how to pay for those future needs. Additionally, it is imagining the ramifications which may be produced for each option, both negative and positive.
 
Lately as we, the staff, continue to explore, pull the brush away from our line of sight, and attempt to define a specific course of action for the water and wastewater projects, I am reminded of another time. That time is when Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld stated at a press conference in February 2002:

“Reports that say that something hasn't happened are always interesting to me, because as we know, there are known knowns; there are things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns; that is to say we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns – the ones we don't know we don't know. And if one looks throughout the history of our country and other free countries, it is the latter category that tend to be the difficult ones.”
 
Trust me when I say the context in which Rumsfeld stated those words are not remotely similar to our water and wastewater projects. But they are similar to the essence of the associated uncertainties and unknowns by their very definitions. Attempting to peer into the fog known as the future, it is obvious that there are unknowns that need to be known, and there are unknowns that will never be known until the future becomes the present.
 
In the first paragraph, I used the word “knowledge” in context of uncertainty and this was for a very good reason. What we often considered knowledge is really just “belief.” Or as J. Dancy wrote, “Belief counts as knowledge only if it was acquired by a method that was…reliable.” Of course, one can argue the use of the word “reliable” but for now we’ll accept this statement. The gathering of facts and knowledge may seem straight forward, but it is not. History has shown that the knowledge agreed upon at certain times of our intellectual development was untrue. Examples include belief that the earth was the center of the universe or the earth was flat. Again, I’m not suggesting that the water and wastewater projects are trapped in a knowledge vortex and nothing is certain. I’m stating that assumed facts (which make up our core of knowledge) is not always clear and succinct. Along with the discussion of unknowns, there is the question of what we know or the knowledge we believe we possess. Are the knowledge and facts we are basing decisions on correct?  
 
By their own success, the growth of CDF and fairlife has placed a great deal of importance, or weight, on making the correct choices based on the knowledge known today. Which prompted me to dust off the words of Rumsfeld again to help explain the apparent drawn out process all parties find themselves in each week. Everyone wants to make the right choice not only for today but for the next 25 years. The sheer number of unknowns have increased and with that comes pause and gaps to progress. We’ll get there and when we do, the goal will be to remove many of those unknowns and solidify our knowledge base.  
 
 
REMEMBER, one last time, mark your calendars for the Joint Council, Planning Commission, and DDA meeting on Monday, December 12 at 6:00 PM. It will be held in the Heritage Center of the Community Services Building at 182 East Street. Note the start time will begin an hour earlier than regular council meetings.
 
This is my last memo for 2016. I want to wish everyone a wonderful Holiday Season and the best New Year. I know it’s not considered culturally sensitive or politically correct, but I do wish everyone a Merry Christmas. I also wish everyone of different faiths (or not) a joyous Holiday Season and a Happy New year as well. It’s also a perfect time of the year to embrace and celebrate what we have in common rather than dwell on the other. The human race has done some extraordinary things in our brief existence on this planet, so let’s all hug and “raise a glass of cheer”!
 
Have a safe weekend and we’ll all see each other Monday night at 6:00 PM at the Heritage Center of the Community Services Building.


WWTP Upgrade

No NEW information is available at this time. We are still waiting for CDF to respond to the city’s proposal options. PLEASE REVIEW MEMO OPENING COMMENTS.
 
LAST MEMO: CDF and fairlife have received two proposals from the city to review and provide comments and questions on the attributes of each. My expectation is they will provide me with their response tomorrow Friday or early next week. Once that is done, the Utility Advisory Committee will be brought together to discuss the options and weight in on what best fits Coopersville financially and functionally. As always, please contact me if you have any questions.
 
 
Water Project Phase I

No new updates at this time on the project itself. However, Keri Rogers and I have been discussing financing options not just on this Water Project, but also how best to maybe refinance another bond that that we have with a slightly higher percentage rate than what is currently available.

Post elections have protests occurring in numerous cities across this country. Specific groups, individuals, and organizations are concerned, worried, uncertain, angry and afraid of what will happen when the President-Elect takes office. On the flip side, there is a significant sigh of relief as many now “feel” they have been heard and are filled with hope and optimism for the future and await the moment the President-Elect takes the oath of office.
 
As I listen and view the many scenarios of reaction and witness individuals express such outrage and emotionally charged rhetoric, I can’t help but think of Carl Sagan, American astronomer, cosmologist, astrophysicist, astrobiologist, author, and the list goes on. As we already know in the early 1980s, Sagan co-wrote and narrated the PBS television series “Cosmos: A Personal Voyage.” It was thoroughly fantastic, mystical, and intellectually stimulating in ways never experienced before and it altered the way we understood and perceived the universe and our place within it. Just as an FYI, it has recently been re-produced for National Geographic Television, which is also quite well done.
 
Anyway, the reason I bring all of this to our attention is that he developed a “Cosmic Calendar” to help the layperson grasp the magnitude of time from the “big bang” to present day, after all the universe is approximately 13.8 billion years old, obviously a VERY, VERY, long time. I say this in all seriousness because 13.8 billion years is difficult to get your head around in context of our own lives. So, what Sagan did was to condense 13.8 billion years into one calendar year. He had midnight of January 1 as the moment the big bang took place. The following is an edited breakdown of our Cosmic Calendar:
 
January 1, 12:00 Midnight:                           The Big Bang
January 22:                                                  First galaxies form
March 16:                                                     The Milky Way Galaxy is formed
September 2:                                                Our Solar System is formed
October 29:                                                  Oxygenation of Earth’s Atmosphere
November 9:                                                 Complex Cells
December 7:                                                 Simple Animals
December 26:                                               Mammals
December 31 at 6:05 PM:                             Apes Appear
December 31 at 11:44 PM:                           Domestication of Fire
December 31 at 11:55 PM:                           Beginning of Most Recent Glacial Period
December 31 at 11:59.33 Seconds:              End of Ice Age
December 31 at 11:59.53 Seconds:              Iron Age
December 31 at 11:59.58 Seconds:              Renaissance in Europe, Classical Music to the Time of Johann
                                                                                Sebastian Bach
December 31 at 11:59.59 Seconds:           Modern History; the last 437.5 years before the present
[Carl Sagan, The Dragons of Eden (1977)]
 
The juxtaposition of 2016 post-election reactions with Sagan’s Cosmic Calendar may initially seem ignorant, irrelevant and confusing. But the point is rather simple: We pour too much worth, meaning, and value into events without placing those events into perspective of time and the successful progression of our existence in this vast and complicated universe. My father used to always say, “This too shall pass” as my brothers, sisters and I would emotionally hyperventilate about some event that happened at school, with our best friend, or with each other.
 
Of course, our lives have meaning; human events have extraordinary meaning. The existence of life in the universe is truly an amazing and often incomprehensible thing. Our existence, our lives provide the very means, the vehicle, to experience and report on the essence of the universe’s evolution, its expansion, and its many wonders. But one event, such as the 2016 Presidential Elections, in context of our place in the universe should be tempered a bit. We all live, love, cry, work, play, and interact on a tiny blue globe that circles a sphere of hot plasma in a solar system on the fringe of the Milky Way Galaxy surrounded by billions of other galaxies. Let’s enjoy our stay and embrace the wonders of our lives, as “this too shall pass” and sadly all too quickly. Just a thought…
 
Now in our corner of the universe known to many as the City of Coopersville, we have a city council meeting November 28, 2016 at 7:00 PM. Mr. Jeff Sluggett (City Attorney) will be in attendance to assist in the explanation and discussion on the Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) issue.
 
One last time, mark your calendars for the Joint Council, Planning Commission, and DDA meeting on Monday, December 12 at 6:00 PM. It will be held in the Heritage Center of the Community Services Building at 182 East Street. Enjoy the last days of autumn before winter takes residence for the next few months. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving in whatever manner you celebrate the occasion. We have much to be thankful for in this country even though there is much sadness and danger around the world. See you Monday night.
 
 
WWTP Upgrade
No NEW information is available at this time. We are still waiting for CDF to respond to the city’s proposal options.
 
LAST MEMO: CDF and fairlife have received two proposals from the city to review and provide comments and questions on the attributes of each. My expectation is they will provide me with their response tomorrow Friday or early next week. Once that is done, the Utility Advisory Committee will be brought together to discuss the options and weight in on what best fits Coopersville financially and functionally. As always, please contact me if you have any questions.
 
 
Water Project Phase I
No new updates at this time on the project itself. However, Keri Rogers and I have been discussing financing options not just on this Water Project, but also how best to maybe refinance another bond that that we have with a slightly higher percentage rate than what is currently available.
 
​
Garfield Road “Hidden Drive” Sign
As most of you have seen on Garfield Road going west from 48th Avenue towards the WWTP is a sign that warns of a hidden drive below the hill. The original sign was placed there decades ago as an obvious warning to slow down because cars may be pulling out of the WWTP drive. Over the years many of our employees have been very nervous about this drive because of “close calls” with vehicles traveling at high rates of speeds. They have often turned right towards 68th Avenue deciding that being hit in the rear of their vehicle was far safer that being tee-boned on their driver’s side.
 
This past summer there were other “close calls” that I experienced, the last being two young girls traveling at a high rate of speed not even looking towards the WWTP drive. This, forced me to slam on the brakes to miss being hit. At this point I had Bryan Buist order and install a flashing LED solar green light in place of the existing sign. Since installing the new sign I haven’t had any near misses but it’s far too early to collect anecdotal data.
 
So why am I informing you of this? Polkton Township has requested the city to turn off the flashing light as it is against local ordinances to have electronic/electrical signs. The Ottawa County Road Commission has also stated we didn’t pull a county sign permit as well. The result of this is, we are going to pay $500 (Special ZBA Meeting) to apply for a variance that would allow this solar powered LED light to be reactivated for the safety of our employees and the public at large.
 
We heard that some individuals find this sign “irritating.” Our reply is, great! It’s supposed to be. It gets your attention and reminds you that MORE attention needs to be paid in the immediate area. Our goal is to present our argument to Polkton Township and if all goes well the variance will be granted and we can turn the sign back on to remind drivers that a hidden drive is very close and to reduce speed and increase your attention. We don’t need a tragedy because the sign was turned off due to its irritating nature.