Fitch Ratings
On March 3, 2015, Keri Rogers (City Treasurer) and I were interviewed by representatives from Fitch Ratings, the organization that evaluates and then determines the city’s bond rating. The bond rating, much like your personal credit score, ultimately determines the interest rate the city will pay for the bonds it issues. Fitch Ratings should have a draft of their finding for our review in 2-3 weeks. After Keri and I review the findings, the report will be made public. Please feel free to contact Keri or me if you would like to ask questions about this process and/or other questions and comments made.
Dedicated Sewer Main Project
The Pipeline Easement that allows the city to lay the Dedicated Sewer Main on Ottawa County Landfill (OCL) is finally done. This is the line that will be buried on the south side of the I-96. It is signed and copies sent to the appropriate parties. There are a couple of related documents that are in the process of final review, but are not necessary for the contractor to continue with their work.
CELEBRATE COOPERSVILLE
As was mentioned in the last memo, please block out March 26 for Celebrate Coopersville at West Michigan Plumbers, Fitters, Service Trades Union Hall beginning at 6:00 P.M. For those that have not attended in the past, this evening of celebration honors volunteers and raises funds for the NorthEast Ottawa (NEO) Forum, which provides counseling services, education, support and resources to youth and their families in order to reduce substance abuse, violence, juvenile delinquency, and other risky behaviors. The NEO Forum is a great collaboration between the School, Sheriff Department, and City. To reserve tickets or sponsor a table, please email Sgt. Dennis Luce HERE or purchase tickets online HERE.
Brownfield Redevelopment Grants
Ottawa County has a Brownfield Redevelopment Authority. Its purpose is to: spur redevelopment of vacant or underutilized property throughout Ottawa County, leverage public/private investment and job creation, and create public land and greenspace. Properties that may have been abandoned in the past because of soil/site contamination can now be addressed and redeveloped if there is interest from a developer and a municipality.
Yesterday afternoon, I attended a meeting at the county building concerning Brownfield Redevelopment Grants that Ottawa County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority (OCBRA) received. The U.S. EPA Assessment Grants received were $200,000 for hazardous substances and another $200,000 for petroleum products. These grants are for the initial assessment of the property in question which can be expensive for a developer to absorb. The meeting was to inform local governments that these monies were available and also to learn if local governments in Ottawa County would have interest in this program.
Obviously, there are many details and requirements to utilize these tools to redevelop properties. As I learn more about the program and learn more about potential candidates/properties in Coopersville, I will update the council.
Community Expo
The Coopersville Area Chamber of Commerce is once again hosting the Community Expo which according to their Executive Director Rose Zainea-Wieten in her own words, “This is your opportunity to share with the community the Who, What, Where and When of your business! I have heard many times what does that business do? Where do they ship to? How many employees do they have? What is their product? Where can we get it? What are their hours? What is on their menu? Do they run specials?...”
“The 2015 Community EXPO will be taking more of a Community and Business approach! Working with Schools, Businesses and Industry in the Coopersville Area the EXPO is going to be the Community Informational Event of the year.” – Coopersville Area Chamber of Commerce
March 21, 2015, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM at the Coopersville Community Services Building: 182 East Street.
On March 3, 2015, Keri Rogers (City Treasurer) and I were interviewed by representatives from Fitch Ratings, the organization that evaluates and then determines the city’s bond rating. The bond rating, much like your personal credit score, ultimately determines the interest rate the city will pay for the bonds it issues. Fitch Ratings should have a draft of their finding for our review in 2-3 weeks. After Keri and I review the findings, the report will be made public. Please feel free to contact Keri or me if you would like to ask questions about this process and/or other questions and comments made.
Dedicated Sewer Main Project
The Pipeline Easement that allows the city to lay the Dedicated Sewer Main on Ottawa County Landfill (OCL) is finally done. This is the line that will be buried on the south side of the I-96. It is signed and copies sent to the appropriate parties. There are a couple of related documents that are in the process of final review, but are not necessary for the contractor to continue with their work.
CELEBRATE COOPERSVILLE
As was mentioned in the last memo, please block out March 26 for Celebrate Coopersville at West Michigan Plumbers, Fitters, Service Trades Union Hall beginning at 6:00 P.M. For those that have not attended in the past, this evening of celebration honors volunteers and raises funds for the NorthEast Ottawa (NEO) Forum, which provides counseling services, education, support and resources to youth and their families in order to reduce substance abuse, violence, juvenile delinquency, and other risky behaviors. The NEO Forum is a great collaboration between the School, Sheriff Department, and City. To reserve tickets or sponsor a table, please email Sgt. Dennis Luce HERE or purchase tickets online HERE.
Brownfield Redevelopment Grants
Ottawa County has a Brownfield Redevelopment Authority. Its purpose is to: spur redevelopment of vacant or underutilized property throughout Ottawa County, leverage public/private investment and job creation, and create public land and greenspace. Properties that may have been abandoned in the past because of soil/site contamination can now be addressed and redeveloped if there is interest from a developer and a municipality.
Yesterday afternoon, I attended a meeting at the county building concerning Brownfield Redevelopment Grants that Ottawa County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority (OCBRA) received. The U.S. EPA Assessment Grants received were $200,000 for hazardous substances and another $200,000 for petroleum products. These grants are for the initial assessment of the property in question which can be expensive for a developer to absorb. The meeting was to inform local governments that these monies were available and also to learn if local governments in Ottawa County would have interest in this program.
Obviously, there are many details and requirements to utilize these tools to redevelop properties. As I learn more about the program and learn more about potential candidates/properties in Coopersville, I will update the council.
Community Expo
The Coopersville Area Chamber of Commerce is once again hosting the Community Expo which according to their Executive Director Rose Zainea-Wieten in her own words, “This is your opportunity to share with the community the Who, What, Where and When of your business! I have heard many times what does that business do? Where do they ship to? How many employees do they have? What is their product? Where can we get it? What are their hours? What is on their menu? Do they run specials?...”
“The 2015 Community EXPO will be taking more of a Community and Business approach! Working with Schools, Businesses and Industry in the Coopersville Area the EXPO is going to be the Community Informational Event of the year.” – Coopersville Area Chamber of Commerce
March 21, 2015, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM at the Coopersville Community Services Building: 182 East Street.
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