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:
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’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.
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