As most of you and the residents and businesses already know, the city has a number of departments and responsibilities from the Recreation Department and the Department of Public Works, to the Waste Water Treatment Plant. We also have the Treasurer’s Office, the Zoning Administrator, the City Clerk, and numerous key administrative staff. All are essential to providing some of the highest levels of service in a city of our size.
One of the more high-profile departments is Emergency Rescue, the subject of this memo. Emergency Rescue is our first response to medical emergencies for the City of Coopersville. Polkton Township contracts with the city for Emergency Rescue to respond to medical emergencies as well. They are a critical unit (for obvious reasons) and provide another layer to maintaining a certain “quality of life” for Coopersville and the surrounding areas. Emergency Rescue has been a city department for decades and has numerous volunteers providing excellent service and care.
However, this department is currently suffering; how, you might ask? The answer is that there are fewer and fewer individuals that want to or are unable to cover the day shift. This department relies on trained and certified volunteers, who are compensated per call, to be available 24/7 and part of that coverage is during the day when most individuals are at work or at home taking care of loved ones. It’s a tough situation but a common one in municipalities of our size across both Michigan and the nation. Day staffing issues have reached a critical state here in Coopersville.
But that is not the last of the bad news for this department. Last week I received letters from two of our most experienced and dedicated responders, giving their retirement notice. With combined years of service totaling 52 years, their medical knowledge and experience will be missed. The city thanks them for their service and commitment to the department and to the citizens they served. However, their departure reduces the numerical count for day coverage.
The leadership of the Emergency Rescue squad, the City Manager’s Office, and certain council members have been aware of the shrinking pool of volunteers for some time now, even before the retirement announcement. The city and squad have been actively recruiting at local expos and advertising on the web and social media; there have been discussions on alternative “models” that might have relevancy in our city; and more importantly we’re asking how we cultivate and nurture future medical responders in an era of changing opinions and attitudes on the concept of volunteerism. Providing emergency medical service to the city and the township will be a significant challenge, but a challenge that we can face and overcome.
If you’ve ever thought about becoming part of a rewarding team of medical first responders, please contact City Hall or submit one of our applications (http://www.cityofcoopersville.com/human-resources). There are a number of forthcoming changes that will make training more affordable to those that need it. There will be other changes in the works to reflect the current reality of doing more with less. As we make progress, future updates will appear here and on the city manager’s blog.
We have a variety of topics requiring thoughtful discussion and action which includes Conveyor Concepts submitting an application for IFT which requires a public hearing. Rotary will also present a check to NEO Forum and the Del Shannon Scholarship Fund. Please contact me if you require further explanation or additional support material before Monday night. As a reminder I will not be present at our meeting due to attending the annual ICMA Conference, thus ACM Jonathan Seyferth will be in the “Chair.” Have a great meeting Monday evening and an even better weekend while basking in this beautiful weather. Be SAFE out there!
Downtown Pocket Park
Busy week at the Pocket Park site. Forms have been placed for additional concrete work as well as brick pavers. The pavilion has been mostly wired for electrical outlets to accommodate events and provide decorative lighting. The light posts and lamps are due shortly, with the water feature sub-assemblies due at the end of the month. We’re planning on a change order from grass seed to grass sod to quicken the growth process. All-in-all, each day shows progress.
Water Project Phase I
The EDA grant application, as you know, has been submitted and now they are requesting supplemental information and data. This is a positive sign, but requests take up additional time of staff; hopefully it will generate positive results. Purchasing land from the church next to the existing booster station has delayed the project somewhat as finalizing the design is dependent on how much land will be acquired. It also should be noted that there is a bit of uncertainty in water demand from CDF and fairlife due to recycling discussions now taking place. This may or may not be an issue. I will keep you updated as new information is obtained. As always, you’re are welcome to contact me if you have questions.
NOTE:
Obviously, there are other projects and issues I’m involved with as is Jonathan and others. It’s not always a wise decision to write about the status of these projects and issues when there are delicate, complicated, or confidentiality aspects still in motion. I will always be available to answer any of your questions to the best of my ability within the confines of the aspects just mentioned. There is certainly never a dull day in the bustling and thriving environment of Coopersville.
One of the more high-profile departments is Emergency Rescue, the subject of this memo. Emergency Rescue is our first response to medical emergencies for the City of Coopersville. Polkton Township contracts with the city for Emergency Rescue to respond to medical emergencies as well. They are a critical unit (for obvious reasons) and provide another layer to maintaining a certain “quality of life” for Coopersville and the surrounding areas. Emergency Rescue has been a city department for decades and has numerous volunteers providing excellent service and care.
However, this department is currently suffering; how, you might ask? The answer is that there are fewer and fewer individuals that want to or are unable to cover the day shift. This department relies on trained and certified volunteers, who are compensated per call, to be available 24/7 and part of that coverage is during the day when most individuals are at work or at home taking care of loved ones. It’s a tough situation but a common one in municipalities of our size across both Michigan and the nation. Day staffing issues have reached a critical state here in Coopersville.
But that is not the last of the bad news for this department. Last week I received letters from two of our most experienced and dedicated responders, giving their retirement notice. With combined years of service totaling 52 years, their medical knowledge and experience will be missed. The city thanks them for their service and commitment to the department and to the citizens they served. However, their departure reduces the numerical count for day coverage.
The leadership of the Emergency Rescue squad, the City Manager’s Office, and certain council members have been aware of the shrinking pool of volunteers for some time now, even before the retirement announcement. The city and squad have been actively recruiting at local expos and advertising on the web and social media; there have been discussions on alternative “models” that might have relevancy in our city; and more importantly we’re asking how we cultivate and nurture future medical responders in an era of changing opinions and attitudes on the concept of volunteerism. Providing emergency medical service to the city and the township will be a significant challenge, but a challenge that we can face and overcome.
If you’ve ever thought about becoming part of a rewarding team of medical first responders, please contact City Hall or submit one of our applications (http://www.cityofcoopersville.com/human-resources). There are a number of forthcoming changes that will make training more affordable to those that need it. There will be other changes in the works to reflect the current reality of doing more with less. As we make progress, future updates will appear here and on the city manager’s blog.
We have a variety of topics requiring thoughtful discussion and action which includes Conveyor Concepts submitting an application for IFT which requires a public hearing. Rotary will also present a check to NEO Forum and the Del Shannon Scholarship Fund. Please contact me if you require further explanation or additional support material before Monday night. As a reminder I will not be present at our meeting due to attending the annual ICMA Conference, thus ACM Jonathan Seyferth will be in the “Chair.” Have a great meeting Monday evening and an even better weekend while basking in this beautiful weather. Be SAFE out there!
Downtown Pocket Park
Busy week at the Pocket Park site. Forms have been placed for additional concrete work as well as brick pavers. The pavilion has been mostly wired for electrical outlets to accommodate events and provide decorative lighting. The light posts and lamps are due shortly, with the water feature sub-assemblies due at the end of the month. We’re planning on a change order from grass seed to grass sod to quicken the growth process. All-in-all, each day shows progress.
Water Project Phase I
The EDA grant application, as you know, has been submitted and now they are requesting supplemental information and data. This is a positive sign, but requests take up additional time of staff; hopefully it will generate positive results. Purchasing land from the church next to the existing booster station has delayed the project somewhat as finalizing the design is dependent on how much land will be acquired. It also should be noted that there is a bit of uncertainty in water demand from CDF and fairlife due to recycling discussions now taking place. This may or may not be an issue. I will keep you updated as new information is obtained. As always, you’re are welcome to contact me if you have questions.
NOTE:
Obviously, there are other projects and issues I’m involved with as is Jonathan and others. It’s not always a wise decision to write about the status of these projects and issues when there are delicate, complicated, or confidentiality aspects still in motion. I will always be available to answer any of your questions to the best of my ability within the confines of the aspects just mentioned. There is certainly never a dull day in the bustling and thriving environment of Coopersville.
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