To: Village Council, Press, Web Page and Staff
From: Ryan Cotton, Village Manager
Date: January 28, 2005
Re: Council Information Letter
New Computer Software
Working Well: Maribeth is training us on how to access
financial information through our local area network. This was made possible by the new computer system that she and
Kristie got up and running. It is
really spiffy. It frees up her time for
other matters and gives each department more solid information at their fingertips. Still to come is the ACH system of paying
bills.
Heritage Festival Spices Up
Their Line Up: A basketball tournament is scheduled. The Festival Board would like the basketball
and craft show events downtown and asked for my input. I support the notion of centralizing as many
activities as possible in the historic downtown core. They would need closure of Jackson Street after rush hour on
Friday until either Saturday or Sunday depending on whether they get rained out
on Saturday. They would also like to
move the Craft Show downtown to be next to the Clock Tower and along the Bike
Path.
Both events require Council
action to accomplish. These items will
be on the next Council meeting agenda.
Snow Plowing Last
Weekend: The guys did a fantastic job
under the circumstances. At one point
four trucks were out of commission…three due to freaky electrical issues. Doug had never had so many vehicle issues to
deal with before at once. My hat is off
to him and the crew for not losing their cool and “plowing” through it.
Letters on Snow Deposit
Violations Made a Positive Difference: About three-fourths of the
property owners so notified complied nicely during this last storm. A few more letters have gone out since. It takes a Village.
Snow Blower Being Put
Through the Paces: I have never seen the
Village’s sidewalks looking as clear as they have been thus far this
winter. So far, the cost has been
reasonable. Earl has been clearing the
rink to boot. We are still working on
the exact science of doing both with one piece of machinery because of
different settings required and different wear patterns.
Audit Letter: I requested Steve Harvey to sharpen his pencil on
the next audit. A letter proposing more
services at an inflationary increase is in the offing for the February 7th
Council meeting.
More Intern Work: I cannot keep Jill Wendorf away. She has had her baby and is still interested
in municipal management work. She is
coming in next week to do a project or two.
Meanwhile, Shannon McMaster volunteered to write a grant request for us
in order to fulfill a requirement of his Grand Valley MPA class. I will get him work on a community
foundation request for our wayfinding signage.
Chamber Asks What They Can
Do for Us: They invited the local
government administrators into their last board meeting. When asked the above question, I suggested
that they convene us to work on regional solutions to regional problems and
brought up the fact hat the 120th bridge does not seem to be in the
offing any longer.
Mural at Bank One: The new Bank owners would not like the Spring Lake
mural to be exhibited any longer. Lisa
Ashcraft thought of Barber School and us.
I said we would likely be interested.
If not Barber School, than the Historic Museum. When it comes over, we will store it at
Barber School until you see how you would like it on the wall.
Small Dump Truck Sold: Five silent bids were received. The highest bid accepted was $1,813. They ranged from the minimum of $900 on
up. The net proceeds after advertising
was $1,625. We budgeted $1,000.
Facilitator at Michigan City
Manager’s Conference This Week: They asked me to facilitate
a session on the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. I did so and it was a good bridge builder
for future projects.
Spring Lake Village Asked to
Be Part of a Group to Discuss Ways to Improve Mulligan’s Hollow: This letter is copied and in your boxes. Please advise if you want me to participate.
TIF Budget Update: We are working on budget adjustments for midyear in
all funds. Attached is a draft of the
TIF budget through until the end of this TIF cycle. A $100,000 unknown is whether we will owe the Chamber any funds
for the Graflex building scenario. Our
liability expires at the end of March so it will remain a contingency as the
bottom line until then. Given this contingency, there are no funds to complete
the ornamental lights across from the Harbor Steel redevelopment yet. I expect it will all turn out well, however.
Joint Police Commission
Meeting: Enclosed is an Annual Report that the Police
Commission will review on Monday.
***Upcoming Meetings***
Joint Police Commission Meeting: Tuesday, January 31 at 12 noons at Ferrysburg City Hall
Parks Board: Tuesday, February 1 at 7 PM upstairs in Village Hall.
Spring Lake Recreation Commission: Wednesday February 2 at the Intermediate School at 7 PM.
That is all for the week. Call with questions:
842-1393, 844-2581 or 616-638-8910 or ryancotton@hotmail.com or
ryan@springlakevillage.org.
Ryan Cotton,
Village Manager