To: Village Council, Web Site, Press and Staff
From: Ryan Cotton, Village Manager
Date: April 22, 2005
Re: Council Information Letter
Macatawa Bank Requests Rezoning of the Corner Parcels
at Fruitport Road and Savidge: They
are on the Planning Commission agenda Tuesday night. The question is whether to keep this corner zoned for residential
or change to commercial. The ideal
approach is to review the Master Land Use plan first.
New Hire in Police Department: We interviewed four officers: three part-time ones presently and one
part-time Ottawa County Sheriff Department employee. Adam Van Dis was the best candidate and will begin full-time on May
2nd. He worked with the
Department for nine months while living in Zeeland and just moved closer to
accept the full-time job.
Police Department Awarded Homeland Security
Grant: Chief DeYoung reported this
week that night vision goggles, binoculars; command boards and helmets were
received this week as a result of this grant.
Part-time Officer Recruitment: Chief DeYoung is
interviewing part-time officers and having them perform some mock runs and
report writing prior to deciding on who will replace Adam.
Retirement Date for Jim Whitwam: Jim decided to retire effective May 13,
2005. It is not clear yet whether he
would like a reception. We will follow
his lead.
Position in Public Services and Status of
Recruitment: We received over
thirty applications. John and Doug
chose the best ten for preliminary interviews.
They came up with five that met most of the criteria. I reviewed the five applications and
interviewed the two best today. More to
follow next week after detailed reference checks.
Public Parking Lot Compensation from Onemarket: We discussed this further after the
meeting and arrived at a number of $3,750 per year for thirty years. Payment of this annual amount would
guarantee the condo owners overnight parking privileges for their guests. Availability will be on a first come, first
serve basis.
New Museum Display in Showcase Upstairs: Drop by and take a look. The theme is Spring Lake resort
life.
ACH System Takes Off:
Nearly fifty water customers signed on. We are impressed that so many are elderly. I am guessing they are thrifty and want to
save a stamp and a trip? Thanks to
Kristie and Maribeth for making it all possible!
Brownfield TIF Loan Application: This application will likely be
completed and submitted early next week.
The State indicates we need a formal resolution like one in your
box. I will be calling to take a
telephone poll and will then submit it subject to ratification at your next
meeting.
Housing Inspections Going Well: Thanks to Mary and John, we are back
into the rental housing inspection business.
This process ensures that high quality rental housing is maintained in
the Village. John conducts five to
seven inspections every Wednesday.
Warranty Inspection of Village Hall: This inspection will take place Friday,
May 13th at 3 PM. Our
warranty period lasts until June 15, 2005.
New Village Hall Doors Ordered: All is well with replacing them at no
cost to the Village. Almost all of the
professionals, other than the door suppliers, do not think humidification is
necessary in the building.
Nevertheless, the new doors are made with a thinner veneer to guard
against a repeat of the cracking.
Bunting and Flag Fans In: These will be installed before Memorial Day and will stay up until Labor Day unless they begin to fade earlier. The cost was about $350.
Spring Lake Township Giving Out Popsicles at Thursdays At the Point during the Heritage Festival: They will be hosting the concert that night and encouraging people to bike or walk to the concert.
NOWS Changes Direction on Rehabilitation Expenses Associated with the New Plant: These potential costs will be scrutinized at our next meeting. We will determine whether a second opinion is needed. Further, we agreed that they should be shared on the basis of current usage percentages. This change reduces the arbitrariness of the former formula used for rehabilitation of the intake.
Signage Ordinance Discussion on Planning Commission Agenda: Amendments to permit reasonable sandwich board signs will be discussed.
Spring Clean UP of Wetland Conservation Easement: The Wetlands Watch group volunteered to do this clean up. It is scheduled for May 21st if interested.
Walden School Class to Stain Benches and the Light
Pole Repairs on Lakeside Trail: This
work will occur the week of May 16th. Once they complete this project, we are trying to get permission
for them to plant ivy along the fence for the Habitat Home area off of Lake
Avenue. We are also trying to get them
to place calcium chloride down.
Lloyd’s Bayou Lake Board Member Needed: Art Bolt’s second term is ending May 1st. If anyone is interested, have them contact
me. His suggestion was Dick Brown.
Boat Launch Ads to Go on Restaurant Place Mats: In addition to new exposure at Steve’s Bait
Shop, these ads will hopefully get the launch at Mill Point Park back into
folks minds. The wayfinding signs will
help too. Usage is edging up
slowly. Dredging was postponed from
this week. It should only take one
day. He will do some straightening, as
discussed.
Governor Announces Local Government Fiscal Task Force - Governor Granholm signed an executive order establishing the much-anticipated, Task Force on Local Government Services and Fiscal Stability. The task force will provide a forum for local units to explore ways to maximize use of revenue and identify and address constraints. Granholm appointed 15 local representatives who will present a final report by November 30, 2005. The Executive Order calls for the formation of subcommittees that will allow for additional opportunities for village and city officials to provide ideas and input. For more information or to view the Governor’s press release, please visit www.mml.org.
Spring Clean-Up Dates: What follows is also posted on our web site home page, will be in the paper soon and on the Village signboard:
Leaf Pick-up: May 2nd
Trash Pick-up: May 4th
Brush
Pick-up: May 23rd.
East End Redevelopment: The project got started in earnest this week.
***Upcoming Meetings***
Joint
Police Commission: 12 Noon on Tuesday, April
26th at Ferrysburg City Hall.
Planning
Commission: Tuesday, April 26th at Barber
School. Macatawa Bank and Signage are
key agenda items.
Joint
ZBA Training: Grand Haven invited John, me and our ZBA to
attend this training. Located at Grand
Haven City Hall at 6:30 PM on Wednesday, April 27th . The Village is providing snacks as our
contribution.
Arbor
Day: Friday, April 29th at 8:30 AM. Location to be determined.
ACE
Hardware Grand Opening: Friday, May 6 at 8 :00 AM.
North
Bank Planning Meeting Organized by Sylvia:
Friday,
May 6 at Spring Lake Country Club.
Grand Haven Township Intergovernmental Meeting: Set for May 12 at 5:30 social hour and dinner at 6 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