To: Village Council, Web Site, Media and Staff
From: Ryan Cotton, Village Manager
Date: May 19, 2005
Re: Council Information Letter
Grant Increase from Coastal Management Program: Given that our Phase I Design is $20,000 under budget, I asked the granting authorities if we could increase the scope and include Phase II conceptual design for $15,100. Phase II would extend the Grand River Greenway from Division all the way southeast to Leonard Road. They said yes. What do you think? Our share would be 50%. We would remain under budget. If no objection, I will prepare the paperwork.
Volunteers Everywhere: A total of eight different parties helped out the Village this week. We will include all their names on the Message Board. They are:
· Cub Scout Pack: Saturday and Kellie Parker and Doug Boon’s Cub Scout pack for Mill Point Park
· SL Rotary Club: Saturday and Savidge Clean up.
· Walden School: Tuesday/Wednesday and Lakeside Trail lights/benches
· Central Park Flowers: Thursday from Jeffers School
· Noel York’s Sixth Grade: Friday for landscaping at the Message Board
· Wetlands Watch: Saturday for clean up of wetlands west of Mill Point
· Nolan Converse: Community Service Hours and Saturday
· Eagle Scout: Picnic table in small park near Library.
We are very appreciative of all this help in getting things done during the busy Spring season. John and Doug deserve a lot of credit for providing the “ground support.”
The picnic table in the park between SL Township Hall and the Library is really cool. Makes you want to bring a picnic lunch.
It Gets Better!: Adam Hill started this week as an intern for the Village of Spring Lake/City of Ferrysburg Police Department. He is volunteering over two hundred hours this summer to gain experience. You will see Adam doing foot patrol, he will be on the bike paths and at the Mill Point Park concerts. His service here is a credit to himself (he was a former seasonal employee), to Roger and the Police Department.
Official Traffic Safety Vests Ordered for Radio Club: Roger recently provided vests for the Radio Club so they can assist the Police Department during parades and in the case of emergencies.
North Jackson Street Rental Complaints: Some neighbors fear that the area is becoming too rental oriented. Late night events and less maintenance is the problem. The Police Department is watching it and is poised to issue tickets when necessary. We will be kicking around some other ideas to get a handle on it and might schedule a work session on the subject of rental properties in the near future.
River Street to be Impacted by Water and Sewer Extension Next Week: The final Habitat House needs a connection. The road will need to be excavated to make the utility connections. This will disrupt flow-through traffic next week. They will be leafleting all the affected homes at John’s direction. FYI.
Heritage Festival Plans to Help Pay for Ice Rink Liner: The Festival decided Tuesday night to pledge at least $750 to the Village to help pay for this liner when we order it for next winter.
East Savidge Concrete: It is amazing what they can do. The concrete brick is done for the entranceway and is in its finished state now. Pavement is planned this week and the area opened up on Monday. Next week they will extend the concrete brick down the curb line and around the street light bases.
Notice of Intent on West Savidge Streetscape: Fleis and VandenBrink, John, Joy from the
Chamber, Onemarket and I pulled some thoughts and numbers together this
week. I am submitting them with a draft
Notice of Intent for the potential $400,000 MEDC streetscape grant. If found acceptable, this matter will be on
the June 6th agenda for your review and approval.
Boat Slips All Rented: All twenty slips are rented for the first time. Thanks to Stan and Kristie.
Six Camping Slots Open: This number is double the openings from other years. The reasons vary: age of former occupiers, location of available spots and
price. Two former campers bought condos
in the Village. Regardless, we are
advertising in the Grand Rapids paper to stir up some more interest. We previously advertised locally only.
North Bank Lunch:
This meeting produced the idea of having a joint meeting of all
boards at Crockery Township Hall in Nunica to discuss the M-104 study
recommendations. More to follow…
Suggestion for Letter to Barber Street: I received a good idea this week to put out a letter to this neighborhood about our five-year street rehabilitation plans. I will do so in advance of the June 6th Council Meeting and budget discussion if they want to comment on the budget.
Competition Stiff for Parks Wayfinding Signage: I had been advised to put in a grant
request for this quarter given that there are typically fewer grants
requested. It turns out that there are
double the numbers expected. I hope we
will learn the outcome next week.
Spring Clean-Up Dates: Brush Pick-up: May 23rd.
***Upcoming Meetings***
Ambulance
Committee: Thursday, May 19 at Grand Haven Township
Hall at 7 PM. I will be unable to
attend due to a class.
Sixth
Grade Planting and Celebration: At the
Village Message sign, 2 PM on Friday, May 20th.
NOWS
and Water Plant Construction/Renovation Costs: Friday, May 20th at 8:30 AM at the Water Plant.
Spring Clean UP of Wetland Conservation Easement: The Wetlands Watch group volunteered to do this clean up. It is scheduled for May 21st at 9 AM at Mill Point Park if interested.
North Bank Communities Fund 15th Year Anniversary: Spring Lake Country Club on Tuesday, May 24th at 5:00 PM. In your packet is a letter marking the occasion from me.
Planning Commission: Tuesday, May 24th at Barber School.
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