Village Manager’s Office

To:         Village Council, Web Page, Press and Staff

From:    Ryan Cotton, Village Manager

Date:     November 11, 2004

 Re:                 Council Information Letter   

No Work Session Needed Monday:  No agenda items; just enjoy a leisurely dinner and come at 7:30 PM.

Planning Commission Vacancy:  Roger VanderMeulen submitted his resignation this week since he spends four months a year in Florida.  You might want to thank Roger and spread the word for his replacement. 

Historic Commission Vacancy:  This vacancy remains.  The Historic Commission is recruiting.

CBDDA Is Ok with Vacancy:  We have nine members now and can have up to ten.  They are fine with this for the time being unless someone from the East End wants to get on board.

CBDDA’s Highest Priorities:  They are debating their next priorities now that the Design Manual is completed.  They are debating their next highest priority.  It is between the “Exchange Street Typical project;” Extending the Downtown Core; Working on a Connection between Liberty Street and School Street; and a Retrofit Incentive Program for Downtown Structures. 

Holiday Trolley:  Harbor Transit is kicking this new service off this year starting on December 4th.   They will pickup and deliver folks from the bus shelter behind Rite Aid.  The hours will be 5 PM to 9 PM Monday through Friday and Saturday and Sunday from 11 PM until late afternoon when the stores close.  Downtown Spring Lake merchants could promote their activities, merchandise or displays and get a little return traffic perhaps.  I will be getting the word out.

Next CBDDA Meeting:  The next meeting is scheduled for January 13, 2004.

Clarification on East Village Project Plans:  It has been variously mentioned that this development would be leased, or condoized and/or other variations.  I sought clarification and the answer provided is the same as I last received so I am not sure where the other information is coming from. 

The plan is for Redstone Commercial to facilitate the purchase of the ACE Hardware site.  They will then own their piece. Redstone will own the rest of it except for the eventual restaurant on the west side and BOLD furniture that will re-locate to within the structure. 

Leaf Pick-Up:  The weather was perfect.  We appreciate the great picture in the Grand Haven Tribune.  Doug and the crew work hard at it and do a very nice job.  They worked until 7:30 PM on Monday due to concerns about weather later in the week.  The system is a little slow.  The bottlenecks are the packer and the claw.   John and I are going to see Grand Haven’s system on Monday. 

Heritage Festival Needs Volunteers a Great Deal:  They are looking for more help/guidance based on an Open House planned for Tuesday, November 16th in Barber School. 

Salvation Army Needs Bell Ringers for Orchard Market:  I volunteered for December 11th.  It is a fun activity if anyone wants to help out.  Ina Kaufman is the contact. 

The Village staff is considering adopting this as a community project on top of the family that is “adopted” to receive gifts.  I will be giving two hours off to interested employees if we do so.

Northwest Ottawa Leadership Meeting:  This meeting occurred on Wednesday and was organized by the County Administrator.  About 15 people came and heard about the county’s finances, their strategic planning efforts, the parkland purchase programs, the County’s recycling centers and their wireless program.  I distributed copies of the Downtown Master Plan pertaining to a local bridge crossing. 

 

***Upcoming Meetings***

 

Next Leaf Collection:  Monday, November 22nd. 

 

Veterans Day Dinner:  Thursday, November 11th at the American Legion in Grand Haven.  See me if interested in going. 

 

Heritage Festival Craft Show:  Saturday, November 13th at the Intermediate School.

 

Heritage Festival Pep Rally:  Tuesday, November 16th at 6:30 PM at Barber School.

 

Historic Conservation District Commission:  Tuesday, November 16th at 7:00 PM in the upstairs Conference Room at Village Hall.

 

New Resident Welcome:  Thursday, November 18th at 7:00 PM in Village Hall.

 

Habitat for Humanity Open House:  619 River Street, November 20th at 2:00 PM.

 

Thanksgiving Potluck:  Tuesday, November 23rd at 12 Noon at Barber School.

 

Christmas Dinner:  Friday, December 10, 2004 at Barber School at 6:30 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