Village Manager’s Office
To: Village Council and Staff
From: Ryan Cotton, Village Manager
Date: March 27, 2008
Re: Council Information Letter
Tree Trimming and the Historic Home: This took longer than expected today. The applicant covered all of the Village’s out-of-pocket costs that followed the legal agreement (about $1,100). We donated the rest of the time in the interest of Historic Preservation. The tree moving company was exceptionally good to deal with. It would have been better if Consumer’s had informed their customers what to expect, however. As it turned out, Kathy assisted them in their public information by going door –to-door. They were able to avoid turning off Holmes School’s power. They were unable to avoid as many trees as hoped. Three of the trees on River Street that had to be trimmed were privately owned, due to the property boundaries extending to the centerline. More to follow…
Time Extension on Creating Jobs at Mill Point Station: We got a 1 and 1/2 year extension for the Mill Point Station jobs until August 31, 2009. Thirteen more new jobs need to be created by then.
Status of Lakeside Trail Easement Negotiations: Only two property owners remain unsure. We are in contact with them every other day to try and resolve the needed easements amicably. More to follow…
Status of School Street Extension Easement: The ball is in the property owner’s courts. This matter appears to be very sensitive to them. If you get approached, please refer their request for any information back to me or the full Council so as to avoid confusion.
GVSU Planning Another Regatta: Nine teams are coming on April 5th at 10 AM to compete. They start near Lakeside Beach and will row to Veit’s Landing. Ohio State, Marquette, Northwestern are some of the larger teams. Hundreds of people will be staying at the Holiday Inn and sponsoring Churches in the Tri Cities on Friday night. We will welcome them on the Message Board.
Harbor Transit Millage Vote: I plan to bring this forward at the next meeting when time permits. Due to the cancellation notice required, in the unfortunate circumstance that the Village voters would not continue the service, we will need to fund it another year out of the general fund. Cancellation would not be possible therefore until March 31 of 2009 for July 1, 2009.
Consumers Power and Tom Fischer: Tom’s influence continues. Consumer’s provided a credit of $1,500 this month and will reduce each bill by four lights from now on. This is the outcome of a five year process that Tom started with me to do an actual inventory of lights leased from Consumer’s. As usual, Tom was right.
Wireless Capital Partners Offers to Buy Out Cell Tower Leases: The Village receives $14,000 per year from the area leased to American Tower on Rotary Drive. The above company provides lump sums of cash to communities who would rather have the funds now. The above company offered the Village a payment of $100,500 if they got the annual amounts for the next 15 years. I do not think this is a fair trade. You should know about the option nevertheless.
Planning Commission Looks at Marina Parking Requirements: Barrett’s is asking for one third the number of required spaces for future projects. The Planning Commission is taking the matter under advisement for the summer using a concept called a “parking deferment” in the meantime
New Intern to Start: Matt Pastotnik from Grand Valley’s School of Public and Non-Profit Administration will be starting on May 19th for a summer internship of 150 hours. Matt’s family lives in Spring Lake Township.
No Taco Bell: Contrary to rumors on the street, we have not heard of any Taco Bell planned for the East End near Fruitport Road. The only restaurant the Development Team mentioned is Starbucks. That was iffy however.
Teaching Schedule This Spring: Grand Valley scheduled me to teach the graduate Organization Theory class in May and June, Tuesday and Thursday nights.
Walking Audit: This is scheduled by the Safe Routes to School Committee for Wednesday, April 23rd starting at the intermediate school lobby on Hammond at 2:30 PM.
Village Hall Roof: Kathy reports that the roof contractors agreed to return and fix the roof. They will also investigate the relatively new flashing and re-do it correctly if there is a problem found with the first time. More to follow…
***Upcoming Meetings***
Rescheduled Easter Egg Hunt: Saturday at 10 AM at Central Park.
Legislative Day: April 2nd in Lansing. Leave here at 6:30 AM. Return at 8:00 PM.
Village Council Meeting: Monday, April 7, 2008 at 7:00 PM at Barber School.
ZBA Meeting Cancelled: Lack of Agenda items for April 8, 2008.
Cityhood Phase II Point Committee: Wednesday, April 16 at 7 PM in Village Hall Conference Room.
CBDDA Meeting: Wednesday, April 17th at 7:30 AM at Lucky’s.
Tri-Cities Sustainability Officials: Tuesday, April 22nd at 2:00 PM at the Michigan Alternative Energy Resource Center in Muskegon.
Safe Routes to School Meeting: Wednesday, April 23rd at 2:30 PM at Barber School.
Spring Leaf Pick-up: Week of April 28th.
Arbor Day: Friday, April 25th.
Clean Up Day: Wednesday, May 7th.
Brush Collection: Week of May 19th.
Mayor’s Exchange: Wednesday, May 21 here for lunch and at Pentwater for dinner.
Printed on Recycled Paper: 40% Energy Savings Achieved
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