City Manager's Blog

Untreated Sewage Discharge

2011-11-29T19:40:00.002-05:00

Yuck! Does this ever happen? Yes it does! More often than anyone would like, but not as much of a threat as one might think.

State law sets forth rigid standards to follow in the unfortunate event of a discharge of untreated or partially treated waste. If (and, unfortunately, when) it happens, the person responsible for the system shall immediately notify the DEQ by telephone, along with local health departments and newspapers in the town where the discharge happens and all towns downriver. We also test the waters downstream immediately after the discharge event to measure possible public health risks.

This happens very rarely in Grand Haven. We have been fixing up leaky and cross connected sewers for over forty years and are in fairly good shape. Other urban centers, such as Grand Rapids, have regular discharge when we get big rain storms. We get notices every month, and the routine is numbing; we have grown complacent about the events themselves.

Consider this - when Grand Rapids has a discharge, the e coli counts are around 200 colonies per 100 ml in the effluent. Downriver where they sample, the counts are in excess of 300 colonies per 100 ml. The water in the river is more contaminated than the combined sewer overflow being introduced during a rainstorm!

Also consider this - Ottawa County Health Department reported at a water quality summit held this fall that only 1% of the beach closures on Lake Michigan are linked to point source contamination (like the overflows from Grand Rapids).

Citizens of lake shore communities point fingers at Grand Rapids, but the source of our water quality problems are not coming from overflows from our friends in GR. Grand Rapids needs to continue fixing sewer overflow sources, but we need to broaden our perspective if we want to reduce pollutants to Lake Michigan.

No Wires - These Flashers Go Anywhere!

2011-09-18T17:57:00.002-04:00

Solar power and a 24/7 three year guarantee - a few of these around town at the more heavily travelled areas will give motorists an extra measure of caution without major capital expense. City crews are evaluating cost and placement. No telling how much safer these will make our crosswalks, but proximity to live wires is no longer an obstacle.

Safer Routes to School

2011-09-18T17:18:00.002-04:00

Instead of "Safe" Routes to School, I am posting this as "Safer" routes to school. There are no guarantees, and we are doing everything we can to make the trips to and from school safer for all citizens. It will be a combined effort of educators, citizens and others to make things safer now and in the future. We need to shovel off the sidewalks, pay very close attention as we drive, walk or bike and take steps to prevent terrible accidents from occurring.
In 2011, we focus on a three school neighborhood - Mary A. White Elementary, St. John's Lutheran and Lakeshore Middle Schools. In 2012, and beyond, we will shift our focus to alternate City neighborhoods, eventually creating a safer walking/biking environment.

Festivals Bring Town Together

2011-08-01T08:37:00.002-04:00

Every town in the nation has a semblance of the annual "big" festival. Some towns have very specific themes, like Grand Haven's Coast Guard Festival. Many have more generic titles (Old Fashioned Days, Fourth of July, Heritage Days, etc.), but all bring members of a community together in a very special way.
These are reunions, publicity stunts and good times, all rolled into a seasonal expression of community pride. In Grand Haven, "Coast Guard" is a way of life for the entire community. It is as big as the Christmas Holidays for us locals, and we enjoy every minute of the elaborate pomp that comes along with a military-themed festival.

Cutting a Big Ribbon on Washington Ave!

2011-06-12T13:15:00.003-04:00

A huge group of dignitaries, including almost all of the City Council, our State Representative Amanda Price and State Senator Arlan Meekhof, and dozens of others helped usher in a new era in downtown Grand Haven on Saturday afternoon.

The downtown project, complete with a wonderful streetscape and heated sidewalks, is now complete. 100% of downtown storefronts are closed and boy, are we ready for summer sales!

Here MSDDA Chair Dan Borchers is all smiles as he cuts through the ribbon with Mayor Roger Bergman.

Memorable Memorial Day

2011-05-30T20:42:00.003-04:00

All five City elected officials participated in today's Memorial Day Parade, and there were thousands of appreciative spectators lining Washington Avenue. From left to right are Bob Monetza, Denny Scott, Ed Nieuwenhuis, Roger Bergman and Mike Fritz. It is hard to make them out from this photo, but it was them, and they honored our war heroes by attending ceremonies before and after the parade.

Lining Washington Avenue today were brand new American Flags, thanks to a grant from the Grand Haven Area Community Foundations's Greatest Needs Fund. Our National Ensign flies proudly from every new light pole put in downtown as part of the massive Washington Avenue reconstruction project of the past few years. Thanks to the Grand Haven Jaycees, these Flags will go up (and down) for every patriotic holiday from now until - forever!

Generous Poll Worker!

2011-05-04T10:39:00.005-04:00

Yesterday was a little-noticed election in our City. Only 8.89% of us voted! 318 actual voters; 405 voted absentee. Our sleepiest precinct logged 2.8 voters per hour. We were renewing the school operating millage and electing two unopposed school board members. No comment on the economics of holding such elections.

One poll worker, who shall only be known as "Mary" in this blog, crafted this quilt for City employee Stephanie. Such acts of kindness ought to be noticed. This is a fine quilt by a fine election worker given to a fine employee.

All in all, the election went fine.

What the Who the?

2011-03-12T10:46:00.004-05:00

A guy dressed as a tomato waving a sign on the side of the road. I can't help but smile. For some, this scene is doubly alarming.

1. He is advertising a "grow" store (hydrponics, indoor growing). Law enforcement immediately reports that we have a marijuana shop on our main street. He is selling materials that will aid in the growing of anything indoors. Who he sells to and what they grow is beyond our local government reach and understanding.

2. He is standing on the side of the road dressed as a tomato waving a sign! The first amendment guarantees our right to dress as fruits and sell stuff.

Nothing to do but make a note - this is an odd world we live in!

Great Lakes Harbor Dredging

2011-03-05T19:38:00.002-05:00

Most citizens don't spend any time worrying about dredging our harbors along the Lake Michigan shore. Fortunately, Congressman Bill Huizenga and Senators Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow do our worrying for us. Huizenga District Representative Heather Sandberg brought together a well-informed group at the Annis Water Resource Center in Muskegon yesterday to give an update on what is being funded and where the money is going in 2011 and 2012.

The Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund is being held hostage in Washington - your elected officials (named above) are working on a solution to get the money spent on our harbors along the Lake Michigan coastline (and throughout the Great Lakes).

Shown is our own Bill Huizenga addressing the room and helping us understand how the funding system works (or doesn't work).

Customers First, Even in Emergencies!

2011-02-20T17:18:00.004-05:00

We are getting a severe snow storm today - it started around noon or so and has been coming down for hours. In the middle of the snow, the local Staples caught on fire. The response was immediate, our neighboring Charter Township department showed up for mutual aid and the fire was controlled in very short order.

Even with heavy snowfall on the roads, the crews had already moved it aside so the emergency vehicle had no problem reaching their destination (and County road crews had the township roads cleared enough so the paid on call firefighters in Grand Haven Charter Township were able to get to the station quickly).

The City electrical inspector was on scene before the hoses were put away. He ascertained the cause, discussed the situation with the store manager, and gave her the all clear so she could start planning on recovery activities immediately - why wait for Monday morning when you can get it all done on Sunday night?

Here is a demonstration of everything working right. City staff knows what to do and when to do it. Administration needs to make sure they have proper personnel and equipment, and the public will get the service levels they expect.

Complete Community Center

2010-06-30T22:43:00.004-04:00

New, downtown-style lights were installed at the Community Center this week. If it is good enough for the front page of the Grand Haven Tribune (see June 30, 2010 edition), then it is good enough for the web site.

The new lights are now featured in the downtown parking lots, all around the Loutit District Library, the new Ottawa County Courthouse, Jackson Street, Community Center (front and back) and will soon grace the Washington and Beechtree streetscapes.

Special thanks to Julie Beaton, Al Vanderberg, Sandie Knes, Brian Vilmont and the whole Main Street Downtown Development Authority - these concrete lamp posts will last for 100 years!

Off Shore Wind Farm

2010-06-21T14:02:00.004-04:00

Grand Haven is the proposed location for an off shore 500 megawatt wind farm. This could mean up to 100 wind turbines located about 6 miles off the coast of Grand Haven.

On June 16, I moderated an informational meeting with representatives from Scandia speaking to the public about their plans. It was an informational Q&A, and the decision to not allow an exchange was made following two meetings in Mason and Oceana Counties that devolved into shouting matches.

Representatives from an organization opposing the wind farms were asked if they would like to present their arguments against the development of a farm here. They declined, but indicated that they would be interested in a similar presentation in the coming weeks. I agreed to make arrangements and moderate that discussion, if and when I am contacted.

We could not get to all of the questions, so I have them posted on the City's website at:

scandia wind questions

I have sent these along to Scandia and have asked them to provide answers. Once these answers are posted, I will present a link to their site on the City web page - probably here in the City Manager's Blog.

Skate Park now on Facebook.

2010-06-02T20:05:00.003-04:00

The City is reaching out to our Skate Park users using a Facebook Page. Check out "Mulligans Hollow Skate Park," now on Facebook. Become a fan, post dates and times of fun skating events in Grand Haven. Make the most of our recreation inventory. Keep it clean, keep it safe, and we will keep the Skate Park open for your skating enjoyment.

Michigan Smoke Free on May 1

2010-04-29T09:07:00.003-04:00

Michigan is smoke free effective May 1, 2010. The Ottawa County Health Department is the enforcing agency in Grand Haven. Complaint forms are available on line at www.miottawa.org/health under the Smoke Free Air Law tab. Forms are also available here at City Hall or at the Health Department offices on Ferris Street across from Grand Haven High School. Please call the Ferris Street office at 846-8360 if you have additional questions.

Washington Construction

2010-03-08T08:24:00.003-05:00

Washington is under construction through mid-June. We are putting in all new sewer, water and storm systems beneath the street. The project will be resumed in late August. We are skipping the peak summer months at the request of the Main Street Downtown Development Authority. Grand Haven merchants depend on high summer sales volume to pay their bills.

Skipping the peak summer months means that the construction takes longer than if we were able to work straight through. Extended street closures are therefore needed in the fall, winter and spring to make up for the lost summer time.

The job is scheduled to be completed in the spring of 2011.

Beechtree Trees

2010-03-08T08:14:00.004-05:00

The Beechtree reconstruction project is now out for bid. We will open bids on March 31 and are hoping that we will get very competitive pricing.

Since it is Beechtree street, the City is making sure that there are trees lining the streets when we are finished. If you would like to look at the plans for Beechtree, please call me or stop by City Hall.

Deer Update

2009-11-17T11:28:00.003-05:00

City staff continues to carry out the directive of City Council. The deer population in Grand Haven is found to be a nuisance in some neighborhoods. Deer continue to eat away at popular varieties of landscaping, and we implement all methods to provide relief.

This problem is not unique to Grand Haven. The following link will take you to an article from the Sunday, November 15, 2009 Grand Rapids Press.

http://www.grandhaven.org/uploads/pdf_documents/deer_management/management_information/deer_proof_advice_nov09.pdf

There is substantial additional information on the City's website - you can use this link to get to the main deer management page:

http://www.grandhaven.org/residents/urban-deer-management/

In 2010 we will be counting deer, we will be listening to citizen input, we will be working collaboratively with our neighboring municipalities and we will be discussing this issue as needed at City Council meetings.

Beechtree Reconstruction

2009-10-29T12:34:00.004-04:00

Planning for the 2010 Beechtree Reconstruciton Project continues. We hope to be ready to go in April, but there remains significant engineering, bidding and communication work ahead. This BLOG is part of the Communication function.

Check out the link below for detour and phasing information. We will maintain local traffic throughout the project, but through traffic will be prohibited from April 19 until mid-October.

The first (northern) phase, from Fulton south to Washington, will take about seven weeks. From Washington to Slayton will take ten weeks and then from Slayton to Waverly will take the last ten weeks. This is a long project window because it is a huge project - EVERYTHING goes (sewer, water, street, sidewalk, streetlights) and EVERYTHING will be replaced.

http://www.grandhaven.org/uploads/pdf_documents/notices/road_construction/beechtree_project.pdf

Refuse Collection Changes

2009-10-09T10:45:00.003-04:00

On May 4, 2009, the City Council approved a five year license for Allied Waste to provide solid waste services in the City of Grand Haven.

To clarify a potentially confusing matter, the company was called "Sunset Waste" in 2004 when the last contract was negotiated. Sunset Waste was purchased by Allied Waste, and Allied Waste has now been purchased By Republic. For now we will continue to refer to the company as "Allied" and will change to Republic when the company notifies us that the name change is final.

This is not a contract between the City and the provider, it is a license to allow the company to collect garbage. City subscribers who pay for the service are customers of Allied Waste, but the City maintains constant oversight of the services provided to ensure compliance with license requirements.

The company decided to begin billing at the new rates in late July, 2009, and they billed all customers retroactively to the first of May. There was public discussion about this decision, and the company agreed to not charge "bag" customers the retroactive fees. These customers would be charged the new rate effective September 1, 2009.

All other customers were billed back to May 1 - most are minor changes and City Hall has received little in the way of complaint from these customers.

Bag customers are entitled to use recycling, yard waste and individual bag pick up. The bags are purchased at City Hall for $1.50 each, and these are the only bags Allied will collect from those customers.

Here are the "old rates" and the "new rates" for comparison:

Std Service 9.98 (old) 11.08 (new)

Bag Service 1.50 per bag (old) 1.50 per bag plus $6.25 per month (new)

90 gallon cart 2.13 per month (old) 1.05 per month (new)

90 gallon yard waste 2.00 per month (old) 2.00 per month (new)

Your bills should not be adjusted again until May 1, 2010, according to inflationary figures. Also, there is a fuel surcharge of 10 cents per month if diesel fuel goes over $3 per gallon and then 10 cents for every 50 cent increase in the cost of diesel.

Finally, watch your bills for a realignment planned by the company to get all Grand Haven customers on the same billing cycle. In order to start a new quarter in May of 2010, Allied intends to adjust quarterly bills of all customers to coincide with a new quarter. This means that customers on different quarters will receive bills for one or two months of service leading up to the switch, and will then be on the following quarterly schedule:

May/June/July
August/Sept/October
Nov/Dec/January
Feb/March/April

Sewer Plant Odor

2009-09-22T17:49:00.000-04:00

If you live, travel or work on the east side of town near Washington and Beechtree, you likely get more than a whiff of the Wastewater Sewer Plant to remind you of its location. The photo here is from the 2008 Bayou Picnic. We have a beautiful park next door, but on some days and at certain times of the year, the odor can be terrible.

At this time of year. the temperature of the flow is at it's highest. As a result, the odor gets worse - when the waste gets septic, hydrogen sulfide results. This sulfury, rotten egg smell is offensive, and an east wind blows the odor through some otherwise lovely neighborhoods.

The City is committed to joining our partners (Spring Lake Township, Grand Haven Township, Village of Spring Lake and Ferrysburg) to bring a near end to the odor problem. The cost of putting lids on our digesters is approximately $1 million, but the value of our neighborhoods and our overall quality of life is invaluable.

Current capital improvements at the Wastewater plants include biological phosphorous removal and then the installation of a UV disinfecting system. The next project on the list is ODOR CONTROL.

Biological phosphorus removal causes the removal of phosphorus from the waste stream without the use of chemical binding agents. This process is environmentally preferable - anytime we can deliver clean water to the Grand River without using chemical additives, it is a venture worth the investment - total cost is just under $300,000.

UV disinfection is a widely used method. We now introduce chlorine to kill off remaining harmful bacteria from plant effluent. Ultra violet light can do the same thing, without using chemical agents. Again, a preferred method, however the nearly $1.1 million price tag has Board Members looking more closely at alternatives and other priorities.

Odor control would consist of covers over our primary digesters. Current estimates are approximately $1 million. A heavy price, but possibly worth the investment if we can restore property potential in the surrounding area of Grand Haven.

We can never do away with the odors entirely, but we also cannot turn our back on this problem. City Council remains dedicated to ongoing cooperative improvements at the Wastewater Treatment Facility.

New Blog From the CMO

2009-09-22T16:37:00.000-04:00

CMO is an abbreviation for "City Manager's Office." I will be using this space in the coming months to post information about the operations at City Hall, new projects in the community and exciting news about the people and places of Grand Haven.

The City cannot afford a publicisit or a professional writer, so you get this blog to keep you up to speed on City Hall happenings. Please send me an email if you would like more information on items you read about here. You want information, we have information.

Welcome to the CMO blog