City of Davison, Michigan

People received a little trick or maybe treat today at city hall. Being Halloween the city staff was in rare form. Pictures are worth 1,000 words so most of this blog will be photos of staff.

Who says work has to be boring?

Some of the pre schools in the area come through and parade the children in costumes. I think the kids get a kick of some adults sharing their enthusiasm towards dressing up today.

This past weekend we took part in an annual Auger tradition.

Pumpkin carving at my parent’s home. This tradition started in the olden days and has steadily grown.

Cleaning out the pumpkin
guts is part of the fun.

Actually, it probably started 10 to 15 years ago when my Dad and Mom threw some pumpkin seeds in their garden. They had enough pumpkins for their grandchildren to all come over a carve Jack-o-Lanterns.

Mom then served up some home made soup and hot dogs.

The desert table is getting bigger.

Posed with the final product;
Logan, Brett, (me holding)Lauryn,
Tess and Corie.

Having the youngest grandchild at her first pumpkin carving, Lauryn got the largest pumpkin.

This has turned into a neat family tradition.

Our annual leaf pick up program is in progress this week.

The neat rows of leaf piles in the street is a sure sign that our residents are ready. This is a great service we are able to supply to our residents. On specific days we put signs out for people to rake piles to their gutter, the rest is up to our DPW crews. Jeff can be seen here operating our leaf machine which blows into our Dump trucks and then is taken to our Compost site where they leafs are turned in to great compost.

In the cool morning you can see steam rising from the compost rows.

Not to long ago we were told there was going to be a left turn arrow put in at the intersection of M-15 and Flint Street. Anyone who has been stuck in the traffic around the 2 rush hours knows the frustration. City Council members, staff and a large portion of citizens could hardly wait for something to ease the traffic flow through that intersection and the other 3 intersections around M-15 and Flint St.

Recently we received news that the turn arrow was not coming. This of course led to several phone calls and correspondence.

Police Chief Brandon and I had the opportunity to meet with several representatives of Michigan Department Of Transportation (MDOT) at their offices.

We had a real good discussion and everyone agreed we would like to see the traffic pattern improve, not only at M-15 and Flint St. But also and the adjoining intersections.

Why no green turn arrow?

MDOT has run some computer generated flows and it looks as if installing the turn arrows could actually create longer delays for all involved. I am sure everyone has sat an intersection where the traffic signal seems like it takes forever. This is what MDOT predicts here, longer waits for all with hardly any improvement s on the left turn delays.

MDOT is scheduling to up date the traffic signals at the intersection to a box configuration from our diagonal hook up that we have now. I have seen some information where these have increased safety at intersections. This is where you have a traffic light for every lane located across the intersections.

MDOT has also agreed to perform an optimization on this intersection that may improve delays at intersections. We are also looking for ways to post the modeling that we went through on this blog.

We may end up with the modeling program at a city council meeting so everyone can see what we are dealing with.

We have received our first report back from our architects Fishbeck, Thompson, Carr & Huber, Inc. (FTC&H).The report is almost 30 pages, so it is to large for a blog, but I can pass on their summary.

The existing City of Davison Municipal Building and Library were modern,
state of the art buildings in the late 1960’s and have served the community
well. However, it is our opinion that the buildings have exceeded their useful
life. The goals for the proposed Municipal Building and the current and
future space needs of the City cannot be met by the buildings in their current
condition or size.

The buildings are both in poor condition and do not effectively meet
the needs of the City. The flat roof design and extensive use of wood trim and
windows are a continuous maintenance issue and a drain on City resources. Due to
age, water damage, un-insulated windows and lack of insulation, the buildings do
not comply with the energy code and are relatively expensive to heat and cool.
Water penetration into the building and existing building materials may pose a
health risk.

Ramps and other features have been added to make the buildings
compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. However, there are numerous
building elements that do not comply with this federal law and would be
difficult and expensive to change, including the restrooms, corridor widths and
access to Council Chambers.

The existing electrical service is inadequate to meet the needs of
modern technology, computers and other equipment required in either building.
The mechanical systems are undersized, high maintenance and impossible to modify
or expand. These systems need to be replaced.

The exterior and interior design presents a drab, uninviting image of City services. Neither of the buildings is large enough to meet current or future space requirements. This prevents staff from effectively performing their duties and serving the public.

In addition, the lack of space, the poor interior layout, and lack of a secure
separation between the Court / Police functions and City Hall create a public
and staff safety issue.

The structural design of each existing building, which includes exterior masonry bearing walls and interior steel columns and beams, will be
difficult and expensive to modify. The existing buildings are not large
enough to meet the current and future space needs of the City. If City services
are to remain on this site, the City has two choices to provide adequate space.
An addition could be constructed that connects the two existing buildings and
increases the size to meet the requirements of the updated building program, or
a new Municipal Building could be constructed on the site.

Given the condition, age and limitations of the existing buildings, it
is our opinion that the City should construct a new Municipal Building on the
site.

Several years ago when this became an issue brought to city council by citizens city council had the thought to add on to our existing structure (fill in the court yard or build on second stories to existing buildings). We had three architectural firms do a walk through of our buildings and give us their opinion. All three firms (FTC&H was not one of them) came to similar conclusions of what FTC&H has just informed us.

Our current city council was very animate that we explore this option before moving on.

A lot of recent talk and much planning and thought came to fruition yesterday afternoon when Brian Klaassen accepted the position of DPW Director for the City of Davison.

Brian comes to us with 15 years experience from two different municipalities. He brings enthusiasm along with his experience and believes in managing through cooperation and communication. He has a B.A. in Business Administration from Walsh College, and has a year left towards his Public Services accreditation from Central Michigan University.

Mr. Klaassen’s first official day with the city is scheduled for November 20th, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him exploring the area prior to that.

City Council looks forward to meeting Brian at their November 13th meeting.

I would like to publicly thank all the people who applied for the position. We had a real good crop of candidates and there was not an easy decision.

We have an experienced crew in our DPW and are very proud of the services we are able to provide to the community. I am sure the community will welcome Brian and his family as they become part of the Davison family.

Most weeks are busy in local government. Last week I heard from people who knew I was out of the office for two days last week. When I inquired how they knew, they told me two days without a blog when they went to read on Friday.

Ah, its nice that we are a part of people’s routine.

Today I got to the office about 7:50 am, I looked up and it was 12:30 pm and time for lunch. The meetings went back to back, phone calls and open door, then staff follow up. Some days I hardly touch what I started on in the morning.

Status reports from consultants come, financial information on possible millage rates, then review a draft document on the status of our municipal center. Respond to service request for storm water drainage, and speak with employees on personnel issues.

I look up and its 3:30 pm, must set my alarm to make sure I go home for dinner prior to city council Workshop at 7:00 pm.

Beth Holm pokes her head in the door. “knock knock, how do you get anything done with everyone bugging you? (before I answer) You have a minute?”

Of course I do.

And that’s how my day goes sometimes.

So if you walk into my office and my hair is standing on end…

I would like to congratulate Police Officers Kevin Kravat and Matt Banks.

Recently the Davison Optimist Club held their Educator of the Year Dinner. At this event the Optimist choose to honor a team of Police Officers as their educators of the year. Of this group, Matt & Kevin of our department were honored.

With our election just around the corner many people who know I get the honor to work with local and State of Michigan elected officials often ask me how I am going to vote.

Two examples of questions are:

“You know and work with “so in so” should I vote for him/her?”

“They say proposal 754 is a good one, is it?”

The first one I don’t get to answer. Part of our ethical code in the International City Manager Association (ICMA) makes sure that a city manager is non partisan. There is good reason behind this. The easiest way to explain this is whoever wins I get to work with to better our community.

The second question I can answer by providing information on the proposed ballots. Some ballot questions are easy. I don’t know anyone who favors discrimination. So a ballot question on using race as a criteria is self evident.

But there are other issues that get get murky in the mudd slinging of campaigns leading up to passage or denial at the ballot box or via legislation. Two worth following are the Cable legislation (HB 6456). I’ve blogged on this several times, and others have analyzed it also.. Local governments already have vehicles set up that requires fair competition. But it is easy to pick on the dreaded cable company.

The second is a ballot proposal (proposal 5) that would guarantee school funding with automatic increases forever. Now I know a good number of teachers and school administrators (and I like them), but this proposal scare most of us who work with the State government. Guaranteeing one entity funding with automatic increases no matter what is not sane. If this passes I think it will be only a few years before we start cutting local services out of the budget because larger and larger amounts of your tax dollar will be going to schools and away from police and fire protection, rebuilding of streets, water & sewer lines, leaf pick up programs, recreation programming, composting operations and cut backs in snow removal or salting programs.

Maybe that is why the Universities, Colleges, and Communities Colleges are not backing the issue, even though they could see an increase in funding.

I am sure there will be plenty of good stuff heading up to November 8, it is just that some of this would drastically effect local governments.

The temperature was fighting to stay around 40 degrees. There was a mist of cold rain that was more off than on. Everything was pointing to a low turn out for the annual Do-Da Parade. But the community showed up in force and a good time was had by all who showed up for this annual event.

Contestants to the
Do-Da competition
pose afterwards.

This parade is different than most, no political people handing out literature and everyone has to be in costume. Lots of candy is still given out and the smiles on the children’s faces is priceless.

After the parade there is a Do-Da Daring and Do-Da Dude pageant. It is really a spoof on beauty pageants. There is also live music performed by Ron & Trisch.

This year my daughter Tessia got to help as she sat on my lap to judge the talent competition.

Those who packed in the tent were not disappointed. Thanks to all the volunteers who work together to pull this off.

You did a great job.