City of Davison, Michigan

The City of Davison is involved in several “joint ventures” with other municipalities and other agencies.

The philosophy is to work together and be able to do more than we could by ourselves. Most of the time you don’t here about our Law Enforcement ventures because of the nature of the business. We can’t use some names and locations due to ongoing investigations etc… We also regard the fact that people are innocent until proven guilty and part of our law enforcement role is to exonerate the innocent.

That being said it is comforting to know the good work of some of our law enforcement partnerships. Below is a brief update from our F.A.N.G. (Flint Area Narcotics Group) Unit.
These cases are excellent examples that show what can be accomplished by working together and sharing resources.

Burton-FANG was contacted by Burton Police Department to assist in the surveillance of a bank robbery suspect. Late in the afternoon the Burton Tactical Squad executed a search warrant and arrested the suspect. He is believed responsible for the robbery of (2) banks in Burton as well as a Rite-Aid.

Davison Township-FANG was contacted by LAWNET who provided information of a Hydroponics marijuana grow operation in the township. A search warrant was executed by both FANG and LAWNET that resulted in the seizure of marijuana plants and grow equipment.

Clayton Twp- FANG was contacted by Clayton Township Police Department and was requested to attempt to locate and arrest a suspect wanted on felony warrants by Clayton Twp. One of the reasons the suspect was wanted was for committing a home invasion where he severely assaulted an elderly man. FANG officers arrested the suspect after a brief foot pursuit Thursday evening.

These are just a handful of items that don’t always find their way to the public, but you should know this unit and others are having success on your behalf.

Only being back 2 days from Cambridge this question is the first one asked.

The simple answer is draining. Mentally, for the past 20 days we were pushed to think outside our comfort zones. The part I enjoyed was the mental sparing between classmates and professors. When you spoke you better know why you believe or think a certain way.

The KSG @ Harvard did not give the normal tool box type things to take back home and implement. We used case studies, real live situations to look at how public policy is developed and implemented. We used history and tore it apart to examine the good, the bad and the ugly of public life and decisions that create public value.

I hope to Blog more on this experience soon, but what really impressed me about my Harvard experience was 4 items (and none of them should be shocking). In reverse order:

4. The passion for public service that was represented in our class of 80 people from around the world.

3. The strength of the “Davison Team” back home. One of the issues that concerned city council before leaving was the day to day operations with the manager being gone for three weeks. We have a lot of projects going for a city our size and there really never is a good time to be gone for such a time period when you have a community moving forward. The combination of confidant department heads and trained professionals at all levels is hard to beat, and they just proved that.

2. How much I missed my wife and kids.

1. What a beautiful, strong, and resilient my wife Jennifer is. One night, while I was away, we had a water line break in the middle of the night, in our upstairs bathroom. When Jennifer awoke the next morning she was greeted with drywall hanging down in our kitchen and water damage on the three levels of our home. With me gone she had to deal with the issues of our girls, the clean-up, the insurance, etc… (I would like to thank our neighbors who pitched in and helped in every way they could). And still keep her sanity.

So, now we are in the home repair stages and I am catching up to speed with everything I can, at the office and at the home front. I hope you enjoyed the staff’s blog while I was away. It was an opportunity to learn about some different aspects of life in the City of Davison.

Code Enforcement
By: Jeff Sears, Code Enforcement Officer

Its hard to believe it has been over a year since I have taken the reigns of code enforcement activities in the City of Davison. It has been a very good experience and has allowed me to be behind the scenes more than ever seeing exactly how municipalities are ran. The best part of this job is being able to interact with the citizens all the time, some whom I have already met in my tenure in the Davison Regional Park.

Since July of 2006, the Code Enforcement office has sought and resolved over 250 cases. This huge number is an accomplishment which would never have been possible if it was not for the citizens of Davison. Through your cooperation and willingness to work with me, we have improved and maintained a beautiful and safe community.

As I get closer and closer to my degree in public administration, I can only wish to someday have a larger part in the operation and management of this City. I would just like to say good job and keep up the good work to all those who strive to keep their properties and other properties eye-appealing and to those who work hard to keep this community a great place to live.

I would also like to mention the person who once inspired my career goals. Scott Yaklin was a great person to work for. Even though I only knew him a short period of time, I saw his excellent management skills and the wealth of knowledge he brought to the City of Davison. He was a huge part in my decision to change majors from electrical engineering to public administration. We all miss Scott very much and I can only hope to be half the public servant he once was.

Have a safe and fun summer!

Kid’s Day at Farmer’s Market Friday, July 27, 2007
By Leigh Gauthier, Community Development Department

This Friday will be deemed “Kid’s Day” at the Farmer’s Market!! Besides our great weekly vendors, we will have the phenomenal duo Double Take as our entertainment, and we will also have Kim Thomas there to provide glitter tattoos and face painting. Miss Davison will be on hand to help with a variety of handmade crafts fun activities for the kids to do all day long, and there will also be a Ground Water Model display on hand for kids to learn about. So parents, bring your kids down to the Davison Farmer’s Market this week for some great food, entertainment and activities, and don’t forget to pick up something for yourself from many of our spectacular vendors!

THANK YOU
By: Andrea Schroeder-Clerk

On behalf of the City of Davison and Madden’s Lounge we would like to thank all of the great volleyball teams and volunteers that participated in the Sand Storm Volleyball Tournament on Saturday July 21, 2007 at Madden’s Lounge. The City of Davison would like to give special thank you to Doug and Marty Madden for hosting the tournament and to Scott Taggart and Joe Laurencelle for running the tournament.

We are proud to announce that $1,346.00 was raised in efforts to build a Splash Park in Abernathy Regional Park. These efforts to raise funds will be on going. Anyone interested in more information regarding the Splash Park, hosting an event or making a donation, please call the staff at the City of Davison 810-653-2191.

R & R

While everyone has been working hard at City Hall, I’ve been on a little R & R with the hubby and two dogs. We got the crazy idea to buy a motor home and try the RV life. We have never experienced this kind of living before, but found out in two weeks that we love it. We headed up to the beautiful city of Traverse City. What a breathtaking area to visit in the summer. Of course, there was the hustle and bustle of the Cherry Festival, but we just joined in. We also took a trip to Sutton’s Bay, Charlevoix and Petoskey - all cities you must visit if you haven’t already. We are so fortunate to have such beautiful places here in Michigan.

Camping in an RV for the first time was a challenge - learning all the ins and outs of the mechanical aspect of the “rig” was an experience, but all went well, especially with the many RV veterans that offered their help. We found that people in an RV park are the friendliest ever. The air conditioning worked and water came out of the pipes. What more could you ask for? Our experience was a good one and we are looking forward to the next trip. Did I mention that Molly and Maggie loved it too? I’d say they got way too much attention. Dogs seem to be a real hit at RV parks.

I’m back at the job now, all refreshed (but of course missing the view of the bay) and it looks like everyone here pitched in and kept my desk afloat, which was appreciated more than they can imagine. This time of the year the Building, Code Enforcement, Assessing and Water Departments are super busy, but with the competent staff we are fortunate to have, you never have to worry.

There is truth to the saying, “everyone needs a little
R & R”.

By : JoAnn McGovern
Building Department Coordinator

Importance of Voting
By: Beth Holm

We live in a wonderful country where every American citizen can choose who will lead them, federally, at the state level, and locally. It is everyone’s responsibility to voice your personal choice on who should lead.

What elections are important to vote in? All of them! It is just as important to vote the local council elections as it is to vote in the Presidential elections. The city council is responsible for handling the decisions of the city, including the city budget.

In the last city general election in 2005, there was only a 7.6% turnout; in the 2003 city general election there was a still lower 2.59% voter turnout. This is in contrast to the gubernatorial race in 2006 with a 48.6% turnout and the presidential race in 2004 which was 65.25%.

Every election should have as great of a turnout as the presidential election of 2004. Everyone should exercise their right to vote in every election. All elections affect you, not just the presidential elections every four years.

The clerk’s department is here to register you to vote or you can register at the Secretary of State’s office.

See you at the polls!

I and I Assessments
By: Brian Klaassen, DPW Director

The first phase of the I and I program has begun. The DPW along with the City’s engineering firm, Rowe Incorporated and the pre-qualified contractors L&H Plumping, Steve’s Plumping and Waldorf and Sons Excavating have started to evaluate homes in the Gary Ray subdivision area to locate potential illicit connections to the sanitary sewer system.

The homeowner sets an appointment with DPW and selects a contractor; we show up with the contractor and Rowe’s representative and televise the sewer lead from the house to the main line, usually in the middle of the road. We verify any connections by running water from a sink, bathroom, etc. and make notes. We also show the homeowner the condition and type of material of their sewer line from the house to the main line.

This does a couple of things; one it lets the homeowner know why they are having problems if they have had any, secondly it let’s the homeowner see what the contractor will be doing and why. We encourage any homeowner with questions about the I and I project to call the DPW at
653-6452.

The City of Davison efforts to abandon wells that are no longer in use is well under way. You may have noticed around town that this process has started. This Grant Program through the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality is part of a two year grant process that started for the City of Davison in 2005. The grant is a 75/25 split with the state covering 75 percent of the total cost. Many ask, what makes this a two year grant process compared to many other grants offered through the State of Michigan? The answer is because of the preparation and searching it takes to find these abandoned wells, have the home owners sign onto the program and confirm the location and depths. Once confirmation of the number of wells has been completed the bid process for finding a Certified Well Driller began.

The bid recipient to abandon the wells is Kirklin Well Drilling from Lapeer. He will be abandoning approximately 34 wells within our seven mile Source Water Protection radius, which covers the entire City of Davison, a portion of Davison Township and a smaller portion of Richfield Township. This has been a great cooperative effort with all three units of Government along with Davison Schools, and the Genesee County Health Department to safeguard all drinking water within these areas.

If anyone has a question in regards to Abandon Well Management, Source Water Protection or if you have a well you may want abandon please feel free to contact Andrea at
810-653-2191.

HAPPENINGS IN THE TREASURERS DEPT
By Linda Confer

July is a very busy time for all at City Hall. It’s the beginning of the budget fiscal year and the wrapping up of the last year. During this time we do our daily tasks along with preparing quarterly reports, banking reconciliations, fiscal year end reports. July 1st in this department we have new payroll rates to change along with the deductions and new union contracts to get familiar with. During this time we are also visited by our auditors to gather information for our September audit, its great when we are able to give the info they need so quickly. Of course this is the time our summer taxes have been sent out and we get phone calls regarding them, with our new software it’s great to give out answers so quickly.
One thing about employees at City Hall everyone does pool together to make it all come together in a timely fashion.