City of Davison, Michigan

There have been some inquires on how the search is going for the next Davison City Manager. The city council placed a committee in charge of the process and things are moving forward nicely.

The committee met with a few consultants and made a recommendation at the last workshop to use the Michigan Municipal League (MML) services to help us through this process.

The city council had a workshop on last Saturday to ensure of the proper job description and then to develop criteria for the search to begin. For those inquiring blog minds here is a draft of the posting that may appear.

City Manager – The City of Davison, MI, is accepting applications for City Manager. Salary: $65,000 – $80,000 DOQ/E, plus comprehensive benefit package, including pension. Davison offers small town values and commitment to economic and community development. Davison has well-maintained residential neighborhoods, downtown business district and new commercial developments. Manager is City’s chief administrative officer (CAO), personnel director and purchasing officer, reports directly to City Council. Supervises all personnel and responsible for all City operations. Qualifications: (1) Four-year degree in political science, public administration, or closely related field required; MPA or relevant graduate degree preferred, (2) Three years local government management experience as CAO or assistant CAO required; five years such experience preferred; an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered. Expertise in following operational public management areas required: personnel and benefit administration; collective bargaining and labor relations; budget/finance/capital improvement planning; land use planning; community/economic development; and multi-jurisdictional shared services. Substantial, actual experience in listed operational areas is preferred. Must have strong financial management skills; demonstrated leadership; succession planning, and staff training and development ability; and superior written and verbal communication skills. Must be prepared to make a multi-year commitment to Davison community. Submit letter of application and resume detailing how you meet the above qualifications, and list of three employment-related references with contact names and current phone number to Bill Richards, 23600 Liberty Street, Farmington, MI 48335. City Council intends to conduct initial interviews on Saturday, January 05, 2008 from complete applications received by Monday, December 10, 2007.

The final touches are being reviewed as we speak. The consulting service of the MML is very good. City Council members and staff were impressed will Bill Richards knowledge and experience in placing high level executives.

This process can take 3 or so months. It may seem like a long time but there is much work to be done in the next few months to ensure a smooth transition.

I was directed to a blog coach’s blog that I do not know because he references our blog here.

The website is mycapitalweb.com and he post mostly on what he observes on blogs and how to improve communications. It is amazing how blogs add a new realm of communication to our existence. In a simple way, I will relate it to learning in school for me.

If I were growing up today, I probably would probably have some initials after my name in every school I went too. No, not MD, or PhD… More like ADD, or something similar, I think what they used to call me was “hyperactive”.

It wasn’t until later that I figured out why school was so hard for me. People learn in different ways. Some people can be told something and then go repeat a task, others can read about something then perform it, and yet there are others who work better if someone actually shows them how to do the task. Yet another category is those who actually have to perform the task to learn it. In most of the schools I went to, they only taught one way.

It is easy to see now why certain kids learn easier in some school settings. If teachers are only teaching one way, those students apt to learn that one way will excel, others will have a harder time.

How does this relate to Blogs?

Blogs are just another way to communicate. Communication, like learning, is different for different people. Some people love the internet, quick information right now. Yet other would want to hear it verbal, or see much documentation etc…

We all use different filters when communicating. Some of these filters are probably genetic, other created by our environments. I guess I just understand that the blog is a tool that some people get and others might not understand.

This is why we continue to get the city’s story out using several modes of communications (including but not limited to the blog).

We also encourage people to get the information they need from several sources. This helps people get a truer picture.

We offer this blog as just one of those sources of information that may help people understand what is going on in Davison.

Someone recently inquired if I am not going to blog now that I’m a lame duck? Now, as city manager I’ve been called a lot of things, but never a duck.

Actually things are very busy in the city manager’s office, and my next two months look like they will be very busy as we gear up for the next transition.

The Davison City Council acted very quickly and placed a Transition Team in place to help guide the City Council through the search for the next City Manager.

This team is comprised of council members Keith Flewelling (Chair), Joy Murray, Ron Emery and myself as the gofor (as in go for this, go for that etc…). The council picked these council members after some deliberation; you see none of the three are up for re-election in November.

The committee has met a few times. They are working on my exit agreement, the process to select the next manager, and insuring “all the projects are done before I leave”.

The last one is the toughest one because all of the projects are never done in a city. The process of improving public value is a journey not a destination.

We have several projects on going. The disconnection program is well into swing with our first two residential areas almost complete. The water tower repainting is in it’s final stages. The Community Development Block Grant Program (residential sidewalk replacement) is in the final block. The Streetscape Program (downtown) is about half way completed. Today the Flint Street resurfacing project started and is underway, with traffic down to two lanes (I recommend alternate routes for the next few weeks); all the businesses are accessible during construction.

We are also still working on an agreement with DCER and IMA to spell out how the ball fields will be run in the future. The Fire Department is exploring options on updating our agreement. The Splash Park is still gearing up to make a splash in Abernathy Regional Park, and there is a group still working to acquire more park land to increase the amount of recreation we can offer.

As you can see there is still a lot to do in the next few months.

What a weekend in Davison, Michigan.

We had great weather for our Do-Da parade Friday night and a great turnout also. The Davison High School Football team also was very successful on the gridiron.

Again, Saturday Mother Nature cooperated giving us great weather for the Pumpkin Festival. Crowds were good and by 5:00 pm. All the food vendors had sold out of food (hopefully very profitable for our non-for-profit groups).

According to the preliminary calculations of wristband sales, we had about 700 more kids participate this year than last year, truly a gage of this events draw. Thousands of people were able to enjoy our hometown tradition.

The Fire Department Open House was also a success with the extraction demonstration (“Jaws of Life” ripping into a car). The largest complaint I heard was about the distance between downtown and the fire hall. Maybe we can work on this for next year.

Yes, the pumpkin did splat after diving off of a 102 feet platform to the cheers of children of all ages.

And for those who didn’t make it downtown thanks for cheering on the Spartans of Michigan State University and the University of Michigan Wolverines to their homecoming victories.

I even got a couple of honey do things off my list…Ah what a victorious weekend it was.

Thank you for all the nice comments. Since Auburn Hills has made their intent known and we are working towards the process of changing out administrations I have been inundated with nice comments and well wishes. One comment that was interesting was “please pass on your positive out look on life to the next city manager.”

Our staff has heard me say before that I believe life is all about choices. It is not that we are put in difficult or challenging situations that make someone stand out. It is how you choose to react to situations that make you stand out.

Some people think I am crazy but I think you choose how people affect your mood. You choose to be in a good mood or bad mood. The bottom line: It’s your choice how you live your life.

Someone who heard me speak on this, related a story about someone named Michael who had a similar outlook.

Michael was involved in a serious accident, falling some 60 feet from a communications tower. After 18 hours of surgery and weeks of intensive care, Michael was released from the hospital with rods placed in his back.

About six months after the accident, he was asked how he was, he replied, “If I were any better, I’d be twins Want to see my scars?”

When asked what had gone through his mind as the accident took place.

“The first thing that went through my mind was the well-being of my soon-to-be born daughter,” Michael replied. “Then, as I lay on the ground, I remembered that I had two choices: I could choose to live or…I could choose to die. I chose to live.”

He was asked “Weren’t you scared? Did you lose consciousness?”

Michael continued, “..the paramedics were great. They kept telling me I was going to be fine. But when they wheeled me into the ER and I saw the expressions on the faces of the doctors and nurses, I got really scared. In their eyes, I read ‘he’s a dead man’. I knew I needed to take action.”

He was prodded some more “What did you do?”

“Well, there was a big burly nurse shouting questions at me,” said Michael. “She asked if I was allergic to anything. ‘Yes, I replied.’ The doctors and nurses stopped working as they waited for my reply. I took a deep breath and yelled, ‘Gravity’.”

Over their laughter, I told them, “I am choosing to live. Operate on me as if I am alive, not dead.”

Michael lived, thanks to the skill of his doctors, but also because of his amazing attitude.

If attitude isn’t everything, it surely helps everything. I don’t spend a lot of time worrying about things that I can’t control and attempt to have a positive impact on those things I can influence. Thanks again for the great words of encouragement.

Find out this Friday as Davison holds its annual DoDa Parade and Pageant. The parade actually kicks off the beginning of our Pumpkin Fest. This fall festival has become a favorite rite of the autumn season for many in the area.

Friday night the street is cleared for one of the zaniest parades you will ever see. This starts at the fire hall and goes toward downtown at 6:00 pm. At 7:00 pm you get a chance to see the weirdest talent/beauty contest ever under the big tent at the corner of Main and Second Street.

On Saturday, there is something for everyone. Starting at 7:00 am and running until 5:30 pm when we have the annual Pumpkin Drop (from over 100 feet in the air).

My 4 year old daughter is attempting to talk me into riding the mechanical Bull again, she does not understand that is not a sight most people want to see.

You can check out the entire schedule on our web page.

Don’t forget about the Fire Department’s Open House on Saturday. The department has all types of things scheduled between noon and 4:00 pm. If you have kids or grandchildren, they love the fire fighters and all the big trucks, tools and gear.

Life offers many challenges and I have been fortunate to have the opportunity to accept many challenges.

Today 7 years ago, I accepted the responsibility to become one of only three people to be Davison’s City Manager (or superintendent as it use to be called). The City Council that hired me stated they were worried that I would just stay two years, build my resume and leave for greener pastures or larger challenges. I remember informing them I had no problem committing to a five-year contract.

Looking back, we have had our challenges over the past six years. Following my predecessor would be tough for anyone. Jack was an institution and very dedicated to the City of Davison, being here 27 years he had a handle on just about everything and people were use to his style. The City Council knew that some things had to change.

People have often asked what my best accomplishment is in Davison. That is a hard question for several reasons. First is never what I did. This is a team that moves Davison forward. From the elected officials who set the policy to the dedicated employees who implement the plans, to the business owners and residents giving input, it takes everyone in concert to move forward.

The second part that makes it hard to define the best accomplishment is that it depends on who you are asking.

An employee might be most proud of the 6.6 million dollars in savings that staff and council came up with over the past six years.

People who enjoy recreation might enjoy the new partnership that was forged between Davison Community Schools, Davison Township, and the City to handle all the areas recreation programming.

People who love nature might highlight the 2-mile trail through Abernathy Regional Park that a group of dedicated volunteers (DART Committee) and the city teamed up with to complete.

The Police Department might highlight the high profile crimes that were solved to maintain our safe community environment. More than one citizen has commented on the “best looking patrol cars in the county.”

People who watch our finances might boast about our Fund Balance being at 1.2 million dollars in 2001 and being at around 1.5 million now. How about the city running on basically the same amount of money in the General Fund as we did six years ago.

On the other hand, maybe they would look at the creative way to finance projects, receive grants and other gifts that have added up to around 11 million dollars.

Planning personnel might look at the revamping of our Commercial Districts to be prepared for future growth (which the city has witnessed in the tune of $15 million worth of new commercial construction in the recent years). Maybe they would point to the five planning documents that were adopted (City Master Plan, M-15 Streetscape, Downtown Blueprints, Parks & Recreation 5 year Plan, or the M-15 Heritage Route non-motorized Route Plan).

A legislative person might point to the 52 Ordinances that we updated to match current State Law or recent Court rulings.

Someone in the DPW might point to the “Michigan Water Utility of the Year” award we just received. As a part of that, our state of the art Skellenger Water Treatment Plant would have to come up, along with our national award winning Well Head Protection Program.

Still others might point to us becoming the first passport acceptance agency outside the U.S. Post Office (located in Flint) in Genesee County.

Technology folks might point the transition to the BS&A municipal software system that allows our programs to interact with each other. Or maybe that almost all city information can be found via the internet.

People close to the city might refer to the way our staff responded to the tragic loss of two Department Heads who died in the same year and left us way too early.

If you like Federal or State mandates you might be happy that the City met the new Standards for acceptable Arsenic in potable drinking water, or the Inflow and Infiltration Project that is underway.

People who like community events might look at the resurgence of the Farmer’s Market, the ever improving Pumpkin Festival, the tweaking of the Festival of Flags, how about a weekly car cruise that attract hundreds of vehicles per week, outdoor family movies, or if you like parades…

As you can see, the list could get long in a hurry, depending on what you consider to be of public value. As I tell all my Department Heads, “Leave it better than you got it.” And they have worked hard in their departments and as a team to do just that.

I think after completing six years one could say we are leaving the city in good shape. Is it perfect? No, there is always room for improvement.

However, as we end the sixth year we have decided its time for bigger challenges. After much reflection, my wife and I have decided that I am accepting the position of City Manager of the City of Auburn Hills, Michigan. This position will offer me some more challenges professionally and the opportunity to create more public value.

We still have to negotiate a contract and fulfill some other procedural elements and my contract requires 90 days notice to the city council here.

I firmly believe that the City of Davison’s future is as bright as those willing to lead it want it to be or as dim as those who want to hold her back.

Our footing Drain Disconnection Program (aka I/I Program) had a progress report on the first two phases today. The project is moving along well with some great success stories.

The biggest surprise is that from the residents who find how easy it is to work with our staff, Rowe Inc., and the pre-qualified contractors.

After inspections, we have found 28 homes that needed no work at all. We have also been able to add around 10 more homes to the program.

There are about 20 homes lined up to be completed as of today, and an additional 34 property owners who have not contacted us for their inspection. This is important because city council may vote at tonight’s meeting to enforce the sewer ordinance and remove the moratorium that was put in place around February. This would mean that the individual homeowner would be responsible for the repair anytime a sewer permit is pulled.

There were 142 homes in these first 2 phases and the total project encompasses 300 parcels.

Working in local government you get second guessed a lot. There is probably more arm chair quarterbacks on Monday mornings telling us we should have done this, that or the other thing than people complaining about the Detroit Lions…Ok, maybe not.

Anyway, in the City of Davison we spend a lot of time attempting to improve on things. Sometimes it is the little things like phone etiquette, or larger things like changing software programs that save us large amounts of labor hours, which leads to saving a lot of money. Other times its listening to people, discussing issues and working toward solutions.

A case in point: Each City Council, since I have been here, has wanted to look at a rental ordinance. Last year, at City Council’s Goals and Objectives Workshop, the City Council set a goal for an Ordinance to be in Place by January 2007. Planning Commission had the task to work through all the intricacies, legal nuances and local issues to come up with an acceptable Ordinance. Last month the City Council reviewed the Ordinance and we had the county Landlord Association question several areas and the need for such an Ordinance. Monday, City Council holds a Public Hearing on the Ordinance.

What you don’t see is our Community Development Department meeting with the Landlord association members and going line by line through the Ordinance to ensure total understanding of what is being presented and listening to the landlords concerns.

It is those extra steps that help keep those lines of communications open. This does not mean that everyone is always going to agree on every little detail, but at least everyone can understand what the details are.

For those who are interested, in the first week of October we have reached over one million hits for this blog in 2007. Thank you for keeping in touch with what is going on in the community.

I do appreciate all the emails on things discussed here. One of the blog readers forwarded me this inspirational piece of advice that he recommended for refrigerator material (right next to the kids report cards).

It is titled The Bottom Line and I do not know the author.

FACE IT:
Nobody owes you a living.
What you achieve, or fail to achieve in your lifetime, is directly related to what you do, or fail to do.
No one chooses his parents or childhood, but you can choose your own direction.
Everyone has problems and obstacles to overcome but that, too, is relative to each individual.

NOTHING IS CARVED IN STONE

You can change anything in your life if you want badly enough.
Excuses are for losers:
Those who take responsibility for their actions, are the real winners in life.
Winners meet life’s challenges head on, knowing there are no guarantees, and give it all they’ve got.
And never think it’s too late or too early to begin.
Because time plays no favorites, and will pass whether you act or not.

TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR LIFE:
Dare to dream and take risks….COMPETE!
If you aren’t willing to work for your goals, don’t expect others to.

BELIEVE IN YOURSELF!

Maybe we could change our State Motto.

This and other motivational quotes reminded me that I don’t see Negative Inspirational quotes on refrigerators (or where ever you place quotes in your home or office).

That makes me wonder, where do negative people find their inspiration to be even more negative?