ICMA Public Safety Recommendations
On Monday April 19th the City of Petoskey released a report developed by the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) concerning the delivery of public safety services within the City of Petoskey. ICMA examined the operations of the Public Safety Department, and made specific recommendations about how the delivery of safety services to residents of Bay Harbor could be improved.
Specific recommendations included in the report include:
- A second public safety station should be constructed at Mason Road and US-31. The station should incorporate the existing footprint with the ability for future expansion
- Equipment should be deployed between the two stations to meet the staffing availability and call demand.
- A commercial inspection program and rental housing inspection program should be established to take advantage of other positive improvements in the city and safeguard property values.
- Staffing should be configured to deliver school services more effectively as well as to minimize the needs for overtime.
- The use of paid-on-call should be expanded to allow for sufficient resources to fight larger events as well as provide relief for shift duties. The City should also explore opportunities to partner with state colleges. Students are often looking for experience for resumes and Petoskey is a desirable place to gain experience.
- Performance measures should be used and reported to ensure that the high level of service delivery continues and/or improves.
- Utilize Priority Medical Dispatch and work with the ambulance service to deploy using dynamic staffing models versus fixed base.
- Analyze response and deployment methodology to create an Integrated Risk Management Plan for the entire community, moving from a focus on property to a focus on people.
A complete copy of ICMA's report is available on the City of Petoskey's website.
Bonds Issued for Bear River & Marina
On Monday April 19th the City of Petoskey's Building Authority issued $3.9 million in bonds to fund improvements in the Bear River Recreation Area and the City's marina. The average interest rate for the bonds, which will be amortized over twenty years, was 4.468437%. Bonds will be repaid via a combination of proceeds from the City's waterfront tax increment financing (TIF) district and marina revenues. In addition, $822,000 in State grant funding will assist with the cost of marina improvements.
Read More
April 19th City Council Meeting
On Monday April 19, 2010 City Council:
(1) Authorized the purchase of a latest production four-wheel-drive, Ford Expedition, from Gorno Ford, Woodhaven, MI, under the Mi-Deal Purchasing Contract at a cost not to exceed $26,599.00;
(2) Authorized a storm sewer system cleaning contract with Pollution Control Services, Inc., Kalkaska, MI, for $34.00 per inlet and manhole in 2010, $35.00 in 2011, and $36.00 in 2012;
(3) The City Manager gave updates on upcoming meetings:
- April 28th special-session City Council meeting regarding the possible acceptance of leachate at the City's wastewater treatment plant
- May 24th work session with representatives from NLEA to discuss economic development policies
- June 28th meeting with representatives from MDOT and the Bay Harbor Community Council regarding US-31 safety issues
Read More
Library Board Meets
At their April 22 meeting, the Library Board passed a revised 2010 budget and voted to use the interest available to them from the Library’s Community Foundation account. There was also discussion of the District Library Committee and a presentation from an individual from Boyne Falls regarding materials he finds objectionable.
