During a city council strategy session for 2024 planning, council recapping some of the accomplishments of 2023.  Council members stressed these accomplishments only happened because of the hard work of our talented and skilled team of city staff working in concert with council.  Be sure to ask a council member if you want more detail about any of the summary items.  I’m sure they would be happy to talk with you further about them.

Here is the summary from council’s January 2024 strategy session.

YEAR IN REVIEW – 2023 Highlights

COMMUNITY ENERGY

Approved a request for proposals for services for the completion of a collaborative Community Energy Plan, and contracted consultant Michigan Energy Options to complete the work.

MASTER PLAN UPDATE

Completed 2023 Master Plan update.

FOREST MANAGEMENT

Approved the City’s Forest Management Plan, Sustainability and Energy Commission began fundraising for implementation, and the City helped host the first ever Forest Management Summit.

HDR EDU CONTINUES

Multiple public meetings and town halls were hosted regarding the clean-up efforts on Harbor Island, as sampling results were collected.

EQUIPMENT UPGRADES

Installed new decontamination equipment for Fire Fighter turn out gear.

BODY CAMERAS

Executed the purchase and implementation of body cameras for DPS; now equipped with in-car and body cameras.

REMEDIATION FUNDING

Worked alongside state legislators to receive an allocation of $2.5 million towards remediation efforts.

EARLY VOTING

Approved early voting contract with Ottawa County. working together to save resources and standardizing processes and improving customer service to voters.

CRD CREATED

Established a Commercial Rehabilitation District for the Beechtree Corridor to help incentivize further investment and development.

LAST CLT HOMES SOLD

Sold the remaining few Community Land Trust homes at the Robinson Landing Development. Serving those at or below 80% area median income.

GRANT FUNDING

Leveraged general fund dollars to secure over $7.1 million in local, state, and federal funding for various city projects (in the previous two years).

MI GREEN COMMUNITIES

Achieved Gold Certification in MI Green Communities Challenge and completed a Greenhouse Gas Inventory through the assistance of a Catalyst Leadership Community (CLC) Fellow.

PUBLIC SAFETY TRAINING

Implemented database software for online delivery of training modules to all personnel and revamped training record management.

AMBULANCE CONTRACT

Staff participated in negotiating a contract renewal for ambulance services, after uncertainty with the NOCH hospital transition to Trinity Health.

LEAD SERVICE LINES

Over 330 water service lines were replaced through the lead service line project (over a 1+ year period).

CITY PROPERTY

Evaluated and approved/executed the sale of excess City property including the Diesel Plant and the former Fire Barn.

ECONOMIC INCENTIVE

Drafted an Economic Incentive Policy to help guide decision making and protect City interests; tax base and economic prosperity.

MERS SURPLUS DIVISION

Created a surplus division with Michigan Employees’ Retirement System to bring a strategic overpayment plan to begin reducing the City’s pension liability.