Tag Archives: Wyoming Public Works Department

Poster contest, street sweeper, bucket truck; some highlights from Wyoming Public Works Open House

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Lillian Reiner

By Lillian Reiner
WKTV Contributor
greer@wktv.org

Wyoming street sweeper Carlos Ochoa was eager to share with the community about the 1,500 miles of streets he’s responsible for cleaning at the recent 15th Annual Public Works Open House last Monday.


Ochoa also talked about the valuables such as wallets and phones that he often picks up and returns to their owners. 



Carlos Ochoa speaking with guests about the street sweeper. (WKTV/Lillian Reiner)


Attendees could explore a street sweeper, hydro excavator, sewer cleaner, bucket truck, plow, sign truck, and motor grader just to name a few. Beyond learning about the vehicles, families could enjoy a free hot dog and play games, as well as interactive demonstrations about stormwater runoff,  maintaining sink and toilet pipes, and how to recycle old household products and gas that many do not know where to dispose. 

“This is a great community event for families and anybody really, that’s interested in what we do and the services that we provide as a city,” said Jay VanDyke, Assistant Director of Wyoming Public Works. “Out of this garage we do water, sewer, and street infrastructure maintenance, as well as managing traffic signals, including the engineering components of those kinds of things.” 

The Public Works Department is responsible for the construction, maintenance, and repairs of streets, sidewalks, waterlines, sewer systems, traffic signals and signs, and city vehicles and equipment. 

Work Zone Safety Poster Contest

Third graders from around Kent County received awards for the caution signs they designed at the Open House. In the 10th annual Work Zone Safety Poster Contest, students were tasked with creating a caution sign showcasing safety tips for motorists approaching a work zone, including no distractions, obeying flaggers and signs, and slow down/move over.



The third-grade semifinalists and finalists display their creations from the Work Zone Safety Poster Contest with Steve Roon (back left) and Jay VanDyke (back right). (WKTV/Lillian Reiner)


Steve Roon, Director of Maintenance and Local Road Construction at Kent County Road Commission, shared that this contest encourages students to think back to what they’ve learned about road safety and to be more aware of the signs when they’re driving through work zones that are full of them.The Wyoming Public Works Department has hosted the open house for 15 years, allowing community members the rare opportunity to explore and learn about the vehicles and people they see maintaining their roads and waterways everyday.

“You can look around and see hundreds of kids running around, really getting to see what we do many times for a brief second as we go by following snow or fixing a water main that’s broken in the front yard and causing a hardship,” Roon said. “They can see us maybe as community members, drivers, operators, and see what we do everyday,” 

Wyoming residents Holly and Ryder Waldenmeyer saw the signs for the open house while driving by and decided to stop in and learn more.


Holly and Ryder Waldenmeyer. (WKTV/Lillian Reiner)


“Ryder is super interested in water towers, roadwork, and construction vehicles, so this was a perfect learning opportunity for him, and we thought it would be really fun to explore and see all the vehicles,” Holly said. For Ryder, the highlight of the night was being able to go inside all of the equipment that he’s never been in before.”


The bucket truck that is often used for traffic signal maintenance. (WKTV/Lillian Reiner)


This year’s National Public Works Week ran from May 17-23, with the theme “Rooted in service, powered by community,” highlighting the important role that Public Works personnel play in their local communities.

City of Wyoming Snowplowing Guide; Public Works crew staying busy

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, Kent County, Weather, West Michigan,
City of Wyoming Public Works crew is busy, busy, busy.


By WKTV Staff
greer@wktv.org

The City of Wyoming has approximately 250 miles or 600 lane-miles of streets. The most efficient way to manage snow and ice removal on these streets is to prioritize the streets according to their use.

First Priority: These are the major streets which carry the most traffic and have the highest speed limits. They are plowed and salted frequently so as to keep them as snow and ice free as possible.

Second Priority: These are the collector streets which have lower traffic volumes and lower speed limits. They are dispersed throughout residential neighborhoods such that everyone is within a reasonable distance from either a first or second priority street. These streets are plowed and spot-salted regularly but not as often as the major streets.

Third Priority: These are the remaining residential streets and culs-de-sac. They are plowed when the snow depth reached four inches, either from a storm event or snow accumulation. Our goal is to complete the plowing of all streets within 24-hours of a four-inch or greater storm.



Odd-Even Winter Parking Restrictions

Help keep our streets clear of snow this winter and avoid parking tickets by following the odd-even parking ordinance! The ordinance – in effect Dec. 1 through March 31 – requires people to alternate the side of the street they park on between 12 a.m. and 6 p.m. That’s so plows can keep both sides of the street clear of snow. It helps to keep roadways clear and accessible for you, snowplows, and emergency vehicles during the winter. Odd-even parking fines are $30 per violation received. 

Odd-Even Parking at a Glance

No Parking Signs: Regardless of odd-even status, parking is never permitted in designated “No Parking” zones.

Helpful Tip: Between 6 p.m. and 12 a.m., make sure to move your vehicle to the side of the road matching the next day’s date.

Dates and Times: No parking on alternating sides of the street from midnight to 6 p.m., December 1 until March 31.

Snow or No Snow: This ordinance is enforceable even when there is no snow.

Odd Dates: On odd dates, park on the side of the street with odd addresses – those that end with 1, 3, 5, 7, or 9.

Even Dates: On even dates, park on the side of the street with even addresses – those that end with 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8.

Cul-De-Sacs: In a cul-de-sac, you may only park on the street on even-numbered calendar days.

Travelers are asked to avoid 32nd Street due to train derailment

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On Feb. 20, at approximately 9:31 p.m., officers and firefighters from the Wyoming Department of Public Safety responded to a train derailment which occurred underneath the 28th Street overpass just east of US-131. Two engines pulling the northbound train overturned when they reached a section of track that had been washed out due to recent heavy rain combined with snow melt. Emergency personnel rendered aid to two railroad employees who were injured as a result of the derailment. One patient was subsequently transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

 

The derailment resulted in an unknown amount of fuel being spilled from the engine. Emergency crews worked with Young’s Environmental Cleanup Inc. and Wyoming Public Works personnel to contain and mitigate the spill. No other chemicals or cargo spilled and there were no hazardous materials being carried in the train cars. The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and the Department of Natural Resources were notified.

 

This incident resulted in 28th Street and 32nd Street being shut down overnight. 28th Street has reopened, however, 32nd Street remains closed at this time. It will remain closed until the train can be moved later today. The incident is still under investigation and the public is being asked to avoid the area.

Retired City of Wyoming dump truck sees new life as crash attenuator

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A former City of Wyoming dump truck has found new life as a crash attenuator vehicle for the City’s Public Safety Department – Fire Division. The refurbished attenuator, which would have cost $127,000 if purchased new, was built by City staff for less than half the cost.

 

The crash attenuator is a safety device that reduces the damage to structures, vehicles and motorists resulting from a motor vehicle collision. It is also designed to redirect vehicles away from hazards on the road. In the event of a crash or emergency situation on a roadway, the attenuator will be set up to protect the scene from passersby, thereby ensuring safety for public safety officials, emergency technicians, pedestrians and victims. The vehicle will also be used by the Public Works Department staff while performing repairs on major streets, protecting both staff and equipment.  This type of vehicle has not been a part of the City’s fleet in the past.

 

Prior to its transformation, the crash attenuator truck was used as a dump truck by the City’s Public Works Department. For over 15 years the dump truck hauled debris, assisted in water and sewer emergencies and plowed roads. When it became apparent that its usefulness was coming to an end, staff proposed the transition to a crash attenuator rather than sending the vehicle to auction. Thanks to a $20,000 grant from the Michigan Municipal Risk Management Authority (MMRMA), the vision quickly became reality.

 

“The safety of our staff is paramount, but the high price of equipment can be a constraint,” said City Manager Curtis Holt. “We’re fortunate to have a team of smart, visionary people who are constantly coming up with innovative, cost-effective solutions. The grant funding from MMRMA was also integral to making this happen, and we’re grateful for their support.”

 

Ted Seil, fleet supervisor for the City of Wyoming, led the project and oversaw the truck’s transformation. “Converting the dump truck into a new use was a unique project for the fleet services technicians. We’re pleased with the results and the cost-savings, and we’re happy to know our colleagues will be safe out on the road when responding to emergencies.”

 

Since the completion of the attenuator truck, it has been used six times. In each case Wyoming public safety officials and staff have remained safe while responding to emergency situations.

WKTV Journal: Local election, leaf disposal, and ‘Willy Wonka’

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The 2017 elections have come and gone with Kentwood residents re-electing Stephen Kepley to a second term as mayor and Emily Bridson as the new First Ward City Commissioner. The rest of the Kentwood City positions, including newcomer Tom McKelvey as Second Ward City Commissioner, were unopposed. Also both The Rapid’s and the Wyoming Public School’s millage proposals were approved. Passage of The Rapid millage means continuing bus service in both the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood. The Wyoming Public School’s millage will allow the district to invest $79.5 million in infrastructure over the next two decades. Fall has arrived and the big question on everyone’s mind now is what to do with all those leaves.

 

If you live in the City of Wyoming, you have a number of options for disposing of leaves and other yard waste materials. One is curbside pick up with takes places Dec. 2 in the City of Wyoming. All items must be placed in paper bags and be out by 6 a.m.

 

We are quickly moving into the holidays which are full of many sweet delights. One of those cooking up something tasty is Wyoming’s Master Arts Theatre. The company has partnered with the Van Singel Fine Arts Center to present “Willy Wonka the Musical,” which will run Nov. 30 – Dec. 2. Visit www.vsfac.com for more information.

 

And another holiday favorite is the annual Santa Parade hosted by the Wyoming Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce. This year’s parade will be Dec. 2 starting at 10 a.m. on South Division Avenue from 34th Street to Murray Street. Santa will be available for pictures at Brann’s Sizzlin’ Steaks & Sports Grill at 4132 S. Division.

 

Other annual holiday events are Wyoming Gives Back set for Dec. 7 at the Rogers Plaza Mall; the Kentwood Tree Lighting Ceremony set for Dec. 8 at the Kentwood Richard L. Root Library and Wyoming’s Great Candy Cane Hunt set for Dec. 9 at the Wyoming Department of Public Safety.

 

WKTV Journal’s newscast premiers biweekly on Monday at 8 p.m., and then is broadcast at various times and dates on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 25 and 26, and on AT&T Channel 99 Community channel.  Stay connected to your community by visiting wktvjournal.org.