Peter Auger

I love when we get innovative and try something different.

Most people can agree that drunk drivers, particularly those who are repeat offenders, present a serious danger to those on or around the roads in our community.  Because we want a safe community, Auburn Hills Police arrests over 250 drunk or drugged drivers in an average year.

Our process is that we hold them in jail until they are sober and release them on bond with directions to appear in court later. There is always a certain faction that “forgets” to appear and usually continues to drive and often repeat the same behavior that got them into trouble in the first place.   A “bench” warrant is issued for their arrest where the judge orders the police to bring the person before the court.  We look for these people but they often have moved or do other things to avoid being arrested again.

Knowing that many people no longer read print newspapers (and use technology like this blog for information) or even watch television newscasts, Judge Julie Nicholson of the 52-3^rd District Court (the court which serves Auburn Hills) had a new idea and has developed a new program on the Court’s website seeking the public’s help in locating persons wanted on bench warrants from the 52^nd-3^rd District Court.  The Court selected 20 of our outstanding drunk driving warrants and posted pictures and information about these people on YouTube with an introduction by Judge Nicholson.  The public is being asked to give information on the whereabouts of these persons.

The link can be found at:  www.oakgov.com/dc52div3/most_wanted

If you know where any of these people can be found, call our Police Department at 248.370.9444.

Using the technology we have available to be more efficient, what a concept.

We are in July, six months into the year and celebrating my sixth month as the Auburn Hills city manager.

Time sure flies when you are learning an organization’s culture and operation. Over the last six months, I have had the opportunity to attend about 30 local events; sorry if I missed yours, maybe in the next six months I will see you at one of these public affairs. Also during this time, I have met with about 65 business leaders and influential people in and around our community.

I also get the honor to meet some of our team members who do the work that adds public value to our lives. Once a month I meet with 8 to 12 of our team to let them get to know me, for me to meet them, and to offer a glimpse of what is possible in the future. To date I have met about 45 of these valuable assets. These meetings are in addition to weekly department head meetings and a weekly senior management meeting.

I have met with City Council at three different workshops to define what their Strategic Goals are into the future. We also worked with each Department to lay out Objectives to accomplish in the next budget year that will get us closer to the City Council’s Goals.

Probably the only “major change” is we established Auburn Hills University (AHU) which the first class of a dozen employees is in the process of going through. This endeavor will allow employees to learn some two dozen different operation aspects of our local government which we are expecting to make them more valuable to the entire operation.

Blog wise, how have we done?

If I were grading myself, I would say about a “B”. We have been consistent getting blogs out (4 to 5 per week). I would like to establish more links so people can do more research on issues if they choose. I would also like to get more photos out there, “a picture is worth a thousand words” and a lot easier to look at.

I would like to hear what others think. What information or operations would people like to read about?

By the numbers, we are doing okay, but would love to see and increase here also. In the first six months, we have had 91,612 hits. This basically breaks down to just under six thousand visitors viewing 49,000 pages.  We are averaging about a thousand visits a month and on average, eight to ten thousand pages are being viewed. By the end of the year, I would like to see 300,000 hits, so share this blog with others (okay shameless plug).

However, the biggest reward for me is the week I was gone and the comments I received about our fabulous guest bloggers.

So that is it for midyear, time sure flies, I cannot wait to report on the entire first year.

As we approach our countries “Independence Day“, can we stop and take some pride in what the people who have gone before us have accomplished with their arrogance and stubborn insistence to be independent from how other forms of governance worked.

Think about that great step in human history where people were allowed to govern themselves. Our founding documents were not made to constrain or rule people; they were formed to control and constrain the government. A true role reversal.

This came back to me recently at several different events and conversations with people, who are living overseas, are going back overseas and who have moved here.

A common theme in these conversations (which were driven by them, not me) was the fact that we, as American’s, are blind to how well we have it, and they are all concerned that we may lose our independent arrogance and the world will be a worse place for it.

This is one of those WOW moments for me. Different conversations from different people (life styles, background, income, race and nationalities) same conclusions.

A conversation over dinner with five people from England: I, being curious, am always asking probing questions to figure what makes people tick. Two of the five were heading back “home” after a work “tour” in the US. They were sad to leave for several reasons. One, the friends and acquaintances’ they had made while here. Second, is the cost and variety of things to purchase. They actually were on a spending spree prior to dinner and “maxed” out their credit cards purchasing things to ship back overseas. You see, we can buy anything at almost any time here. The choices we have astound those from abroad. Another dinner mate chimed in, “but things are cheaper overseas than here.” On the contrary, almost everything is more expensive overseas and almost everything is taxed much higher there. Thirdly, the freedom to be what you want in life.

Communication with American Friends who were transferred to Europe: You don’t get to choose your diet unless you are very wealthy, what is at the store makes your diet for that week. The price of some common staples over there makes it almost prohibitive, and the quality of the product is subpar and needs a lot of “spicing up”.  From what I understand, they really miss their friends and family, but they also realize they miss the freedom to eat what they want when they want.

Speaking with Business Operations manager running a foreign company here:  It is much better doing business in America, very concerned with more involvement of the government setting prices, wages, and other labor related issues. The ability to fire someone for not performing is not an option in some places overseas. Mandatory maximum 35-hour workweeks and monthly “holiday” (vacations) have hampered productivity and driven up cost of products, which is having the opposite effect intended. Companies are not allowed to fail. What? I was told that is a slight exaggeration, but if a company is going down it gets some sort of propping up by subsidy. I did not fully grasp the entire concept until it was explained what they like about America. You are allowed the freedom to succeed or fail on your own merits. The quality of the idea or product wins out.

And finally, as I was pulling into work this morning I heard on the radio (don’t even know the station or people talking, I usually flip the dials) a sports interview with a member of the NY Giants. The interviewer was interviewing a defensive player who had an interesting path to the NFL. At the age of 15 he moved to Alabama from Africa. Wow, said the interviewer that had to be a shocker, from Africa to Alabama (to hear the interview I had the impression that the interviewer was insinuating some negative racial stereotype of our southern heritage). The interviewee said, almost offended, There was no culture shock in Alabama, you have so much freedom over here and you can excel at whatever you choose, not so in Africa. The interviewer had a pregnant pause, and then switched topics.

Different scenarios, different people, different cultures, but because of what some radicals did some 232 years ago we all have the freedom to be what/who we want. I hope everyone has a great 4^th of July this year, and take a moment to count our blessings.

Last night was the annual Taste of Auburn Hills which is held in our Village Center area. Even with a brief storm front that came through it looked like everyone enjoyed the evening. If you’ve never been, this is an event you might want to put on your calendar for next year (or just circle it on the city calendar you receive).

There were about 20 local restaurants that had a variety of different foods. Definitely something for everyone.  In Riverside Park there were many craft vendors and inflatable’s for the kids. Then you add to it the live entertainment with clowns and live music and it’s a nice evening.

It’s not too late!

Tonight there is an ice cream social and skate board competition. The crafters are still there. There is a pet parade, a Frisbee dog demonstration, teen battle of the bands, other live entertainment and you can grab a bite to eat at some of our village area restaurants.

Then Saturday come to the first annual “By the River” car show from 8:00am to 3:00 pm. Talk about a great venue to stroll around and look at classic and other neat rides. There will be a DJ spinning records (Do the really call it spinning records anymore?). Then add in the door prizes and you have a great day planned for Saturday too.

Hope to see you down by the river.

Yes another golf blog. I’ve added some interesting golf quotes through this blog for us hacks.

“Every time a golfer makes a birdie, he must subsequently make two triple bogeys to restore the fundamental equilibrium of the universe.”

This is really just an update on the Buick Open Qualifier that we hosted at our Fieldstone Golf Club.

Monday was grand finale with Buick Open Qualifier.  It is always fun to find what “others” or “outsiders” think of our course and operations. And in this case, it is golf professionals.

Results are in and all players 100% satisfaction.  Well maybe not all satisfied with their scores, but the golf course was in perfect condition and extremely well received.   Many say it is best public golf course they play at all year.  Many of these folks are touring professionals. 

“Since bad shots come in groups of three, a fourth bad shot is actually the beginning of the next group of three.”

There was a new course record shot today by PGA Tour Professional - Craig Barlow………63. (I can do that in 9). The last record was set last year at 64.  Scores keep getting lower………..they all hit the ball a country mile. 

Other notables Len Mattice shot a 69.  There was a 65, 66 & two 67’s that played off for last slot to advance to Warwick.  Hopefully, some will make the cut this year. 

“It’s not a gimme if you’re still away.”

No rest for the Fieldstone team, next we are hosting the Michigan Junior Am Qualifier.

“The less skilled the player, the more likely he is to share his ideas about the golf swing.”

A resident requested that I give a brief update of the village Center’s Blue Ribbon Committee findings.

As short and sweet as I can here is what the committee came up with. There were three options presented to the stakeholders at our last public meeting. This meeting was very well attended by all the different types of stakeholders (residents, business owners, property owners etc…)

1. The city should step back and do nothing.

2. The businesses should let the government take over the management of the Village Center.

3. The businesses and the city should work together to enhance the Village Center.

All in attendance preferred the third option. In addition, there was discussion on utilizing a Downtown Development Authority (DDA).

The following is where the stakeholder’s reached consensus:

• Have the city expand the DDA and enlarge the Village Center area.
• Have the city initiate a Market Research study.
• The Village Center needs an identity; what type of image does it present? - maybe a slogan.
• Need to advertise the Village Center; due to money constraints, the businesses could use cluster marketing and advertising.
• Need to capitalize on the colleges and high schools in our area.
• Determine if the Village Center has an anchor store or does one need to be created.
• Build on the success of local events to bring in street traffic and customers - as future customers.
• Need some type of entertainment business in the Village Center.
• Retain the businesses already in the Village Center.
• Check into some type of incentive to fill the vacant buildings in the downtown area.
• Utilize our parks to help draw customers to the area.
• Look into specialty shops to make the Village Center a unique place.
• Use signs to advertise and draw attention to the stores in the Village Center.
• Targeting the young, professionals to shop in the Village Center.
• Utilize our diverse community, with all our international companies as an incentive.
• Utilize the Chamber of Commerce to draw attention to the Village Center.
• City and business owners promoting the Village Center to outside businesses.

And that is about as quick and concise as I can recapture hours of work and discussion.

We changed the rules for our youngest daughter Lauryn this weekend. We moved her from the crib to a bed. Anytime you change the rules, your entire environment is bound to change. Now we get to deal with Lauryn having the freedom to wake up at night and start playing with all the things in her room. She loves it, but dad and mom were somewhat accustomed to some sleep…

Speaking of changing rules, that is what happens in Lansing as our legislature introduces new laws or amendments to laws.

As I mentioned earlier I have the honor of being the Chairman to the Municipal Services Committee of the Michigan Municipal League (MML). Friday we convened in Lansing to discuss some of the current issues that affect all municipalities across the State.

I find it very interesting hearing the different points of view of people on the committee. There are elected officials, appointed officials, city attorneys and other municipal professionals. All come to the table with different levels of education, professions, and life experiences.

Below are some bullets summarizing the bills discussed at the Municipal Services Committee meeting on June 20, 2008?

House Bills (HB):

5754-5756 - These bills would allow private citizens to carry tasers.

• HB 5754 would allow private citizens who have a valid license to carry a concealed weapon to also carry tasers.
• HB 5755 would require an individual carrying a taser to disclose that to a peace officer in a traffic stop situation.
• HB 5756 amends the Penal Code to provide penalties for carrying a taser in a prohibited place.

There was much discussion on the pros and cons, so far, the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police opposes these bills but some of the rank and file police officers support such a law to be able to use less than lethal force as allowed by current CCW laws. MML staff is going to research these more and speak with the Chief’s association to find out more particulars.

6173-6176 - Changing payment obligations in public construction projects

• HB 6173 recognizes and defines the role of a construction manager and imposes the requirement to procure performance and payment bonds.  It sets standards for performance and payment bonds for a construction manager.
• HB 6174 amends PA 57 to add a construction manager.
• HB 6175 amends the Interest on Retainage statute. It adds the definition of construction manager and expands the act to include school districts, community colleges and universities.  It amends the timeframe for payment to a contractor to no later than 15 days after receiving a payment request.  It also limits retains to no more than 5% of the dollar value in all work in place until the project was 90% complete. 
• HB 6176 amends the Builder’s Trust Fund Act to apply to both public and private projects (current law is only to private projects.)

These bills are extremely complex, and the committee’s take on these was very interesting. It looks as though each of these bills would increase costs to local units of government and take away local flexibility in contracting. The committee Recommends Opposition to these bills.

HB 4085 - Recall petitions

• Requires a filing fee of $50 to file a recall petition
• Requires that the reasons for the recall be printed on each petition.
• If the petition is filed somewhere other than the county, the local unit may retain 10% of the $50 fee for administrative costs.

The intent is not to make recalls more difficult, but to add clarity where there had been issues before. The committee agreed that recalls are an important part of our representative government and wanted; agreed that the language should be clear in the law, which would ease the burden for local units. The committee Recommends support of this bill.

We had discussion on HB 6112 that deals with Binding arbitration for county corrections officers. This bill creates a new act that would extend PA 312 to county corrections. The MML has opposed this bill in accordance with its PA 312 policy. It is interesting that anytime the MML wants to ensure that State employees should be under Act 312 the state Treasury says they could not afford to (why is that different from local taxpayer burden on local municipalities).

MML’s general counsel Bill Mathewson was attending the committee to discuss this issue relating to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Anytime FOIA is talked about, it is guaranteed to bring up good discussion.

Changing laws have an effect on all of us, just as changing the sleeping arrangement of a two year old has affect on how much (or little) sleep her parents get.

Many people are finding out (or already knew) I am a morning person. In fact, it is not unusual for me to say “Good Morning” all day long.  This morning, while driving into the office, it was refreshing and energizing for me to see the sunshine already rising in the mostly clear sky. But even better as I made that swooping turn on Southbound I-75 at about 6:20 this morning I was seeing that all the north bound side beams of Walton Boulevard were in place.

Progress.

This is good; considering these beams were not, there last evening. This project, which actually crosses several jurisdiction desks, is still pretty much on schedule. I guess I have to qualify what schedule, I mean the construction schedule. You see I found out yesterday while inspecting part of the project and speaking with some residents that this project was planned to be done about 40 years ago. It has apparently been on again off again in one shape or another for the past couple decades.

This couple mile stretch had become a real choke point for traffic. On the Rochester Hills side of us, there was a four-lane boulevard and at Opdyke Road, the road was five lanes, but everything narrowed down for the two-lane bridge that crossed I-75.

 Walton, is actually a Road Commission of Oakland County road, crossing over I-75 which is a State of Michigan trunk line, the City taking advantage of the construction to repair, replace and upgrade our underground utilities, and leveraging Federal funds all coming together with anticipation of completion in September.

Landscaping should start occurring on the south side of Walton late next week, and changing the traffic lane over to the new section of road (south side, so we can work on the old north side) should occur right after the fourth of July holiday.

The residents who live along the route have a few more months of dust and construction noise, but the 40-year wait is almost complete. Please don’t forget the businesses along this construction project are still open for business.

I recently had the opportunity to attend the Auburn Hills Chamber Round table at Borg Warner World Headquarters located here in Auburn Hills. Of the few topics that were discussed, one was how do you complete the deal and take a small company global?

There was some good conversation, but what I observed is that people around the world all have different customs, backgrounds and baggage, but everyone would rather “close a deal” with someone they trust and/or believe in.

Many of the foreign relationships take time to build that trust, there is a great distance between us, so we have to cultivate the relationship and work at it. Is it any different from your normal business relationships?

I think not. It might be easier to justify state side meetings and office calls, but how many deals are closed on the first cold call? There is normally a courting process. Building trust and then relationships then deals.

Flashback to my golf lesson of two weeks ago: The instructor asked us “do you want to hope for a good golf shot, or do you want to be optimistic about your next golf shot?” You see hope is kind of a flimsy feel good it is up to chance thing.  When you are optimistic this implies you have prepared, laid the groundwork, know something and have a reasonable expectation of the results.

Therefore, I am optimistic about building the local, international and national relationships that possess great potential for our community. Building relationships on our strengths and record of accomplishment is an easier story to tell and has the opportunity to build that trust a lot faster than the preverbal cold call based on hope.

Someone asked me, “Why are you always working at being the best?”

That is actually a hard question. Therefore, I thought I would ramble on it for a minute.

I could probably just quote the Optimist Creed, line five:

“Promise yourself to think only of the best, to work only for the best and to expect only the best.”

On the other hand, if I was better with words I could come up with something like Dan Zadra (CEO of Compendium, Inc.) did when he said:

“Live your life so that your children can tell their children that you not only stood for something wonderful- you acted on it.”

However, I am just an average guy that my dad drilled into my head things like “If you are going to be a bear, be a grizzly bear.”  Now what that means, I still don’t know, but what it meant to me was be the best at what you do (are grizzly bears the best bear???).

I enjoy seeing others succeed, and always try to improve myself. I do understand that others may not be “wired” that way, but I will probably always look at improving how we operate. Maybe I won’t invent a “better mouse trap”, but maybe we can figure out how to remove obstacles for someone who will.

No matter what we do, if we are the best at it, that is the entire legacy we need to have.

Therefore, I will continue to exercise leadership in so that the residents and businesses in Auburn Hills continue to get more public value. I want everyone to know why Auburn Hills is the best city in the State to live, work and do business in.