James A Donkersloot

The City Council Work-Study Session agenda included discussions on several critical items. Key topics involved proposed 2026 rate revisions for Water and Electric services, a resolution and master agreement concerning the MPPA Commercial & Industrial Demand Response program, discussion regarding Fire/Rescue Apparatus, and review of a Rezoning Ordinance for 500 N. Centennial. Other items for discussion included amendments to ordinances governing Sunday Alcohol Sales and Parks, the Social District Management Plan, amendments to the Huntington Bank Parking License Agreement, bid awards for the Main Avenue Cameras and Articulated Tractor, a Macatawa Bank Authorizing Resolution, updates on Pension and OPEB Plans, and proposed amendments to the City Council Rules of Procedure. The session concluded with scheduling a Closed Session regarding Pending Litigation.

The City Council Work-Study Session agenda included a discussion item regarding the Financial Sustainability Report, which addresses the potential loss of significant taxable value from the Zeeland Generating Station (ZGS) and suggests strategies such as increasing user fees, exploring charter amendments for utility franchise fees, implementing a city income tax, or reducing service levels. The regular meeting agenda covered several action items, including the first readings of ordinances for Electric Rate Revisions (Ordinance 1044) and Water Rate Revisions (Ordinance 1045), the appointment of an Interim Fire/Rescue Chief, confirmation of the Church Street Project budget, and appointments to various committees. Other topics addressed included public safety apparatus replacement, rezoning a portion of 500 N. Centennial, and approvals related to social district management and parking license agreements.

The City Council Work-Study Session agenda included discussions on Electric and Water Terms of Service updates, review of the Fiscal Year '25/'26 Audit, the Edger Attachment Purchase, the bid award for Lawrence Park Bowl Painting and Caulking, Mandu Escapes, LLC Liquor License Transfer, the Redistricting Ordinance, the HealthSource Wellness Contract, 2026 Goal Setting Dates, and the WMAA Appointment. The session also noted vacancies on the Board of Construction Appeals and the Nominating Commission. Discussions on December 1, 2025, related to the Financial Sustainability Report concerning the potential impact of the Consumers Energy Power Generating Facility closure, the confirmation of the Church Street Project scope and budget, decisions on City Council Rules of Order and Procedure, adoption of Electric and Water Rate Revisions (Ordinances 1044 and 1045), appointment of the Interim Fire/Rescue Chief and Search Committee, changes to dental insurance plans, election of the Mayor Pro-Tem, and appointments to the Tax Incentive Committee, Personnel Committee, Pension Committee, and representatives to the Planning Commission and Shopping Area Redevelopment Board. Furthermore, actions included approving the Partial Release of Restrictive Covenant for 500 N Centennial Street. Separately, staff reports covered a police officer resignation, the upcoming Church Street Project start date, the successful operation of the snowmelt system, and the achievement of a Cisco Certified Network Associate certification by a Network Engineer. A preliminary timeline for the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 budget process was also provided. A memorandum detailed updates on the proposed new Electric and Water Terms of Service, which involved clarifying critical care customer criteria, service disconnection/restoration procedures, master meter responsibilities, and cross-connection standards, with an anticipated effective date of January 1, 2026.

The meeting involved discussions on the 2026 Capital Improvement Project (CIP) list, where Commissioners reviewed, questioned, and proposed changes to the draft. They also revisited the incomplete items from the 2025 CIP list. The meeting also covered the establishment of an internal parking group composed of representatives from both the Planning Commission and the Shopping Area Redevelopment Board (SARB). Recognition was given to Mayor VanDorp and Commissioner Perkins, and an update was provided on the master plan rewrite RFP and the proposed demolition and reconstruction project at 123 E Main Ave.

The City Council discussed several topics including Sunday Alcohol Sales Amendment, Parks Ordinance Amendment, Social District Management Plan, Brownfield Tax Increment Financing Policy Amendment and Economic Development Financial Incentives Policy Review, Koele Godfrey Commercial Rehabilitation Act Exemption, MDOT Agreement -- Church Street from Washington to Central, Church Street Bid Award -- Central to Clean Water Plant, Picnic Table Bid Award, 2026 Health Insurance Renewal, 2026 Employee Funding Policy Amendment for Health/Rx/Dental Contributions, Retiree First Service Agreement, Local Officers Compensation Commission Report, City Council Rules of Procedure Review, Board of Public Works Commissioner Reappointment, and Pending Litigation.