Kate E. Jefferson

This plan serves as a roadmap for the City of Dowagiac's parks and open spaces, outlining a vision for 2025-2030. Key priorities include maintaining and improving existing municipal parks and facilities, increasing opportunities for interaction with and passive viewing of the Dowagiac Creek, enhancing accessibility through universal design principles, ensuring parks are available for general neighborhood use, expanding trail networks, and broadening overall recreation opportunities for its citizens.

The Council meeting addressed several agenda items, including communications from the Garden Club regarding a plant sale event request. Key resolutions included approving Resolution 2026-03, a Special Event Policy. Action items involved authorizing staff to contract with an economic development professional, approving a Professional Services Proposal from Prein&Newhof for Lead Service Line Replacements Design, Bidding and Construction, and approving a grant agreement with EGLE for an $838,183 SUDC Grant for Lead Service Line Replacements on North Front Street, authorizing the Assistant City Manager to execute documents. The council was also asked to authorize payment for bills and payroll totaling over $1.76 million.

The key discussion points included the potential appointment of Justin Doyle to the Planning Commission, handling an Event Request for PrideFest, and considering Resolution 2026-01 to update the City of Dowagiac Personnel Policy following IBEW negotiations, specifically removing references to compensatory time. Council was also asked to set a Public Hearing for February 9, 2026, regarding nuisance conditions at 205 Beckwith Street, as detailed in Resolution 2026-02. Action items involved authorizing a Secondary-Commemorative Street Sign program, selecting a consultant (Prein & Newhof recommended) for the Dowagiac Creek Enhancement planning project, authorizing a farm lease renewal for airport properties, and asking the Planning Commission to review zoning ordinance noise standards for industrial zoned properties. Finally, authorization was sought for payment of bills and payroll totaling $524,634.70.

The Dowagiac City Council held a meeting that included a swearing-in ceremony for newly elected officials. The council discussed event requests for the Holiday Open House, Tree of Love Tree Lighting, Christmas Parade, and Community Christmas Tree Lighting. They considered a resolution to approve the purchase of 512 and 514 New York Ave, and also discussed approving a bid from Deerpath Excavating for snow removal and ice control services. The council authorized the City Manager to pay bills and payroll. Additionally, there were discussions regarding electricity outages, blight cleanup, sewer lines, and various financial disbursements.

The council addressed a streetlight outage and water access at the school's tennis courts. They considered an ordinance to amend zoning at 806 Orchard Street (first reading) and resolutions to authorize the purchase of 106 Henry Street and amend the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Budget. The council authorized a Memorandum of Understanding with Cass County for GIS Services and approved the payment of bills and payroll. They also discussed expedited cleanup efforts after a storm and entered a closed session to review a matter of litigation.