Kevin Austin

The Board addressed a variety of township business, including the approval of general warrants and a pay application for the Covered Bridge Park project. Key new business items included the review of a mowing contract, the consideration of several resolutions related to the fiscal year budget and capital improvement plan, and the approval of a proposal for the Grand River Drive Trail improvements project. Furthermore, the Board discussed an amended PUD plan, re-appointments to advisory boards, and various licensing agreements for special events and infrastructure projects, such as the 4th of July fireworks and road commission work orders.

The board meeting agenda focused on township fiscal operations, including a public hearing for the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 budget and the 2026-2036 Capital Improvement Plan. New business items included approving budget amendments, setting employee compensation, selecting a paint color for the Thornapple River Pedestrian Bridge, awarding a three-year lawn care contract, and considering a proposal for a July 4th fireworks show. Additionally, the board reviewed warrants for construction projects, including the Thornapple River Pedestrian Bridge and Covered Bridge Park, and scheduled a closed session to discuss a written legal opinion.

The agenda for the Regular Board Meeting included several key items for discussion and potential action. General Township Business involved the approval of minutes, including the Regular Board Meeting Minutes from February 23, 2026, and the filing of various reports and communications, such as minutes from the Planning Commission and Parks, Recreation and Land Preservation meetings. Under New Business, the board planned to address a resolution concerning a Parks, Recreation, and Land Preservation Millage Proposal for 1.2 mills for 10 years. Other new business items included authorizing public entity membership in the West Michigan Health Insurance Pool, considering bid letting for the Grand River Drive Trail Improvement Project, consideration of an amendment to a deed restriction agreement with Community Church, and considering a proposal for annual audit services for FY 2025-2026.

This Strategic Parking Plan for Ada Township's Central Business District addresses parking challenges stemming from downtown growth. It reveals that current parking supply is adequate, but distribution and perception issues, particularly during peak events, lead to a desire for highly convenient parking. The plan outlines key recommendations focusing on operational improvements, such as regular occupancy counts and formalized event parking plans; zoning and development updates to base requirements on square footage and encourage shared parking; and enhanced communication and signage to educate the community on available resources and promote downtown's walkable nature. The ultimate goal is to facilitate continued downtown growth while maintaining its accessible character, aiming for optimal parking occupancy and fostering cooperation among stakeholders.

The meeting addressed general township business, including the approval of minutes from previous meetings held on January 12, 2026, and a special work session from December 11, 2025, alongside the filing of various reports and communications from the Downtown Development Authority, Covered Bridge Park progress meeting, and the ADA Historical Society. A significant portion of the discussion focused on approving warrants totaling $284,874.98, which included hand checks and general township warrants. Furthermore, the Board considered Change Order Number Eight for the Covered Bridge Park project, totaling a net increase of $57,480. This change order covered canopy column corrections due to a former Progressive Company team member's error in transmitting design specifications, railing replacement for aesthetic uniformity on the north side of the bridge, and splash pad utility adjustments. The discussion included debate regarding the use of contingency funds for design errors versus value additions, and plans to reuse the incorrectly manufactured canopy columns in a future donor wall design to offset costs.