Rory Velting

The board discussed several items, including the approval of the meeting agenda, general township business, and the approval of financial warrants. A pay application for the Thornapple River pedestrian bridge project was approved, and the board engaged in a discussion regarding the potential color of the bridge. Additionally, a road closure request for the Michigan Titanium Race Event was approved, and the board reviewed and established the meeting dates for boards and commissions for the upcoming calendar year, including the addition of scheduled work sessions.

The board discussed and approved the proposed meeting dates for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. Additionally, a request for tree maintenance and risk assessment services was reviewed, leading to the approval of a contract with Bartlett Tree Experts and Whittenbach Tree Services to conduct necessary pruning, removals, and advanced assessments on various trees in the township. Finally, the board engaged in a preliminary discussion regarding the event structure for the upcoming Beers at the Bridge concerts.

The Board discussed and approved the Hall Street lift station and sanitary force main project change order due to scheduling delays with the utility provider and winter construction requirements. Additionally, the Board reviewed a change order for the Covered Bridge Park project, specifically addressing canopy structure and utility adjustments for the splash pad, which included design improvements at no additional cost to the township. The Board also reviewed various reports, received warrants for payment, and heard public comments.

The Planning Commission conducted a public hearing regarding a proposed development plan for a 43,000 square-foot, four-story mixed-use building in the C1 PVM zoning district. The applicant discussed the architectural design of the 'flat iron' style building, which includes residential units and retail/office space. Key discussion topics included requests for departures from current zoning requirements regarding materiality, specifically the inclusion of metal cladding, and a variance to permit a fourth story for the residential component. The commission also reviewed the parking demand and methodology for the project site, comparing it to existing block developments within the village.

The board welcomed a new member and discussed several business items, including the selection of a design firm for a branding refresh and streetlight banner project. The board also approved a sponsorship for the upcoming summer concert series and reviewed the second draft of the proposed fiscal year 2026-2027 budget, which included adjustments for operational and capital improvement allocations.