Thomas Hanson

The council discussed various operational items, including the approval of bids for roof coating, concrete polishing, and spray foam insulation for the training center. Additionally, the meeting addressed a proposed zoning ordinance amendment regarding short-term rentals, a land division request at 560 W. Hile Rd., and multiple special use permit applications for properties at 592 W. Pontaluna Rd., 1631 W. Sherman Blvd., 1635 W. Sherman Blvd., and 1663 W. Sherman Blvd. The agenda also included the approval of the FY 2027 property tax levy and the certification of delinquent bills to the tax roll.

The council approved a consent agenda that included recognizing Police Week, Municipal Clerk's Week, and National Public Works Week, along with a 2026 chip seal proposal and a short-term rental waiver request. The proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budget was presented and approved following a public hearing. Additionally, the sale of a 2022 Road Rescue Ambulance to the White Lake Ambulance Authority was authorized. Other discussions included upcoming school ballot initiatives, traffic signal functionality at Forest Park and Henry, outcomes from a spring cleanup event, and pending construction updates regarding a local business remodel.

The Planning Commission meeting agenda included multiple items regarding special use permit amendments, land divisions, and site plan reviews. Key topics focused on project submissions for Atwater Springs, John Valk at 495 E. Pontaluna Rd., C&B Equipment LLC at 3194 Getty St., LaColombe Coffee Roasters at 6366 Norton Center Dr., Motion Dynamics at 5500 Grand Haven Rd., and HoneyCrisp Ventures LLC at 7250 Enterprise Dr. For each agenda item, the process involved certification of publishing and mailing notices, public hearings, and the consideration of resolutions for land use and site plans.

The council discussed the proposed water and sewer rates, including adjustments to debt and commodity rates, the implementation of ready-to-serve charges, and a new two-tiered rate structure for high-volume users, with staff confirming the inclusion of these rates in the upcoming budget. Additionally, the finance director presented the proposed fiscal year 2027 program budget, covering the maintenance of the current mill levy, staffing additions, wage increases, and the distribution of funds following the upcoming sunset of the Tax Increment Financing Authority. Council members provided input on budget allocations for road projects, public transportation, water system upgrades, and potential trail development.

The Planning Commission addressed several development and land use requests, including a Special Use Permit amendment for Atwater Springs, a land division request at 495 E. Pontaluna Rd., and a Special Use Permit for a vehicle and trailer dealership at 3194 Getty St. Furthermore, the commission reviewed and approved multiple site plans, covering an addition to a beverage manufacturing facility at 6366 Norton Center Dr., an industrial facility expansion for Motion Dynamics at 5500 Grand Haven Rd., and the construction of a new 125,000-square-foot industrial facility for HoneyCrisp Ventures LLC at 7250 Enterprise Dr.