[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6326266,"mediaKeyId","2325207-ebca8ff452b437331d7cd261f9f2828d","parentId",2325207,"title","Votes at a glance: Bay City commission adopts agenda, approves traffic change, MDOT funding agreement and other routine business","audioSeconds",2865,"startMs",2143000,"endMs",5008000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2325207-ebca8ff452b437331d7cd261f9f2828d&start=2143&end=5008","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2325207-ebca8ff452b437331d7cd261f9f2828d/thumbnail_2143000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6326266/Bay-City/Bay-County/Michigan/Votes-at-a-glance-Bay-City-commission-adopts-agenda-approves-traffic-change-MDOT-funding-agreement-and-other-routine-business","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6326266-4c9ec07e601374af913fb5857de3109f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771192741&Signature=geXXrpwkbtH6gHne7uBQdKzFR-6clgJ1RcNZFL6nLW-QzR1puwK398z2EQCjorgi-FsVWAy5NulyJu4J3Yf0xAfUgHQU-jMiBlCsm~qziRGOymRhr0K-Y8MlgT5L49sYh4aqNlcSTpuLnrjV8kzZYLOqlSRV7krsIRuNW2MrrlnusuasmbZMP4rc3Vt8HYYpS2iwNi5-KmduuzDlALTq0GyzAXq5GrikqX39vCnmOklxvcaGUTpmGhMyK~CrG9otChavYT4Xqu5KguF~UxkPZpT8xLmPtuWqH7uEx1EMnv~oGc4OfgY2w8jwLZfTJenvjYenfo02Q5hUT3YjSNetvA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Bay City, MI","date","2025-02-17T00:00:00Z","article","The Bay City City Commission recorded a series of routine approvals and formal actions on Feb. 17. Key votes and motions are summarized below.

Adopt agenda — approved

The commission voted to adopt the Feb. 17 agenda. Motion to adopt carried unanimously as recorded in roll call (counted as eight yes votes in the clerk’s roll call). No additional detail was requested.

Consent agenda — approved

The commission approved the consent agenda, which included minutes and routine administrative items listed on the published meeting agenda. The roll call showed the motion adopted (clerk recorded the votes as eight yes).

Traffic control order — Marquette/State/South intersection — approved

The commission approved the city manager’s recommendation (Traffic Control Order 2025.2) to change the intersection of Marquette Avenue, State Street and South Street from a two-way stop to a four-way stop. Motion: moved by Commissioner Morris; second by Commissioner Rhunberg. The clerk called the roll and the motion was adopted.

MDOT funding agreement for Smith Street reconstruction — approved (vote recorded 7–1)

The commission approved Resolution 11 to accept an agreement with the Michigan Department of Transportation for a project that includes reconstruction work, with the city’s estimated share noted in the MDOT agreement. The motion was moved by Commissioner Morris and carried with seven yes votes and one no vote (clerk recorded the roll as seven yes, one no). The item will return with formal bid amounts and final contract numbers before expenditures are encumbered.

Adder of local streets to city system — approved

The commission adopted Resolution 12 adding Breaker Cove Street and Breaker Cove Boulevard to the city’s local street system, which places those streets on the city’s maintenance and snowplowing schedule. Motion moved by Commissioner Coakley and seconded by Commissioner DeWitt; roll call recorded the motion as adopted.

Discrimination-reporting resolution — approved

A resolution introduced by Commissioner Tenney regarding discrimination reporting was adopted after roll-call votes recorded in the meeting. The clerk recorded the motion as adopted.

Items received

The commission received minutes from Columbus Avenue and Midland Street management boards (motions to receive were adopted by roll call).

Notes on procedure and next steps

- For the MDOT-funded reconstruction, commissioners were told the engineering bids and firm costs will return to the commission for formal contract approval; the current approval is the agreement to participate in MDOT’s program and accept the city’s estimated share.

- Where votes were recorded, the clerk performed roll calls and the meeting minutes will carry the official tallies and motions as approved.

Supporting evidence from the transcript (select excerpts):

- Adoption of agenda: clerk roll call recorded “8 yes” on adoption.

- Traffic control order: commissioner Morris moved and commissioner Rhunberg seconded; roll call passed the motion.

- MDOT resolution: roll call recorded seven yes and one no.

Ending

These items were the principal formal actions taken at the Feb. 17 meeting. More substantive or contested matters (for example, negotiations with the bridge operator and public comments about shelter conditions) were discussed but did not result in final council votes at this meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Bay City, MI Live Stream 2025-02-17","oneSentenceSummary","The Bay City City Commission approved the Feb. 17 meeting agenda and several routine items, including a traffic-control order and an MDOT funding agreement for street reconstruction.","taxTitle","Bay City, Bay County, Michigan","taxId",5009,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6326276,"Bay City residents and commissioners press for transparency and legal options over bridge toll changes by United Bridge Partners",4707,2290000,6997000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2325207-ebca8ff452b437331d7cd261f9f2828d&start=2290&end=6997","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2325207-ebca8ff452b437331d7cd261f9f2828d/thumbnail_2290000.jpg","/articles/6326276/Bay-City/Bay-County/Michigan/Bay-City-residents-and-commissioners-press-for-transparency-and-legal-options-over-bridge-toll-changes-by-United-Bridge-Partners","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6326276-082bbc2eed37881a05821fa443bc2377/orig.mp4?Expires=1771192741&Signature=Y4Vxt9nGpIMRGGwKrtXAu7JU5K8OE9qd3jEYE85z5Jg6qoAozn8w32RMJhUvRdruS0nnS0W9kUbqAjKbEvL14dtIZZyQrKJ8dLQvUiIGIcCkzxDpCT~-kwcOSNYJNDsMHFF06UrWmPN~F3x4Mkp1GlrGh5ZB81fD-D3-EbCmrfOK6gQeXPqEQEnP61ygpmgc8WEF9gH1hzOpOboASfV08pOsm9LJOLPdBIEdx7eGQSuDAnKiNrHCwX00oN-0iW8gTGojXQd3QjAwCsfE-yAoqms~cBpo9zhajiASLtE8D14hJo6e-57osb7o~SSH9uDRbbLTzZjuId2ah7T~C-zGBQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A wave of public comment at the Bay City City Commission meeting on Feb. 17 focused on tolling changes and customer impacts tied to the city’s lease with Bay City Bridge Partners. Residents said recent changes — in particular removing an unlimited-crossing option and large toll increases — will burden families and local businesses.

Multiple speakers urged the commission to make negotiations public, to demand restoration of an unlimited pass and to pursue legal remedies where the lease has been violated. “The unlimited crossing option going away will realistically turn this town into a single bridge, heavy congestion city for a majority of working families and businesses that need to cross multiple times a day,” said Paul Kleinau, a resident who addressed the commission during public comment.

What commissioners said

Commissioner Bernie Overshaugh pressed the city manager for details about whether outside counsel or in-house attorneys had reviewed a claimed breach of contract by the bridge operator. The city manager replied that attorneys are involved and that negotiations with the bridge operator are ongoing. Commissioner Prince said the executive officers had received an email update and that keeping negotiations private can protect the city’s negotiating position.

Public demands and proposed actions

Speakers called for immediate public updates, for an economic impact study, and for including Bay County in negotiations because residents and businesses outside city limits are affected. Kayla Harper, speaking for a local “bridge resistance” group, asked the commission to “provide regular updates to the public as this crisis unfolds” and to conduct an economic impact study to quantify harm to businesses and residents.

Legal and transparency questions

Residents repeatedly asked whether Bay City Bridge Partners had violated the lease and whether the city would declare a breach and pursue remedies. “Did they violate this contract? I want a yes or a no,” said Jeffrey (resident). The city manager and legal staff declined to give public details while negotiations are ongoing, telling commissioners the city lawyers are engaged and that any closed-session legal discussion would be brought to the full commission before being released.

Ending

Commissioners and staff said negotiations are continuing. Several residents said they would keep pressure on the commission for public updates, legal clarity and county involvement. City leaders did not announce any vote or final action on the bridge lease at the Feb. 17 meeting.","Residents and commissioners pressed for answers on Feb. 17 after Bay City Bridge Partners implemented toll changes that residents say remove an unlimited-crossing option and sharply raise monthly costs for families and businesses.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6326281,"Michigan Public Power Agency official briefs Bay City commissioners on grid reliability and renewable targets",2032,104000,2136000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2325207-ebca8ff452b437331d7cd261f9f2828d&start=104&end=2136","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2325207-ebca8ff452b437331d7cd261f9f2828d/thumbnail_104000.jpg","/articles/6326281/Bay-City/Bay-County/Michigan/Michigan-Public-Power-Agency-official-briefs-Bay-City-commissioners-on-grid-reliability-and-renewable-targets","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6326281-be4df0269eefd93ab9a21a4cea880d8d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771192741&Signature=As0AJs7b2w~WQZud6vESrKqlnuMRFrQLa5A1P-gKJZ3YC0LcpL0gS-OmqcTbE4MyEcXSsGjRjjDK6XV0luruabWTN1Rr~-PCy3Z1QGrl2i3W~iR2-Gnr3LPV8zszeYq6oA-F9OnQ8OiulanUP1SMN7LDQVkH-wmNJTDsi~1IVnUCrDwXzsWQ14B-r8a60AcKOFPirTx3vTHCTkAxQl5n7NOx1ue4AkURpq2~AlS6ScPXV4rPkpuInN8wLKyAtafv2Qmg3chLVE3JD3Ty6S45F5p07HX9hdDdO2jbP3MioQ4ZJTL6wE1-OmXIT-KJpYM3ZtCow8LctQscgXqfJLpZMw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pat Bolen, general manager and CEO of the Michigan Public Power Agency, briefed the Bay City City Commission on Feb. 17 about the agency’s role and the reliability challenges facing municipal electric utilities.

Bolen told commissioners that MPPA exists to give city-owned utilities economies of scale and to spread financial and operational risk across member utilities. “The idea really is to update each of our members on what is actually happening with the electricity marketplace and the industry itself, which is under profound change,” Bolen said.

The presentation outlined MPPA’s structure and membership: Bolen said the agency formed after Michigan’s Public Act 448 in 1976 and now represents 22 members serving roughly 300,000 customers. He described MPPA as a project-based joint action agency that helps members acquire power, manage volatility and hire specialized staff they could not afford individually.

Why it matters: Bolen warned commissioners that increasing the share of intermittent renewables creates a need for more “reliability-based” resources because the grid must be able to meet demand every hour of the year. He said MPPA’s near-term priorities are resource adequacy, financial stability, transmission upkeep and staffing to model and manage a higher share of renewables without sacrificing reliability.

Discussion highlights

- Renewable and clean-energy targets: Bolen reviewed recently passed state energy legislation and said it contains ambitious clean-energy goals that apply to all load-serving entities in Michigan. He explained there are statutory requirements and potential “off-ramps” administered by the Michigan Public Service Commission for some compliance deadlines. “All load serving entities, all utilities are wrapped under that legislation,” Bolen said.

- Local planning tools: Commissioner Tenney asked plainly how Bay City would move from roughly 23% renewable today to a 50% target by 2029. Bolen said the city should pursue multiple tools — buying renewable attributes, utility-scale projects, and energy-storage and peaking resources — but also cautioned the economics and interconnection constraints make fast progress difficult. “It’s gonna be very difficult to achieve, and we’re hoping that the economics today as well, I think are too high,” he said.

- Energy storage and peaking needs: Bolen said MPPA is evaluating battery energy storage systems and larger projects on the transmission grid but noted current battery tariffs and four-hour duration standards limit batteries’ ability to serve as long-duration reliability resources today. He also said natural-gas peaking units remain an important short-term tool to maintain reliability as coal plants retire.

- Local representation and costs: Commissioners asked about membership costs. Bolen said members pay a pro rata share of MPPA’s overhead, staff and outside services; he described the membership model as a way for smaller utilities to afford technical expertise.

Ending

Bolen closed by urging local governing bodies to stay engaged, because utility supply decisions are increasingly complex and elected officials and staff must understand tradeoffs between cost, reliability and policy targets. Commissioners thanked Bolen and had additional follow-up questions for city utility staff after the presentation.","Pat Bolen, general manager and CEO of the Michigan Public Power Agency, told the Bay City City Commission on Feb. 17 that members must balance renewable goals with reliability, and described MPPA’s role in pooling resources and managing market risk for municipal utilities.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6326271,"Residents and advocates urge inspection, more shelter capacity after reports of unsanitary conditions and access problems",58,2958000,3016000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2325207-ebca8ff452b437331d7cd261f9f2828d&start=2958&end=3016","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2325207-ebca8ff452b437331d7cd261f9f2828d/thumbnail_2958000.jpg","/articles/6326271/Bay-City/Bay-County/Michigan/Residents-and-advocates-urge-inspection-more-shelter-capacity-after-reports-of-unsanitary-conditions-and-access-problems","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6326271-3e1e9e0a060de439b8a9b314386718c7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771192741&Signature=ihNpRGThpb3snCizkNcrK2A7lK-uIHNUZ44FaOd2Of1PWDFOZ-4DWN3jykF9-ozQ1SFyh8p-YSapSWSuLWizJ7sfbhSZNF0DDWFtW07UziaCuhDQqXmE38gycDx94q4w2OVetVqyUUeeLgXx-UydZAcQDWDytbP-OaSh6-2XOC3AK8b4LdBiEEIMUaepaLTVOjxjyCElgXBkqKKX7ANuaUy4J5J8uo1Ej5ezc9AuoNgkXvf2KKpbwwT80QMiX92bHbK~XjfXrlXhTZrb-KbOwwu5UqaMmGH5bNFLvnKV0ZePX-9k4RxWODb9TlCL5U3gwoz-l-tS5v2Cf7nbHClRuQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Residents, shelter volunteers and advocates told the Bay City City Commission on Feb. 17 that the Good Samaritan shelter and other local providers have experienced operational and health-and-safety shortcomings during recent winter weather.

Multiple speakers reported people forced to sleep outdoors, inconsistent intake practices, broken toilets, and delayed repairs. Paul Douglas, who spoke during public comment, said he had “physical proof that that shelter has at least a dozen people outside sleeping in this cold,” and described repeated removal from the shelter waitlist.

Commissioner-focused response

Commissioner Romberg (Rhunberg in the transcript) raised concerns about reports from Good Samaritan residents and said he intended to introduce a resolution at the next meeting requesting a formal inspection of shelter conditions and intake procedures. “Given the seriousness of these reports, I intend to introduce a resolution at [the] next meeting requesting a formal inspection of the shelter,” he said during his remarks.

Other testimony and volunteer concerns

Shelter volunteers and organizers, including Tracy Zane and Laurie Ward, told commissioners they had observed unsafe or unsanitary conditions and described inconsistent access for people seeking shelter. Zane drew a direct comparison to recent child deaths reported in another city and said the community must act to prevent similar tragedies locally.

What the commission said

City staff said some temporary options (the Dream Center) were open for nights during the storm and that the city declared a state of emergency for winter storms, but the speakers argued that existing supports were insufficient and that agencies sometimes told them no funding or capacity existed. Commissioners did not adopt a formal inspection order during the Feb. 17 meeting; Romberg said he will introduce a resolution at the next meeting.

Ending

Speakers requested prompt action, more consistent intake and an inspection to assess health and safety conditions. Commissioners and staff acknowledged the reports and said they would follow internal procedures and that any formal direction or legal advice would come back to the full commission.","Multiple public speakers at the Feb. 17 Bay City commission meeting described problems at the Good Samaritan shelter and gaps in intake that left people sleeping outside during a winter storm. A commissioner said she will introduce a resolution requesting a formal shelter inspection at the next meeting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Bay City commission adopts agenda, approves traffic change, MDOT funding agreement and other routine business

Bay City residents and commissioners press for transparency and legal options over bridge toll changes by United Bridge Partners

Michigan Public Power Agency official briefs Bay City commissioners on grid reliability and renewable targets

Residents and advocates urge inspection, more shelter capacity after reports of unsanitary conditions and access problems