[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6080981,"mediaKeyId","2944495-e1251af26d858df03a473cddbbf59a2b","parentId",2944495,"title","Residents press council on pedestrian safety and airport runway plans during public comment","audioSeconds",780,"startMs",915000,"endMs",1695000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2944495-e1251af26d858df03a473cddbbf59a2b&start=915&end=1695","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2944495-e1251af26d858df03a473cddbbf59a2b/thumbnail_915000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6080981/Holland-City/Ottawa-County/Michigan/Residents-press-council-on-pedestrian-safety-and-airport-runway-plans-during-public-comment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6080981-84b36c4adc5d0a4d2a44dcc9f336b661/orig.mp4?Expires=1771206291&Signature=MAr~UnBKq4hEWngjn9i-Mb2hyt6QxrOibv7WrGpxDR4WqKU23AI87P3B9OD2utrjhNLrvWpIIsvmldrmAC8crjH4cNH7QqDSlBEVvAByek~WkPemAynj6esG9~2aRSq3F6KMbGmn8detk3klNsIeg8SD7UVWkP6TeydZCyuTg3LTVC5XMRoy~ObnHvLjfyN2y8jaN5qhWT~Nrq1EH8JUvdvd1y2lBAp0yCTchQKt~H1HtVjqTKUu2J~eyI60cIHpRJbjM3SXb06SERuut5tyZFAvvbGWEpMa3dvD-F3qCdcnc5pr9o1kzo3-LmT8KQB8e1cKdsTbmGw8wY6kEgtlIQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Holland","date","2025-04-02T00:00:00Z","article","Several residents addressed the Holland City Council during the public comment period about pedestrian safety and airport planning.

Catherine Ristelabas, who said she is a Holland resident, described knowing multiple people who had been struck by vehicles when legally crossing streets and urged the city to prioritize pedestrian safety over convenience for motorists. \"I know that there were about... I personally know seven people who have been hit by cars,\" Ristelabas said, and she said she had sent council members an email with links to research and examples of interventions. She cited international efforts such as Sweden's Vision Zero policies as models that dramatically reduced traffic deaths and urged the council to consider engineering and policy actions to prevent pedestrian crashes.

David Fields, speaking about the West Michigan Regional Airport, urged the council to stay engaged with airport authority planning for a north–south runway. Fields said the runway has been on airport plans for years and that roughly 80 percent of current aircraft operations would use a north–south runway. He said the planned runway is \"90 percent\" federally funded with another state contribution of about 5 percent and called on council to remain involved so the airport does not relinquish associated airspace.

Other public commenters included Martha Capistani and Anne Henriksen, who described faith‑month activities and related events; Pastor Craig Van Beek provided a brief county report and thanked the council. Jeff Minkus, also speaking during public comment, expressed support for the Van Ralte Farm bridge replacement and noted collaboration among city commissions on volunteer engagement.

Council members did not take immediate policy action on the pedestrian or airport comments during the meeting, but staff and council acknowledged the remarks and the topics were raised for future consideration.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","4-2-25 City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Multiple residents used the April 2 public comment period to urge action on pedestrian safety after a series of crashes and to raise concerns about preserving airspace and completing a north–south runway at the West Michigan Regional Airport.","taxTitle","Holland City, Ottawa County, Michigan","taxId",5780,"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},6080986,"Council enters closed session to consult attorney on Prosthesisian v. City of Holland",34,3502000,3536000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2944495-e1251af26d858df03a473cddbbf59a2b&start=3502&end=3536","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2944495-e1251af26d858df03a473cddbbf59a2b/thumbnail_3502000.jpg","/articles/6080986/Holland-City/Ottawa-County/Michigan/Council-enters-closed-session-to-consult-attorney-on-Prosthesisian-v-City-of-Holland","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6080986-f6d338f943d4d03bf05cd677b57b2a62/orig.mp4?Expires=1771206291&Signature=DZxsf2fOsda-D92LH-5qZDVAik7n0A-VwsEshZTgMMV~vAyn7iqhO~Wn8HIpnnMbyPWOhF9MfZ~qAYhMfMI877SfcMjqOQ2VAFO8rAFTJ1yDIlL4AycAjkGx4J70dYH8jGeLX5M0U3eiyN00E9Hnk5H~1StTHyhdFm3jHyq2c0~uxU5A40iLpcUs2v3F0KzD5dQfKO7ljD1pYe2iHjymKrE9o9f0i1S3MqFWJj4IbnLJ1yjOVUAnxLv7HZVka6QCyYcTNV7HRFo7tzBzM~Q3T5GhFhYGatjnEsZwqbV5lICcYfWSellKevIyIoitHZmaFEeKvOkwXGtqEJ-0Ujf80w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Holland City Council voted to enter a closed session to consult with the city attorney regarding settlement or trial strategy in the case of Prosthesisian v. City of Holland.

Council moved into closed session at the end of the April 2 meeting on a motion by Council Member Freeman, supported by Council Member Soule. The mayor said discussion in open session \"would have a detrimental effect on the position of the city.\" Council also noted it did not expect to take any actions after the closed session other than adjourning the regular meeting.

A roll-call vote was held and the motion carried; the council then directed staff to clear the room for the closed session. No deliberations from the closed session were discussed in the public meeting.","Council voted to go into closed session to consult with the city attorney about settlement or trial strategy for Prosthesisian v. City of Holland; council stated no actions are expected after the closed session beyond adjourning the regular meeting.",{"_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},6080989,"Council removes member for lack of attendance, appoints Alec Miller to planning commission",27,2925000,2952000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2944495-e1251af26d858df03a473cddbbf59a2b&start=2925&end=2952","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2944495-e1251af26d858df03a473cddbbf59a2b/thumbnail_2925000.jpg","/articles/6080989/Holland-City/Ottawa-County/Michigan/Council-removes-member-for-lack-of-attendance-appoints-Alec-Miller-to-planning-commission","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6080989-8003a951185019cb016e68221f799329/orig.mp4?Expires=1771206291&Signature=ar7vMRy8DZoqyvNFOTzzJL6eqHlPslg69eMKLOUZJgzLsXC9OitpHDjDvCIkcYWrApsMWLwIRJV6jwwIJZMikpvqX6M4azLFvK6ox6PpaQt527EFRwDp8RXC71W1BgA9SVpkpIfhwX4BrXwbRBCBKpMB5dX5D0mzvcnIyWvvhkfoSDAxSKSuSE9Tw33-ZTSRbLPod-aTnGUoODVpIPHHcRC1Fbna9SKw7u85-AOn9qhdHwCLo2Y8-7Ek8tV9DJCDcFxwuGH21IObK7RXNiRSlpYRUEOpCVgJ~rzvRZpOFpi~PB0FqkZMP4bv2TdND7HuLkvFNNAsRsZfgEQHIP~fGg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Holland City Council approved the removal of a planning commission member for lack of attendance and appointed a replacement to the commission.

Mayor Nathan Box recommended council approve the removal of Luis Lozano from the planning commission effective April 1, 2025, because of the member's lack of attendance. The mayor also recommended appointing Alec Miller to the planning commission for a term expiring June 30, 2025.

Council Member Soule moved to remove Lozano and appoint Miller; Council Member Freeman supported the motion. Council voted by voice and the motion carried.

The council did not discuss additional details about Lozano's absences during the meeting. The appointment is effective immediately and will fill the seat through the stated term expiration date.","Mayor Nathan Box recommended removal of Luis Lozano from the planning commission for lack of attendance and the appointment of Alec Miller to fill the seat; council approved both actions by voice vote.",{"_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},6080994,"Council receives FY2025 strategic- and business-plan quarterly progress report",172,2390000,2562000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2944495-e1251af26d858df03a473cddbbf59a2b&start=2390&end=2562","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2944495-e1251af26d858df03a473cddbbf59a2b/thumbnail_2390000.jpg","/articles/6080994/Holland-City/Ottawa-County/Michigan/Council-receives-FY2025-strategic-and-business-plan-quarterly-progress-report","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6080994-909bf58591ae7140ce20753b6f350dbd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771206291&Signature=IEsVNmdeXFI5hdqNSVT7Nzy1pDafhMOZE~lgnHAnwOAzRFj5M8xXgILv7k~0CwkDhaDn35vOfkn0LMhy1Z8mVc-VsSP95JQLGJX-b7WZU1DlWmRfj0ROBravi1du2mBXxrLCpEjszqHcWZ8WLSHDD5HX8w35E4Js0wBByuHCURdIauUDAQ71lqQSWQaJgq2M6JG~UP8IGfUWhfOymNmFcuJSwO2UE9apKNeyLfGTc~Og08FlBN1QybQjTtaWyYXvB62CKlaY~d-SWZ6Vmlc1JO~w-FKOtRbqGKDLF5GODR-30PxFoEnBp~UeOOhwzZQi9ztNkxW~f--PdRUOHH~fqg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Holland City Council voted to receive the fiscal year 2025 strategic plan and business plan quarterly progress report for January through March.

City staff summarized accomplishments during the quarter and noted ongoing projects. The city manager highlighted that Holland City Fiber has reached the halfway mark in planned residential passes and that staff continues work on locating a preferred site for a recycling center. The manager also said the City submitted the longer budget document to council members for detailed review and invited members to route budget questions through staff ahead of formal budget review sessions.

Council Member Rowan moved to receive the quarterly report; Council Member Shea supported the motion, and members voted to receive the report by voice vote.

Council did not take further action beyond receiving the report and directing staff to make the full budget and supplemental materials available to council members and the public.","Council voted to receive the city’s strategic plan and business plan quarterly progress report covering January–March 2025; city manager summarized recent accomplishments including Holland City Fiber reaching 50% of planned residential passes and ongoing recycling center work.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6080999,"Council approves replacement pedestrian bridge at Van Ralte Farm",476,1890000,2366000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2944495-e1251af26d858df03a473cddbbf59a2b&start=1890&end=2366","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2944495-e1251af26d858df03a473cddbbf59a2b/thumbnail_1890000.jpg","/articles/6080999/Holland-City/Ottawa-County/Michigan/Council-approves-replacement-pedestrian-bridge-at-Van-Ralte-Farm","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6080999-12311730c91a503fd4ba3a3a77079961/orig.mp4?Expires=1771206291&Signature=YHxv8DLwt67dzpPqI2wgyLB0U75PVqISU1eIg1wJZAs-EcE82hJUU1fuax5o07HIk~W53brRrzVuKLEfBZ6qcQYp2jjSSM8kg86Cg~l46ZxJPWtnZdZOLBbdPgbmANTEDbPeZxdC0jAvpgla083sSMfUsgiTPbIGxHCWOWXkqCybsqRBfGw7ZIyBGWNEsRnWY0zs7h-BA7uiiDH7OFn-HxZwTi9i407gGMAnBehzy7ZHfrXmsi2SELnRn5IlF0FX-ReCTobjFc8Kj3mCUcd8lYjh53w7Ijis86zkLCQpd8OM-8X46b89kGO6X9YjLYj65KZz3bt3HKx~LU1B5l0X7g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Holland City Council voted to approve the purchase and installation of a new pedestrian bridge at Van Ralte Farm, replacing a structure washed out by a heavy rain event.

City staff described the replacement during the April 2 regular meeting and said the pre-engineered, all-wood bridge will span about 40 feet and sit higher than previous structures to avoid in-river supports. \"We do have 2 bridges out there and this one has been washed out for a while due to a large rain event,\" said Garrett, assistant director of Parks and Recreation. He said the new bridge will be a clear span with decking of southern yellow pine and two 20-foot boardwalk sections where required to meet permit conditions.

The bridge project team told council the City has secured review and permitting from multiple agencies, including Ottawa and Allegan County drain commissions and a permit from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). Staff said Sinclair Recreation is the vendor holding pricing and that installation is expected in fall 2025 if council approved the purchase. Garrett said the design changes — a higher deck and no supports at the river's edge — were intended to reduce the chance the bridge would wash out again: \"This one clear spans, so we don't have any support near the river's edge and this one will be quite a bit higher.\"

Resident Jeff Minkus, who identified himself as a frequent user of Van Ralte Farm trails, told council he and others are \"excited\" to see the bridge replaced so the loop trail can be completed.

Council Member Bird moved to approve the purchase; Council Member Soule supported the motion. The motion passed on a roll-call vote and council instructed staff to coordinate ordering, permitting and installation. The City manager and Parks and Recreation staff also noted the department recently submitted a $400,000 state trust grant application to fund additional Van Ralte Farm improvements, and that other site work (dog‑park lighting, drainage repairs, signage and interpretive material) is planned or already approved.

The council did not identify a construction contract award date during the meeting; staff said work would proceed after vendor ordering and receipt of permits.","The Holland City Council voted to purchase a pre-engineered, 40-foot clear-span pedestrian bridge to replace a crossing washed out at Van Ralte Farm; installation is planned for fall 2025 and staff said the design avoids in-river supports and raises the deck above recent flood levels.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents press council on pedestrian safety and airport runway plans during public comment

Council enters closed session to consult attorney on Prosthesisian v. City of Holland

Council removes member for lack of attendance, appoints Alec Miller to planning commission

Council receives FY2025 strategic- and business-plan quarterly progress report

Council approves replacement pedestrian bridge at Van Ralte Farm