KENTWOOD, Mich. — The Kentwood City Commission on Oct. 7 approved a package of development, infrastructure and administrative items, including final plat approval for Jefferson Farms East, a $282,000 engineering contract for the 40 Fourth Street rehabilitation project and an amendment to the city code that streamlined the short‑term rental prohibition.

The ordinance amendment to Chapter 74, section 74‑80 — the city’s short‑term rental rule — was described by the city attorney as a “housekeeping” change to remove a duplicate prohibition and make the definition identical in the rental­-inspection chapter and the zoning code. The city attorney said the ordinance defines short‑term rentals as stays of “27 consecutive days or less” and recommended removing the second, potentially confusing prohibition after a recent prosecution prompted a defense argument about the two different formulations. The commission adopted the amendment in a roll‑call vote, with all present voting yes.

Commissioners approved the final plat for Jefferson Farms East after an engineering staff presentation that noted the subdivision is near completion and that the city holds a bond for remaining work. Engineering staff invited Chris Vanderhoff of Bosco Construction to the meeting to answer questions; commissioners moved and passed the plat approval by voice vote.

The commission also authorized the mayor to enter a contract with Roe (an engineering firm) to provide design and construction engineering for the 40 Fourth Street rehabilitation project. The contract amount is $282,000, which the city said includes a 10 percent contingency and will be paid from the Act 51 major streets fund; construction is scheduled for 2027.

Councilors approved a purchase of water meters using up to $80,000 from the water fund for the current fiscal year. DPW staff said most purchases will be city‑standard meters (residential and irrigation) and that the department is also testing alternative meter‑reading technologies on a limited basis rather than switching wholesale to a single brand. DPW staff explained the city compares a master meter (Potter Pumping Station), which records purchased water from the City of Wyoming, with retail meter readings to calculate “lost water.”

Other consent and purchasing actions passed, including approval to buy saws and toolkits (presented by department staff) and a corrected set of minutes that note Commissioner Tyson did not participate in a prior vote. Those motions passed by unanimous voice votes or roll calls as recorded on the agenda.

The meeting closed following brief commissioner remarks and announcements about leaf-and‑brush drop‑off and a planned tour request from the county real‑time intelligence center; no further formal action was taken at adjournment.