Coldwater council adopts multiple resolutions: street projects, utility easements, park installations and cemetery fee changes

The Coldwater City Council approved a slate of resolutions and contract awards covering streets, utilities, downtown infrastructure and parks. Major items approved include a MDOT contract for North Clay Street reconstruction, a microsurfacing preventive maintenance contract, utility easement agreements to support a transmission-substation expansion, awards for downtown sound equipment, master plan consulting services, park installations and updates to cemetery fees.

Key approved items (votes and details):

- North Clay Street reconstruction (Resolution 25-33 / MDOT contract 25-52-11): Council approved the MDOT-awarded construction contract for full reconstruction of North Clay Street between Grand and Waterman, with a total contract value presented as $1,187,570. The council-recorded city contribution (net of a $385,000 MDOT Surface Transportation Program grant) was listed as approximately $461,800; the work includes roadway, curb, gutter, drive approaches, storm sewer and water/sewer improvements. The council approved the contract by voice vote.

- 2025 bond authorization (Resolution 25-34): Council adopted a resolution initiating the process to issue unlimited tax general obligation bonds tied to the millage voters approved in November. Staff estimated approximately $5,100,000 in bond proceeds tied to an estimated levy of 1.52 mills. Council passed the resolution by voice vote.

- Microsurfacing preventive maintenance (Resolution 25-29): City staff received one qualified bid and recommended approving the microsurfacing contract in the amount of $208,892.60. Council approved the contract by voice vote.

- ITC/METC and DTE transmission easements and related agreements (Resolutions 25-37 and 25-38; Agreements 8-25-26, 8-25-27, 25-28): The council approved two easement amendments and related agreements to expand the footprint of the Jonesville substation to support a proposed 100-megawatt solar facility and other transmission connections. The first action amended the existing easement and added 35 feet to the substation fence line; staff said the change would add an additional bus and preserve an open bus slot for future work. A second nonexclusive easement will allow DTE to cross city property to connect equipment. These two measures were approved with a roll-call vote recorded in the minutes: Council member Risman — Yes; Council member Johnson — Yes; Council member Kanak/Knauss — Yes; Council member Houts — Yes; Council member Hazelbaker — Yes; Council member Petzko — Yes; Council member Beckwith — Yes; Mayor Kramer — Yes. (Transcript shows affirmative responses for all listed members.)

- South Monroe sound system bid award (Resolution 25-31): Council approved a bid to install a distributed sound system for South Monroe Street and Tibbetts Plaza, including rack equipment in a restroom utility closet, zone-controllable speakers and wireless microphones. Staff said the project originally fit within the department spending limit but exceeded it before final procurement; the fiscal year budget was amended to cover the appropriation. Council approved the bid by voice vote.

- Master plan consultant award (Resolution 25-22): Council awarded the five-year master plan update contract to Progressive Companies for $70,000; staff noted a $50,000 grant from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) toward the work and that the remainder was budgeted. Council approved the award by voice vote.

- Story walk installation at Waterworks Park (Resolution 25-30): The council approved a request from the Branch County Library to install a second “story walk” in Waterworks Park; the library and Altrusa provided support and funding. Council approved the resolution by voice vote.

- Native garden at Parkhurst Park (Resolution 25-36): The council approved the Branch County Conservation District’s proposal to install a native plant garden in Parkhurst Park, paid for with a grant (amount not specified in the meeting). Council approved the resolution by voice vote.

- Cemetery fee updates (Resolution 25-14): Council adopted updates to cemetery fees and services tied to the city’s newly purchased vault-setting equipment. The changes in the packet included a vault-setting fee of $200, a vault sealing fee of $125, increasing chapel use from $100 to $300, and raising a tent-setup fee to $1,000 (transcript indicates the prior tent fee as listed in the packet; see council packet for original figure). Council approved the resolution by voice vote.

Votes at a glance: many items were voice votes recorded as "All in favor, say aye," while two utility easement agreements were adopted via roll-call, with the transcript recording unanimous "Yes" votes from the listed council members.

Why it matters: The approved measures fund and authorize infrastructure and park projects, advance a city master plan update and formalize utility easements that enable regional transmission work. The street and utility projects involve state grant funding and MDOT oversight; the council identified timing to minimize impacts on local schools and events.

What’s next: Staff will proceed with contract administration, preconstruction meetings and coordination with MDOT and utilities. Specific procurement and construction timetables were discussed for several projects (microsurfacing in the spring; sound system installation in May; North Clay reconstruction in summer).