Commission approves contracts, purchases, budget amendments and ordinance changes in routine business vote

The Kentwood City Commission approved a slate of administrative contracts, equipment purchases, budget amendments and an ordinance amendment during its March 24 meeting. Items below passed on voice or roll call votes; discussions were recorded in the meeting minutes and staff memos. Most items were routine procurement or budget actions that will be carried out by city departments.

Key actions and contract awards (summary):

- Receive and file: Local Officers' Compensation Commission (LOCC) recommendations on elected officer salaries (presented by LOCC chair Greg Jakubcic). The commission received and filed the report.

- Receive and file: Police and Fire monthly reports for February 2025 (Fire Chief Wilman and Police Chief Whitland presented statistics and highlights including runs, fire inspections and a major narcotics search warrant seizure described by the police chief).

- Construction agreements: Authorized a construction agreement for Highbore (Highbury) Acres Site Condos Phase 1 (city utilities jurisdiction) and a separate agreement for GR Ancillary Developments (utilities under Grand Rapids jurisdiction) to permit inspection and reimbursement arrangements.

- Construction engineering inspections: Awarded construction engineering inspection and testing for Highbore Acres Phase 1 to Colliers Engineering (formerly Bergman), the firm that completed prior work on the development.

- Sidewalk repair contract: Awarded the 2025 sidewalk repair program to Tresimer Concrete & Excavating for $99,290 (including a 10% contingency). Staff noted roughly $44,500 is estimated to be billed to property owners (private responsibility) and about $45,800 is city responsibility; property owners previously receive fall notification of required repairs and may elect to hire contractors or use the city's contract.

- Vehicles and equipment: Approved purchase of three Police Department staff vehicles (two Equinoxes and one GMC Terrain) for a total of $87,796.06 (budget amended to replace three of five originally planned vehicles). Approved DPW purchases including a bandit chipper ($66,005.10) and authorized sewer point repairs with Kentwood Excavating ($209,576 including a 15% contingency). The sewer repairs require excavation and pipe replacement rather than lining.

- Library and community center: Approved remodel workroom upgrades at the Kentwood Library (second floor) and awarded a furniture package contract to Trellis Partners LLC for community center and library community room furniture not to exceed $711,673 (with $612,722 from Parks & Rec Capital Fund and $98,951 from property/building fund). Staff said furniture choices favor durable, cleanable materials suitable for heavy public use.

- Fundraising consultant: Authorized an extension to the professional fundraising consultant agreement (Kristen Gucci) at an additional not‑to‑exceed $85,000 from the Parks & Rec Capital Fund to continue solicitation work for the community center and related projects.

- IT for public safety: Authorized purchase of Cradlepoint modems for fire vehicles (12 modems) from CDW‑G for a net cost near $32,430; anticipated Verizon rebate and multi‑year software purchase reduce the net fiscal impact.

- Records digitization: Approved a contract with Applied Innovation for planning department records digitization up to $15,500 (10% contingency); originals will be moved to off‑site storage after digitization.

- Budget and finance: Adopted a resolution adjusting the FY 2024–25 budget and approved the related 2025 Capital Improvement bond resolution as presented by finance staff.

- Noise ordinance: Adopted amendments to Chapter 38, Article 5, Division 2 (Noise), including restoring Sunday as a quiet day and clarifications about construction‑related exceptions and school‑sponsored activities.

- Appointment: Confirmed appointment of Lisa Golder as Community Development Director effective April 2; commissioners cited continuity and institutional knowledge as factors in the appointment and noted further staff restructuring and job‑description work will follow as Director Terry prepares for retirement.

Most items were approved by voice vote or roll call and will proceed to contracting and implementation steps handled by the respective departments; staff will circulate and execute contracts according to the city's procurement policies. No single contract award or purchase exceeded the approvals recorded in the published agenda and staff memos.

A longer public hearing and more detailed discussion occurred separately for the Garden Park Estates site condominium (see separate coverage).