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2 Rivers council creates capital fund, approves budget amendment for resilient‑shoreline planning
Summary
Council approved a 2025 budget amendment to create a separate capital projects fund to account for grant revenues and consultant expenses for the Resilient Shoreline planning project; a public input meeting is scheduled and grant reimbursements are pending NEPA/cultural review.
The 2 Rivers City Council on July 21 voted to amend the 2025 budget and create a separate capital projects fund to account for revenues and expenses tied to the city’s Resilient Shoreline planning project. Council members said the move will improve tracking of multiple grant sources and consultant work the city has contracted to support shoreline planning.
City Manager Greg Buckley told council that consultants from Stantec will lead a public meeting on the plan at 6 p.m. Wednesday in council chambers. The planning effort covers roughly a 2.5–3 mile stretch of Lake Michigan shoreline from the piers south beyond the city limits and will examine green infrastructure, stormwater management, native planting, recreational enhancements and potential relocation of some public‑works facilities.
Buckley said the project is funded through grant sources from multiple funders and that one grant (National Fish and Wildlife Foundation or similar) will be reimbursement‑based. He noted staff are still awaiting environmental review clearances (NEPA/cultural resources letter) required for reimbursements and said the city may temporarily float expenses from other funds until reimbursements arrive. The council was informed that CN (Canadian National Railroad) has agreed to hold an earlier price offer for an adjacent right‑of‑way for 60 more days; acquisition of that right‑of‑way could affect long‑term redevelopment opportunities along Memorial Drive and trail connections.
Council member Doug Brandt made a motion to waive reading and adopt the resolution creating the fund and amending the 2025 budget; the motion passed on roll call vote. Buckley said finance staff prefer a separate fund for clarity once grant proceeds and consultant invoices begin arriving.
Buckley and staff emphasized the project’s long time horizon and the potential to lay groundwork for infrastructure investment over the next decade. The city expects some cash flow disruption because grant reimbursements may lag consultant billings; the city will manage interim cash needs through existing funds.
The council's action requires a two‑thirds vote for budget amendments; the motion passed. The public engagement meeting led by Stantec is intended to gather neighborhood input and mark the start of a planning process that will resume at the upcoming work session for related right‑of‑way discussion.
