Council awards Lafayette Park Phase 1 contract; debates EV charging and parking impacts

South Lyon — The City Council on May 27 voted to award the phase 1 improvements at Lafayette Park to Nicholas Contracting Inc. of Milford for $314,537.20, with funds drawn from account 101-751-978.

City staff and the DDA director described the project scope and noted a component to support electric-vehicle (EV) charging at the park. Councilmembers discussed that the planned footprint includes three parking spaces adjacent to the park; one will be designated for handicap parking and another is planned for EV charging. Several councilmembers and residents raised concerns that dedicating an EV space would remove a significant portion (one-third) of the small, park-adjacent parking area and reduce immediate park access.

Staff said the charging equipment may be installed by a vendor at no capital cost to the city, but the city is budgeting for electrical infrastructure and trenching that would support the chargers and additional uses (food-truck power, irrigation). Councilmember Hanssen asked whether the $15,000 line item was for the charger itself or for the electrical setup; staff clarified that most of the cost is for bringing power and underground utilities to the site. Councilmember Kibble asked whether chargers require customer payment; staff said charging-company systems accept payment cards and the company manages energy sales under its agreement.

Councilmember Hanssen moved to approve the bid award; the motion was seconded by Councilmember Kibble and passed on a roll-call vote. The meeting record shows Mayor Stephen B. Kennedy voting No on the bid award.