Residents urge action on Bay City Bridge Partners, tolls and fire station repairs during public comment

Several residents used the public‑comment period at the April 21 commission meeting to press the commission on two recurring community concerns: disputes over the privately operated Bay City Bridge Partners tolling and access, and the condition and repair timeline for local fire stations.

Jill Cosley, a resident who identified herself from West Smith Street, urged the commission to keep four fire stations open and to move quickly on repairs, saying the distribution and condition of stations matters for emergency response. “Keeping all 4 stations up and running is essential for the safety of all our people,” she told commissioners, and urged the newly proposed public safety infrastructure subcommittee to prioritize station repairs and set aside funds.

Separately, multiple speakers criticized Bay City Bridge Partners and called for stronger municipal action. Jeff Reed, a Bay City resident, supported an ongoing boycott of Bridge Partners and said the protest activity on the bridge was within legal rights; he also asked the commission whether the privately run operation had stopped tolling certain crossings and how much city staff time has been spent dealing with contract and legal issues. Laurie Ward, another resident, raised traffic‑safety concerns after a recent protest on a bridge sidewalk and said drivers were ‘‘rubbernecking’’ and nearly involved in collisions.

Why it matters: Bridge access and tolling affect mobility for residents of Bay City and neighboring jurisdictions; fire station availability and station condition directly influence emergency medical and fire response times.

Public action and commission response

The meeting record shows residents pressing for faster action on station repairs and for the city to continue tracking Bridge Partners activity, but no new formal, commission‑level decisions or votes were taken during the public‑comment period. Several commissioners acknowledged the comments: Commissioner DeWitt said he planned to convene or expand a public safety infrastructure subcommittee to address station condition and budget priorities; other commissioners suggested residents raise contract and legal questions with city staff or the city manager for follow up.

Ending

Speakers asked the commission to act and to be transparent about expenditures and plans. Commissioners said they would circulate reports and that infrastructure and contract questions would be considered in upcoming budget hearings and committee work.