Kentwood City Commission approves pedestrian signal cost share, public works contracts and revokes 2018 industrial tax exemption

Kentwood City Commission on Jan. 7 approved several items intended to boost pedestrian safety and complete planned Public Works facility upgrades, and revoked a 2018 industrial tax exemption for a company that never located in the city.

The measures included authorizing a cost-share agreement for a HAWK pedestrian signal on Division Avenue near Kellogg's Lake Schools; purchase of 180 rifle-rated body armor plates for patrol officers; authorization of design and down-payment services for the Public Works building renovation and expansion; a contract for security system materials and installation at the Public Works site; establishment of an industrial development district at 4175 60th Street; and revocation of an industrial exemption certificate issued in 2018 to Axis Company.

Why it matters: The investments aim to improve safety for school-area pedestrians and to advance a multi-part Public Works renovation and expansion that city staff said will return larger trucks to the DPW roof and improve facility security. The revocation removes a tax abatement on a company that city staff said never moved to Kentwood.

The meeting opened a public hearing and then voted to establish an industrial development district at 4175 60th Street, a preliminary step that allows future tax-abatement applications by businesses that would occupy the proposed building. Planning staff said two companies are expected to apply later, each for half of the planned building; wages and company names will be reviewed at future public hearings when those applications are filed.

City Engineer Brad Boomstra described the Division Avenue project as a cost-sharing agreement to install a HAWK pedestrian signal at the Kellogg's Lake Schools crossing, and said, "Kentwood share is estimated at around $62,000." The commission approved authorization for the mayor to sign the agreement by voice vote.

Chief (police) urged replacement of officers' rifle plates, telling commissioners the department's current plates were more than 15 years old and warranties typically expire after five years. The commission approved purchase of 180 plates; staff said the plates are sized to individual officers and fit external carriers that supplement soft-body armor. That purchase was approved by voice vote.

For the Public Works renovation and expansion, city staff presented a request to authorize Triangle Associates to enter a contract with DB Construction for pre-engineered metal building design-assist services and a building down payment. Staff said the total amount for design and down payment is $800,850, including a 10% contingency, and that funds will come from the fiscal 2025 property and buildings fund. City staff explained they sought "like-for-like" building components to match the existing SECO structure and noted wind-load connections where the two buildings will meet. Commissioners approved the authorization; staff said final design and full construction costs will be brought back for further approval.

Separately, staff requested authorization for Secure Alarm to provide security system materials, installation and ongoing monitoring for the Public Works building at an amount not to exceed $36,015, with a 10% contingency, funded from the same property and buildings fund. The design will reuse two existing cameras, add two cameras and add card readers to two doors; the commission approved the agreement by voice vote.

At the start of the meeting, planning staff opened and then closed a public hearing to establish an industrial development district at 4175 60th Street; the commission voted to establish the district and will consider separate tax-abatement applications from the two prospective tenants when they file. The motion to establish the district passed by roll call with all members voting in favor.

Finally, the commission voted to revoke an industrial exemption certificate issued to Axis Company in 2018 after staff said the company never moved to Kentwood (the company remains located in Walker). The revocation was described by staff as a housekeeping action and passed by roll call vote.

Votes at a glance: - Division Avenue HAWK pedestrian signal cost-share — Kentwood share estimated at $62,000. Motion approved by voice vote; vote tally not recorded. - Purchase of 180 rifle-rated body armor plates for patrol officers — approved by voice vote; vote tally not recorded. Staff noted plates replace equipment older than 15 years. - Authorize Triangle Associates/DB Construction design-assist services and building down payment for Public Works renovation and expansion — $800,850 total (including 10% contingency); funds from FY25 property and buildings fund. Motion approved; final construction costs to be returned for approval. - Authorize Secure Alarm agreement for security system materials, installation and monitoring — not to exceed $36,015 plus 10% contingency; funds from FY25 property and buildings fund. Motion approved by voice vote; vote tally not recorded. - Establish industrial development district at 4175 60th Street — motion approved by roll call (unanimous, 5-0). Staff: two future tax-abatement applications expected for each half of the building. - Revocation of 2018 industrial exemption certificate for Axis Company — motion approved by roll call (unanimous, 5-0). Staff said Axis never located in the city; company remains in Walker.

What commissioners said and next steps: Commissioners asked for clarification on timing for the Public Works construction; staff said construction kickoff is anticipated in May–June, with additional design and cost approvals to follow. Staff also said the project's open house scheduled for May may be postponed because of construction activity. The commission did not set additional conditions for the contracts beyond the contingencies noted by staff.

The commission adjourned after brief community announcements and closed the meeting with no further action on these items.