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Council approves appointments, contracts and zoning first reading; public hearing held on 224 Washington exemption
Summary
At its Oct. 6 meeting the Grand Haven City Council approved multiple consent items and contracts, appointed a member to the Lake Forest Cemetery Board, approved a three‑year leaf processing services contract that joins area municipalities, and adopted an introductory zoning resolution for part of 601 South Beechtree Street; council held a public
Grand Haven — The Grand Haven City Council on Oct. 6 approved several routine and project contracts, confirmed a board appointment and advanced a zoning map change on first reading. The council also opened a public hearing on an Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Act exemption application for 224 Washington Ave.; no action on that certificate was taken that evening.
Votes at a glance (key outcomes)
- Appointment to Lake Forest Cemetery Board: Council approved the appointment of Jerry Ashcraft to the Lake Forest Cemetery Board (term to 06/30/2028). Motion by Law; second by McLaughlin. Roll call recorded affirmative votes by council members present. Outcome: approved.
- Consent agenda: Council approved the special work session and regular meeting minutes for 09/15/2025; bills memo totaling $17,365,447.89; awarded a communication tower placement contract to low bidder Midway Electronics of Rensselaer, Indiana, in a not‑to‑exceed amount of $354,060 (includes 5% contingency for unforeseen foundation removal); and approved amendment No. 1 to Ryan & Nuhof Professional Engineering Services for construction phase services in the amount of $43,500 (airport north-south runway resurfacing construction phase). Motion by Fritz; second by Law. Roll call: affirmative. Outcome: approved.
- Three‑year Northwest Ottawa County leaf/processing contract: Council approved a three‑year contract with Verplank (Ferrysburg) for leaf processing services as part of a multi‑municipality agreement. Motion made and seconded; council clarified that all five participating municipalities are expected to adopt the contract. Outcome: approved; implementation contingent on other municipalities’ participation.
- Rezoning (introductory resolution) for portion of 601 S. Beechtree St.: Council approved an introductory zoning resolution to change a portion of parcel 73‑282707‑17 from MDR (Moderate Density Residential) to B (Beechtree District). Planning staff said the change corrects a split‑zoning condition on the parcel and is consistent with the city’s future land use plan. Motion by French; second by McLeod. Outcome: introductory resolution approved; a second reading/possible adoption will return at a subsequent council meeting.
- Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Act public hearing (224 Washington Ave.): Council opened a public hearing on an application seeking an OPRA exemption certificate for 224 Washington Ave. (the former jewelry store) and received public comment. The city attorney and staff noted the council had previously approved creation of the Obsolete Property Rehabilitation District, and the developer’s certificate application requests up to 12 years of tax abatement (which would freeze taxes at current levels and abate incremental tax growth). The council did not act on the certificate on Oct. 6 and will take action at a later meeting after further consideration.
Notes and clarifications: Several items originated on the consent agenda and were approved without extended debate. In the public hearing on the OPRA certificate, at least one resident (Richard Clapp) objected to the use of public redevelopment funds for what he described as private property redevelopment, citing concerns about use of local millage and brownfield-type incentives. City staff said the application includes an option to abate up to half of school taxes for the first six years as part of the certificate request; details and final approvals will follow in the application process.
Full action list (structured)
1) Appointment: Jerry Ashcraft to Lake Forest Cemetery Board; term ending 06/30/2028. Mover: Law. Second: McLaughlin. Outcome: approved.
2) Consent items: minutes (09/15/2025); bills memo $17,365,447.89; award to Midway Electronics — not to exceed $354,060 (includes 5% contingency) for communications tower placement; Ryan & Nuhof amendment No. 1 — $43,500 for construction phase services (airport runway). Outcome: approved.
3) Verplank three‑year leaf/processing services contract (multi‑municipality): Mover and second on the floor; roll call affirmative. Outcome: approved; contingent upon participation by other municipalities per contract terms.
4) Zoning map change (introductory resolution) — portion of 601 S. Beechtree St. rezoned from MDR to Beechtree District: Motion by French; second by McLeod. Outcome: introductory resolution approved; future hearing/second reading required.
5) OPRA exemption certificate public hearing — 224 Washington Ave.: Public comment taken; no council action taken Oct. 6. Outcome: no action (public hearing held); further action to be scheduled.
Ending: Council completed its work session and regular meeting business. Several items will return for subsequent council action where required (OPRA certificate, zoning second reading).
