Wyoming council approves multiple infrastructure, IT and policy items; rezoning and zoning text amendments advance

The Wyoming City Council on June 2 approved a series of resolutions and ordinances covering water and sewer equipment purchases, IT and library furnishings, a nonmotorized trail grant agreement, pavement preservation, a compensation study and zoning code changes.

Among the larger items, council members approved a change order and advance purchase for surge-suppression valves tied to the third water transmission main project, with staff stating the valve procurement would cost about $1,200,000 and be funded from bond proceeds for that project. A separate set of sanitary‑sewer lift station technical upgrades for 11 pump stations was approved, with an estimated cost of about $277,000.

Council also approved a Michigan Department of Transportation agreement to build a nonmotorized trail as part of the city‑center project, a roughly $1,400,000 project that includes a $746,000 federal grant; staff said the city’s share is about $650,000. The council authorized pavement-preservation work (cape‑seal with microsurfacing) estimated at about $300,000 on residential streets.

The council approved IT and hardware renewals and replacements, described by staff as annual license and maintenance agreements across city systems totaling just under $1,900,000, plus network-switch and computer replacements (about $61,000 and $60,000, respectively). A five‑year program of annual hose and aerial testing contracts, replacement of two boilers at the library (about $75,000), and laboratory testing supplies for water and wastewater plants were approved as awarded bids.

Other approvals included purchase of three surge valves (third transmission main project), a portable refrigerated sampler (~$9,100), replacement and programming of pump‑station PLCs (~$277,000), traffic signal equipment and illuminated street signs (staff estimated about $200,000 annually), two replacement aeroboard trailers (~$11,000), and key‑security boxes for fire apparatus to secure master Knox keys.

The council authorized Pontifex Consulting Group LLC to conduct a citywide compensation and classification study for $44,500; council was told the study would take about six months. The council approved replacement furniture for a three‑piece information desk at the Kent District Library (~$9,400) and accepted bids related to drying-bed cleaning at the drinking water plant (approximately $250,000 for removal and landfill acceptance).

On public safety technology, the council approved a proposed 10‑year contract with Axon for updated body cameras, in‑car cameras and tasers, described in the meeting as approximately $5,900,000 over 10 years.

In zoning matters, the council adopted Ordinance 7‑25 to rezone 21130 6th Street SW from a vehicular parking district (P‑1) to B‑2 General Business District (final reading). The council also advanced two zoning text amendments in first reading — Ordinance 8‑25, which clarifies event and convention center uses and crowd-management guidelines, and Ordinance 9‑25, which corrects references and clarifies fence and illuminated sign standards; staff described Ordinance 9‑25 as clerical cleanup of the code.

All motions described on the agenda were moved, seconded and approved by roll call during the meeting; staff provided funding-source context for several capital items (bond proceeds for the transmission project, a federal grant for the trail, and routine budgeted renewals for IT maintenance). No item was tabled or failed at the June 2 session.

Votes at a glance (selected items): - Resolution 14a — extend employment agreement with part‑time legal counsel (Scott Smith) through June 29. Motion: De Krieger; Support: Hill. Outcome: Approved. - Awards of bids/resolution 15a — change order No. 2 and advance purchase for 3 surge valves, third water transmission main. Motion: Posler; Support: Brathauer. Outcome: Approved. Estimated cost: ~$1,200,000 (bond proceeds). - Resolutions 15b‑c — portable refrigerated sampler and sanitary‑sewer lift station technical upgrades. Motion: De Krieger; Support: Posler. Outcome: Approved. Estimated costs: ~$9,100 (sampler) and ~$277,000 (lift station upgrades). - Resolution 15f — MDOT agreement for nonmotorized trail (Pinery Park to Burton Street/Clyde Park Ave). Motion: Posler; Support: Brett Howard. Outcome: Approved. Project cost: ~$1,400,000; federal grant $746,000; city share ~$650,000. - Resolution 15g — pavement preservation (cape‑seal/microsurfacing). Motion: De Krieger; Support: Hill. Outcome: Approved. Estimated cost: ~$300,000. - Resolution 15h,i,j — IT and hardware/software license renewals and related replacements. Motion: Brett Hower; Support: Posler. Outcome: Approved. Estimated annual renewals: just under $1,900,000; switches replacement ~$61,000; desktops/laptops ~$60,000. - Resolution 15k — accept proposal from Pontifex Consulting Group LLC for compensation and classification study. Motion: Boss Order; Support: De Krieger. Outcome: Approved. Cost: $44,500; timeline estimate: ~6 months. - Resolution 15l — purchase library information desk furniture (~$9,400). Motion: Brett Hower; Support: Posler. Outcome: Approved (Hill voted No on this item). - Resolution 15n — authorize new 10‑year contract with Axon for body cameras, in‑car cameras and tasers (~$5,900,000). Motion: De Krieger; Support: Brethauer. Outcome: Approved. - Ordinance 7‑25 — rezoning 21130 6th Street SW to B‑2 General Business District (final reading). Motion: Posler; Support: Hill. Outcome: Adopted. - Ordinance 8‑25 and 9‑25 — zoning code clarifications (first reading). Motions: Brathauer and De Krieger respectively; Outcomes: Advanced (first reading approved).

Several smaller equipment and maintenance contracts were approved by unanimous roll call; council discussion generally focused on project scope, funding sources and scheduling rather than on fundamental policy disputes. The meeting included one public comment on traffic and parking for a proposed redevelopment at 30 6th Street; staff offered to follow up with the resident after the meeting.