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Township board approves routine consent and event items, adds closed session for property purchase; residents raise parks and riverfront concerns
Summary
Trustees approved the consent agenda, financial actions, Heritage Festival liquor license and road closure, and added a closed session to discuss a potential property purchase; public commenters raised questions about a dead riverfront tree, fluorescent debris, and splash-pad planning for local parks.
Cascade Charter Township trustees handled routine business and several event approvals, agreed to enter a closed session on a potential real-property purchase, and heard public comments about parks and riverfront concerns.
Clerk Slater called the roll and the board approved the consent agenda and financial actions (invoices scheduled for 07/24 and June statements). Supervisor Grace Lesperance introduced and the board approved an added agenda item to hold a closed session pursuant to MCL 15.267(1) to consider a potential property purchase; Trustee Nordyke moved to add the closed session and Trustee Shipley supported the motion.
Manager Smith presented two Heritage Festival resolutions: support for a one-day liquor license for the Sept. 20 event on Orange Street and a separate road-closure resolution in coordination with the Kent County sheriff. Trustees asked about neighborhood notification and liquor-service protocols; staff said there were no objections from adjacent property owners and that ticketing/ID procedures will be used. Both resolutions passed on roll call.
During two public-comment periods residents raised several local concerns. One resident asked that the closed session be scheduled after board and manager comments in future meetings. Others reported a large dead tree next to a bridge and a barrel of fluorescent light tubes on a nearby property; Manager Smith said parks and facilities staff will address the tree for safety reasons and investigate the lights. Multiple residents discussed Tassel/Rec Park master-plan work and the possibility of a splash pad; staff said initial concept work was paid for with DDA funds and that a separate design step remains, noting drainage and code issues may limit immediate construction. A virtual commenter urged the township to adopt a cohesive Thornapple Riverfront plan before buying additional riverfront parcels; Supervisor Lesperance said the township has DDA funding for corner improvements and a tentative purchase agreement for one parcel, but emphasized modest landscaping and a pedestrian/bike connection as likely uses rather than large-scale development.
The board entered a closed session to discuss the property purchase and subsequently returned to open session. Manager Smith reported other items including a water-main installation on Thornapple River Drive next week and reminded the board that meetings will move to Fire Station 1 during Wisner Center upgrades. The meeting adjourned after brief trustee comments.
