Kentwood commission approves SafeChem relocation, street contract, grants and routine purchases

The Kentwood City Commission approved a series of routine and project items at its Nov. 12 meeting, including an intergovernmental agreement for a hazardous-waste collection site relocation, a street engineering contract, park grants from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund, and an information-technology equipment purchase.

SafeChem collection site: Staff asked the commission to authorize the mayor to sign an agreement with the Kent County Department of Public Works to formalize relocation and operations for the SafeChem household hazardous-waste collection site; commissioners approved the authorization. Staff said the county will reimburse the city for construction costs associated with the relocation and that the move separates traffic for different operations at the site.

52nd Street rehabilitation contract: The commission authorized the mayor to enter a contract with Prine and Neuhof for design and construction engineering services for the rehabilitation of 52nd Street between Broadmoor Avenue and Patterson Avenue. The contract was authorized for an amount not to exceed $126,610, which the presenter said includes a 10% contingency and will be paid from the major street fund.

IT equipment: The commission approved the purchase of 22 Dell desktop and laptop computers, a budgeted expense the presenter said totals just over $22,000.

Park grants and appropriations: The commission accepted a Michigan Department of Natural Resources project agreement and appropriated funds for Lambert's Trail Park acquisition based on prior grant awards. Separately, the commission accepted Part B of a Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund development grant for Rondo Station in the amount of $300,000; staff said this is a 50% matching grant and work is targeted to begin in the spring.

Votes at a glance (motions and outcomes recorded on the Nov. 12 agenda): - Excuse Commissioner Coughlin — motion moved by Commissioner Morgan, supported by Commissioner Moore; outcome: approved. - Approve agenda as submitted — motion moved by Commissioner Moseley, supported by Commissioner Morgan; outcome: approved. - Consent agenda — motion moved by Commissioner Morgan, supported by Commissioner Mosley; outcome: approved (roll call). - Approve minutes (10/21/2025) — motion moved by Commissioner Arts, supported by Commissioner Moore; outcome: approved. - Authorize SafeChem agreement and relocation — motion moved by Commissioner Mosley, supported by Commissioner Morgan; outcome: approved. - Authorize engineering contract for 52nd Street — motion moved by Commissioner Moore, supported by Commissioner Moseley; outcome: approved (amount not to exceed $126,610 from major street fund). - Authorize purchase of Dell computers (22 units, budgeted) — motion moved by Commissioner Moore, supported by Commissioner Morgan; outcome: approved (total just over $22,000). - Accept DNR project agreement for Lambert's Trail acquisition — motion moved by Commissioner Arts, supported by Commissioner Moseley; outcome: approved (roll call). - Accept MNRTF Part B for Rondo Station ($300,000, 50% match) — motion moved by Commissioner Moseley, supported by Commissioner Moore; outcome: approved (roll call). - Appoint Betsy Arts as Mayor Pro Tem (term to 11/27/2027) — nomination moved and seconded on the floor; outcome: approved. - Adjourn meeting — motion moved by Commissioner Morgan, supported by Commissioner Mosley; outcome: approved.

Several of these items were presented with staff explanations and passed on voice or roll-call votes; the meeting did not record amendments to the motions during the session.