Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Municipal Governance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Coldwater council approves consent agenda, franchise renewal and several resolutions
Summary
At its Dec. 16 meeting the Coldwater City Council approved the consent agenda, removed one library invoice for later approval, adopted two ordinances and several resolutions (including a franchise renewal for Michigan Gas Utility and a ticketed tree‑trimming contract), and accepted the city manager and audit reports.
Coldwater’s City Council met Dec. 16 and approved a package of routine items and several formal actions, including an OPRA exemption transfer, a one‑year tree‑trimming contract, cemetery fee changes and two ordinances.
The council voted to approve the consent agenda (minutes, board minutes and financial reports) and approved bills and accounts while removing one library invoice (about $2,400) that exceeded a prior library authorization; staff said the library board will consider that invoice and return it to council for final approval.
Council actions adopted at the meeting included:
- Resolution 24‑86: Transfer of an OPRA exemption certificate for the property at 8 South Monroe Street from Caywood Propane to Give Me Shelter LLC; staff said the project scope is complete and the exemption remains in effect through the existing term (staff estimated to 2031). (Introduced via a memo from Samantha Albright.)
- Agreement A 24‑18 (introductory adoption): A proposed amendment to the city’s lease with the Coldwater Community Center for the former Putnam Funeral Home at 11 E. Chicago St. Staff requested the city continue utility payments through April 30, 2025 to allow the tenant time to assume utilities; the amendment will return for final approval at the Jan. 27 meeting.
- Resolution 24‑89 / Agreement 82417: Authorization to change the city’s tree‑trimming contractor to Davey Tree Service on a one‑year trial basis, with staff citing a three‑person crew that improves safety and limits service interruptions. Staff said the city budgets about $110,000 annually for tree services and expects a modest cost increase offset by operational efficiencies. The Board of Public Utilities and the city will divide costs based on usage and the contract is time‑and‑material.
- Resolution 24‑92: Revised cemetery columbarium plaque pricing, increasing the supplier pass‑through charge from $3.80 to $3.95 effective Jan. 1, 2025; staff said no additional administrative fee is added.
- Ordinance 869: Renewal of the Michigan Gas Utility franchise agreement on the same terms for another 30 years; staff noted the franchise is nonexclusive and the city may entertain other providers if they come forward.
- Ordinance 870: Amendments to Chapter 880 concerning marijuana establishments that implement prior zoning changes, remove grow‑adjacent licensing, and set a firm application and renewal deadline (eliminating the prior 60‑day retroactive grace period).
Council accepted the city manager’s report, which included event notices, yard‑waste procedures and tax‑billing reminders, and heard an audit presentation (see separate article). The meeting was adjourned to a presentation on a potential bandstand.
Votes at a glance: all motions and ordinances listed above were moved, supported, and carried by voice vote as recorded on the Dec. 16 agenda packet; no roll‑call tallies with individual yes/no votes were read into the record for these items.
