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Residents press Coldwater council on utility deposit policy, transparency and mayoral attendance
Summary
During public comment at the March 30 meeting residents raised concerns about Board of Public Utilities deposit and reconnection fees, requested clearer city outreach and school engagement about municipal jobs, and criticized Mayor Kramer's meeting attendance and the council's handling of public discussion.
Several residents used the March 30 public comment period to press the council on local policy and transparency.
Mike Parker (47 Steven Street) praised the council for tabling code amendment 8-85 and warned the proposed language was overly broad for Coldwater’s older housing stock; he urged clearer repair timelines and homeowner protections. Parker also addressed the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) reconnection policy, describing a practice in which disconnected customers face a nonrefundable deposit and same-day call fee. “They charge you a $100 deposit fee addition, then they charge you an additional $35 fee to have somebody come out… they don't refund it,” Parker said, urging the council to consider a limited program or criteria to return some of that money in hardship cases.
Other public commenters asked the city to present information about municipal jobs to local schools to encourage youth engagement and to consider aesthetic improvements at Fairfield Plaza. Gabrielle Douglas urged the council to follow its own rules on public discussion and called for transparent, on-the-record discussions rather than sending residents to one-on-one meetings to ask questions.
A vocal commenter accused Mayor Kramer of repeatedly missing meetings and demanded an explanation. “A mayor who disappears when the citizens show up is not leading,” the speaker said, calling for accountability and clearer communication about absences.
Council members responded to some concerns at the meeting: Mayor Kramer clarified that the new fountain will be on the library corner of 4 Corners Park and said it will have a three-foot barrier to reduce direct access; staff directed residents with specific utility-payment questions to BPU customer service and the county’s 211 resource for assistance. No formal policy changes were adopted at the meeting; councilors did not immediately alter the BPU deposit practice and instead heard public feedback.
The council asked staff to note public concerns and to follow up where appropriate; future meetings or staff reports may address BPU policy and traffic/visibility requests raised during public comment.
