Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Works topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Grand Haven approves $73,511.29 snow‑melt invoice, accepts temporary 50/50 cost split
Summary
The City Council voted June 1 to issue $73,511.29 in fiscal‑year 2025–26 downtown snow‑melt invoices and adopt a 50/50 city‑to‑downtown cost split for this year while planning a future work session to set a lasting policy. Council debated removing a proposed $80,000 cap and agreed to return later for a broader discussion.
The Grand Haven City Council on June 1 directed the city treasurer to issue snow‑melt invoices totaling $73,511.29 to downtown customers, approving a temporary 50/50 split of maintenance and utility costs between the city and downtown property owners.
Staff member Ashley, supported by Finance Director Emily Green, told the council the 50/50 allocation replaces a previous 25/75 split and that the $80,000 cap in staff materials was based on a six‑year average intended to give businesses predictability. Ashley said the ordinance language does not prescribe a specific allocation method, so the council would consider an annual evaluation and potential changes in the future.
Longtime downtown business owner Jim Hagen urged the council against fixed caps and in favor of a percentage‑based approach, arguing a variable share spreads risk and better reflects changing fuel and utility costs: "I'd rather not have fixed amounts. I think going with a percentage is much better," he said during public comment.
Councilmembers debated the fairness of the prior 25/75 arrangement, equity for downtown merchants and whether to remove the $80,000 cap. One councilmember said a 50/50 split "is a great way to go forward today" and recommended a future resolution to memorialize the split so it would not change every year. Another suggested a formal work session before winter to determine a permanent allocation method and to consider the system's long‑term replacement costs.
The council voted on the staff resolution and recorded roll‑call votes (Fritz: yes; Dora: yes; Calio: yes; Vanetsza: yes). The motion to issue the invoices and accept a 50/50 split for the current billing period passed.
The council and staff agreed to return the matter for further discussion this summer, including a broader review of policy options, potential removal of the $80,000 cap, and stakeholder input from the DDA and downtown merchants.
What happens next: The invoices will be sent to designated downtown customers; staff will prepare additional analysis and a recommended policy framework for council consideration at a future meeting.
