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Zeeland council approves JR Automation industrial district, amends BPW budget and OKs public-works contracts
Summary
The Common Council unanimously approved creation of a 45.5-acre Industrial Development District for JR Automation, amended the BPW administrative-office expansion budget to $2.75 million and authorized multiple public-works contracts including a Church Street sewer cost‑share with Zeeland Charter Township and a traffic‑signal replacement at State and Roosevelt streets.
The Zeeland Common Council on Sept. 15 approved a slate of development, utility and public-works measures, including establishment of a 45.5-acre Industrial Development District for JR Automation and budget increases to support BPW capital work.
Mayor Pro-Tem Gruppen moved to designate the JR Automation site as an Industrial Development District, a step the company needs to pursue an Act 198 industrial facilities tax-exemption. Councilmember VanDorp seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
Council also amended the Board of Public Works (BPW) administrative-office expansion budget from $2.5 million to $2.75 million to cover rising costs. The motion was made by Councilmember Broersma and seconded by Councilmember Kass.
On energy policy, Council approved signing the MPPA Retail Energy Improvement Program Project Participation Agreement and a related budget increase of $450,000. City materials and BPW staff said the state now requires higher energy waste reduction targets and that 25% of the program budget must be dedicated to low‑income initiatives; Councilmember VanDorp moved approval and Councilmember Timmer seconded.
The council accepted an addendum to the 2013 Gentex development agreement that memorializes subsequent extensions for sanitary and water service. City Manager Tim Klunder said the addendum clarifies responsibility among Gentex, Zeeland Charter Township and city utilities.
For the Church Street reconstruction project, Council approved a cost‑sharing agreement with Zeeland Charter Township to upsizing a sanitary sewer from 15 inches to 27 inches. The motion (moved by Councilmember Timmer, seconded by Councilmember Broersma) passed. Work-study materials list the city contribution as $782,150 and the township contribution as $1,617,850; the motion record in the meeting minutes shows $782,000 (see clarifying details).
The council awarded a low bid of $76,100 to J. Ranck Electric to replace the traffic signal at State and Roosevelt streets and amended the budget to add a $5,000 contingency, bringing the project total to $81,100. Councilmember Lam moved and Councilmember VanDorp seconded.
For 2025–2026 downtown snowplowing, the council awarded the contract to Countryside Snowplowing at rates of $75 per hour for a truck and $140 per hour for a loader. Mayor Pro-Tem Gruppen moved the award and Councilmember Broersma seconded.
Council also approved a design contract with MCSA Group for $11,190 to replace and preserve the historic character of the Vande Luyster Square gazebo and set a public hearing on proposed amendments to alcohol and parks ordinances (including Sunday alcohol sales and social-district park rules) for Oct. 20, 2025 at 7:10 p.m.
Votes at a glance: all listed motions carried with unanimous votes. (Motions, movers and seconders are recorded in meeting materials.)
The meeting opened at 7:00 p.m. and adjourned at 7:53 p.m.
