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Zeeland council approves downtown liquor license, names BPW utilities manager designee and awards cemetery contract
Summary
At its Jan. 20 meeting the Zeeland Common Council approved local support for El Rancho’s liquor licenses, recommended the application to the state, approved the BPW utilities manager contract for Robert Mulder, authorized election services agreements with Ottawa County, adopted 2026 poverty guidelines for Board of Review use, and awarded a three-year cemetery string-trimming contract.
Zeeland’s Common Council on Jan. 20 approved several administrative and procurement items, including local approval for a downtown restaurant’s liquor licenses, a Board of Public Works (BPW) utilities manager employment agreement and a three-year cemetery maintenance contract.
Mayor Rick VanDorp opened the meeting at 7:02 p.m. and presided over the votes on routine and contested items. The council approved a City resolution supporting El Rancho, Inc. #8, LLC’s application for a Class C, DDA/Redevelopment and SDM liquor license for 17 East Main Avenue after a public hearing in which the applicant, Alfredo Melemdez Aquirre, introduced himself as the proposed new owner. City Manager Tim Klunder and Marketing Director Abby deRoo presented staff’s review and recommended approval; staff noted the property is properly zoned and exceeds the ordinance’s seating minimum (132 seats) but is within 500 feet of North Street CRC (a church), a distance the local ordinance generally prohibits unless City Council waives the restriction. Council voted to approve the local resolution and the operating contract and then approved a separate resolution recommending the licenses to the Michigan Liquor Control Commission as “above all others.”
The council also approved the Board of Public Works Utilities Manager employment agreement for Robert Mulder, following the BPW’s internal selection process and legal review; the agreement provides that Mulder will serve initially as Utilities Manager Designee and then assume the Utilities Manager role upon the BPW general manager’s planned retirement. BPW Chair Linda Boerman told council the Board voted unanimously to forward the appointment and contract.
Other approvals included authorizing the City Clerk to enter into Ottawa County agreements for election publishing services and for early voting printing and mailing, both described by City Clerk Kristi DeVerney as statutory, budgeted responsibilities. Council adopted the Federal Poverty Guidelines as described in State Tax Commission Bulletin No. 15 of 2025 for use by the Board of Review in 2026 property tax exemption determinations.
On procurement, council awarded a three-year contract (2026–2028) for Lincoln Cemetery string trimming to Near Shore Property Solutions for $125,000 after staff solicited bids and recommended the lowest responsible bidder. Assistant City Manager/Finance Director Kevin Plockmeyer noted the city had not previously worked with the company but said staff believe it can complete the work.
Mayor Pro-Tem Sally Gruppen also reported that Al Dannenberg resigned from the Airport Authority and thanked him for his service.
The meeting adjourned at 7:28 p.m.
