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DeWitt council approves LEAP sub-grant, opts out of Public Act 152 and introduces scooter ordinance amendments
Summary
At its Dec. 8 meeting the DeWitt City Council unanimously approved a LEAP Community Enhancement sub-grant for a farmers market/parking-lot project, voted to opt out of Public Act 152 for 2026, confirmed mayoral appointments and introduced three ordinance amendments tightening regulation of skateboards and scooters in the Central Business District.
The DeWitt City Council on Dec. 8 unanimously approved a LEAP Community Enhancement Grant sub‑grant agreement to support a farmers market and parking‑lot project and authorized Mayor Sue Leeming and City Clerk‑Treasurer Sarah Stoltzfus to sign the agreement.
City Administrator Daniel Coss reviewed the RAP/LEAP grant agreement and clarified reimbursement language before the council voted to approve the sub‑grant. The council also heard an update from Coss on the Eaton Area Ambulance Agreement and set a special meeting for Dec. 22 to consider contract approval.
In a separate unanimous vote, the council opted out of the cost‑sharing requirements of Public Act 152 of 2011 for the 2026 calendar year so the city will not pass health‑care premium costs to employees. Councilmember Landgraf made the motion and Councilmember Donohue seconded.
The council confirmed Mayor Leeming’s appointments to city boards and commissions by unanimous vote. The agenda included multiple ordinance introductions addressing skateboards, electric scooters and electronic skateboards: resolutions were introduced to amend Chapter 22 (Resolution #2025‑06), Chapter 58 (Resolution #2025‑07) and Chapter 62 (Resolution #2025‑08). Councilmember Hunsaker introduced the Chapter 22 and Chapter 58 amendments; Councilmember Landgraf introduced the Chapter 62 amendment.
During discussion of Chapter 62, Administrator Coss clarified that point five in the proposed language would have prohibited scooters and similar devices in the Central Business District even if they were operating in the street. Councilmember VanDyke objected to treating the devices differently from bicycles and said they should be permitted to operate on the street; the council amended the draft to prohibit operation "on sidewalks" in the Central Business District rather than a blanket prohibition of street use. The council then voted unanimously to introduce the ordinance amendment as amended.
Chief of Police Bryan Curtis reported on recent community events, saying the Turkey Trot drew approximately 800 runners and noting a strong turnout for the Christmas Market Parade; he also recognized the DeWitt High School football team on becoming state champions and gave a shout‑out to Officer Nunham for event support.
Votes at a glance: Agenda approval (motion by VanDyke, seconded by Donohue) — approved unanimously (7–0). Minutes approval (motion by Landgraf, seconded by Kellogg) — approved unanimously (7–0). LEAP sub‑grant agreement (motion by Hunsaker, seconded by Landgraf) — approved unanimously (7–0). Public Act 152 opt‑out (motion by Landgraf, seconded by Donohue) — approved unanimously (7–0). Appointments to boards and commissions (motion by Donohue, seconded by Kellogg) — approved unanimously (7–0). Resolution #2025‑06 (introduce Ordinance Amendment #2025‑02, Chapter 22) (motion by Hunsaker, seconded by Landgraf) — introduced unanimously (7–0). Resolution #2025‑07 (introduce Ordinance Amendment #2025‑03, Chapter 58) (motion by Hunsaker, seconded by Kellogg) — introduced unanimously (7–0). Resolution #2025‑08 (introduce Ordinance Amendment #2025‑04, Chapter 62) (motion by Landgraf, seconded by Donohue) — introduced unanimously (7–0). Meeting schedule (motion by Donohue, seconded by VanDyke) — Dec. 22, 2025 meeting set unanimously (7–0). Adjournment (motion by VanDyke, seconded by Kellogg) — approved unanimously (7–0).
Next steps: the council scheduled a regular meeting for Dec. 22, 2025 to consider the ambulance contract; the three ordinance amendments were introduced and will return for subsequent readings per the city’s ordinance adoption process.
