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Zeeland council adopts updated utility Terms of Service, accepts audit and approves liquor license transfer
Summary
At its Dec. 15 meeting the Zeeland Common Council adopted updated electric and water Terms of Service to allow future administrative updates by resolution, accepted the FY 2024-25 audited financial report with an unmodified opinion, approved a liquor license transfer to Mandu Escapes LLC, and authorized several contracts and equipment purchases.
The Zeeland Common Council on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, approved a package of administrative and operational items including new utility Terms of Service, acceptance of the city's annual audited financial report, the transfer of a Class C liquor license to Mandu Escapes LLC, and several equipment and maintenance contracts.
BPW General Manager Andrew Boatright told the council the proposed Ordinances 1047 (electric) and 1048 (water) modernize and replace long-standing "Rules and Regulations" in the city code and allow future, routine updates to the Terms of Service to be made by resolution of the Board of Public Works (BPW) and City Council. Council adopted Ordinance 1047 and Ordinance 1048, and approved companion resolutions to implement the updated Terms of Service, all effective Jan. 1, 2026.
Will Wright of audit firm Brickley DeLong presented the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2025. Wright said the independent auditor found "a reasonable basis for rendering an unmodified opinion that the City of Zeeland's financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2025, are fairly presented in conformity with GAAP." Council voted to accept the report.
On a separate agenda item, Marketing Director Abby deRoo introduced new restaurant owners John Becker and Joanna Udo. The council approved a motion to transfer a Class C liquor license and restaurant contract to Mandu Escapes, LLC for the premises at 111 E. Main Ave., and separately approved forwarding the Class C license and a catering permit recommendation to the Michigan Liquor Control Commission.
Council also approved a set of capital and maintenance contracts. The Lawrence Street Park amphitheater caulking and painting contract was awarded to Reliable Service Contractors for $13,354, with a $15,000 project budget. The council waived formal bidding and approved purchase of a GMR edger disc and wire-brush attachment for the city's CX75 Multihog articulated tractor from Brown Equipment Company for $25,995 to improve bike-path and curb maintenance.
Other actions: Council adopted Ordinance 1049 to consolidate four voting precincts into two to complete the redistricting process; renewed the HealthSource Solutions employee wellness contract for 2026; set January 26–27, 2026 as goal-setting session dates; and appointed Mayor Pro-Tem Sally Gruppen as the city's representative to the West Michigan Airport Authority for a term beginning Feb. 1, 2026.
City Manager Tim Klunder reported operational items in his manager's report, including the resignation of longtime Police Officer Tom Michmerhuizen (17 years of service), interim part-time rehiring of former full-time officer Koichi Magee and hiring of former Holland officer Mark DeLeeuw while a full-time replacement is sought. Klunder also announced that the Church Street reconstruction project is scheduled to start Jan. 5, 2026, with a mid-February temporary closure of a Lincoln Street segment as work progresses. He credited staff for the snowmelt system operating in automatic mode during a recent storm and noted downtown merchants are promoting cleared sidewalks as a shopping draw.
The meeting concluded at 8:03 P.M. The council approved all motions as recorded (Ayes: Mayor Pro-Tem Gruppen, Langeland, Timmer, Bult, Lam, Mayor VanDorp; Absent: Perkins).
