Howell council authorizes 2025 bonds to fund downtown ice rink, streetscape and parking upgrades

The Howell City Council voted 7-0 on Jan. 13 to adopt Resolution No. 2025-01, authorizing 2025 Capital Improvement Bonds (Limited Tax General Obligation) to pay for construction of an outdoor ice rink and pavilion and related streetscape, road and parking improvements within the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) area.

Mayor Pro Tem Jacob Schlittler moved the resolution and Council Member Alex Clos seconded the motion; bond counsel Jeff Aronoff of Miller Canfield attended and was available to answer questions. Mayor Robert Ellis said the bonds are intended to fund the rink, pavilion and “enhanced streetscape improvements” for the DDA development area.

The vote followed routine procedure and carried unanimously (7-0). The resolution authorizes issuance of the bonds; the council did not set bond sale details or an interest rate at the meeting. The motion and adoption were recorded as Resolution No. 2025-01.

Why it matters: the bond proceeds are designated for visible downtown infrastructure — a public ice rink and pavilion plus streetscape and parking work — projects that will directly affect downtown businesses, pedestrian access and parking capacity. The resolution’s text referenced the DDA development area as the project location but did not specify a construction timeline or estimated total project cost beyond the bond authorization.

Next steps: bond sale particulars, financing terms and any required debt-issuance approvals will follow standard municipal finance processes. Bond counsel’s availability at the meeting indicates the city expects to proceed with required legal and financing steps; the council took no additional spending actions tied to the bonds at this meeting.

Provenance: The item was introduced and discussed during the meeting’s agenda item on Resolution No. 2025-01 and appears in the official minutes for Jan. 13 (SEG 001).