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Niles council approves easement, staff training, tree-removal and runway project contracts; confirms DDA appointment
Summary
At its Oct. 14 meeting, the Niles City Council approved a restated easement with Indiana Michigan Power, three service contracts (employee development, tree removal, runway approach clearing), and confirmed Chris Sears to the Downtown Development Authority; all votes passed unanimously or by recorded roll call.
The Niles City Council on Oct. 14 approved a set of administrative actions including a restated easement with Indiana Michigan Power Company, three service contracts and the appointment of Chris Sears to the Downtown Development Authority.
Council approved the restated easement and right-of-way with Indiana Michigan Power Company and authorized Mayor Nick Shelton to sign the documents. The motion was moved by Councilmember Gretchen Bertschy and seconded by Councilmember Timothy Rogers; the roll call recorded eight yeas and no nays.
The council also approved a one-year employee development agreement with Leadership Tap at a total cost of $29,940, to be split equitably among participating departments. Councilmember Michael Thompson moved the contract and Councilmember Gretchen Bertschy seconded; the motion passed on an 8-0 roll call.
For public-works maintenance, the council accepted a $40,000 bid from Hartline Expert Tree, LLC of Cassopolis for the annual Tree and Stump Removal Program. The council directed that $38,262.46 be charged to the DPW Tree Removal Account and $1,737.54 to the Utility Tree Removal Account, and authorized the mayor to sign the contract. The motion was moved by Councilmember Gretchen Bertschy and seconded by Councilmember Timothy Rogers; the vote was 8-0.
The council approved a contract with Mead & Hunt, Inc. of Lansing for $64,447.80 to administer professional services for Phase 1 of the Runway 33 Approach Clearing Project. Funding is split as follows: $58,003.20 in federal funds, $3,222.30 in state funds and $3,222.30 from local airport funds. The motion (moved by Councilmember Gretchen Bertschy and seconded by Councilmember Michael Thompson) passed 8-0.
On appointments, Council confirmed Chris Sears to a four-year term on the Downtown Development Authority running through Dec. 31, 2027; the confirmation vote was recorded as 8-0 after a motion from Councilmember Timothy Rogers and a second from Councilmember Amanda Dunnem.
Procedural votes earlier in the meeting included approval of the consent agenda (minutes from Sept. 23, 2024; bills dated Oct. 9, 2024; and a proxy vote for a Michigan Municipal League Liability and Property Pool Board ballot), which passed on an 8-0 roll call following a motion by Councilmember Michael Thompson and a second from Councilmember Amanda Dunnem.
No council members recorded any nays on the listed items. Mayor Nick Shelton presided over the meeting.
Votes at a glance: consent agenda approved (8-0); easement with Indiana Michigan Power Company approved (8-0); Leadership Tap employee development agreement approved ($29,940; 8-0); Hartline Expert Tree contract approved ($40,000; 8-0); Mead & Hunt contract approved ($64,447.80; funding federal/state/local specified; 8-0); Chris Sears appointment to DDA confirmed (8-0).
