Niles City Council approves emergency purchases, local contracts and funding shifts; public urged to vote

The Niles City Council met on Oct. 28, 2024, and approved a series of emergency purchases and contract actions affecting the city’s utilities, public works and community facilities. Mayor Nick Shelton called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and the council adjourned at 6:28 p.m.

Council unanimously approved the agenda and the consent agenda, which included approval of the Oct. 14, 2024 minutes and the bills list dated Oct. 23, 2024. The council then moved through a set of departmental requests brought forward in the City Administrator’s report.

Councilmember Timothy Rogers moved and Councilmember Gretchen Bertschy seconded approval of an emergency purchase from Huber Technology, Inc. for two sludge press spray bar motors and gear reducers totaling $6,233.34 for use at the Waste Water Treatment Plant; the expense was charged to the Capital Plan — Machinery & Equipment (Old account) and the motion carried unanimously.

The council authorized relocating electric lines into the M-51 right of way at the Dey and Wayne Streets crossing and approved a $2,750 payment to Amtrak; that cost will be charged to the Electric Division — Overhead Conductor & Devices budget. The body also approved Extension #2 of the 2025 Tree Trimming and Line Clearance contract with Tree Servants of Plymouth, Indiana, and separately approved a $3,000 local contract with Hartline Expert Tree Service of Niles to grind 15 stumps, perform cleanup and add topsoil and seed, charged to the electric department’s tree trimming account.

Council approved an emergency purchase of $47,349.18 to Pelley Excavating of Niles to construct an all‑weather road on newly acquired property at 1950 Oak Street, with the expense split to the Electric and Water Divisions, and approved a $3,551 emergency purchase to Custom Fence of Niles for installation of a sliding gate at the same property (charged to the Water Division — Maintenance, Building and Grounds — Eastgate).

The History Center was authorized to accept a Haas Systems quote of $5,180.61 to replace a fire alarm panel, charged to its repairs and maintenance budget. The council also approved payment to Future Construction of Watervliet, Michigan, to cover an emergency roof replacement at 822 Lake Street to be paid from Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. All motions on these items passed by unanimous roll call.

City Administrator Huff reported that DPW Director Joe Ray secured an additional $4.15 million from the Large Bridge Council toward Broadway Street bridge repairs; Huff said that will free roughly $400,000 for local street work. In council reports, members noted new fire engines, recognized Planning Commission work, and reminded residents to vote. DPW Director Joe Ray said leaf pickup will begin Monday.

During public comment, Jessica Nelson of 546 Grant St. spoke on behalf of the Downtown Development Authority in support of the Fall Festival and said Onbase handed out about 1,000 pieces of candy during the event. Jessica Gomez thanked residents she met while canvassing for County Commissioner District 12; Angela Jones introduced herself as a candidate for State House District 37; Steve Gargis described downtown trick-or-treat plans and fundraising for Cross Country uniforms; and Marie Weimer encouraged voting and said her church distributed coats at the amphitheater.

The meeting ended after a motion to adjourn by Councilmember William Weimer.

Votes at a glance — actions approved (all passed by unanimous roll call unless noted): - Approve agenda (motion: Rogers; second: McAfee) — approved. - Consent agenda (minutes and bills) — approved. - Emergency purchase: Huber Technology motors and gear reducers, $6,233.34 — approved. - Relocation of electric lines at M-51 crossing and $2,750 payment to Amtrak — approved. - Extension #2, Tree Trimming and Line Clearance contract (Tree Servants) — approved. - Hartline Expert Tree Service stump grinding, $3,000 — approved. - Pelley Excavating all-weather road at 1950 Oak St., $47,349.18 — approved. - Custom Fence sliding gate at 1950 Oak St., $3,551.00 — approved. - Haas Systems fire alarm panel for History Center, $5,180.61 — approved. - Future Construction emergency roof replacement at 822 Lake St. (paid from CDBG) — approved.

The council’s actions were procedural and focused on operational needs and emergency repairs; no ordinances, resolutions or long-form policy debates were recorded in the transcript. The next procedural item noted was adjournment at 6:28 p.m.