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Ferrysburg council tables Chamber contract, approves lot-merger release and business-dealings disclosure
Summary
At its June 2 meeting Ferrysburg council tabled a proposed municipal support contract with the Chamber of Commerce, approved termination and release of a lot-merger agreement so a property sale can clear title, and voted to add Council member DeWitt's company to the city's list of potential emergency contractors.
The Ferrysburg City Council on June 2 took several routine but consequential administrative actions: it tabled consideration of a proposed municipal-support contract with the regional Chamber of Commerce, approved a termination and release of a recorded lot-merger agreement to clear title for a pending property sale, and approved adding Council member Mike DeWitt's business to a list of vendors the city can call in emergencies.
On the Chamber contract (agenda item 7a), staff explained one of five partner communities pulled out of the prior multi-community economic-development agreement, which removed funding for a dedicated economic-development staff position. The Chamber asked Ferrysburg for $5,000 for 10/1/2025–9/30/2026 to support listed services; staff noted Mark Allen, the chamber president, was unable to attend and council members asked the chamber president to attend a future meeting to explain the revised scope. Council voted to table the item until the next meeting so the chamber can present.
For agenda item 7b, staff explained lot-merger agreements were recorded so property owners with adjacent vacant lots paid a single sanitary-sewer hookup assessment; a buyer (Brockmire) requested the recorded merger be released so the property title can transfer. Council approved terminating the use restriction and authorized the mayor and clerk to sign the release; staff said sanitary-sewer charges will still apply when the lot is developed.
On agenda item 7d regarding statements of business dealings, staff said city officials who do business with the city must file a disclosure; council discussed perception concerns about adding Council member DeWitt's Tri Cities Heating and Cooling as an infrequent emergency backup vendor. DeWitt said he did not want to be the primary vendor; council discussed protocol to ensure other vendors receive preference. The motion to add the firm passed on roll call after discussion with some members voting no.
Developer and public-comment updates included an announcement from David Brockmire that Cottage Shores is expected to break ground within about 30 days, subject to coordination with city staff on roads and documentation.
