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Niles City Council confirms Zach Holt as public works director and approves emergency utility repairs, $40,000 planning grant
Summary
At its June 22 meeting the Niles City Council confirmed Zach Holt as Public Works Director and approved emergency water and electric repairs, a $40,000 MEDC grant for a master plan update, the CDBG PY26 Annual Action Plan, and a police firearms purchase.
The Niles City Council on June 22, 2026 confirmed Zach Holt as the city’s Public Works Director and approved a string of consent items including emergency utility repairs, a $40,000 Michigan Economic Development Corporation grant for a master plan update and the city’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program Year 2026 Annual Action Plan.
Councilmember Timothy Rogers moved and Councilmember Sheila Koebel seconded the appointment of Zach Holt to Public Works Director effective June 22, 2026; the motion passed on a roll call vote with Councilmembers Bertschy, Koebel, Rogers, McAfee, Nelson, Thompson and Boggs voting yes and William Weimer absent.
The council approved three emergency purchases for the Utilities Department. The Water Division will pay Peerless Midwest of Mishawaka, Indiana $31,281.00 to rebuild and overhaul the Decker Well and Selge Construction Company $25,250.00 for a water main repair and valve installation at the 3rd and Fort Street intersection. The Electric Division was authorized to accept a $5,296.00 quote from Herrman & Goetz, Inc. of Mishawaka, Indiana for repair and preventative maintenance of a secondary transformer at Corewell Health Lakeland Hospital. Each item was approved by unanimous roll call among members present.
Council also approved a $40,000.00 grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to support review and update of the city’s Master Plan and authorized the mayor to sign the related documents. Separately, the council approved the CDBG Program Year 2026 Annual Action Plan and authorized the mayor and the city’s CDBG coordinator to submit the plan to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; a public hearing earlier in the meeting produced no public comments.
On public safety procurement, the council authorized the Police Department to trade in and purchase duty firearms to/from CMP of Lansing, Michigan at a total cost of $33,060.25; the motion carried on a unanimous roll call vote of members present.
During council reports, members praised recent Juneteenth events and downtown activity. Councilmember Gretchen Bertschy announced she will not seek re-election. In the mayor’s report period Councilmember Michael Thompson moved, with support from Councilmember Timothy Rogers, to appoint Councilmember Jessica Nelson to the Zoning Board of Appeals; that motion passed 7–0. Councilmember Nelson moved to adjourn and the meeting ended at 6:29 p.m.
The council’s formal votes were taken by roll call; absent member was William Weimer. Funding and vendor details recorded at the meeting are as stated above.
