Rothbury Village Council approves payment of bills and accepts bids for bike-trail and Wilke Road repairs

The Rothbury Village Council on June 17 approved several routine and capital-related measures, including payment of bills and two construction contracts for a bike-trail pathway and Wilke Road repairs. The meeting took place at Village Hall and was called to order by President Vern Talmadge.

Council voted 6–0, with one member absent, to approve payment of the presented bills after a motion by Autum Drake and a second from Mike Harris.

Council opened sealed bids for repair of the pathway to the bike trail; White Lake Excavating bid $49,694.00 and Asphalt Paving Company bid $48,900.00. Despite Asphalt Paving’s lower figure, Dylan Zuniga moved to accept White Lake Excavating’s $49,694.00 bid for the bike-trail pathway; Mike Harris seconded and the motion carried, 6 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent.

For a separate contract to repair Wilke Road (noted as 1,240 feet west of Michigan Avenue), White Lake Excavating bid $54,934.00 and Asphalt Paving Company bid $51,800.00. Autum Drake moved and Mike Harris seconded to accept Asphalt Paving Company’s $51,800.00 bid for the Wilke Road work; the motion passed, 6 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent.

Council was advised that the village maintenance plan was approved, which will allow street funds to be reallocated to other street projects. The council also discussed placement of a refrigerated trailer to support the Montague Schools Summer Meal program and agreed to a one-month trial to assess location impacts and any increased electricity charges.

The meeting concluded with a public comment from Vaughn White, who said he will seek DNR approval to cross the bike trail and ask the Village for permission to run a street through the Village Hall parking lot to access the old Kurdziel Iron building for a proposed community center. President Talmadge adjourned the meeting at 7:56 p.m.