Staff Reports: City Manager

City Manager Report August 25, 2025

Holiday Lighting Grant • At the last meeting, City Council approved a three-year contract renewal with Chips Groundcover for holiday lighting with a display similar to previous seasons plus additional lighting added to Water Street from Culver Street to Mary Street and Hoffman Street from Water Street to Butler Street. • I submitted a grant application to the Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) to help with the cost of expanding the lighting. • The CVB was excited to hear that additional lighting was approved. I am pleased to report that the CVB has approved a $20,200 grant to help fund the additional lighting. A HUGE thank you to the CVB for their partnership and support. Mt. Baldhead Restroom Replacement • Restroom replacement is set to kick off after the Mt. Baldhead Challenge. • The week of 9/8 will be mobilization, setting up fencing, and Miss Dig requests. Construction fencing will be arranged in a way to maintain access to the stairs and alternate parking areas north of the pavilion on the west side and on the east side of Park Street. • The substantial completion date is 12/5/25. Midwest is hoping to be substantially complete by the end of November. • The final completion date is 12/19/25. That will likely be extended for acceptance of the restoration work, which is weather-dependent. Master Plan Update • We anticipate the master plan survey will be going out next week, along with a notice of intent to plan and invite to a public open house at the end of September. • We will be using multiple channels to share the survey, including our e-mail list, social media, and ad in the newspaper. Paper copies will also be available at City Hall. Staff will also be exploring signs and a postcard mailer to property owners with a QR code to the survey and information about the open house. • We are working to secure the school as the location of the open house. The Planning Commission discussed the open house stations and our consulting planner is working on designing the various boards and materials for each station. Kalamazoo River Greenway Plan • The Outdoor Discovery Center has sent out a press release on the Kalamazoo River Greenway (KRGP) and the funding partnership. You can view the release here:

https://mailchi.mp/2439c1ba1274/for-immediate-release-2024-macatawa-waterfestival-16309429 A kickoff meeting was held on August 20. ODC will be setting up quarterly meetings and will also be preparing an annual report and partner presentations. The group discussed various needs around the KRGP pillars: Education, Recreation, Restoration, Conservation, Grants, Marketing, and Projects. A big focus of the work during the first year will be around education, creating a formal water trail, and treating invasive species. The ODC has already applied for two grants, and is exploring other grant opportunities based on the needs reported to them.

Electrical Upgrades • I have continued to follow up with Consumers Energy regarding the outages we experienced this summer. • Our contact advised: “They have done significant upgrades in the substation where the failure occurred that caused the outage. They also have some high and low voltage pole replacements planned for the area as well. Should help with reliability. Planning/Zoning • I am continuing to cover the Planning/Zoning duties until Grayson starts. I am currently managing 51 cases, including short-term rentals, various types of permits, and enforcements. I am also handling numerous inquiries. Miscellaneous • Prepared for and attended Planning Commission meeting. • Attended meeting with OnPoint. • Attended Blue Star Trail fundraiser. • One on one meeting with City Clerk. • Held Department Head team meeting. • Attended Township sculpture ceremony. • Attended Convention and Visitors Bureau Board meeting. • Attended Mt. Baldhead restroom construction meeting. Blast from the Past • We know the feeling of the last days of summer approaching. The following article was in the Commercial Record on August 29, 1963: