Appointments to the Parking Improvements Task Force (Roll Call)

City Council Agenda Item Report FROM:

Ryan Cummins, City Manager

MEETING DATE:

August 25, 2025

SUBJECT:

Appointments to Advisory Parking Improvements Task Force

DESCRIPTION: On July 14, City Council approved the creation of an advisory Parking Improvements Task Force. On July 25, the City Clerk provided notice that the City was accepting applications for appointment to the various seats. Attached are the applications that the City received. All of the positions received one applicant except for the city resident, non-business owner seat which received two. Mayor Andreson is recommending that City Council appoint the following who applied, including the addition of a second city resident, non-business owner seat: City Council Representative: Gregory Muncey – Chair Planning Commission Representative: Auston Marineau City Resident (non-business owner) Representative: Cathy Brockington City Resident (non-business owner) Representative: Wendy Colsen Restaurant Owner Representative: Alec Payleitner Retail Business Owner Representative: Michael Gustaitis Convention and Visitors Bureau Representative: Gary Kott Interurban Representative: Becky Carten-Crandell Policy Review The Council’s 2020 Board and Commission Selection Policy requires the City to provide notice of the vacancy, accept applications, and conduct interviews. In this case, with the exception of the City resident representative, only one applicant was received for each position. Mayor Anderson and Council Member Muncey reviewed the submittals and discussed the applicants and are recommending that interviews are not needed at this time.

The policy allows the City Council to suspend it by majority vote, which would be required in this case. LEGAL REVIEW: Legal will be at your meeting if you have any questions. SAMPLE MOTION: Motion to suspend the 2020 Boards and Commissions Selection Policy related to the appointments to the advisory Parking Improvements Task Force and to appoint the following members: • • • • • • • •

City Council Representative and Chair: Gregory Muncey Planning Commission Representative: Auston Marineau City Resident (non-business owner) Representative: Cathy Brockington City Resident (non-business owner) Representative: Wendy Colsen Restaurant Owner Representative: Alec Payleitner Retail Business Owner Representative: Michael Gustaitis Convention and Visitors Bureau Representative: Gary Kott Interurban Representative: Becky Carten-Crandell

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Wendy Colsen ● Saugatuck, MI ● 49453 ●

July 30, 2025 Dear City Council: Please consider my application for the appointment to the Parking Improvements Task Force, as I am eager to return to volunteering in the community now that I have a little more time in my schedule. As a full-time resident of 30 years and summer visitor to Saugatuck since childhood, I am very invested in the future of our little slice of Midwestern heaven. I feel my background and strong bond to the community make me an excellent candidate, as I have connections with many Tri-Community members (both long-time locals and recent transfers), business owners, school personnel, and friends that frequent Saugatuck often. This provides ample opportunity to gather opinions and data regarding parking needs, so I can do my best to represent the many voices of the community concerning such an important topic, not just my own opinion. My experience is varied and lends itself well to serving on the task force. During my years at Saugatuck Public Schools and as a reporter for the Commercial Record, I have seen first-hand how a clear vision and consistent, open communication are keys to building strong relationships with the community and maintaining institutional viability. As a community, the City of Saugatuck not only has a responsibility to maintain its economic viability, but also to maintain accountability to the needs of the taxpayers. With a clear vision for the future of Saugatuck and open communication of task force findings, I believe a solution is within reach. I also have firsthand knowledge of small-town parking issues, as my family and I own/have owned property in Douglas, including parking lots. I am very well aware of how parking problems can both positively and negatively affect the downtown area, as well as strongly affect the emotions of business owners, locals, and visitors. On more than one occasion, I have had tourists tell me they came to Douglas because they drove around Saugatuck looking for parking, and upon finding none, they left. This is good for Doulgas, but not so good for Saugatuck. This task force will allow a deeper exploration of possible solutions to a longstanding parking problem. My involvement in education, public relations, newspaper reporting, building community partnerships, and property management in Doulgas makes me an excellent candidate for the position. Furthermore, my abilities to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, positively communicate, and build relationships with community members will be assets when working with the task force and constituents. I will definitely make it a priority to canvas business owners, residents, and visitors to get my finger on the pulse of the needs of the community. If appointed, I look forward to serving the residents of Saugatuck and will do my best to be the voice of many. My experience, organizational and leadership skills, and strong work ethic will be assets in working with the task force. I look forward to the opportunity to talk to you further. Thank you for your time and consideration,

Wendy Colsen

EDUCATOR (1992 – 2018) Hope College (2011 – 2018) Visiting Assistant Professor (2012 – 2013) • Taught various courses in elementary and secondary tracks ∙ ED 287 - Classroom Management for Secondary Teachers ∙ ED 310 - Curriculum & Methods for EL & MS Teachers ∙ ED 311 - Curriculum & Methods Field Placement • Advised students in field placements • Developed new coursework and added technology components • Incorporated on-line teaching methods • Built website for communication with supervising teachers • Served on education committees • Acted as faculty advisor for ASCD Student Chapter • Fostered K-12 community partnerships with school districts

Adjunct Professor (2011 – 2012, 2013 – 2018) • Taught various courses in elementary and secondary tracks ∙ ED 500 - Perspectives in Education • Substituted for professor on sabbatical leave ∙ ED 360 - Secondary Principles ∙ ED 361 - Secondary Principles Field Placement

Grand Valley State University (2008 – 2018) Hot Topics for Educators Continuing Education Instructor (2011 - 2018) • Created curriculum and taught Hot Topics for Educators courses ∙ Strategies for Reluctant Writers ∙ Engage Students Using Learning Styles and Differentiation ∙ Grading and Assessment Gone Wrong ∙ Creating Relevancy with Project-Based Learning ∙ Building Literacy in the Content Areas ∙ Making Curriculum Relevant with Project-Based Learning ∙ Using Learning Styles to Engage Learners ∙ Service Learning: Building a Culture of Giving in your Classroom

Adjunct Professor (2008) • Taught 2 sections of WRT 305 - Writing Across the Disciplines

Saugatuck Public Schools (1995 – 2012) Middle School Teacher - 6th Grade (2006 – 2012) • Taught language arts, social studies, and advisory • Created a Writing Jam event for students and worked in partnership with Saugatuck Center for the Arts, Saugatuck-Douglas District Library, and Michigan authors • Collaborated with Saugatuck-Douglas History Center to create first childgenerated exhibit at The Old School House Museum (2006) • Partnered with Saugatuck-Douglas History Center to create exhibit and display student written/artwork at local museums (2005 – 2012) • Published student exhibit pieces in book format

• Marketed and promoted exhibits and Writing Jam in local media sources and on child-created banners for downtown city streets • Partnered with Saugatuck-Douglas District Library and local artist to publish students’ personal narratives in book format • Organized curriculum alignment meeting between MS/HS English Dept. and GVSU Writing Department • Conducted ongoing philanthropic drives with students to benefit community • Supervised and evaluated student teachers • Participated in hiring committees

Reading Intervention Coordinator (2010) • Managed middle school RtI Reading Intervention Team in addition to 6th grade Language Arts placement • Administered evaluative assessments and progress monitoring assessments • Implemented one-on-one and small group intervention programs • Analyzed data and evaluated effectiveness of programs • Assisted 6-12 teachers with application of reading comprehension strategies

Elementary School Teacher - 3rd and 5th Grade (1996 – 2005) • Taught all subjects, 3rd and 5th grade • Collaborated with Saugatuck-Douglas History Center to create first childgenerated exhibit at The Pump House Museum (2005) • Worked with Saugatuck Center for the Arts to exhibit overflow of student art from museum exhibit (2005) • Assisted in development of child-created website with Saugatuck Convention and Visitor’s Bureau • Created student-run bookstore and donated profits to local library and charitable projects • Marketed classroom events in local papers and television • Engaged local business owners to create a reading incentive program • Recruited community members for volunteer tutoring • Worked with City of Saugatuck to involve students in planning of local park • Headed partnership with Huntington Bank for student-run bank • Conducted yearly philanthropic clothing and food drives • Created and implemented Safe Ride program at high school dances • Supervised and evaluated student teachers

Various Illinois and Michigan School Districts (1992 – 1995) Substitute Teacher K-12

PRESENTER (2007 – 2015) Grand Valley State University Fire Up Student Teaching Conference Presenter • Parent Communication 101 • Sticky, Icky, & Tricky Situations in Teaching: What They Don’t Teach you in College • Engage Your Students Using Learning Styles • Resume Rescue

Grand Valley State University Charter School Teacher Training Workshop Presenter • Using Learning Styles to Differentiate Instruction • Using Data & Learning Styles to Differentiate Instruction

Michigan Education Association Regional Conference Workshop Presenter • Using Data & Learning Styles to Differentiate Instruction

Holland Area Arts Council Workshop Presenter • Telling Tales for Teens Youth Writing Workshop

Grand Valley State University Educational Leadership Education Specialist Program Guest Speaker • Using Data & Learning Styles to Differentiate Instruction

AdvancED National Conference Conference Presenter • Differentiated Instruction/RtI in Middle School

Saugatuck Center for the Arts Workshop Presenter • How to Write Query Letters for Freelance Writers

Spring Lake Public Schools Presenter • Differentiating Instruction in 6th Grade

Saugatuck Public Schools Presenter • Differentiating Instruction in Reading

PUBLIC RELATIONS/COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR (2003 – 2007) Saugatuck Public Schools Editor of The Community Connection (circulation 3,500) • Consulted with superintendent concerning public relations matters • Proofread and copyedited superintendent communications • Developed talking points for presentations • Wrote press releases for newspaper publication • Designed, wrote and edited district newsletter • Increased visibility and credibility of newsletter • Covered school news and promotional pieces • Solicited and tracked multiple submissions • Created journalism independent study • Articulated mission and values in communications • Communicated with printing company and maintained working partnership • Supervised journalism independent study internship with high school students • Created opportunities for student writers

FREELANCE WRITER/EDITOR/PHOTOGRAPHER (1997 – 2024) Holly Palmer Foundation Juried Memorial Art Exhibition Exhibiting Artist • Exhibited photographs 2022 – 2024

School Zone Publishing Company Freelance Writer and Editor • Co-authored Super Reading Made Easy • Co-authored Big Reading 1-2 • Co-authored Big First Grade • Wrote copy for educational workbooks • Copyedited and proofread educational workbooks

Alternative Medicine Magazine (circulation 225,000) Contest Winner • Published health/wellness article in magazine contest – “Hold My Calls”

Curve Magazine (circulation 68,200) Freelance Writer • Published travel/humor/human interest piece – “Michigan Mischief”

Grand Rapids Press (circulation 133,107 daily) Freelance Writer • Published human interest article – “Jar Contains Twin Towers Memorabilia, Leaves Questions”

Between the Lines (circulation 18.652) Freelance Reporter • Published human rights news article – “Circles Present Report to Council”

The Local Observer Freelance Writer • Submitted educational PR for publication

Back Alley Pizza Joint Freelance Designer • Designed menu, brochures, and promotional materials

Mon Amie Freelance Writer • Created return policy for new business

The Mandel Cane Collection Freelance Writer • Wrote introduction and copyedited sections

Mackinac Island Press Competition Finalist • Submitted two manuscripts which made final round of competition

General Freelance Services • Composed résumés and cover letters • Provided proofreading & copyediting services

REPORTER/PHOTOGRAPHER (1995 – 1998) Commercial Record/Allegan County News (circulation 5,154) Assignment Reporter and Photographer • Covered local news • Reported on city council and planning commission meetings • Conducted interviews for human interest stories and business profiles • Wrote local historical pieces • Photographed sporting and community events • Created local chef recipe column

LEADERSHIP ROLES Saugatuck-Douglas History Center - Strategic Planning Board Member Saugatuck-Douglas History Center - Educational Programming Consultant Saugatuck Center for the Arts - Educational Programming Consultant Saugatuck MS/HS English Department - Co Chair Hope College Teacher Education Council - Council Member North Central Accreditation Team - Reading Chair ASCD - Student Chapter Faculty Advisor Kent Intermediate School District - Change Network Team Member AdvancED Quality Assurance Review - School Evaluation Team Member Free Spirit Publishing - Advisory Board Book Reviewer

PROFESSIONAL TRAINING Professional Writing SCBWI Children’s Book Writers’ Conferences

Public Relations NSPRA Public Relations Conference

Grant Writing Grant Writing Skills

Software Training Adobe InDesign Photoshop

Behavior Management Love and Logic (Jim Faye)

Teaching Strategies Differentiated Instruction & Learning Styles Don Blanchard Math Strategies Six + One Writing Traits John Collins Writing Method

Online Learning Online Course Development Blackboard/Wimba/Moodle Classroom

Assessment and Grading Data Driven Instruction Assessment & Accountability How to Grade for Learning (Ken O’Conner) NWEA Measures of Academic Progress

Reading Assessment and Intervention Dibels Reading Assessment MLPP Reading Assessment Evidence Based Literacy Instruction (EBLI)

COACHING Girls on Track (Self-esteem building program run through Resilience)

COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER Art á Loan Douglas Social Saugatuck Center for the Arts Mt. Baldhead Challenge Saugatuck Public School Sporting Events Saugatuck-Douglas History Center Saugatuck-Douglas Friends of the Library Venetian Festival Chili Cook-off Taste of Saugatuck Hope College Children’s Writing Workshop Girls on the Run

HONORS Honor Societies Phi Beta Kappa National Academic Honor Society in the Liberal Arts and Sciences

Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education

Psi Chi International Honor Society in Psychology

Golden Key International Collegiate Academic Honor Society

Quill and Scroll International High School Journalism Honor Society

Teacher of the Year Nominations USA Today Disney Sallie Mae