Staff Reports: City Manager

City Manager Report October 28, 2025

Deer Concerns • We continue to hear concerns about deer impacts and whether the City is working to address the issue. • As a reminder, City Council recently made updates to our weapons ordinance to: o Allow for deer culls that have received approval from the City, the Allegan County Sheriff’s Department, and other applicable local and state agencies. o Continue to prohibit archery hunting but retained the option for Council to do so in the future by resolution, should it choose to designate an area or approve a specific request. • I have talked to various folks who have some interest in archery hunting and encouraged them to submit their requests and plans for Council consideration. • I had a recent meeting with the Department of Natural Resources to find out more information about what we need to submit to apply for a deer cull. I also met with the Sheriff’s Office to discuss options for who would do the cull. Meridian Township is known as a model of effective, community-sensitive implementation, and has been recommended as an excellent example. Sgt. Haas and I will be meeting with them next week to learn more. • Once I have more details and potential plan, I will circle back to Council to see if you wish to proceed with a cull or not. Mt. Baldhead Restroom Construction • Construction continues on the new restroom. • Midwest Construction provided the following progress report: o The concrete masonry units are almost complete. Only one to two days remaining to complete that before insulation and the face brick starts! o The power issue is almost behind us. Our contractors got this done very quickly, so we are thankful for them. o We are hoping to continue progress with the building next week, barring any rain. We may fall behind a bit as we look towards framing the roof, but we are confident we can make up the time. Mt. Baldhead Upper Platform and Retaining Walls • Further survey work was completed this week. We look forward to receiving and reviewing the report and continuing to coordinate with the tribal nations on design.

Frontier Fiber Optic Installation • Earlier this week, engineering, planning/zoning, and public works met with Frontier subcontractors to go over additional installation plans. Much of the work will involve aerial installations, but some work will involve further boring. We continue to emphasize the need for frequent communication, and we appreciate the improvements as their project has progressed. • The subcontractor advised they are still waiting on final environmental permits to begin their installation work on the west side of the City. Parking Improvements Task Force • The hard work of the Parking Improvements Task Force is set to kickoff on Tuesday, October 28 at 3p at City Hall. • The Task Force has a big first agenda. You can view the packet here: https://www.saugatuckcity.com/uploads/1/3/3/9/133977444/p_parking_task_force _10-28-25.pdf MiCLASS Annual Report • At a recent workshop meeting, the Treasurer went over her quarterly investments update. As you saw, we have a lot of dollars with MiCLASS. • Here is a link to their independent auditor’s report: https://michiganclass.us11.listmanage.com/track/click?u=c5aefbee94d2d3e4a6b4c472b&id=fc90c886ef&e=e89 cd7a0fb Miscellaneous • Held Department Head team meeting. • Held one on one with Director of Planning and Zoning • Attended Election Commission meeting. • Attended ODC invite to tour Macatawa Greenway and attended quarterly Kalamazoo Giver Greenway meeting • Held one on one with City Treasurer • Attended Convention and Visitors Bureau Board meeting. • Attended meetings with water-sewer agreement committee. • Attended Douglas open house to tour new space. • Held one on one with City Clerk • Attending Riverside Cemetery Comes Alive event. Blast from the Past • This article was in the paper on October 30, 1969. • Much like the fall maintenance efforts of our predecessors many years ago, this week Public Works and a contractor began repairing several sections of sidewalk on a 50/50 cost-share basis.