Regular City Council Meeting Minutes, September 8, 2025

CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETINGproposed September 8, 2025 The City Council met to have a Regular Council Meeting at City Hall at 6:30 p.m. 102 Butler St., Saugatuck, MI 49453. Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by Mayor Anderson at 6:30 p.m. Attendance: Present: Mayor Anderson, Mayor Pro-Tem Stanton and Councilmembers Clark, Dean, Gardner, Muncey and Peterson. Absent: Muncey. Motion by Stanton, second by Clark to excuse councilmember Muncey. Via voice vote, motion carried 6-0. Others Present: City Manager Cummins, Attorney Witte, Treasurer Bredeweg and Clerk Wolters. Mayor’s Comments: Mayor Anderson began the meeting by sharing a personal update: her nephew and his wife visited Saugatuck for five days, during which she enjoyed showing them around town. They visited local attractions like Oval Beach and the Saugatuck Wilds, walked around town, and met city staff at City Hall. She also mentioned volunteering at the early morning race packet pickup for the Mt. Baldhead Challenge, enjoying the experience and the community spirit. City Manager Comments: City Manager Ryan Cummins shared that the city has kicked off the land use master plan process and is seeing strong community engagement, with 146 survey responses received so far—over half from full or part-time residents. He mentioned that the city is continuing outreach through enews, social media, and an upcoming postcard mailing about both the survey and an open house event. Paper copies of the survey are also available at city hall. Ryan then updated the council on the Warnock drain assessment, explaining that the city will have a new review date with the drain commissioner to discuss any concerns and possible changes. Agenda Changes: None. Guest Speakers: None. Public Comment on Agenda Item Only: None. Consent Agenda: A. Approval of City Council Workshop Meeting Minutes for September 3, 2025. 102 Butler St. ★

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Designation and Appointment of Grayson Moore as Zoning Administrator and Historic District. C. Special Event – Community Night. D. Special Event – Vigil for Democracy. Motion by Stanton, second by Peterson to approve tonight’s consent agenda. Via roll call vote, motion carried 6-0. Staff Reports, Boards, Commissions & Committees: Reports provided by city staff and board, commission & committee members. Fire District Administration: None. Interurban Board: None. Kalamazoo Lake Sewer & Water Authority: None. Kalamazoo Lake Harbor Authority: Councilmember Peterson noted the next meeting is September 9 and Gregory Weykamp from Edgewater Resources will provide a report. Zoning Board of Appeals: None. Historic District Commission: Russ Gardner reported that the Historic District Commission recently met to discuss revisions to the renovation plans for 142 Butler Street. The main change involved replacing a previously approved single-pane window with a four-pane aluminum frame, but the commission requested a return to the original single-pane style to maintain the historic character of the street, which the owner agreed to. The commission unanimously approved the revised plans. Russ also mentioned a proposal to spend $880.04 on designing new historic district signage to replace outdated signs and add new ones at key entrances to the city, with the goal of better representing and promoting the historic district. This proposal will be brought to the council for further discussion. Planning Commission: None. Parks & Public Works Committee: Mayor Pro-Tem Lauren Stanton reported on the recent Parks and Public Works meeting, highlighting a request to create a trail crossing on 63rd Street to connect two existing trails, which could benefit future use by the Saugatuck cross country team and the community. She also described an educational presentation by an ecological landscape designer, who discussed the benefits of establishing pocket prairies—areas planted with native grasses and wildflowers to support pollinators—at several city locations, as well as in residents’ own yards. The next PPW meeting is scheduled for September 23. Tri-Community Non-Motorized Trail Study Committee: None. Water Systems Operations Contract Advisory Committee: Councilmember Clark noted the next meeting is September 15. 102 Butler St. ★

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Wildlife Management Committee: None. Approval of Accounts Payable: Motion by Stanton, second by Peterson to approve the accounts payable in the amount of $764,515.22. Via roll call vote, motion carried 6-0. Public Hearing: None. Unfinished Business: None. New Business: None. Public Comment: Jan Cohen commented on her non-profit organization. Correspondance: Dick Waskin submitted correspondence on the Kalamazoo Lake Harbor Authority. Council Comments: Joe Clark reminded everyone about the importance of participating in the city survey. He encouraged both those present at the meeting and anyone watching the meeting online or later on video to take the survey as soon as possible, emphasizing its value to the community. Scott Dean thanked all the city staff, volunteers, Rotarians and the community for their participation in the Mt. Baldhead Challenge. The 755 registrants was one of the biggest turnouts he has seen, bringing in over $100,000 for the local Boys and Girls Club which serves around 200 families. Lauren Stanton echoed appreciation for the Mount Baldhead Challenge event, thanking everyone who participated and volunteered. She mentioned how much she enjoyed volunteering, noted the positive energy and smiles among the runners, and described the after-party at Coghlin Park as a fun experience. Russ Gardner thanked everyone who helped with the Mount Baldhead Challenge and suggested that the city consider operating the chain ferry during next year’s event to improve convenience for participants and visitors. He also shared that he had received a call from the township commissioner regarding confusing speed limit changes on Blue Star Highway. Russ proposed that the city reach out to the township to discuss the possibility of requesting a speed study to address the issue and reduce driver confusion. Chris Peterson expressed appreciation for the friendly atmosphere and bustling activity downtown, noting how pleased local shopkeepers were with the busy season. Chris also raised concerns about speeding on Allegan, especially now that school has started and there are more young drivers in the area, and suggested that it would be helpful to explore ways to address the issue. 102 Butler St. ★

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Adjournment: Motion by Stanton second by Dean to adjourn the meeting. Upon voice vote, motion carried unanimously. Mayor Anderson adjourned at 6:51 p.m. Respectfully Submitted ____________________ Jamie Wolters, City Clerk

102 Butler St. ★

PO Box 86

★ (269) 857-2603

www.SaugatuckCity.com