Here is a look at the discussion and action items listed under Section 8 of the March 9 City Council agenda.

8.A. Discussion/Action – Resolution Supporting the Final 2026-2030 Community Parks and Recreation Plan
Council will consider adopting the final 2026 to 2030 Community Parks and Recreation Plan. This matters because having an approved plan helps the city stay eligible for Michigan DNR grant funding for park improvements and land acquisition. The update also reflects recent survey feedback, including interest in senior activities and nature walking trails.

8.B. Discussion/Action – Imperial Design Industrial Facilities Tax Abatement (IFT) Request
Council will consider an Industrial Facilities Tax exemption request from Imperial Design Technologies for improvements at 510 O’Malley Drive. The proposal includes a 15,200 square foot addition, about $1.23 million in investment, 9 new jobs, and retention of 15 existing jobs over three years. The request is for a 10 year exemption.

8.C. Discussion/Action – Proposed 3-year Contract by Brickley DeLong P.C. for Audit Services
Council will review a proposed 3 year agreement with Brickley DeLong to continue providing the city’s annual audit services. Continuing with the same firm can help with consistency, smoother audits, and predictable costs.

8.D. Discussion/Action – Resolution Authorizing and Supporting the MEDC Grant Application
Council will consider a resolution supporting an application for up to $17 million through the MEDC Strategic Site Readiness Program. The proposed project is a secondary 20 inch water transmission main and a new 1 million gallon water storage tank. The goal is more redundancy, more capacity, better reliability, and stronger readiness for future business and industrial growth. The full project cost is estimated at about $24.5 million, so this grant would cover part of the total cost.

8.E. Discussion/Action – 2026 Street Improvements and Storm Sewer Rerouting Project by Bob’s Asphalt & Paving Inc. Totaling $529,099.75
Council will consider awarding the 2026 street project, which includes work on Eastmanville Street, Mill Street, rerouting the storm sewer under the Heath Manufacturing building, and adding a storm sewer stub out at Eastmanville and Danforth for future work. The recommended low bid is from Bob’s Asphalt & Paving with T. Austin Excavating for $529,099.75. Completion is targeted for July 1, 2026, although that timeline appears tight and depends in part on coordination with the railroad.

8.F. Discussion/Action – Main Street Bridge Design Engineering by Brechting Bridge & Engineering, Totaling $85,000
Council will consider authorizing $85,000 for Brechting Bridge & Engineering to begin design work for the Main Street Bridge replacement. This is an early step meant to keep the project moving toward the planned 2028 construction timeline.

8.G. Discussion/Action – Proposed Resolution(s) to Transfer Ownership of the Following Roads to the City of Coopersville
a. Blue Ash Lane
b. Hazelnut Drive
c. Peach Drive
d. Rock Elm Lane

Council will consider accepting transfer of these roads from the developer to the city.

8.H. Discussion/Action – Proposed Resolution(s) to Accept the Following Roads into the City Street System
a. Blue Ash Lane
b. Hazelnut Drive
c. Peach Drive
d. Rock Elm Lane

This is the next step after transfer. If accepted into the city street system, these roads can be added for Act 51 purposes and become eligible for state transportation funding support.

8.I. Discussion/Action – Ironwood Ride Share Parking Lot Paving Improvements by Superior Asphalt Inc. Totaling $45,985.00
Council will consider paving improvements for the Ironwood Ride Share lot. This appears aimed at improving surface condition, usability, and overall function of the site.

8.J. Discussion/Action – Acceptance of Mayor Mooney’s Resignation from the Fire Authority Board and Appointment Recommendation
Council will consider accepting Mayor Mooney’s resignation from the Fire Authority Board role and making an appointment to fill that position.

8.K. Discussion/Action – Request for Approval of Receiving Board Compensation for Early Voting
Council will consider updating compensation for the Receiving Board because 2026 includes nine days of early voting for the August and November elections. This would reflect the additional work tied to early voting procedures.

8.L. Discussion/Action – Ironwood Ride Share Parking Lot Lighting Improvements, Totaling $23,650
Council will consider lighting improvements at the Ironwood Ride Share lot. This would likely improve visibility and safety for people using the lot.

8.M. Discussion/Action – AAA Lawn Care 2026-2027 Proposal, Totaling $25,887
Council will consider a proposal from AAA Lawn Care for lawn care, athletic field maintenance, and vegetation control at city facilities and properties.

8.N. Discussion/Action – Construction Engineering by Prein & Newhof for the 2026 Street & Storm Sewer Improvements, Totaling $57,000
In addition to awarding the street project itself, council will consider construction engineering services from Prein & Newhof. This would cover oversight, testing, administration, and project closeout for the 2026 street and storm sewer work.

8.O. Discussion/Action – Ironwood Ride & Share Parking Lot Martin J Concrete Proposal, Totaling $9,980
Council will consider curb and gutter or related concrete improvements at the Ironwood Ride & Share lot as part of the larger site upgrade effort.

Big picture
A lot of the Section 8 items are tied to long term planning, infrastructure, and basic city operations. Some are routine, but several are about keeping projects moving, maintaining eligibility for funding, and improving public facilities.

City Council Update, Section 8 Items from Monday’s Meeting on 3.8.2026

Here is a recap of the Section 8 discussion and action items from the March 9 City Council meeting. These notes are based on my personal notes and the meeting transcript, not the official minutes, so there may be errors or small omissions.

8.A. Resolution Supporting the Final 2026-2030 Community Parks and Recreation Plan
Council approved the final parks and recreation plan. This keeps the city moving forward with its updated plan and helps maintain eligibility for future recreation grant opportunities.

8.B. Imperial Design Industrial Facilities Tax exemption request
Council approved the IFT request for Imperial Design.

During the public hearing and discussion, representatives explained that the company recently completed a building addition and expects continued growth, with plans to add jobs over time. Lakeshore Advantage also gave an overview of how IFTs work and described them as a tool communities use to support industrial growth and business retention.

There was also public comment raising concerns tied to a past contractor dispute involving the property owner. That led to some discussion, but council ultimately focused on the IFT request itself and whether it made sense as an economic development tool for this project.

A point that came up in discussion was that the IFT applies to the new qualifying investment, not the existing building and property. Council discussion also included the idea that the city would still receive some new tax revenue from the addition during the abatement period, while the existing property continues to be taxed as normal.

Council approved the request.

8.C. Proposed 3-year contract for audit services
Council approved the proposed 3 year contract with Brickley DeLong for audit services.

8.D. Resolution authorizing and supporting the MEDC grant application
Council approved moving forward with the MEDC Strategic Site Readiness Program grant application.

This request is tied to a major water infrastructure project, including a secondary water transmission line and water storage improvements. Discussion included the importance of water system redundancy and the fact that if the grant is awarded, the full details and financial obligations would still need to come back to council before final acceptance.

8.E. 2026 Street Improvements and Storm Sewer Rerouting Project
Council approved the 2026 street improvements and storm sewer rerouting project.

Staff said there were five bids received, and the recommended low bidder was Bob’s Asphalt & Paving with T. Austin Excavating. The project includes resurfacing work and rerouting the storm sewer that currently runs beneath the Heath building.

8.F. Main Street Bridge Design Engineering
Council approved the design engineering contract for the Main Street Bridge project.

This is an early step needed to keep the bridge replacement project moving forward.

8.G. Transfer ownership of roads in The Reserve Phase 2 to the City
Council approved the transfer of Blue Ash Lane, Hazelnut Drive, Peach Drive, and Rock Elm Lane to the City of Coopersville.

8.H. Accept those same roads into the city street system
Council also approved accepting those roads into the city street system, which is important for future state maintenance funding eligibility.

8.I. Ironwood Ride and Share parking lot paving improvements
Council did not approve the paving proposal.

Discussion centered on whether this is the right time to invest in paving the lot, with some council members saying they do not believe the current level of use justifies the expense right now.

8.J. Fire Authority Board appointment
Council accepted Mayor Mooney’s resignation from the Fire Authority Board alternate position and approved the appointment recommendation for Kenneth Bush to fill that role.

8.K. Receiving Board compensation for early voting
Council approved the request related to compensation for early voting Receiving Board work.

Discussion focused on the extra work created by the new early voting process and the need to fairly compensate election workers handling those duties.

8.L. Ironwood Ride and Share parking lot lighting improvements
Council did not approve the lighting proposal.

Discussion included whether the lot currently has enough use to justify the added expense at this time.

8.M. AAA Lawn Care 2026-2027 proposal
Council approved the AAA Lawn Care proposal for city properties and facilities.

8.N. Construction engineering for the 2026 street and storm sewer improvements
Council approved the construction engineering services for the 2026 street and storm sewer project.

8.O. Ironwood Ride and Share parking lot concrete proposal
Council did not approve the concrete proposal tied to the Ironwood Ride and Share lot improvements.

Big picture
A lot of Monday’s Section 8 items dealt with long-term infrastructure, planning, and basic city operations. Some projects moved ahead, especially those tied to roads, bridges, elections, and utility planning. At the same time, council chose not to move forward right now with the proposed paving, lighting, and concrete work at the Ironwood Ride and Share lot.

One reason I did not feel it was the right time to move forward with those upgrades is how lightly the lot is currently used. My view is that when the bike path finally reaches that side of town, that will likely be the more appropriate time to take another look at improving and upgrading that space, since it may then see more regular use and serve a broader purpose.

As always, feel free to reach out to me with any questions, ideas, or concerns.