Coopersville City Council Update: June 29 Special Meeting and July 13 Agenda

The Coopersville City Council held a special meeting on June 29, followed by its regular monthly meeting on July 13. Below is an overview of the major items considered at both meetings and what they mean for the community.

June 29 Special Meeting

I was unable to attend the June 29 special meeting, so this portion is based on the meeting packet and the draft minutes included with the July agenda.

Additional Eastmanville Street Reconstruction

Eastmanville Street was originally scheduled for a two-inch mill and overlay. Once the existing pavement was removed, crews discovered that parts of the road were in significantly worse condition than expected.

The main travel lanes appeared to have five to six inches of pavement, but areas along the sides of the road had only two to three inches. In some locations, milling exposed gravel. Crews also discovered two older railroad crossings that had previously been paved over.

Staff concluded that simply placing new asphalt over the deteriorated areas would likely result in cracking and premature failure. Three options were presented, ranging from $84,570 for limited repairs to $221,940 for complete reconstruction.

Council unanimously approved the middle option, totaling no more than $90,725. This includes removing additional pavement along both sides of Eastmanville Street and at the intersections, adding asphalt where needed, and installing a leveling course before the final surface is placed.

The additional work will be paid from the Major Roads Fund and will require a budget amendment.

Application for Water Infrastructure Grant Funding

Council also unanimously approved a resolution supporting an application for up to $17 million through a Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget competitive grant program.

The proposed project includes:

• Approximately 3.5 miles of new 20-inch water transmission main.

• A new one-million-gallon water storage tank.

• Additional capacity and redundancy for the City’s water system.

The total estimated project cost is approximately $24.5 million, including $15.5 million for the transmission main and $9 million for the storage tank.

This vote authorized the City to apply for the funding. It did not commit the City to borrowing money, providing a specific local match, accepting grant conditions, or beginning construction. Those decisions would return to Council separately if the City receives a grant offer.

The second water main would provide another route for water to enter the City. This would reduce the risk of a major service interruption if the existing transmission line were damaged or needed significant repairs.

July 13 Regular City Council Meeting

The July meeting marked the beginning of the City’s new fiscal year. Many of the items involved projects and equipment that were included in the newly adopted budget.

The meeting also began with recognition of Jim and Lill Budzynski for their many years of work preserving and sharing Coopersville’s history.

Public Hearings

Two public hearings were scheduled.

The first concerned the proposed update to the Downtown Development Authority Development and Tax Increment Financing Plan.

The second concerned a request from Southside Bar & Grill for a temporary variance from the City’s noise ordinance during its August beer tent event.

Consent Agenda

The consent agenda included:

• Minutes from the June 8 regular meeting.

• Minutes from the June 29 special meeting.

• A $121,655.57 payment for the 2026 street improvement project.

• City payments through July 13 totaling $1,524,905.69.

• The monthly Council information packet.

Consent agenda items are normally approved together unless a councilmember requests that an item be removed for separate discussion.

Downtown Development Authority Plan

Council considered an ordinance adopting an updated Downtown Development Authority Development and Tax Increment Financing Plan.

The plan provides a long-term list of potential downtown projects through 2041. These include sidewalks, parking improvements, trail connections, façade assistance, parks, public art, streetscape improvements, accessibility work and, in a later phase, reconstruction of Main Street.

The draft states that annual tax capture would be capped at $475,000. Adoption of the plan does not automatically authorize every project. Individual projects would still need funding and approval through future DDA and City budget decisions.

The ordinance also does not create new debt or extend the current duration of the DDA district. It updates the framework that allows the DDA to collect and use eligible increases in property tax revenue within the district.

Additional Biosolids Removal

In July 2025, Council authorized up to $500,000 to remove biosolids from the wastewater treatment plant’s emergency storage and polishing ponds.

The original estimate was based on measurements taken while the ponds were still filled with water. After the ponds were drained, it was discovered that the actual amount of material was nearly double the original estimate.

Removing the remaining material is expected to cost up to an additional $250,000.

Although the City is responsible for this work under the regional wastewater agreements, Muskegon County voluntarily agreed to contribute up to $125,000. Council was asked to approve the remaining $125,000 from the City’s Sewer Fund.

A budget amendment will be required.

Replacement Zero-Turn Mower

The Department of Public Works requested approval to replace a zero-turn mower with more than 800 operating hours.

The original price of the new 72-inch Wright mower was $21,510. After a MiDeal purchasing discount and a $4,500 trade-in allowance, the final cost was $14,865.

The City had budgeted $20,000 for the replacement, placing the purchase $5,135 under budget.

Southside Bar & Grill Noise Variance

Southside Bar & Grill requested a temporary noise ordinance variance for a beer tent and live music event on Friday, August 7, and Saturday, August 8.

The band was expected to finish around 11 p.m., with the requested variance continuing until midnight. This was Southside’s first noise variance request of the calendar year.

Council could approve the request as submitted or approve shorter hours.

Wastewater Treatment Plant Decommissioning Engineering

With wastewater now being redirected to the Muskegon County Resource Recovery Center, the City is beginning the process of decommissioning the former wastewater treatment plant.

Prein & Newhof prepared a draft closure plan for review by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. Additional engineering work is needed as the City determines how parts of the property and the main building may continue to be used.

The proposed $30,000 agreement includes:

• Designing a small grinder station and force main to maintain sanitary sewer service to the building.

• Reviewing electrical and mechanical systems.

• Identifying equipment that can be safely disconnected or removed.

• Providing construction drawings, administration and field observation.

The goal is to safely close the treatment systems while preserving options for municipal storage, training, operations or other public uses of the building.

New Backhoe and Industrial Loader

The Department of Public Works requested approval to replace its 2014 Caterpillar backhoe through the City’s equipment replacement program.

The proposed Caterpillar 420 has a purchase price of $154,942.57. The City expects to receive at least $41,000 through a trade-in or auction of the existing machine, producing an anticipated net cost of approximately $113,942.57.

Staff also reviewed a Case backhoe. Both machines were considered capable, but staff recommended the Caterpillar based on operator familiarity, hydraulic performance, reliability, local service support, parts availability and expected resale value.

This purchase was included in the approved capital budget.

City Hall Community Center Improvements

Council considered the final phase of the City Hall Community Center rehabilitation project.

This phase would remove the six remaining overhead garage doors and permanently enclose the openings with insulated walls, brick, exterior panels and storefront-style entrances. Interior walls and portions of the ceiling would also be repaired and painted.

The base proposal from Tailored Building Systems was $97,765. An optional floor coating throughout the approximately 2,500-square-foot room would add $17,970, bringing the total to $115,735.

The City budgeted $120,000 for this phase.

Completing the project would improve heating and cooling efficiency while making the space more comfortable for elections, public meetings, community events and other year-round activities.

East Gateway Lift Station Repairs

City staff identified premature corrosion and deterioration of the pump guide rails, brackets and safety equipment at the East Gateway Lift Station.

Although the station is relatively new, it was originally constructed by a private developer before the City took ownership in 2021. Staff reported that some of the original components were made from materials that have not held up well in the wastewater environment.

The proposed $11,559 project would replace the deteriorated components with stainless steel equipment. The work would be paid from the Sewer Fund and will require a future budget amendment.

Continued Engineering for the 68th Avenue Water Main

Council considered an additional $135,000 engineering agreement with Prein & Newhof for the proposed 68th Avenue water transmission main.

The work includes design in the O’Malley Drive and Conran Drive areas, design between Randall Street and 64th Avenue, soil borings, permitting, construction plans and bid specifications.

Continuing the design work would allow the project to move more quickly if state grant funding becomes available.

Fairlife has agreed to reimburse the City for these engineering expenses. If the expenses are later reimbursed through a state grant, the City intends to return the eligible reimbursement to fairlife.

A future budget amendment will still be needed so that the reimbursement and expenses are properly recorded.

Board and Commission Reappointments

Council also considered several board and commission reappointments.

The proposed reappointments included members of the Cemetery Board, Downtown Development Authority, Planning Commission, Recreation Board and Zoning Board of Appeals.

The City continues to have open positions on the Planning Commission and the Zoning Board of Appeals, including alternate positions. These boards play an important role in reviewing development proposals, zoning questions, recreation programs and other community matters.

Closing

These two meetings included decisions ranging from street repairs and routine equipment replacement to long-term water, wastewater and downtown planning.

Some of these projects are already included in the City budget. Others require budget amendments, outside funding or future Council decisions before they can move forward. I will continue working to explain those distinctions so residents can see what has been approved, how it will be funded and what decisions still remain.