By Gari Voss
At their February 11, 2025, meeting, the Allegan City Council approved numerous purchase orders for the Department of Public Works that would assist in the implementation of the Mahan Park project, Ely Street and Airway Drive improvements, and the Regent Theater parking lot reconstruction along with other odds and ends. The evening began with the approval ordinances that would allow the Allegan County Fairgrounds to host a Flower Expo and ended with brainstorming ways to reduce vandalism and misuse of public restrooms.
Public Hearing and Ordinance
The City Council approved Ordinances 525 and 526 that will open the door to the Allegan County Fairgrounds hosting events such as the Flower Expo. Approval of Ordinance 525 adjusts wording to allow for special marijuana events to happen on city parcels of 50 acre or larger as long as product and paraphernalia are locked, and product use is done no closer than 100 feet from private property lines. Ordinance 526 sets that temporary marijuana events may be held in the city only with a final authorization granted by the City Clerk.
City Manager Joel Dye emphasized that the marijuana events can only happen on 50-acre parcels or larger of public/government land. This would limit gatherings to the Fairgrounds. Consumption must be at least 100 feet in from the fence line. Any merchandise must be kept under lock up. Each ordinance passed with a vote of 6 yea and 1 nay.
Wayfinding Signage Program Presentation
Guide Studio’s Erica Deutsch reviewed the process that has been followed in determining the signage that will assist visitors in locating destinations in Allegan. Deutsch reminded the Council that they had met with numerous groups around Allegan. The investigation found that there are three major destinations – Downtown, the Fairgrounds, and The Sports Complex.
The investigation was assisted by asking key questions like “What would an ideal day in Allegan look like?” The hope was to identify those things that residents would want visitors to do or see. Most responses referred to activities done during nicer weather, and results led to Journey Mapping. That is, it assisted in determining how people arrive at the destinations.
The Guide Studio team is in town to work with City Staff to determine placement of signs, so signs don’t litter the town. There are also decisions to be made on the shape and sizes of signs, so Deusch walked the Council through the Schematic Design.
On Tuesday, Dye and Parker Johnson will meet with Guide Studio to review placement. After decisions are made, the staff will go for bids for parking lot signs which could be covered by this year’s budget. At this time, it is estimated that it will take 3-5 years to implement the entire plan. Deutsch reiterated that it is important to have the plan then bid it out as the city sees fit.
Reports From Boards
The Brownfield Redevelopment Authority’s February 3, 2025, meeting reviewed the Brownfield Plan for 500 Delano Street. All met the requirements of the state law for typical projects. The BRA approved the plan. Dye felt that the project would be moving along quickly.
The Airport Advisory Board’s February meeting promoted community involvement in events such as airshow, car shows, etc. DPW Director Doug Kadzban shared that the fuel pump card reader and software needed to be upgraded, and he would bring this to the next City Council meeting. There will not be a March meeting, so the group will gather again on April 7, 2025.
Finance Department
The Council approved accounts payable in the amount of $1,138,033.47 and payroll in the amount of $150,149.79 for a total disbursement of $1,288,183.26.
2025 City Manager’s Single Lot Assessment Report
Michaela Kleehammer, City Clerk, reviewed the annual report to adjust single lot tax bills to cover the cost of the city cleaning up the lot during 2024. The chart listed unpaid invoices as of December 31, 2024. If the council approves, there will be a request at the Feb. 24, 2025, meeting regarding placing these costs on summer taxes. The council must follow the proper procedure, which begins on March 24, 2025, with a discussion of the special assessment roll. A public hearing would be held on April 14, 2025. The list must be made public in the Allegan County News. Those in arrears can plead their case, and costs can then be added to the tax bills.
Councilmember Bill Morgan asked how much was collected in 2024. Kleehammer was able to report that it was $13,500+.
Public Works
The Department of Public Works Director Kadzban had a laundry list of requests.
Mahan Park Improvement Project purchase orders were approved.
- The council awarded the bid for the Mahan Park Improvement project to Site Work Solutions, Inc., and authorized a purchase order in the amount of $334,029. Kadzban reminded the Council that the city has been working with Abonmarche regarding design and construction. There would be a savings by not replacing boards with composite materials. Several voiced that wood and composite materials react differently in snow. Others had learned from past experience that over time composite boards on City benches had cracked and splintered.
- The construction engineering contract for the Mahan Park Improvement project was given to Abonmarche Consultants in the amount of $31,000.
- The request to declare the Mahan Park Gazebo as surplus and direct city staff to sell the Gazebo was approved. The surplus will be announced and bids accepted. The highest bidder will need to dismantle the existing gazebo and remove it.
Regent Theater Parking Lot - The request to award the bid for the Regent Theatre Parking Lot Improvement project to Milbocker & Sons, Inc., in the amount of $505,890.27 was approved. Dye shared that $800,000 had been set aside in the budget and this did not include the extra funding that was also secured. Parking Lots under building & grounds in budget.
- The request for the construction engineering contract for the Regent Theatre Parking Lot Improvement project be awarded to Abonmarche Consultants in the amount of $45,800 was approved.
Street Projects - The request to approve the construction engineering contract for the Ely Street Improvement project with Abonmarche Consultants in the amount of $72,000 was approved. Because the Ely Street improvements are in collaboration with MDOT, a licensed engineer was required.
- The request authorizing the mayor to sign the Ely Street Improvement contract with MDOT was approved. MDOT requires that the Council approve a transaction official, and the mayor will take the lead in this project.
- The request to pay Abonmarche Consultants for the design and construction engineering for the upcoming Airway Drive Improvement project in the amount of $102,000 was approved. The Airway Drive improvements have been made possible with a grant thanks to the guidance of Abonmarche. It is not an MDOT project.
- The request to hire the Highway Maintenance and Construction Company for crack sealing various streets in the city in an amount not to exceed $20,000 was approved. The company was hired previously and was able to complete DPW’s list with dollars to spare.
Airport Fuel Card Reader
As promised, Kadzban requested a purchase order for R.W. Mercer Company for upgrades to the fuel card reader and associated software in the amount of $15,606 and a budget adjustment. The reader is 12 years old, and to make the upgrade, not only would it require software but the replacement of the reader in order for pilots to get fuel. This required that the Council approve a budget adjustment since this was not an anticipated expenditure included in the FY25 Budget. Council approval was given.
Winter Maintenance
The request to authorize a budget adjustment of $16,000 for Wesseling Services LLC for Downtown winter maintenance was approved. The weather has required more plows which takes the costs over 10% of the original $27,000 contract. The Council approved the extension.
City Manager
City Manager Dye updated the Council on the housing development project for 500 Delano Street. The project is expected to cost $12.6 million. Dye stated, “$4,479,396 may be captured and reimbursed to the developer as part of a brownfield tax increment financing (TIF) plan; an additional $398,077 will be captured by the state of Michigan, and $1,523,713 will be captured by the City of Allegan.” A Public Meeting will be held during the Feb. 24, 2025, meeting to approve the TIF (Tax Increment Financing) plan. With the approval, construction will begin. Only 5 of the 42 will be rental units.
Public Restrooms
Dye and Johnson appraised the Council of the concerns with the public restrooms at the Allegan City Hall and the Riverfront. Vandalism has required constructing less destructive walls in restrooms on the Riverfront. The restrooms have been locked during construction.
City Hall restrooms are being used by the homeless at night. Part of the problem arises because the people have left drug paraphernalia in both the women’s and men’s bathrooms. This has gotten worse in the last couple of months. City staff members are afraid to enter the building in the morning because of the unknowns.
Dye and Johnson listened as the Councilmembers shared the desire to provide the restroom facilities to the public in a way that will stop the vandalism and the homeless taking advantage. Suggestions covered the gamut of locking the Riverfront bathrooms to shortening hours to having the city police patrol the restrooms in the morning and throughout the evenings.
City staff will look at creating an ordinance to adjust hours of restroom use, to charge fines to those vandalizing or taking residence, and to increase police presence.
Parade Variances
Each year the Allegan County Fair organizers request the Council to approve various sign and noise ordinance variances to accommodate the parade schedule and route. The Council again approved the variances.
Property Request
A discussion ensued regarding Tantrick Properties’ proposal to purchase a city-owned parcel on Lowe Street for $1. Councilmember Patrick Westover, a co-owner of Tantrick Brewing, asked to be excused from the discussion and left the room. Tanya made the request for the property to create storage. Dye shared that there are some contamination problems on this piece of property from a railroad company. The contamination made it expensive to prepare it for building residences because it would require environmental cleanup, but that would not affect the long-term goal for Tantrick’s much needed storage. The sale of land to businesses has been done in the past. Several council members would like more information.
MML (Michigan Municipal League)Training
Councilmembers who attended the MML Training that occurred on January 30, 2025, felt it was a very positive experience and a great refresher for the way meetings should be run. Several of the finer points were put into practice during the evening’s meeting.
Board Appointments
Rachel McKenzie was appointed to the Public Spaces Commission for a term set to expire on December 31, 2027.
Communications From the City Manager - Dye shared a communication from Perrigo Real Estate about the lease on the Perrigo Store as it needs to be renewed. The group raised concerns about the quality of the parking lot. This area was not on the list of parking lots to be improved this year. With the reconstruction of the Regent Theater parking lot, Dye asked Milbocker is giving a bid on improving the Water Street parking lot. This will come to about $100,000, and Dye will come to the Feb. 24th meeting with more details. Contact will be made with Myer Auto. By using Milbocker’s, a cost share may be negotiated.
- Dye distributed books that the city purchased. The information laid out in the books would frame some of the ideas and information brought to the Council. Once the council members finish reading a book, it will go to others who make decisions for the City of Allegan.
Roundtable Discussion
Councilmember Will Walker thanked the city manager for sharing information in advance. This would allow extra time to review the documents and ask questions before the next council meeting.
Councilmember Melanie Hooker shared that she and Councilmember Walker would be at Mugshots for a Councilmember Coffee Chat on Friday, February 21st. They are hoping that residents will bring thoughts and ideas to them or ask questions about city business.
Councilmember Morgan asked Johnson about their rides around the city. Johnson explained that they took a pause during the holidays but had begun again on 10-day enforcement. They drive on Mondays and Tuesdays then meet with the police on Thursdays. The officers contact residents. Morgan wondered if it was the police who take care of parking in the right-of-way (sidewalk).
Mayor Perrigo voiced that she was feeling good following the new meeting agenda.
Additional Information
Note: Not everything covered in the council meetings can be shown in an article. For more information, PowerPoints and diagrams, go to cityofallegan.org and click on Government then Agendas & Minutes.
