Life Rings and lifeguards trigger discussion again at City Council

James Windell

The South Haven City Council accepted the donation of 11 Life Rings to help improve beach and river safety.
While accepting the donation presented by Mandy and Ryan Servatius at the regular City Council meeting on June 16, 2025, a motion was passed moments later to hire Double Haul Solutions (DHS), a project development business, to develop a plan for lifeguards beginning in the summer of 2026.
The Life Rings, purchased through donations by several South Haven individuals and businesses, will be placed at various strategic spots on the beaches and along the banks of the Black River. The gift of the Life Rings, each costing $750.00, was accepted by the City Council with gratitude.
However, there was somewhat less goodwill and gratitude when the issue of hiring an outside firm to come up with a plan for a lifeguard program.
Discussion around hiring Double Haul Solutions (DHS) was introduced by City Manager Kate Hosier who proposed that the City contract with DHS at a cost of $45,000 to develop a lifeguard program.
Prior to the June 16, City Council meeting, there was at least one Facebook post criticizing the City Manager for failing to establish a lifeguard program this summer. During public comments at this latest City Council meeting, concerns were expressed by several residents over the cost of hiring an outside project develop company and related to the fact that DHS staff are not “subject matter experts.”
When City Council members began discussing Hosier’s proposal, council member Mary Hosley stated her concern that liability issues have not been resolved. And she, too, complained that DHS does not have specific expertise in developing lifeguard programs. Since staff members of DHS do not have United States Lifesaving Association certification, she viewed this as a specific drawback to DHS having the ability to design a program. “I do not see this as a wise use of funds,” she said.
Responding to this, council member George Sleeper said, “We asked Kate [Hosier] to develop a lifeguard program. She’s telling us this is what she needs. I think we should give her what she needs.”
Councilman Joe Reeser added: “You are not asking for lifeguard experts; you want someone who knows how to implement a system.”
Hosier said she expects DHS to report on how a lifeguard program can be implemented by September or October this year.
A motion was made to hire DHS as recommended by Hosier. A majority of City Council members approved this motion.
The import of this motion was that Hosier can proceed to hire DHS who will advise the City as to how a lifeguard program can be implemented and ensure that it is up and running by the summer of 2026. “Since this is about public safety,” Hosier said, “we want to get it right.”
In the meantime, it is hoped that current safety measures, including the use of warning flags, Life Rings, and EMILY (Emergency Integrated Lifesaving Lanyard), will protect people from accidents on South Haven’s beaches this summer.