11.06.2025 - November Council Meeting Agenda for 11.10.2025 (Updated 11.14)

The November council meeting agenda has been sent out. I’ve added a short summary of each item below. You can sign up to get agendas by email on the City website under the Meeting Minutes page.

  • 8.A – Discussion only – Water Meter Ordinance Amendment: Adds a clause requiring property owners to allow installation of new radio-read water meters; service can be shut off after reasonable notice if access is denied.
  • 8.B – Discussion only – 2026 Community Parks & Recreation Plan Review: Presents the updated draft plan for public review (public review opened Oct 13, 2025; Council adoption targeted Dec 8, 2025).
  • 8.C – Muskegon County Wastewater Master Contract: Approves the master contract for the City to join the Muskegon County Wastewater System; industrial connections start early 2026, City connection summer 2026.
  • 8.D – CivicPlus Archiving & Monitoring: Considers proposals to archive social media (and optionally the website) to meet records-retention and FOIA requirements; includes setup fees and annual subscriptions.
  • 8.E – Social Media Management & Engagement: Reviews a staff update after a 90-day pause on public comments, citing misuse and limited capacity for real-time moderation.
  • 8.F – Randall St & 64th Ave Blinking Reds: Authorizes installation of two poles and four-way red-blinking signals at the intersection.

Appointments & Administrative

  • 21.A – 2026 Meeting Schedule: Adopts the regular City board meeting calendar for 2026.
  • 21.B – Fire Authority Board: Appoints two Council Members to the Fire Authority Board.
  • 21.C – Planning Commission: Appoints one Council Member to the Planning Commission.
  • 21.D – DDA Board: Appoints one Council Member to the Downtown Development Authority Board.
  • 21.E – ZBA: Appoints one Council Member to the Zoning Board of Appeals.
  • 21.F – Recreation Board: Appoints two Council Members to the Recreation Board.
  • 21.G – Mayor Pro Tempore: Selects a Council Member to serve as Mayor Pro Tempore.

If you have questions or thoughts about any item, feel free to message me or any of the other Council Members. Meeting starts at 7pm.

Comments:

  • Comments about 8A and the legal implications from MK  & JW: 
    • Me: I’ve seen the link to “HB 5606.” That was a 2020 bill about electric/gas smart meters. It never became law and didn’t cover city water systems.
    • https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Bills/Bill...
    • Our 8A discussion is about updating water meters to radio-read units so we can read accurately, fix leaks faster, and cut manual costs. It also clarifies access for installation and the standard process if someone refuses service.

Meeting recap

Disclaimer: This recap is not the official record of the meeting. It is based on my personal notes and may contain errors or omissions. Official minutes will be prepared by city staff and are expected to be reviewed and approved by City Council in December. 

8A – Water meters (discussion):
 Draft amendment will authorize required radio-read water meter installations. Customers must allow installation upon request; water service may be shut off after reasonable notice for non-compliance; reconnection after installation and payment of applicable fees.
Status: Formal ordinance + public hearing coming in December.
Data cited: 1,426 total accounts; 5 no response; 3 refusals (8 remaining).

8B – 2026 Parks & Recreation Plan (discussion):
 Plan remains on track for December adoption to maintain DNR grant eligibility (e.g., North Bank Trail and other future projects). Draft is available at City Hall for public review.

8C – Muskegon County Wastewater master contract (action):
 Approved. City will join the Muskegon County Wastewater System via the Southeast Regional Force Main.

  • Dairies expected to connect around February 2026.
  • City connection targeted for summer 2026, using the existing force main in reverse to send flow to the Muskegon system.
  • City will gain a seat on the regional board once the contract is in place.

8D – Archiving & monitoring (CivicPlus) (action):
 Approved Option 2 – social media and website archiving and monitoring for FOIA/public-record compliance.

  • Cost: First-year subscription $4,672.20 (discounted); renews year-to-year with a 5% annual increase.
  • Covers all City social media pages and provides timestamped snapshots that can be retrieved for FOIA or legal needs.

8E – Social media comments (action):

  • Main City Facebook page: Comments to remain off; page is treated as official government speech and an information channel.
  • Rec and Discover Coopersville pages: Comments allowed, with:
    • “Expressive activity” that is off-topic or abusive may be removed under the City’s social media policy.
    • City Manager has authority to disable comments on those pages if abuse starts or escalates.
      Residents are encouraged to use email, phone, in-person visits, meetings, or community pages for broader debate.

8F – Randall & 64th safety (action):
 Approved Strain Electric quote $28,900 from the road budget (Major Streets). (This was the cheaper of the options)

  • Install two poles with 4-way flashing red lights at 64th & Randall, supporting the new 4-way stop and future flexibility if a full signal is needed.
  • Staff will also review and adjust related signs (turn arrows, engine braking sign already removed, others to be relocated).

2026 meeting schedule:
 City Council and boards’ 2026 meeting calendar adopted as presented.

Appointments (boards & roles):

  • Fire Authority Board – Tim DeGues & Shane Gerard (City representatives).
  • DDA Board – Shane Gerard (council seat).
  • Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) – Daniel Bowman (council seat).
  • Recreation Board – Shane Gerard & Jillian Pulma (council seats).
  • Mayor Pro Tem – Renee Gavin (retained).

Proclamation:

  • Mayor Kenneth Bush Day – November 10, 2025, recognizing ~40 years of service as council member and mayor, his EMS background, Fire Board work, and broad community service.

Oaths of office:

  • Brian Mooney – sworn in as Mayor.
  • Shane Gerard – sworn in as Council Member.
  • Jillian Pulma – sworn in as Council Member.
  • Peter Weise – sworn in as Council Member.

Clerk’s election stats:

  • Registered voters: 3,515
  • Turnout: 581 (≈16.5%)
    • 342 absentee
    • 239 in-person
  • Absentee ballots sent: 625 (permanent absentee list).

Manager updates (highlights):

  • Main Street Bridge funding:
     City was awarded $3 million through the state’s Local Bridge Program for replacement of the Main Street Bridge in FY 2028 (via the Local Bridge Advisory process in Lansing).
  • SOS Mobile Office:
     Secretary of State Mobile Office will be at City Hall four dates in 2026 (details to be posted later).
  • Fall Cleanup / Republic Services:
     Fall Cleanup collected 42.3 tons of material—higher than some larger communities. Republic expressed concern that social media promotion may be drawing non-resident trash into the event; this could affect future contract pricing if not addressed.
  • Senior transportation:
    • Four Pointes is still responsible for providing transportation, but driver availability has been a recurring issue.
    • Other options: Ready Ride/TheseRide (fee-based), local churches, family/friends/neighbors, insurance/medical providers’ transport support.
    • Call for volunteer drivers who might coordinate with Four Pointes and receive mileage reimbursement.