City Council Meeting - 2024-12-16

Detailed briefing

Harbor Springs City Council — December 16, 2024 ATTENDEES: Four council members participated in person; Council member Reeves attended by Zoom, and a quorum was confirmed. • Council adopted the amended 2024 budget and proposed 2025 budget. It also approved the Capital Improvements Plan, including a note that some 2025 sidewalk money may be carried forward for a larger West Hill sidewalk project planned for 2026. • Council awarded the State Street reconstruction project to the staff-recommended bidder. Staff said the bids were substantially below the approximately $650,000 projection. Work is expected to begin after Labor Day 2025 and be completed before the end of October. The project includes street, water, sewer and electrical work, with concrete retained instead of a lower-cost asphalt alternative. • Council approved the lowest bid for widening the Ford Park drive. The bid was just under $23,000, higher than the earlier $13,000-$15,000 estimate. Discussion clarified that the project does not address the existing bump associated with the storm-sewer line. • Electric rates will increase 3% across the board in 2025. Staff said electricity purchasing costs have risen and the electric fund faces ongoing capital needs. Council also agreed that staff should obtain quotes for a water and sewer rate study before recommending any changes to those rates. • State Street will close for Street Musique on all five Thursdays in July 2025. The Chamber Foundation initially requested six closures, including one in August. Council reduced the approval to July after discussing parking, traffic, attendance, business effects and possible alternative locations. • Council filled vacancies across the sewer authority, Harbor Commission, Downtown Development Authority, Board of Review, Tree Board, Parks Board, Zoning Board of Appeals and Planning Commission. Separately, the police chief announced Spencer Bishop's promotion to sergeant following an internal competitive process. The chief said this was a promotion within the department, not a new position. Worth watching: 1. Parks fundraising priorities, including whether to hire professional help for the eastern boardwalk project, were deferred until January. 2. Staff will return with costs for a water and sewer rate study. 3. Public requests to improve Zoom quality and reconsider registered-voter eligibility for most boards remain unresolved. Upcoming: City Hall will be closed December 23-25; the Parks fundraising discussion is expected January 20; Ice Fest is planned for February 7-8. Why it matters: The meeting set 2025 spending, utility rates, infrastructure work and downtown event access while leaving several participation and fundraising questions for follow-up.

No open public follow-ups are linked to this meeting yet.