Village Council

VILLAGE OF SPARTA Kent County, Michigan Village Council Meeting Monday, September 15, 2025 at 7:00 PM 75 N. Union St. (Sparta Civic Center) Present: President Robert Whalen, Council Members Brenda Braybrook, Robert Carlstrom, David Cumings, Courtney Mais, Tom Peoples, Bill Taylor Absent: Also Present: Village Manager James Lower, DPW Supervisor William Hunter, Sergeant David Price, Deputy DPW Supervisor Conrad Bowman, Village Clerk Kristen Phelps 1. Call to Order a. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by President Robert Whalen 2. Pledge of Allegiance a. The Pledge was recited. 3. Roll Call a. Formal Roll Call was taken. Attendance is noted above. 4. Additions or Corrections to Consent and Business Agenda Consent Agenda: a. Approve Regular Village Council Meeting Minutes of August 18, 2025 b. Approve Fire Board Meeting Minutes of August 21, 2025 c. Approve DDA Meeting Minutes of July 8, 2025 5. Approval of Consent and Business Agenda a. The Consent and Business Agenda were approved as presented. i. Motion: Carlstrom Moved to approve the consent agenda support by Braybrook. Motion Carried unanimously. 6. Public Comment for Agenda Item a. Dale Bergman 9280 Sparta Ave. Commented. Please Note: This Public Comment portion of the meeting is reserved for comment on agenda items. Personal or abusive attacks on Council members, staff members, or other participants will not be tolerated and may result in the Village President taking action, up to and including, having the speaker removed from the meeting by law enforcement officers. 7. Public Hearing a. None. Page 1 of 3 8. Old Business a. Civic Center i. Council Member spoke on the proposed trade with the Township 1. Motion: Council Member Mais moved to have the civic center put back on the open market by with a second by Braybrook. Motion passes 5-2. Opposed Taylor and Whalen. 9. New Business a. Res. 25-14 A Resolution endorsing an applicant under the MNRTF program i. Motion: Braybrook moved to approve Resolution 25-14 as presented, supported by Mais. Motion passed 7-0 b. Ord. 25-03 An Ordinance to amend the General prohibitions & Permissible open burning sections of Chapter 30 of the Village of Sparta Code of Ordinances i. Motion: Cumings moved to approve Ordinance 25-03 as presented, supported by Mais. Motion passed 7-0 c. Ecklund CIP Options Discussion i. The board would like to look at Option 1 and 3 at the November Meeting. 10. Executive Session a. None. 11. Village Manager & Department Reports a. Village manager spoke about various topics and ongoing developments within the Village. 12. Communications 13. Payment of Bills August Payables PAYABLES (101) General Fund $763,948.14 (202) Major Street Fund $60,487.88 (203) Local Street Fund $210,152.77 (581) Airport $57,561.73 (590) Sewer Department Fund $181,880.00 (591) Water Department Fund $45,203.73 (661) Equipment Rental Fund $27,184.59 Total $1,346,418.84 Informational: Page 2 of 3  $32,967.30 (206) Fire Department $6,667.06 (208) SRA Park Fund $3,411.35 (248) Downtown Development Authority $43,045.71 Total • Motion: Peoples moved to approve the payables as presented, supported by Mais. Motion passed 7-0. 14. Public Comment a. Rob Steffens 4344 13 Mile. Commented b. Doug Pickney 1135 Stebbins Commented c. Mary Jo Tuinstra 100 Orchard Commented d. Ashley Johnson 12240 Fruit Ridge Ave Commented 15. Council Member Announcements a. President Whalen Commented b. Council Member Carlstrom Commented c. Council Member Mais Commented d. Council Member Peoples Commented 16. Adjournment a. Meeting Adjourned at 8:28 pm by President Whalen. Page 3 of 3