Village Council

VILLAGE OF SPARTA Kent County, Michigan Village Council Meeting Monday, September 25, 2025 at 6:00 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, Village Clerk Kristen Phelps, Deputy Clerk Erin Walter, DDA Director Elizabeth Morse, Director of Finance David Carpenter 1. Call to Order a. The meeting was called to order at 6:00 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. None 5. Approval of Consent and Business Agenda a. Motion: Peoples moved to approve the consent agenda with support by Cumings. Motion passes 7-0. 6. Public Comment for Agenda Item 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. a. David Keith Kent City commented about the Civic Center. 7. Public Hearing a. None. 8. Old Business a. None. Page 1 of 2 9. New Business a. Civic Center Sale i. Motion: Peoples moved to accept the offer of $340,000 from the Sparta Historical Friends to purchase the civic center, supported by Cumings. Motion passed 7-0. b. Res. 25-15A Resolution to designate a portion of Village funds for historical preservation efforts i. Motion: Peoples moved to approve Resolution 25-15A as presented, supported by Braybrook. Motion passed 7-0 10. Executive Session a. None. 11. Village Manager & Department Reports a. Manager Lower did his weekly update verbally. 12. Communications a. President Whalen thanked the anonymous donor. b. Council Member Braybrook commented 13. Public Comment a. None 14. Council Member Announcements a. None 15. Adjournment a. Meeting Adjourned at 6:31 pm by President Whalen Page 2 of 2