Village Council

VILLAGE OF SPARTA Kent County, Michigan Village Council Meeting Monday, November 17, 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, Chief Andrew Milanowski, DPW Supervisor William Hunter, Airport Manager Mike Krzciok, Village Clerk Kristen Phelps 1. Call to Order 1. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by President Robert Whalen 2. Pledge of Allegiance 1. The Pledge was Recited. 3. Roll Call 1. Formal Roll Call was taken. Council Member Braybrook arrived at 7:01 pm. 4. Additions or Corrections to Consent and Business Agenda Consent Agenda: 1. Approve Regular Village Council Meeting Minutes of October 20, 2025 2. Approve Fire Board Meeting Minutes of October 23, 2025 3. Approve DDA Minutes of October 14, 2025 4. Approve Sidewalk Easement 92 N. State Street 5. Approval of Consent and Business Agenda 1. The Consent and Business Agenda were approved as presented. i. Motion: Carlstrom moved to approve the consent agenda support by Cumings. Motion Carried 6-0 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. 7. Public Hearing 1. None. 8. Old Business 1. None. Page 1 of 3 9. New Business 1. Res. 25-17 A Resolution to establish the Sparta Fire Authority i. Motion: Mais moved to approve Resolution 25-17 as presented, supported by Braybrook. Motion passes 7-0. 2. Fire Department Budget i. Motion: Cumings moved to approve the Fire Department Budget as presented, supported by Peoples. Motion passes 7-0. 3. Res. 25-18 A Resolution to accept project grant agreement with MNRTF for project TF24-0098 i. Motion: Carlstrom moved to approve Resolution 25-18 as presented, supported by Mais. Motion passes 7-0. 4. Approve Police Union Contract i. Motion: Braybrook moved to approve the Police Union Contract, supported by Mais. Motion passes 7-0. 5. Cityhood Q & A Opportunity i. No questions. 10. Village Manager & Department Reports 1. Village Manager Lower spoke. 11. Communications 1. None 12. Payment of Bills October Payables PAYABLES (101) General Fund $604,445.98 (202) Major Street Fund $16,031.22 (203) Local Street Fund $25,695.01 (581) Airport $70,718.28 (590) Sewer Department Fund $31,302.07 (591) Water Department Fund $129,170.52 (661) Equipment Rental Fund $7,000.90 Total $884,363.98 Informational: Page 2 of 3  $96,774.69 (206) Fire Department $2,077.99 (208) SRA Park Fund $3,601.38 (248) Downtown Development Authority $102,454.06 Total a. Motion: Peoples moved to approve the payables as presented, supported by Mais. Motion passes 7-0. 13. Public Comment 1. Joseph Fox spoke about his campaign for the 33rd district Senate seat. 14. Recess: 7:45 pm 15. Reconvened: 7:51 pm 16. Motion: Braybrook moved to go into executive session, supported by Cumings. Motion passed 7-0. 17. Executive Session 1. Discuss attorney-client privileged communications & materials exempt from disclosure 18. Council Member Announcements 1. None 19. Adjournment 1. Meeting Adjourned at 8:51 pm by President Whalen Page 3 of 3