Village Council

VILLAGE OF SPARTA Kent County, Michigan Village Council Meeting Monday, December 15, 2025 at 7:00 PM 276 W. Division St. (Sparta Village Complex) Present: President Robert Whalen, Council Members Brenda Braybrook, Robert Carlstrom, David Cumings, Tom Peoples, Bill Taylor Absent: Courtney Mais Also Present: Village Manager James Lower, Chief Andrew Milanowski, DPW Supervisor William Hunter, Airport Manager Mike Krzciok, Village Clerk Kristen Phelps, David Carpenter, Conrad Bowman, and Sergeant David Price. 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. See above for attendance. 4. Additions or Corrections to Consent and Business Agenda Consent Agenda: a. Approve Regular Village Council Meeting Minutes of November 17, 2025 b. Approve Special Village Council Meeting Minutes of December 1, 2025 c. Approve Fire Board Meeting Minutes of November 20, 2025 5. Approval of Consent and Business Agenda a. The Consent and Business Agenda were approved as presented. i. Motion: Braybrook moved to approve the consent agenda with support by Carlstrom. Motion Passed 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. • Brook Burg 10870 Phelps Ave Commented • Kristie Dougan 298 Pine St Commented 7. Public Hearing a. Proposed Fiscal Year 2026 Budget, Millage Rate, and 2026-2032 Capital Improvement Plan i. Opened at 7:04 pm by President Whalen. ii. Closed at 7:07 pm by President Whalen Page 1 of 4  b. Proposed Changes to Debt Service Fee Schedule for Waste Water Treatment Plant Upgrades i. Opened at 7:07 pm by President Whalen 1. Kristie Dougan 298 Pine St Commented 2. Ricky Johnson 29 Centennial Commented 3. Joan Kenoshmeg 155 N. Union (1055 Indian Lakes NW) Commented ii. Closed at 7:22 pm by President Whalen 8. Old Business a. None. 9. New Business a. Res. 25-19 A Resolution Establishing the 2026 Regular Village Council Meeting Schedule i. Motion: Taylor moved to approve Resolution 25-19 as presented with a time change to 6:30 pm, supported by Carlstrom. Motion passes 5-1 Whalen in opposition. b. Res. 25-20 A Resolution Establishing the 2026 Regular Planning Commission Schedule i. Motion: Carlstrom moved to approve Resolution 25-20 as presented with a time change to 6:30 pm, supported by Peoples. Motion passes 5-1 Whalen in opposition. c. Res. 25-21 A Resolution Adopting the FY2026 Budget, CIP, & Millage Levy i. Motion: Braybrook moved to approve Resolution 25-21 as presented, supported by Cumings. Motion passes 6-0 d. Res. 25-22 A Resolution Revising Monthly WWTP Debt Rates i. Motion: Carlstrom moved to approve Resolution 25-22 as presented, supported by Taylor. Motion passes 6-0 e. Res. 25-23 A Resolution adopting amendments to the FY 2025 Budget i. Motion: Cumings moved to approved Resolution 25-23 as presented, supported by Braybrook. Motion passes 6-0 f. Approve Engineering Proposal Balyeat Bridge i. Motion: Braybrook moved to approve the proposal as presented, with support by Peoples. Motion passes 6-0 g. Ord. 25-04 An Ordinance amending definitions in sections 82-45, 46, 57, & 58 as well as permitted uses in section 82-252, and location of parking areas in section 82-464 i. Motion: Cumings moved to approve Ordinance 25-04 as presented, with support by Braybrook. Motion passes 6-0 h. Cityhood Question & Answer Opportunity i. Barb Johnson 9210 Alpine Ave Commented ii. Jon Bradley 148 W. Averill Commented iii. Tony Burnette 946 10 Mile Rd NW Commented iv. Darrell Cameron 410 Tentree Commented 10. Executive Session a. None. 11. Village Manager & Department Reports a. Village Manager Lower spoke 12. Communications a. None Page 2 of 4 13. Payment of Bills November Payables PAYABLES (101) General Fund $720,522.13 (202) Major Street Fund $2,492.15 (203) Local Street Fund $40,301.88 (581) Airport $11,181.86 (590) Sewer Department Fund $237,018.54 (591) Water Department Fund $53,877.00 (661) Equipment Rental Fund $29,060.11 Total $1,094,453.67 Informational: $40,207.83 (206) Fire Department $1,745.57 (208) SRA Park Fund $9,000.47 (248) Downtown Development Authority $50,953.87 Total a. Motion: Peoples moved to approve the November Payables as presented, supported by Taylor. Motion passes 6-0 14. Public Comment a. Kristie Caine 8795 Baumhoff Ave. Commented b. April c. Eva Whitcomb 114 S. Union Commented d. Barb Johnson 9210 Alpine Ave Commented e. Chad Momber 14213 Lake Shore Dr Commented f. Joan Kenoshmeg 155 N. Union (1055 Indian Lakes NW) Commented g. Ricky Johnson 29 Centennial Commented h. Kristie Dougan 298 Pine St. Commented i. Tim Driscoll 10869 Phelps Ave. Commented j. Gina Johnsen 114 Blossom Dr. Portland, MI 48875 15. Council Member Announcements a. None Page 3 of 4 16. Adjournment a. Meeting Adjourned at 8:44 pm by President Whalen. Page 4 of 4