HOLLAND — In 2025, The Sentinel is providing a weekly round-up of the biggest topics in upcoming municipal meetings, giving our readers a chance to engage with their local officials on the projects, appointments and decisions that hit closest to home.
Here are the biggest topics for meetings Tuesday-Friday, Jan. 7-10:
Ottawa County
Board of Commissioners: 9 a.m. at the Ottawa County Fillmore Street Complex
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A motion to appoint long-term and former Ottawa County Sheriff Gary Rosema as interim county administrator until a permanent administrator is hired by the board, and to authorize Board Chair John Teeples and Commissioner Phil Kuyers to negotiate an employment/consulting services agreement with Rosema on terms similar to that offered to former Administrator John Shay in 2022, subject to the full board’s final approval.
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To amend the rules of the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners, including sections on conflict of interest, powers and duties of the board and a new member code of conduct. Proposed pieces of the code of conduct include:
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An assertion that no member is more powerful than another
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That commissioners “have no right to micromanage the affairs” of Ottawa County
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That commissioners were elected not to implement certain policies but to “use our experience and judgement to make decisions” as a body
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That board members are part of a limited form of government that should only solve problems for which there is a legal mandate to act
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That pre-set voting blocks are a breach of the board’s duty to listen, learn and independently assess
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That ostracizing particular members is an “affront to the portion of the county that has elected them” and will not be tolerated
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That decision-making is made stronger by respectful debate and even by disagreement
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Changes also allow the administrator and board committees to place items on the regular meeting agendas, in addition to the chairperson, and dramatically edits the board’s policy on invocations. The privilege of providing the invocation, the edit says, shall be rotated among members, who may give the invocation themselves or delegate the right to another member of the community, assuming the invocation does not exceed three minutes, does not proselytize or advance any particular creed (though God or Jesus may be mentioned), and strives to be unifying and non-divisive.
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To authorize Board Chair John Teeples (and his designee) to consult with county attorneys regarding “any and all legal matters” including litigation actions involving the county. All final settlement agreements shall be subject to the approval of the board and/or the Insurance Authority.
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To approve and authorize multiple resolutions authorizing the Ottawa County Treasurer to invest, reinvest or deposit various funds, and to executive any necessary contracts.
Read the full agenda: boards.miottawa.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/01072025-org-meeting.pdf
How to attend remotely: Zoom at miottawa.zoom.us/j/82501325506 or YouTube @miOttawa. You may participate virtually by raising your hand during the Zoom meeting. When you are called upon, unmute yourself, state your name and residence for the record, and make your comment.
Joan Saintz, of Fennville, holds a sign in protest as Luis Cypher, a minister with The Satanic Temple of West Michigan, gives the invocation on Tuesday, April 23, 2024.
Allegan County
Board of Commissioners: 9 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 9, at the Allegan County Services Building
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Election of Temporary Chairperson
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Election of Permanent Chairperson
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Election of Vice Chairperson
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Board Rules of Organization
Read the full agenda: allegancounty.org/home/showpublisheddocument/15790/638715217609579410
How to attend remotely: By calling 929-205-6099, typing in ID 891 6032 7098, and typing in meeting password 471420. To raise your hand to speak, press *9. To mute and unmute, press 6*. You can also watch on YouTube under @AlleganCounty or via Zoom on your web browser at zoom.us/j/89160327098 with password “Board”.
Board of Commissioners: 1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 9, at the Allegan County Services Building
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Recognition: Kathleen Miller
Read the full agenda: allegancounty.org/home/showpublisheddocument/15776/638715217276140341
How to attend remotely: By calling 929-205-6099, typing in ID 891 6032 7098, and typing in meeting password 471420. To raise your hand to speak, press *9. To mute and unmute, press 6*. You can also watch on YouTube under @AlleganCounty or via Zoom on your web browser at zoom.us/j/89160327098 with password “Board”.
City of Holland
Holland City Council: 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8, at Holland City Hall
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An approval of revised agreement dates for First Hope at 10th Street and Kollen Park Apartments by Dwelling Place
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A quarterly progress report on the Fiscal Year 2025 Strategic Plan and Business Plan
Read the full agenda: cityofholland.civicweb.net/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Org=Cal&Id=3580
How to attend remotely: YouTube @cityofholland
City of the Village of Douglas
Douglas Planning Commission: 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 9, at Douglas City Hall
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Motion to change the commission’s regular meeting time from 7 p.m. to 6 p.m. beginning in February
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Under unfinished business, a request for site plan approval for a multi-family development at 319 Ferry St.
Read the full agenda: mccmeetings.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/douglasmi-pubu/MEET-Agenda-7095b1d7cd8f4ffab1def488680f85af.pdf
How to attend remotely: By calling 312-626-6799 and typing in ID 841 0007 3894. You can attend via Zoom on your web browser by visiting us02web.zoom.us/j/84100073894.
Port Sheldon Township
Board of Trustees: 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8, at Port Sheldon Township Hall
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A resolution to place a fire department operating millage on the ballot in May
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A resolution to re-appoint Nicole Timmer to the planning commission
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Consideration of bid proposals for erosion control at Kouw Park Beach and flooring at the township offices and hall
Read the full agenda: portsheldontwp.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Public-Packet-Jan-8-2025-1.pdf
How to attend remotely: N/A
Olive Township
Planning Commission: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7, at Olive Township Hall
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A public hearing for a special use permit requested by Diemer’s Landscaping Services to operate a landscaping/contracting business as a home occupation in the Agricultural Zoning District at 14122 Barry St.
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Election of officers for 2025
Read the full agenda: olivetownship.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PCAgenda.pdf
How to attend remotely: N/A
Holland Township
Planning Commission: 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7, at Holland Township Hall
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A public hearing to amend the Zoning Ordinance Map at 12580 Quincy Street for a project by Redwood Living, from AG Agriculture to R-3 High Density Residential. Redwood has a second public hearing to rezone two other subject properties from AG to R-3.
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Final plat approval for a residential subdivision along an extension of Elderberry Drive, south of Quincy Street and connecting south to Greenly Street
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Tabled business at 410 and 414 E. Eighth St. for a preliminary PUD to build a mixed-use development with 27 residential units above commercial space
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Tabled business at 3385 120th Ave. to rezone from AG Agriculture to R-3 High Density Residential
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Tabled business for a site plan review on land west of 120 James St. for a special land use permit for contractor facilities and warehousing
Read the full agenda: hct.holland.mi.us/images/1-7-24_PC/1._Agenda_-_01-07-25.pdf
How to attend remotely: N/A. Recordings are later posted at hct.holland.mi.us/township-meeting-recordings/planning-commission-meeting-recordings.
Park Township
Board of Trustees: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 9, at Park Township Hall
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A presentation on an invasive species management plan from Tanner Bricker
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A proposal for conversation services
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A proposal for a resolution to purchase the vacant Coast Guard Station at 2388 Ottawa Beach Road
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A proposal to enlist engineering and grant administration services for Community Park and Winstrom Park
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A proposal to review demolition quotes for airplane hangars
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A proposal to approve a request-for-proposals for a Community Center
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A presentation from Len Pilon on the Community Center
Read the full agenda: webgen1files1.revize.com/parktwpmi/Agenda%20-%201-9-2025a.pdf
How to attend remotely: By calling 312-626-6799 and typing in ID 841 5078 4594. You can attend via Zoom on your web browser by visiting us02web.zoom.us/j/84150784594.
Zeeland Township
Board of Trustees: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7, at Zeeland Township Offices
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A proposal for 2025 subdivision road improvements
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A proposal to approve a 2025 meeting schedule
Read the full agenda: zeelandtwp.org/Agenda-Minutes/Board-Meeting-Agenda
How to attend remotely: N/A
Laketown Township
Board of Trustees: 5 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8, at Laketown Township Hall
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Discussion of permanent manager selection
Of note: Decisions are not usually made during workshops, though legally, they can be. Laketown Supervisor and Interim Manger Steven Ringelberg previously said decisions may be made Jan. 8 on a new manager.
Read the full agenda: laketowntwp.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/010824AgendaWorkshop.pdf
How to attend remotely: By calling 312-626-6799 and typing in ID 455 671 8351. You can attend via Zoom on your web browser by visiting zoom.us/j/4556718351.
Planning Commission: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8, at Laketown Township Hall
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Under old business, a conditional rezone request for the C-2 General Business District by Gator Properties
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Under old business, a PUD site plan review for Michael Bosgraaf and T. Bosgraaf Homes
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An introduction to the five-year review of the Laketown Township Master Plan
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An introduction to the review of the Chapter 38 Ordinance
Read the full agenda: laketowntwp.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/010825PCAgenda.pdf
How to attend remotely: By calling 312-626-6799 and typing in ID 455 671 8351. You can attend via Zoom on your web browser by visiting zoom.us/j/4556718351.
Fillmore Township
A meeting schedule for the Fillmore Township Board of Trustees has not yet been posted.
Saugatuck Township
Board of Trustees Workshop: 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7, at Saugatuck Township Hall
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Discussion of budget amendments for January 2025
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Discussion of a grant submission for Coastal Management
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Discussion of a funding commitment for Lakeshore Drive
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Discussion about a “roundabout incident”
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Discussion about Maple Street Improvements in tandem with the City of Saugatuck
Read the full agenda: saugatucktownshipmi.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/01072025-Draft-Agenda.pdf
How to attend remotely: N/A
Board of Trustees: 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8, at Saugatuck Township Hall
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Regular bills and disbursements of funds
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Action on budget amendments for January 2025
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A presentation of the 2023-2024 audit from Dan Veldhuizen
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Under new business, the funding commitment for Lakeshore Drive
Read the full agenda: saugatucktownshipmi.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/01082025-Draft-Agenda.pdf
How to attend remotely: By calling 312-626-6799 and typing in ID 853 9327 1805. You can attend via Zoom on your web browser by visiting us02web.zoom.us/j/85393271805.
— Cassidey Kavathas is the politics and court reporter at The Holland Sentinel. Contact her at ckavathas@hollandsentinel.com. Follow her on Twitter @cassideykava
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Big discussions this week in Ottawa, Laketown, Park Twp. meetings