Good morning.

The time is now 9 15, and we'll go ahead and call our community development committee meeting to order.

Good morning, colleagues.

Nice to see you all.

This this committee staying the same, so thanks for serving again.

Um is a resolution authorizing an agreement with Vicinity Energy Grand Rapids LLC for the provision of steam at one Monroe Center, Grand Rapids 49503.

Do you have a motion?

So moved.

Moved and supported.

Hello.

Good morning.

Bill Wheeler, Acting Director of Facilities and Fleet Management.

On December 16th, the City Commission approved replacement of natural gas boilers at one Monroe Center, the police administration building with uh steam system.

Uh the conversion from gas to steam is uh will support the city's municipal greenhouse gas uh reduction goals um of 85% by 2030 and 100% by 2040.

Um the steam boiler system will help meet the city's goals by lower lowering greenhouse gas emissions while still being the most affordable uh to install maintain over the life of the uh system.

So this agreement outlines um the demand that vicinity will provide to the building as well as their access rights for maintenance on their uh steam supply into the building.

So thank you, Mr.

Wheeler, and um thanks for that overview and just highlighting that information as it pertains to other goals that we have within the city.

Colleagues, do you have any questions about this item?

Yes, I'm sorry.

That's okay.

Uh good morning.

I I would like to just make sure I understand that the new boiler that was also was authorized actually were is it goes in conjunction with the steamer.

Correct.

So this we really wanted to bring these two items together at the same time.

Unfortunately, we couldn't do that, but the um yes, the the project was authorized on the 16th, and then this is kind of a service agreement just outlining the the demand that vicinity will provide to the buildings.

So the two systems are like uh redundancy backup, or just help me understand that.

So there's there's two boilers that provide uh HVAC hot water to heat the building.

There's two domestic hot water boilers that you know heat the showers and the sinks and that.

So the project was was part a.

This is just the agreement that base outlines what demand 2400 pounds per hour of steam that vicinity will supply.

So that's enough to heat the building under full load demand.

Um, and then it also outlines, you know, hey, they might need to get in there to maintain their steam meter at certain times.

Um, and it just outlines their their rights as a utility provider to do so.

Well, I appreciate that clarity, and I also just want to say that um vicinity and our steam district is a very kind of unique thing that we have in Grand Rapids, and it's old but also new at the same time.

They're making a lot of investments into our into expanding and electrifying, and I think that um anytime we can get a building and uh on the steam district is a great thing for the climate goals, but also for just energy efficiency in terms of cost savings, and I think that um that would be great that to be a leader and hopefully more buildings and we can expand the district even beyond the where it is now.

Thank you.

Absolutely.

Thank you.

Hearing no other comments, all those in favor?

Aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

Item carries.

Item number two is a resolution awarding a contract with EV Construction Co.

for WRRF administrative building flooring improvements in the amount of 62,800 62,800 with a total amount not to exceed 181,000.

So moved.

Support Miss Irving, thank you.

Good morning, commissioners.

Um, this project is replacing flooring um in select public corridors and bathrooms, drywalling wings coating locations, painting, installation of decals, and quartz trim work at the water resource recovery building.

Um the administrative straight of building has been around since the 1920s.

There have been several additions.

So the flooring is um past its useful life and has been built in various sections.

So this is an important improvement for both the appearance as the public visits and also for safety and walkability in this area.

Post bid it was determined that we also needed a guardrail, hence the larger contingency amount being requested here.

Um the bids were received on December 11th, 2025.

The engineers estimate was 146,693, and the submitted bid was 62,800.

So the original budget is um capable of supporting uh the change order to add the guardrail.

Um there.

There will not be any utilization of the micro local business enterprise on this project, but they are subcontracting amount of an amount of 19,075.

Thank you for the overview, Miss Irving.

Questions, colleagues, on this item.

Hearing none, all those in favor?

Aye.

Any opposed?

Item carries.

Item number three is a resolution awarding a procurement contract with Trojan Technologies Corporation for ultraviolet equipment for the parade uh for the replacement of North South Ultraviolet Disinfection at the water resource recovery facility in the amount of two million seven hundred thousand with a total amount not to exceed of three million forty-seven thousand five hundred dollars.

So moved.

Moved and supported serving.

Um yeah, so item three and our next item, item four, are both related to a larger construction project to replace the north and south ultraviolet disinfection system at the WERF.

Um this is procuring equipment with a long lead time that's critical for the project.

Uh the total construction project will come back to commission at a later date once it's been bid.

Um so the when we talk about the Trojan technologies, the equipment is um past its useful life, it's obsolete and no longer supported by Trojan for major service or parts, and the effluent disinfection is required for the WERF as outlined in their NPDES permit and monthly and seven-day moving average limitations for fecal coliform back bacteria.

So the resolution appropriate provides for the procurement contract with Trojan technologies and the amount of two million seven hundred thousand with the total expenditures not to exceed three million forty-seven thousand five hundred.

And this amount includes the cost of procurement, administration, and contingencies.

Thank you.

Um colleagues, any questions.

Yes, please.

Um, I just it's less of a question and I guess more of just a comment.

Um, I did uh tour the facilities last year, and it was discussed at that time what was going on with the equipment and how it wasn't being well serviced anymore.

It was um I guess one question would be how old was it and how long do we expect this new equipment to last?

Um, and so yep, I see we have our directors coming.

Um, but uh it is a vital piece of infrastructure to be able to have clean safe drinking water, and the UV light is a part of that, so I'll hand it over if you want to say more.

Good morning, Commissioners.

James Woods Environmental Services Manager.

Uh the UV disinfection equipment is 15 years old, uh, which the manufacturer stops producing the parts for it.

We do have a stockpile of parts to get us through until the new equipment arrives arrives.

Uh but yes, it is uh a needed uh replacement.

Thank you for that.

And then just a reminder was were these items some of do we receive some state dollars or a grant specifically for the ultraviolet pieces?

I thought it would be that has not been awarded yet.

Okay, there is a $1.09 million dollar uh congressional spending uh grant that we have applied for.

Okay.

Uh that should be awarded in in January provided goes through.

The government doesn't shut down.

Sorry, that's not funny.

Um I'm talking to people and they're like the second shutdown.

Um, so sorry, James.

Um, any other questions about this?

Thank you for that overview.

Hearing none, all those in favor?

Aye.

Any opposed?

Item carries.

Item number four is uh was mentioned as a companion item, but is resolution awarding a contract with Kendrill Electric for switch gear equipment for the replacement of North South Ultraviolet Ultraviolet Disinfection at the water resource and recovery facility in the amount of four hundred and seventy-nine thousand three hundred and ninety-four dollars with a total amount not to exceed five hundred and fifty-three thousand seven hundred and thirty-three dollars.

So moved.

Support moved and supported.

Any additional comments or no?

This is just another long lead time item that's uh critical for operation of the system.

Great.

Thank you.

All those in favor?

Aye.

Any opposed?

Item carries.

Item number five is a resolution approving an increase of two hundred and ten thousand for the North Primary Control Building MCC replacement for a total not to exceed of six hundred and forty-five thousand eight hundred and eighty-five dollars.

So moved.

Support moved and supported.

So this project um is um has been to commission before.

This is an increase in the contract amount.

Um, once they had the opportunity to get into the equipment and see the existing conditions, because energized electrical equipment, right?

It's difficult to inspect until you're actually able to do the work and open it up.

Um they discovered some unforeseen conditions, so they've identified additional work to complete the project, and that is what this change order supports.

Okay, great.

Thank you.

Um, all those in favor?

Aye.

Any opposed?

Item carries.

Item number six is a resolution accepting a sidewalk and utility easement at 2080 Michigan Street Northeast in connection with Lakeside Avenue from Fulton Street to Michigan Street Sidewalk Improvements for $1,488.

So moved or moved and supported.

This easement is in support of one of our Vital Street sidewalk gap closure projects.

Um we received a tap grant from MDOT to complete this project.

Um, just given the uh current grade and the different stormwater facilities in this area.

We needed a uh easement from a local church in order to complete the sidewalk gap.

Thank you.

Um any other questions on this one, colleagues.

All those in favor?

Aye.

Any opposed?

Item carries.

Item number seven is a resolution accepting a utility easement in conjection with Collendale Avenue Sanitary Lift Station for the nominal fee of one dollar.

So moved.

Um, as stated, this property is owned by the city of Walker, and this is simply um properly documenting the location of our utilities for future service and repair.

Thank you.

All those in favor?

Aye.

Any opposed?

Item carries.

Item number eight is a resolution accepting a utility easement and can in connection with Orchard Vista and Alpine Estates lift station improvements for the nominal fee of one dollar.

So moved.

Support again.

This is with City of Walker, where we're documenting the location of our utilities and securing an easement for future repair replacement.

Thank you.

All those in favor?

Aye.

Any opposed?

Item carries.

Item number nine is a resolution approving the revocation of obsolete property rehabilitation exemption certificate number three-18-002 for JV Enterprise LLC at um 2007 Division Avenue South.

So moved support moved and supported, Miss Renero.

Good morning.

Yes, this is um this was an Oprah that was approved back in 19 by City Commission, and there was a change in ownership in March of 25, which is um moving us to action.

You have to with the change in ownership, you either have to revoke it or transfer it.

And so the owner has requested that we revoke it, and that's the recommendation.

Thank you, Miss Renero.

Questions, colleagues?

Can you remember the last time?

Like okay, all those in favor?

Aye.

Any opposed?

Item carries.

Our last item for today is a resolution setting Tuesday, February 10th, 2026 at 2 p.m.

as a date for the city commission to sit as a board of review to hear appeals on Crescent Avenue Alley Improvements Special Assessment Roll Number 8774.

So move.

Support moved and supported.

Is this you, Miss Bearens?

You're in charge if nobody else is here.

I can't use it.

Is it not?

Would you like me to help with that?

Yes, I would love that.

Okay, sorry, Ms.

Irving.

Um so um uh this is uh procedural.

Okay.

Um the community came forward and asked for a special assessment to pave their alley.

They worked with the engineering department.

There was a public hearing, it was supported by commission.

We uh designed, constructed, completed the project within the budgeted amounts.

Um, there was a cost share with the city of Grand Rapids to help with some of the stormwater improvements out into Eastern Avenue.

Um, and the project is complete.

So this is the um final procedural before the it goes on to people's annual income tax so they can pay back over 10 years.

Thank you so much.

All right.

Um hearing no other comments.

Um may I?

Oh, sure.

Um just so I understand this is the the community obviously supported this, but this is their chance to say I agree or don't agree, or I want a different payment structure, or how exactly what would they be able to comment on during the the February 10th?

I think I would have to check with the city assessor to see what comments they are they are looking for on that.

Um I I think can I add one thing?

Yeah, I think in the past with some other different and I see Patrick nodding your head.

Um, because this would be the first time that they would be being assessed for this.

Yes.

So um so typically, like we see it with like downtown improvement authority, or there was I think I mean this was one too about like a pond location, maybe if like say the project wasn't like working the way it was supposed to be, or if there was an issue of how they were assessed, like the dollar amount as a relation into their property.

So just like the nuisance roles, if they felt the nuisance roles probably a little different, like did they agree with it?

This is more of you know, my taxable value.

Is it a is it being applied appropriately, and especially being the first one?

I think you know, people really encouraging people to take a look at that and how that applies since they did vote to assess themselves.

And it's good to have that transparency to and and public discussion.

Sure.

I appreciate that.

Yeah, absolutely.

It we don't this is not I can't, I don't know the number of special, I don't know any other alleys.

There probably are some that have done this, but I'm not as familiar with this.

Patrick do you uh do you want to add anything I think you've done a pretty good job um between everybody I essentially an assessment is um do you do we know what an assessment is okay Barbara yep we're gonna yep and then of course kind of the same thing you know you have people obviously trans we just talked about transfer of property you know there could be people who have sold but obviously that is noted but it's just an opportunity to say is this working in that appropriate manner um and those sorts of things so yeah democracy in action all right um I didn't call the vote did I did not all those in favor aye any opposed item carries and with that we're adjourned at 9 30 thank you