WHITEHALL — Whitehall city manager Dan Tavernier proposed the possibility of the city moving from its current odd-year election cycles to even years in the future during Tuesday's regular council meeting.
Tavernier said the move, which he proposed in part because it would save on election staffing costs, would require extending or shortening the council terms set to begin in 2026. Because of the nature of the change, he said he wanted to propose it well in advance of any potential council resolution so the public could have at least a month's time to provide feedback.
The Whitehall charter calls for odd-year elections, as city attorney Will Meier noted, but clerk Brenda Bourdon added that state law allows the city to amend the charter in these situations. Montague made a similar change in 2024.
Should the move go through, it would relieve the city from paying for elections in odd-numbered years. Council member Steve Sikkenga clarified that while millage votes and special elections could still occur in those years and the city would oversee those elections, the bodies making the requests would be responsible for paying for them.
Tavernier also shared two other action items he wanted to address, including a house at 708 S Division Street that is in disrepair. After investigating the issue, Tavernier felt the two most likely options would be for the city to buy the land and demolish the building or to rehabilitate the property, the latter of which he acknowledged would be "a gamble" as the extent of needed repairs is unkown. Before making any decisions, he wanted council input. After some discussion, including council member Scott Brown saying he felt the property should be demolished, Tavernier said he would obtain cost estimates for a demolition and report back to council. A public commenter, Jerry Rowe, later agreed with Brown that it's not possible to adequately rehabilitate the property.
The other action item Tavernier broached was the Hanson Street hill staircase, the foundation of which he said is being undermined by runoff from the nearby parking lot. The issues with the staircase, said council member Jeff Holmstrom, date to an intoxicated driver crashing into the staircase and forcing a repair. Mayor Steven Salter said in his opinion, poor design work by Prein and Newhof on that repair (the concrete has not held up well) led to these issues and suggested approaching the firm about helping to fix it. Tavernier is currently soliciting bids to address the issue and said it may require a budget amendment, though as the city does not presently have anyone in the treasurer position, he does not have clarity on the matter.
The council approved an expansion to the city's social district common area that will include the new pocket park between Bell's Furniture and CatchMark Technologies as well as - when it is closed for approved events - the North Mears Avenue parking lot. The vote was 6-1, with Brown dissenting as he felt the pocket park is too secluded an area to include in the district.
The council also unanimously approved a temporary street closure on Slocum Street Thursday, Sept. 25 to accommodate the White Lake Community Library's annual Good Neighbor Day dinner, which takes place on the street. Brown and Salter both shared they've attended the dinner in the past and believe it's a positive community event.
An ordinance involving deer population control was tabled after some discussion. Sikkenga and Holmstrom each shared adjustments they'd like made to the plan - Holmstrom wanted to include land near Peterson Street and Lewis Road, and Sikkenga suggested adding more land near the White Lake Drive HarborLight Credit Union location - and the council agreed to have those two and Tavernier work together on implementing changes. As bow season opens Oct. 1, the council would like the ordinance in place by then.
