Lowell City Council reviewed two new policies at its Monday meeting but deferred voting on them to allow residents a chance to review the proposals and offer feedback. The first implements new rules and procedures that will change how public comments are made. The other is a policy to guide traffic calming decisions.
All councilmembers were present for the meeting.
New Rules and Procedures Would Split Public Comment Time
Mayor Mike DeVore and Councilmember Eric Bartkus met with City Attorney Jessica Wood to discuss an update to the council’s rules and procedures. The current rules are dated 2018.
Proposed changes to the rules and procedures include the following:
- Reducing public comment time from five minutes to three minutes per speaker.
- Allowing public comments at two points in the meeting – once for agenda items at the start of the meeting and once for all other matters near the end of the meeting.
- Eliminating the opportunity for public comment while an agenda item is being discussed.
- Requiring two councilmembers or the mayor to request an item be added to the agenda – currently any councilmember alone can add an agenda item.
The new rules also strike a reference to bi-monthly meetings and insert the word bi-weekly, although this appears to be inaccurate since some months have five Mondays.
Wood said the previous five-minute public comment time was “extraordinarily long” and that three minutes is “very common and very generous.” She noted that the public comments allowed in the new rules would be in addition to the comment time provided during a public hearing. Someone could speak during all public comment periods if they would like, and residents are also free to email and meet with councilmembers outside of meetings to share their concerns.
City Clerk Sue Ullery read a letter from resident Susan Stevens who was concerned that putting comments for agenda items at the start of the meeting would leave some people at a disadvantage. She said many people did not have time to review the council packet prior to the meeting so they receive information on agenda items as they are being presented to councilmembers.
Stevens thought the presentation could answer some residents’ questions. “Or the presentation may bring to mind questions they didn’t have at the beginning of the meeting,” she wrote.
“I feel the opposite,” DeVore said. “I feel like when people come here for an item that that’s on the agenda, they come prepared.” DeVore added that he was adamantly against “public comments being a back and forth” or turning into a question-and-answer period.
Historically, Lowell City Council has not responded to public comments, but this practice has been unevenly applied over the years.
“Right at the beginning, we are asking you to clearly and efficiently state your case,” Bartkus said. “Basically, we’re asking you to come to the meeting a little more prepared.”
Councilmembers agreed to wait to vote on the proposal until the next meeting so residents have a chance to review the changes and provide feedback. The revised rules can be found on the City of Lowell website.
Traffic Calming Policy
Assistant City Manager Rich LaBombard presented a suggested policy that outlines if and how traffic calming measures will be implemented on a local street. Examples of traffic calming measures include installing roundabouts, narrowing a road, installing signage or adding speed tables, among other options.
Bartkus thought it might be good to ensure residents have “some skin in the game” and require them to cover 50% of the cost of any traffic calming measure they request. Apparently, Grand Rapids uses a similar system. If residents want to remove a traffic calming measure they requested, they must cover that cost fully.
Councilmember Mark Ritzema asked if all residents on a road would be required to pay for a traffic calming measure even if they didn’t want it. There was no clear answer provided to that question, but City Manager Mike Burns said more than a majority of the residents would need to request traffic calming for a measure to be implemented.
Stevens, in her letter, suggested that the definition of a school crossing be more clearly defined. Otherwise, any road upon which children walk to school could possibly qualify.
Councilmembers agreed to wait until their next meeting to vote on the policy. It can be reviewed on the city website.
Lowell Light & Power Update
Lowell Light & Power General Manager Charlie West provided an update from a recent Michigan Public Power Agency stakeholders meeting.
West mentioned that the theme of this year’s meeting was “challenges and opportunities” and featured three speakers. Issues currently facing public power providers include the transition to renewable and clean energy as well as how to meet the energy needs of data centers and other technology.
The state is requiring electric companies to meet the following renewable energy standards:
- 50% renewable energy by 2030
- 60% renewable energy by 2035
- 100% clean energy by 2040
Lowell Light & Power purchases the electricity it provides to customers, and West says price increases have been north of 80% over the past three years. Transmission companies have also been raising their rates about 9% per year.
Demand for reliable energy continues to increase, but West added: “Electrical vehicles will not bring down the electric grid.” He said some people have that concern, but he does not see it as a possibility.
During his comments, West also thanked Councilmember Marty Chambers for hosting a linemen appreciation dinner which was held for all staff of LLP. This is the seventh year that Chambers and his wife have organized the event.
At the end of the meeting, during council comments, Ritzema and DeVore also thanked Chambers for organizing the dinner. Chambers said he appreciated how local businesses were quick to support the event with donations and raffle prizes.
Road Closures and Other Votes
For other agenda items, Lowell City Council took the following votes.
- Councilmembers unanimously agreed to distribute the draft Master Plan for review by neighboring municipalities and stakeholders.
- Councilmembers unanimously approved a request from the Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce to close roads for the annual Riverwalk Festival.
- After a brief discussion of security and access points, councilmembers unanimously approved similar road closures for the annual Pride Festival.
- Councilmembers unanimously approved use of the green space north of the library for this year’s farmers market.
- Councilmembers unanimously approved resolutions accepting MDOT grants for work on James and Brooks Streets in 2026.
City Manager and Council Comments
During his manager’s report, Burns shared that Lowell had won a regional award for having the best-tasting municipal water. The city will next compete at the state level, and if successful there, move on to the national competition.
Burns noted that there had been an “incident” at Creekside Park that he wanted to address. The restrooms at the park are unheated so Burns said it is customary to keep them closed until overnight temperatures are consistently out of the 30s. There is a portable restroom at the park for use in the meantime.
Apparently, the city did not know about a tournament being held at Creekside Park, and Kerkstra Portable Restroom Services had not cleaned the portable toilet prior to the tournament. The details of what transpired next were not shared during the meeting with Burns only saying, “Sorry it happened, but it happened.”
Burns shared that there are bills in the Michigan House of Representatives that would provide additional road funding to local units of government. As written, the bills would mean an additional $850,000 for the City of Lowell. That’s on top of the $575,000 that the city currently receives.
There are competing proposals in the Senate and from the Governor’s office, and Burns encouraged people to reach out to state legislators to encourage their support of increased road funding.
During his final comments for the evening, Bartkus apologized for his vote at the last meeting in opposition to the Caledonia Class of 2026 using a portion of the Riverwalk for its all-night party. He said he misunderstood the request and should have done more research in advance.
All councilmembers thanked city officials for their work on the budget work session which took place earlier in the day.
The meeting adjourned at 8:16pm, and the next regular meeting of Lowell City Council will take place on Monday, May 19, at 7pm in Lowell City Hall.
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