Regular meeting + work session held Monday, January 19, 2026

The Montague City Council met Monday evening, January 19, 2026, beginning with a regular council meeting followed by a work session. Council approved an amended agenda, acted on General Business items, heard public comment on several community topics, and reviewed multiple policy and budget items during the work session that are expected to return for future action.

Agenda amended

Council approved the agenda with one addition: an MLCC license approval request for Stony Ridge Vineyards was added under General Business.

Consent agenda approved

Council approved the consent agenda, including:

• Minutes from the December 15, 2025 City Council meeting
• Board and Commission reports (including Planning Commission, WESTPLAN Policy Committee, White Lake Ambulance Authority, and Downtown Development Authority reports)
• Regular bills totaling $159,798.36

Maple Grove Park shoreline improvements: contract awarded

Council awarded the contract for Maple Grove Park Improvements (shoreline portion) to Double L Enterprises.

Staff explained the upland portion of the park work is already underway, but shoreline work has been waiting to move forward. The shoreline scope described includes dredging and sand placement, a new retaining wall and seating area, ADA access to the beach, sidewalk sections, benches, and landscaping.

Staff noted the city is working toward a Memorial Day completion target for the shoreline portion so it is ready for summer.

Dock permitting update: Council also discussed why two planned docks were removed from the current scope. Staff explained the docks could trigger additional regulatory complications, and the city intends to pursue permitting for those components separately in the future.

City manager compensation: $5,000 adjustment approved

Council approved a $5,000 compensation adjustment for City Manager Jeff, following a recommendation from the Personnel Committee based on the annual review.

During discussion, councilmembers raised questions about how compensation works across city roles—especially for employees who have reached the top of their pay scales. Staff explained the city’s step-based system, cost-of-living adjustments, and how union contracts affect certain positions. Council indicated interest in exploring whether a broader policy approach is needed for recognizing exceptional performance in capped positions, separate from the city manager’s contract structure.

Stony Ridge Vineyards: MLCC license request approved

Council approved the MLCC license-related request for Stony Ridge Winery, which City Manager Jeff Auch described as connected to an expansion inside the existing building.

Auch explained Stony Ridge is expanding into additional space now available within the facility and is pursuing a license structure that requires onsite production in order to offer beer at that location. The request before council focused on approving the interior layout tied to the licensing process.

Public comment touched on energy, compensation policy, and sidewalks

During public comment, community members spoke about:

• A Consumers Energy announcement regarding the Muskegon Solar project
• Concerns about the way compensation adjustments are structured and how that relates to recruitment and retention
• Interest in broader transportation investments, including bike lanes
• Questions about sidewalk project quality and planning, including timing and winter pours

City manager update and student report

In updates, the City Manager shared:

• The city is working through an attorney on an agreement connected to Elmwood Landing dredging, including use of an area near the boat launch for staging
• The Snow Farmers group is exploring a grant for water fill stations along the bike trail
• The mayor’s State of the City message was made available and will be posted online
• A community effort related to emergency food bucket preparation took place over the weekend

Student Representative Abbi Tallquist shared updates from Montague High School, including upcoming FFA leadership contests, winter sports progress, band preparations for Solo & Ensemble, and a brief overview of the school’s developing esports program.

Work session: rates, fees, budget amendments, and council procedures reviewed

Following the regular meeting, council held a work session focused on items expected to return for action at a future meeting.

Utility Rate Schedule ordinance reviewed

Council reviewed Ordinance No. 315, which would amend the city’s utility rate schedule. Staff explained the change must be done by ordinance and is based on recent water and sewer analysis.

The proposal shifts some cost from consumption rates to ready-to-serve charges, with staff noting the overall impact on typical bills is expected to be minimal.

Fee schedule amendments reviewed

Council also reviewed proposed updates to the fee schedule, including:

• A new leaf and yard waste license application fee structure for small commercial operations working at residential addresses
• Adding tax penalty/interest language into the fee schedule for consistency
• Aligning city cash transactions (except taxes) with rounding to the nearest nickel following the elimination of the penny

Mid-year budget amendments discussed

Council reviewed proposed FY 2025/26 mid-year budget amendments across several funds. Staff walked through revenue increases, appropriations adjustments, project timing shifts, and internal fund balancing.

Subcommittee guidance documents reviewed

Council reviewed guidance documents for the city’s subcommittees, including Facilities, Parks & Natural Areas, and Sidewalks, outlining focus areas and near-term priorities.

Draft council rules and procedures: discussion began

Council began reviewing a draft Council Rules and Procedures document, discussing meeting structure, agenda practices, public comment, and how motions and discussion should be handled. Staff indicated edits and redlines would be brought back for continued review.

Next meeting

The next regular City Council meeting is scheduled for February 16, 2026.

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