The Whitehall City Council held a work session followed by its regular meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. The work session centered on two major topics—the proposed Covell Park educational sign and allocation of senior millage funds—and the evening meeting focused heavily on the W. Colby Promenade project and several administrative resolutions.

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WORK SESSION RECAP

1. Covell Park Educational Sign Proposal

Council visited a proposal from resident Leanne Digan to create an educational nature sign for Covell Park. Digan, who recently completed a conservation program, hopes to highlight native species and ecological features along the White River.

Key discussion points:

• Council wants to see mock-ups or conceptual designs before committing funds.
• Members expressed interest in making the sign consistent in style with existing educational signage in the White Lake area.
• The Pullman Foundation/Pollinator Fund was suggested as a potential grant source.
• Councilors agreed that the project has merit but requested additional details and visuals before moving forward.

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2. Senior Millage Allocation — Process Concerns & Next Steps

Council held an extensive discussion about how to allocate the city’s annual senior millage funds—an issue that generated strong debate last year.

Councilor Cabala summarized:

• A 10-month committee process produced a survey, provider meetings, and final funding recommendations.
• The 2024–25 allocations were approved in March, but some providers still haven’t spent their full allotment.
• The city received its next annual allotment in October 2025 and needs to distribute it soon.

Central questions:

• Should the city repeat a formal committee process each year, or treat this year’s allocation as an extension of last year’s decisions?
• Should the approach shift to a grant-application model, where providers submit proposals annually?
• How should the city handle funding requests from the VAC, AgeWell Services, and the White Lake Senior Center?
• Should the school district continue receiving a portion of millage funds? Opinions varied.

Emerging consensus tendencies:

• Most councilors want to distribute this year’s funds soon, using last year’s work as the baseline.
• Longer-term process improvements may be developed for 2026.

Council will return to the topic at a future meeting to finalize allocations.

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3. W. Colby Promenade Concept Discussion

Council revisited the design of the upcoming W. Colby Promenade Project, including:

• The bathroom facility at Goodrich Park
• The stage/performance area
• Shade structures, hardscape layout, and food-truck power access
• Storage requirements for events and maintenance

The group asked for clear renderings and visualizations to ensure the final design matches the community’s expectations. Several council members expressed preference for:

• A pitched/peaked roof rather than a flat roof
• Bringing back the bathrooms (previously removed during value engineering), but not in the originally proposed design
• A ground-level stage area with electrical hookups, but no permanent shade sail

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REGULAR MEETING RECAP

After the Pledge of Allegiance, council approved the agenda with an added item under Old Business.

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1. Consent Agenda Approved

Council approved:

• November financials
• Revenue and expenditure reports
• Other routine items

Staff noted that internal accounting practices—such as equipment-use charges and building rent allocations—can appear confusing but follow state-required standards.

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COUNCIL COMMENTS & REPORTS

PFAS Update

Councilor Cabala provided a detailed report:

• Muskegon County has 19 PFAS-impacted sites.
• A task force has been meeting throughout 2025.
• A new grant will fund free testing kits for impacted households.
• Whitehall should have a designated representative attending the regional PFAS meetings.

City Services & Event Notes

• DPW was commended for excellent snow removal following recent storms.
• Council praised the success of the Christmas parade.

Tree Safety Concerns

Residents and councilors raised concerns about dead or hazardous trees, some on private property and others on city right-of-way.
DPW leadership will evaluate trees of concern and determine responsibility.

Senior Center / Church Property Discussion

Council revisited informal discussions about potential senior-use opportunities at a church property on Division & Spring.
Cabala will consult with stakeholders, including Pastor Tim, to determine feasibility for programming or Meals on Wheels support.

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OLD BUSINESS

W. Colby Promenade Project — Final Motions

1. Motion: Restore Bathrooms with an Angled Roof

Council voted to restore the public restroom building to the project, but with changes:

• Angled/peaked roof preferred over flat
• The original architect’s version was rejected
• More appealing exterior styling desired
  Vote: Motion PASSED.

2. Motion: Install Ground-Level Stage Area (No Shade Sail)

Council approved:

• A flat, ground-level stage space
• Electrical infrastructure for performances (outlets, connectivity)
• No permanent shade sail at this time
  Vote: Motion PASSED.

Renderings reflecting the new direction will be provided at the next meeting.

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NEW BUSINESS

1. Resolution 25-40 — Authorized Signatories for MERS

Approved.
This allows the city manager to sign official documents for the Municipal Employees’ Retirement System.

2. Resolution 25-41 — Lot Split Correction

Council approved a lot split to correct a recording error involving industrial park acreage previously sold to the Fire Authority.
This is step two of a three-step process required before the city can complete a sale of the remaining parcel.

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PUBLIC COMMENT

• A representative shared news that Muskegon County Airport will add 12 additional weekly flights to Chicago O’Hare beginning in January 2026, improving regional connectivity.

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MEETING ADJOURNED

The meeting closed with holiday well-wishes and appreciation for city staff.

Whitehall City Council Recap – Nov. 25, 2025

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