Whitehall City Council Recap – January 13, 2026

Work Session

The work session began at 5:00 p.m. with discussions on the following agenda items:

1. Sports N Shorts Program
   The council discussed the “Sports N Shorts” program, an entry-level sports activity initiative aimed at building physical literacy and confidence among local children. This five-week program is designed for kids aged 5 to 12 and will allow participants to try different sports each week, such as soccer, volleyball, and basketball. The program can accommodate up to 45 kids, and it is expected to cost $4,500. Council members did not make any immediate decisions but indicated that they would revisit this topic at a later meeting to discuss potential funding.
2. Senior Services Discussion
   The council also addressed the issue of senior services in Whitehall, specifically focusing on the senior center’s role in providing meals, transportation, and social engagement for the elderly population. During the discussion, it was noted that there were concerns about funding allocations, with some council members suggesting that more resources should go directly to seniors in need. Council members discussed increasing awareness of existing programs and services, such as Meals on Wheels and the senior center’s programming, to help seniors who are homebound or isolated. Suggestions included:
   • Expanding the city’s webpage to better publicize services available for seniors.
   • Offering programs that target social isolation, which was identified as a primary concern among seniors.
   • Focusing on additional funding for services that help seniors remain in their homes, such as lawn care and snow removal.
   It was acknowledged that while Age Well receives a significant portion of funding, the senior center also needs more attention to meet the growing needs of the community’s elderly residents.
3. Boards & Commissions Appointments and Reappointments
   The council reviewed the upcoming appointments and reappointments for various boards and commissions with terms expiring in 2026. The discussion centered on ensuring fair representation across all committees and filling vacancies left by members who had either resigned or reached their term limits. The following recommendations were made for the 2026 term:
   • Board of Review: John VanLoon (Reappointment)
   • Brownfield: Chris Billie and Bryan Mahan (Appointments)
   • Election Commission: Tom Ziemer and Ashley Twiss (Appointments)
   • Fire Authority: Brian Armstrong (Appointment)
   • LDFA: Mike Byam, Bryan Mahan, Scott Brown, and Andy Fink (Reappointments and Appointments)
   • Marina: Debi Hillebrand, Ron Russell, Craig Conley, Mark Neinhouse, Scott Erdman, Don Bond (Appointments)
   • Planning Commission: James Schmitt, Tamara Horne, Scott Brown, Don Bond, Andy Fink, and Tom Ziemer (Reappointments and Appointments)
   • Solid Waste Authority: (Appointment to be determined)
   • TIFA: Mike Byam, Scott Brown, and Tom Ziemer (Reappointments and Appointments)
   • West Michigan Shoreline Regional Development Commission: Don Bond and Dan Tavernier (Appointments)
   • Zoning Board of Appeals: Billy Mann, Dale Krainer, Ellie Dennis, and Andy Fink (Reappointments and Appointment)
   Council members discussed ensuring that all council members are represented across committees and that the process remains fair. Adjustments were made to accommodate members’ preferences and ensure balanced representation.

Regular Meeting – 6:00 p.m.

Following the work session, the regular meeting began at 6:00 p.m. with the following agenda:

• Approval of Agenda
  The agenda was approved with no changes.
• Consent Agenda
  The council approved the December 23, 2025 meeting minutes and accounts payable. No additional communications were received.
• Messages from the Mayor, Council, and City Manager
  In the “Messages” section, the council thanked the DPW team for handling the snow over the holidays and Bryan Mahan announced an upcoming fundraiser for the local food pantries. He also thanked the DTW group for their work on his vehicle. The Mayor expressed enthusiasm for the year ahead and the potential for improvements in the city.
• Boards & Commissions Appointments
  Following the work session discussion, the council moved to approve the appointments and reappointments for the various boards and commissions. The full list of recommended appointees, discussed earlier, was approved with a roll call vote:
  • Board of Review: John Vanloon
  • Brownfield: Chris Billie and Bryan Mahan
  • Election Commission: Tom Ziemer and Ashley Twiss
  • Fire Authority: Brian Armstrong
  • LDFA (Local Development Finance Authority): Roger Squiers, Bryan Mahan, Scott Brown, and Andy Fink
  • Marina: Debi Hillebrand, Ron Russell, Craig Conley, Mark Neinhouse, Scott Erdman, Don Bond
  • Planning Commission: Jim Schmitt, Tamara Horne, Don Bond, Roger Squiers, Kara Smith
  • Solid Waste Authority: Bryan Mahan
  • TIFFA: Mike Byam, Scott Brown, Tom Ziemer
  • West Michigan Regional Development Commission:
    • Tech: Don Bond
    • Policy: Dan Tavernier
  • Zoning Board of Appeals: Billy Mann, Dale Krainer, Ellie Dennis, Andy Fink
• The appointments for all the boards and commissions were confirmed, and the city is now prepared to move forward with these updated memberships.
• Public Comment
  • Kym Cyr, Muskegon County Commissioner, gave an update on the Muskegon Solar that sits on 1,900 acres at the Muskegon Resource Recovery Center, generating 250 megawatts of electricity.
• New Business
  • Chamber of Commerce Requests
    The council approved two requests from the Chamber of Commerce:
    1. Feet of the Street – A community event to be held Sunday, June 7, from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m.
    2. Maritime Festival – Scheduled for August 6-8.
  • Resolutions
    The council reviewed and approved several resolutions:
    • Resolution 26-01: Street Administrator Designation
    • Resolution 26-02: Application for Commercial Rehab Exemption Certificate
    • Resolution 26-03: Residents’ Right to Protest
    • Resolution 26-04: Poverty Exemption
    • Resolution 26-05: Board of Review
• Public Comment
  No pubic comments.
• Adjournment
  The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn, and the next session was scheduled for January 27, 2026.

The next City of Whitehall meeting is scheduled for January 28, 2026.

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