WHITEHALL — Whitehall City Council opened its January 27 meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and approved an amended agenda before moving into a night that blended regional infrastructure updates with local quality-of-life investments.
MDOT bridge update
Council heard a special presentation from Mark Fredrickson of the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) regarding repairs to the White Lake Drive bridge over US-31. Fredrickson shared that subzero winter weather has slowed concrete work and that crews are sequencing repairs to address immediate safety needs first. (MDOT Provides Update on White Lake Drive Bridge Repairs)
Public hearing: Commercial rehab exemption for Lakeland
Council then held a public hearing on a Commercial Rehabilitation Exemption Certificate application tied to the Lake Land Inn (Now Lake Land Getaway, read more on that here) property, purchased by Jeremy and Melanie Garcia.
Garcia told council the plan is to turn the property into a “unique accommodation,” with upgrades aimed at couples and travelers, including room renovations and new amenities. Public comment supported reinvestment in the site, and one emphasized the importance of including an ADA-accessible unit—pointing out that accessible lodging options remain limited locally. Garcia said an ADA-accessible unit is part of the plan.
Consent agenda approved
Council approved the consent agenda, including:
- Jan. 13, 2026 council meeting minutes
- Accounts payable
- Communications (including a Petoskey memo)
City updates: $50,000 state grant to help pursue more grants
City Manager, Dan Tavernier, shared good news: Whitehall was selected for a $50,000 Pre-Development Accelerator Program grant from the state. The funding is intended to help the city prepare for and pursue larger grant opportunities—supporting outside assistance needed for requirements tied to a major federal grant application currently underway.
Senior dinner and community reminders
Council also announced a senior dinner on Monday, March 23, at 6 p.m. at the senior center. Seniors aged 60 and over from the City of Whitehall will receive a free meal, while those under 60 or from other areas can attend for a $10 charge. RSVPs are required so organizers can plan for food quantities. Councilmembers encouraged residents to watch for announcements and invited the public to attend.
Public comment: Smart Buoy video and senior programming
During public comment, a representative from the White Lake Association thanked the city for supporting the Smart Buoy public portal and shared that a new YouTube case study video has been released highlighting the project and the lake’s progress. The speaker also noted seeing strong senior participation at the Viking Athletic Center (VAC) and encouraged continued support for senior-focused programming.
Old Business: Senior millage allocations approved
In Old Business, council approved allocations of senior millage funding:
- $9,000 to Whitehall Public Schools (VAC use)
- $3,445 to AgeWell Services
- $4,800 to the White Lake Senior Center
New Business: Sports ‘n Shorts and grant resolutions
Council approved:
- $4,500 from the current fiscal year budget for Sports ’n Shorts, supporting youth needs.
- Resolution 26-06: applying for a Michigan Arts and Culture Council (MACC) Playhouse grant.
- Resolution 26-07: the Commercial Rehabilitation Exemption Certificate application for the Lake Land project.
Council then opened a final public comment period before adjourning for the night.
Whitehall City Council Recap – January 13, 2026
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