WHITEHALL — Jan. 8, 2026 — The City of Whitehall’s Brownfield, LDFA and TIFA boards met at noon Thursday and moved through a short agenda that included routine approvals, a property sale update, a discussion on helping a longtime downtown business owner address exterior repairs, and approval of resolutions tied to a capital improvement bond.
Agenda and minutes approved
Board members approved the meeting agenda and then approved the October 2025 meeting minutes.
Ericksons land sale update: split/re-split delayed closing
City manager Dan Tavernier shared an update on the Ericksons land sale, explaining a title issue that slowed the transaction for months.
The city is working to sell about 28 acres. A key complication involved four acres that were part of a larger parcel previously tied to a 10-acre piece sold to the White Lake Fire Authority for $1. That land was split during the 2020 transaction, later recombined in 2022, and then needed to be re-split again to complete current title work.
The parcel was re-split “as of yesterday (January 7, 2026),” and staff indicated the city should now be able to finish the sale before the next meeting.
Façade Grant application: General Store exterior repairs
The board discussed a Façade Grant application for the General Store, focusing on exterior conditions such as broken windows/glass, areas that look “boarded,” and deteriorated exterior elements on the back side of the building.
The application centered on helping the owner, Phyllis (noted during discussion as being in her 90s), address visible exterior issues. Tavernier explained he has already helped with smaller fixes and was seeking grant support primarily for materials and potentially hiring help for work outside his skill set.
Board members raised several concerns and considerations:
- The program is typically a matching grant (up to $5,000) and operates as a reimbursement program (the applicant pays first, then is reimbursed).
- Members discussed fairness and precedent—wanting to help, while also keeping the process consistent with how other applicants are treated.
- To avoid approval without documentation, the board emphasized the need for a written estimate/quote and clarity on the amount.
- Members discussed approving the request subject to receiving an estimate and confirming the match/reimbursement details, so work can move forward without waiting months for another formal cycle.
In the end, the board approved moving forward with the façade grant request, not to exceed program limits. Staff indicated he would obtain quotes/estimates and provide updates.
Resolution 26-01: Capital Improvement Bond (LDFA and TIFA)
The board then considered Resolution 26-01, presented in two versions—one for LDFA and one for TIFA—both tied to the city’s capital improvement bond and the plan to fund bond payments.
Staff explained that LDFA and TIFA receive their existing tax capture and would continue to do so. In addition, the city receives state funding described as Local Community Stabilization Authority (LCSA) dollars, which staff said provides a large portion of LDFA/TIFA funding. The proposal is to use LCSA revenue—estimated around $1.5 million annually, with a bond payment of roughly $1 million—to repay the bond over the next 10 years, while keeping baseline captures “untouchable.”
Projects discussed as part of the overall bond-funded work included:
- Lake Street Lift Station #2 (noted as a major project, estimated around $1.5 million)
- Lake Street resurfacing work (including the stretch from Thompson to the bridge)
- West Colby Promenade
- Industrial park resurfacing (planned within 2026)
- Muskegon and Livingston (planned within the next two years; described as part of the TIFA development plan)
- North End neighborhood road work (described as “crush and reshape,” including the area around the ballfield)
- Tulgeywood/Sunset neighborhood work (described as a full reconstruction)
- Related infrastructure items mentioned included lead service line change-outs and cured-in-place pipe lining for sewer work.
Both resolutions were approved, using roll call where required.
Public comment and adjournment
No one spoke during public comment. The meeting then adjourned.
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