City to have election for 3 council seats in November

Three Wayland City Council seats will be expire in the November general election and all three incumbents are beating the bushes to seek another two-year term.

Mayor Pro Tem Jennifer Antel and Council Members Rick Mathis and Lisa Banas will be on the ballot. There have been no reports of anyone else taking up petitions or filing.

It was announced at the Monday night council meeting that the deadline for filing is July 20.

In other business at Monday night’s meeting, the City Council:

• Approved a slightly revised fire service agreement between the city and Wayland Township to accommodate Gun Lake Tribe lands set aside in trust.

Mathis suggested city officials get in touch with Hopkins Township Supervisor Mark Evans in care fire services are needed at the Jijak Foundation site, which is located in that township.

• Approved updated 38 portables and 16 mobile radios for the fire department and police department. The units will be at no cost to the city because they were paid for the Allegan County 911 surcharge. Many other municipalities in the county have approved the units routinely.

• Approved the appointment of Joshua Wright to the Henika District Library Board.

• Was told that work is progressing on the East Maple Street reconstruction project and a short stretch of 133rd Avenue. City Manager Tim McLean reported that the planned resurfacing for short stretches of West Superior and North Main streets will start after the Main Street celebration.

“They definitely will be drivable by Labor Day,” McLean said.

• Was told by Police Chief Steve Harper that things were quiet around the city during the lengthy Fourt of July holiday stretch.

Councilman Tim Rose said he did some research on the city somehow moving back the time limits for residential fireworks from 1 a.m. to 11 p.m., but learned the city does not qualify because it does not have the necessary population numbers.

• Promised to let the City Planning Commission know about sentiments in favor of a local ordinance permitting chickens. Because it would involved an ordinance, the Planning Commission is the place to start the process.

PHOTOS: Jennifer Antel

Rick Mathis    Lisa Banas