It was a historic night for the Wayland City Council Monday when outgoing Mayor Tim Bala passed the gavel to newly-elected Mayor Jennifer Antel, the city’s first ever female chief executive.
Antel was elected without opposition in the November runoff to succeed the retiring Bala. She had served on the council for 17 years, most recently as mayor pro tem.
In other business Monday evening, the council:
- Learned from City Engineer Mickey Bittner that the design for the South Main Street project has been completed by the Michigan Department of Transportation and the construction project will take between four and five months in 2023.
- Citizen Nan Olney pointed out that the project will not result in any widening of the road between Sycamore Street and 133rd Avenue, but instead will accommodate a left-turn lane for that entire stretch. Bittner noted that the high number of residential driveways, plus the availability for additional state funding, prompted the plan for left turn lanes. New sidewalks will be added for the east side of South Main.
- Approved closure of downtown streets for the annual Art Hop event Friday evening, Dec. 2.
- Was told one seat is want on the Downtown Development Authority Board, and the Zoning Board of Appeals needs one more member.
- Agreed to the $1,200 PAR Plan grant for police tasers.
COVER PHOTO: New Mayor Jennifer Antel (right) is sworn in by City Clerk Le Ann Clausen.
