Coldwater meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Coldwater roundup: ZBA denies variance; council to weigh park, cybersecurity bids

The Coldwater Zoning Board of Appeals denied a variance request at 450 E Chicago St by a 5-0 vote, according to minutes from a March 18 meeting that the board will formally approve on Aug. 19. The board also elected Gordan Swan as chairperson and Dave Sattler as vice-chairperson. In other recent action, the City Council met Aug. 10 to consider two bid awards, and the Planning Commission will hear a data center presentation Aug. 17.

Zoning Board of Appeals

The Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a regular meeting Aug. 19 to approve minutes from March 18, 2026, and to consider Resolution 26-01, which sets the board's 2027 meeting dates (third Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m.). The agenda includes no public hearings or new business. The attached minutes show that a variance request (ZBA26-02) at 450 E Chicago St was denied 5-0 for a front yard setback reduction along US 12. The same minutes record the election of Gordan Swan as chairperson and Dave Sattler as vice-chairperson.

City Council

The City Council met Aug. 10 (agenda only; minutes not yet published). The council was scheduled to consider two bid awards: Resolution No. 26-84 for managed vulnerability management services (funded by the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program, SLCGP) and Resolution No. 26-86 for the Rotary Park Renovation Project Phase 2. The agenda also included discussion of amendments to Purchasing Policy P23-01, a presentation on the Western Meadows Phase 2/3 affordable housing initiative, and bills and accounts totaling $760,459.69. A closed session for attorney-client privileged matters was listed.

Board of Public Utilities

The Board of Public Utilities met Aug. 5 (agenda only; minutes not yet published). Items on the agenda included electing board officers and appointing a secretary for 2026-2027, a five-year inspection and preventative maintenance of the Michigan Avenue Substation, a load flow analysis and fuse coordination study, managed vulnerability management services (SLCGP funded), and an EGLE Grid Resilience Program Grant.

Historic District Commission

The Historic District Commission met Aug. 12 (agenda only; minutes not yet published). The commission reviewed four requests: a modification to HDC25-04 to permit a blade sign above the sidewalk at 69 West Chicago Street; HDC26-05, a new 2' x 6' wall sign at 64 East Chicago Street (Main Theatre building); HDC26-06, a new wall sign at 34 West Chicago Street (1850 Italianate building); and HDC26-07, replacement of exterior windows with energy-efficient units at 45 East Chicago Street (Masonic Temple). Staff reports recommended approval for the wall signs and window replacement, with conditions. The commission also approved the July 8, 2026 meeting minutes.

Coming up

• **Aug. 17** – Planning Commission special joint meeting with the City Council and Board of Public Utilities. The sole item is an informational session on data centers presented by Jean Hardy, Ph.D., from Michigan State University. Public comment will be heard; no decisions are scheduled.
• **Aug. 19** – Zoning Board of Appeals regular meeting to approve minutes and set 2027 meeting dates.

Coldwater council set to act on patrol cars, fire vehicle, and $475,834 in bills; election accuracy test scheduled for August primary

The Coldwater City Council's July 27 meeting agenda includes resolutions to purchase two police patrol units and one fire department staff vehicle, along with approval of bills totaling $475,834.49. Minutes from that meeting have not yet been published, so outcomes are not confirmed.

City Council — July 27

The council agenda listed several resolutions for a vote:

• **Resolution 26-78**: Purchase of two patrol units.
• **Resolution 26-79**: Purchase of one staff vehicle for the fire department.
• **Resolution 26-73**: Public Art License Agreement with Cole Stiemsma.
• **Resolution 26-83**: Public Art License Agreement with Loren Kauffman.
• **Resolution 26-77**: Roof replacement at the Heritage Park Splash Pad service/restroom building.

The agenda also included approval of bills and accounts totaling $475,834.49. Because minutes are not yet available, it is not confirmed which items passed or how council members voted.

Election Commission — July 22

The Election Commission met to conduct a Public Accuracy Test certifying the computer programming used to record and count votes for the August 4, 2026, Primary Election. The agenda also included approval of minutes from a July 9, 2026, special meeting. Minutes from this session have not yet been published.

Downtown Development Authority — July 22

The DDA agenda included approval of June 2026 bills and accounts totaling $34,868.45. The board was scheduled to discuss a board vacancy beginning in October and review a Fall RFP.

Project updates on the agenda covered the Tibbits and Coldwater Community Center. The board was also set to consider a loan agreement for a caterpillar sculpture, receive an update on the DNS Auto Mural, and discuss CMBC water issues. A separate agenda listing referenced a Fall RFP for the Flower Committee.

All DDA items are agenda-only; minutes have not been published, so no outcomes are confirmed.

Coming up

Board of Public Utilities — August 5, 2026: The Coldwater Board of Public Utilities will hold its regular meeting. The agenda includes election of board officers and appointment of a secretary for 2026-2027. Infrastructure items on the agenda include the Michigan Avenue Substation five-year inspection and preventative maintenance, a Load Flow Analysis and Fuse Coordination Study, Managed Vulnerability Management Services (SLCGP funded), and the EGLE Grid Resilience Program Grant.

*Note: All recent meetings listed above are agenda-only. Minutes have not been published, so this roundup reflects what was scheduled for discussion or action — not confirmed outcomes. Readers should consult official city meeting minutes once published for vote tallies and final decisions.*

Coldwater boards set July agendas: $619,658 in city bills, drive-through hearing, August primary prep on deck

Coldwater's city boards and commissions held a packed schedule of meetings in the first half of July, covering utility infrastructure, land use, historic preservation, election preparation, and routine city business. Minutes have not yet been published for any of the recent meetings, so the items below reflect what was on each agenda rather than confirmed outcomes.

City Council: $619,658.81 in bills, cyber security policy, Western Meadows discussion

The City Council's July 13 agenda included authorization of $619,658.81 in city bills and accounts for May and June, adoption of Resolution No. 26-72 and Policy P26-01 on cyber security to protect municipal data systems, and authorization to distribute the proposed Master Plan for community review. The council was also set to consider a license agreement for mailbox installation at 22 W. Pearl Street and discuss development proposals from Western Meadows and Green Development Ventures. A closed session to evaluate City Manager Keith Baker's performance was also scheduled.

Planning Commission: Drive-through restaurant hearing at 515 E Chicago St

The Planning Commission's July 6 agenda centered on a public hearing for SUP26-09, a special land use request for a drive-through restaurant at 515 East Chicago Street, the former Advance Auto Parts site. The agenda also included a landscape plan amendment at 87 Marshall Street (SPR26-02), Resolution 26-01 setting 2027 Planning Commission meeting dates, and discussion and approval of Resolution 26-02 for the 2026 Master Plan.

Board of Public Utilities: Pearl Street infrastructure, cybersecurity

The Board of Public Utilities met July 7 to discuss Pearl Street utility infrastructure improvements, review a cybersecurity policy, and establish meeting dates for 2026-2027. Public comment periods were scheduled.

Historic District Commission: Presbyterian Church steeple, district boundaries

The Historic District Commission's July 8 agenda included review of the Presbyterian Church Steeple Project, discussion on updating the 2006 Downtown Coldwater Resource Study photos and descriptions, procedures for modifying or expanding historic district boundaries, and funding for historic district projects and consultants. Approval of minutes from the June 10, 2026 meeting was also listed.

Election Commission: Inspectors appointed for August 4 primary

The Election Commission held a special meeting July 9 to approve minutes from April 13 and appoint election inspectors and AVCB members for the August 4, 2026 Primary Election. The agenda included a proposed list of election workers for the primary.

Zoning Board of Appeals: 2027 schedule set

The Zoning Board of Appeals met July 15 to consider Resolution 26-01, establishing 12 regular meeting dates for 2027 on the third Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m. No variance requests or other public hearings were scheduled.

Coming up

• **Election Commission — July 22:** Public Accuracy Test for the August 4, 2026 Primary Election to certify computer programming used to record and count votes, plus approval of July 9 special meeting minutes.
• **Downtown Development Authority — July 22:** Discussion of June 2026 bills totaling $34,868.45, a board vacancy beginning in October, a Fall RFP, updates on the Tibbits and Coldwater Community Center projects, and CMBC water issues.

Note: All recent meetings listed above are marked "agenda only" in city records, meaning minutes have not yet been published. Outcomes, vote tallies, and any amendments made during the meetings are not yet available in the public record.

Coldwater boards weigh drive-through, utility upgrades, and $619,658.81 in city bills

Coldwater's advisory boards and commissions met across the first full week of July, with agendas covering a proposed drive-through restaurant on East Chicago Street, Pearl Street utility improvements, and historic district planning. Minutes have not yet been published for any of the recent meetings, so outcomes are not confirmed. The City Council meets today, July 13, with the largest dollar item on the calendar: authorization of $619,658.81 in city bills and accounts for May and June.

Planning Commission — July 6

The Planning Commission's agenda included a public hearing on SUP26-09, a special land use request for a drive-through restaurant at 515 East Chicago Street, the former Advance Auto Parts site. Also on the agenda: SPR26-02, a landscape plan amendment at 87 Marshall Street; Resolution 26-01 setting 2027 Planning Commission meeting dates; and Resolution 26-02 for discussion and approval of the 2026 Master Plan. Minutes are not yet published, so no outcomes are confirmed.

Board of Public Utilities — July 7

The Coldwater Board of Public Utilities agenda listed discussion of Pearl Street utility infrastructure improvements, review of a cybersecurity policy, and establishment of meeting dates for 2026-2027. Public comment periods were scheduled. No dollar figures or specific project details were included in the agenda. Minutes are not yet published.

Historic District Commission — July 8

The Historic District Commission agenda featured a review of the Presbyterian Church Steeple Project. Commissioners were also set to discuss updating the 2006 Downtown Coldwater Resource Study photos and descriptions, procedures for modifying or expanding historic district boundaries, and funding for historic district projects and consultants. Approval of minutes from the June 10, 2026 meeting was also listed. Minutes are not yet published.

Election Commission — July 9

The Coldwater Election Commission scheduled a special meeting for July 11, 2026, to approve minutes from April 13 and appoint election inspectors and AVCB members for the August 4, 2026 Primary Election. The agenda included a proposed list of election workers for the primary. Minutes are not yet published.

City Council — July 13 (today)

The City Council's upcoming agenda includes authorization of $619,658.81 in city bills and accounts for May and June, the largest concrete dollar figure before any Coldwater body this period. The council is also scheduled to adopt Resolution No. 26-72 and Policy P26-01 on cybersecurity, authorize distribution of the proposed Master Plan for community review, and consider a license agreement for mailbox installation at 22 W. Pearl Street. Development proposals from Western Meadows and Green Development Ventures are listed for discussion, followed by a closed session to evaluate City Manager Keith Baker's performance. No outcomes are confirmed as the meeting had not occurred at publication time.

Coming up

• **City Council** — July 13, 2026 (today): $619,658.81 in bills, cybersecurity policy, Master Plan distribution, Western Meadows and Green Development Ventures proposals, and City Manager performance review in closed session.

Residents seeking confirmed outcomes from the July 6-11 meetings should watch for published minutes from the Planning Commission, Board of Public Utilities, Historic District Commission, and Election Commission.

Coldwater City Council considers land sale for housing; upcoming meetings tackle drive-through, utilities, historic district

Recent meetings

City Council (June 22)

The City Council considered selling vacant land on S. Willowbrook Road to Michigan Housing Partnership for housing development, awarding a bid for the Pearl Street reconstruction project (tabled from June 8), and amending refuse rates via Resolution 26-69. The council also reviewed routine consent items, including a proposed closure of S. Monroe Street for the Coldwater Noon Club 105th Party and a closure of Harrison Street for the St. Charles Borromeo Annual Parish Festival. Minutes from the meeting have not been published, so no final decisions are available.

Downtown Development Authority (June 24)

The DDA discussed opening the 2026-2027 Façade Grant program and planning for the Art After Hours event scheduled for October 2. The board reviewed May 2026 bills totaling $2,434.87 and received updates on the Coldwater Community Center and the Tibbits project. Design and Organizational committee reports were also presented. As with the City Council, minutes have not yet been published.

Coming up

Planning Commission (July 6, 7:00 p.m.)

The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on a special land use request (SUP26-09) for a drive-through restaurant at 515 East Chicago Street, the former Advance Auto Parts location. Commissioners will also consider a landscape plan amendment at 87 Marshall Street (SPR26-02), approve 2027 meeting dates via Resolution 26-01, and discuss and vote on Resolution 26-02 for the 2026 Master Plan draft.

Board of Public Utilities (July 7, time TBD)

The Coldwater Board of Public Utilities will discuss Pearl Street utility infrastructure improvements, review a cybersecurity policy, and establish meeting dates for the 2026-2027 term. Public comment periods are scheduled.

Historic District Commission (July 8, time TBD)

The Historic District Commission will review the Presbyterian Church Steeple Project and discuss updating the 2006 Downtown Coldwater Resource Study photos and descriptions. Other agenda items include procedures for modifying or expanding historic district boundaries and funding for historic district projects and consultants. The commission will also approve minutes from the June 10 meeting. No project reviews or old business are listed.