By Douglas P. Marsh
dmarsh@cherryroad.com

The West Branch City Council agreed to move a joint meeting with the DDA and Planning Commission to the West Branch Police Department at their regular meeting Jan. 20. The joint meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m., Feb. 3.

City manager John Dantzer said the city police department, which is located on Page Street near the Little League fields, has more space. The purpose of the meeting is to share annual reports.

“The planning commission and the DDA…give council an update on things they did in the last year and what they’re looking at project-wise in the upcoming year,” said Dantzer.

The council agreed to enter into a five-year contract with Green For Life for waste removal and recycling services. Dantzer said the city did not put the contract up for bid because GFL was previously the most affordable bid and due to the labor involved in replacing waste containers throughout the city.

Permits for the 2025 Victorian Art Fair and for July Fourth and Christmas parades were approved. The council appointed Rob Romps to the city’s recreation committee, and agreed to renew a membership with the Michigan Association of Mayors. They agreed to add Schick Road, located in the area of the Bridge senior living home on M-30, to the city’s local street inventory.

The council also approved a water charge adjustment for a residential property and agreed to accept grant funding toward rehabilitating an old bicycle factory on North 8th Street. The city is working with a private company that intends to manufacture beverage machine parts at the location.

Finally, the council approved purchase of a Dodge Durango for the city police department. The Durango, to be purchased for approximately $65,000, was the cheaper option compared with a Chevy Tahoe ($73,500) or a Ford Explorer ($70,000), said Dantzer.