Local meeting primer: Three Rivers City Commission

Three Rivers City Commissioners are set to consider more than $1 million in road work, a roughly $28,500 motor pool funding request, and will hold a public hearing on proposed changes to the city’s massage licensing ordinance. The commission meets tonight Tuesday, May 5 at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 333 W. Michigan Ave.

Watershed Voice livestreams all Three Rivers City Commission meetings on its Facebook page and uploads them to YouTube after.

Road funding

The commission will begin to address a top issue for residents as they are set to consider significant funding for the city’s roads.

Commissioners will review bids for fiscal year 2026 pavement replacement projects, with city staff recommending a contract with Michigan Paving and Materials for $1,011,516.40. 

The project includes seven street improvements across the city:

• Arnold (U.S. 131 to North Douglas): $144,780
• Middle (East Michigan to River Drive): $100,610
• Pine (Portage to Hoffman): $44,156
• Liberty (Third Street to Eighth Street): $164,300
• Michigan (Third Street to Eighth Street): $197,472
• Pearl (Third Street to Eighth Street): $208,857
• State (Third Street to South Main): $151,341

The total bid exceeds the city’s initial budget of $976,600, with some projects coming in over estimates — particularly Middle Street — while others came in under.

Four bids were submitted for the work, with staff recommending the lowest responsive bidder. Commissioners will decide whether to approve the contract.

Motor pool funding

Commissioners will also consider a motor pool fund balance request of $28,500 to cover vehicle maintenance and repairs. 

The request includes both completed and planned work across city vehicles and equipment.

Recent completed repairs total about $19,845 and include:

• Transmission module failure and wiring repairs on a 2001 Sterling truck: $8,308
• 12,000-hour service on a 2008 Volvo loader: $5,581
• Additional loader and backhoe repairs and an insurance deductible

Planned repairs for the coming year total about $8,654 and include:

• Tire replacements for multiple trucks and equipment
• Maintenance work on a Ventrac tractor
• Miscellaneous reactive repairs

Ordinance public hearing

Commissioners will hold a public hearing on proposed amendments to Chapter 5 of the city code, which governs licensing, registration, and permits. 

The changes include updates to the city’s massage establishment ordinance. In a previous meeting, commissioners approved a first reading that removed outdated and derogatory language, aligned the ordinance with state law and the Michigan Public Health Code, and updated licensing terminology.

During that same meeting, commissioners also agreed to restrict operating hours for massage businesses from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. following discussion. 

This will be the second public hearing on the amendments. After public comment, commissioners are expected to decide whether to adopt the changes. If approved, the ordinance would take effect no sooner than 20 days after adoption, following publication, unless adopted as an emergency ordinance. 

Maxwell Knauer is a staff writer for Watershed Voice.