Local meeting primer: Three Rivers City Commission

The Three Rivers City Commission will meet Tuesday, June 16, for a regular business meeting at 6 p.m. in City Hall, 333 W. Michigan Ave.

Commissioners will work through a lengthy agenda that includes approval of more than $105,000 in drinking water chemicals, nearly $42,000 for citywide tree and stump removal, roughly $310,000 in wastewater treatment chemicals, and a new media access policy allowing approved organizations to connect directly to the city’s audio system.

The agenda also includes two public hearings, a budget amendment affecting multiple city funds, and a request to expand the downtown social district.

Watershed Voice livestreams all city commission meetings on our Facebook page and uploads recordings to our YouTube channel shortly after each meeting.

Slew of purchases

Commissioners will consider several purchases across multiple city departments totaling more than $547,000.

First, they will consider purchasing $105,570 in drinking water chemicals from Elhorn Company, the lowest bidder. Elhorn will provide both chlorine and ortho-poly-phosphate to the city.

Next, commissioners will decide on an agreement with JC and Sons to remove trees and stumps throughout the city, including work for the cemetery, parks, water and sewer departments. The purchase order totals $41,950, with $25,000 already budgeted under the FY27 right-of-way tree removal account and additional work covering other city departments.

Commissioners will then consider a two-year contract with Northern Construction Services Corporation (NCSC) to conduct sidewalk work, including sand and topsoil materials. The city budgeted $100,000 for sidewalk work this fiscal year, but staff is requesting approval of a $90,000 contract with NCSC.

Commissioners will also consider roughly $310,000 for various wastewater treatment chemicals, including chlorine, sulfur dioxide, and Polydyne.

Public hearings and budget amendment

Commissioners will also hold two public hearings Tuesday. The first concerns a special exception use permit for Process Green I, LLC, which is seeking approval to operate a marijuana retail business at 752 S. U.S. 131. 

The second is the first reading of a zoning ordinance amendment that would make it easier for developers to create mixed-use buildings combining residential and commercial uses in the city’s business districts.

Commissioners will also consider Budget Amendment No. 4 for the 2025-26 fiscal year, which includes a series of revenue and expenditure adjustments across multiple city funds.

Media policy

Commissioners will consider adopting a media access policy allowing approved organizations to connect directly to the city’s sound system. Watershed Voice plans to use the connection to improve livestream audio quality during city commission meetings. The audio is a direct feed from commissioners’ and city staff microphones. If adopted, the policy will take effect immediately.

Watershed Voice has been livestreaming commission meetings since February 17, however, has heard from viewers that the audio can be difficult to hear. During the May 19 City Commission meeting, after a resident complained about the audio, Watershed Voice Staff Writer Maxwell Knauer discussed the details of potentially connecting to the city’s audio feed, ultimately leading commissioners to direct City Manager Joe Bippus and the city attorney to draft a formal policy governing media access.

Commissioners also expressed support for the city eventually livestreaming its own meetings, though no formal action was taken.

The policy states, “The purpose of this policy is to provide reasonable access to audio from City meeting sound systems for accredited media organizations and other organizations engaged in public dissemination of City meetings while protecting City equipment, ensuring orderly meeting operations, and limiting City liability.”

If approved, Watershed Voice plans to begin livestreaming meetings using the city’s direct audio feed.

Downtown Social District extension

The Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is requesting commissioners approve an expansion of the Downtown Social District to include the Downtown Outdoor Amphitheater at 11 Joshua Dr. If approved, the DDA will update the district boundary map and submit documentation to the Michigan Liquor Control Commission for final approval, allowing visitors to carry approved alcoholic beverages within the expanded district boundaries.

Maxwell Knauer is a staff writer for Watershed Voice.