SHELBY - The Shelby Village Council moved one step closer to a revitalized downtown Monday, July 28 when they approved a proposal from Spalding DeDecker, of Lansing, for $13,950.00 ($3,487.50 from the Village of Shelby and $10,462.50 from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation) for Phases I and II of a proposed downtown Shelby village beautification project. The proposed project would encompass the east and west sides of Michigan Avenue, from Fourth Street to Third Street, and 50 yards north, south, east and west of both streets.
“This dream started years ago,” said Village Administrator Phil Morse in his presentation to council.
Both past and present village council members and interested community members have been imagining a renewed downtown for decades. A community survey in January saw over 100 respondents and provided the village with a direction. Shortly after the village received its Redevelopment Ready Certification (RRC), a Shelby Vision and Implementation Team (VIT) was organized. The current VIT includes several subcommittees, of which the Downtown Refurbishment Emphasis (DRE) is one. Taking the lead on this committee are Andy Carter, John Foss, Paul Inglis and Richard Raffaelli, and they are in charge of drafting a Request for Proposal to present to design firms.
The details of Phases I and II were outlined at the village council meeting. Phase I would include two in-person public hearings to gain feedback from resident stakeholders, while simultaneously developing and rolling out a virtual survey option, then combining feedback for committee review. Phase II includes the development of an initial concept for review, using feedback from the resident surveys held in January, and the development of a budget based on those designs.
(Read more about downtown Shelby’s VIT in a related article in this week’s paper on page 11.)
Morse informed the council the DRE had reached out to three design firms, and all three submitted proposals. Two proposals stood out, however, after careful review, the committee was recommending the village go with Spalding DeDecker, the firm also used in the development of Shelby Township’s Community Park, and the firm currently working on the all-season sports center at the park.
“What ultimately set Spalding DeDecker apart was their proposed fee structure,” Morse’s memo to council read. “While Fleis & Vandenbrink proposed a fee of 11.5%, Spalding DeDecker offered a rate of 9%. This nearly 2.2% difference (would) translate into a potential savings of approximately $33,000 on a $1.5 million project.”
Morse also went on to say that while the village has not received official confirmation from the MEDC RRC it would pay the $10,462.50 for design fees. The MEDC representative indicated approval is likely. (Having the Redevelopment Ready Certification opens up many more funding opportunities for the village than they’ve had in the past.)
Most of the questions surrounding the proposed project came from Council Member Mike Termer, who stated upfront he was all for downtown revitalization, but wanted to know more about where the money was coming from to fund the $1.5 million project. In response, the DRE committee shared there is another subcommittee working on how to fund the project, and if the resolution passed, they would have the information they needed to proceed. Although funding the project would ultimately fall to the fundraising committee, the DRE committee said $600,000 has been committed by a private donor, the village would be asking for a state match, and the Township of Shelby has already voted to commit $300,000 of road funding to the project. Morse assured those assembled that the money would not come from taxpayer dollars. He said funds needed would come from private donations, some street money and grants.
Raffaelli of the DRE committee emphasized that without this document the village won’t be able to apply for grants. He also brought out that the process they are following is similar to how the Getty Park project was developed and funded, and that if the council gave their approval to the resolution, the village would be working with Spaulding DeDecker throughout Phases III and IV as well.
Following discussion, Councilor Steve Crothers made a motion, with Termer supporting, for the resolution. All four of the other council members in attendance voted in the affirmative as well, Samantha Gottschalk, Curt Trott, Dan Zaverl and Village President John Sutton. Crystal Heykoop was absent.
The other big news of the evening was the approval of a DPW revised salary structure. Within the past six months, the village reviewed and clarified roles within the DPW related to associated licensing requirements. With the resolution, Morse and the Personnel Committee were recommending transitioning the DPW salary schedule to a base-rate plus position-specific multiplier model, effective March 2026. The only exception would be a salary adjustment for the DPW Lead Worker position as soon as someone is hired. The village is interviewing candidates this week for the position recently vacated by Owen Peterson, who is entering military service.
According to Morse’s memo, the maximum impact, for the remaining seven months of FY25/26, would be no more than $10,750. “It all depends on what qualifications and background potential applicants have,” Morse said. For comparison, Morse presented council with information on what other nearby municipalities in Oceana, Mason, Muskegon and Newaygo counties pay their DPW employees and his and the committee’s reasoning for the passage of the resolution, which included increased market competitiveness, strengthened leadership capacity, licensing incentives, merit-based advancement and simplified financial planning.
“I wish we could see their budgets,” Zaverl voiced. “These other municipalities have a lot bigger budgets.”
Chair of the Personnel Committee Termer added, “We do need to do something for our Lead Worker position. We’re expecting more licensing-wise. We need these positions.”
After a brief discussion, Termer moved for approval of said resolution; Personnel Co-Chair Gottschalk offered her support. Crothers, Trott and Sutton voted for passage, while Zaverl voted against it. Heykoop was absent.
Two other resolutions passed unanimously. First quarter budget amendments approved were mainly related to increases in revenue from a grant received for the Master Plan update, as well as donations for the Chainsaw Carving Festival and Getty Park, reimbursements for water meters ordered for Shelby Acres Development, and interest revenue in the General Investment Fund.
Council also gave approval to purchase firewall hardware and licensing at a cost of $2,894 from SonicGuard with installation by VC3 in the amount of $2,475 for a total of $5,366. Licensing will need to be renewed annually, and in three years system hardware will need to be reviewed again.
Right before adjournment, Zaverl wished to thank Morse for all of his work on the first Chainsaw Carving Festival. “I appreciate all the work you put in. Everyone I’ve talked to loved it and hope it happens next year.”
Chief of Police Dean Roesler also announced the county law enforcement’s “National Night Out” event, which took place Tuesday, August 5 from 4-8 p.m. at the Shelby Township Community Park.
