SHELBY - In a 5-2 vote, the Shelby Village Council passed Resolution 57-26, giving approval for a purchase agreement between the Village of Shelby and Shelby Village Holdings, LLC (SVH) for village property and the village police storage building located at 25 E. Third St. in downtown Shelby. Councilors Steve Crothers, Curt Trott, Samantha Gottschalk and Crystal Heykoop, along with Village President John Sutton, voted in favor of the purchase agreement. Councilors Mike Termer and Dan Zaverl voted in opposition.
As reported last week, the majority of the council was in favor of the purchase agreement, but wanted a solid plan in place with Perdue Farms for storage of village property while a new storage facility could be built. Council was also concerned about project-related expenses the village would need to fund.
As part of the original purchase agreement, SVH agreed to construct a replacement storage facility and necessary concrete aprons at Nichols Park, 140 Lincoln St., located on the south side of town. Since the Sept. 14 council meeting, SVH has also offered to cover project-related costs (extensions and connections) up to $7,000, as well as the cost to rent a facility if, for some reason, the Perdue Farms temporary storage agreement falls through.
Total expenses related to the approved purchase agreement are estimated between $12,100 and $14,100. With the $7,000 contribution from SVH, the village’s portion of expenses (survey, electrical service installation, and water and sewer connections) are estimated between $5,100 and $7,100, an amount that was not budgeted for in FY26/27.
Regarding the agreement, Termer asked, “Before we vote, shouldn't we at least solidify where this money is coming from?"
Crothers then amended his original motion, designating the following funds and percentages for the unbudgeted, estimated expenses: 40% from the General Fund, 30% from the Water Fund, and 30% from the Sewer Fund. However, prior to the vote, Termer remained resolute, saying he didn’t think the village should be spending money it hadn’t budgeted for.
Construction of the new storage facility will likely begin as soon as necessary permits and approvals are secured. It is estimated the new building will be completed by early 2027.
In other business, the council approved its annual contribution of $5,000 to the Oceana County Economic Alliance (OCEA). The 46-year-old organization, whose goal is to support local businesses and connect them with economic development opportunities and resources with the goal of strengthening Oceana County’s economy, is led by Executive Director Curtis Burdette. As part of his report to council, Burdette relayed that the OCEA became a nonprofit in 2018, all services are provided free of cost to participating businesses and this past year was a banner year for them. The organization’s 2025-26 report was to be shared Friday morning, Oct. 2 with community stakeholders at the OCEA's annual breakfast meeting.
The village’s Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map approval was also on the agenda Monday, however, was tabled to give all council members a chance to fully review the nearly 200-page document. Village Administrator Phil Morse referenced several updates and said the professional rewriting of the document was funded by a grant from MSHDA (Michigan State Housing Development Authority).
The zoning ordinances and map have been a major project of the village's planning commission for over a year now. Member Paul Inglis told council the review and update came about as part of the village’s Redevelopment Ready Community certification requirements.
“If the planning commission took over a year (to review and update the document), the council should take some time to read it before voting on it,” Termer said.
Two additional resolutions were added to the agenda and approved unanimously Monday night. The first authorized payment to Ryerson Brothers Excavating in the amount of $66,169.80 for lead service line replacement, being funded through the 2026 DWSRF (Drinking Water State Revolving Fund). This is the first request made by the company since starting work Aug. 5.
The second resolution authorized Hallack Contracting to complete up to $80,000 of service line replacement should Ryerson Brothers Excavating be unable to maintain the project schedule. Given the rate at which lines are being replaced, there is some concern by village staff and engineers that Ryerson may not be able to meet the scheduled timeline for the South Michigan Avenue project. Village funds are available and could be used for this contingency, however, they will only be utilized as a last resort if contracted service line work cannot be completed before the end of the 2026 construction season.
Also approved were two road closures for the downtown area in October. The Shelby High School’s Homecoming Parade will take place Friday, Oct. 9 beginning at 5 p.m. on the south side of downtown and ending at the school. The parade route will be as follows, north on Michigan Avenue, east on Fourth Street, north on Maple Street, east on Sixth Street and north on School Street. Streets will be closed from 4:30-6 p.m. The village’s annual Trunk or Treat event, sponsored by the Shelby-Benona Fire Department and the Southern Oceana Area Chamber, will be held on Michigan Avenue Saturday, Oct. 31, with the street closed from 5-8 p.m.
Find more village information and updates at www.shelbyvillage.com.
