HOLLAND (WHTC-AM/FM) — Zeeland property owners faced with a special assessment to cover the cost of the snowmelt project may see some relief. Members of Zeeland City Council are being asked to consider using some of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to aid business owners in paying the tab, set to be paid over 10 years, for those who can’t pay a lump sum. City officials had budgeted $3,000,000 in a fun dedicated to the snowmelt construction, with expenses coming in at $3.6 million. The $600,000 in special assessments is about $9 per square foot of snowmelt area.
ARPA funds aren’t allowed to be used directly for these kinds of projects, according to a memo to council by Abby DeRoo, the city’s marketing director, who notes federal guidelines do allow recipients to “provide assistance to small businesses in all communities. Assistance to small businesses could include support to
enhance outdoor spaces for COVID-19 mitigation or to improve the built environment of the neighborhood.”
DeRoo’s memo ends with a request to city council members for further guidance, which would include determining which businesses would qualify for the funds, based on federal definitions.
City Council is set to meet for a study session and business meeting, at 6 and 7 p.m. respectively, Monday, Jan. 3, 2021.
Council will review and likely approve an amendment to the city’s sign ordinance, after a request from Winning at Home, 300 S. State St. Winning at Home officials had wanted to install an electronic sign along the business loop but that requires a special land-use request not currently allows under the city’s office-personal zoning rules. Members of the city’s planning commission have agreed to changing the ordinance, but city council members must first approve. Under the proposed rules, a special land-use permit would allow for a sign, with a minimum 25-foot setback from residential structures and limit of 16-square feet, in areas allowing non-electric signs up to 32-square feet.
Members of council will also review plans for the city’s COVID-19 vaccination policy. Under the proposed rules, the city would not mandate vaccines, but the unvaccinated employees would be required to undergo regular testing and wear face masks, according to a memo from Kevin Plockmeyer, assistant city manger.
Other rules:
- Employee would be required to disclose acceptable proof of vaccination, with the city maintaining records of each employee’s vaccination
status. - Accommodations for medical exemptions or sincerely-held religious beliefs and establishes a committee to determine the validity of the accommodation requests.
- Paid time off for purposes of receiving the vaccine and recovering from being vaccinated.
- Notice requirements and “removal from the workplace” requirements for employees that test positive for COVID-19.
- Masks must be worn by non-vaccinated employees, or those who are not fully vaccinated, when indoors or in a vehicle with another person for work purposes.
- Disciplinary action up to and including termination for non-compliance.
The complete agenda and packet are online at https://www.cityofzeeland.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01032022-522.
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