Greenville council overturns FOIA denial, approves sale of city building and property purchase

Greenville City Council on Aug. 15 voted to overturn a Freedom of Information Act denial, approved the sale of a city-owned building at 216 S. Lafayette Street to Kubec Construction, LLC for $80,000, and authorized a purchase agreement for two parcels from Stanley G. and Ruth Ann Bieker.

The council began by hearing four brief public comments: Shannon Tanis of Grand Rapids raised concerns about trespassing; Sally Orlow of Sparta expressed worries about Mission Point; Brandee Ritsema of Kentwood said she did not receive communications about a FOIA request; and Catharine Wilson of Trailview Drive reported tree removal and blocked roads related to construction at Forest View.

Councilperson Lehman moved to approve a FOIA appeal and overturn the FOIA Coordinator’s denial, directing staff to provide retrieved and redacted dash-cam footage consistent with the city’s FOIA policy. The motion required the requester to pay 50% of retrieval costs up front ($55.30) and the remaining payment on receipt of the items. Councilperson Cunliffe seconded; the motion was adopted unanimously.

The consent agenda was approved unanimously and included approval of the Aug. 1 minutes, payroll for the pay period ending Aug. 5, 2023, in the amount of $183,583.96; accounts payable for the period ending Aug. 10, 2023, in the amount of $506,518.06; Planning Commission minutes from July 13, 2023; training information; and acceptance of a resignation from the Downtown Development Authority (Nicole Falatic).

On a separate motion, the council awarded the sale of the city-owned building at 216 S. Lafayette Street to Kubec Construction, LLC for $80,000, subject to negotiation of a development agreement. Councilperson Lehman moved and Councilperson Linton seconded; the motion passed 6–1. Councilmember Cunliffe recorded the lone dissent. The council directed staff to complete the development agreement negotiations before closing.

Council approved a motion to enter closed session at 8:42 p.m. to discuss the purchase of real property; the council returned to open session at 8:55 p.m. After the closed session, Councilperson Lehman moved and Councilperson Moss seconded to approve a purchase agreement between the City of Greenville and Stanley G. Bieker and Ruth Ann Bieker for parcel numbers 052-142-031-00 and 052-142-032-00 and authorized the City Manager to sign all documents on the city’s behalf. The motion was adopted unanimously.

The meeting adjourned at 8:56 p.m.

Votes at a glance: FOIA appeal overturned — motion by Councilperson Lehman, seconded by Councilperson Cunliffe; outcome: unanimous (7–0). Sale of 216 S. Lafayette to Kubec Construction, LLC — motion by Councilperson Lehman, seconded by Councilperson Linton; outcome: approved 6–1 (Ayes: Scoby, Lehman, Barrus, Moss, Johnson, Linton; Nay: Cunliffe). Motion to enter closed session — moved by Councilperson Moss, seconded by Councilperson Johnson; outcome: unanimous (7–0). Purchase agreement with Stanley G. and Ruth Ann Bieker — moved by Councilperson Lehman, seconded by Councilperson Moss; outcome: unanimous (7–0).