Vassar public meetings in 2025
23 substantive meetings from 2025, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
DDA
The Vassar Downtown Development Authority will vote on approving the December 2025 agenda and meeting minutes. The body is discussing the allocation of $15,000 for downtown Christmas lights and the allocation of $500 for winter-themed window painting.
- Approval of December 2025 agenda and November 2025 minutes
- Allocation of $15,000 for downtown Christmas lights
- Allocation of $500 for winter-themed window painting
- Discussion on the 2025 calendar of events
- Ribbon ceremony for Faith in Motion Dance center
The board approved adding $5,000 to the downtown Christmas lights project for 2025. It also approved $275 for a screening of “A Christmas Story” at the Vassar Theater, up to $25 for red‑ribbon ceremony supplies, and up to $50 for tree‑decoration equipment. The agenda and minutes were adopted without opposition.
- Approved $5,000 DDA contribution to Christmas Lights (all in favor)
- Approved $275 for "A Christmas Story" screening at Vassar Theater (all in favor)
- Approved up to $25 for Red Ribbon ceremony supplies (all in favor)
- Approved up to $50 for tree project supplies (storage totes and extension cord) (all in favor)
- Approved December agenda (all in favor)
- Approved November minutes (all in favor)
City Council
The Vassar City Council will adopt the November 3, 2025 regular meeting minutes and approve routine consent‑agenda items, including the November 2025 vendor listing. The council will hear board and commission minutes and appoint G. Kasper to a three‑year term on the Zoning Board of Appeals. New business includes consideration of several resolutions, notably the City of Vassar Recreation Plan 2030, MDOT performance, election results, generator maintenance, the 2026 public‑meetings calendar, and the FY2027 budget timeline.
- Adopt November 3, 2025 regular city council meeting minutes
- Approve November 2025 vendor listing (Consent Agenda)
- Consider Resolution #2025-18 – City of Vassar Recreation Plan 2030
- Consider Resolution #2025-17 – MDOT Performance Resolution for Municipalities
- Consider FY2027 budget timeline
The council approved the MDOT Performance Resolution, the Vassar Recreation Plan 2030, and confirmed the new City Charter with a 164‑yes to 89‑no vote, making it effective Jan 1 2026. It also approved a $18,151.65 five‑year generator maintenance contract, set the September 8 2026 council meeting date, and adopted the FY27 budget timeline.
- Approved MDOT Performance Resolution for Municipalities (motion carried)
- Approved Vassar Recreation Plan 2030 (motion carried)
- Approved Election Results confirming Proposed City Charter (164‑Yes, 89‑No) (motion carried)
- Approved 5‑year generator maintenance proposal from Cummins for $18,151.65 (motion carried)
- Approved 2026 meeting calendar with September 8 council meeting date (motion carried)
- Approved FY27 Budget Timeline (motion carried)
Parks and Recreation
The Parks and Recreation Board will approve the November agenda and September minutes. It will hold a public hearing on the Recreation Master Plan 2030. The board will discuss the status of DDA Christmas trees and set the winter meeting schedule.
- Approval of the November 2025 agenda
- Approval of the September 2025 minutes
- Public hearing on the Recreation Master Plan 2030 (Nov 13, 2025)
- Discussion of DDA Christmas trees still unplanted from last year
- Adoption of the Parks & Rec winter meeting schedule
The board approved the November agenda and the September meeting minutes. It opened and then closed the public hearing for the Recreation Master Plan 2030, and will distribute the plan to surrounding areas before presenting it to the City Council in February 2026. The DDA Christmas Trees will be placed in the community on December 1, with volunteers from the school, and the trees will be planted in spring 2026.
- Approved November agenda (all in favor)
- Approved September minutes (all in favor)
- Opened public hearing for Recreation Master Plan 2030 (all in favor)
- Closed public hearing for Recreation Master Plan 2030 (all in favor)
- Decided DDA Christmas Trees will be displayed Dec 1 and planted Spring 2026 (all in favor)
- Planned distribution of Recreation Master Plan 2030 to surrounding areas and council review Feb 2026 (all in favor)
DDA
The DDA will approve the November agenda and October minutes, review ongoing downtown projects, and consider funding for holiday decorations. It notes a $500 allocation for city window painting and adds $5,000 to the city’s $10,000 downtown Christmas lights effort. The board also discusses the December 6 tree‑lighting ceremony and placement of additional Christmas trees.
- $500 allocated for city window painting (Mackenzie Clouse)
- DDA contributes $5,000 to the city’s $10,000 downtown Christmas lights project
- Tree Lighting Ceremony scheduled for December 6, 2025 at 6:30 pm
- City Hall requests 5 Christmas trees to be placed and planted in spring
- Quarterly Business After Hours events letters sent to downtown businesses
The board unanimously approved the November agenda. They also unanimously approved the October meeting minutes. Members agreed to hold a White Elephant gift exchange at the next DDA meeting on December 10. Holiday plans were confirmed, including adding Cottage Inn and Link Learning to the Christmas lights, ordering Christmas trees, and winterizing the downtown fountain.
- Approved November agenda (unanimous)
- Approved October minutes (unanimous)
- Agreed to hold White Elephant gift exchange at Dec 10 meeting
- Added Cottage Inn to Christmas lights downtown
- Added Link Learning to Christmas lights downtown
- Christmas trees ordered by C. Haubenstricker for Dec 1
- Winterization of downtown fountain scheduled
- A. Barden and C. Haubenstricker to determine placement for Big Snowman
City Council
The Vassar City Council will adopt the October 6, 2025 regular meeting minutes and approve routine consent‑agenda items, including the October 2025 vendor listing. Board and commission minutes from the DDA (Sept 10, 2025) and ZBA (Oct 7, 2025) will be noted. The council will also discuss a proposal for new lighting at Ivan Middleton Hall.
- Adopt October 6, 2025 regular city council meeting minutes
- Approve October 2025 vendor listing
- Approve routine consent‑agenda items
- Review DDA board minutes from Sept 10, 2025 and ZBA minutes from Oct 7, 2025
- Consider new lighting proposals for Ivan Middleton Hall (IMH LIGHTING PROPOSALS.PDF)
The council approved the meeting agenda and adopted the October 6, 2025 minutes. A motion limited public comment to three minutes per speaker and approved the consent agenda. The council awarded the lighting contract for Ivan Middleton Hall to Callahan Electric for $8,077.50. The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
- Approved agenda as presented (motion carried)
- Adopted October 6, 2025 regular minutes (motion carried)
- Limited public comment to 3 minutes per speaker (motion carried)
- Approved consent agenda (motion carried)
- Awarded lighting contract for Ivan Middleton Hall to Callahan Electric for $8,077.50 (motion carried)
- Adjourned meeting at 8:10 p.m. (motion carried)
DDA
The Downtown Development Authority (DDA) will approve a $5,000 contribution to the city’s $10,000 downtown Christmas lights program and a $500 allocation for downtown window painting. It will also review plans for the tree‑lighting ceremony on December 6, 2025, and discuss placement options for the seasonal Christmas trees. Additional items include maintenance of Abele’s pots and the downtown fountain.
- $5,000 DDA contribution to the city’s $10,000 downtown Christmas lights effort
- $500 allocated for downtown window painting
- Tree Lighting Ceremony scheduled for December 6, 2025 at 6:30 pm
- Discussion of Christmas tree placement (pots or building boxes)
- Fountain maintenance schedule: tree removal and stump grinding
The board approved the October agenda and the September 2025 minutes unanimously. DDA allocated $200 for refreshments at the Quarterly Business After Hours event and $500 for the downtown window‑painting project. The board approved a $5,000 DDA contribution (with a $10,000 city contribution) for the downtown Christmas lights, designating Cottage Inn and Link Learning to be lit. A motion to spend up to $800 for a new fountain pump also passed unanimously.
- Approved October agenda (unanimous)
- Approved September 2025 minutes (unanimous)
- Approved $200 for refreshments at Quarterly Business After Hours event (unanimous)
- Allocated $500 for downtown window‑painting project (unanimous)
- Approved $5,000 DDA contribution for downtown Christmas lights (unanimous)
- Approved $10,000 city contribution for downtown Christmas lights (unanimous)
- Approved up to $800 for new fountain pump (unanimous)
ZBA
The Vassar Zoning Board of Appeals will discuss a request to rezone the property at 999 E Huron Ave. Public comment is scheduled, with participants limited to five minutes each. A letter of opposition from a resident named Decker is attached for review.
- Request to rezone 999 E Huron Ave.
- Public hearing notice for the rezoning request
- Letter of opposition from Decker
The board considered a request to rezone 999 E. Huron Ave from commercial/light industrial to multi‑unit residential for seniors. After testimony and discussion, Board members Whitney and Grimshaw moved and seconded a motion to not approve the change. Both members voted affirmative, and the motion carried, denying the zoning change. The meeting was then adjourned.
- Denied zoning change for 999 E. Huron Ave
- Adjourned the meeting
City Council
The Vassar City Council will discuss a study on the wastewater treatment plant’s limited capacity, presented by the Spicer Group. They will also consider disposing of the Fairgrounds horse corral as an asset. Routine consent agenda items, including the September 2025 vendor list and adoption of the September 8, 2025 meeting minutes, will be approved. A presentation will recognize Derrick Kip Keinath for 30 years of service with the fire department.
- WWTP limited capacity study – Spicer Group proposal (VASSAR_WWTP CAPACITY STUDY_LETTERAGR.PDF)
- Disposal of assets – Fairgrounds horse corral (DISPOSAL OF ASSETS.PDF)
- Adoption of September 8, 2025 regular city council meeting minutes
- September 2025 vendor listing
- Recognition of Derrick Kip Keinath for 30 years of fire service
The council approved the agenda addition for disposal of assets, adopted the September 8, 2025 minutes, and approved the consent agenda. It authorized the interim city manager to sign a Letter of Agreement with the Spicer Group for a wastewater‑treatment‑plant capacity verification study costing no more than $10,500. The council also approved the disposal of the fairgrounds horse corral, to be sold at auction. All motions carried.
- Approved agenda addition for Disposal of Assets (motion carried)
- Adopted September 8, 2025 regular meeting minutes (motion carried)
- Approved consent agenda (motion carried)
- Authorized interim manager to sign Letter of Agreement with Spicer Group for WWTP capacity verification study (cost ≤ $10,500) (motion carried)
- Approved disposal of fairgrounds horse corral, to be sold at auction (motion carried)
Parks and Recreation
The Vassar Parks and Recreation board will continue its Master Plan discussion and review the attached community survey results. Members will consider a proposal for new plantings at Veterans Memorial Fountain Park, including possible pine trees. If time permits, the board will discuss a Christmas tree donation from the Downtown Development Authority. The meeting also includes routine approvals of the agenda and June 2025 minutes, and a public comment period.
- Continue Master Plan discussion
- Review community survey results (VASSARRECSURVEYDATA9JUNE25.PDF)
- Consider planting proposal for Veterans Memorial Fountain Park
- Discuss DDA Christmas tree donation (if time allows)
- Public comment (five‑minute limit per speaker)
The board voted to approve the September 2025 agenda and the June 2025 meeting minutes, with all members in favor. The meeting was then adjourned at 7:35 pm. No other substantive actions were taken.
- Approved September 2025 agenda (all in favor)
- Approved June 2025 minutes (all in favor)
- Adjourned meeting at 7:35 pm (all in favor)
DDA
The DDA board will discuss updates on the Rock the River project and the fountain maintenance schedule, including tree removal and stump grinding. They will review Christmas tree placement suggestions from Parks and Rec. The agenda notes the City’s $10,000 contribution for downtown Christmas lights, with the DDA choosing Cottage Inn as the lighting site. Ongoing event planning such as Frosty Fest and window paintings for $500 are also mentioned.
- City will contribute $10,000 to downtown Christmas lights; DDA selected Cottage Inn for lighting
- Makenzie Clouse agreed to complete window paintings for $500
- Fountain maintenance: trees removed, stumps ground, discussion on tree replacement
- Rock the River project – request for thoughts and updates
- Christmas tree placement suggestions attached from Parks and Rec
The board approved the September 2025 agenda and the June 2025 minutes, both unanimously. A motion added the School Volunteer Project to the agenda, also passed unanimously. The DDA set aside $500 for the City Window Painting project and tabled the Frosty Fest 5K for next year. Several members were assigned follow‑up tasks for upcoming holiday events.
- Approved September 2025 agenda (unanimous)
- Approved June 2025 minutes (unanimous)
- Added School Volunteer Project to agenda (unanimous)
- Allocated $500 to City Window Painting project (no vote recorded)
- Tabled Frosty Fest 5K for next year (no vote recorded)
- B. Fisher to contact Cottage Inn about downtown Christmas lights (task assigned)
- A. Barden to discuss Christmas Tree Boxes vs. pots with C. Haubenstricker (task assigned)
- A. Barden to request landscape proposal from Abele’s for fountain maintenance (task assigned)
City Council
The City Council will review quotes for rail trail culvert repairs and a public viewing notice for the city charter. The body will also consider a street closure for the Vassar Public Schools Homecoming Parade.
- Quotes for Rail Trail Culvert repair
- Street closure for Vassar Public Schools Homecoming Parade on October 10, 2025
- Charter Public Viewing Notice
- Appointment of Chris Haines to the Vassar City Band Board for a 3-year term
The council approved the agenda and adopted the August 4, 2025 meeting minutes. It approved the consent agenda, vendor listing, and appointed Chris Haines to the Vassar City Band board for a three‑year term. The council approved the notice for public viewing of the 2025 City Charter revision to be published in the Tuscola County Advertiser. It approved awarding the rail trail culvert repair to Cooper Excavating for a 48‑foot storm culvert, not to exceed $66,710.
- Approved agenda as presented (motion carried)
- Adopted August 4, 2025 regular minutes (motion carried)
- Approved consent agenda (motion carried)
- Approved August 2025 vendor listing (motion carried)
- Appointed Chris Haines to Vassar City Band board, 3‑yr term (motion carried)
- Approved public viewing notice for 2025 City Charter revision (motion carried)
- Approved award of rail trail culvert repair to Cooper Excavating, up to $66,710 (motion carried)
City Council
The council excused Mayor Pro-Tem Fabbro and Councilor McTaggart and approved the agenda, July 7 minutes and consent agenda. It approved a $17,295 quote from Cooper Excavating to complete the sled hill and awarded MMRMA the FY26 liability insurance contract for $98,415. No action was taken on the fairgrounds fundraiser request or the MDOT letter of support.
- Excused Mayor Pro-Tem Fabbro and Councilor McTaggart (motion carried)
- Approved agenda as presented (motion carried)
- Approved July 7, 2025 minutes (motion carried)
- Approved consent agenda (motion carried)
- Approved Cooper Excavating sled hill quote $17,295 (motion carried)
- Awarded MMRMA city liability insurance FY26 for $98,415 (motion carried)
- Adjourned meeting at 7:39 pm (motion carried)
City Council
The council approved the vacation of a portion of N. Sherman Street (Resolution #2025-15). It also approved the vacation of an alley in Block D, North's Addition (Resolution #2025-16). The council adopted the updated zoning map, changing the industrial park from heavy to light industrial and authorized distribution to surrounding townships. Additional actions included excusing absent Councilor McTaggart, approving the agenda and consent items, appointing Gary Kasper to the Planning Commission, and adjourning the meeting.
- Excused Councilor McTaggart (motion carried)
- Approved agenda as presented (motion carried)
- Approved June 2, 2025 minutes (motion carried)
- Approved consent agenda (motion carried)
- Appointed Gary Kasper to Planning Commission, 3‑year term
- Vacated portion of N. Sherman St. (Resolution #2025-15) (motion carried)
- Vacated alley in Block D, North's Addition (Resolution #2025-16) (motion carried)
- Adopted new zoning map reclassifying industrial park to light industrial and authorized distribution (motion carried)
Planning Commission
The Planning Commission unanimously approved the June 2025 agenda and the March 2025 meeting minutes. It also unanimously recommended that the City Council adopt the final draft of the Future Land Use Map and mail copies to neighboring townships for review.
- Approved June 2025 agenda (unanimous)
- Approved March 2025 meeting minutes (unanimous)
- Recommended Council adopt Final Draft of Future Land Use Map and mail copies to neighboring townships (unanimous)
Parks and Recreation
The Parks and Recreation Commission unanimously approved the June 2025 agenda and the April 2025 minutes. It decided to plant the DDA Christmas trees at the Fairgrounds near the horse barns and around Ivan Middleton Hall, assigning Zach to mark locations and Andrea to coordinate planting dates with Corey Haubenstricker.
- Approved June 2025 agenda (unanimous)
- Approved April 2025 minutes (unanimous)
- Approved planting DDA Christmas trees at Fairgrounds near horse barns and around Ivan Middleton Hall
- Assigned Zach to mark tree planting locations
- Assigned Andrea to follow up with Corey Haubenstricker to set planting date
DDA
The board approved adding the Rock the River donation to the agenda and approved the June 2025 agenda and May 2025 minutes unanimously. They approved ordering five additional Abele pots. The Rock the River event was budgeted at $2,500, with $2,000 committed to the Shifters Car Club and $500 held back.
- Added Rock the River donation to agenda – approved (all in favor)
- Approved June 2025 agenda with addition – approved (all in favor)
- Approved May 2025 minutes – approved (all in favor)
- Approved purchase of five Abele pots – approved (all in favor)
- Set Rock the River event budget at $2,500, with $2,000 commitment and $500 retained – decided
City Council
The council voted to vacate a portion of N. Sherman Street and an alley in Block D to allow construction of a new public safety building. It also approved the application for a $150,000 state community‑development grant and a request for $385,000 to fund rehabilitation of N. Cass Avenue. Additional actions included adopting the employee handbook update, authorizing tax liens on unpaid utilities, and approving year‑end budget amendments.
- Vacated portion of N. Sherman St from E Huron Ave to N Sheridan St for public safety building (motion carried)
- Approved Resolution 2025-10 to apply for $150,000 MSHDA Community Development Block Grant (motion carried)
- Approved Resolution #2025-11 confirming recommendation to vacate alley in Block D for new public safety building (motion carried)
- Approved Resolution #2025-12 to hold public hearing on alley vacation at July 7, 2025 (motion carried)
- Approved Resolution 2025-13 authorizing assessment of liens to city taxes for unpaid utilities (motion carried)
- Approved 2025 Employee Handbook update adding 10 days paid paternal leave (motion carried)
- Approved FY25 year‑end budget amendment requests (motion carried)
- Approved Resolution #2025-14 to request $385,000 funding for N. Cass Avenue rehabilitation, with $200,000 city match (motion carried)
DDA
The Downtown Development Authority approved the May 2025 agenda and the April 2025 minutes, both unanimously. It voted to increase the fountain‑related budget to $2,750. It also approved scheduling tree removal at Vet’s Park through Tress R Us.
- Approved May 2025 agenda (unanimous)
- Approved April 2025 minutes (unanimous)
- Increased fountain budget to $2,750 (unanimous)
- Scheduled tree removal through Tress R Us at Vet’s Park (unanimous)
City Council
The council approved the FY2026 budget, setting the city millage rate at 17 mills and adopting the General Appropriations for the year. It also increased the streetlight assessment for 16 industrial‑park parcels to $687.50 and approved the vacation of N. Sherman Street and an alley to allow construction of a new public safety building. Additionally, the council awarded the demolition of the silos at 112 N Sherman Street to Adamo for up to $213,120.
- Approved FY2026 budget (Yes: Fabbro, Armstrong, Damm)
- Approved increase in streetlight assessment to $687.50 for 16 industrial‑park parcels
- Approved Resolution setting city millage rate at 17 mills
- Approved General Appropriations Resolution for FY2026
- Approved vacating portion of N. Sherman St from E. Huron to N. Sheridan for new public safety building
- Approved public hearing on N. Sherman St vacation scheduled for June 2, 2025
- Approved vacating alley in Block D for new public safety building
- Awarded silo demolition contract at 112 N Sherman St to Adamo for up to $213,120
Parks and Recreation
The Parks and Recreation Commission approved the April 2025 agenda and the January 2025 meeting minutes by unanimous consent. The commission decided to include a younger age bracket in the upcoming public survey and assigned J. Whitney and Z. Fish to promote it at the middle and high schools. The survey link and QR code will be posted on the city website and may appear in the May City Newsletter if timing permits.
- Approved April 2025 agenda (unanimous)
- Approved January 2025 minutes (unanimous)
- Decided to include younger age bracket in public survey (decision)
- Assigned J. Whitney and Z. Fish to promote survey at MS/HS (decision)
DDA
The board unanimously approved the April 2025 agenda and the March 2025 minutes. A motion to adjourn the meeting was also passed unanimously. No other formal decisions were recorded.
- Approved April 2025 agenda (all in favor)
- Approved March 2025 minutes (all in favor)
- Adjourned meeting (all in favor)
City Council
The council approved an agenda addition to consider Resolution #2025-04, which amends the ballot language for the proposed charter revision and shifts the election date to November 2025. It also scheduled a second reading and public hearing for the FY26 budget on May 5, 2025, and set a public hearing for increasing the industrial‑park streetlight assessment to $687.50 per parcel on the same date. The council awarded the Riverside Cemetery chapel repair contract to Corkpine Builders for $16,450 and initiated the procedure to vacate a portion of N. Sherman Street for a new public‑safety building.
- Approved agenda addition for Resolution #2025-04 (motion carried)
- Scheduled FY26 budget second reading and public hearing for May 5, 2025 (motion carried)
- Scheduled public hearing on industrial‑park streetlight assessment increase to $687.50/parcel for May 5, 2025 (motion carried)
- Awarded Cemetery Chapel Repair Project to Corkpine Builders for $16,450 (motion carried)
- Approved Resolution #2025-03 to initiate street vacation procedure for N. Sherman Street (motion carried)
- Approved Resolution #2025-04 amending charter‑revision ballot language, moving ballot to November 2025 election (motion carried)
- Adopted March 3, 2025 regular council minutes (motion carried)
- Approved consent agenda items as presented (motion carried)
EDC
The council approved the March 2025 agenda and the September 2024 meeting minutes, both with all members in favor. They authorized the sale of flower coolers to the Vassar Rotary Club for $1. A motion to approve the budget also passed unanimously.
- Approved March 2025 agenda (all in favor)
- Approved September 2024 minutes (all in favor)
- Approved sale of flower coolers to Vassar Rotary Club for $1 (all in favor)
- Approved budget (all in favor)
- Adjourned meeting at 7:12 PM (all in favor)