Midland City Council Regular Meeting - October 27, 2025
Midland City Council Regular Meeting - October 27, 2025
The Midland City Council met on Monday, October 27, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. in council chambers at City Hall. The meeting covered airport tree clearing and ARPA-funded projects, wayfinding sign improvements, CDBG-DR local street reconstruction, recodification of city ordinances, a Freedom of Information Act appeal, and the Local Officers Compensation Commission determinations. All votes were unanimous (5-0) unless noted. The meeting concluded with a closed session.
Consent Calendar
- The consent agenda was approved unanimously (5-0) without any items removed.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No public comments were made during the public comment period or during the public hearings for wayfinding signs and CDBG-DR streets.
Discussion Items
- Airport Tree Clearing (Barstow Tree IP's Removal Plan): Stephanie Ward of Mead & Hunt presented a multi-phase project to clear trees obstructing runway approach surfaces to meet state and FAA licensing standards. Phase 1 (32 acres west of Sturgeon Road, $12,000 under budget) is nearly complete; Phase 2 (9 acres, $160,000) is bid and awaiting contract; Phase 3 (off-airport properties) expected in 2027-28. The project is a test case for forested wetland clearing with EGLE approval.
- ARPA-Funded Airport Projects: Airport Manager Sarah Bagano reported that the $850,000 ARPA grant originally planned for taxiway redesign, fencing, and fuel pump replacement is being reallocated to replace underground fuel tanks (nearing 30-year lifespan) with an above-ground fuel system. Tank 3 (2009) will remain. Estimated construction cost $500,000–$600,000. The rationale is to protect airport fuel revenue and avoid using federal entitlement funds (which would limit future pavement projects).
- Wayfinding Sign Improvements: Jacob King presented a plan to refurbish the city's 170 wayfinding signs (original cost $700,000 in 2006). A $250,000 contract with Johnson Sign Company (successor to original installer) will address the worst-condition signs. Funding includes $125,000 from the Entranceways Maintenance Fund at Midland Area Community Foundation, added to the city's $140,000 budget. A public hearing was held, followed by two votes.
- CDBG-DR Local Street Reconstruction: Jacob King presented two grant awards from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation: $2.8 million for woody debris management and $8.5 million for reconstruction of five local streets (with water main replacement by the city). Design engineering contract awarded to ANG Engineering for $477,392.63. Construction expected in 2027. A public hearing was held, followed by two votes.
- Recodification of Ordinances: City Attorney Mr. Colmar presented the first reading of the recodified code of ordinances, replacing the 1970 code. The new code increases from 35 to 58 chapters, removes obsolete/unconstitutional language, and adds clarifying provisions. Material changes include updates to the Downtown Development Authority board composition, peeping Tom statute, and removal of vagrancy/begging regulations. The code will take effect July 1, 2026, pending second reading on November 10, 2025.
- Freedom of Information Act Appeal: Mr. Colmar explained that reporter Matt Miller (MLive) requested authorizations for police secondary employment (Sept. 2022–Sept. 2025). The city denied the request for lack of a complete address and exemption under MCL 15.243 (personnel records of law enforcement). Miller appealed. Council discussed the public interest balancing test and safety concerns (citing a recent attack on off-duty officers). Council upheld the denial unanimously.
- Local Officers Compensation Commission (LOCC): Chair Roy Green reported that the LOCC, meeting in odd years, reviewed compensation for council and mayor. No increases were recommended. Council acknowledged receipt of the 2025 determinations.
Key Outcomes
- Wayfinding Sign Improvements: Resolution A (budget amendment to accept $125,000) passed 5-0. Resolution B (contract with Johnson Sign Co. for $250,000, plus $15,000 change orders) passed 5-0.
- CDBG-DR Local Street Projects: Resolution A (budget amendment of $525,000 for design engineering) passed 5-0. Resolution B (contract with ANG Engineering for $477,392.63, plus $47,607.37 change orders) passed 5-0.
- Recodification of Ordinances: First reading passed 5-0; second reading scheduled for November 10, 2025.
- FOIA Appeal: Council voted 5-0 to uphold the city attorney's denial of Matt Miller's FOIA request.
- LOCC Determinations: Council acknowledged receipt of the 2025 determinations by a 5-0 vote.
- Closed Session: Council voted unanimously to enter closed session to consult with the city attorney on material exempt from disclosure under MCL 15.268(h). After closed session, the meeting was adjourned.
Meeting Transcript
Of the Midland City Council will begin in a moment. The Midland City Council is the city's legislative body. It sets policies, approves budgets, determines tax rates, and adopts ordinances and resolutions to govern the city. It is made up of five elected officials that represent the wards in which they reside. And councilmen are elected to two-year terms. The mayor is elected from among the council members by vote of the city council. City Council meetings are held at 7 p.m. two Mondays per month in council chambers at City Hall. This presentation is provided by the MC TV Network, a service of the City of Midland. Replays of this meeting can be found on MGTV Channel 188 on Charter Spectrum through Channel 99 on AT2Uverse or on demand at WWW.city of Midland Mi.gov. Select meetings are available on MC TV Network's Government Affairs Podcast Channel. Good evening and welcome to our October 27th, 2025 meeting of City Council. Please stand and join us for the Pledge of Allegiance. I Pledge Allegiance of the United States of America. It's popular for which it states one nation. Honorable Mayor Donker. Here. Councilman Wasbinski. Here. Councilman Soler. Here. Councilman Passick. Here. Councilman Brown Wilhelm. Here. Hey, thank you very much. This evening, I just want to introduce Chris Saladin. He's our assistant city manager. He's filling in for Brad Kay, who is at a city manager meeting, learning a lot more stuff. Well, new stuff for us to do here at the city. It's pretty exciting. And also the item of new business will follow item number 12 because after that we'll be going into closed session and not coming back here with anything after that, I guess to say. Okay, so does anyone on council have a conflict of interest with anything that's on this evening's agenda? No, no matter we okay, seeing none, then we'll move on to the consent agenda. All resolutions marked with an asterisk are considered to be routine and will be enacted by one motion. There'll be no separate consideration of these items unless a citizen or council member so request during the discussion stage of the motion to adopt the consent agenda as indicated. If there's even a single request, the item will be removed from the consent agenda without further motion and considered in its listed sequence and regular fashion. Can we have a motion to approve the consent agenda? So moved. Support. Second, anyone want an item removed from the consent agenda? Okay, seeing none, then all in favor, please say aye. Aye. Opposed. All right, that passes 5-0. Okay, that now takes us to item number two, which has to do with Barstow Tree IP's removal plan. And Mr. Saladin's here to tell us about that. Good evening, Mayor and Council. It's my pleasure to be here.
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