Midland City Council Meeting - December 15, 2025

The Midland City Council met on December 15, 2025, at 7:00 PM in council chambers at City Hall. The meeting included approval of a consent agenda, a presentation on the City Strive employee recognition program, a proclamation recognizing the opening of the American Revolution Experience, a public hearing and vote on a zoning petition, and a presentation on the 2027-2032 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). Due to only three council members being present, one consent agenda item requiring a four-fifths vote was deemed defeated and will be rescheduled.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda, comprising routine resolutions marked with an asterisk, was approved by a 3-0 vote. No items were removed from the consent agenda.
• Note: Item number nine, regarding Nelson Lift Station pump replacements, was later identified as requiring a four-fifths vote. Since only three council members were present, the 3-0 vote did not meet the threshold, and the item was considered defeated. Staff will return it to the January 12, 2026, agenda.

Presentations & Proclamations

• City Strive Awards: Becky Schaefer, Director of Human Resources, presented the City Strive employee recognition program. The program, a well-being initiative, allows employees and citizens to nominate city employees for extraordinary performance. Awards are vetted by a well-being committee and the city manager's office. In 2025, dozens of nominations resulted in only two awards: Peter Schwartz (Water Services Director) received the Stewardship Award for handling PFONT settlement paperwork himself, saving the city an estimated 25% (approximately $250,000); Rachel (Customer Account Rep, Parks and Rec) received the Above and Beyond Award for consistent, calm performance and handling unexpected tasks like coordinating crews during storms. Council expressed appreciation for the program.
• Proclamation – American Revolution Experience: Council adopted a resolution recognizing December 21, 2025, as the opening day of the American Revolution Experience at the Midland Mall, sponsored by the Midland John Alden Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Julia Lawless, chapter regent, accepted the proclamation. The exhibit runs from December 21 to January 3, 2026, and focuses on the people and decisions of the Revolutionary era. The chapter also contributes approximately 5,000 service hours annually in the community.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made during the public comment period or during the public hearing on the zoning petition.

Public Hearing and Discussion Items

• Zoning Petition 668 – 4007 Letts Street: The public hearing was held on a request to rezone a one-acre parcel (recently annexed from Larkin Township) from Larkin Township zoning to Residential B (RB) – Multiple Family Residential. The applicant, Merrick Holdings LLC, plans to develop two two-family dwellings (four units total). Staff analysis indicated the proposed RB zoning is consistent with the city's master plan, serves as a transitional district between higher-intensity mobile home park (south/east) and lower-intensity single-family development (north/west), and supports infill housing goals. The Planning Commission recommended approval 8-0. No public comments were received. Council discussed the difference between RA4 (one- and two-family) and RB (allows multiple-family). The motion to approve passed 3-0.

Discussion Items

• Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) Sneak Peek: Jacob Kane, City Planner, presented a preview of the 2027-2032 CIP, noting that this year's plan is more of a status quo after major expansions in prior years. Three project areas were highlighted:
  1. Parking Lots: The city has about 50 parking lots. Nine new requests are included for mill and overlay, full reconstruction, and reconfiguration, including Central Park (reconfigure after community center construction, proposed for FY2027) and Grove Park (expand and improve accessible parking). Staff will develop a comprehensive maintenance plan similar to streets and sidewalks.
  2. Newspaper Digitization: A new request from the library to digitize the local newspaper collection (dating back to 1881) via a company called NewsBank. This one-time acquisition provides high-quality, searchable digital access remotely, with no platform fee. It would save space and preserve deteriorating print and microfilm.
  3. Diamond Drive Non-Motorized Facility: A citizen request for a sidewalk/shared-use path along Diamond Drive from Waldo Avenue to Midfield Lane (nearly 2 miles). Estimated cost $2.1 million, proposed for FY2032. Staff recommends a 10-foot shared-use path rather than sidewalk due to wetland conditions and low property owner density, which may require alternative funding (general fund or grants). The presentation was received by resolution (3-0). The full CIP will go to Planning Commission on January 13, 2026, with a public hearing on January 27, and council action expected on February 23, 2026.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda approved 3-0 (with one item needing future reconsideration due to voting threshold).
• Proclamation for American Revolution Experience approved 3-0.
• Zoning Petition 668 (4007 Letts Street) approved 3-0, rezoning to RB.
• CIP presentation received 3-0, with no further action; formal adoption process to follow in early 2026.
• Nelson Lift Station pump replacements item deferred to January 12, 2026, agenda due to insufficient council members present for the required four-fifths vote.
• No new business was introduced. The meeting adjourned with holiday wishes.

Note: The meeting had only three council members present (Mayor Donker, Councilman Passick, Councilman Brown Will). Council members Wazbinski and Solar were absent.