Midland City Council Regular Meeting - April 27, 2026

The Midland City Council held its regular meeting on April 27, 2026, at 7:00 PM in council chambers. The council addressed a consent agenda, a proclamation, two public hearings (an industrial development district request and the proposed 2026-2027 budget), ordinance amendments, a street vacation referral, and a postponed decision on a property sale. The meeting concluded with a closed session.

Consent Calendar

• Approved all consent agenda items (resolutions marked with an asterisk) by a 4-0 vote, except for item #8 (vacation of Maple Street) which was removed at Councilman Wasbinski's request.

Proclamation

• Workers' Memorial Day – The council unanimously approved a proclamation designating April 28, 2026, as Workers' Memorial Day in Midland. The proclamation recognized the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) and noted that on average 151 Michiganders die on the job each year. Chad Anders, president of the Central Michigan Central Labor Council, accepted the proclamation and spoke about ongoing workplace safety challenges.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Case Systems Industrial Development District (IDD) Public Hearing – Kelly Wayner, president of Case Systems, described a planned 50,000 sq ft expansion at 2700 James Savage Road, costing an estimated $6.5 million, creating 30 new jobs (10 retained plus 20 additional). Nicole Wilson (VP of Economic Development, Midland Business Alliance) and Tony Stomas (President/CEO, Midland Business Alliance) expressed strong support, citing the company's community involvement and alignment with city policy.
• 2026-2027 Citywide Budget Public Hearing – Chad Anders (4513 Bond Court) spoke in favor of a millage increase, arguing that maintaining quality services (parks, roads, aesthetics) is essential to Midland's character and that hidden costs arise from cutting services. No other public comments were offered.
• Non‑Agenda Public Comments – A 75-year-old resident complained about a certified letter from the city threatening criminal penalties and property liens for a political sign placed 22 inches too close to the sidewalk and an overgrown bush. He urged more proportionate enforcement and better communication. Evan Terrans (2701 Longfellow Lane) requested a regular coordination forum between Civic Arena stakeholders (e.g., Midland Figure Skating Club, hockey groups) and city staff to improve scheduling, maintenance planning, and program growth. He noted the club invests over $100,000 annually in ice fees and has five skaters qualifying for national competitions.

Discussion Items

Industrial Development District Request – Case Systems Development LLC

Staff (Kayla) presented a request to establish an Industrial Development District (IDD) under Public Act 198 of 1974, a prerequisite for a future Industrial Facilities Tax (IFT) exemption. The IDD covers an entire 20.13‑acre parcel at 2700 James Savage Road. The proposed 50,000 sq ft addition (65% manufacturing, 35% inventory/warehouse) has not yet commenced. Estimated property tax exemption for the new facility over 12 years would be about $1 million (city portion $24,602 annually). Council asked about the scope of the parcel and precedent. The applicant confirmed future expansion phases are possible. The resolution passed 4-0.

2026-2027 Citywide Budget

City Manager Kay and Finance Director Laura Stoll presented the proposed $198.6 million budget. The general fund shows a deficit of approximately $17.7 million between revenues ($56.2 million) and expenditures. The budget maintains the 15.4 mill rate, no service reductions, and includes council goals (e.g., $1M stormwater contribution, $500k landfill leachate, $3.5M municipal service center/fleet building, $1M future fire station fund). Staff presented options to reduce the deficit to a typical $5–6 million gap:

• Phase 1 reductions (~$12.8M): Remove council goals ($6.6M), reduce health insurance budget ($1.276M), cut calendars ($20k), vacation buyback ($96k), and defer capital projects ($4.8M) including cemetery roads, central park parking lot, wayfinding, sidewalks, library projects, fire exercise equipment.
• Four priority projects ($4M) staff recommended preserving: MSC fleet building, Lot D parking lot (Deckers area), vacation buyback, fire exercise equipment. To offset these, staff suggested additional cuts (e.g., shifting downtown streetscape funds, reducing manager contingency, delaying landfill contribution, raising yard waste bin stickers, cutting fire department increases, reducing legal services, deferring equipment purchases) and a potential 0.5‑mill increase (raising rate to 15.64 mills) generating ~$1.9M. Council discussion:
• General support for retaining the MSC fleet building, Lot D, fire exercise equipment, and vacation buyback.
• Councilman Wasbinski expressed concerns about MERS pension funding (currently 61.4% funded; $500k additional proposed) but agreed to staff's direction to explore options.
• Council agreed to defer cemetery roads (possibly split over multiple years), keep sidewalk improvement program in current year only, keep fire mini‑thermal imaging cameras ($5,600) for safety, and reduce legal services budget to $30k.
• Council requested a split presentation at the next public hearing (May 11) showing agreed cuts and millage consideration, plus a trend analysis of revenues/expenses.
• No vote was taken; this was the first public hearing. The second public hearing is May 11, with budget adoption on May 18.

Ordinance Amendments – Water and Sewer Rates (Second Readings)

Mr. Saladin presented rate adjustments for fiscal year 2027:

• Water Reclamation (sewer) – 5.5% increase: per 1,000 gallons from $3.57 to $3.77; typical 5/8‑inch meter quarterly bill increase $9.22.
• Water – Inflationary increase: per 1,000 gallons from $2.78 to $2.86; typical 5/8‑inch meter quarterly increase $8.39. Additional changes: private hydrant rental fee from $40 to $60, and a new provision allowing sewer credit for water leaks that don't enter the sanitary sewer. Both ordinances were adopted 4-0.

Vacation of Maple Street

Staff (Kane) explained that Panastic Property Solutions requests vacation of an undeveloped 30‑foot right‑of‑way (Maple Street between Cleveland Ave and Bayless St). The process requires planning commission review and public notification before final council action. Council removed the item from consent and referred it to the planning commission (motion passed 4-0).

905 East Park Drive (Item 10)

The council had previously directed solicitation of bids for this property, but the mayor requested reconsideration. A motion to rescind that direction was introduced at a prior meeting but postponed. Councilman Wasbinski moved to table the matter until the next meeting when all five council members are present (the mayor was absent). Motion passed 4-0.

Key Outcomes

• IDD Established: Case Systems Development LLC Industrial Development District Number 1 approved 4-0.
• Budget Direction: Staff to incorporate agreed cuts (retain MSC fleet building, Lot D, vacation buyback, fire exercise equipment, fire mini‑TICs; defer cemetery roads with options; reduce health insurance budget; remove most other capital projects; consider 0.5‑mill increase). Updated budget to be presented May 11.
• Water and Sewer Rates: Adopted 4-0 for fiscal year 2027.
• Maple Street Vacation: Referred to planning commission (4-0).
• 905 East Park Drive: Tabled until next meeting with full council (4-0).
• Closed Session: Held to discuss material exempt from disclosure under MCL 15.268; no decisions were made.