Midland City Council Meeting – June 22, 2026

The Midland City Council met June 22, 2026, at 7 p.m. in council chambers at City Hall. No agenda or minutes were available to cross-reference, so this summary is drawn from the raw transcript. The council held three public hearings on the 2025-26 budget amendment, the Hart Park tribute plaza, and the Poseyville Bridge erosion control project, followed by performance reviews and compensation resolutions for the city manager and city attorney. All votes were 4-0. No public comments were offered at any hearing or during the general public comment period.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda, consisting of routine resolutions marked with asterisks, was adopted by a single motion; no items were pulled for separate consideration. The motion passed 4-0.

Budget and Financial Working Plan Amendment (Public Hearing)

• Finance presenter Laura Swell (referred to later in the transcript as Ms. Dowell) presented the amendment to the fiscal year 2025-26 city budgets and financial working plans. The amendment adjusts revenues and expenditures to revised department estimates prepared during the 2026-27 budget process and determines ending fund balances, working capital, and carry-over amounts.
• Noteworthy changes included a general fund investment earnings estimate on track to reach $2 million, an additional $600,000 transferred from the general fund to the building fund, a second personal property tax reimbursement payment not originally budgeted, downtown development ending $400,000 better than expected, the library about $600,000 better than expected, Dial-A-Ride transportation about $300,000 better than budgeted, the landfill about $100,000 worse than expected, the water fund ending $1.3 million better than expected, stores revolving net positive $53,000, and facilities management net positive $34,000.
• Staff noted that conservative revenue estimates, inflationary cost pressures, and corrections to previously under-budgeted benefits were the main reasons for the adjustments. Councilman Wasbinski encouraged continuing a conservative budgeting approach.
• No public comments were offered, and the public hearing was closed. The amendment resolution passed 4-0.

Hart Park Tribute Plaza (Public Hearing)

• Karen Murphy presented the project proposal accepted by council in June 2025 from Case Western Reserve University to create a tribute plaza in Hart Park recognizing alumni who helped shape the early Dow Chemical Company and the Midland community.
• Hart Park was selected because it is the site of the original bromide plant, is in the historical district, and is near the rail trail and Curry Parkway walkway. The project includes a walkway from Main Street, an oval plaza with inset bronze medallions, an interpretive sign, and seating.
• The original project budget was $75,000 from the university. Three Rivers Corporation of Midland submitted the lowest responsive bid, and the total project cost is $66,376.15 with no contingency. The university committed to providing additional funding if needed during construction.
• Councilman Solar asked about the timeline. Karen Murphy responded that work could begin in about a month once the bronze medallions are received, with completion hoped for within roughly eight weeks.
• No public comments were offered. Council approved the budget amendment recognizing up to $75,000 in donated revenue and expenditures, then approved a purchase order not to exceed $66,376.15 with change-order authority not to exceed $8,220. Both resolutions passed 4-0.

Poseyville Bridge Erosion Control (Public Hearing)

• Karen Murphy also presented the Poseyville Bridge erosion control project. In 2019, the city partnered with the Michigan Baseball Foundation to install the Main Street Plaza gathering space under the bridge, but stormwater runoff from the roadway was not properly addressed and continues to wash soil over the trail behind Riverside Place and under the bridge. The area can become icy in winter.
• In 2021, a consultant proposed solutions under a $200,000 budget. The work was later added to the Poseyville Preserve construction contract, but permitting delays extended the timeline.
• The proposed design by PM Blau and Fisher Contracting includes two stacked block retaining walls, larger field stone under the bridge, and riverbank stabilization after recent flooding washed away material near the trail and river's edge.
• Fisher's cost estimate is $260,398, exceeding the original 2021 budget of $200,000 because of construction inflation and the expanded riverbank stabilization scope. The additional $70,000 would come from the major street fund balance.
• Council discussion addressed safety, drainage, the state permit process, and the expectation that work would start this summer.
• No public comments were offered. Council approved a $70,000 budget amendment and a contract amendment with Fisher Contracting with purchase order authority not to exceed $260,398 and change-order authority not to exceed $9,600. Both resolutions passed 4-0.

City Manager Performance Evaluation and Compensation

• Councilmember Diane Brown Wilhelm presented the city manager's performance evaluation, crediting Brad with steady leadership and progress on the council's strategic priorities. Accomplishments cited included the Department of Public Works and Parks and Recreation reorganization, the Larkin Township water service agreement after 18 months of negotiation, the sidewalk program completing 1.9 miles of replacements and 14 ADA-compliant ramps, and ARPA and EGLE project compliance.
• Council recommended a meritorious evaluation and a 3% cost-of-living adjustment. The city manager asked to forgo the contractual merit increase because of the city's financial restraints.
• The city manager thanked council and credited city staff for the accomplishments. The compensation resolution passed 4-0.

City Attorney Performance Evaluation and Compensation

• Councilman Wasbinski presented the city attorney's second annual performance evaluation, based on a closed session held on June 1, 2026. The evaluation praised the attorney's knowledge of Michigan municipal law, professionalism, Open Meetings Act and FOIA compliance, tax appeal work, ordinance codification, and electronic records and e-filing improvements.
• Council found the performance meritorious and proposed a 3% cost-of-living increase, consistent with other city employees.
• The city attorney thanked his staff, noting the office handled 1,200 FOIA requests in the last year, sometimes 8-10 per day, and credited Leslie and Rachel with much of the codification work. The compensation resolution passed 4-0.

Freedom of Information Act Appeal

• The city attorney reported that the FOIA requester who submitted the appeal withdrew the appeal just after the meeting began, so no council action was needed.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda adopted 4-0.
• 2025-26 budget and financial working plan amendment adopted 4-0.
• Hart Park tribute plaza budget amendment adopted 4-0; purchase order to Three Rivers Corporation adopted 4-0.
• Poseyville Bridge erosion control budget amendment adopted 4-0; Fisher Contracting contract amendment and purchase order adopted 4-0.
• City manager compensation resolution adopted 4-0.
• City attorney compensation resolution adopted 4-0.
• FOIA appeal dismissed as withdrawn.