Midland City Council Meeting - August 10, 2026

The Midland City Council met on August 10, 2026, at 7:00 PM in council chambers, with Mayor Donker presiding and council members Wazbinski, Brown Wilhelm, and Passic present (Councilman Solar absent). The meeting covered a conditional use permit for a drive-thru restaurant, a zoning petition for a mixed-use property, an ordinance increasing civic arena fees, and approval of a new police records management system.

Consent Calendar

• Approved by a 4-0 vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Conditional Use Permit #98: Melissa, a neighbor representing residents behind the proposed development, expressed concerns about noise from early-morning operations (dumping and unloading) before 7 AM and noise from dumpsters near homes. She requested operations begin after 7 AM on weekdays.
• Civic Arena Fee Ordinance:
  • Scott King (Midland Amateur Hockey League) stated the rate increase would add approximately $3,000 per travel team, budgets were already set, and registration is down 40% compared to last year. He noted competing rinks in Bay City ($255), Saginaw ($255), and Mt. Pleasant ($240) charge less, risking loss of participants, especially those with limited financial resources.
  • David Foster (Midland Amateur Hockey League) echoed concerns, emphasized the impact on house league families, and suggested the council work with user groups on a more feasible timeline. He also noted management has not been open to alternative revenue ideas like roller hockey leagues or utilizing the turf room.
  • Shannon Martin (figure skating club) noted the summer closure already caused uncertainty for skaters, and the rate increase announced while many were at nationals adds strain. She requested withholding the 2027 increase or reducing the 2026 increase to keep the club accessible.

Discussion Items

Conditional Use Permit #98 – Drive-Thru Restaurant (1815, 1819, 1917 South Saginaw Road)

• Staff (Mr. Kane) presented a request from Saginaw Road Development LLC for a 4,500 sq. ft. commercial building with a drive-thru restaurant on approximately four acres. The site involves three parcels (former Pies restaurant, adjacent vacant lot, and part of Jersey Mike’s property). The drive-thru queue is designed with curbed islands and escape routes, and shared access with Popeyes and Jersey Mike’s is proposed. Lighting will comply with city standards. The Planning Commission recommended approval 7-0.
• Council discussion focused on site circulation, parking (including handicap spaces), and easements. The applicant (Nick Coffer) addressed noise concerns: dumpsters are screened and emptied weekly, no deliveries occur at 5:30 AM, and lighting will not trespass. The city attorney noted noise ordinance enforcement uses a reasonableness standard.
• Vote: Motion to accept the resolution passed 4-0.

Zoning Petition #672 – Rezone 3020 Bay City Road to NC Neighborhood Center

• Staff presented a request from Jason Orvash to rezone a 0.25-acre parcel at Bay City Road and Lempkey Street from RA4 to NC Neighborhood Center. The property includes a historic single-family home attached to a 1936 office (formerly an insurance agency, now vacant). The rezone would make the 90-year mixed-use configuration legally conforming and allow renovation for a residential tenant and a commercial tenant. All 10 criteria were met; the Planning Commission recommended approval 7-0. No public comments.
• Vote: Motion to accept the resolution passed 4-0.

Civic Arena Fee Ordinance (Second Reading)

• Mr. Stalin presented the ordinance to adjust fees to cover operating costs (excluding debt and major maintenance). Hourly ice rates will increase from $260 to $290 in 2026 (11.5%) and to $325 in 2027 (12%). Other fees (skate rental, sharpening, drop-in hockey, turf rental) also increase, generating $120,000 in 2026 and $127,000 in 2027 toward a $240,000 gap. Expenses have risen due to 14% utility increases and a 48% minimum wage hike.
• Council discussed the need for repairs (e.g., $3–4 million HVAC), general fund contributions ($350,000 yearly for debt), and the risk of losing users to other rinks. After public comments, Council agreed to adopt the ordinance but to review the 2027 increase in six months, with a report from staff on usage and potential alternative revenues.
• Vote: Motion to adopt the ordinance passed (4-0).

Police Records Management System (CLEMIS)

• Chief Ford requested procurement of a new records management system from CLEMIS to replace the outdated Caliber system. Current system issues: no analytics, poor search, no interface with dispatch, requires officer time to correct errors (3–10 per week). CLEMIS will cost $104,874 (includes data migration and first year), then $27,600/year (slightly less than current $27,834). It can share data with 150+ Michigan agencies and will be a pilot for the region.
• Council waived competitive bidding (requiring unanimous vote due to Councilman Solar’s absence). No public comments.
• Vote: Unanimous 4-0 to accept the resolution.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar: Approved 4-0.
• Conditional Use Permit #98: Approved 4-0. The applicant will address noise during operations, and lighting will comply.
• Zoning Petition #672: Approved 4-0. Property rezoned to NC Neighborhood Center.
• Civic Arena Fee Ordinance: Adopted 4-0. The 2026 fee increase takes effect September 1, 2026; the 2027 increase will be reviewed in six months.
• Police Records Management System: Approved 4-0. Contract with CLEMIS authorized up to $104,874, with future annual costs of $27,600.