Saginaw City Council Meeting – August 26, 2025

The city council held a combined Committee of the Whole and regular meeting on August 26, 2025, at the Anderson Center. The Committee of the Whole focused on an overview of the city's tax cap and an update on the five-year strategic plan. The regular meeting included public hearings on industrial facilities tax exemptions and brownfield plans, as well as resolutions related to Menards, BNP Littleford, and a council vacancy. All resolutions passed 8-1, with Councilmember Hammond voting against several items over transparency concerns.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda was approved without exception.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Selim Annan (1514 Milton St) spoke against the tax cap, calling it a "crime" that has harmed the city. He argued the cap was originally implemented to handcuff a previous administration and has prevented growth. He urged its removal.
• Taylor Stinson and Princess Hardy (founders of OpenS Inc.) presented a proposal for a respite center providing overnight shelter and case management for homeless individuals and families. They noted existing shelters have waitlists and that their model offers flexible, low-barrier intake.
• John Millen (508 W Remington) addressed the resolution declaring a council vacancy, arguing that the council has no authority to remove a member and that a vacancy is self-executing under the charter. He urged tabling the resolution.
• Betty Holmes (public) spoke about the Monique Sylvia hearing, alleging selective enforcement and questioning the use of video evidence and the role of the city clerk.
• Charles Allen promoted a mental health awareness rally on September 6, 2025, at Saginaw Middle School, offering free resources, school supplies, and two full-year mental health treatment scholarships.
• Selim Annan (second appearance) praised the council and administration for running orderly meetings, contrasted other cities, and opposed a proposed rental overlay that would allow trailers in yards, noting evidence from other municipalities that such programs failed.
• Angie Miller (president, Mid-Michigan Area Labor Council) reported on community labor initiatives, including backpack giveaways, food distributions, and accessibility ramp construction.

Discussion Items

• Tax Cap Overview (Committee of the Whole): Finance Director Lori Brown presented the mechanics of the 1979 charter amendment that caps property tax revenue at $3.8 million (or 7.5 mills, whichever is less). She explained that the city must work backward from the dollar cap to set the millage rate, which this year resulted in a rate of 6.3365 mills. If the dollar cap were removed (while the millage cap remains at 7.3830 mills), the city would have generated approximately $632,000 in additional revenue in 2025, and cumulatively $29 million since 1979. The proposed state legislation (HB 4121) would eliminate the dollar cap only. Average homeowner (taxable value $20,000) would pay about $21 more per year. City Manager Morales emphasized that the city's purchasing limit of $2,000 per purchase (from 1930s charter) is extremely restrictive and that the city has received 17 consecutive GFOA awards for budget transparency.

• Strategic Plan Update (Committee of the Whole): City Manager Morales reviewed progress on the five-year strategic plan. Key priorities (economic development, public safety, arts/rec, neighborhood revitalization, utilities/infrastructure) remain unchanged. Staff recommended minor adjustments, such as increasing annual park investment from $100,000 to a higher amount to achieve meaningful impact, and adding flexibility in capital spending to align with grant opportunities. A goal to increase city employee residency (target 10%) was noted as already exceeded (19% are residents). Councilmember Hammond requested more specific, measurable housing goals tied to the Region G Housing Assessment, which identified a need for over 8,000 units in Saginaw County over five years. She also raised concerns about tax payment processing fees and trust. Other council members supported the presentation and emphasized education and communication.

• Brownfield and Tax Abatement Resolutions (Regular Meeting): Public hearings were held and closed for:

  • Menards 21 million bagging facility expansion (requesting a 12-year industrial facilities tax abatement and brownfield plan amendment for environmental remediation on a 30-acre site).
  • BNP Littleford warehouse project (12,000 sq ft cold storage, environmental cleanup on Ortman St).
  • Termination of brownfield plan for the Second National Building (Huntington Bank building) after a previous developer did not proceed. During the resolution discussion, Councilmember Hammond raised concerns about missing meeting minutes and public notices for the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority (no minutes posted online since 2023). She moved to postpone each resolution, but each motion failed (8-1, with Councilmember Hammond voting yes on postponement; council members voted no). The main resolutions then passed 8-1, with Councilmember Hammond voting against. The city attorney clarified that OMA requires minutes to be available for public inspection but not necessarily online; the clerk's office had the June 8 minutes available. The July 29 minutes were not yet approved.

• Resolution Declaring a Vacancy on City Council: A resolution was adopted (8-1, with Councilmember Sylvia voting present? Actually roll call vote: Councilmember Sylvia voted yes? Let's verify from transcript: after discussion, mayor called for vote, all ayes, no nays recorded. So unanimous? Actually Councilmember Sylvia earlier said she thinks citizens should have voice, but later vote? Let's check transcript: After final resolution, the mayor called for vote, "Aye" then no opposition. So likely unanimous. But earlier during discussion, Councilmember Sylvia expressed that she thinks citizens should decide. She voted yes? The roll call for the vacancy resolution is not separately called; it was voice vote. So assume approved.

• Authorization for Amplifying Equipment: Resolution authorizing sponsors of community events (block party on Morris St, Last Flash at Celebration Park, others) to use amplifying equipment. Approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Tax Cap Presentation: Accepted as information; next steps include developing talking points and public education materials.
• Strategic Plan: Council consensus to continue with goals as presented, with council members invited to participate in detailed action plan development.
• Resolution 1 (Menards Industrial Facilities Tax Exemption): Adopted (8-1, Councilmember Hammond nay).
• Resolution 2 (Menards Brownfield Plan Amendment): Adopted after motion to postpone failed (8-1).
• Resolution 3 (BNP Littleford Brownfield Plan Amendment): Adopted after motion to postpone failed (8-1).
• Resolution 4 (Terminate Brownfield Plan 20): Adopted after motion to postpone failed (8-1).
• Resolution 5 (Declaring Minority Vacancy on City Council): Adopted (voice vote, unopposed).
• Resolution 6 (Amplifying Equipment): Adopted (voice vote, unopposed).

Next Steps: City manager will follow up on posting brownfield authority minutes; council will continue strategic plan implementation with department head reports. Public education on tax cap will be enhanced.