Good evening.

We'll start off tonight with prayer and pledge.

I'll lead the prayer and the pledge.

For those who'd like to participate, please bow your head.

Most gracious heavenly father, we come to you night asking you to strengthen our city, strengthen the unity, the bond.

It is between us.

Cover all of our employees as well as our citizens.

Father, for those who are sick this evening, please heal them in a mighty way.

Father, we ask that you just govern this meeting accordingly to the way it should go.

These things we ask in the mighty name of Jesus, and they all say it.

Amen.

I pledge allegiance to the face of America.

And to the Republican one nation under God in the display.

It would be just as for all.

Let's play ball.

Madam Clerk, can I get a roll call, please?

Councilmember Young.

Councilmember Seals.

Present.

Councilmember Balls.

Present.

Mayor Pro Tem Garcia.

Present.

Councilmember Ostash is absent.

Councilmember Braddock is absent.

Councilmember Wiggins.

Present.

Councilmember Hammond.

Present.

And Mayor Moore.

Present.

You have seven present and two absent.

Thank you.

We're gonna have a full house tonight, so if people don't mind, sort of scrunching it.

I see oh another crowd coming in.

It's like a wave today.

Yes, they're here.

I'd like to thank everybody for coming out to the city council meeting.

Little housekeeping.

Councilpersons, can you please put your phones on vibrate or silence, please?

Audience, I asked that you do the same thing, please.

This is this meeting is being televised, and so I'm asking that we that we restrain from blueing, clapping, and any obnoxious behavior.

Madam Clark, do we have any announcements?

Yes, Mayor, we have a couple.

The city's convenience station will be open this Saturday from 8 a.m.

to noon.

Residents may utilize the station to drop off bulky or miscellaneous items that need to be disposed of.

The spring team up to cleanup event is also this Saturday, May 9th from 9 a.m.

to noon.

The event will begin and end at the public works building where lunch will be served.

Volunteers are still needed and welcome to show up Saturday morning or sign up by contacting Rachel at 989-759-1401.

Mayor, we have a proclamation on the agenda.

It's declaring May 2026 26th as mental health month.

And that proclamation will be read by Councilwoman Hammond.

Thank you.

City of Saginaw proclamation, whereas mental health is essential to everyone's overall physical health and emotional well-being, and whereas mental health will strike one in five adults and children in a given year, regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, or economic status.

And whereas people who have mental illnesses can recover and lead full productive lives, and whereas an estimated two-thirds of adults and young people who have mental health disorders are not receiving the help that they need.

And whereas the cost of untreated and mistreated mental illnesses and addictive disorders to American businesses, government, and families has grown to 300 billion dollars annually.

And whereas community-based services that respond to individual and family needs are cost-effective and beneficial to consumers and the community.

And whereas the National Mental Health Association and its national partners observe Mental Health Month every May to raise awareness and understanding of mental health and illness.

Now, therefore be it resolved that Brenda Moore, mayor of the city of Saginaw, do hereby proclaim May 2026 as mental health month in the city of Saginaw.

We also call upon the citizens, government agencies, public and private institutions, businesses, and schools in the state of Michigan to recommit to our community to increasing awareness and understanding of mental health and the need to appropriate accessible services for all people who have mental illnesses and witness whereof.

I have hereunto set my hand and cause the seal of the city in Saginaw to be affixed the sixth day of May in the year of our Lord 2026 signed.

Brenda Moore, Mayor, Councilpersons, Priscilla Garcia, Michael Balls, Eric Braddock, Carly Hammond, Bill Ost Estrison, Seals Hattie Wiggins, and Tobias Young.

We have representative scalp.

And first, before you do that, I need you to walk through so that we can congratulate you.

Congratulations.

Congratulations.

Congratulations, my hand of freezing.

Thank you so much.

If you would like to, let's have it.

Please have words.

Please.

It's a special day.

Somebody go speak.

Hello, everyone.

Hello.

Hello.

My name is Anna.

I am a consumer with services.

I would like to read you our statement for our group that we work with for Segana County as a consumer leadership group mission statement.

Our mission is to support people who have lived with mental illness to become leaders in their communities.

We work together to build confidence, speak up for others, bring hope to people who are in their own recovery journeys.

We believe everyone can grow, help others and make a difference.

Thank you.

Madam Clerk.

Mayor that takes us to public hearings.

Speakers, you will remain courteous and respectful.

When approaching, when approaching the podium, please state your name.

The clerk will call you to the podium.

You have three minutes to present.

The main speaker has 10 minutes.

Right?

I think I'm reading it right.

Thank you, mixed them together.

No, I went up to the wrong one.

Sorry.

Let me go back and try this again.

The purpose of a public hearing is for the public to address the council as a whole.

This is not a question or answer period.

You will be called up to the podium.

Please state your name.

The first person to speak is the main speaker.

They are or the designated speaker.

They have 10 minutes to speak.

Everyone after that has three minutes.

This again, this is not a question or answer period.

So you will not get an answer.

So Madam Clerk.

Our public hearing is regarding 2026-2027 community development block grant program, emergency solutions grant program, home investment partnership program.

Do we have a speaker?

Okay, good evening.

Can everyone hear me okay?

Okay, thank you.

All right.

Thank you for having me tonight.

My name is Alexis Farrell, and I'm with uh McKenna, which is the firm that's been assisting the city with preparing the 2026 consolidated plan.

And so I'll have a presentation later on, and we'll be happy to answer as many questions and comments that we get during the public hearing uh as I can tonight, but I want to make clear that we're in the middle of our public comment period for this plan, and so what that means is that it's still in a draft mode.

It's available on the website for all to see, comments on, and what will happen is we'll take all the feedback that we get here tonight and make sure that all of that's incorporated into the plan.

And so, what is a consolidated plan to introduce what we're talking about here?

Uh, as was mentioned by our city clerk.

Um, the consolidated plan has to do with funding that the city receives.

So there are three federal programs that the city gets funding from.

So the community development block grant program, which is really a flexible program to fund all different types of community activities.

Uh, and then there is the ESG, which is the emergency solutions grant.

This is really focused on serving the needs of the homeless population and providing things like shelter support and gap services and things of that nature.

There's also the home grant, which is focused specifically on housing itself, so supporting the development of new affordable housing, supporting our existing housing stock, and things like that.

Again, I'm gonna dive deeper into all of this in my presentation later on.

So this is just a high level overview.

But the consolidated plan really is a what I've referred to it as is a long form grant report.

So in the beginning of the report, it talks about where do we stand as a city in terms of income, all different types of demographic information is required, and what this does is it lays the groundwork of here's where we're at as a city today, and here's what we're going to do with this funding from the federal government in the next five years.

And so tonight, what we're looking to hear from the public is just comments on what is in this plan.

And so back in December, we had some community outreach events.

We had an open house here, there's a lot of familiar faces that I saw there that night.

Do we want to continue to support home ownership?

More than likely, yes.

But what else?

Do we want to support code enforcement, making sure that there are good curb appeal in our neighborhoods?

So digging down into how do we want to spend this money over the next five years.

And so I'll talk a lot about uh the feedback that we heard back in December in my presentation later tonight, and one thing I wanted to mention is that because of the delays with the federal budget this year in Congress, there was uh a lot of information that we were sort of holding off on until we got additional specific allocations from the government, which just happened a few weeks ago.

And so while we've been going through this process, we've kind of been waiting for these numbers, trying to see are we gonna get the amount of funding that we have been traditionally over the last decade or so?

Are there going to be major cuts?

Uh thankfully there were just a few minor cuts to the funding.

Most of it has remained, and there's been some gap funding from prior years so that the city can maintain its existing level of service that uh programs that have been funded by these funds can continue on as they have been.

Um I'll be happy again to answer questions later on, uh, and we'll dive deeper into what we heard again back in December, as well as a little bit of information on what that uh needs assessment in terms of the demographic analysis is presenting.

So that's what we're here to get comments on tonight.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Is there anyone else who'd like to speak to this topic?

Please come to the podium.

Good evening, Mayor Pro T Mayor Moore, Mayor Pro Tim Garcia, City Council, City Manager, and staff.

I am Valerie Tony, and I serve as chairperson of the Human Planning Commission.

It is an absolute honor to represent the Human Planning Commission this evening as you consider the recommendations for funding fiscal year 2026.

You should have received in your packets the funding chart that has our recommendations and the recommendations of the city manager, along with the narrative explaining our proposed allocations.

The HBC met in February and March of this year in her presentation from existing and new community partners with innovative programming and services that will be available to citizens and youth within the city.

The recap to recap, there are three grants the city receives from the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Those are the emergency solutions grant, community development block grant, and the home grant.

The HPC reviewed all of the applications and prepared questions to ask the applicants during their interview.

Now, as you know, each applicant is allowed five minutes to make a presentation, and the HPC is given 10 minutes to ask questions of them.

Once those interviews were finished, deliberations were completed as a commission, and the allocations were prepared for your consideration.

I would like to take time to highlight a few recommendations for you.

Under the CDBG grant category of public facilities, the Saginaw Housing Commission has been given an allocation of $90,000 to support their efforts in providing Wi-Fi for high-rise residents.

This will assist homebound residents with using technology for virtual appointments, filling out documents, and other needed services.

The housing commission will also receive $210,000 to assist Maplewood Manor with the updates needed to the fire alarm monitoring system.

The public services category has a new recommendation to fund the Cannes Council's growing up safe and protective program for $20,000.

The home grant will fund Compassionate Care Network at $120,000 for a new construction or home rehabilitation project.

Building Poder will receive funding in the amount of $73,634 to support a new construction or home rehabilitation, and both of those projects will be here in the city of Saginaw.

The ESG grant serves the most vulnerable among us of the population.

So the HPC recommended continued support of the Mustard Seed Foundation at $25,000 to support the sell the shelter that serves women and children.

Also Restoration Community Outreach receives funding for the men's shelter at $40,000.

Thank you for your time.

Thank you.

Is there anyone else who'd like to speak to this subject matter?

That's how you do it.

That's how you do it.

I think it's the conversation.

I am Kana Franklin, and I am just here to say that we are in the middle of the comment period.

The uh plan is posted, and we would like everyone to take a look at it and give us any written comments by May 21st.

We also would like to acknowledge our human planning commissioners.

Um if you are here, please stand.

Commissioner Suzanne Smokaska, Henry Porterfield Jr., Dennis Morrison, Lula Woodard, Janae Beatty, Beth Carson Church, Christiana Hook, Darlene Carpenter, Heather Collins, Roberta Bidwell, Michael Faust, Devon Conian, Leanne Martouche, and Chairperson Valerie Tony.

Thank you.

Is there anyone else who'd like to speak to this topic?

Is there any greetings, council, city staff, uh, everybody in attendance?

Uh I just wanted to step up real quick.

Um, I did review the plan.

Um, I think it's and shout out to the uh the planning commission for all your work that you've you've done uh and city staff and whoever else helped with the with the plan.

Um I just would want to submit uh two things.

Um I did see the priorities, I think it was like 20 or 21 of them.

Uh what I didn't see was uh a plan to address new bills, new housing.

I see a lot that's pertaining to uh rehabilitation of current uh housing stock.

I submit that we probably should bring that down a little bit because a lot of our housing stock is with really really old.

We'd be wasting a lot of money in that way.

Um I think we need more new than rehab, just to interp.

So other than that, again, thank you for your time.

Thank you for all your good work.

Appreciate it.

Is there anyone else who'd like to speak to this subject matter?

Is there anyone else who'd like to speak to this subject matter?

I need a motion to close this public hearing.

Second, it's been moved and second.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

All those opposed, nay.

Madam Clerk.

I'm to public in part.

Now, speakers, you are to remain courteous and polite at the podium.

You will be called up by our city clerk.

We ask you to state your name.

Please, you have three minutes.

Please stick to the subject at hand.

Madam Clerk.

Our first speaker is Jessica Chandler.

Hello.

Hello.

My name is Jessica Chandler.

Um Jessica, can you talk up just a little?

Sorry.

Is that better?

Yeah.

Okay.

Um, I'm usually super loud and I didn't want to like have you back or okay.

Okay.

Um hello there.

I want to thank you in advance for the time to speak tonight.

My name is Jessica Chandler.

I moved to Saginaw in November of 25, um, right before all the snow hit.

And um, I'm new to Saginaw.

I'm also new to Michigan as a whole.

Um I found a really cute little house.

Uh little driveway, and I was not aware there was the no parking from 3 to 6 a.m.

on city streets.

Um there are about eight no parking signs down the opposite side of my street.

And the way I came into the city with my moving truck, I did not see the ordinance, the no parking.

Um so I was a little bit confused after all the snow left when I started getting parking tickets.

And in 35 days, I got four tickets.

Um I appealed the first two because again, I didn't see the sign that's posted coming in, and then I got a ticket for blocking the driveway, and then I got a ticket for parking in my yard.

I was trying to stay off the street.

We also had construction, so that wouldn't have even been an option during the day.

Um, I am working on lessening the vehicles that I own, but if I was to have somebody come and visit, like family from out of state or whatever, they would not be in compliance either.

I know I can get the three-day pass for like weekend visitors and stuff, and that's that is helpful for those people, but not for long-term visitors, like a week or whatever.

Um I want to say that you have amazing employees in the city.

They've been very helpful, and zoning has helped me find a solution for my current issue, but I just wanted to shoot.

Um, so real quick, trash is not picked up at 3 to 6 a.m.

Uh, the street sweeper does not come through at 6 3 to 6 a.m.

The uh plows did not come through at 3 to 6 a.m.

I feel like neighborhood streets should be for the people who live there to park their vehicles.

And what I could find was the ordinance came from the late 50s, it's been 80 years.

There's multiple multifamily homes on my street, and there's everybody's having a problem figuring out parking.

So I was just wondering if maybe we could reconsider the neighborhood streets, not the 3 to 6 a.m.

No parking.

Okay.

Thank you for your time.

Thank you.

Our last speaker is Melanie Velasco.

Hello, Melanie Velasco here.

I have many, many concerns for Sagano, Michigan.

Um, yeah, um, this is what I have to say about the homeless.

A 70-year-old woman was out in the cold from February.

Well, I don't know where she's at now.

But Mr.

Roy Stewart, a wonderful man.

He let her say a night or two, and then a friend took her to someplace else.

Seven-year-old women and mention or however should not be out into the cold people.

It's a disgrace to Saganal, Michigan to have homeless people out in the cold.

February.

She's between right aid in a building on Genesee between two houses, 70 years old.

How would that look?

A 70-year-old woman dead, frozen, like the 15-year-old in the abandoned houses.

We've got to stop this.

This is Saginaw, Michigan.

We want to step up.

Don't we want to step up?

So we need to board these houses up.

We not need not to let the homeless be out running the streets in between buildings and 70 years old.

I was homeless for two and a half years in my vehicle in my van.

I loved it.

But that might not be for everyone.

I'm older, I'm more mature.

I like the V the van life.

I like the RV life.

I like the outdoors.

I like to live and in the surrounding of Sagana.

It's getting better.

It's getting more pretty.

Look at the beautiful people.

Beautiful, beautiful.

Okay.

Anyway, back to the oh, every like eight to ten minutes, a woman or a man is being abused.

That's domestic violence.

Women, men, if you are being beaten, abused, your talk wrongly to disrespect it.

Guess what?

Put your tenure shoes on and get running.

Hit the door and be gone.

Do not be a victim.

Put yourself in those shoes to die.

All right.

Ah, little homes, we need little homes.

We need polices for these people to live.

Come on.

It only costs like $3,000 to get a half widget.

And with people that are on, which is a large journey.

I called the idea of the well social security.

And you know how many people there are on disability?

Wait.

If they took the money and they immediately had it put to the side for the little homes, their little homes could be paid up within like three years.

And they would have a decent housing to live in at $3,000.

It could be reconstructed.

I said, can you build little homes?

Can you do this?

And did you do that?

Yes, we can.

So can do it.

And then the other contracting company that's in Sagano down over there by St.

Mary's, they can do it.

All right.

Another concern that I have is the ticket man came around and told me I gotta move my van from off of Mr.

Roy's property, which you guys gave him.

Thank you.

He pays the taxes on it and he keeps it cut and it looks out nice.

Yes, my truck van is there.

Yes.

But it is a driveway.

Can we step up stagnal Michigan?

We can.

Love you.

Thank you.

She's a love you all.

Thank you.

Have good night.

Thank you.

I know I'm unforgettable.

Madam Clark.

Mayor on to remarks of council.

We were scheduled to start with Councilman Brad.

So do we go to Councilwoman Wigans?

Councilwoman Wiggins.

I'm sorry.

Give them a few minutes.

Thank you guys for coming.

Bye here.

Bye-bye.

Thank you, Madam Mayor.

I appreciate everyone who came tonight and congratulations for the recipients of the proclamation.

Thank you for all of our speakers and our public speakers.

As uh as was already mentioned, you know, we have our um meetup to clean up uh this weekend on Saturday.

Um great, great time for the city to come together and clean up the areas.

I had the opportunity to talk to um Scott Thomas from Scenic and spend some time just uh just going over parts of the city.

Um appreciate and love the the one-day event, but we spend a lot of time talking about you know, having trying to develop a way that either churches or other organizations can make it a commitment to do it more often, once a month or every couple couple of weeks working with churches or you know, schools need community service hours sometimes, you know, just developing a plan so that it's on more of a consistent basis.

Um I think it's something that be can be done, and we can't clean up the city of Saginaw.

You know, it's not just up to the city staff itself.

Um we just need to care more about the areas around our neighborhood.

If you see trash, don't look at it and say it's not our problem.

It's not my problem.

Somebody else should do that.

It can be taken care of, and I I think a plan can be uh devised so that that's uh so that that happens.

But I am excited to be a part of Saturday's event.

I have a big group coming with me, and it'll be a good time.

So I encourage everyone, you still have time to sign up.

Um that's it for me.

Thank you.

Next we have Councilwoman Hammond.

Thank you.

Um I wanted to take a little bit of a second to explain some of the big items on our agenda that we're reviewing today.

So, number one is obviously the budget.

It's a lot of hundreds of pages.

I did take the time to read it, uh, and we'll be getting a presentation from Miss Bland on that.

We also have our five-year consolidated action plan.

That's under the manager's report.

Now, I don't want to conflate what's what's also been spoken about today, which is this year's recommendations for our 2627 home ESG dollar allocations.

So the five-year consolidated action plan, it's this it's talking about the future of those funds, excuse me, in a more strategic directed way.

So we're uh going over that draft, and that's what they told uh said they're uh accepting written comments up until May 21st to that department.

That is a five-year plan.

It's very important.

So we get about three three and a half million dollars from HUD every year in those categories.

Uh so that's talking about about 15 to 20 million dollars anticipated of directed spending that we're talking about.

Um so there are two very large documents between the budget and the consolidated action plan.

So I just wanted to mention those are the long-term planning things on our agenda, and then also our resolutions at the end of the meeting are to for the directed spending that the recommendations came from the human planning commission that was spoken about and the public hearing.

Um, and that includes uh our home ESG and uh CDBG dollars overall for this year's spending.

Uh I also wanted to thank Ms.

Chandler uh for coming speaking about our parking ordinance.

This is something that I looked into and I really appreciate uh giving the point of personal privileges.

No, the severe weather alerts are going.

Is it's the first Wednesday.

As a test, all right.

Excuse me.

Thank you.

Okay, it's just a test.

Thanks.

Sorry.

Just for everyone.

All right.

Another another helpful analysis.

Thank you.

Um I appreciate it.

It's getting a little nervous.

Uh so thank you for speaking on the parking ordinance.

It is from 1957.

Um, I personally believe that it is unnecessary and superfluous.

Um, we have uh certain council members who have looked into it, and we've also had staff that have looked into it.

And one of the theories is that more the most uh that the majority of people in the city like it the way that it is.

Uh I do not necessarily believe that to be true.

I think maybe a survey is in order uh because I do think that it is more hindering than than helpful.

There are consequences obviously to lifting it, um, but of course, that wouldn't be lifting parking restrictions, all parking restrictions in all areas.

It's just where parking would otherwise be allowed.

We're removing that restriction that only exists from 3 a.m.

to 6 a.m.

And I will also be asking a question uh later about our budget are on the the income and expenditures around parking tickets that the city uh that the city has.

That's interesting.

So uh I think those are all the comments from my notes.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next we have Councilman Young.

Thank you, Madam Mayor.

Um I'll begin with uh with uh our public speaker uh Miss Velasco, she had mentioned about uh home being boarded up.

And I received an email about uh four days ago about a property uh not too far from the rescue mission on BERT that a lot of people congregate at and they're using and uh that needs to be boarded up.

So that address was uh emailed to me, and I rolled by the other day in not that property, but directly across the street.

I seen maybe half a dozen people on the porch in and out of the house.

And and uh I guess that's what we should do as as as citizens.

If you see you know, homes that maybe weren't once were boarded up, they take the boards down and start using it.

We have to address it because that's how you get the fire started and uh other crimes are committed too.

So I want to thank you that uh uh resident, and I'll be forwarding that information so we can maybe get it back boarded up before you know something unsafe happens there.

So um and also um leading into the you know from that is the uh vacant property list.

So um staff was uh helpful in uh getting me the vacant property list.

So you know, many many know that I know a lot of the landlords and you know local developers here.

So what I've been doing is passing out that uh vacant property list to the uh people that I know that can get them back on a tax roll and and maybe rehab the homes.

So I've just been organically doing that in the community, and uh it's really you know taken off.

And I've also met with the housing commission because that uh home ownership program that they have.

I wanted to get all of the nuts and votes and the information correct, you know, as I'm passing that out in the community too.

So I will I did uh have a meeting with the housing commission and they gave me more information, and also when they have their residents go through the program and they become homeowners, there's a gap that they're uh asking me to fill because they wanted me to join a board that they have.

So when you have um people who were on section eight, they're now homeowners, they have that gap where home ownership they don't know certain things that they need to do to maintain the home, and when you open the phone book or start calling companies to learn things about a home, it becomes expensive.

So they need someone that maybe can advise new homeowners on how to properly take care of the home and maybe some things that they can do themselves around the home.

So, you know, we need to increase homeownership, but we also need to do it the correct way.

So I've been assisting a housing commission.

I will currently, you know, keep doing that too.

So that's what I've been doing.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next, we have Councilwoman Seal.

Thank you, Madam Mayor.

Um I attended the B Well Public Health Summit this past week, uh, this past Friday.

Um at the Temple Theater.

Uh it was a really great event.

Uh the morning was full of uh keyno speakers.

The chief medical uh executive for the state of Michigan.

Uh she actually came to Saginaw.

She spoke here at the temple.

Um had a dialogue with Dr.

Pruitt, uh, Saginaw County's medical director.

And uh she's now Dr.

Pruitt is now the new uh CEO of uh CMU.

And um they had a dialogue on stage and it was it was really really good information that they were talking about um up-to-date information, health information on um a multifaceted approach to Saginaw top health initiatives.

And so Dr.

Shaheen came behind them and he actually talked about what he's been doing in Saginaw for the last 25-30 years with his father and what he's continued on from his father's legacy.

So um it was really good to see um the things, great things that are happening not only in our city but in our in our county and in our state, and seeing Saginaw being the hub of uh the medical diamond and what's happening and what's about to happen here in Saginaw.

And to be a part of that is really special.

Um the day went on where we had lunch and then afternoons had breakout sessions at the Temple Theater last Friday.

It was a great event.

Um I would say about 150 people were there.

And um usually they have this event out at Horizons, but they wanted it in Saginaw, so they um actually brought it downtown.

So it was a really good event.

Um, so there are great things happening around us.

Um great conversations were happening, and I think we're on the up and up, and we just need to continue giving back to our community in the ways we've been doing.

So thank you, Madam Mayor.

That's it.

Thank you.

Next, we have Councilman Ball.

Thank you, Madam Mayor.

I don't have too many comments to say today, uh, but I would like to thank the uh staff, uh City Manager and Mr.

Carwatt and everybody else for the marvelous job they're doing at uh the Jibway Island.

You know, it's really pretty from what I can see, you know, without actually driving on it.

And um I wanted to mention too that uh it'd be the uh 40th anniversary of me and my wife being married, where I met her at the Jibway Island.

So uh she came here today, and I wanted to tell her thank you for showing up.

And uh hopefully she won't drop me off on the way back home and oh gosh.

I got a lot of witnesses in here anyway, so hopefully that don't happen.

But uh, you know, it's really beautiful out there, and I and I I think it's gonna be real uh great for our community to be able to go and visit the park this year.

Um the other thing I want to mention too is uh the health organization is uh doing great work.

We have uh counselor on staff now.

If the parents need to come and talk to a counselor, or if we have students that we mentor, they're having some issues, there's a possibility that both of them can get some uh help by uh talking to a counselor.

And that's a beautiful thing to happen here in the city of Saginaw because we know our youth are um they're not equipped for um for good engagement.

I mean, some people think that maybe because they have an argument the next thing you know, they're supposed to bring a gun out or something like that.

So we know we have a lot of fatherless homes here in the city of Saginaw due to alcohol and drugs, which is a mental illness, and we're gonna have to start uh some finding some kind of way to help our community out to get these alcohol and drugs out of the people because once we get them in, it's just hard for uh people once you get addicted.

You know, it's it's it's the whole family suffers, and not only the family, but the city too.

So hopefully we can uh help all these youths so they won't get involved in alcoholic drugs and the issues that come behind that, like crime and and and all that kind of homelessness and stuff in that nature.

Uh I I've actually talked to some of the homeless people that I seen um in the city, and some of them I've gave money to, and some of them I have not, but a lot of them tell me that they when they want money, they wanted to, you know, use it to go get some alcohol and stuff like that.

So I believe that uh homeless have a lot to do with alcohol and drug addiction.

And we say it was a mental illness that we need to find out some kind of way to combat these problems so it don't get to be worse and worse and worse.

Um I think a lot of good things that happen in the city of Saginaw.

Uh something I haven't seen in I don't know, probably 30, 40 years, going over the river and seeing an elevator shaft being built on Hamilton Street is almost like a miracle in itself.

I mean we we have a brand new building going up, so that that's uh great news with City of Saginaw.

You know, we continue to see things like that happen here.

So thank you.

Thank you.

Next we have Councilman Nastage.

Thanks, Mayor.

Welcome everybody to uh the Anderson Center tonight, watching from home.

Uh just a few things.

Um the parking in tonight.

Um, actually, councilwoman myself had met with our city staff.

Um take a look at that.

Maybe I can talk to her afterwards, maybe come up with something where we could have certain streets.

Some of the problems that happen, some of our streets are very narrow from the old login days and different parts, so there would be absolutely no way that we could do it because we have to think about our emergency vehicles.

We have fire trucks trying to get those down.

So even if we could do something, probably would be parking one side, but we'll see if we can talk about that again.

So thank you for bringing that up.

And I I feel your frustration because I had company get a ticket one time in front of my house.

Uh Councilwoman Wiggins brought up picking up trash in our neighborhoods, and um most of you know that I've adopted a park, but we do clean up a lot of the area around the house.

Um the park has no trash cans for the post.

But also, too, when when you're out doing this in your neighborhood, you meet your neighbors.

It's a good way to see people, and I've actually got people now wanting to help me, so it's a good thing.

Uh, a couple of things council um and balls brought up the Ojibwe park.

I too wrote the manager today and Phil, and I said it it really looks great.

The boulders are actually adding to it.

Landscaping.

I'm way beyond what I expected.

So great work for our staff.

I'm excited to see that come uh complete because we are looking to have some sort of reopening of the island again.

And then this past week, we had uh some of my council member colleagues.

We had an invitation with other folks from the city planning commission and others that we toured the gym remotors plant, and there is a new expansion that's coming in there.

I'm super excited about it after we had a chance to see it.

So they're investing over 150 million dollars into the next generation V8 engines, and with those investment here in Saginaw, um, the 300 jobs that were there could have been just a few people left to keeping the lights on in the plant.

So keeping those jobs and also the economic development.

There is some expansion coming, so we could see some more jobs in there as well.

And they do hire through the Michigan Works Department.

So if anybody's interested, that's where you need to apply.

And last um an event that's coming up that I always enjoy every year is the uh Michigan Banners Heart of the City Awards.

Those will be June 4th this year.

They'll be at 5 p.m.

here at the Rising Center on State Street, so you can visit their website or their Facebook page for more information on that.

Thanks.

That's all I have.

Thank you.

Next we have Mayor Pro Temp Garcia.

Good evening, concerned citizens of the community.

Uh thank you for our speakers coming and speaking out about the housing and parking ordinance.

Um it's always important to hear from our citizens what's going on in our community.

Um, I also want to say thanks to um the proclamation for mental health month.

I actually sit on the board with some of the um people that were here for Bayside.

Um, I'm on their advisory board.

I've been on it probably for the last two years.

But I um go there all the time and um just go and see the staff and how everybody's doing, and they help with employment, housing, and things like that, transportation, they do activities outside of being there at the facility.

So it's a really nice um to get to see them come and see me this time because I always stop in there and at Thanksgiving, they have a really great dinner that they um do dinners and stuff.

So I want to thank them for coming out.

Um and just say that this past weekend it was pretty decent weather.

We had a really nice sink of the mile parade.

Um my cousin was a coordinator, Dolores Cameron.

She did an excellent job.

We were down here off of Urza, and I got stuck by the water.

Of course, I was freezing.

Um my grandson got to participate in my whole family, so it was a really nice event for the city.

We had a lot of people show out.

Um, so it's really nice.

And um, last night as well, I went to the K Onda at the SBRC marketplace, and it was a great turnout, even though it's chilly because it was by the water.

Uh it was a really great event, had a lot of different vendors and food and stuff.

So it was nice celebrating the sink of the mile here back at home where I belong in the city.

Um, so just not too much going on.

Um they got some great events, like we're doing clean up the city, so I'll be there.

They have a Latino resource fair um the Saturday starting at noon that I'll be attending as well.

So there's a lot of great events.

Just make sure that you're keeping your eyes out on um Facebook.

They have a lot of different food giveaways.

I know the Radiant Church every Friday usually has one at noon.

That's a drive-thru service.

So there's a lot of great resources and organizations that are really trying to help people last week I was able to stop by the Saginaw C AC and they were giving out oranges, milk, eggs and they actually bought their uh trailer that was uh part of their ARPA out in the community and they were able to reach people out of the community not there at their main office.

So it was really nice stopping and seeing um Hurley Coleman the third um working and doing as a director not all time directors are willing to go out of their community but he uh goes above and beyond and I thank him for doing that because um it takes a great leader to step out of their comfort zone and do things like that.

So I was with CAC for five years so I really appreciate that and he was going out to Chesting and see Charles and there is a need out there.

So I appreciate his efforts for that as well because um the need is definitely there for everybody especially with the gas prices.

So that's all I have to say thank you.

Well it's my turn uh once again thank you our public speakers some things we can fix some things we can I wish I was bewitched and I could twiggle my nose and I could just fix all of the problems.

The last two weeks have been exciting.

I actually I met with Ontario the prime minister Dr.

Douglas Ford is SVSU on Saturday for graduation.

As you know they are part of our sister city they are excited they are truly excited about the way SAGNA is starting to blossom we exchanged information and again we are we just two years ago adopted Barry Ontario and some of us went to visit and so they're challenging us to come and visit Ontario so that we can see how they can show us a good time as well I also went to a hundred and a hundred year celebration of the elks the Epsilon 647 which we all know as the Elks the Elks has been around a hundred years and they really contribute a lot in the community.

Not just fish dinners on Friday I mean I'm sorry on Monday while I'm sitting in here they're eating fish.

They actually do a lot as relates for the kids this Saturday is clean up the Rotary Club we cut a spot for TV five and I just encourage people to come out again I need to correct the statement that's always being said it's the mayor's no it's not it's the citizens cleanup we don't do it once a year we do it twice a year thanks to the when did we change we changed it when we had the Memorial Cup.

We went from once a year to twice a year please keep in mind I encourage you to clean up not just those two times clean up clean up like I tell everybody clean up we got company coming and we don't want our house dirty when we got company coming into our city it has been an enjoyable last two weeks I helped celebrate a hundred and five year old a hundred year old a hundred and three year old birthday so when you wonder what I do that's what I do I show up and show out and these individuals not only got a certificate from the council they also got a pen to Saginaw which they probably will carry to their grave because one lady told me I was putting it all wrong you're doing it wrong I'll do it and I'm like no problem you can do it.

I'd also like to thank the young men for my new cap.

Thank you.

Madam Clark onto reports from the manager Mr.

Manager.

Thank you madam mayor so we do have two presentations this evening but just a few items before that council members mentioned we did uh have a tour at General Motors plant here I I do want to thank them for inviting us and we had a we had a pretty big crowd there so we did accommodate uh council members staff and the planning commission and um that uh the mayor and I did meet with uh their governmental rep and their a few of their engineers earlier this year they had a um project they want to talk about and they may have needs for um for zoning variances and things like that so I I did encourage them bring uh bring council members and planning staff to your site so you all can see what's going on there what the projects are so I think that's really helpful um and I think there are could be potential other opportunities to have staff meet with them and talk about some of the things they want to do there on site so we'll continue interacting with them and continue those discussions.

Um, and I think there are could be potential other opportunities to have staff meet with them and talk about some of the things they want to do there on site.

So we'll continue interacting with them and continue those discussions.

There are 300 employees in there.

Now I think uh councilman Ostash said that that was part of the presentation.

They were already down, I think maybe around 220 um a few years ago.

So that's actually an increase.

So that's um that's exciting as well that they're they're uh utilizing that facility.

Um the the Saginaw Police Department Award Ceremony is going to be Wednesday, May 13th at 11 a.m.

Uh, so that's next week at the police department headquarters, 612 Federal Avenue.

The annual ceremony recognizes officers, civilian staff, and community partners for outstanding service, professionalism, life-saving actions, and dedication to the residents of Saginaw.

So I want to thank Chief Ruth and the entire police department for their work that they do every day to serve and protect our community.

Of course, members of uh council are invited, and so uh the entire community is as well.

Sorry, did you say 11?

It's the 13th, May 13th at 11 a.m.

Okay, yes.

Okay.

Um also uh we invite you to join the city's Department of Planning and Economic Development for an informative event to review findings and gather feedback on the city's housing and economic development strategy.

This open house style workshop will provide the opportunity for residents and stakeholders to learn more about housing preferences, market demand, economic trends, and strategies to promote new investment.

Please join staff Tuesday, May 19th from 5 to 7 p.m.

at the Hoyt Library.

And attendees are encouraged and welcome uh to attend and come and leave at any time during that event as well.

It's an open house.

So a few of the other items.

Uh the mayor mentioned Premier Doug Ford was here at SVSU on this weekend, last weekend.

Um a few years ago, uh Governor Whitmer and Doug Ford signed uh uh commerce and trade type agreement.

I don't know that it's a binding agreement, but that's part of our initiative that we had with with uh Barrie, Ontario was uh commerce and and trade.

So I do think that they are um uh premier forward mentioned an additional economic development tour in Ontario.

So if council members are interested, we'll keep you updated on that when that may occur.

I think it's probably with the premier would focus more on um on the Toronto area, but that is within an hour of our sister city, Barrie, Ontario, too.

And it's I think um we did have a group go there recently too, but always good to to meet with them and have having an exchange.

Um councilwoman Hammond.

Um, I know she mentioned a few times uh sign-up form on uh the city's website for cleanups for neighborhood cleanups.

We do have a form available online.

We're gonna work um at making that much easier to find and potentially um adding some of the things that she suggested with um if you want to uh try to get assistance with our cleanup cruiser, some of the equipment that you might need for the neighborhood.

Um we'll add that to the form so that can be requested as well.

And um just um one other item I know from a few comments um we talk about uh saving for new housing or um upkeep on housing classes like that.

I encourage everyone to look at Habitat for Humanity.

They have a number of classes that they offer from uh ranging from new buyer classes in the home buy and process classes and and homeowner classes.

They have a home maintenance class for new homeowners.

That's one of them they offer that's a very good class.

Um they offers it better to rent or buy courses like that, financial readiness courses, um's and don'ts for mortgages and loans.

So it's a great source for that information.

It's on the um Habitat for Humanity website, and um our staff does work for with them on some of those classes too.

So they're available out there.

So with that, I'd like to move into our presentations.

Um the first one we have is with uh Alexis Farrell, senior planner with uh McKenna Associates.

She's gonna provide an update on the city's five-year consolidated plan and the annual plan for the community development block programs.

Hey, good evening.

I do have a slide deck prepared tonight.

Okay.

All right.

So good evening again, and thank you for having me tonight.

I've been working with Kana and her team over the last six or so months on preparing the updated consolidated plan.

I also wanted to thank Councilwoman Carly for making that distinction between what the Human Planning Commission voted on earlier in terms of recommendations and then what this is, and so I'll talk about what the consolidated plan is and really want to focus on what we heard during community engagement and then what takeaways we have inserted into the plan to guide the city over the next five years of this future spending.

And so before I dive in, I wanted to just quickly acknowledge all of the efforts of city staff, volunteers, commission members, as well as council members that were able to come to our event in December, who are here tonight offering your feedback.

The plan is a required part of receiving this entitlement funding.

But we didn't want this to be something where we're just trying to check the box, right?

And so while we're at it, we might as well make it fruitful and make sure that we're getting some good discussion going and building upon all of the efforts that the city is already doing with regard to community and economic development.

And so I spoke a little bit about this earlier, but again, just to reiterate reiterate what is the consolidated plan, and really what it is is these various funding programs from the federal government for entitlement communities.

Umchanisms, and so at a certain point it came to be too onerous both for the federal level and the local level to be putting together five different reports.

And so the consolidated plan came to be where there's a lot of crossover in what these funding, what these funds cover, and so the consolidated plan really is a process to again take a look, uh take stake in where are we at in terms of our housing and economic development.

What are our incomes, uh, what are the trends over the last five years since the prior plan was done?

These are required to be updated every five years.

Um how are we going to focus that funding in the future so that we can continue to make progress in regard to again supporting folks that are experiencing homelessness, supporting folks that may be uh struggling in between jobs.

Uh it really gets at the social service network that we have here in the city, and um again, one of the requirements is the outreach, and so I'll talk about that in just a moment.

Um just briefly talking, speaking to what each program is.

Again, CDBG is the most flexible of the programs.

It can really cover a variety of different uh activities, anything from a lot of the activities that were mentioned here tonight, something like a cleanup event where we're bringing community together, uh, mental health services, something where we're uh again supporting folks that are struggling and revitalizing neighborhoods.

This is something I've heard a lot already tonight, how we want to bring community together and continue to invest in our in our neighborhoods.

And then moving on to the home.

This is the uh home investment partnerships program, and this is aimed specifically at housing stocks.

So types of activities include developing actual housing itself.

So during our public hearing, we had a comment about wanting to see more focus on new housing in addition to rehabilitation.

This is something that we have talked about during this process.

Um, and so I'll talk a little bit about that as we get further into the presentation.

Um, and then also this can support both home ownership programs as well as rental assistance programs.

And it's really important that both ends of the spectrum are invested in and supported so that folks, whatever type of housing model that they are seeking can be supported.

And then moving on to the ESG, the emergency solutions grant, formerly the emergency shelter grant.

This is specifically honing in on support for folks experiencing homelessness.

We know this is a pervasive problem in the city of Sagnaw.

We had another public comment here tonight about that.

And what I will say is there is already so much happening in the city to support these groups and these folks.

What I'll be presenting in terms of our findings.

So again, in December, we had basically a marathon day of engagement here in this room.

In the morning, we started with a focus group and then moved on to another one in the afternoon, and then in the evening we had an open house.

I think that there's so much animosity in our country right now, right?

So to see the community come out and say, hey, we know we've got some challenges still, but we're here, we're excited, we want to contribute, we want to know what the city is up to was really encouraging.

Okay, so to dive into some of the findings.

So in the morning we had a focus group, and the attendees were sort of a broad swath of community organizations.

Many of these organizations are sub-recipients of this funding.

So what that means is with our Human Planning Commission grants, the grants that the city receives, applications are released so that these organizations can essentially do this work on behalf of the city.

There's also money that is allocated to the city itself, but these sub-recipients are really a key part of what makes this whole program work so well.

And so in the morning, we had these groups as well as a few council members come out and talked about generally all these topics.

So a few things that we heard is that the housing crisis between today and five years ago when we did the consolidated plan has only gotten worse.

And this is something that we are seeing all over the state, all over the country, and continuing to try to come up with innovative ways to tackle that.

And so a few things that we talked about were missing middle housing.

So there's a lot of single-family housing in the city, there's a lot of multifamily, but there isn't as much in between.

So we had a builder in the room, a home builder, and he had a lot to say about wanting to contribute to this work and how he could plug his team in, and so talked a lot about collaboration and how to best leverage these funds.

Earlier, I mentioned that the funding at the federal level has been very unpredictable, and so the allocation for the coming year has remained at about the same level, but that may not be the case in the coming years.

It's a change that we're seeing between the federal administrations.

And so collaborating and seeing how we can leverage these funds together is going to be really important moving forward.

Moving on to our afternoon focused group, this honed in specifically on our sub-recipients for the ESG grant, and so homelessness prevention and service providers, shelters, and we had a very similar conversation at this focus group about collaboration.

They all know each other, they seem to communicate regularly.

We need to continue to get together.

Again, thinking back five years when we did this plan last time, the change and trends during that time is that the needs have only continued to increase.

And so talking about cost of living increases, continuing housing price increases, and talking about how can we continue to provide the service we have been with fewer and fewer resources per person.

And then moving on to speak to our open house, we had a variety of stations and activities set up around the room.

The first one is my personal favorite where we ask folks the story of their home.

And really, this exercise is meant to just get folks thinking about their neighborhood, thinking about why do I live in Sagna?

Is this my hometown?

Did am I a transplant maybe?

And we heard a lot of different things.

So one of the major themes is that there are a lot of generational homeowners, folks that inherited their home from their grandmother or their father.

And the sense of pride that they had in that.

We had these boards set up around the room where folks could add sticky notes and comments.

Are these still fruitful?

Are these still resonating with you?

Do we need to change anything?

And the resounding theme on this was that keep doing what we're doing.

There's a lot of support for what's already happening, and we want to see more of that in the future.

And then to point out a couple of key topic areas.

One thing that someone here tonight mentioned was about our youth.

That was a big topic as well during our morning focus group in terms of helping youth get connected with career preparation, possibly apprenticeship programs in the trades that could then support building new housing stock, and how can we create this holistic system of housing development within the city and by the city.

Once we got going, realized that there was already the existing neighborhood housing and economic development survey out there, and so rather than have two surveys and confuse folks and ask them to answer everything again.

And so the next couple of slides just talk about what we heard in that, and again, it's a lot of the same themes.

Again, vacancy, high cost of living, and then desired improvements, wanting to see infill on vacant lots, taking a look at the rental ordinance enforcement and further supporting and improving rental housing in the city.

And then speaking a little bit to weatherization.

So obviously Michigan has really unpredictable winters.

We have we had a very heavy snowy winter this last year, and that can be really tough on our homes, especially our with the older housing stock.

And then let's see.

So with this one, the header is covering the title here, but it says support for housing types across the city.

I know it's the text is a little tiny to read, and I'm happy to get everyone a copy of the slide deck after this as well.

But what I want to point out about this is that the tallest bar that you can see, this dark magenta color, is support for housing in existing neighborhoods.

So what that says to me is that folks are welcoming of new housing in their neighborhoods.

They are welcoming of all housing types.

So each bar chart coupling here are housing types.

So the first being single family, then duplexes, townhomes, accessory dwelling units, and then apartments over commercial units and multifamily or three to eight apartment size.

And so that was really great to see that there's acceptance of new housing in the city.

And then speaking to our last activity of the evening, which was our kitchen table map.

This was a massive six-foot-tall map that we had, and we really wanted to make sure that there was an opportunity for folks to show us if there were specific areas in the city that they wanted to see improvements.

And so we asked them specifically about roadway improvements.

We know that was something that the city is looking for input on, as well as point out to us what your assets in the city are.

What do you want to see more of?

What do you want to see repeated in other areas of the city?

Feedback included things like more parks and green space, and in terms of housing, again, lots of support for new housing development and diverse housing types.

We have this available to share with you so that again over the next five years, as place-based funding comes up and conversations come up, this can be referenced to help guide decision making.

Okay, now to speak a little bit to the data and analysis that is included in this plan.

It's a 200-page plan, it's a little dense, it is very heavily influenced by the questions that the federal government has in these.

Again, the HUDR is cutting it off a bit here, but I wanted to just speak a little bit to income.

And the reason this is so important is that a lot of the funding eligibility relies on income data.

So in terms of CDBG specifically, there has to be at least 51% of the households in that census track have to be considered low to moderate income for it to be eligible for funding investment.

And so what you see here is the breakdown of different types of households.

So each color is a different size of a family.

We've got small family households, two to four members, we have large family households at four or more members, we have elderly broken out here, and then there's another within the data, it doesn't really further tell us what's in there, but it's kind of a catch-all for folks who may be living with roommates or in a different kind of situation.

And so what's important about this is this is based on a percentage of the median household income, which for Saginaw County is $80,000.

We know that across the county, there are other communities that are pulling that number up, and that's not uh maybe the trend within the city.

Unfortunately, the way that the legislature is written, the legislation, uh, it's done on a broader basis than just the city.

And so what that means is for 30% of the area median income, which is comes out to be about $24,000 a year, uh, we have a higher proportion of folks that are in large family households.

I don't think that's surprising because if you're maybe a family with many young children, um it's gonna be maybe more difficult to have a dual income household.

Um again, all of this information is really drilled down into within the plan and then used as a basis for how we're going to address some of the trends that we're seeing in that data.

And then in terms of housing affordability, um in the darker uh more purple color on the left side, we're looking at just total households at that income level.

So on the bottom, we've got between 0 to 30% of the area median income, 30 to 50 percent, uh, 50 to 80, 80 to 100, and then 100 or more.

And then in the pink bar chart on the right side, that is the number of units that are affordable to households at that income.

And when we say affordable, the general rule of thumb is spending no more than 30% of your household income on housing.

So when we look at the uh groups that are making 24,000 a year or less, what the data is telling us is that there are no housing units that are affordable at that at that price.

Um there's a there's a major mismatch, and again, this is a trend that we're seeing across the state, across the country.

This is what we're getting at when we say there's a housing crisis, um, and this is why these social service programs and funding are so critical because they can start to move the needle as much as possible in terms of helping address this mismatch.

And then to break it out between renters and homeowners.

This is showing again different breakdown of household types, and how many of those from renter households are cost burdened.

So if they are paying more than 30% of their income towards housing, and what we're seeing is that folks that are elderly are often uh struggling in this in this realm.

They of course have fixed incomes most often, um, and then again, large related large families, folks with um maybe multiple kids, you know, more than two children are also more likely to be cost-burdened.

And then showing this again, but for homeowner households, um again, I will say these are trends that we're seeing in many places, and not necessarily something that is uh problem that SAGNA by itself can wholly address, but again, it's about filling the gaps and doing as much as we can to move the needle.

So moving back into our outreach, following our day in December, there were a few groups and individuals that we really wanted to make sure we had a chance to talk to who maybe weren't able to come to the event, and so I just wanted to acknowledge that and thank them for their time and their insight.

Interviews are an interesting form of outreach because they can get very personalized and individualized, and my colleagues and I had a really again just positive experience with everyone when you're looking at charts that are telling you that there's cost burden and there's no affordable housing units, it can get to be very bleak and feel a bit overwhelming, right?

But everyone that we spoke to was very solution-oriented, and I think that's just so important.

Okay, so getting into the plan itself, what I have up here are the plan goals.

Now, what I will say is the goals themselves have not changed from our last five-year plan.

Part of the reason for that is because they are still relevant, they are still goals that the city wants to continue to focus on.

Um the main change that we did here is move the number two spot, which is increase quality and affordable and affordability of rental housing up to that number two spot.

So previously this was lower on the on the totem poll, and while these are all very important, we wanted to just demonstrate that while there has been a strong emphasis on home ownership support, uh, there's also been an identified need to really focus in on rental assistance and assistance for renters.

And so I think again, this was mentioned earlier tonight, but each year the trend has been that the city is receiving a little about three million dollars in this entitlement funding each year.

Um these numbers were just released actually a few weeks ago by by HUD, and so we for the majority of this planning process were basing all of our information off of the prior year funding and kind of just crossing our fingers, hoping that Congress did not cut as much as some of the members wanted to, right?

And so thankfully, the majority of this funding has been maintained.

Uh, this is something that the city will have to really keep a close eye on over the next five years, and um again, there were also uh almost $500,000 in reprogrammable funds, and what that means is these are funds that were maybe not fully spent from prior uh program year, as well as income that was gained through the programs.

Um this is something that I think can be continued to leverage over the years.

Um, as much as you can add on to this funding uh the better.

And then this really concludes my presentation.

Over the next couple of slides, I've got all of our different um recommendations from both the Human Planning Commission as well as the city managers uh recommendations for the proposed budget.

Um, I was not at the Human Planning Commission meetings where these applications were reviewed and discussed, and had the sub-recipients come up and present their case, but we do have Miss Ballery here tonight as well as Miss Kana, and so I'd encourage you if you have specific questions about some of these line items, they can help fill in some of that gap.

But that's the presentation, and I'm happy to answer questions.

We have any questions.

Yes, thank you.

Um, I have a couple of very specific questions on the consolidated action plan.

Are you prepared to answer them?

Sure.

Okay.

Um I was uh aghast at a couple of the um statistics in severe housing problems.

Uh question on methodology before I ask the meat of this question, just should verify.

Um, when we're talking about housing problems and looking at these charts, uh, what is the methodology?

Are you surveying and getting a capture of all renters and all homeowners, or is this a sample-sized survey?

Can you tell me about how we got to these numbers?

That's a great question.

And you know, this is actually something that we've struggled with a bit during this process.

So with the consolidated plan, the majority of the analysis is done within program that's called IBIS.

This is a program that the federal government has created so that applicants for the federal funding across the country can upload the consolidated plan.

So what you see in the draft is actually downloaded from this platform.

The way that the platform works is that it's got all of these questions, and this includes the charts and the quantitative questions.

The way that the program is set up is that the census data census is where the majority of the information is coming from.

The census data is auto-filled into this program based on the most recently available information.

Now, what we've struggled with a bit is when we looked at this auto-populated information, we noticed that there was a good deal that was outdated or maybe not aligned with what we're currently seeing on the ground.

Because it's in such a rigid sort of system.

What you can do is you can upload your own custom data.

So you can override this pre-populated information.

But we we've done that only in specific instances.

And the reason why is that we want to make sure that we're meeting HUD's requirements.

They have made it very clear that they are looking at specific data sets.

So for example, the CDBG eligible census tracks.

It's been stated that for the next 10 years, they will continue to use the 2016 to 2020 ACS data.

What that means is it's data that's averaged and compared over those five years from 2016 to 2020.

It's not a full census like we have every 10 years, but it's it's called the American Community Survey.

So it's pretty good stuff, but it's not a true sample size to answer that part of your question.

Um I don't quite know why they are wanting to stick with this old information because we have seen releases of upwards to 2024 data from the census.

Why they want to go back and still continue to use 2020, we're not quite sure, but we've tried to be really strategic about using the information that they have provided us, and also add some more recent context.

And the the one statistic I just found astounding is that it said that 43% of renters are experiencing severe housing problems.

Is that is that an accurate assessment?

43% of total renters in the city of Sagan are experiencing a severe housing problems.

So, you know, if you had a specific section that you recall pulling this from, I'd be happy to like pull that out.

The reason I'm I'm asking is because when you say severe housing problems, I think what you were looking at was again the cost.

So when we talk about 30% being considered affordable, spending 30% of your income on housing, that does that number of 43% experiencing severe cost burden would not surprise me.

Yeah, and just default it says severe housing problems defined as severe overcrowding cost burdens of greater than 50% of income, housing that lacks complete plumbing or kitchen facilities or household books or negative income, and that says it's not about 43% per 43% of renters and 22% of owners experience severe housing problems.

Yeah, that's insane.

Yes.

And I think that really what's driving that number up is the rent.

It is very, very difficult to uh to mitigate rent costs as a municipality because really if you have a landlord that wants to rent out at a market rate, they get to decide that market rate.

And so it's something again that we're seeing many communities deal with, particularly on the renter side, and that's part of why we wanted to make that a higher priority over the next five years because often there's this sense that well, renters are more transient, they're not uh really a part of the community, but what we know is that achieving homeownership has been much more difficult and continues to get more difficult.

And so many people are being forced to rent because they have no other option.

Um, and then you're getting pressure on the rental stock, and it's driving costs up.

Councilman Bald.

Right back to you.

Did we think about any solutions to these problems?

I mean, because um it seems like we need to have a we can um we need to have something like a job course here where we can teach kids how to build houses of people, young people to build houses, and then I would build up the housing stock and give them a job at the same time, and maybe that'll cut down on the crime, but they're too tired to go through the crime and they got a job.

Yeah, I mean, so we absolutely see that we can fix this, but what are the solutions?

Yeah, that we talk about it.

Yeah, thank you.

And uh, you know, now that you've you've pointed that out, I recognize that I didn't hone in as much in my presentation on the goals and how we're planning for the future, but um that exact idea is something that we discussed at one of the focus groups back in December, is um we had uh gentlemen from building power who talked about that very idea of can we bring in uh young folks to have an apprenticeship, right?

Then that leads into housing development, it it gives them some career preparation and professional experience.

Um the way that the program is set up is uh again the allocations come out and there are the sub-recipients that apply through this process with the human planning commission.

And so within the consolidated plan itself, there are there's the strategic plan and then the action plan.

In the strategic plan, it talks about the goals and then dives in deeper.

How are we going to accomplish these goals?

Um, and so with that, that's sort of the guiding uh document for when each year with the action plan, what do we end up funding?

And so for this year, we have the recommended um allocations for all of the organizations, and so um I see I see where they would uh they requested, but I don't see where they got anything.

Yeah, so did they think we just haven't quite got to that uh step of the process this year, but maybe Kana can speak to that.

So building power asked for money in C D BG for new construction, but you can't use CDBG for new construction.

So if you look at the last page, he was awarded some dollars in the home program so he can start his new construction program.

How much is that?

He was given 73, or recommended 73,000.

He is working with some other grant applications, he's trying to get money for youth bill, and he's working, he was working with the school district on Longfellow, but they had fired, so he's looking for a new location.

But his entire um business is about exactly what you're talking about, a youth training program.

So we are working with him as as much as we can.

We don't want to give him too much money before he's poised to use it.

But we are we did give him an allocation.

Well, I know he we recommended an allocation.

So he's been in business for a long time.

He has been in business for a long time as a contractor, yes.

Yes, but the actual school and apprenticeship program is new for him, and so he's putting his infrastructure together, looking for more money, looking for a place, working with the uh learning institutions to get the students.

I understand because that's the thing we if that could be a win-win for the city of Santa.

Most people to come here and build houses, they build them on outskirts, they don't live here.

You know, we don't get no bang for our buck because they take care of them people and the people here in the city not getting anything.

You know, we're not getting no training for our youth, and um so he is working with the land bank too, he has found some property, and now he's just got to layer the money, layer the funds to be able to move forward.

All right, thank you.

Um actually, well, she can listen to what I have to say, but I know exactly that person that you're talking about, and um I helped work on that Longfellow project with the group before Kevin passed away, and of course there's a fire in the school.

But I'm really happy to hear that he is still pushing forward because I know his dedication to what would be leaves in something that he'll go after it.

So good luck.

Um I'll think of a call.

But as you were um, as you were talking and just having a conversation with councilwoman Hammond, um, I really started to clue in to these numbers because you're right.

Like the 30% is like the measurement of where we are and we were pushing this 43.

But Saginaw, too, has had its challenges with lost housing due to blight, and uh so when you lose your stock, the demand and costs go up.

So even if it might not be the most desirable housing location, um trying to, you know, it it they can get the price because the person needs the house, and that's right.

So I think as we move forward in the city and where I see the sagina going now with the economic development in the diamond and what's happening with the rezoning of my neighborhoods, especially my neighborhood and the opportunities that I have over there.

If you talked about ADUs and quads and row housing, that that is all available now, the small commercial built into the neighborhood too.

I think we're gonna eventually see this shift.

So as we you know, we want to bring more people in, but then I think there'll be a focus on this housing, especially with the diamond coming in, because there is housing as part of some of those projects.

I mean some of the student housing, but it's a spiral effect that you start to build from the out from the inside out again.

So that was that was really interesting that you brought that up because I was unaware of that statistics.

So thanks for having that conversation with me.

Yeah, and you know what I'll say about that is it's it's a good thing to see property values increase, right?

We that maybe was a problem for many years, but now it's almost gone way over to it's increased too quickly.

Um, and so um again, I I I repeated this many times, but the city is already doing a lot of what I would have recommended in terms of again, like you mentioned the zoning changes and other ancillary tasks that you could do to help address some of the some of these issues outside of just this funding.

So I've got one more question.

Okay, thank you.

Big change.

Yes, council one.

Thank you.

Um just a quick question about you mentioned large families as part of the study.

Did the large family um portion include multi-generational or just like new coup like core family?

Yeah, that's a great question.

So um uh like I mentioned before, all of this data primarily comes from the census, and so it doesn't tell us specifically um what the makeup is, but it does include both multi-generational, not just the nuclear family, and so absolutely there could be a lot of that in Saginaw as well, and um really that's something that we are seeing as a solution to the housing crisis, you know, having an accessory dwelling unit for grandma and grandpa to come live in, or even for if you have a student in college to live in, they get some independence, but you're still um sharing that cost for housing.

Sharing that costs are good because you know I know a lot of families that you know that the parents, the kids, yeah, maybe there got married, had a kid, you know.

So um that that happens a lot in this in this area.

Yeah.

So I'm just curious if that was a part of the study.

Thank you.

Yeah, I just want to make sure that you say it.

This is a work in progress.

Yes, absolutely.

It can be changed, it can be modified based on now.

I need to make that clear.

Because sometimes we hear it and we don't hear it.

Right.

And then we start attacking the wrong things when in actuality we're you you're telling us up front again.

That's why I always ask that question.

Is this a working document?

Yes, absolutely.

And then I appreciate you when it comes to talking to where residents understand.

Because you can talk about all the numbers in the world, and all of the dudes and adults and the maybes and the ippies and the, but if they don't apply to me as a resident, I'm not really listening to it.

So when you come, and I suggest this to anybody that comes to Saginaw, talk to us, not at us.

Yeah, and you will get a whole lot more done.

Right.

But thank you so much.

I I love the presentation, but you're not done.

I just needed to get mine to before Councilman Laugh.

I'll just do we have a study, and then maybe it's for Kana.

Um, if we allocate uh 200,000 to tear down houses, do we take a look at the house and see if we put the money that that you would tear it down with, could that repair the house?

Could we make somebody a homeowner if we've done situations like that?

And then maybe they can come in with maybe some bank money and help out too.

So the only houses that are candidates for demolition are ones that are they passed the reasonable test.

So we have to do a cost estimate of what it would cost to put that house back into service.

We do that for every house that we demolish.

And the only ones that we demolish with CDBG are the ones that are past any type of reasonableness test to put it back into service.

Okay.

Thank you.

Councilwoman.

Oh, okay.

Thank you.

Um I had a question on uh I did not see housing forward referenced as a planning effort or as an agency that was consulted in this in this discussion.

Is there a particular reason why?

Through the region G state housing assistance provider, or not housing assistance provider, but their planning agency.

Yeah, um definitely not something that was done intentionally.

We wanted to make sure we captured as much input as we possibly could, and I do think that um, like Mayor Moore mentioned, it's a work in progress, and if that's been a gap that we've missed, we can absolutely engage them.

Okay.

Councilman, when you threw the councilwoman, when you done I had an additional question, but councilman shows the floor.

Okay.

Oh I was wondering about the specific um I have on page 106.

Uh we have the strategic recommendations for the next uh it's it's the strategic plan overview.

I think it's the first page, so so in the in the documents that are uploaded online through the agenda, it's the consolidated action plan is like in the middle, and then there's also the the yearly action plan.

So I think the strategic plan for this year's is like page one, but it's actually page 106.

So just just that's so I'm looking at all three, that's why it's confusing.

Okay, um, because we're kind of considering all three today.

Um, but the priority uh talks about cities facilities improvement, and then there is there was a rental allocation I saw that was uh budgeted for 400,000.

It did not uh it was not recommended from the human planning commission or in the city manager's proposed budget.

I was just wondering what was the nature of that rental housing assistance program.

Um because I was looking at it, it was in the strategic plan, it was proposed, but uh yeah, I was just I was just wondering what the nature of it was, and if there's a particular reason why it there was no money recorded, no.

So there's an application, and it was just to do some upgrades to rental housing, it was to bring an old rental housing program back, and so we would help landlords with a loan, and they would borrow money at a low interest rate, and then they would um guarantee low-income tenants for 10 years, and so that loan is a low interest rate, and it comes with a small grant that could be forgiven if the tenants were low income for 10 years.

It was not funded.

Um there was some I'm just paraphrasing on behalf of the human planning commission, but there was some concern about uh landlords being a business and that the true beneficiary of the program was going to be enriching the landlords and not getting to the tenants as much as they wanted the money to get to the tenants.

So for rental, they chose to go with the Saginaw Housing Commission instead, and then they um offered that we do some more homework putting together a rental program that that um didn't enrich the landlords as much as they thought that one would have.

Thank you very much.

The other questions.

Thank you so much.

Both of you thank you so much.

Thank you.

So our next presentation is uh our FY 2027 budget, and um like to thank OMB director Yolanda Bland and her budget team, including Jonathan Baker who's here and Tom Rains for their work and coordination and preparing the city's annual budget.

This work that they do to get to this point takes five months, five to six months.

Um so they it's a lot of work that goes into it.

It's not an easy task, and also I'd like to thank our department heads and division heads who put a lot of work into their their individual budgets as well.

So Yolanda, but I can make a motion to support Matt.

The presentation the presentation.

Ah, here we go.

Good evening, Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem, Council Members, City Manager Morales.

Tonight I'm like to talk to you, give you a quick overview of the 27 budget.

And as the city manager has already mentioned, um, with me tonight is uh Jonathan Baker.

He's in the corner back here.

He's our budget analyst.

He's a budget analyst too.

Yep.

Not a problem.

So copies of the budget has been available to city council since April 27th in accordance with the city charter.

Um we've also provided to you our detailed budget presentation.

So again, tonight is just the abbreviated version.

The other one is much longer.

Um the 27 proposed budget was um is will be available at City Hall at 1315 South Washington Avenue in the city clerk's office.

It is available on the city's website.

Tonight is our first discussion on the budget.

We're planning a public hearing for May 18th, and uh planned adoption date to be on May 18th as well.

You are also provided a presentation from Phil Carwat on the rubbish collection fund and from Mike Grenier on the water and sewer operation and maintenance funds.

Um, also you'll find our budget at a glance that we put together for you to make it easy to follow.

Um, that is also listed on the city's website.

Okay.

The 27 budget.

Um, our 27 proposed budget continues to reflect our commitment to provide quality services to our residents while preserving our financial uh viability.

Um, the total citywide budget is 230.65 million.

This represents a decrease of 26.

Um roughly 13, a little more than 13 percent from the previous fiscal year resources.

Our general fund budget is projected to be 46.18 million, and this uh budget actually increases about 1.3 million or about a little bit more than 2% from the prior year.

The non-uh general fund budgets, um, everything outside of the general fund accounts for almost 80% of the total budget.

Next, I wanted to show you a slide on our historical city's budget from 2023 through the 27 budget.

The whole the citywide budget itself, as you can see, uh steadily increases up until fiscal year 26, where this it goes down a little bit, but then it increases again to 230.65 million, and you can see that the general fund budget continues to increase.

So I want to take a minute a minute to talk about the challenges that are facing the cities.

Um, as we prepare the budget, we're real intimate with the numbers and looking at the economy and everything.

And so I wanted to discuss three areas that we feel are um areas are are challenges areas for us.

Um, cost of services is one of the areas.

The city of Saganal continues to provide significant financial pressure or it provide our faces significant financial pressures associated with rising costs.

A primary driver is the increasing cost of employee health care benefits, which places substantial strain on the city's ability to maintain a comprehensive level of service delivery.

In addition, municipalities such as Saganal are experiencing uh sustained increase in the cost of goods and services necessary for daily operation.

Rising costs for fuel, utilities, equipment, vehicle maintenance, contracted services, technology, construction materials have further uh constrained the limited uh financial resources that we have.

And inflationary pressures and ongoing supply chain disruptions continue to compound those challenges, making it increasingly difficult to sustain a full service delivery operational model without additional funding sources.

Um, another area of concern has been our other post-employment benefits and pension liabilities.

Um, these remain a significant concern for the city of Saganal.

To improve the long-term sustainability of pension obligation, the city reameterized its pension liabilities.

2027 is the fifth year of this implementation under the revised contribution schedule.

Additionally, retiree health care costs have increased about 20% for fiscal year 2007, reflecting the continued upward pressure on health care markets and associated benefit costs.

And as you know, oftentimes I talk about this one area, population loss.

We've talked about it way back when, and it still continues to be a concern.

The city of Saginaw continues to face long-standing financial challenges with population declining remaining one of the most significant contributing factors.

Several key revenue sources, including state shared revenue, property and income tax, federal entitlement funding are directly tied to population levels.

As the number of residents decreases, these revenue declines correspondingly.

So there's an effect that way.

The reductions limits the city's capacity to maintain essential services, invest in infrastructure, and support long-term growth.

Furthermore, ongoing population loss can create a cyclical effect of reduced investment and financial strain through challenging the city's ability to stabilize its financial position and attract new residents.

So, how has the city been able to manage these declining revenues?

Well, one way that we've been able to do this or cope with this challenge has been through identifying and securing other revenue sources, such as grants.

So we we've been actively going after grants because of that.

Next, let's talk about the our resource allocation or the fund types because the discussions as we go further, we're going to talk about fund types.

The breakdown of the 230.65 million is represented in this pie chart.

Special revenue funds represents a little more than 23% of the total budget.

The largest budget is represented in our enterprise funds, which consists of our boat launch fund, water and sewer operations, and that's roughly 52%.

Our internal service funds represent represents about 5% of the total budget, and our fiduciary funds represents less than 1% of the total budget.

As you know, about a month or so ago, I came up and talked about our strategic plan and how KPIs relate to that.

And this uh this graph reflects the allocation of the 2027 budget to these initiatives.

So, as you know, back in August of 2025, City Council, the city administration, and various members of the public came together and identified what these strategic initiatives would be.

What you will see 112,000 for parks and recreation.

Um, this is a new division within the general fund department of public services.

And then we added 200,000 in the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority from the revolving loan.

Next, I'm gonna start talking about the fund types, starting with the general fund.

Um, the general fund, which is our city's uh discretionary fund, again represents 20% of the total citywide budget.

The general fund again is 46.18 million, and this is an increase of 1.3 million or a little more than 2%.

You can find the general fund on pages 53 to 121 of the 27 budget.

So let's talk about the departments of the general fund.

Starting off with the Office of General Government, which is 4.14 million, there will be a $344,000 increase.

Um, these increases are directly related to step increases for salaries.

Um we have did not include across the board increase because the city is currently in contract negotiations, so they the individuals were would receive just the step increase.

Um active health care benefits of all the departments of general government.

Um, this year's budget also includes the city attorney actually being in the budget instead of amendment to the budget that occurred at the last of at the end of last year for the 26th budget.

We also see increases in the city clerk in election divisions due to the two elections that will occur in August and in November.

And in the Office of Management and Budget, we continue to budget for our contract with Guide House.

There is offsetting revenues to offset the cost of that expenditures.

The Department of Fiscal Services, which is $3.54 million of this budget will realize a $19,395 increase.

And again, this is mainly due to step increases, increases in active health care costs and some contracted contracted services.

Police department is at seven 17.96 million for 2027.

And the personnel complement for the police department is 64 sworn and 25.6 civilian, making the total personnel complement of $89.6.

This department actually decreases about $101,000.

This reduction is largely due to the reduction and or completion of state and federal grants that were previously received.

Other changes to departments includes an increase to personnel services due to step increases, increases to active and retiree health care costs.

We've had some personnel changes to include the addition of a tackling operator and a property and evidence clerk.

These complement changes will be offset by the elimination of two part-time vacant skilled clerical positions as well as an office assistant to.

Furthermore, when we look at the miscellaneous expenditures for this department, it will reduce by $42,000, and this reduction is associated with a decrease in the debt service payments for the department.

Community public safety plea or fire will be $10.06 million, and they have a complement of $41 sworn and one civilian, making a total complement of $42 in community public safety fire.

FIRE will realize a net increase of $128,343.

Again, this is related to personnel services, largely related to personnel services for the same reasons that we just discussed.

You have increase, you have your SEP increases and active and retiree health care costs actually go up.

Operating services for this department increases roughly $38,000, and this increase is attributed to increases in general liability insurance and information management charges.

There is no capital outlay budgeted for this department, and we will see an offset to both the personnel services and operating expenses due to a reduction in miscellaneous expenditures for debt service payments.

The Department of Neighborhood Services and Inspections will be $2.4 million for fiscal year 2027.

And this is a $43,329 increase, and this again is related to personnel services due to step increases in active health care costs.

For the general fund is uh $5.37 million increase, or it will be $5.37 million for 2027.

And this is an increase of $351,000.

And this in this department is related to again STEP increases, active health care increases, but they're also going to realize increases to information management charges, motor pool charges for fixed and variable also will go up, general liability insurance costs will go up, and then we added the new division of parks and recreation of $112,000.

But again, this is will be offset by corresponding revenues.

And this also fulfills the initiative under arts, culture, and recreation.

They too will also see a decrease in their debt service payments.

The last department of the general fund is other general fund expenditures, and it's $2.66 million for the year.

And this is a decrease of 2% from the previous year.

And this reduction is due to a reduction in the amount of money that was transferred out to other to local street funds because of the cost allocation plan.

So each year we have to do a cost allocation, and last year we had to have a payment from the general fund to another fund.

So that's the general fund.

Next fund type is the special revenue funds, and special revenue funds accounts for proceeds from specific revenue sources that are legally restricted restricted to expenditures for specific specific purpose.

Special revenue funds are on pages $122 to $228 of the approved budget.

Special revenue funds for fiscal year 2027 is projected to be $53.96 million, and this is an actual decrease of $8.54 million or roughly $14%.

Again, this fund type accounts for $23% of the total citywide budget.

So let's discuss some of the changes that have occurred for the special revenue funds.

And I'm not going to go over every last one of them because you have the detailed budget presentation for that.

I'm just going to highlight a few.

First, the American Rescue Plan Act Fund.

This fund will was established to account for the ARPA grant dollars.

And this fund will decrease over $7.2 million from the previous year.

This reduction is due to the completion of council approved activities as required by the grant agreement.

Remember, this grant must be fully expended by December 31st of 2026.

So December.

This fund accounts for the financial resources that are used for long-term investment projects requiring large sums to acquire, develop, improve, and maintain capital assets.

This fund will decrease a little more than $3 million.

And for fiscal use fiscal year 2027, the budget will be $496,183.

This decrease is directly related to the completion of the City Hall HBAC renovation project.

The state of Michigan downtown Saginaw Medical Facility Fund will decrease about $1.27 million from 2026.

And this fund will be budgeted at $20 million, and this fund is allocated towards breaking ground on the medical facility project.

The rubbish collection fund budget will be $5.34 million for fiscal year 27.

And this is a net decrease of $72,650 from 2026.

Although the fund overall decreases by $72,000, there will be an increase of the household rubbish fee from $240 to $250 in this budget.

For more details on this change, please refer to the 2027 rubbish collection fund presentation that was provided by Phil Carwatt.

Okay, so these reductions will have an offset by some other funds within special revenues.

Starting with the major street funds, this fund will realize a net increase of $2.3 million overall.

The overall increase is attributed to increases in the state shared revenue.

Revenues that are projected to be received are based on the changes at the state legislation level that allocated more funds to municipal streets.

This increase will be largely relies on increase of project projects planned citywide.

So also personnel services will see an increase due to step increases, active and retiree health care increases, but other expenses will increase as well.

The local street fund will be $4.69 million for fiscal year 27, and this is an increase of $920,008.

The reason for this increase is due to the city receiving the Saginaw County Road Millage funds in the amount of $1.2 million.

As a result of receiving these funds, the Department of Public Services will be completing more construction projects as well as purchasing two plow trucks.

A couple meetings ago, Travis Hare, who's our new deputy director of public services, they go over a list of projects that they were planning on doing with these additional funds.

The public safety millage will be $3.89 million for fiscal year 27.

And this is an increase of $207,000 from the previous year.

This increase is due to increase in real property tax revenues.

So again, this fund covers 30 sworn personnel, 20 police, 10 fire.

And Brownfield Redevelopment Fund, which I mentioned before actually increases by 202,000.

Again, 200,000 coming from the revolving loan fund as required by council.

When we talked about economic development, you wanted us to utilize $200,000 each year from our revolving loan fund.

So the budget includes that.

And we also had a couple new districts that were added to the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority Fund.

So you'll see a slight increase in the property tax revenues.

So next fund is our enterprise funds.

And our enterprise funds account for services provided by to the public on a user charge basis.

Again, the enterprise fund represents roughly 52% of the budget and can be found on pages 229 to 266 of the budget document.

Enterprise funds for fiscal year 2027 is projected to be 119.35 million, and this represents an increase of 33 or 33.98 million or roughly 40 percent.

Now looking at these funds specifically, the boat launch fund is budgeted at 25,000.

It's the same as it has been in the previous years.

The sewer operation and maintenance fund will increase by 18.64 million for a total of 52.81 million dollars.

This increase is due to increase in planned capital purchases and capital improvements as a result of the city's issuance of the clean water state revolving fund bond back in 2026.

Actually happened in August of 26.

This bond provided for funding to improve the sewer disposal system.

In addition, um, and I might add we you could take a look at back at uh Mike Greniere's presentation from last uh council meeting because a lot of the projects are listed in that presentation.

Um we will also see increases in chemicals, engineering services, motor pool charges, the general liability insurance, information management charges, and indirect cost allocation.

As it relates to personnel complement for the Department of Water and Wastewater Services, as this fund is shared with Department of Public Services, we will have some changes to the personnel complement.

Um an instrument control specialist has been added to the complement.

Also, the deputy director of instrumentation and control administrator, one long title, um was retitled to instrumentation and control administrator, and that's because of a recent retirement.

And then we uh actually changed the name of a sewer plant maintenance personnel one to a laborer to or laborer one.

So we had a sewer plant operator, plant maintenance person one changes to a laborer one.

Some of these positions are shared with the water fund.

Um, also on the sewer side for the Department of Public Services maintenance and service.

A temporary labor position has was added to the complement, and this was due to an emission of this position in previous years.

And likewise, two water sewer interns for this complement was retitled to a labor temporary labor.

So they just change titles and those are shared with the water operation and maintenance fund.

So let's take a closer look at water operation and maintenance.

And this fund will increase $15.35 million for a total budget of $66.52 million for the year.

Similar to the sewer fund.

We also have the drinking water state revolving loan bond that was issued back in September of 2026.

And so the budget actually reflects the issuance of that bond, and it provides for planned capital purchases and capital improvement projects for the fund.

Similar to the sewer fund, you will also see increases in chemicals, engineering services, motor pool charges, general liability insurance, information management charges, and the cost allocation.

I've already discussed the personnel changes for on the sewer side that also affect the water side, but we also had some additions to the water waste water and wastewater services by adding an electrical maintenance foreman and a labor one.

There was also a market adjustment for the chief chemist.

To offset these per this personnel complement change, there was the elimination of a water sewer intern in the department earned the fund.

So for more detailed information about changes to the sewer operation and maintenance funds, there is a presentation that was provided by Mike Reniere on the sewer operation and maintenance fund.

The next fund type is our internal service funds.

Again, internal service funds account for goods and services provided to one department by another on a cost reimbursement basis.

The internal service fund represents roughly 5% of the total budget and can be found on pages 267 to 300 of the budget.

The total budget for this fund type equates to 11.13 million, and this is an increase of 394,918.

So let's discuss some of these changes.

Increases are most notably seen in the Department of Technical Services IS, and I'm gonna flip back one chart to give you a better representation there.

In addition, this budget does include some personal complement restructuring.

The radio operation fund will be 179,811 for fiscal year 27, and this is an increase of $2,146.

This increase is related to uh depreciation that we have to budget for for the purchase, the purchase of the new radio system back in 2024.

Yeah, Phil doesn't like depreciation.

The motor pool operation fund will increase $74,493 from the previous year.

And then you can see that it's $3.26 million.

Um, and this increase is realized in motor vehicle supplies and motor vehicle repair costs.

And for fiscal year 2027, the self-insurance fund is projected to be 2.72 million, and this is an increase of $64,811, and this is due to increasing general liability insurance rates and the national market because of the nationwide nationwide economic condition of our markets.

But there's some offsets.

Again, this fund type uh represents less than one percent of the total citywide budget for 2027.

The the uh projected budget for this fund type is 34,910.

Um, and this represents the same as in prior years.

Um, and this these fund type is the cemetery endowment funds.

So you have forest lawn and oakwood that make up this fund type.

These funds are legally restricted resources and are 25% of the cemetery revenues collected in the general fund.

The revenues can only be used for cemetery care purposes in accordance with the city charter.

So that's a lot of information.

This concludes my presentation for the 2027 proposed budget.

Now the Office of Management and Budget, we do understand that this is a lot of information, it's overwhelming.

That's why we give it to you and give it to you in various forms.

Um but we do invite you to meet with us so that we can sit down and discuss the budget, discuss maybe some of your concerns.

Um you can contact the city manager's office to schedule appointments.

I know that Vicki has sent to you the dates that we're available to meet with you, and we look forward to meeting with you.

I know I meet with you tomorrow.

And so um, thank you.

And at this time, I am available to answer any of your questions.

I have a question, but it's not for you.

Oh, we going back up on the rubberies.

Did I hear that right?

In 226, 27.

Please tell me.

Yeah, several years ago I gave a presentation.

And even even at the 250, if it and I'm trying to keep this short and simple, but it's pretty easy math.

Like so 5.3 million is the rubbish fund, and we have about 18,500 units that are serviced.

So if you just did the simple math, 5.3 million to provide the service divided by the 18, I think it's 18,413.

It'd be about 287 per unit.

So at the 250, I'm still 37 per unit under what I need.

So to budget this year's balance, we're utilizing some fund balance.

We had a little bit of fund balance.

I'm trying to keep 10% per some government, uh, you know, they require you to try to keep 10% in case you run into some emergency, so we're doing that.

So I think I had to use 480,000 dollars of fund balance, but I am looking at uh some potential opportunities to create some more efficiencies and savings moving forward to try to minimize this increase happen to continue.

But a presentation I gave several years ago showed that it had to go from 200 to 210.

So we were raising it incrementally $10 up until about 23.

I was fortunately able to put a pause on that, but with the cost of the packer trucks and all that almost doubling now.

I mean, it's just the the cost of this stuff since COVID hit is uh is astronomical, so it's increased.

I mean, a packer truck that used to be maybe 320,000 is about 550,000 dollars now to buy.

So this year to 250 is much needed.

Um but I am looking at some things that I'm gonna present to the manager and the and the finance department on uh moving forward to try to get some cost now.

So there's no change in the forced line either, right?

But I do want to thank you because now my mom is not underwater with the system.

Yeah, no, their marper dollars went really well to take care of that drainage.

Um have to worry about trying to wade to the grave site.

No, so I just wanted to thank you.

Anybody else got questions?

I didn't know Phil was responsible for our uh she's the department for our uh rubbish, but yeah.

Now that I know that I feel different about Phil.

In a good way or a bad way, that was a bad way.

Oh my thank you.

Um so I had a uh observation and then a question.

Observation is um on page 124 of the budget, we've got the total major streets revenue since 2016, and boy, it's like that stonks meme.

I'm sorry, but it just goes up.

I love to see it.

I know a lot of that's like uh obviously we have our we have the state law changing with the marijuana tax and fund structure.

I'm keeping my eyes on those lawsuits to see if that changes, but I know that's also a lot of hard work reflective of the people including the department and um you know investments that we made to go after grant allocations and stuff.

So fantastic.

Um my question was uh in that section we talked about uh reduction to our uh debt service payments, and that's also in I I think it was on the major streets fund is can we dig into more into that?

Are there debts that expired?

Are we just paying less?

What are the consequences of of reducing our debt service payments?

They've matured and we've paid them all.

Oh, fantastic.

Yeah, so thumbs up.

Fantastic.

Yes, great.

To buy some equipment years ago, we couldn't cash purchase, so we worked with OMB to do a finance package on some file trucks and packaged trucks and that yeah, it's another one.

Fantastic.

Well, I look forward to our meeting tomorrow.

Okay.

No question.

Any more questions?

Sounds like we're in a council of person.

My colleague who have been invited to actually sit down and talk to the top and her department.

But you need to go to Vicky to set appointments if she sent some stuff out.

Please govern yourself accordingly.

Mr.

Manager.

Hold on, I'm always at Joey first.

Hold on.

Anybody down here?

Yes, ma'am.

Thank you.

Um so six years ago when we heard your report uh before our our other presentations, um, you mentioned the uh working on the form to uh information form and also sign up to get the services to help with with cleanups um that also uh councilwoman wiggins mentioned in her in her comment.

Um so I looked at the form that you sent along.

I I think it needs some work.

It looks very user unfriendly.

The the form and there's this massive indemnification on the bottom.

Like if if we're switching up the way that we're doing it because we have an independent contractor, I'm wondering if that's necessary to have because like the form just kind of gets scarier as you read it.

And if I was somebody that just wanted to go out with a couple of my friends and help pick up leaves and stuff and had some questions, I'd be I'd be kind of scared by that form.

So I was wondering if if the whole thing's gonna get revamped.

Yeah, um with the person next to me probably gonna have an indemnification if there's if there's city equipment and things like that included.

But I think it can, you know, it looks like a form that's set up to be printed and submitted.

And I think we would like something a little bit more tech friendly, so um Vicky Davis can work with our tech department on how how can we get that into our system and make it a little bit easier to complete online so that we can you know help if we need be.

And I think looking at the form as you stated, it looks like it's geared towards formal organizations really, but um I think there we do want to make it easier and more user-friendly.

Um good point though that it has been out there for a long time.

Maybe people weren't aware of it because as a form it's it's hard to find, but they've been working with Bill's office.

And we've even without the form, I think.

If if individuals aren't doing you know a formal type cleanup, please just call us.

We'll do pickups.

We'll uh Phil's office will work with people that go out and pick things up if it's even if it's a less formal thing where they don't want to, you know, sign up and use equipment, but um, we'll help out any way you can.

Absolutely, and maybe an like an FAQ's page, because in the email that I forwarded to you in Phil earlier this week, um, where we had a citizen who who you know was doing some good, and then they realized they had no idea what to do with all this debris, and then I realized I wouldn't have any idea what to do with that debris either.

So um just allocating that information for when people you know are trying to do the good Samaritan work and and just have questions of of where to go and where to put things in a in a legal way that this that's compliant with city policies.

I really appreciate the work on that.

I'm good.

Any other questions?

Not at all.

I need to ask, I'll forgot to announce so to do it right here or no.

Okay, all right.

No other questions for the city manager, Madam Clark.

On to the consent agenda.

The agenda has been available at City Hall and on City Lab page.

I need a motion, excuse me.

I need a motion to approve the agenda leave a room for exception.

So move.

Second.

Is there any exceptions?

No exceptions.

All those in favor, say top by saying aye.

Aye.

All those opposed, nay.

Madam Clerk.

Next item is board commission and committee reports.

Do we have any reports on any boards of commissions?

Madam Clark.

On the resolutions, our first is approving the community development block grant program submission program for year 2026-2027.

I need a motion to adopt any any questions.

Oh, I'm sorry.

Um, I'm so sorry, I'm not exactly sure just because we're moving quickly.

Um, I had a question about the DDA allocation.

Is that in this resolution or is it in the I I don't remember if it's under CDBG home or ESG.

It's under okay, it's under this one.

Um, so I remembered seeing in the presentation that there uh was there for the DDA allocation.

Did that come through human uh planning commission?

It's an it's a manager's adjustment, yes.

I it was recommended by HPC to be zero.

I put it back to the last year's amount and made adjustments in some other areas through working with the Alambda and discussions with the DDA.

I think probably in the next year we do want to move away from that.

It's probably it's something that you know might not have as much support from the HPC, and then also I think some of the limitations that are with that funding, maybe is not as beneficial to the DDA as we this year.

I think we'll see we'll continue to see increases in the um two mil levy and some of the capture from the DDA.

So I'm gonna I would recommend to the DDA to move away from that next year and likely not apply.

Okay.

Yeah, I I do take issue with the DDA allocations myself.

I don't think that it matches the uh a lot of the uses for C D BG and a lot of the purposes of CDBG.

Um I'll also use this opportunity to say that I'd love to see the DDA use funding, and I know we've discussed this before in limited capacity for uh taking care of the sidewalks in DDA areas, especially doing taking care of snow removal, because what I hate to see, and I've I've spoken um I uh I've spoken to the new people who work at Gordies and the owners there, and one of the worst uh worst days was there there were some uh people who had mobility issues who could not get in and out of the restaurant because the ice and the snow was so piled on.

And when businesses take care of their own sidewalks, the problem is it's just the your normal everyday employees doing it, and they're not dressed for inclement weather a lot of the time.

They don't have, especially if that's you know, a city truck came through, there's a chunk of ice there, it's sat.

You need you know pickaxe to get through some of that ice.

So I I I would appreciate that discussion um to be talked about more at the DEA.

Um, but I I I appreciate the clarification.

Any other questions?

I'll also fabulous thought by saying I all those opposed.

Madam Clude.

Our next resolution is approving the home program submission program for year 2026-2027.

I need a motion to adopt home second.

Any discussion?

Right here, yes, council.

I'm like, have a question, I guess, or concern uh specifically about the compassionate care network.

Um just I I did some digging on their like their website and uh just in general on what they have to offer.

And in the same uh area, there's like like habitat for humanity, um, there's the building power.

Uh the compassionate care network requires it looks like a non-refundable before approval, 150 dollar application fee.

Um I guess I have issue with that because it's for people that are already in a position that they can't afford to fix their house and to go through that, have that 150 dollars and then be rejected for whatever reason, I think it's a hardship.

Uh um it's a hundred, I think it's a hundred and twenty thousand that I think could be pushed to maybe habitat for humanity or um like the build I well said you didn't want to give a lot of money to the building uh power projects, but just I think the 120K uh for compassionate care.

I have a little questions about that.

So the 150 dollar application fee is not for the program they run through us.

Okay, it's for their NIP program, it's from the federal home loan bank of Indianapolis, and they require a nonprofit to process those applications, but they don't pay the nonprofits.

So anyone who runs that program puts an application fee on to pay the staff to run the program.

The money from the federal home loan bank only funds the actual repairs, but that's not this program.

That's not this, that's not this program.

These funds are totally separate.

Are for rehab work?

Yep, and so they have the option to build new, and like right now, they're working on a house on Alamo Court.

It had been vacant and it met the test to be put back into service versus being demolished, and so the money they have from us, they can do either one, they can build new or take a house and put it back into service.

How many homes do they do?

We just we just started our relationship with them, and so this is our first project with them.

This is our first.

Okay.

So is there a litmus like do they have to do a certain number of homes improvements or re or the way we run our programs for that is we give them the money and they spend until it's gone and then it goes to the next property.

So when they finish Alamo Court and they sell it, then they can use that money to go to the next project, and then we just keep going until the money's gone.

Is there a oh go ahead?

Sorry.

But if the the 100 in that category on that page, you can you have the authority to move those funds how you want them to go.

I'm just wondering if there's a specific breakdown for administration or specific projects, you know, goals that they have, so it's just kind of a blanket 120.

It's a blanket 120.

You can spend no more than 120 on a house, so sometimes new construction gets difficult with 120, so they have to bring in other money, and whatever the cost of the project.

So if we do a 120,000 dollar project, they can spend no more than 10% on administration of it.

So that's how that works.

Thank you.

Yes, um, I've even heard of some people actually getting scholarships for that cost for that $150 cost.

So it's a good one.

There are scholarships for that for some.

I don't know how many they have.

It might be a very minimal amount, maybe like one or two, but they do have scholarships for that too for some people that can't afford.

I just know that um, like I actually have a friend that uh was qualified for habitat for humanity where they're doing you know, redoing their siding, their roof, and a lot of other things.

Um person was walking down the street and said, Hey, I'm gonna talk to you.

Maybe you qualify, and this person um did qualify.

Habitat did have like a I think it was a like a uh I know you said this is not associated with that, but that 250 dollar um uh fee application fee, but it was only after they knew that they were approved.

So I it when I saw that it just kind of gave me pause uh for the for the organization.

Um it it just seems like I don't know, maybe it could go to uh other organizations that are uh actively trying to um I don't know, make sure make sure everybody gets it, you know, it's in hospice.

I have a question because that program she's talking about.

I know people that used it, that program's been around for a long time.

Is that correct for passionate care?

Didn't it program?

Yeah, it used to be yeah, like 10,000, now it's 15,000.

And it's been like from one nonprofit.

And I did talk to um Sandy, the secretary, and asked her if she could come and talk about it because I know they're getting ready to launch within a couple weeks, and so um now they do it online before they had in person, but now you can do it online.

But I know the people that have gotten this grant, it's a great because this program um if you have homeowners insurance or not, you qualify for most of these programs you have to have homeowners' insurance.

So this is a great program for people that don't have that dependent on where they live and stuff, so it's a really great program.

Yes, um, so the 120,000 for new construction for compassionate care.

Um, do you happen to know under their new construction plan?

Have they received any other uh allocations or funding from other government entities for that new construction program?

Our program only funds properties in the city limits.

They are working with some money from the veterans administration for some property in Bunavista, but that's all that I know.

Okay, thank you.

Are we still working with other entities to assist?

I know that was it last year for last I don't know the name of the bank, but we were actually referring people to different banks who had Christmas in July when it was January.

You know, they just had programs and dollars available, right?

Are we gonna continue to do that as well?

As as they call us, yes, we don't turn away any partnerships at all.

Any other questions?

I just got a comment.

I'm I'm glad to hear they're working with federal home loan bank because they uh they put a lot of money in communities and stuff and they help people with low income to get houses and stuff too.

I know that put that credit union.

From the credit union probably knows that too.

Yeah, any other questions?

Yes, just a comment.

Um, because we were talking about compassionate care and their footprint around with the veterans housing and now with some of this in the city.

Um if and as the Power Street Station stars program goes forward, they are already purchasing properties over in that area.

So as they starts builds out the station, then they're gonna build out housing from the station to 675.

So we should see more as long as as that project.

And this was a big announcement that they did, and they had a lot of people that were brought into the meeting.

I see a lot of head shaking because uh there was even state representatives that were there from Congress, so more to come, hopefully, from this organization.

Yeah.

Any other questions?

Call for the vote.

All those in favor, by saying aye.

Aye, all those opposed, nay.

Madam Clerk.

Our final resolution is approving the homeless assistance program, emergency solutions grant submission program for your 2026-2027.

So move.

I need a motion.

I need a motion to approve.

Support any questions.

No, because when you jump before me, it's like nobody knows who's doing what.

Last I seen, I say it.

Do we have any questions?

Go up for the vote.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

All those opposed, nay.

Madam Clerk.

I'm miscellaneous business.

I'm sorry.

Miscellaneous business.

Oh, I'm sorry.

These uh ordinance will be laid over price.

Am I looking at the wrong thing?

It's all my papers.

I apologize.

That wasn't the motion last year.

Okay, see.

Because when you said that was the last one, I'm like, well, we must not be doing this.

Okay.

Okay, so we yes, we mess up some time, everybody.

Um we under miscellaneous business.

Do I have any motions to put on the floor?

I like the motion to if not, if none, I'd like to move.

I need a motion to adjourn.

So move.

Second.

Second.

All of the facts should be by saying aye.

All those opposed, nay.