Taylor City Council Regular Meeting - April 18, 2023

The Taylor City Council held a regular meeting on April 18, 2023 at 6:30 PM in the Taylor Municipal Building. Chairman Douglas A. Geis presided. Roll call showed all members present except Councilman Ira Slaven and Treasurer Michelle Tocco, who were excused. The meeting included a consent calendar, public comments, extensive discussion on a marijuana commercial ordinance (postponed), adoption of the 2023-2024 budget, and various routine approvals.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the meeting agenda and minutes from April 4, 2023.
• Approved a personal service contract for a Restaurant and Banquet Manager at Taylor Golf.
• Approved amendment to invoice for pressure vessel testing ($1,749).
• Approved sending one Building Department employee to the COCM conference (up to $850).
• Approved amendment to DPW-Animal Shelter purchase agreement authority.
• Received and filed the Pardee Road parking petition (March 14, 2023).
• Approved opening the public hearing on the 2023-2024 budget.
• Approved closing the public hearing on the 2023-2024 budget.
• Approved the 2023 Ad Valorem Tax Levy.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Tony Jennings (Kensington) expressed opposition to the marijuana ordinance, citing federal law and health concerns (psychosis, high THC levels). He asked that the ordinance be put to a public vote.
• Charles Parker (Kensington) sought clarification on how many marijuana establishments could result from the door-to-door measurement and railroad track exceptions.
• Chris Gersky (Beech Daly) expressed concern that marijuana businesses could proliferate beyond the intended few, comparing to other cities with many outlets.
• Kent Burke (Kensington) accused the council of manipulating the ordinance to ensure marijuana establishments, drawing a parallel to the expansion of liquor licenses in the past.
• Vic Shatterer (William) argued that since 56% of voters approved marijuana, the council should not obstruct its implementation.
• Caroline Pat (Jackson) inquired about budget funding for repairs to the Greenwald Herker House (Maggie's Sweet Shop) and expressed concern about the building's deterioration.
• Corey Morris (Canyon) praised the budget surplus and suggested using funds for a summer cleanup program to address litter on major roads. He also asked about holding large businesses accountable for trash.

Discussion Items

• 6.2 - Cyber Force Q Sole Source Renewal: Approved one-year renewal for security services. Expenditure amount not specified in transcript; council had brief questions and approved.
• 7.3 - Budget Amendment: Approved amendment to increase capital outlay by $204,309 for a F350 service truck (related to 7.8), funded from Act 179 rubbish fund (fund balance remains 38.2% of revenue).
• 7.4 - Water Department Purchase Agreements: Increased authority by $210,000 due to an unusually high number of water main breaks (more than double the normal amount) to replenish inventory.
• 7.5 - DPW Purchase Agreements: Increased authority for concrete (Osborne Concrete) and asphalt (Cadillac Asphalt) supplies to expedite residential complaint resolution. Rental costs for stump grinder noted due to delayed delivery of new grinder.
• 7.7 - Amendment to Bond Resolution: Added Beech Daly Road (Wick to Van Born, ~2 miles) and Monroe Boulevard (high school area to Ecorse) to the 2019 bond project (Act 51 revenue bonds, not property taxes). Work to start on Monroe first to avoid traffic disruption.
• 7.8 - Purchase of Service Truck: Approved purchase of a 2022 F350 service truck from MTech ($204,309) to replace a 1997 vehicle. Used at compost site and for road calls.
• 7.10 - Pardee Road Parking Study: Directed Police Department to study resident petition for permit-only parking. Council discussed possible independent traffic study and concerns about enforcement and precedent; final recommendation to return to council.
• 7.11 & 7.12 - Marijuana Commercial Ordinance and Zoning Amendment: Second readings postponed to May 2, 2023 to allow for maps and further review. Extensive discussion covered: 2,500-foot separation distance from protected uses (churches, schools, residential districts), door-to-door vs. property-line measurement, co-location of medical and recreational retail, treatment of railroad tracks and interstate highways (I-94, I-75) as barriers, and potential number of locations. Councilman Johnson requested time to prepare GIS maps. Council also discussed adding warning signs at point of sale.
• 7.15 - Headlee & Truth-in-Taxation Memorandum: Received and filed. Explained that while city millage rates are slightly decreasing, property valuations increased ~5%, so most residents' taxes will rise due to valuation, not rate increase. Headlee rollback prevents city from capturing full inflation (7.9% inflation capped at 5% growth).
• 7.17 - 1% Property Tax Administration Fee: Approved 5-1-1 (Winton, Johnson, Ramik, Brandana, Geis yes; Rose no; one excused). Fee allowed under Michigan Property Tax Act; helps offset collection costs.
• 7.18 - Adoption of FY 2022/2023 & FY 2023/2024 Budgets: Approved budgets for General, Special Revenue, and Enterprise Funds. Revenues $48,310,130; expenditures $48,180,671; fund balance $13,660,317. Councilwoman Brandana expressed interest in future amendments for additional items.
• 7.19 - March Paid Invoice Report: Discussed monthly garbage contract cost (~$234,000) and city banner program (quarterly rotation; TIFA covers telegraph costs).
• 7.20 - March Budget Performance Report: Reported city finances on track; minimal variances.

Open Business and Announcements

• Councilwoman Winton voiced disappointment that a police command contract was not passed at the previous meeting, urging better communication on public safety issues.
• Councilman Ramik mentioned an incident with a member outside the meeting room.
• Councilman Johnson provided updates: upcoming cemetery cleanups (Oak Grove April 22, Golden Ridge and Oakdale April 29), Heritage Park cleanup April 22, Law Day at 23rd District Court April 28, Little League parade April 21 at 6 PM, spring events at Heritage Park Petting Farm April 29-30. Also reported that Meadows comedy show raised $350 for the museum, and a new bookcase is being built for the museum reading area.
• Caroline Pat asked about the Van Born Corridor Business District; Mayor Woolley confirmed the Planning Commission approved it and it will appear on a future council agenda.
• Corey Morris asked about removed trees with plaques at Heritage Park; Mayor Woolley will follow up with parks director.

Key Outcomes

• Second readings of marijuana commercial ordinance and zoning amendment postponed to May 2, 2023.
• FY 2023/2024 budgets adopted (balanced; fund balance increase).
• 1% property tax administration fee approved (5-1-1).
• Pardee Road parking study directed to Police Department.
• Beech Daly Road and Monroe Boulevard added to existing bond project.
• F350 service truck purchase approved ($204,309).
• Budget amendment for truck purchase approved.
• Meeting adjourned at 8:28 PM.