Taylor City Council Regular Meeting - May 16, 2023

The Taylor City Council met on May 16, 2023, at 6:30 PM in the Taylor Municipal Building. The meeting lasted until 7:53 PM, with five council members present. The agenda included routine approvals, budget amendments, public hearings, and significant capital projects.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the agenda and minutes of May 2, 2023.
• Approved reappointments to the Historical Commission (Kysten Lange, Caroline Patts, Sheri Englebrink) and Zoning Board of Appeals (Julius Enesey), as well as appointment of Sheila Lee to the Historical Commission and Robert Szwed to the Planning Commission (vote 4-1, Councilman Ramick dissenting).
• Approved fiscal year 2022-23 budget amendment 2023-010.
• Approved April 2023 Paid Invoice Report and Budget Performance Report.
• Approved low bids for: police training ammunition ($3,169), medical waste agreement, defibrillator ($2,205), dispatch furniture ($14,890), mattresses ($8,211), training room furniture ($4,300), hose testing agreement ($10,330), air compressor amendment ($1,264), turnout gear amendment ($874).
• Approved purchase of 2023 F150 ($47,479) and 2023 F250 ($54,955) from Gorno Ford.
• Approved special liquor license for 2023 Taylor Summer Festival.
• Approved Roofers Union Local #149 canister drive on June 17, 2023.

Discussion Items

Budget Performance Report (Item 7.3)

Finance Director Veltier presented the year-to-date financial report for the general fund: revenues of $36.3 million (76% of budget) and expenditures of $34.9 million (74.7% of budget), resulting in a $1.3 million surplus. Councilwoman Brandana asked about court fine revenues and the estimated ending fund balance of $14.1 million (29.5% of revenue). The report was received and filed.

Fire Department Equipment and Furniture (Items 7.9-7.12)

Several items related to fire department equipment were discussed:

• Training room furniture replacement (Item 7.9): Fire Chief described that the furniture was about 15 years old. Approved.
• Preventative maintenance for hoses (Item 7.10): Chief confirmed all hoses are new and testing is required annually. Approved.
• Air compressor replacement (Item 7.11): Approved amendment.
• Turnout gear alterations (Item 7.12): Chief noted additional $874 for alterations due to sizing adjustments. Approved.

Taylor-Dearborn Heights Gateway Overlay District (Item 7.13)

Council approved the second reading of zoning amendments creating a new overlay district. Councilman Geiss noted typographical errors in the text and requested they be corrected before final adoption. The district requires higher building standards than current code, including 75% brick or stone facade.

CDBG Public Hearing and Action Plan (Items 7.14-7.16)

A public hearing was held for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program year 2023-24. The proposed budget of $483,580 includes: housing rehab ($34,015), senior services ($38,891), demolition ($30,000), fish and loaves ($10,000), guidance center ($10,000), senior alliance ($10,000), Ford Senior Center boiler/water heater ($105,000), West Point Street project ($148,958), and admin ($96,716). Council discussed outreach to veterans and low-income residents. The hearing was opened and closed with no public comments. The council then approved the action plan and authorized the mayor to submit documents to HUD.

Heritage Park Lighting (Item 7.17)

Approved Fairfax Electric for installation of 95 LED light fixtures at Heritage Park for $425,373 plus 2% contingency, total not to exceed $433,881.

Lange Park Development (Item 7.21)

Approved purchase and installation of playscape, pavilions, benches, trash receptacles, and disc golf course at Lange Park from Penchura L.L.C. for $1,046,010 plus 1.5% contingency, total not to exceed $1,061,701. The project is the first phase of a planned development including a skate park and BMX track, with completion targeted by late spring/summer 2024. A resident expressed concern about park funding priorities and requested a swing set at Boardman Park.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Al Stout Mayer (25106 Fillmore St.): Questioned why funds are spent on Lange Park while other parks lack equipment; specifically requested a swing set at Boardman Park. Chairman noted Boardman Park's floodplain restrictions.
• Nicholas Demetrichina (9681 Cannon Circle): Announced the 14th Annual Armed Forces Remembrance Day ceremony on Saturday, May 20 at 11:00 AM at Memorial Plaza, with a new veteran from the War of 1812 being added.
• Caroline Patz (Historical Commission member): Announced the Golden Ridge gravesite cleaning workshop (Saturday 10 AM-1 PM) and the log cabin open house with butter churning.
• Mary Susa (26640 Beverly Rd.): Raised concerns about a notice from EGLE regarding wetland impacts from Ashley Capital's development on I-94/Beverly property, which includes filling 2.4 acres of wetlands with 39,000 cubic yards of fill. She asked the council to investigate before the May 23 comment deadline. Councilman and staff indicated this is a required part of the development process and EGLE has jurisdiction.
• Tom Long (Kensington St.): Reported missed compost pickup and asked how to best contact the council. He noted that email responses are sometimes lacking. Councilwoman Brandana acknowledged his emails and provided contact methods. He also informed the council that the seller of a property had lost a son unexpectedly.

Council Open Business

• Councilman Johnson asked about grass cutting at Heritage Park and building repairs; Parks representative Ray Parker (Hennessy Engineers) explained the mowing schedule and that repairs are in progress.
• Councilman Ramick raised concerns about contingency fees on contracts, suggesting that use of contingency funds should require council approval. Chairman Geiss noted that recent projects have had lower contingency percentages (1-2% instead of 10-15%). Finance Director Veltier explained the current process where change orders are approved at the department level within the approved contingency amount.
• Councilwoman Brandana reported on garbage/compost collection issues: she had a positive experience with the call center and noted significant improvement over last year. The city's administration monitors missed collections and charges back the contractor for repeated issues. She also mentioned a complaint about basketballs going into traffic at Heritage Park and reminded residents that marigold is the city flower.
• Councilman Geiss noted a standing water issue at North Line and Pardee and praised the recent road resurfacing on McKinley and Golden Ridge.

Key Outcomes

• All agenda items were approved, either by voice vote or roll call (one 4-1 vote on reappointment to Planning Commission).
• The CDBG action plan was adopted.
• The zoning overlay district was approved on second reading.
• Capital projects were authorized: Heritage Park lighting ($433,881) and Lange Park development ($1,061,701).
• The council will follow up on EGLE wetlands notice and park swing set request.