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.
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.
Several items related to fire department equipment were discussed:
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.
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.
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.
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.
Call the meeting to order. First item on the agenda is the invocation. I'd like to call Pastor Olaf from Help is near. Thank you. Let us pray. Father, what a wonderful privilege it is to have access to you through prayer. And how awesome it is for us to desire to come to you in prayer. We thank you for hearing and receiving our prayer. Thank you for your abundant mercies renewed upon us daily. Thank you for our city, its citizens, city council, our mayor, Taylor Finus, Fire Department, and all those working behind the scenes. When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice. Father, may your wisdom and understanding rest upon the city council body tonight. May integrity, peace, patience, and self-control rule our conscience, govern our thoughts, and guide our actions. Now as we continue to move forward tonight, may equality, respect, honor, kindness, and safety dwell here. As it is spoken, so let it be done. In Jesus' name. Amen. Thank you. Next item on the agenda is a pledge of allegiance, and I would like to ask Treasurer Michelle Masters Toko to please lead us in the pledge. And to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God. Next item is the roll call. Roll call, please. Mr. Ramick. Here. Mr. Slavin is excused. Miss Rose. Here. Mr. Johnson. Here. Mrs. Brandana? Here. Mrs. Winton is excused. Mr. Geis? Here. Mayor Woolley. Excused. Deputy Clerk. Here. And Mrs. Toko. We have five members present. We do have a quorum. That brings us to 5.1, which which is a motion to approve the agenda.