Taylor City Council Regular Meeting - June 6, 2023

The Taylor City Council held its regular meeting on June 6, 2023, at 6:30 PM in the Taylor Municipal Building, adjourning at 7:52 PM. All nine council members were present. The agenda and minutes from May 16, 2023 were approved.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the agenda and minutes (Items 5.1, 5.2).
• Confirmed mayoral reappointments to the Museum Commission (Item 6.1) and the Chief of Police personal service contract (Item 6.2).
• Approved the FY2022-23 budget amendment (Item 7.2), summer special assessment rolls for accounts receivable (Items 7.4, 7.5), resolution authorizing a Protecting Michigan Pension Grant claim (Item 7.6), and first reading of zoning amendments for child care facilities (Item 7.7).
• Authorized various routine expenditures: K-9 explosive recertification training (Item 7.8), police education reimbursement via Cleary University (Item 7.9), railroad crossing maintenance (Item 7.10), fire department purchase agreements (Item 7.11), a letter folder/inserter machine (Item 7.13), the Animal Welfare Grant (Item 7.14), setting a public hearing for a dangerous building (Item 7.17), employee health benefit cost-share option (Item 7.18), health insurance plan renewals (Items 7.19–7.21), a letter of understanding for personal service contracts (Item 7.22), a new occupational health vendor (Item 7.23), birthday party rates at the petting farm (Item 7.25), portable basketball hoops (Item 7.26), a computer upgrade (Item 7.27), an ice maker for Lakes of Taylor (Item 7.28), and appointment of the News Herald as official newspaper (Item 7.29).

Discussion Items

• Item 7.1 – FY2023/2024 TIFA Budget: Approved 4–3 (Ramick, Slavin, Rose opposed).
• Item 7.3 – FY2023/2024 City Fee Schedule: Discussion centered on marijuana permitting fees (proposed $2,500 application plus $2,500 license fee) and increases in building permit fees. The marijuana fee line will be revised at a future meeting; the schedule itself passed.
• Item 7.7 – Zoning Ordinance Amendments (Child Care): Brought into compliance with state law increasing allowed children from 6 to 7 (family home) and 12 to 14 (group home). Passed unanimously.
• Item 7.12 – Amendment to CCR#5.210-23 (DreamSeats): Added $2,361 to correct a furniture model and remove sales tax; total now $17,251. Passed unanimously.
• Item 7.15 – Wick Road LAP Construction Engineering: Contract with Wade Trim for up to $128,700. Approved 5–2 (Ramick, Slavin opposed).
• Item 7.16 – MDOT Intergovernmental Agreement (Wick Road): Authorized up to $226,000 city match for repaving from Telegraph to Beach Daly. Noted the city match percentage is actually 18.15% not 18.85%. Passed unanimously.
• Item 7.24 – General Employees Retirement System Actuarial Valuation: Received as of December 31, 2021. Funded ratios: AVA 57.1%, MVA 64%. Council requested a summary of all pension plans; passed.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Sue Sutoda (Down River Sunday Times): Criticized the contract renewal with the News Herald for legal notices, noting its subscription paywall restricts public access. Asked the city to consider her free-access newspaper for future bids. The city clerk agreed to add her to the bid list.
• Michael and Gail (residents): Raised concerns about speeding, stop‑sign violations, and a hospital gate on Hag Street causing traffic cutting through their neighborhood. Requested enforcement and gate restrictions. Council will follow up with the police chief and mayor’s office.

Key Outcomes

• All agenda items were approved, with two requiring roll‑call votes (Items 7.1 and 7.15).
• The marijuana fee schedule will be amended at a future meeting to clarify renewal fees.
• Council directed administrative follow‑up on: Hag Street traffic and hospital gate issues, installation of a fence at Heritage Park basketball courts, evaluation of a short traffic light at Northline and Canyon, and repair of Westlake Road (found to be Act 51 eligible).
• Public commenters were invited to compete for the city’s legal notice contract in the next bid cycle.