Taylor City Council Regular Meeting Summary - June 20, 2023

The Taylor City Council held its regular meeting on 2023-06-20 at the Taylor Municipal Building, beginning at 6:30 p.m. and adjourning at 8:21 p.m. Four council members were present (Ramik, Johnson, Brandana, and Geis), with Slavin, Rose, and Winton excused, and the council had a quorum. The council approved routine items, IT consulting agreements, a dangerous building demolition order, public works contracts, and fee schedule changes.

Consent Calendar / Routine Approvals

• Approved the agenda and approved the minutes of the June 6, 2023 meeting without oral reading.
• Approved the reappointment of James Corbin to the Housing Commission for a five-year term expiring June 20, 2028.
• Approved fiscal year 2022-23 budget amendment 2023-012 dated June 20, 2023.
• Received and filed the May 2023 Paid Invoice Report and May 2023 Budget Performance Report.
• Approved Police Department purchase agreements for fiscal year 2023/2024 totaling $221,500; two police vehicles from Berger Chevrolet, state bid, not to exceed $39,770; and department ammunition from Fields Outdoor Adventures, LLP, lower than state bid, not to exceed $30,000.
• Approved fire department tuition reimbursement of $5,000 and a Downriver Mutual Aid Specialty Team Response hazmat cleanup payment of $25,491.
• Approved a carnival license for Elliott's Amusement at Heritage Park from June 22-25, 2023.
• Approved blanket purchase agreements for Buildings and Grounds not to exceed $383,500, Recreation not to exceed $222,900, Petting Farm not to exceed $120,500, and Senior Services not to exceed $79,400.
• Approved IT contracts and purchases: CBTS Avaya phone system support not to exceed $5,600; CBTS VX Rail update not to exceed $14,040; CyberForceQ security information and event management implementation and monitoring for $22,500; GroundWork0 network infrastructure engineering support for $15,000; and People Driven Technologies VDI support not to exceed $16,500.
• Received and filed emergency purchase notifications: DA Central service call for City Hall steel gates, $425, and GroundWork0 replacement of the failed Recreation Center network, $1,900.
• Received and filed the Vermeer of Michigan compost site tub grinder repair amount not to exceed $30,600; staff clarified this reflected an insurance claim rather than a new city expenditure.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Angela Mandarino, an attorney representing the city in the dangerous buildings process, presented background on the property at 20059 Kinyon. She said a 2019 fire significantly damaged the home, the owner did not respond to inspection requests, a search warrant was executed in early 2023, and the owner did not appear at the April 18, 2023 dangerous building hearing. After the owner failed to repair the property, a noncompliance report was filed and the hearing was scheduled for this meeting.
• Building Official Jesse Harrington described extensive interior damage including fire damage, long-term water exposure, rotted floors, and roof and ceiling damage. He said the house had nothing salvageable, the garage was completely filled, the owner had not responded after a recent phone conversation, and the city had been maintaining the abandoned property. He supported the demolition order.
• Council members asked about tax status, cost recovery, and the garage. Staff said demolition costs could become a lien on the property, community development would explore grant funding, and the owner would have 60 days to demolish the property before city action.
• A Westlake Road resident expressed opposition to relying only on signs to stop hospital-related cut-through traffic, saying police are understaffed and the gate should be closed. The mayor and police chief said discussions with the hospital were underway, possible emergency-vehicle-only signage would require council approval, and a meeting with Westlake residents was planned.
• Martin Juilliard, a resident, raised an ongoing golf ball problem from a nearby golf course, saying a net promised two years ago had not been installed and that golf balls had damaged his property and car. He also asked about the Van Born Corridor designation. Administration said the corridor designation supports grant opportunities and redevelopment efforts.

Discussion Items

• Plante Moran IT consulting agreements: The council discussed two agreements funded through IT ARPA funds. The first, not to exceed $28,000, covers consulting for the selection of an IT managed service provider. The second, not to exceed $90,000, covers ERP requirements analysis and procurement facilitation. Mayor and staff said the city's IT systems are outdated, the city needs outside help to define requirements, and the previous ERP effort had not delivered what was expected. Council members asked about online payments, department-level needs, and including lower-level employees in the analysis. Both agreements were approved.
• Dangerous building order: After the public hearing, the council closed the hearing and approved the demolition order for 20059 Kinyon. The order allows the owner 60 days to demolish the structure; if she does not, the city may take action and seek cost recovery through a lien or legal judgment.
• Engineering and road contracts: Staff explained the Monroe Boulevard project contingency of 10 percent, or $351,648, is used as the project progresses for unforeseen conditions. Staff cited the Wick Road project, where 23 lead service lines were found instead of an anticipated 3, as an example. Councilman Ramik expressed concerns about large contingencies and the possibility of engineering mistakes. The council approved a $3,868,132 total contract for Hutch Paving, a $230,000 construction engineering, inspection, and testing agreement with Hennessey Engineers, Audia Concrete Construction for up to $1,065,000 in concrete panel replacement work, and Al's Asphalt Paving Company for up to $1,000,000 in asphalt pavement resurfacing work.
• Marihuana fee schedule: The council approved adding a $5,000 Marihuana Permit renewal fee and removing the word Medical from the City Clerk's portion of the fee schedule. Staff clarified the initial application fee is $2,500, an additional $2,500 is paid if awarded, and the new $5,000 renewal fee applies each year for continuing operations.
• Open business: The council approved a solicitation request for the Taylor High School Music Program on June 24 and August 19, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Goddard and Pardee Roads. The mayor also previewed the upcoming summer festival and fireworks. Council discussion covered the summer youth program, Heritage Park street light progress, Westlake Road and hospital access, truck traffic on Pardee and Wick Roads, and speed limit studies.

Key Outcomes

• All motions passed. Recorded roll-call votes were:
  • 7.26 Professional engineering services contract with Wade Trim and Associates, Hennessey Engineers, and WSP: 3-1 in favor, with Ramik voting no. The presiding officer first announced a 4-1 failure, then corrected that with four members present a 3-1 majority passes.
  • 7.28 Hennessey Engineers construction engineering, inspection, and testing services: 3-1, Ramik no.
  • 7.31 Al's Asphalt Paving resurfacing contract: 3-1, Ramik no.
  • 7.32 Al's Asphalt Paving local road preservation asphalt CRM work: 3-1, Ramik no.
• The council directed continued work on Westlake Road and hospital access issues, including possible emergency-vehicle-only signage and a meeting with residents.
• The next regular council meeting was scheduled for Wednesday, July 5, 2023 at 6:30 p.m., because July 4 is a city holiday.