OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Taylor City Council Regular Meeting - July 18, 2023

City Council — Tuesday, July 18, 2023
BodyTaylor, Michigan
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, July 18, 2023
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:43:53

Transcript — Verbatim
0:11

6 30 call the meeting to order first or the second item on the agenda is the invocation and we have Monica Ola from Help is near Missionary Ministry Church.

0:22

Thank you.

0:23

Good evening.

0:24

Let us pray.

0:26

As we prepare for this evening's city council meeting, we pause for a moment to say thank you, Lord, for this day and all the blessings thus far.

0:36

Thank you, Father, for your mercy, grace, and your love.

0:40

May your hand of protection watch over us all this night.

0:44

May wisdom guide our way and integrity be our steps.

0:49

We give thanks to all who serve our wonderful city of Taylor, our mayor, city council women, and men.

0:57

And Lord, continue to protect our tailor, police and fire as they protect and serve, never forgetting our Taylor citizens.

1:05

As always, Father, please lend aid to the citizens of Taylor if a heart of concern should arise.

1:12

May tonight's agenda be executed with respect, peace, integrity, self-control, and an abundance of peace.

1:21

So let it be written, so let it be done.

1:23

In Jesus' name, amen.

1:26

Amen.

1:28

I love the Jeb Bartlett uh little quote there at the end.

1:32

That was awesome.

1:33

Uh next on the item is the Pledge of Allegiance.

1:37

I think we're over to Mr.

1:38

Remick.

1:43

Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands.

1:50

One nation under God, individual with everything just for all.

2:06

Roll call, please.

2:08

Mr.

2:08

Ramick.

2:09

Here.

2:09

Mr.

2:09

Slavin is excused.

2:11

Miss Rose.

2:11

Here.

2:12

Mr.

2:12

Johnson.

2:13

Here.

2:13

Mrs.

2:14

Brandana.

2:15

Here.

2:15

Mrs.

2:15

Winton?

2:16

Here.

2:17

Mr.

2:17

Geis.

2:18

Here.

2:18

Mayor Woolley?

2:19

Here.

2:19

Mrs.

2:20

Bauer.

2:20

Here.

2:21

And Mrs.

2:21

Toko.

2:23

We have six members present.

2:25

We have a quorum.

2:26

Item 5.1 on the agenda is a motion to approve the agenda.

2:30

Chairman.

2:31

Councilwoman.

2:32

Make a motion to approve the agenda.

2:34

Support.

2:35

Motion by Councilwoman Brandana is supported by Councilwoman Witten.

2:39

Is there any discussion?

2:42

Hearing none.

2:43

All those in favor say yes.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural██████████████████████████████30%
Water And Wastewater Management██████████████14%
Public Engagement████████████12%
Parks and Recreation████████████12%
Public Safety█████████9%
Pending Litigation██████6%
Budget Equity Analysis█████5%
Sports Hall Of Fame████4%
Facilities Management███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Taylor City Council Regular Meeting - July 18, 2023

The Taylor City Council met on Tuesday, July 18, 2023 at 6:30 PM in the Taylor Municipal Building. The meeting included approval of numerous fiscal year 2023-2024 blanket purchase agreements, a closed-door session to discuss a claim settlement, and discussion of public safety and infrastructure projects.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved the agenda and the minutes of the July 5, 2023 meeting (unanimous).
  • Approved a motion to conduct the draw for the 2023 Junior League World Series (unanimous).
  • Approved Civic Plus (Municode) for codification services in an amount not to exceed $4,710 (unanimous).
  • Approved Bryx Emergency Response Station Alerting System annual service/maintenance agreement for all three fire stations at $7,520 (unanimous).
  • Approved blanket purchase agreements for the 2023/2024 fiscal year for: Compost Site ($230,000), Water Transmission/Distribution ($614,000), Vehicle Maintenance ($513,000), Water Customer Service ($103,000), Sewer Department ($49,500), Department of Public Works ($362,000), Animal Shelter ($196,500), Lakes of Taylor Golf ($714,000), and Taylor Meadows Golf ($431,600) – all passed unanimously.
  • Received and filed the June 2023 Paid Invoice Report and June 2023 Budget Performance Report (unanimous).
  • Approved purchase of a Pitney Bowes postage machine for the Treasurer's Office for an amount not to exceed $16,111, funded through ARPA (unanimous).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Barb Lasky (26548 Beverly) expressed concerns about safety at Northwest Park following a shooting, noting large unpermitted gatherings, bounce houses, and parking on grass at the free pavilion. She requested enforcement of rules and insurance requirements.
  • Janet West reported that a plumbing contractor she paid nearly $15,000 failed to restore her property after a sewer tap, leaving a large hole and debris. She questioned why the city inspection did not cover final restoration. Councilman Johnson and Corporation Counsel noted the inspection only covers the tap connection; the contractor is responsible for restoration.
  • A citizen asked about progress on the hospital gate, expressing concern about increased traffic and safety during the upcoming Telegraph Cruise. The Mayor stated the city cannot force closure of the gate.

Discussion Items

  • Junior League World Series Draw: The draw was conducted live with assistance from the Bzdura family. Twelve teams will participate; the tournament runs from July 18 to July 22, 2023 at Heritage Park.
  • Lead Service Lines: Councilman Johnson requested an update on lead line replacements. The DPW Director reported 121 confirmed lead service lines citywide, with a 20-year window to replace them (5% per year). Currently, 8 replacements were done last year; more are planned this year. Discussion included potential use of ARPA funds or bonding to accelerate the process, and adding lead line identification to building permits and occupancy inspections.
  • PFOS in Water: Councilwoman Brandana asked about PFOS levels. Staff noted the city's water is below danger levels and that an annual water quality report is sent to residents via Taylor Today. Information is also on the city website.
  • Wick Road Traffic Lines: Councilwoman Rose reported faded lane markings at the intersection of Wick and Pardee. Public Works will repaint lines as a priority before fall.
  • Telegraph Cruise Safety: The Police Chief outlined enforcement plans for the August 12 cruise, including a 10 PM departure from parking lots, a ban on ATVs/bikes on Telegraph, and zero tolerance for alcohol and rowdy behavior. DPW will clean up the next morning. The chief noted that cameras (Flok) will help monitor parks and cruise activity.
  • Animal Shelter Update: The shelter remains closed for an additional week due to a parvo case. All animals are healthy, and vaccination protocols are credited for preventing spread.
  • Election Update: Clerk Bower noted no election on August 8, 2023; next election is the February 2024 presidential primary. She summarized recent state election law changes.

Key Outcomes

  • Settlement Approval (Claim #109627): Motion passed 5-1 (Johnson voted no, Slaven excused) to approve the settlement as recommended by Risk Management. The council first held a closed-door session to discuss the claim.
  • All blanket purchase agreements and routine motions passed unanimously.
  • Direction to staff: Explore options to accelerate lead service line replacement using ARPA funds or bonding, and consider adding lead line identification to building permits and rental inspections.
  • Public Safety: The council supported enhanced enforcement and camera installation at Northwest Park and during the Telegraph Cruise, with clear messaging about rules and consequences.
  • Private Contractor Issue: Council advised the homeowner to file a complaint with the state and consider small claims court; no city action was taken beyond the scope of the permit inspection.

Meeting Transcript

6 30 call the meeting to order first or the second item on the agenda is the invocation and we have Monica Ola from Help is near Missionary Ministry Church. Thank you. Good evening. Let us pray. As we prepare for this evening's city council meeting, we pause for a moment to say thank you, Lord, for this day and all the blessings thus far. Thank you, Father, for your mercy, grace, and your love. May your hand of protection watch over us all this night. May wisdom guide our way and integrity be our steps. We give thanks to all who serve our wonderful city of Taylor, our mayor, city council women, and men. And Lord, continue to protect our tailor, police and fire as they protect and serve, never forgetting our Taylor citizens. As always, Father, please lend aid to the citizens of Taylor if a heart of concern should arise. May tonight's agenda be executed with respect, peace, integrity, self-control, and an abundance of peace. So let it be written, so let it be done. In Jesus' name, amen. Amen. I love the Jeb Bartlett uh little quote there at the end. That was awesome. Uh next on the item is the Pledge of Allegiance. I think we're over to Mr. Remick. Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, individual with everything just for all. Roll call, please. Mr. Ramick. Here. Mr. Slavin is excused. Miss Rose. Here. Mr. Johnson. Here. Mrs. Brandana. Here. Mrs. Winton? Here. Mr. Geis. Here. Mayor Woolley? Here. Mrs. Bauer. Here. And Mrs. Toko. We have six members present.

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