Taylor City Council Regular Meeting - October 3, 2023

The Taylor City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, October 3, 2023 at 6:30 PM in the Taylor Municipal Building. The meeting was called to order by Chairman Douglas A. Geiss with all council members present, including newly appointed Councilwoman Tina Daniels who was sworn in on September 29. The agenda included proclamations, appointments, a contested labor contract, and numerous routine approvals for purchases, budget amendments, and settlements.

Consent Calendar

• Agenda and Minutes: Approved the agenda and the minutes from September 19, 2023 unanimously.
• Proclamation: Received and filed the proclamation honoring the Taylor North Intermediate Baseball Team for winning the 2023 Central Region Championship.
• Library Board Reappointment: Approved the reappointment of Diana Chavez to the Library Board for a five-year term expiring October 3, 2028.

Discussion Items

• Tentative Agreement with Taylor Governmental Management Association (TGMA): Extensive debate occurred over a motion to postpone the vote on the tentative agreement. Councilwoman Daniels requested a two-week postponement to review new information, citing she was not provided the contract until being sworn in on September 29. Other council members and administration argued that the contract had been pending since 2018 and that further delay was unfair to the 28 employees who have been without a raise. After a failed challenge to the chair's ruling, the council voted 4–3 to postpone the item to October 17, 2023. The vote was: Yes – Councilwoman Rose, Daniels, Ramik, Brandana; No – Councilman Johnson, Councilwoman Winton, Chairman Geiss.
• Rezoning Case #23-23(Z): Approved the second reading to rezone two parcels from O-1 (Office) to B-2 (Regional Business) on Goddard Road east of Beech Daly Road. Vote: 5–2 in favor (Johnson, Ramik, Winton, Brandana, Geiss yes; Rose, Daniels no).
• Budget Amendment 2024-003: Approved to account for purchases of police Tahoe vehicles through federal forfeiture funds and the Ecorse Creek utility fund Vactor truck. Passed unanimously.
• CodeRED Renewal: Approved renewal of the CodeRED emergency notification system for $14,661. Unanimously approved.
• Vehicle Repairs and Purchases: Approved Down River Body Works repair of police Tahoe #216 ($8,942), purchase of two 2023 Tahoe police vehicles from Berger Chevrolet ($81,830), purchase of a 2023 F-250 from Gorno Ford ($57,200), and purchase of a Vactor Storm Sewer Truck from Jack Doheny Inc. ($550,882). All passed unanimously.
• Police Training: Approved sending two detectives to forensic interviewing training in Frankenmuth at a cost not to exceed $645. Passed unanimously.
• Zamboni Batteries: Received and filed the emergency purchase of Zamboni batteries for $9,098. Passed unanimously.
• Badge Access Prox Cards: Approved purchase of 200 proximity cards from D/A Central for $1,107. Passed unanimously.
• Early Voting Plan: Approved the City of Taylor Early Voting Plan as approved by the Election Commission. Discussion included clarification from Clerk Bower about staffing 20 workers for nine days at double time, with costs likely exceeding budget and a grant application pending. Vote: unanimously approved.
• Closed Session: Approved entering closed session to discuss pending litigation for two risk management claims. Unanimously approved.
• Settlement of Claim P6152200456: Approved settlement as recommended by Risk Management. Vote: 6–1 (Johnson opposed).
• Settlement of Claim QL-0827: Approved settlement as recommended by Risk Management. Vote: 5–2 (Johnson and Winton opposed).

Key Outcomes

• TGMA Contract Postponed: The tentative agreement with the Taylor Governmental Management Association was postponed to the October 17, 2023 meeting by a 4–3 vote.
• Multiple Purchases and Approvals: Over $700,000 in expenditures were approved, including vehicles, repairs, software, and equipment.
• Early Voting Plan Adopted: The city will implement its own early voting site in the Community Development office, staffed with up to 20 workers for nine days per election cycle.
• Settlements Approved: Two risk management claim settlements were approved with dissenting votes.