Taylor City Council Regular Meeting - October 17, 2023

The Taylor City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, October 17, 2023, at 6:28 PM in the Taylor Municipal Building. All seven council members were present (Councilman Johnson and Councilwoman Winton excused). The meeting included approval of routine items, several fire department and city operations purchases, and a lengthy discussion on the potential hiring of separate legal counsel for the city council.

Consent Calendar

• Agenda approved (5-0) with a correction to item 6.1 changing "Downriver" to "Downtown" Development Authority.
• Minutes approved from October 3, 2023 regular meeting (5-0).
• Minutes from October 12, 2023 special meeting approved on a roll call vote of 3-2 (Councilmembers Daniels and Rose voted no; Councilman Johnson and Councilwoman Winton excused).
• Reappointment of Ron Moran and Rich Todd to the Downtown Development Authority for a four-year term expiring October 17, 2027 (approved 5-0).
• Reappointment of Bill Fisher to the Planning Commission for a three-year term expiring October 17, 2026 (approved 5-0). Bill Fisher was sworn in after the vote.
• Regular agenda items 7.1 through 7.17 were all approved unanimously (5-0) unless noted:
  • 7.1: Fire training response for electric vehicles, not to exceed $8,050 (General Fund).
  • 7.2: MacQueen (sole source) for Engine 3 repairs, not to exceed $6,590 (General Fund).
  • 7.3: Amend CCR# 6.241-23 to add Amazon to Fire Department Purchase Agreement, not to exceed $5,000 (General Fund).
  • 7.4: Universal Laundry Machinery (low bid) for turnout gear dryers and extractors, not to exceed $47,671 (ARPA Equipment).
  • 7.5: Belfor Property Restoration for as-needed board-up services, not to exceed $15,000 (Ordinance Department).
  • 7.6: Receive and file emergency purchase of electric gate enclosure for Compost Site from Cornerstone Fence, $23,655 (Act 179 Compost Capital Outlay).
  • 7.7: Gorno Ford (MiDeal) for a 2023 F350, not to exceed $56,795 (Act 179 Compost Capital Outlay).
  • 7.8: Innovated Energy Control LLC (low bid) for 180KW Kohler generator at Senior Center, $79,925 plus 5% contingency, not to exceed $83,922 (CDBG).
  • 7.9: City Elevator of Michigan (low bid) for elevator maintenance contract, not to exceed $12,000 (TBA Building Repair & Maintenance).
  • 7.10: Services to Enhance Potential (low bid) for cleaning services, not to exceed $82,000 (TBA Building Repair & Maintenance).
  • 7.11: Network One (low bid) for four computer towers for TrackMan golf simulators, not to exceed $4,266 (Golf Course Operating Supplies). Discussion noted projected annual revenues of $120,000 from simulators.
  • 7.12: Subrecipient agreements for Fish & Loaves, The Guidance Center, and The Senior Alliance, $10,000 each (CDBG).
  • 7.13: Receive and file General Employee Pension Performance Review as of June 30, 2023.
  • 7.14: MP&D Construction (low bid) for drywall repairs at Taylor Sportsplex, not to exceed $3,552 (TSX Repair & Maintenance).
  • 7.15: Receive and file September 2023 Paid Invoice Report.
  • 7.16: Receive and file September 2023 Budget Performance Report. CFO Jason Couture explained the report, noting year-to-date general fund revenues of $7.5 million (15.6% of budget) and expenditures of $9.9 million (20.5% of budget), with the negative net income due to timing of tax collections.
  • 7.17: Approve Constellation Energy contract extension on a fixed-price basis for 12 months (funded through various utility accounts).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Mary Susa (26640 Beverly Road) questioned the need for a separate attorney for the city council, asking what specific conflicts of interest or rule changes prompted the proposal. Councilwoman Brandana responded that she sought an additional counsel for separation of powers and had concerns about rules being changed, but would provide specifics at a future meeting.
• Martin Juliard (6708 Beech Daly Road) praised Mr. Plato as a "breath of fresh air" and asked about a golf net issue at his property. Mayor Woolley responded that the claim was not previously known and would be looked into.

Discussion Items

• Councilwoman Brandana's proposal for separate legal counsel: Councilwoman Brandana expressed frustration with not being heard and disagreements with Corporation Counsel Ed Plato on budget amendment authority and closure of debate. She cited a Michigan Court of Appeals case (unpublished) supporting council's right to amend the budget, and requested a written opinion from Mr. Plato. She initially moved to amend city council rules to allow hiring a separate attorney, but withdrew the motion after discussion, planning to bring it forward at the November 7, 2023 meeting with additional information. The council went into closed session (5-0) to discuss the matter before she withdrew the motion. Mayor Woolley and Councilmember Ramik expressed concern about proceeding without all council members present, and Councilmember Rose noted the proposal was "hypocritical" given the council's recent postponement of a labor contract due to an absent member.

Key Outcomes

• All consent agenda items and regular agenda items (7.1-7.17) were approved, with the exception of the special meeting minutes which passed 3-2.
• The motion to hire separate legal counsel was withdrawn; Councilwoman Brandana will bring a revised proposal at the next meeting.
• Councilwoman Brandana requested written opinions from Corporation Counsel on the issues of closing debate and the council's authority to amend the budget line-by-line.
• The meeting adjourned at 8:06 PM.