Taylor City Council Regular Meeting – February 6, 2024

The Taylor City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, February 6, 2024, beginning at 6:30 p.m. and adjourning at 8:52 p.m. Council Chairman Douglas A. Geiss presided. Six members were present (Winton, Brandana, Johnson, Rose, Daniels, Geiss); Treasurer Michelle Tocco was excused. The meeting included routine approvals, several new appointments, a debated drone show contract, a new robotic dog for the police department, and extensive discussion on compensation commission determinations and towing fee complaints.

Consent Calendar

• Agenda approved with an amendment to change items 7.14–7.17 from "receive and file" to "motion to approve" (vote 5-1, Geiss dissenting).
• Minutes of January 16, 2024, approved (unanimous).
• Mayor communications: appointments to Library Board (Lori Slattery), Veterans Museum Commission (Nick Dmitruchina), and Ethics Board (Tanya Clayton and Jim Taylor) – the Ethics Board appointments failed 4-2 (Rose and Daniels opposed).
• Approval of Greco Law PLLC for legal services at set rates (unanimous).
• Education reimbursements for police officers via Cleary University ($16,792, ARPA funds) – unanimous.
• One-year lease of RADDOG Law Enforcement Robotic Dog from Robotic Assistance Devices ($32,500, Federal Forfeiture Treasury) – unanimous after discussion.
• Lexipol sole source for State Accreditation Module ($40,891, Federal Forfeiture Justice Funds) – unanimous.
• Amendment to increase authority for Fairfax Electrical Service by $300 (total $4,000) – unanimous.
• Emergency Training Solutions for fire paramedic training ($8,600) – unanimous.
• Removal of delinquent water assessments on two tax parcels (foreclosure-related) – unanimous.
• KCI Printing for postage of 2024 Assessment Change Notices ($11,807) – unanimous.
• Removal of weed cutting invoice for 22370 Superior ($330) – unanimous.
• First Amendment to Purchase Agreement with SOAR Restaurants, LLC extending due diligence to May 31, 2024 – unanimous.
• One-year extension of sewer rehabilitation contract with Pipeline Management ($1,000,000) – unanimous.
• One-year extension of engineering services for sewer rehabilitation with Hennessey Engineers ($70,000) – unanimous.
• One-year extension of VMWare Horizon License and Support with Dell ($31,572) – unanimous.
• Two-year renewal of workers' compensation excess insurance policy with Midwest Employers ($209,080 total) – unanimous.
• Solicitation request from Knights of Columbus All Saints Council #4872 for Tootsie Roll Drive (March 22–24, 2024) – unanimous.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Renee Stallions (Allen Park resident) described being charged $8,500 by Roberts Spill Response and Restoration after a minor accident where only fire department cleanup occurred. She noted a similar $17,000 bill split with the other driver. She questioned oversight of towing and cleanup contractors.
• Crystal June (Taylor resident) reported a $23,000 bill from Roberts Spill Response after her daughter's accident, alleging charges for work not performed (e.g., soil testing, sign replacement). She said the fire department handled cleanup.
• Don Dodge (Taylor resident) stated his son's car was held for 55 days after a suicide, and Area Towing demanded $1,300 in storage fees. He argued fees should be waived during police hold.
• Jim Austin (attorney for Area Towing) explained that Roberts is a subcontractor, not an assignment, and that environmental cleanup requirements have increased. He offered to work with the city to resolve disputes and noted a statutory process for challenging fees through district court. He also stated Area Towing has not had a rate increase since 2014.

Discussion Items

• Firefly Drone Show (7.1): Mayor explained the show is a 15-minute patriotic drone display on June 28, 2024 (rain date June 29) as an addition to the Summer Festival, funded entirely by an anonymous donor wanting to honor fallen officers and provide a sensory-friendly alternative to fireworks. Council debated the cost ($45,000) and whether the festival turned a profit in 2023 (estimates ranged from $20,000 to $30,000 loss). Motion passed 4-2 (Winton and Daniels opposed).
• RADDOG Robotic Dog (7.3): Police Chief John Blair and Lt. Adamisin presented the one-year lease of a remotely operated robotic dog for de-escalation and hazardous situations. Features include two-way communication, infrared, and a PlayStation-style controller. The dog is covered under lease for damages. Council members asked about battery life (1-2 hours active, up to 3 hours loitering) and replacement in case of damage. Unanimous approval.
• Compensation Commission Determinations (7.14–7.17): Councilwoman Daniels moved to change these items from receive and file to approve to allow council to act. Extensive debate ensued on the legality of the commission's composition (possible conflict of interest with a member who is a city contractor and whose son works for the district court). Corporation Counsel Ed Plato advised that only a motion to reject would prevent the raises from taking effect.
  • 7.14 (Council Chair, Pro-Tem, Members): Motion to reject failed 3-3 (Brandana, Rose, Daniels in favor; Winton, Johnson, Geiss opposed). The determination therefore took effect automatically after 30 days.
  • 7.15 (City Clerk): Motion to approve passed 4-2 (Rose and Daniels opposed).
  • 7.16 (Treasurer): Motion to approve passed 4-2 (same vote).
  • 7.17 (Mayor): Motion to approve passed 4-2 (same vote).
• Towing Contract Oversight: Councilwoman Winton raised concerns about Area Towing's subcontractor Roberts Spill Response, citing contract language on cleanup responsibilities, rate increases, and assignment. Council directed Corporation Counsel to review the contract and report back by February 13, 2024. The council also noted the city is in the process of rebidding the towing contract.
• Nomination to Fill Vacant Council Seat (7.20): Councilwoman Winton nominated Gerald Thomas. The nomination failed 2-4 (Winton and Geiss in favor; Brandana, Johnson, Rose, Daniels opposed). No other nominations were made.

Key Outcomes

• Appointments:
  • Lori Slattery to Library Board (unanimous).
  • Nick Dmitruchina to Veterans Museum Commission (unanimous).
  • Tanya Clayton and Jim Taylor to Ethics Board – failed 4-2.
• Contracts and Expenditures: All routine contracts and expenditures approved as listed in the consent calendar, except the Firefly Drone Show (4-2) and the compensation determinations (4-2 for clerk, treasurer, mayor; 3-3 for council positions).
• Investigation of Towing Fees: Corporation Counsel to review the Area Towing contract and fee practices, with a report expected by February 13, 2024. The council will consider next steps at a subsequent meeting.
• Council Vacancy: No appointment made; the position remains vacant. The council may revisit at a future meeting.
• Compensation Commission: The raises for council positions became effective after 30 days due to the failed rejection motion; raises for clerk, treasurer, and mayor were approved by council. The legality of the commission's composition is under review.