Taylor City Council Regular Meeting – February 20, 2024

The Taylor City Council met on Tuesday, February 20, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. in the Taylor Municipal Building. All six council members were present. The meeting covered approval of the consent calendar, mayor communications, regular agenda items including personnel contracts, public works purchases, a budget amendment, golf course equipment financing, and public comment on towing practices. Several items generated lengthy discussion, including the engagement of special counsel for zoning matters, a contract award to Al’s Asphalt following disclosure of unrelated federal charges, and the proposed purchase of GPS units for golf carts.

Consent Calendar

• Motion to approve the agenda (carried).
• Motion to approve the minutes of the February 6, 2024 meeting, with an amendment correcting the supporter on item 7.9 (weed cutting invoice) from Tina Daniels to Lindsey Rose (carried).
• Items 7.1 through 7.13, 7.15 through 7.23 (except 7.14 and the budget amendment) were approved unanimously without discussion. These included:
  • Animal shelter grant ($8,000)
  • Purchase of a 2023 Ford F-150 truck for the animal shelter ($48,754)
  • Fire department turnout gear ($20,608)
  • Fire inspectors conference attendance
  • Tire purchases ($2,880)
  • Pump operations training ($2,520)
  • Blanket purchase agreement increases for Halt Fire and Conway Shield
  • Grant applications for AFG and MDOT
  • Police training certification ($9,000)
  • Petting farm pavilion engineering ($10,000)
  • Blanket purchase agreements for the 2024 Taylor Summer Festival ($275,000)
  • DPW employee conference attendance ($3,250)
  • Construction engineering for CDBG resurfacing ($56,000)
  • Emergency pavement repairs ($64,561)
  • NASSCO training for sewer employees ($7,600)
  • State MS4 permit fee ($5,000)
  • January 2024 paid invoice report and budget performance report (filed)
  • Budget amendment 2024-008 (approved after discussion)
  • Clerk’s office conference attendance ($3,200)
• Mayor’s communications: personal service contracts for Director of Golf and Marketing Coordinator, reappointment of Ronald Bentley to Veterans Museum Commission, and appointment of special counsel for zoning defense (all approved).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Multiple residents voiced concerns about towing and road-cleaning charges by Area Towing. Specific cases included:
  • A resident described being misled about a tow and charged extra fees after the vehicle was taken to the yard against agreement.
  • A non‑resident reported receiving a $19,000 road-cleaning invoice nine months after an accident; questioned the timing and necessity.
  • A resident claimed an $8,000 road-cleaning bill; called the practice a “racket.”
• A representative from the Island Lake of Midtown homeowners association complained about calcium deposits (efflorescence) on new build bricks; city officials suggested pursuing the matter through the HOA rather than the city.
• A resident sought help with a $74 water bill that included a $40 insufficient funds fee after an auto-draft from a closed account; city staff offered to review the documents.
• Caroline Path announced upcoming Log Cabin Day (June 30) and Colonial Days (May 17-19).
• Mary Susa inquired about a prior council question regarding a person’s eligibility for a commission; Corporation Counsel responded that the individual is a consultant for TIFA, not a city employee, and was not disqualified.

Discussion Items

• Special Counsel Appointment (6.3): Council approved Rosati Schultz Joppich Amtsbuechler, PC as special counsel for zoning and land use matters at $225/hour (associates) and $250/hour (partners). Mayor and corporation counsel explained the firm’s expertise; council members asked about charter compliance and time limits. Motion carried.
• Summer Festival Blanket Purchase Agreements (7.13): Discussion included the entertainment lineup (38 Special secured), sponsorship goals (north of $100k), and a question about why golf carts are rented rather than using city carts. Motion carried.
• CDBG Street Resurfacing (7.14): Council debated awarding the contract to Al’s Asphalt after the company’s owners pleaded guilty to federal charges for bid‑rigging on a private project five years ago. Mayor and corporation counsel stated the charges did not involve Taylor contracts. Engineering explained the cost increase for additional roads. Motion passed 5-1 (Daniels opposed).
• Budget Amendment (7.22): CFO Jason Couture presented the interim budget amendment, increasing General Fund revenue by $3.2 million and expenditures by $1.2 million, with highlights including a $1.7 million TCDC distribution, updated state revenue estimates, and adjustments for compensated absences. Motion carried.
• TIFA Loan for Golf Carts and GPS (7.24-7.26): Council approved a $1,235,057 loan at 2.75% from TIFA for new golf carts and related equipment (golf carts, range picker, beverage carts, passenger carts) after discussion about interest rates, fleet conditions, and the trade-in value of the current fleet. The purchase of 165 Club Car carts from Midwest Golf & Turf ($1,101,701) was also approved. Motion to purchase 165 GPS units from FAIRWAYiQ ($133,357) failed 2-4, with council members questioning cost and necessity.
• Council Vacancy (7.27): Two nominations to fill the vacant council seat were made: Jack Hayden (failed 2-4) and Butch Ramik (failed 3-3). No appointment was made.
• Towing Contract and Related Motions: Councilwoman Winton introduced three motions under Open Business: (1) Direct administration to draft an RFQ for a new towing contract by August 10, 2024 (carried); (2) Audit the current towing contractor for compliance with rates, resident rate program, hours, payment methods, and subcontracting approvals (carried); (3) Investigate road cleaning charges billed to individuals/insurance companies for compliance with legal requirements (carried).
• Closed Session: Council entered closed session to discuss risk management claim #2024-0118B; after reconvening, they approved a settlement as recommended by the risk management committee (carried).

Key Outcomes

• Appointments: Ronald Bentley reappointed to Veterans Museum Commission (sworn in). Special counsel Rosati Schultz retained for zoning matters.
• Contracts Awarded: Al’s Asphalt for CDBG resurfacing ($467,785); Midwest Golf & Turf for golf carts ($1,101,701); TIFA loan approved ($1,235,057).
• Budget Amendment 2024-008 approved, increasing General Fund revenue and expenditure budgets.
• GPS Purchase for golf carts failed (2-4).
• No appointment to fill the vacant council seat after two nominations failed.
• Towing Contract: Administration directed to prepare an RFQ by August 10, 2024; audit of current contractor authorized; investigation of road cleaning charges directed.
• Settlement for risk management claim approved.
• Public Comment prompted council action on towing issues; several residents expressed dissatisfaction with current vendor.

Additional Notes

• The meeting included a presentation on the Log Cabin Day and Colonial Days events.
• Councilman Geiss raised the issue of amending the city ordinance to prohibit storage of tow trucks in residential areas; administration will consider ordinance tweaks.
• The clerk’s office provided an update on early voting (94 voters in first four days) and absentee ballot deadlines for the February 27 primary.