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Record of Proceedings

Taylor City Council Meeting - May 7, 2024

City Council — Tuesday, May 7, 2024
BodyTaylor, Michigan
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, May 7, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 4:30:00

Original source
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0:00

Here.

0:00

Mr.

0:01

Geis.

0:01

Here.

0:02

Mayor Woolley.

0:03

Here.

0:03

Mrs.

0:04

Bauer.

0:05

Here.

0:05

And Mrs.

0:05

Toko is excused.

0:10

All right.

0:10

So that brings us to 5.1.

0:14

Motion to approve the agenda.

0:15

Chairman.

0:16

Councilwoman.

0:17

I make a motion to approve the agenda with a change to 7.3 to read the year as 2024.

0:26

Would you like me to read the whole entire thing?

0:28

No, that's okay for motion by Councilwoman Brandana supported by Councilwoman Witten.

0:34

Is there any discussion?

0:37

Hearing none, all those in favor say yes.

0:39

Yes.

0:39

Yes.

0:40

All supposed say no.

0:41

Yes, is have it, motion carried.

0:43

Item 5.2 is a motion to approve the acceptance of the minutes of the meeting held April 28th, 2024, and dispense with oral reading.

0:51

Motion support.

0:53

Motion by Councilwoman Witton supported by Councilwoman Daniels.

0:57

Any discussion.

1:00

Hearing none, all those in favor say yes.

1:02

Yes.

1:02

Yes.

1:03

All is opposed, say no.

1:04

Yes, is have it motion carried.

1:06

Uh I know that we do not have any uh items of mayor's communication, but I believe you have an announcement.

1:12

Yes, Mr.

1:13

Chairman.

1:13

I just have one announcement.

1:14

Uh the Taylor VFW post 4422 is gonna have a Tony and Tina's fabulous free fiesta fundraiser, and that is on May 19th, Sunday, May 19th from 12 to 6 p.m.

1:29

And uh the VFW post is located at 11590 Pine Street, and that's just down from Taylor City Hall.

1:38

All right, any further communications?

1:41

Oh, that's it.

1:42

All right, thank you.

1:43

All right, that'll bring us to our regular agenda.

1:46

Item 7.1 is the motion to approve plant moran PLLC to provide audit services for a three-year term and an amount not to exceed 186,300 for fiscal year 2024, 1918 for fiscal year 2025, and 197,450 for fiscal year 2026, plus any additional single audit fees per the attached engagement letter, funded through various funds per the attached schedule.

2:19

Make a motion support motion by councilman Johnson supported by councilwoman Witten.

2:25

Is there any discussion?

2:26

Chairman Councilwoman.

2:28

I would ask, have we bid this out?

2:30

I mean, I know they've been the auditor for quite a while.

2:32

Have we bid it out just to get comparables to see or and if we haven't, can we um I guess at some point in the future just to make sure the rate is it seems appropriate, but just to ensure that chair, uh good evening, everybody.

2:49

Uh to the councilwoman's um suggestion.

2:52

Um three years ago when we uh because we we have been doing a three-year uh contract or engagement with plant moran, and three years ago we did look at other communities and it was reasonable compared.

3:02

Uh this time around, I did not do uh a reasonable comparison.

3:06

Uh the reasonable check was the fact that it's uh only a five percent increase from our last year's audit costs.

3:13

Um so um so that's why we uh we thought was we brought to your attention and bring it as a recommendation at this point in time.

3:21

Um as stated in my remarks, you know, Plan Moran has been doing a city audit for quite some time, and um I think uh when we did three years ago, um we looked at some of the costs at like a westland, a Lavonia, some similar cities, and their costs were in line.

3:38

So uh so again being only a five percent increase from year to year, um, and then after that was only a 2.9 percent increase.

3:45

Uh we felt that was uh you know was appropriate to bring um as a professional service.

3:49

We don't have to bid it out, but obviously anything can be bid out.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Safety██████████████████18%
Technology and Innovation████████████████16%
Miscellaneous█████████████13%
Public Engagement████████8%
Procedural█████5%
Procurement Policy█████5%
Veterans Affairs█████5%
Parks and Recreation████4%
Community Engagement████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Taylor City Council Meeting - May 7, 2024

The Taylor City Council held a regular meeting on May 7, 2024, at 6:30 PM in the Taylor Municipal Building. The agenda included 28 items covering audit services, property maintenance code updates, various purchases, contracts, a public hearing on CDBG funds, and risk management matters. The meeting concluded at 8:31 PM.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • A resident submitted a petition with 120 signatures from the Westgate Gardens subdivision requesting denial of permit reinstatement for Christnet Services. The City Clerk confirmed the permit was revoked, with an appeal hearing scheduled for May 21, 2024.
  • Mary Waters, at-large member of the Detroit City Council and candidate for U.S. Representative in the 13th Congressional District, introduced herself and expressed interest in regional collaboration.

Discussion Items

  • 7.1 Audit Services (Plante Moran): Councilwoman Brandana asked if the contract was bid out. CFO Jason Couture explained that three years ago they compared costs with similar communities, and the proposed 5% increase this year (2.95% in subsequent years) was reasonable. Approved unanimously.
  • 7.2 Property Maintenance Code: First reading of the 2021 International Property Maintenance Code adoption. Corporation Counsel Ed Plato stated it aligns with upcoming state codes. Approved unanimously.
  • 7.9 Final Payment – Church Restoration: CFO provided an update on insurance proceeds and subrogation recovery, resulting in a positive cash flow of approximately $2,400 upon completion. Approved unanimously.
  • 7.10 Northwest Pool Resurfacing: Approved low bid from Advanced Pool Services for $148,400 plus a 4% contingency ($154,336 total). Discussion included pool age (last resurfaced nine years ago) and lifeguard staffing (seven guards expected). Approved unanimously.
  • 7.11 Aerial Lift Truck: Approved low bid from Versalift Midwest for $116,642. Discussion included annual recertification training and replacement of a 20-year-old unit. Approved unanimously.
  • 7.19 Managed IT Services (Skynet Innovations): Presentation by Plante Moran consultants. After a competitive RFP process (16 respondents, three finalists), Skynet was recommended for a three-year contract at $444,120/year (total $1,332,360). Discussion covered scope, costs, and transition. Roll call vote: 4-2 (Brandana, Johnson, Winton, Geiss ayes; Rose, Daniels nays).
  • 7.20 Project Engineering Hours (Skynet): Sole source purchase of 1,000 hours for $120,000 for net-new projects. IT Director Ryan Moore outlined plans for tracking and reporting. Roll call vote: 4-2 (same as above).
  • 7.22 Solicitor's Permit (Aptive Environmental): Councilman Johnson expressed concerns about door-to-door sales but noted the company followed the city's process (background checks, fees). The City Clerk confirmed credentials and the ability to revoke if complaints arise. Approved unanimously.
  • 7.24-7.28 Closed Session & Risk Management: Approved closed session (unanimous roll call). Approved settlements for claims QL-0863 and QL-0875, and legal services at hourly rates: Zausmer, P.C. ($185), Kaufman Dolowich, LLP ($275 partner, $245 associate, $125 paralegal). All approved unanimously.
  • Open Business: Motion to settle claim QE-0216 failed 3-3 (Brandana, Winton, Geiss ayes; Johnson, Rose, Daniels nays). Councilwoman Winton updated on towing committee and vendor response. Councilwoman Daniels raised concerns about high water bills and potential assistance programs.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved: 3-year audit contract with Plante Moran (fees: $186,300 FY2024, $191,800 FY2025, $197,450 FY2026) plus single audit fees.
  • Approved: First reading of 2021 International Property Maintenance Code adoption.
  • Approved: Numerous purchases and contracts, including: KCI Printing ($3,443), Hotsy Midwest power washer ($11,290, sole source/emergency), Fairfax Electric ($2,500), Kobus lead line pipe puller ($73,295, sole source), Belfor increase ($10,000), Emergency Training Solutions ($2,520), Belfor final payment ($68,355), Advanced Pool Services ($154,336), Versalift Midwest ($116,642), Kiesler Police Supply ($10,631), Cynergy Wireless ($22,641), Downriver Cleaning ($59,460), Skynet IT services ($1,332,360 over 3 years, 4-2 vote), Skynet project hours ($120,000, 4-2 vote), Dominion Voting batteries ($3,795), Aptive Environmental solicitor's permit, Metro Detroit Sled Hockey charitable gaming license, and risk management legal services.
  • Approved: Special license for Taylor Summer Festival alcohol sales.
  • Approved: Authorizing mayor to sign HOME Consortium interlocal agreement (2024-2027).
  • Approved: Public hearing on CDBG funds opened and closed; budget to be brought for approval at a future meeting.
  • Failed: Settlement of risk management claim QE-0216 (3-3 vote).

Meeting Transcript

Here. Mr. Geis. Here. Mayor Woolley. Here. Mrs. Bauer. Here. And Mrs. Toko is excused. All right. So that brings us to 5.1. Motion to approve the agenda. Chairman. Councilwoman. I make a motion to approve the agenda with a change to 7.3 to read the year as 2024. Would you like me to read the whole entire thing? No, that's okay for motion by Councilwoman Brandana supported by Councilwoman Witten. Is there any discussion? Hearing none, all those in favor say yes. Yes. Yes. All supposed say no. Yes, is have it, motion carried. Item 5.2 is a motion to approve the acceptance of the minutes of the meeting held April 28th, 2024, and dispense with oral reading. Motion support. Motion by Councilwoman Witton supported by Councilwoman Daniels. Any discussion. Hearing none, all those in favor say yes. Yes. Yes. All is opposed, say no. Yes, is have it motion carried. Uh I know that we do not have any uh items of mayor's communication, but I believe you have an announcement. Yes, Mr. Chairman. I just have one announcement. Uh the Taylor VFW post 4422 is gonna have a Tony and Tina's fabulous free fiesta fundraiser, and that is on May 19th, Sunday, May 19th from 12 to 6 p.m. And uh the VFW post is located at 11590 Pine Street, and that's just down from Taylor City Hall. All right, any further communications? Oh, that's it. All right, thank you. All right, that'll bring us to our regular agenda. Item 7.1 is the motion to approve plant moran PLLC to provide audit services for a three-year term and an amount not to exceed 186,300 for fiscal year 2024, 1918 for fiscal year 2025, and 197,450 for fiscal year 2026, plus any additional single audit fees per the attached engagement letter, funded through various funds per the attached schedule. Make a motion support motion by councilman Johnson supported by councilwoman Witten. Is there any discussion? Chairman Councilwoman. I would ask, have we bid this out? I mean, I know they've been the auditor for quite a while.

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