Taylor City Council Meeting - August 20, 2024

The Taylor City Council met on August 20, 2024, at 11:30 AM UTC (7:30 PM local time) to address a full agenda including a proclamation, an ethics ordinance postponement, technology contracts, a towing services RFQ, a zoning amendment, and a rezoning request. The meeting opened with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by roll call confirming a quorum.

Consent Calendar

• Motion to approve the agenda with the addition of item 7.19 (second reading of rezoning) passed unanimously.
• Minutes of the August 7, 2024 meeting were approved as amended (noting Judge Snow was absent).
• Proclamation honoring the 2024 Taylor North Junior League Baseball team for winning the U.S. Junior League World Series (9-7 against Keystone Little League, Tampa, FL) was approved unanimously.
• Several routine motions were approved: setting a public hearing date for October 1, 2024 to vacate a 20-foot alley; two-year agreement with Flock Group Inc. for 27 cameras ($101,250 first year, $81,000 second year, funded by ARPA); attendance at the Michigan Community Development Association conference (up to $1,000); sending a building department employee to the fall COCM conference (up to $700); NFPA membership dues ($2,228); purchase of two gas alert monitors ($928); golf apparel purchase with Nike ($6,000); cart rental services with Chief Cart ($5,000, reimbursed by outing); golf club sets with TorEDG ($8,000); purchase of 75 laptops from Dell ($72,075, ARPA); renewal of software support with Quinnet IT ($78,864); scoreboard equipment from Nevco ($4,420); Zamboni batteries from Earl's Battery ($9,498); receipt and filing of July 2024 budget performance reports and paid invoice reports.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Martin Juilliard (citizen): Expressed concern that past rash decisions on towing contracts have led to lawsuits costing taxpayers; urged caution.
• Dan Wallace (23245 North Line): Thanked the council for their work on the towing RFQ, noting that benchmarking and calling suppliers is standard in private industry.
• Richard Tebow (14400 Gully Street): Complained about noise from golf course maintenance equipment (mowers, carts) starting at 6 AM; asked about noise ordinance enforcement. The mayor agreed to follow up.
• Martin Juilliard (returning): Questioned attorney fees related to the Solar criminal case and warned of future costs when the case becomes public; advised pausing the towing RFQ until the case concludes.
• Kimberly Chomble Cullen (2011 Pinecrest): Praised employee Veronica Leonard; announced her intent to buy her grandmother's house for her son (Iraq veteran); raised issue of a city-owned tree damaging her sidewalk, stating she will not pay for sidewalk repairs caused by the tree.
• Speaker (unnamed, 60+ police comment): Stated the city is unsafe with only 60 officers, needs 120; urged council to address public safety. The chairman noted budget constraints and suggested a petition for a millage.
• Speaker (ethics complaint inquiry): Asked how to file an ethics complaint; Mr. Plato explained the process (sworn complaint with personal knowledge) and noted the amendment would allow alternative filing options.
• Rick Shatterbert (William Street): Appreciated flashing red stop signs; noted a dangerous intersection at Wick and Pardee where right-turn-on-red is prohibited but signage is inadequate; requested a visible sign at eye level. The mayor and council agreed to investigate.

Discussion Items

• Ethics Ordinance Amendment (Item 6.2): Councilwoman Daniels requested several modifications to the second reading of the ethics ordinance amendment, including: adding reporting requirements for city employees (gifts over $150/year), removing the phrase "or policy" from Section 3.E (use of information), adding residency requirements and excluding immediate family members, vendors, and contractors from the ethics board, and clarifying that cash and gift cards are not acceptable gifts. Councilwoman Rose also requested whistleblower and First Amendment protections. The motion to postpone to September 3, 2024 passed unanimously.
• Towing Services RFQ (Item 7.17): Councilwoman Witten presented a draft RFQ based on a 2016 RFP and research from multiple jurisdictions. Councilwoman Daniels criticized the process, arguing it should come from the purchasing department and that the work group's input was not used. After debate, the motion was amended to approve the RFQ for submission to the mayor's office, which will incorporate both the work group's and Councilwoman Witten's input. The mayor committed to issuing the RFQ by September 1, 2024. The motion passed.
• Commercial Vehicle Ordinance Amendment (Item 7.18): First reading to amend Article 15, Section 15.10 to clarify that tow trucks and flatbeds are not exempt from commercial vehicle parking restrictions. Passed unanimously.
• Rezoning Request (Item 7.19): Second reading to rezone parcel 60-006-02-0786-000 from R1C to P1 (vehicular parking) on Cornell Street. Councilwoman Daniels moved to postpone to September 3, citing questions about a photo that was not from the correct location, lack of signage, and notification. The postponement passed unanimously.
• Police Technology (Item 7.2): Councilwoman Brandana asked about the total cost and sustainability of the Flock camera system. Chief Blair provided examples of successes (solving a human trafficking ring, tracking stolen vehicles, monitoring ATV complaints). He committed to providing a full cost breakdown and sustainability plan.
• Laptop Purchase (Item 7.10): IT Director explained that the current thin client system is six years old and unsupported after December 2024; 75 laptops are part of a phased replacement. Councilwoman Brandana asked about the lifecycle and future plans; the director will provide a strategic roadmap.

Key Outcomes

• Approved: Agenda (with addition), minutes, proclamation, alley vacation public hearing (Oct 1), Flock camera contract (2 years, ARPA-funded), several conference attendances, equipment purchases, NFPA membership, golf apparel and cart rentals, laptops (75 units, $72,075), software support, scoreboard, Zamboni batteries, budget reports, and paid invoices.
• Postponed: Second reading of ethics ordinance amendment (to September 3, 2024) and second reading of rezoning (to September 3, 2024).
• Approved (amended): Towing RFQ to be submitted to the mayor's office for finalization and issuance (by September 1, 2024).
• First Reading Approved: Amendment to commercial vehicle parking ordinance (clarifying tow trucks/flatbeds not exempt).
• Other: Councilwoman Daniels' request for clarification on council access to records under the city charter and FOIA will be addressed by Mr. Plato at a future meeting. The mayor will follow up on the noise complaint at the golf course and the signage issue at Wick and Pardee.