Taylor, Michigan City Council Meeting Summary - October 15, 2024

The Taylor City Council met on October 15, 2024, with the mayor and council members present; Treasurer Toko was excused. The council approved the agenda and prior minutes, appointed a historical commissioner, approved an industrial development district for a proposed CMAC project, handled consent and regular agenda items, failed to fill a council vacancy, and heard public comment before adjourning at 7:55 p.m.

Administrative Approvals

• The agenda was approved with a change to item 6.1 to add Taylor after Panazzo; motion by Councilwoman Brandana, supported by Councilwoman Witten.
• The minutes of the October 1, 2024 meeting were approved without oral reading; motion by Councilwoman Witten, supported by Councilwoman Daniels.

Mayor's Communications and Appointments

• Tracy Panazzo Taylor was appointed to the Historical Commission for a four-year term to expire on October 15, 2028, and was sworn in.
• Mayor introduced Mark Kibby as the new director of economic development, who started the previous day and came from Allen Park.
• Mayor announced that Jalapalooza on October 25 was full and that the Masons would provide up to 2,000 child ID kits at the event.

Industrial Development District - CMAC Christie Land North LLC

• Motion to approve acceptance of the industrial development district (IDD) created by the Detroit Region Aerotropolis Development Corporation; motion by Councilman Johnson, supported by Councilwoman Witten.
• Aerotropolis staff explained the project: a 44-acre parcel on North Line Road, a 377,000-square-foot building, roughly 300 to 500 jobs, and $20 to $30 million in capital investment. The PA 198 tax abatement would be 50 percent of real and personal property taxes for up to eight years. The city was estimated to receive $4 to $6 million in taxes over eight years, with a similar amount abated.
• The Aerotropolis Board approved the IDD on September 12; Taylor City Council retained the right to disapprove it.
• Council members Brandana and Daniels voiced concerns about the lack of finalized terms, the absence of a completed community benefit agreement, and the process of allowing Aerotropolis to negotiate terms instead of the council. The mayor said an existing council-approved abatement schedule would serve as the minimum expectation and would be provided to council.
• Motion passed 4 to 2: yes votes from Witten, Johnson, Brandana, and Geis; no votes from Rose and Daniels.

Property Sale, Historical Society Recognition, Wastewater Authority

• Approved the mayor signing a purchase agreement for the sale of parcel ID 60-002-001-0032-000 for $9,000 plus closing costs, with proceeds to the general fund.
• Approved recognition of the Taylor Historical Society Cemetery Committee for preserving Taylor's history. The society reported locating 14 footstones, 14 headstones with bases, 6 headstones only, 5 bases only, and 20 unmarked graves; its spreadsheet listed 170 grave sites, with 35 needing simple repair, 63 needing comprehensive repair, and 72 completed.
• Approved the second amended articles of incorporation of the Downriver Utility Wastewater Authority. Discussion noted the address change to Wyandotte, a fiscal-year change, and board governance changes.

Consent Calendar

• Council agreed to handle items 7.1 through 7.7 as one consent agenda item; the motion was approved. No separate details for those items were read during the meeting.

Regular Agenda: Rezoning, Zoning Text Amendment, Grants, Contracts, Budget

• 7.8: Approved first reading of a rezoning from B3 General Business and R1C Single-Family Residential to B2 Regional Business on the east side of Telegraph between Crowley and Champaign. The mayor noted a Sonic restaurant is proposed for the area.
• 7.9: Approved first reading of zoning text amendment 24-28 ZTA, changing the commercial-vehicle weight restriction from 4,500 to 10,000 pounds in Section 15.10B/C. Discussion said the change would accommodate mom-and-pop contractors and work vans while keeping large commercial vehicles out of neighborhoods.
• 7.10: Approved the city clerk to accept the 2024 supplemental Help America Vote Act grant for election security and voting equipment.
• 7.11: Approved LUTS Roofing's low bid for new EPDM roofs at the Police Department, Police Auxiliary Building, and Northwest Pool Building for $670,050 plus a 3 percent contingency, not to exceed $690,152, funded through TBA capital outlay.
• 7.12: Approved Hobart Service as sole source to repair the Hobart dishwasher at the senior center for an amount not to exceed $2,420, funded through senior center operating funds.
• 7.13: Approved Certified Lights' low bid for holiday decorations for an amount not to exceed $48,284, funded through TBA capital outlay.
• 7.14: Approved a blanket purchase agreement with DA Central for badge system maintenance and repairs for an amount not to exceed $15,500, funded through general fund IT contractual services.
• 7.15: Approved City of Taylor budget amendment 2025-001 dated October 15, 2024.

Vote to Fill City Council Vacancy

• A motion was made to nominate and appoint Christian Armstrong to the vacant Taylor City Council seat under Section 4.5 of the city charter. The motion failed by roll call vote: Witten yes, Rose no, Johnson yes, Daniels no, Brandana no, and Geis abstaining. The tally was 2 yes, 3 no, 1 abstention, so the vacancy was not filled.

Open Business and Announcements

• A council member asked about the new economic development director's hiring and compensation and requested a written list of TGM bargaining-unit members and personal service contracts; the administration said it would provide the list.
• The clerk announced election information: early voting will run October 26 through November 3 at City Hall, with weekend hours 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and weekday hours 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Precincts will be open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day. The clerk said the two-sided ballot will take time and voters should plan for lines.
• A council member shared personal remarks for Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day, noted her work founding Metro Detroit Share, and said the 16th walk of remembrance drew about 420 people.
• The mayor praised city staff for the Chick-fil-A opening and the fire department's response to an apartment fire, and reminded residents to change smoke alarm batteries.

Public Comments

• John Curcio of 5913 Polk Street disputed a neighbor's allegations about a salvage yard, saying he has two trailers rather than three and that his tents were ruled legal. He raised concerns about rats in the city and alleged uneven ordinance enforcement, asking the council to address the situation.

Adjournment

• The meeting was adjourned at 7:55 p.m.