Taylor City Council Meeting – December 17, 2024
Taylor City Council Meeting – December 17, 2024
The Taylor City Council held a regular meeting on December 17 2024 adjourning at 7:23 PM. The meeting included a street vacation a conditional rezoning budget amendments and multiple contract awards for parks and infrastructure. A key item was the 5-2 approval of a conditional rezoning for a self-storage facility. The council also addressed a contractor protest regarding the Lang Park asphalt project.
Consent Calendar
- The consent agenda was approved unanimously in one motion. (Specific items not itemized in the transcript.)
Public Comments & Testimony
- Mike Chunko (Hutch Paving) objected to the city's decision to award the Lang Park asphalt contract to England Civil instead of his company, which was the low bidder by approximately $19000. He stated that his company had not received any negative feedback from prior work and requested investigation. The city administration indicated they considered previous project performance factors.
Discussion Items
8.1-8.3 Street Vacation (Pine Avenue/Pine Street)
- A public hearing was opened and closed for the vacation of a 60-foot platted street adjacent to lots 877-892 south of Eureka Road. Tim Volcho (CEC representing Shoet's Theme Property Group) explained the client owned both sides and sought vacation to enable redevelopment of a commercial shopping center. Council questions focused on location and benefit. The vacation was approved unanimously.
8.4 Conditional Rezoning (8715 Telegraph – Former Coliseum)
- First reading of a conditional rezoning from B3 General Business to I1 Light Industrial for a self-storage facility on 2.07 acres. City staff noted extensive conditions including landscaping lighting and hours. The rezoning is limited to the proposed use. Vote: 5-2 in favor (Councilmembers Rose Daniels Johnson Witten in favor; Councilmembers Brandana and Geis opposed). A second reading is required.
8.5-8.8 Consent-like Items
- 8.5 Budget amendment 2025-002 approved.
- 8.6 Emergency repair at fire department (Fairfax Electrical $6300) approved.
- 8.7 Uniform vendor (Mallory Safety and Supply $5848) approved.
- 8.8 CDBG sub-recipient agreements ($12500 each for Fish and Loaves Guidance Center Senior Alliance) approved. Councilwoman Brandana noted a future presentation from Fish and Loaves.
8.9 Petting Farm Storage Building
- Award to Soul Building Company ($239430 + 6% contingency = $253796) funded by MEDC grant. Discussion included cost concerns (Councilwoman Brandana) and building materials. Approved unanimously.
8.10 Dog Park at Lang Park
- Award to KAB Enterprises ($577476 + 4% contingency = $600576) funded by capital outlay/ARPA. Councilwoman Witten noted the price includes all fencing for the entire park. Approved unanimously.
8.11 Lang Park Asphalt (Controversial)
- Award to England Civil ($1101383 + 1.5% contingency = $1117194) funded by capital outlay/ARPA. Mike Chunko (Hutch Paving) protested the decision stating his company was low bidder and had good standing. City administration cited prior project performance concerns. Council discussion ensued and the motion carried unanimously.
8.12 Petting Farm Playscape
- Award to Sinclair Recreation ($200000 + 5% contingency = $210000) funded by MEDC grant. Approved unanimously.
8.13 Golf Course Maintenance Contract
- Three-year agreement with Olifant Golf Management ($3852210) funded by golf fund. Council noted a significant increase but budgeted for it. Approved unanimously.
8.14-8.15 IT Services
- 8.14 VISCOM cloud service ($7200) approved.
- 8.15 Dell VMware licensing ($32984) approved.
8.16 Vacant Council Seat
- No motion was made to fill the vacant seat.
Mayor's Communications
- Mayor reminded of Winter Fest (starting Thursday at Cone Lake/Heritage Park) and Santa's Magic Playground now at Kudos. Thanked parks and rec crew for successful parade and 5K.
Other Business
- Council members made announcements: encouraged shopping local (Thrifty Florist Masab Acres) reported on Good Fellows program (helped over 200 children) and Shop with a Hero and thanked volunteers.
- Office hours: City Hall closing at noon Friday (Dec 20) and closed Dec 24-25.
Key Outcomes
- Street vacation approved unanimously.
- Conditionual rezoning (first reading) approved 5-2.
- Budget amendment and various contracts approved.
- Lang Park asphalt contract awarded to England Civil despite protest.
- Petting Farm storage building and playscape contracts awarded.
- Golf course maintenance contract awarded to Olifant Golf Management.
- No action on vacant council seat.
Meeting Transcript
Motion by Councilwoman Brandana supported by Councilwoman Witten. Is there any discussion? Hearing none, all is in favor say yes. Yes. All is opposed, 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 December 3rd, 2024 and dispense with oral reading. Motion for motion by Councilwoman Witten supported by Councilwoman Brandana. Is there any discussion? Hearing none, all is in favor say yes. Yes. All is opposed, say no. The yeses have it, motion carry. That brings us to mayor's communication. There are no formal items, but Mr. Mayor, if uh you've got any announcements. Mr. Chairman, I'd just like to remind everybody that our winter fest starts on Thursday this week, uh all around Cone Lake at Heritage Park. Um, and uh you have to go through the animal uh is it the animal penning farm, sorry, um, to uh go through there and uh it's gonna be even nicer than it was last year. And just to remind everybody that uh Santa's magic playground is now over at Kudos, and uh me and the wife went through it last or this weekend, and it's really nice. It's a it's similar but not the same, but it still has that old uh you know, still that great presence, and it's nice to see that they're back open and people are able to continue that tradition uh moving forward. So uh just wanted to remind everybody about that, and just wanted to definitely give a shout out to our parks and rec crew uh for last weekend with the uh parade and and Cindy and her group with the 5K and everything, everything went well. I thought it went actually went great, so couldn't uh couldn't have been more happy with that. So I have fantastic, thank you. All right, uh that'll bring us to the consent agenda. All items on the consent agenda will be um acted on in one motion. Um is there a motion to approve the consent agenda items? Motion to approve motion by councilman Brandana. Is there support? Support supported by Councilman Johnson. Is there any discussion? Hearing none, all is in favor say yes, yes, all is opposed say no. The yeses have it, motion carried. That brings us to the regular agenda item 8.1, which is a motion to approve opening the public hearing as approved at the November 6, 2024 council meeting to vacate, retaining all utility easements 60 foot street located adjacent to lots 877 to 892, including the south of the adjacent vacated alley, inclusive of the Patterson's Tel Rica sub number two of the Northwest Quarter, Section 33, City of Taylor, Township 3, South, Route 10 East, Wayne County, Michigan. The subject site is located south of Eureka Road, east of vacated Syracuse Street, just west of party road. Is there a motion? Motion support. Motion by Councilwoman Witten, and that was supported supported by Councilwoman Daniels. Councilwoman. To opening it or um correct, yeah. So this is just to open the public hearing. Uh any discussion on opening the public hearing. Hearing none. All is in favor say yes. Yes, yes. All is opposed, say no. The yes is have it. Motion carried. The public hearing is now open. Uh first uh go to the city council if you have any questions on the vacation of uh uh this property.
openpublica.com