Taylor City Council Regular Meeting - February 4, 2025

The regular meeting of the Taylor City Council was held on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, in the Taylor Municipal Building at 23555 Goddard Road, Taylor, Michigan, beginning at 6:30 p.m. The meeting was called to order by Council Chairman Douglas A. Geiss. Six council members were present, constituting a quorum. The agenda was approved with an amendment to item 6.1 to clarify the reappointment to the Aging Commission. The minutes of the January 21, 2025 meeting were approved unanimously.

Mayor Communications

• Reappointments to the Aging Commission: Council approved the reappointments of Shirley Doom and Arlene Mohr for a two-year term expiring February 4, 2027. (Unanimous)
• Closed Session: Council unanimously approved (6-0) a motion to enter closed session to discuss collective bargaining with AFSCME Local 1917.22 and the Taylor Police Officers Labor Association. The meeting went into closed session at approximately 6:40 p.m. and reconvened at 7:18 p.m.
• Tentative Agreement: Following the closed session, Council approved the tentative agreement between the City of Taylor and Local 1917.22, AFSCME Michigan. (Unanimous)
• Announcements: Mayor Woolley thanked the Parks and Recreation Department for a successful Daddy-Daughter Dance and reminded residents of the upcoming Mother-Son Dance on February 22, 2025, at Heritage Hall, with tickets available on the city website.

Consent Calendar

Council approved the consent agenda as a single block. Key items included:

• Approval of KCI Printing for postage for 2025 Assessment Change Notices for Real Property, not to exceed $12,883 (funded through General Fund).
• Approval for one member of the Fire Department to attend the Michigan Fire Inspectors Society Winter Conference at a cost not to exceed $917 plus out-of-pocket expenses.
• Approval of Civic Plus (Municode) for annual ordinance codification services: $1,874 initially, $2,072 in following years.
• Extension of the due date for payment of Winter 2024 taxes to February 28, 2025. Chair Geiss noted that taxes not paid by that date would incur additional fees.

Discussion Items

Items 8.1 through 8.6 were approved unanimously without discussion:

• 8.1: Amendment to CCR#6.274-24 to increase authority for Priority One by $25,000 for Fire Department uniforms.
• 8.2: Purchase of two Graco SD Series 10 Cord Reels for Fire Station 3 from Allied Inc. (low bid) for $2,700.
• 8.3: Purchase of a 2025 Ford F-550 Chassis from Lunghamer Ford (MiDeal state bid) for $70,980.
• 8.4: Amendment to CCR#6.304-24 to increase Communications and Media authority by $11,400.
• 8.5: Approval of blanket purchase agreements for the inaugural Animal Shelter 5K run, not to exceed $17,000 (funded through Animal Shelter Donation Account).
• 8.6: Creation of a purchase order for MWI Animal Health in the amount of $8,000.

8.7 – Vacant Council Seat: Two nominations were made to fill the vacant position on the Taylor City Council per Section 4.5 of the City Charter. Councilman Johnson nominated Martin Juilliard, but the motion lacked a second and died. Councilwoman Daniels nominated Jack Hayden, but the motion also lacked a second and failed. No further nominations were made, leaving the seat vacant.

Budget Study Sessions and Public Hearing

During open business, council discussed scheduling for the FY 2025-2026 budget process. It was noted that the budget would not be available until April 1, 2025, requiring the public hearing to be held on or after April 23. Council agreed to hold budget study sessions on April 14 and April 17, 2025 (Monday and Thursday) from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. A special meeting for the public hearing on the budget was set for April 29, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. Formal motions to adopt these dates will be placed on a future agenda. Chair Geiss also raised a request to install security card access to the study session room and the former council secretary's office.

Public Comments & Testimony

Two public submissions were read by the City Clerk:

• Charles Blackwell submitted a written comment critical of Mayor Woolley, referencing former mayor Rick Sallers' federal prison sentence for corruption.
• Sherry Ingelbrink (Taylor Historical Museum) announced an open house at the Nope Farmhouse in Heritage Park on Saturday, February 15, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., featuring historical maps and displays.
• The Clerk also noted receipt of the Taylor Historical Society's 2023 and 2024 annual reports, which were thorough and included recommendations for updates, such as adding a youth focus. Mayor Woolley acknowledged the reports and said the administration would review suggested changes.

Key Outcomes

• All consent and regular agenda items were approved unanimously except the vacant council seat (no appointment made).
• The tentative labor agreement with AFSCME Local 1917.22 was ratified.
• Budget study sessions set for April 14 and 17, 2025, with a public hearing scheduled for April 29, 2025.
• A security access improvement for council offices was discussed but no formal action taken.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 7:39 p.m.