Taylor City Council Meeting – March 4, 2025

The Taylor City Council met on March 4, 2025, and adjourned at 6:58 p.m. This summary is based on the raw transcript; no separate agenda or minutes were available. The council approved the agenda, the February 18, 2025 minutes, the consent agenda, and regular agenda items 8.1 through 8.11. Discussion was also held on a vacant council appointment, the upcoming towing contract bid opening, and a residential street lighting matter.

Consent Calendar

• The agenda was approved by voice vote; motion by Councilwoman Brandana, second by Councilwoman Witten.
• The minutes of the February 18, 2025 meeting were approved and oral reading was dispensed with; motion by Councilwoman Witten, second by Councilwoman Brandana.
• The consent agenda was approved as a block by voice vote. The transcript does not identify the individual consent agenda items.

Mayoral Communication

• The mayor expressed condolences for James Hearn, an employee at Lakes of Taylor and TSX, who died in a car crash on Sunday.

Regular Agenda – Purchases and Authorizations (8.1–8.11)

All of the following motions were passed by voice vote with no audible opposition:

• 8.1: Approved Dell/state bid for a high-performance computer to operate the forensic GrayKey system for $3,422, funded from the police IT fund. Motion by Daniels, second by Brandana.
• 8.2: Approved Load O Meter as sole-source scale distributor for repairs to five police CMV truck scales, not to exceed $5,896, funded from general fund police equipment repair and maintenance. Motion by Witten, second by Daniels.
• 8.3: Approved American Air Operations for Part 107 drone pilot licensing, drone system, and flight training for 11 officers, not to exceed $4,345, funded from police training fund. Motion by Daniels, second by Witten.
• 8.4: Approved Load O Meter sole-source for four CMV scale leveling mats, not to exceed $3,900, funded from police operating supplies. Motion by Rose, second by Daniels.
• 8.5: Approved Design to Wellness low quote to provide and deliver a Matrix Performance Climb Mill at the recreation center, not to exceed $11,300, funded through TBA capital outline (as transcribed). Motion by Brandana, second by Witten.
• 8.6: Approved Audio Concrete Constructions, as named in the transcript, for additional concrete repairs on local roads, not to exceed $400,000, funded from the local street fund. A resident asked whether a background check had been completed; the chair said the company was a continuation vendor, was bonded and approved previously, and that a background check had been done. Motion by Witten, second by Brandana.
• 8.7: Approved the same concrete vendor for project restorations on the 2023 Monroe Boulevard pavement rehabilitation project, not to exceed $290,000, funded through the 2021 MTF bond issuance. Councilwoman Witten asked whether this was additional money; Mr. Gibbs said the work was originally expected but the prior vendor's performance was insufficient, so it was being reassigned. Motion by Witten, second by Brandana.
• 8.8: Approved three Department of Public Works employees to attend the 2025 American Public Works Association Great Lakes Expo, not to exceed $6,500, funded from the water supply system fund. Motion by Rose, second by Daniels.
• 8.9: Approved City of Taylor budget amendment 2025-00E, dated March 4, 2025. Motion by Brandana, second by Witten.
• 8.10: Approved two city clerk office employees to attend the 2025 Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks Education Day, not to exceed $450 plus out-of-pocket expenses, funded from clerk's office training and transportation accounts. Motion by Daniels, second by Rose.
• 8.11: Approved DA Central sole-source access control system at the new animal shelter, $48,246 with a $4,500 contingency, total not to exceed $52,746, funded through animal shelter capital outlay. Motion by Rose, second by Daniels.

Discussion – Vacant Council Appointment (8.12)

• No formal motion was made. A council member asked whether the vacant position should be filled while not all council members were present. The chair indicated there was no hard-and-fast rule but that it would be common courtesy to have the full council present. Another council member said they hoped the council would not make such an important decision in a different makeup, referring to a possible 3-3 split. The item was left without action.

Public Comments & Testimony

• A resident distributed a news article and disputed being accused of making false statements at the December 3 council meeting about towing-industry criminal involvement. The resident said the article confirmed his remarks. He also said that, based on his FOIA request, the mayor was not CJIS compliant until January 30, 2025. He urged the city to hire a third-party procurement expert to ensure fair and transparent procurement, saying such a measure would reduce corruption influences from elected officials.
• The mayor responded that he had only discussed matters that were legal to discuss, that he had started but not completed the required training, and that he did not view any document he should not have seen. The chair ruled that the exchange was not a back-and-forth discussion and stopped the resident from making a further statement.

Open Business – Community Events and Reports

• A council member announced the Taylor VFW Soups and Salutes event on Saturday, March 8, 2025, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., at 11590 Pine Street. Adults are $12, children 12 and under are $6; the first 100 people receive a gift bag; the event includes soup, raffle, silent auction, 50-50, bake sale, and DJ, and benefits Taylor VFW Post and Auxiliary 4422 veteran and community outreach programs.
• The same council member announced the Special Americans program for children with special needs at the Taylor VFW on March 22, 2025, noon to 3 p.m. It is free and includes food, games, music, face painting, balloon animals, cotton candy, and awards; RSVP is requested. It was later clarified that the program targets age 12 and under but any child is welcome.
• A council member praised the renovated bathrooms at the VFW and credited Aaron Bartell's annual 5K with raising money that helped fund the project.
• A council member asked about the towing contract. The clerk said the bid opening would be held in council chambers at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, March 7, 2025, and results would be published on BidNet.
• A council member discussed residential street lighting policy, and a DPW official described residents' questions about private DTE street light poles at Harold and Walnut, noting the intersection appeared to be the only one without a public street light in the subdivision. The official said he would look into possible street light assessments and check with DTE. There was also discussion about whether residents could opt out of private light contracts.

Key Outcomes

• Agenda, February 18, 2025 minutes, and consent agenda approved.
• Regular agenda items 8.1 through 8.11 approved by voice vote with no recorded opposition.
• Vacant council seat: no appointment made; discussion indicated preference for full council participation.
• Towing bids: opening scheduled for March 7, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. in council chambers; results to be posted on BidNet.
• Street lighting: follow-up by DPW to examine private light pole costs, possible street light assessment, and DTE options.
• Resident's request for a third-party procurement expert received no formal action; the mayor defended his handling of CJIS-related information.