OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Taylor City Council Meeting - April 15, 2025

City Council — Tuesday, April 15, 2025
BodyTaylor, Michigan
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, April 15, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:46:43

Transcript — Verbatim
0:13

So I voted in the illustrated three W more.

0:21

I'm always a Tether Press.

0:22

I gotta keep that.

0:38

Call the meeting to order at 6 30 and 30 seconds.

0:45

First item is the invocation, and I'd like to uh ask Reverend Drutchess to please come forward.

0:51

Uh always good to see you, sir.

0:53

Okay.

0:54

Let's bow our heads in a moment of reverence and prayer.

0:58

Gracious God is this meeting of the Taylor City Council begins.

1:02

We ask your blessing upon this time together.

1:05

As deliberations uh get underway, we ask God that you just fill both uh the council members and our mayor with the insight to make decisions that are always just and fair and certainly compassionate.

1:17

Uh just uplift them and guide them and uh all decisions ahead and uh in their uh in their personal lives as well.

1:26

We pray for the well-being of the city, a wonderful city where people care about each other and care deeply.

1:31

We ask God that you just uplift the city and uh just assure that it prospers in the way that uh truly honors you.

1:38

Uh we ask this now in your son's name.

1:41

Amen.

1:43

Thank you, sir.

1:45

Brings us to the uh Pledge of Allegiance, and I'd like to ask uh Clerk Bauer to lead us in the pledge.

2:01

One nation under God with liberty and justice for overall.

2:11

Thank you.

2:12

That'll bring us to the roll call.

2:13

Roll call, please.

2:15

Daniels here, Miss Rose, here, Mr.

2:17

Johnson.

2:18

Here, Mrs.

2:19

Brandana here, Miss Winton.

2:21

Here, Mr.

2:22

Geis.

2:23

Here, Mayor Woolley?

2:24

Here, Mrs.

2:25

Bauer, here.

2:26

And Mrs.

2:26

Toko is excused.

2:29

All right, we have six members.

2:30

We have a quorum.

2:31

That brings us uh to item 5.1 motion to approve the agenda.

2:36

Chairman.

2:37

Councilwoman.

2:38

I make a motion to approve the agenda with one change.

2:41

I'd like to add item eight point one five as a letter of recognition.

2:48

Support we have a motion by Councilwoman Brandana supported by Councilwoman Witten.

2:56

Um just to let you know the uh item that was uh uh added is a motion to approve the letter of recognition of Dolores Torclick and Lois Adams for their years in uh beautification and service uh in the city of Taylor on Arbor Day.

3:13

Uh there is going to be a special recognition.

3:16

Uh so that's coming up on April 25th.

3:18

So that was the reason to add that into this uh tonight's uh uh agenda, and we'll discuss more when we get to that item.

3:26

But I appreciate the council's uh uh willingness to add that to the agenda.

3:32

Is there any further discussion?

3:36

Hearing none, all those in favor say yes.

3:38

Yes, all is opposed, say no.

3:40

Yes, is have a motion carried.

3:41

Item 5.2 is a motion approved the acceptance of the minutes of the meeting held April 1st, 2025 and dispense with oral reading.

3:50

Motion support motion by Councilwoman Wittens supported by Councilman Johnson.

3:55

Is there any discussion?

3:59

Hearing none, all is in favor say yes.

4:01

Yes, all those opposed say no.

4:03

Yes, is have it motion carried.

4:05

That brings us to mayor's communication.

4:08

Mr.

4:08

Mayor.

4:09

Thank you, Mr.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural█████████████████17%
Procurement Policy███████████████15%
Engineering And Infrastructure████████████12%
Municipal Zoning███████████11%
Public Engagement███████7%
Personnel Matters███████7%
Government Operations██████6%
Pending Litigation████4%
Homelessness████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Taylor City Council Meeting - April 15, 2025

The Taylor City Council met on April 15, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. The meeting included approvals of routine items, a zoning amendment, multiple contracts, a failed motion to award an asphalt paving contract due to past bid-rigging concerns, and continued inability to fill a council vacancy. Public comments raised issues of ethics complaints, utility easement conflicts, and homeless encampments.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved the agenda with an added item (recognition of Dolores Torclick and Lois Adams).
  • Approved minutes of the April 1, 2025 meeting.
  • Approved the consent agenda (routine items voted together).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Miss Carroll opposed awarding the asphalt contract to Al's Asphalt, citing their role in a federal bid-rigging conspiracy and noting that a previous city contract with them in 2023 involved the same conspirator companies.
  • Rich Pratt (2403 Hayes) questioned the scope of the tobacco retailer definition, clarifying it applies only to businesses whose main business is tobacco, not places that merely sell cigarettes.
  • Caroline Pat (6860 Jackson) praised Dolores Torclick and Lois Adams for their contributions to the historical society and beautification.
  • Mary Susa (26640 Beverly Road) criticized three council members for repeatedly voting "no" on council appointments, alleging they are blocking the filling of the vacant seat.
  • William W. Brush (21405 Superior) requested city assistance regarding a gas company that is asserting a 140-foot blanket easement through his property, conflicting with recorded 80-foot easements from subdivision surveys, threatening his home.
  • James Brightman (20421 Superior) reported drug use, needles, and trash in the area near the railroad tracks, with homeless camps being dropped off; he asked for city enforcement.

Discussion Items

  • Mayor's Communication: Reported on a successful Bunny Hop event and announced summer festival band lineup; discussed the need to book bands 6-12 months in advance due to competition.
  • Risk Management Claims (8.1 & 8.2): Council unanimously approved a motion to go into closed session to discuss risk management claim 2025-08-C, then returned and approved the final settlement.
  • Rezoning of Former FIA Building (8.4): First reading to rezone property on Ecourse Road from I-1 Conditional Rezoning to B1 Local Business because the conditional rezoning expired. Approved.
  • Tobacco Retailer Zoning Amendment (8.5): First reading to add tobacco retailer as an adult use requiring special and regulated land use approval, with 1,000-foot buffers from sensitive uses. Approved after clarification that only primary tobacco businesses are affected.
  • Water Main Improvement at Lane Park (8.9): Approved bid of $494,330 for water main loop and hydrant to support new park buildings.
  • Senior Center Equipment & Trips (8.12 & 8.13): Approved purchase of a floor scrubbing machine and agreements for senior trips.
  • Council Vacancy (8.14): Councilwoman Brandana nominated Chuck Kines for the vacant council seat. After discussion, she withdrew the motion because Kines had not provided a resume and members wanted to interview him. The seat remains vacant.
  • Recognition of Founding Garden Club Members (8.15): Approved a letter of recognition for Dolores Torclick and Lois Adams for 35 years of beautification service; the recognition will occur at Arbor Day on April 23, 2025.
  • Open Business – Filing Deadline: Clerk reminded that the filing deadline for local offices is April 22, 2025 at 4 p.m., and candidates must attest to no outstanding campaign finance issues.

Asphalt Paving Contract Debate (8.11)

  • Proposal: Award low bidder Al's Asphalt for the 2025-2026 asphalt resurfacing program ($2.7 million vs. next lowest at $3.1 million), allowing 29 streets instead of 20.
  • Positions:
    • Mayor Woolley and Corporation Counsel Plato argued the bid-rigging issue was a private matter unrelated to Taylor, Al's Asphalt has always done good work, and the savings ($400,000) benefit taxpayers.
    • Miss Carroll presented evidence that Al's Asphalt had previously conspired with Asphalt Specialties in a 2023 city contract and that the company is currently suspended from federal work.
    • Council members split: Councilwoman Winton noted her research showed the company paid fines and served time; Councilwoman Rose and others expressed concern about the integrity of the procurement process.
    • Mr. Swanson (owner of Al's Asphalt) stated he is not debarred, only temporarily suspended from federal projects, and that the company has implemented compliance reforms.
  • Outcome: Roll call vote resulted in 3 yes (Johnson, Winton, Geis) and 3 no (Rose, Daniels, Brandana). Motion failed to sell 3-3. Consequently, no asphalt contracts were awarded; the city has no paving program for 2025-2026.

Key Outcomes

  • Asphalt Contract (8.11): Motion failed (3-3). No contractor approved.
  • Zoning Amendments: First reading of rezone for Ecourse Road property and tobacco retailer definition approved.
  • Risk Management Settlement: Approved final settlement of claim 2025-08-C.
  • Council Vacancy: No appointment made; next steps uncertain.
  • Public Works Items: Water main improvement, mower purchase, senior center equipment and trip contracts approved.
  • Recognition: Letter of recognition for Torclick and Adams approved.
  • Filing Deadline: April 22, 2025 at 4 p.m. for local offices.
  • Future Meetings: Next meeting anticipated to include continued discussion on council vacancy and potential alternative asphalt contractor (next highest bidder) if a motion is made.

Meeting Transcript

So I voted in the illustrated three W more. I'm always a Tether Press. I gotta keep that. Call the meeting to order at 6 30 and 30 seconds. First item is the invocation, and I'd like to uh ask Reverend Drutchess to please come forward. Uh always good to see you, sir. Okay. Let's bow our heads in a moment of reverence and prayer. Gracious God is this meeting of the Taylor City Council begins. We ask your blessing upon this time together. As deliberations uh get underway, we ask God that you just fill both uh the council members and our mayor with the insight to make decisions that are always just and fair and certainly compassionate. Uh just uplift them and guide them and uh all decisions ahead and uh in their uh in their personal lives as well. We pray for the well-being of the city, a wonderful city where people care about each other and care deeply. We ask God that you just uplift the city and uh just assure that it prospers in the way that uh truly honors you. Uh we ask this now in your son's name. Amen. Thank you, sir. Brings us to the uh Pledge of Allegiance, and I'd like to ask uh Clerk Bauer to lead us in the pledge. One nation under God with liberty and justice for overall. Thank you. That'll bring us to the roll call. Roll call, please. Daniels here, Miss Rose, here, Mr. Johnson. Here, Mrs. Brandana here, Miss Winton. Here, Mr. Geis. Here, Mayor Woolley? Here, Mrs. Bauer, here. And Mrs. Toko is excused. All right, we have six members. We have a quorum. That brings us uh to item 5.1 motion to approve the agenda. Chairman. Councilwoman. I make a motion to approve the agenda with one change. I'd like to add item eight point one five as a letter of recognition. Support we have a motion by Councilwoman Brandana supported by Councilwoman Witten. Um just to let you know the uh item that was uh uh added is a motion to approve the letter of recognition of Dolores Torclick and Lois Adams for their years in uh beautification and service uh in the city of Taylor on Arbor Day. Uh there is going to be a special recognition. Uh so that's coming up on April 25th. So that was the reason to add that into this uh tonight's uh uh agenda, and we'll discuss more when we get to that item. But I appreciate the council's uh uh willingness to add that to the agenda. Is there any further discussion? Hearing none, all those in favor say yes. Yes, all is opposed, say no. Yes, is have a motion carried.

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