Taylor City Council Meeting – August 19, 2025
Taylor City Council Meeting – August 19, 2025
The Taylor City Council held its regular meeting on August 19, 2025, with six members present (one excused). The meeting opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and roll call confirming a quorum. Following approval of the agenda (with the mayor's communication item removed) and amended minutes, the council addressed a range of routine and significant items, including a presentation from the Ethics Commission, a resolution honoring Judge Sutherland, multiple infrastructure contracts, a contentious zoning first reading that failed, amendments to gas station regulations, and a public hearing resulting in reversal of a business license suspension. The meeting concluded with closed session for pending litigation and open business.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Michael Hargraves (Chair, Board of Ethics) addressed the council to clarify the board’s process and respond to prior criticisms regarding an ethics complaint. He emphasized the board’s diligence (three meetings, 907 pages of evidence) and reiterated that the board acted within its mission. Council members expressed appreciation for the board’s professionalism.
- Conrad Shuey (representing property owner BKG Van Born LLC) spoke in favor of the proposed rezoning of the former Kmart/MASCO property from conditional I‑1 to permanent I‑1. He argued the existing master plan (2014) is outdated, the overlay district lacks a valid zoning map, and permanent I‑1 zoning is needed to avoid a vacant building after Ford’s lease ends in 2027.
- Mary Susa (resident) opposed the rezoning, citing concerns about industrial uses near homes and the inadequacy of buffers.
- John Deshao (Fast Track Market) spoke during the gas station ordinance discussion, advocating for a quarter‑mile minimum spacing between filling stations rather than the proposed 750 feet.
- Seth Tompkins (attorney for Big League Brews) thanked the council for working with the business on security improvements.
- During open forum, Eric Hall, Tommy Rose (senior living resident requesting housing repairs), Tim Long, Chris Gerski, and others raised concerns about RV enforcement, the vacant council seat, towing contracts, and channel programming.
Discussion Items
- Ethics Commission Report (7.1) – Motion to receive and file the feedback from the Ethics Board regarding its completed complaint hearing. Council members commended the board’s work. Motion carried unanimously.
- Resolution for Judge Sutherland (7.2) – A proclamation commemorating the life and service of Judge William J. Sutherland, the longest‑serving judge in Michigan history. Council members shared personal recollections. Motion carried unanimously.
- Infrastructure & Routine Approvals (7.3‑7.19, 7.21‑7.22) – The council approved a series of motions without significant debate: police training (hostage negotiators), software support renewal (Cloud Vice, $78,864), rugged laptops for police ($9,404), CDBG road projects (Hennessy Engineers, S&J Asphalt, home rehab loans), fire code update, paramedic training, building code conference, budget performance reports, stormwater agreements, pavement rating updates, fats/oils/grease ordinance first reading (received and filed), Huron River Watershed Council assessment, joint/crack sealing bid extension, and clerk’s training. All passed unanimously.
- Zoning Rezoning – 211 Van Born (7.20) – First reading to rezone property from conditional I‑1 to permanent I‑1. Planning consultant and planning commission recommended denial. After debate about compatibility with the master plan and the overlay district, the motion to receive and file failed on a roll‑call vote (2‑3: Daniels and Rose yes; Bradetta, Witten, Geis no). The item did not advance to second reading.
- Gas Station Ordinance Amendment (7.21) – First reading to amend Article 13.00 to update standards for automobile filling stations (minimum lot size one acre, 750‑foot separation). A public speaker urged a quarter‑mile distance. Motion to receive and file carried.
- Big League Brews Business License Suspension (7.23) – Public hearing opened regarding the mayor’s suspension of the license for Big League Brews. Councilman Johnson moved to reverse the suspension, citing voluntary security measures (removal of live music, increased security, banning problem patrons). Police Chief detailed improved communication and ongoing monitoring. The motion carried (voice vote).
- Closed Session (7.26) – Council voted 6‑0 to enter closed session to discuss pending litigation (Area Towing v. City of Taylor). After reconvening, items 7.27‑7.29 (resolution for separate legal representation, budget amendment, and council vacancy nomination) received no motions.
Key Outcomes
- Approved: All routine motions (items 7.1‑7.19, 7.21‑7.22, 7.24‑7.25) passed unanimously, except where noted.
- Failed: Motion to receive and file the first reading of the zoning rezoning for 211 Van Born (7.20) – 2‑3.
- Reversed: Mayor’s suspension of Big League Brews business license – motion carried.
- Closed Session: Approved 6‑0 for litigation discussion.
- No Action: Items 7.27‑7.29 (separate legal representation, budget amendment, council vacancy nomination) received no motions.
- Adjournment: 9:16 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Thank you. Let us pray. Blessed are you, O Lord our God, maker of everything, giving thanks to you, O Lord, for another wonderful day of life. Father, we know and understand that according to your word, the earth is yours, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to you as well. So we stand united in prayer, asking for your hand of protection, wisdom, and guidance. Thank you, and thanks to you, Father, for your servants, such as our mayor, chairman, Chairman Pro Tim, Councilmen and our Councilwomen are blessed with a special calling to serve our community. Father, continue your hand of wonderful blessings upon this body of leaders, including our legal team and our plethora of team members working beside our leaders as well as those working behind the scenes. Also asking for your continuous supply of protection and your watchful eye upon our municipal servants, including our police, firefighters, and medical team. For all Taylor citizens, safety, comfort, good health, and healing. May fairness, equity, and justice continue to be our practice throughout all our lives. I pray for the goals of tonight's agenda be met. And if there are discussions, may your wisdom be our compass. As always, Father, we thank you for your unseen hedge of protection over us and our families during our absence. And may we exercise harmony, patience, respect, and peace throughout our evening together, for we are truly better together. So let it be written, so let it be done in Jesus' name. Amen. Amen. Thank you, Mr. Sola. That brings us to the Pledge of Allegiance. Um I know I had the mayor do this last meeting, but technically it wasn't a meeting, so I'll have you do the Pledge of Allegiance again. One nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. All right, that brings us to the roll call. Um just note I'm not certain if you uh Treasure Toko. Uh at a family emergency, so uh she'll be marked as excused. All right, thank you. Mrs. Daniels, here this Rose here, Mr. Jatson, here Mrs. Bradetta, Miss Winter here, Mr. Geist? Here, Mayor Woolley, here Mrs. Bauer here, Mrs. Toko is excused. All right, we have six members present. We have a quorum. That brings us to the agenda and minutes. Uh item 5.1 is a motion to approve the agenda. Councilwoman. I make a motion to approve the agenda. Yes. I make a motion to approve the agenda with the removal of mayor's communication item 6.1. Support. Motion by Councilwoman Brandana supported by Councilwoman Witton. Is there any discussion? Hearing none, all those in favor say yes. Yes. All is opposed, say no. Yes, is have it.
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