Taylor City Council Regular Meeting – December 2, 2025

The Taylor City Council met on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, at 6:30 PM in the Taylor Municipal Building. The meeting covered routine approvals, mayoral appointments, and multiple infrastructure and service contracts. A public comment raised concerns about the Flock camera system and FOIA responses. One appointment was postponed for further review.

Consent Calendar

• Agenda & Minutes: Approved the agenda as amended (splitting Item 5.4 into 5.4A and 5.4B) and accepted the minutes of November 18, 2025, without oral reading. Both passed unanimously.

Mayor Communications (Appointments)

• Item 5.1: Approved Frank Urbanek to fulfill the term of Shirley Doom on the Aging Commission, term expiring February 2, 2027. Unanimous.
• Item 5.2: Approved the reappointment of Amy Jurecki to the Tax Increment Finance Authority (TIFA) for a four-year term ending December 2, 2029. Unanimous.
• Item 5.3: Approved the new appointment of Michael Hargraves to the Compensation Commission and Local Officers Pension Commission for a seven-year term ending December 2, 2031. Unanimous.
• Item 5.4A: Approved the reappointment of Lori Slattery to the Library Board for a five-year term ending December 2, 2030. Unanimous.
• Item 5.4B: The reappointment of Sheila Gorski-Schulte to the Library Board was postponed to the December 16, 2025 meeting after Councilmember Thomas raised concerns about her meeting attendance. Mayor Woolley defended her, noting she had been a vocal board member. A motion to postpone carried.

Discussion Items

• Item 6.2 – FY26 Drug Court Grant: Judge Victoria Shackelford presented the 23rd District Court’s Hybrid DWI/Drug Court program. The grant contract #40494 with the Michigan Supreme Court State Court Administrative Office is for $227,328 from October 1, 2025 to September 30, 2026. The judge noted the program currently serves about 54 participants with a three-year recidivism rate of 24-26% for all participants and about 3% for graduates. New participant intake is paused due to judicial workload. Council approved unanimously.
• Item 6.5 – Mortenview Drive Pavement Rehabilitation Contract: Awarded to Al’s Asphalt Paving Company as the low qualified bidder for $493,856 plus a 10% contingency of $44,896, funded through 2021 MTF Bond proceeds (remaining balance ~$1,165,198). Discussion confirmed the project was competitively bid and the city uses low-bid but considers past performance. Council approved unanimously.
• Item 6.11 – Funding Scout Services: Wade Trim Associates will provide grant research and application services for up to $40,000, funded through Water and Sewer Fund Contractual Services. The service aims to identify federal, state, and private grant opportunities for city projects. Council approved unanimously after clarification.

Key Outcomes

• Item 6.1 – TSX Building Repairs: Approved payment to Belfor Property Restoration not to exceed $572,893 for repairs related to a glycol pump malfunction at the Taylor Sportsplex. Funded through TBA and insurance proceeds. Previously $350,000 was approved on July 15, 2025, with $255,687 already paid and $257,244 in insurance proceeds received. Unanimous.
• Item 6.3 – Emergency Stove Purchase: Received and filed sole-source purchase from KaTom Restaurant Supply for two commercial stoves at $12,208 (funded through General Fund Fire Department Building Repair Funds). The stoves were over 20 years old, non-repairable, and emitting carbon monoxide. Unanimous.
• Item 6.4 – Mortenview Drive Construction Engineering: Approved Hennessey Engineers for construction engineering, inspection, and testing services at not to exceed $54,000 (2021 MTF Bond proceeds). Unanimous.
• Item 6.6 – Front Plows: Approved purchase of two front plows from Downriver Hitch & Truck for $15,894 (DPW Vehicle Account). Unanimous.
• Item 6.7 – Detroit Salt Purchase Order: Approved creation of purchase order for $130,000 for road salt (Operating Supplies-Salt). Unanimous.
• Item 6.8 – Wayne County Permits: Approved resolution authorizing the Director of Public Works to sign the 2026 Wayne County Annual Permits Package. Unanimous.
• Item 6.9 – 2026 Taylor Summer Festival Budget: Amended CCR #9.396-25 to approve blanket purchase agreements totaling $310,000 for the 2026 Taylor Summer Festival (entertainment, fireworks, rentals, marketing, etc.). Unanimous.
• Item 6.10 – Clerk Training: Approved attendance of one Clerk’s Office employee at the Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks Basic Institute for up to $1,500 plus out-of-pocket expenses (Training & Transportation account). Unanimous.

Public Comments & Testimony

• A resident spoke during Open Business regarding the Flock camera system. He stated he filed a FOIA request for the contract between the city and Flock Safety and was denied on grounds the contract does not exist. He also requested hits on his license plate and was told there were none, which he disputed given the number of cameras. He was advised to submit an appeal to the mayor. No action was taken.

Other Business

• The mayor announced upcoming events: Taylor Goodfellow 5K (Saturday, 9:15 AM), Winterfest parade (4:30 PM), tree lighting and fireworks (6:00 PM) at Heritage Park, and Santa’s Magic Forest at Eureka Heights needing volunteers.
• A councilmember noted a resident’s question about eliminating the primary for city elections; deferred to the next meeting when the City Clerk (Cindy Bower, who was absent) could respond.
• The meeting adjourned at approximately 7:30 PM.