Taylor City Council Meeting - March 17, 2026

The Taylor City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at 6:30 PM in the Taylor Municipal Building. The meeting included routine approvals, a closed session for pending litigation, the first reading of a conditional rezoning, a settlement approval, and several operational and financial items. All agenda items were approved unanimously, with roll-call votes where noted.

Consent Calendar

• 6.1: Received and filed the City of Taylor Early Voting Plan as approved by the Election Commission on March 11, 2026.
• 6.2: Approved attendance of two Clerk's Office employees at the 2026 Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks Spring Education Day (not to exceed $575 plus expenses, General Fund).
• 6.3: Approved attendance of two City Clerk's Office employees at the 2026 Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks Summer Conference (not to exceed $3,100 plus expenses, General Fund).
• 6.4: Approved sending one Building Department employee to the Spring Code Officials Conference of Michigan (not to exceed $1,100 plus expenses, Building Department Training account).
• 6.5: Received and filed the February 2026 Budget Performance Report.
• 6.6: Received and filed the February 2026 Paid Invoice Report.
• All consent items were approved by voice vote.

Mayor Communications

• Motion to appoint Dennis Herwig to the Taylor Veterans Museum Commission for a four-year term expiring March 17, 2030. Councilman Patts praised Herwig's contributions to the Purple Heart Wall. Unanimously approved.

Closed Session and Settlement

• Motion to go into closed session to discuss pending litigation (7.1). Roll call: 7-0 in favor. The council entered closed session at 6:35 PM.
• After closed session, motion to approve settlement of Risk Management claim QL-1278 (7.2), as recommended by attorney. Voice vote, unanimous.

Discussion Items

• Case #26-02(Zc) – Conditional Rezoning (7.3): First reading of a proposal to conditionally rezone the southern approximately 881 feet of parcels #60-048-99-0013-000 and #60-048-99-0014-000 from O-1/R-1C (Office/Single Family Residential) to I-1 (Light Industrial). The property is on the north side of Goddard Road between Beech Daly and Continental Drive. The motion to receive and file passed by voice vote.
• Police Constitutional Policing Training (7.6): Police Chief Blair presented a request to pay Michigan Law Enforcement Training Associates, LLC $38,340 for required CPE constitutional policing training for all Taylor Police Officers (16 of 24 required annual hours). The Chief emphasized the training covers use of force, de-escalation, and search and seizure, and is taught by an attorney with 25 years of experience. Council members expressed support for the department's professionalism. Motion approving payment passed unanimously.
• Lead Service Line Notification: Councilman Thiede and others addressed resident concerns about lead letters included in water bills. They clarified that the testing focused on 60 homes in areas with potential lead service lines; 99% of the city is unaffected. The city offers free inspection and replacement of lead service lines. Council urged residents to take advantage of the program before it becomes mandatory.
• Library and Water Department: Councilwoman Armstrong thanked the library for installing new study pods and praised the water department for rapid repair of a water main break that affected the library.
• Community Events: Councilman Clark reminded the public that city offices are closed on Good Friday (April 3, 2026) and promoted the Taylor Bunny Trail on March 28, 2026 (fee $5 residents, $10 non-residents, pre-registration required).

Key Outcomes

• All motions on the regular agenda (7.1 through 7.15) passed unanimously:
  • 7.1: Closed session motion – roll call 7-0.
  • 7.2: Settlement approval.
  • 7.3: Received and filed first reading of rezoning.
  • 7.4: Approved Cynergy Products for docking stations and lighting on five Building Department vehicles – $21,320.
  • 7.5: Approved compensation for contractual inspectors at $45 per inspection.
  • 7.6: Approved $38,340 for police training.
  • 7.7: Approved Fire Department member attendance at Explosive Handler & Breaching Course.
  • 7.8: Approved $6,000 payment to West Shore for warning siren inspection/maintenance.
  • 7.9: Approved $835 for K-9 officer recertification training in Clare, MI.
  • 7.10: Approved $35,876 for MNET vehicle purchase (Dodge Durango) from Lafontaine Chrysler.
  • 7.11: Approved $1,092 for two officers to attend Cellular Analysis Survey Team Training.
  • 7.12: Approved sale of parcel #60-081-03-0001-300 (Hampden St.) for $11,000 plus closing costs.
  • 7.13: Approved sale of parcel #60-037-01-0017-000 (Lincoln St.) for $10,000 plus closing costs.
  • 7.14: Approved CDBG subrecipient agreements for Fish & Loaves, The Guidance Center, and The Senior Alliance at $12,500 each.
  • 7.15: Received and filed the Board of Ethics Resolution.
• Meeting adjourned at approximately 7:36 PM.