City of Taylor City Council Meeting – April 21, 2026

The City Council of Taylor, Michigan, met on April 21, 2026, at 6:30 PM. The meeting covered routine approvals, a major fentanyl drug bust, charter amendment proposals, and several public comments. Multiple motions were passed, including the merging of city departments, approval of a new monument sign for the animal shelter, and the direction to draft two charter amendments for the ballot.

Consent Calendar

• Agenda approved unanimously.
• Minutes of the April 7, 2026 meeting approved unanimously.
• Mayor's communication: Motion to merge the Customer Assistance Center with the Building Department effective July 1, 2026, approved unanimously.
• 6.2: Motion to amend CCR 6.22-25 for Apollo fire blanket purchase order increase by $20,000, funded from Fire Department repair/maintenance. Approved unanimously.
• 6.3: Motion to approve DTA Leatherworks sole source purchase of custom leather suspenders for all fire members, not to exceed $6,000, funded from Fire Department uniform account. Approved unanimously after explanation of longer lifespan (10-15 years vs. 1-1.5 years for plastic).
• 6.4: Motion to renew police training grant module through Lexpool LLC for $7,610. Approved unanimously.
• 6.5: Motion to approve Penticton & Cobja Jack, PC as lowest qualified bidder for community development legal services at $185/hour. Approved unanimously.
• 6.6: Motion to set CDBG public hearings for May 5, 2026 and June 16, 2026. Approved unanimously.
• 6.7: Second reading of conditional rezoning for parcel at Telegraph (2.5 acres from B3 General Business to I1 Light Industrial). Approved 6-1, with Mr. Thety voting no citing conflict with the 2006 Master Plan. Mr. Clark and others noted it is a conditional rezoning with a specific use.
• 6.8: Motion to approve MI Custom Signs low quote for new monument sign at animal shelter ($46,548). Approved unanimously after discussion about life expectancy (12-15 years) and digital sign capabilities.
• 6.9: Motion to accept grant agreement with Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunities. Approved unanimously.
• 6.10: Motion to approve special license application for 2026 Taylor Festival. Approved unanimously. Staff reported that the band Bad Flower canceled due to lead singer's medical issues; refunds issued. Efforts underway to secure another headliner; Eva Underfire will perform.
• 6.11: Motion to approve Kent Communication as low bidder for printing/mailing early voting notification mailer ($3,780). Approved unanimously. Clerk clarified law requires one per voter.
• 6.12: Motion to approve postal services up to $12,000 for election supplies. Approved unanimously.
• 6.13: Motion to approve solicitors permit renewal for Anderson (door-to-door windows/doors/roofing). Approved after discussion about no-soliciting signs and permit enforcement.
• 6.14: Motion to approve solicitors permit for Home Genius Exteriors (roof inspections). Approved unanimously.
• 6.15: Motion to receive and file March 2026 budget performance report. Approved unanimously.
• 6.16: Motion to receive and file March 2026 paid invoice reports. Approved unanimously.
• 6.17: Motion to direct Corporation Counsel to draft a ballot proposal to amend Charter Chapter 15, Sections 15.2, 15.3, and 15.4 (updating fixed dollar amounts from 1997). Approved 5-2, with Mr. Thety and Mr. Armstrong voting no. Mr. Armstrong expressed concern that the proposal was rushed. Corporation Counsel noted approval does not place it on the ballot; a future resolution is needed.
• Additional motion: Motion to direct Corporation Counsel to draft a ballot proposal to amend Charter Chapter 5, Section 5.2 (clerical change regarding frequency of pay). Approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Caroline Pat (Jackson Street): Announced funding received for the log cabin and money allocated for lead abatement.
• Jonathan Hales (Holland Street): Self-identified as autistic and attempted to report a past incident involving a pastor. Told by the Chair that this was not the proper forum and directed to speak with police.
• Nick Metrichina (Morton View Drive): Invited the community to a pancake breakfast on April 26, 2026 at the Ford Senior Center (8 AM–12 PM, $10) to benefit the Taylor Veterans Museum.
• Eric Hall (Holland Street): Complimented the Taylor Police Department on a recent major fentanyl bust and asked the Chief for details. (See Key Outcomes for response.)
• Ed Swanson (Asphalt): Alleged the mayor accepted campaign cash from a convicted felon and asked for an explanation. No response noted in transcript.

Discussion Items

• Fentanyl Drug Bust: Chief described a joint operation with MSP Metro Narcotics and DEA that resulted in the seizure of over 28,000 fentanyl pills (3,000 grams), enough to kill 3 million people. Two suspects were arrested: one illegal alien, one on expired visa. Drones and flock cameras were instrumental. The Chief confirmed no Taylor officers have acted as ICE agents, and the city cooperates with federal agencies on various operations.
• Charter Amendments: Two separate motions to direct drafting of ballot proposals were debated. The first (Chapter 15) passed 5-2; opponents felt it was rushed. The second (Chapter 5) passed unanimously.
• Taylor Festival Band Cancellation: Guido reported that Bad Flower canceled due to medical advice; full refunds issued. An offer on another band is pending. Eva Underfire remains as the Saturday headliner.
• Solicitors Permits: Discussion included enforcement of no-soliciting signs, the importance of permits, and the city's ability to issue penalties. Clerk Wendy Murphy noted her office supplies stickers and urged residents to report unlicensed solicitors.
• Animal Shelter Sign: Sean from administration presented the design and answered questions about warranty (3 years), life expectancy (12-15 years), and the digital sign's use for city messaging and adoptable pet photos.

Key Outcomes

• Votes: All consent calendar items passed unanimously except the conditional rezoning (6-1) and the first charter amendment (5-2). The second charter amendment passed unanimously.
• Directives: Corporation Counsel directed to prepare ballot language for two charter amendments (Chapter 15 and Chapter 5) for potential November 2026 ballot.
• Next Steps: The city will continue efforts to secure a replacement headliner for the Taylor Festival. Acknowledgment of DPW and fire department response to recent storms. Announcements of upcoming cemetery clean-ups (April 26 and May 2) and the next shred day (September 19, 2026).
• Other: Residents were provided with the non-emergency police number (734-287-6611) to report train blocking issues.