Taylor City Council Meeting - August 5, 2026

The Taylor City Council met on August 5, 2026, to address a variety of agenda items including a rezoning request, routine approvals, public comments, and a closed session for pending litigation. The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance and roll call, with all members present establishing a quorum.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the agenda with amendments to include closed session items (motion by Mr. Wallace, supported by Mr. Thomas).
• Approved minutes of the July 21, 2026 meeting (motion by Mr. Armstrong, supported by Mr. Clark).
• Approved a recognition letter honoring Robert Bergham for his achievements at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games (gold in 200m, silver in 50m, fourth in 400m) (motion by Mr. Thomas, supported by Mr. Clark).
• Approved reappointments: Rich Pratt to the Housing Commission (term to August 5, 2031); Pamela Purcell to the Historical Commission (term to August 5, 2030), who then took the oath of office; Douglas Rimel to the Tax Increment Finance Authority (term to July 7, 2030).
• Approved the petting farm assistant manager personal service contract.
• Approved the following departmental items without discussion: planning department attendance at conference ($1,800+); fire department vehicle repair ($8,357); detective training ($2,325); less lethal training for officers ($2,100); five-year renewal of Clemens computer-aided dispatch and records management system ($367,170 total, $73,434 annually); Huron River Watershed Council annual assessment ($63,679); one-year extension for crack seal contract ($390,000); concrete road work contract amendment ($1,915,000); asphalt road work contract amendment ($2,595,000); engineering service contract extension (through June 30, 2029); PK contracting three-year contract ($160,000 per year); compost facility design by Waytrim ($270,000); water distribution design for Haskell and Mary streets by Waytrim ($225,000); addition of fire department member to SWAT training; fee schedule for non-emergency response lift assist; application for fire equipment grant ($50,000); apartment inspection fee increase from $150 to $175; transfer of delinquent water/sewer charges to tax roll; purchase of a loader via cooperative bid ($302,610); down payment assistance for home buyer ($16,199); clerk office staff attendance at training ($500+); building department vehicle repair ($9,956).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Caroline Pat announced "The Wall That Heals," a traveling replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, coming to Heritage Park August 13–16, 2026. She requested volunteers and noted an escort ride from Monroe on August 11.
• Matt Stryker thanked the city for cleaning up an oil drum on Holland Road, expressed concern about speeding trucks in a 25 mph zone, and praised the planning commission for respectful decorum during the rezoning hearing.
• DM Murray reported that on July 25, 2026, a bullet entered his home near Fairlane apartments during a shooting. He asked about the possibility of the apartment complex erecting a cement wall as a deterrent. The mayor directed him to speak with administration after the meeting.
• Mary Sousa complained that backflow preventers were left at her door without instructions. The mayor explained the state requirement and acknowledged the lack of descriptive information.
• Cheryl Jordan reported overgrown vegetation on city property behind her home (adjacent to Taylor Masonic Center) that is encroaching into her yard. The mayor said he would obtain the address and address the issue.
• Val Wilson requested a complete sidewalk on Pardee from Eureka to Ecorse. A council member explained that property owners have refused to allow sidewalk installation.

Discussion Items

• Rezoning (Item 6.1): First reading of a rezoning request for parcels at the northwest corner of Wick and Holland from R1C (single-family residential) to I1 (Light Industrial). The planning commission recommended denial, citing Wick Road's limited capacity, safety issues, and infrastructure inadequacy for industrial traffic. The applicant's attorney, Caitlin Elias of Dickinson Wright, requested a postponement until the end of November to address concerns. City Attorney Laura Fell stated there was no precedent for postponing a rezoning in process. Council voted to receive and file the first reading (motion carried by roll call, 7-0). No action was taken on the rezoning itself; it will return to council at a future meeting.
• Mayor's Remarks: The mayor warned about trespassing on the I-94 construction site near Beverly, where individuals are riding dirt bikes and four-wheelers on gravel and sand piles, contaminating materials and potentially prolonging the project. Cameras are in place, and trespassers will be prosecuted. He also thanked the clerk's office for a successful primary election.
• Election Recap: Clerk Cindy reported that the August 4 primary had 10,736 total voters (3,800 at precincts, 596 early voting, 6,335 absentee) out of 50,000 registered voters. The general election is November 3, 2026, with early voting October 24 – November 2.
• Down Payment Assistance Program: The first application under the resurrected program was approved for $16,199 (including $1,200 administration fee), funded by the HOME grant through Wayne County. The program is administered by National Faith Home Buyers.

Key Outcomes

• All consent calendar items and routine approvals passed unanimously.
• The rezoning first reading was received and filed; no vote on the rezoning itself occurred. The item will be considered at a future council meeting.
• Council unanimously approved a motion to go into closed session (7-0) to discuss pending litigation. After closed session, council approved a recommendation on claim number QL1099.
• The meeting adjourned following the closed session.

Announcements

• The Junior League World Series kicks off August 8 with opening ceremonies and fireworks at 8:00 PM.
• The Wall That Heals will be at Heritage Park August 13–16.