Taylor City Council Regular Meeting - September 1, 2026

The Taylor City Council met on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at 6:30 PM in the Taylor Municipal Building. The meeting covered a consent agenda, a public hearing on an alley vacation, approval of multiple property sales, grant-funded home rehabilitation loans, a down payment assistance program, a new bird aviary for the petting farm, a SMART transit contract, election equipment programming, a carnival license, a resolution declaring November as Veterans Month, and a first reading of a fireworks ordinance amendment that failed on a roll call vote. The meeting adjourned at 7:25 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Investment Performance Reviews (6.1, 6.2): Received and filed the Taylor Police and Fire Retirement and General Employees Retirement Investment Performance Reviews for the quarter ending June 30, 2026.
• CAPER Public Hearing (6.3): Approved setting the CDBG PY 2025 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) Public Hearing for September 15, 2026.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Caroline Pat (6860 Jackson): Requested that department heads identify themselves by name when speaking at the podium, noting that the public at home may not know them.
• Mary Susa (Beverly Road, Taylor): Corrected the earlier motion (7.11) that was verbally stated as “bird cage” instead of “bird aviary,” prompting a reconsideration and re-vote.
• Cheryl Jordan (11076 Morley): Thanked the city for promptly addressing overgrowth on city property adjacent to her yard after speaking with the mayor and DPW at the previous meeting.

Discussion Items

• Alley Vacation (7.1–7.3): A public hearing was opened and closed for Case #26-30(V) to vacate a 20-foot-wide public alley east of Telegraph Road between Mercier and Eureka, retaining all utility easements. The applicant’s architect, Mohammed, stated he had nothing to add unless there were questions. The council approved the vacation unanimously.
• Property Sales (7.4, 7.5):
  • 7.4: Sale of Parcel ID #60-049-01-0012-000 (Cape Cod lot) for $7,500 plus closing costs. Mayor Woolley noted the buyer plans to build a house. Approved unanimously.
  • 7.5: Sale of Parcel ID #60-076-01-1592-000 (non-buildable lot) for $4,500 plus closing costs to the adjacent neighbor. Approved unanimously.
• Emergency Home Rehabilitation Loans (7.6, 7.7):
  • 7.6: Zero‑interest deferred loan of $1,175 for emergency furnace replacement by Optimum Contracting Solutions, funded through CDBG Home Rehabilitation. Approved.
  • 7.7: Zero‑interest deferred loan of $7,575 plus a $2,925 change order for emergency roof replacement by Optimum Contracting Solutions. A city staff member explained that these are emergency rehabs brought to council as a receive-and-file after completion, while non‑emergency projects come for prior approval. The program places a lien on the property payable when the owner no longer occupies the home. Approved.
• Fire Department Stove (7.8): Approved sole‑source purchase of a commercial stove from Bill N Rods Appliance for $18,231, funded through the General Fund Fire Department Building Repair Fund.
• Down Payment Assistance (7.9, 7.10, 7.19):
  • Three payments of $16,199 each to National Faith Home Buyers for down payment assistance for home buyers #2026-002, #2026-003, and #2026-004 (added as item 7.19). A city staff member explained the revived HOME grant program, capping assistance at $14,999 plus a $1,200 administrative fee. Four assistance packages have been provided since July 1, 2026. All three motions passed unanimously.
• Bird Aviary for Heritage Park Petting Farm (7.11): Approved a custom‑built bird aviary from Top Fabrications In the D for $7,508, funded through TBA Capital Outlay. The original motion mistakenly referred to a “bird cage”; after a public comment, the council reconsidered and re‑passed the motion using the correct term “aviary.” The aviary will provide outdoor space for existing birds, allowing them to be rotated indoors during winter.
• SMART Transit Contract (7.12): Authorized the mayor to sign a Municipal and Community Credit Contract with SMART for July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027, in the amount of $190,138. The contract funds 90% of senior center transportation (grocery trips, dialysis, doctor appointments). Councilman Patts also reported contacting SMART about inadequate bus‑stop benches and trash cans, and was assured the issue would be addressed.
• Software Support Agreement (7.13): Approved a two‑year renewal with QennectIT (DBA Cloudvice) for $86,751 with a 2% increase in year two, funded by General Administration, Building, Water and Sewer contractual services. Mayor Woolley confirmed it covers water meter software.
• HR Conference Attendance (7.14): Approved attendance of one Human Resource employee at the MPELRA Conference for $977 plus out‑of‑pocket expenses, funded through Human Resource Training.
• Election Programming (7.15): Approved sole‑source contract with Liberty Vote USA Inc. for programming of the August Primary and November General Election tabulators, not to exceed $6,000, funded through General Fund Election Supplies.
• Carnival License (7.16): Approved a carnival license for St. Alfred Parish and Elliott’s Amusement LLC, to be held at 24175 Baske from September 25–27, 2026.
• Veterans Month Resolution (7.17): Approved a resolution recognizing November as Veterans Month, honoring all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. Councilman Clark read the resolution, noting it was inspired by a similar action in Dearborn Heights. Several council members expressed gratitude and support.

Key Outcomes

• Alley Vacation (Case #26-30(V)): Approved unanimously.
• Fireworks Ordinance First Reading (7.18): The motion to receive and file the first reading of an ordinance amending Chapter 22, Article IV, Section 97 (Fireworks) failed on a roll‑call vote of 3–4. Councilman Patts expressed concerns about the existing tent inspection process and said he was undecided but ultimately voted no. Councilman Thomas spoke in opposition, arguing the ordinance would unfairly pick winners and losers in the marketplace and would not address the underlying noise and nuisance issues, which are regulated by state law. The city attorney clarified that the first reading was simply a receive‑and‑file, and a second reading would be required for approval or denial. The ordinance will not advance.
• Reconsideration of Bird Aviary Motion: After a public comment, the council unanimously voted to reconsider and re‑approve the motion using the correct term “aviary.”
• New Business Added: Down payment assistance for home buyer #2026-004 (item 7.19) was added to the agenda and approved.

Open Business (Announcements)

• Mayor Woolley reminded of the 25th anniversary of 9/11 and urged unity and remembrance.
• Councilman Patts announced the grand opening of a Sheetz store on Telegraph.
• Councilman Johnson announced the dedication of the new Taylor High School football field on September 3, 2026, at 7:00 PM.
• Upcoming softball games: September 11 at 6:30 PM (Rotary Park) and September 20 at 6:30 PM (Taylor PD vs. Romulus PD).
• CERT Battle of the Bands fundraiser on September 11–12 at the park pavilion.
• City Clerk Bower provided multiple reminders: city offices closed Labor Day (September 7), Shred Day on September 19 (10 AM–1 PM), absentee ballots for the November general election will be mailed the week of September 21, and warned of third‑party mailers that may confuse voters. She also noted the Veterans Museum hours (Monday, Wednesday, Friday 10–4) and encouraged visits.