Charles J. Lillis

The meeting commenced with a public comment segment where updates were provided regarding county initiatives, including the potential addition of an evidence building at the jail and the consideration of a 160-acre property for a park or as a lease site for Michigan State University's Forestry Department. Key new business involved the public hearing and subsequent approval of Ordinance #233 concerning the Trash & Recycling Ordinance, which establishes the framework for an exclusive contract with Washler Inc. for residential waste services. The Council also approved the five-year contract with Washler Inc. for trash and recycling collection. Furthermore, the Council adopted the City Council Goals for FY2026-2027, approved standard Professional Services Agreements with Prein & Newhof for general services and for the required PFAS local limit evaluation due to EGLE regulations. The purchasing policy was amended to increase the formal bidding threshold from $3,000 to $10,000 to improve efficiency for smaller purchases. Additionally, a resolution was approved appointing City Johannes to the Board of Review, and permission was granted to Smitty's Pizza for the use of downtown city property for the Annual Polish Festival. City staff provided updates on ongoing utility projects, including collection system grouting and wastewater liftstation work, as well as upcoming Frontier fiber installation. The session concluded with a closed session to discuss the Lease of Real Property.

The agenda for the Regular Meeting of March 9, 2026, covered several significant items. Key discussions included the approval of the Consumers Energy Franchise Agreement, which grants a 30-year right-of-way for utility maintenance. The Council planned to approve a Professional Services Agreement with Prein & Newhof for the Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund Project aimed at Lead Service Line Replacement. Further items involved adopting resolutions related to the MDOT Category B Grant Contract for Compton Street resurfacing and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Recreation Passport Grant Application for the Kiwanis Dog Park Project. The Council also addressed establishing an Industrial Development District for Steadfast Homes and adopting resolutions of support for Congressionally Directed Spending requests concerning City Hall renovations and Wastewater Treatment Plant Headworks Improvements. A closed session was scheduled to discuss the Lease of Real Property and pending litigation.

The agenda for the regular meeting includes several items under the Consent Agenda: acceptance of monthly reports (Police, DPW, Utilities, Fire Department, Revenue & Expenditure), approval of monthly bills totaling $46,340.32, affirmation of bill prepayments of $263,481.12, and approval of City Investments. New Business features discussions and potential approvals for Ordinance #234 (Consumers Energy Franchise Agreement), Professional Services Agreement with Prein & Newhof for DWSRF, adoption of resolutions concerning MDOT Category B Grant Contract and Recreation Passport Grant Application, approval of Banking Changes, establishment of an Industrial Development District for Steadfast Homes, and adoption of Resolutions of Support for Congressionally Directed Spending projects (City Hall and Wastewater Improvement). The meeting also scheduled time for Public Comments, City Staff/Manager/Council Comments, and a Closed Session to discuss the Lease of Real Property and Pending Litigation.

The meeting included a public hearing for the South Ruggles Compton Street Infrastructure Improvement Project closeout, where a resident expressed concerns about structural damage (cracked walls, foundation vibration) caused by heavy equipment during the utility improvements. The Council also discussed the purchase of a new 20-foot PJIG brand landscaping trailer for the Department of Public Works to replace an undersized trailer lacking a braking system, with a cost of $6,933. A discussion followed regarding the potential purchase of an adjacent, previously demolished property at 214 East Chicago Street to create a parking lot for the Post Office and theater, assessing the estimated $8,000 to $9,000 cost in back taxes.

The meeting included a period for public comments where representatives discussed the potential allowance of urban chickens. A presentation was given by the city's auditing firm regarding the FY 2022 financial statements, which resulted in a clean opinion, confirming conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. The audit detailed the general fund's financial health, showing a fund balance of $1.3 million, and reported surpluses in the proprietary utility funds (Wastewater and Water). Furthermore, the city's pension liability decreased, and the city was compliant with federal program requirements related to a single audit for a large street project. New business involved extensive discussion among council members regarding the pros and cons of legalizing urban chickens, citing concerns over enforcement, noise, health risks (like bird flu), and animal control issues. The council ultimately agreed to table the chicken discussion and consider forming a committee, possibly involving the Planning Commission, to research and propose defined boundaries for any potential ordinance, rather than making an immediate decision.