Michael Hart

The meeting commenced with the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance. Key reports included updates from the City Manager regarding a fireworks fundraiser and construction outside City Hall, and reports from Council members on the Small Cities, Restaurant Week, E-Bike/Pedestrian Safety Committee, Art Walk, and Arts & Culture Commission. The Consent Agenda was approved, authorizing payments for general invoices and Community Center invoices, accepting the 2025 Building & Zoning Annual Report, and appointing an individual to the Arts & Culture Commission. Ordinance No. 727, setting Halloween Hours, received its first reading. Ordinance No. 728, amending the Museum Board structure, was adopted on its second reading. The Council also approved the Mission Square 457 Plan Amendment in compliance with the Secure 2.0 Act. After a closed session to discuss labor negotiations, the Council reconvened and accepted the tentative agreement with the Command Unit.

Key discussion items for this meeting include authorization for payment of general invoices totaling $428,472.61 and Community Center invoices totaling $1,241.39. The agenda also specifies the second reading and adoption of Ordinance No. 727 concerning Halloween Hours. Furthermore, the Council is scheduled to consider the approval of the Scope of Engineering Design Services for the 2027 N. Leroy Street Street Rehabilitation Project, not to exceed $122,000. Other items include updating the Fire Cost Recovery Fee Schedule and approving a proposal to remove unnecessary communication wiring. Appointments are slated for the Arts & Culture Commission and the Board of Review.

The February 13, 2026 meeting agenda included the review of the January 2025 minutes and the February 2026 Financial Report under the Consent Agenda. Old Business items scheduled for discussion included the Book Author Event, Art Walk 2026, Blue Grass Festival 2026, Storytelling 2026, America 250 planning, an update from the Grant committee, and review of committee board seat vacancy applications. New Business was also scheduled for consideration.

The agenda for the meeting included Old Business items such as America 250 progress, New Resident Bags, and the 2025/2026 and 2026/2027 Budgets, alongside New Business concerning obtaining shirts for the group. The January 21, 2026 meeting minutes indicate that a new banner for Fenton Celebrates America 250 was ordered, Expo seeds were purchased, and the Beautification Commission committed to purchasing and dedicating a Liberty Tree on April 19th as part of the America 250 celebration. The commission discussed finalizing the 2025-2026 budget and creating the 2026-2027 budget for submission in March. Additionally, plans were made to scale back Arbor Day by combining it with the America 250 celebration portion.

The meeting included recognition of Lieutenant Forbush for service as Acting Chief and Samantha Sturgis as Dispatcher. The Mayor Pro Tem provided updates on snow removal efforts, Arts & Culture, and a Kroger ribbon cutting. The City Manager reported on recent snow events, a salt shortage, and the FY 2027 budget process. The Planning Commission's 2025 annual report and the first Freedom Festival meeting were reported. The closed session was removed from the agenda. The Consent Agenda, which was subsequently approved, authorized the payment of general and Community Center invoices, placed previous meeting minutes on file (excluding the December 8, 2025 Council meeting and January 12, 2026 Council meeting minutes as they are being approved now), and approved reappointments to the Planning Commission, as well as the appointment of Chief Slater as Alternate Delegate to the FANG Board.