Michelle Dewey

The meeting commenced with the call to order, a moment of silence, and the pledge of allegiance. A significant portion of the meeting involved public comment regarding a request to use a residential property at 1212 West Miami Street as a small private counseling office, either through special permission use or rezoning from R1 to RO. The proposer argued the use aligns with the comprehensive plan for transitional corridors, is low impact, and meets a community need due to limited small-scale commercial properties. Concerns raised by commissioners and neighbors included the potential impact of spot zoning, traffic safety near the intersection of University and Miami Streets, and potential future uses if the zoning is changed. Commission members also discussed comparisons to other uses like daycares and churches in residential zones. The meeting moved on to proclamations, including the adoption of a Black History Month proclamation.

The meeting included a budget work session covering departmental budget discussions for the Fire Department, Police Department, Parks and Recreation, Engineering Services, and the Utilities Department, as well as an overall budget review. Additionally, the Commission approved a resolution authorizing a one-time transfer of up to $50,000 from the City General Fund to the Downtown Development Authority Operating Fund to provide temporary financial support.

The Commission discussed several key items, including a proclamation for Black History Month and informational updates on snow emergencies and removal. Consent agenda items included budget amendments for the second quarter of the fiscal year, traffic control order changes to install stop signs, restoration of a Civil War monument, maintenance for a water tank, and preventative maintenance for fire department equipment. Regular agenda items featured a public hearing regarding special assessment improvements on Sarah Street, authorization for emergency bypass pumping, application for a body-worn camera grant, and a resolution to adopt the Planning Commission's denial recommendation for a specific rezoning request.

The meeting included informational and discussion topics concerning City property adjacent to Kiwanis Trail, Administrator Comments, and the 250th Celebration. The Consent Agenda involved the approval of the February 16, 2026 Minutes and Check Registers for March 2, 2026, and included resolutions to award a bid for asphalt paving and appoint members to the Revitalization Committee and Local Officers Compensation Commission. The Regular Agenda featured two public hearings regarding the establishment of Special Assessment Districts (SAD #401 for Cherry Street and SAD #402 for Hunt Street). Resolutions were subsequently adopted to establish both SAD #401 and SAD #402, detailing costs and assessment terms. The Commission also confirmed the appointment of Anthony Armstrong as Fire Chief, authorized the City Administrator to issue a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for professional strategic planning services for City-Wide and Parks System Strategic Plans, supported the installation of a new downtown clock, supported allocating $250,000 from the Enhancement Grant for a Downtown Building Façade Improvement Program, and supported the Downtown Walk and Bike Loop project. A resolution to approve and support the revised Town Square Project was also adopted.

The City Commission meeting addressed several items, including the proclamation for President's Day and amendments to the agenda regarding resolution years. The consent agenda covered approvals for check registers, revenue/expenditure reports, and resolutions related to election lease agreements, early voting sites, charitable gaming licenses, DDA licenses, budget amendments for the Bohn Pool Project, a lighting contract with Consumers Energy, the sale of a fire engine, execution of a Release of Mortgage, and correction of the commission meeting schedule. Regular agenda items included authorizing proposals for CWSRF Financial Advisory Services with PFM Financial Advisors LLC and for CWSRF Bond Counsel Services with Miller Canfield, authorizing a contract extension for Water Treatment Plant Lime Residual Removal with Biotech Agronomics, Inc., approving utility pole relocation costs with Consumers Energy, authorizing a Letter of Intent to MSHDA for the MI Neighborhood Community Development Block Grant Program, setting public hearings for Special Assessment Districts for improvements to Cherry Street and Hunt Street, and authorizing the publication of a Notice of Intent to Issue Wastewater System Revenue Bonds.