City Council - Regular Meeting

That's me. All right. Hello everyone. It is call the meeting to order. It's Tuesday, January 6, 2026 at 700 p.m. Uh this is the city council regular meeting. Would everyone please rise to the invocation given by Dan Xander followed by the pledge of allegiance. Most gracious God, we thank you for this day. We thank you for this time. We come to you now and and celebrate our time for for this new year's of 2026 and thank you so much for this time in Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Amen. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. here here. Right. Approval of the agenda and I think there was a request to add a close session from uh Mr. Albbright.

I'll move that we approve the agenda and add the close session for attorney client privilege support. for Mr. Albbright. [snorts] All right, please call the RO. Council member Baker, yes. Council member Curley, yes. Mayor Kleinfeld, yes. Council member Chadlick, yes. Council member Scott, yes. All right, we'll move right into our proclamation recognition of Dan Xander. Um would uh council I council, I know you'd like to read it. Would you uh I guess like to make a motion for all of us to adopt it first and then read it? I would move that we adopt the U proclamation in honor of Dan Xander. Support.

And we're going to read. We're going to go up in front. Yeah. Let's just call the RO real quick. Please call the role. Council member Curley. Yes. Council member Shadlick. Yes. Mayor Kleinfeld. Yes. Council member Scott. Yes. Council member Baker.

Yes. And now we can go. Now we Just a quick remark that Uh, I am truly honored to to read this proclamation for my longtime friend of maybe 40 or 50 years. So, if I start to break up a little bit, I'll have one of the council members finish it for me. Whereas, it is with great honor that the city of East Point recognizes the contributions of Dan Xander to the community of East Point. And whereas Dan has a crossing guard for the East Point Community Schools for over 33 years. And whereas Dan served the students of every type of weather conditions. And whereas during that time, Dan kept the students of East Point Community Schools safe and made many friends. And whereas Dan was thanked by the superintendent and board of education of schools at the December 8th, 2025 meeting. And whereas Dan often presented the invocation before the city council meetings. And whereas Dan will be missed.

Whereas Dad will be missed by the community members and the students and staff of the schools. Now therefore, the mayor and the city council of the city of East Point proclaim that Dan Xander is hereby recognized for his many years of dedicated public service to the city of East Point. Proclaimed the sixth day of January, 2026. Amen. Would your school board like to have a final picture with that?

[clears throat]

Come on. Come on. Okay,

[laughter]

Yeah, I promise I will. All right, Dan, come on back up here. Dan, on behalf of the police department and your supervisor from the last several years, Detective um Burkel,

we just want to congratulate you and thank you for your 33 years of absolutely dedicated service to not only the citizens of East Point, the schools of East Point, but the East Point Police Department. And we have a plaque for you. It says, "Thank you for your service with the East Point Police Department, serving as a crossing guard for 33 years. take a picture.

Oh, should be like [snorts] Thank you. [applause]

All right. Uh we'll move into our presentation for the Michigan Downtown uh or Michigan Downtown Association presentation of proclamation for East Point DDA.

Good evening. My name is uh Dana Walker. I'm the director for the Michigan Downtown Association and that is a very very hard act to follow. So sir, thank you so much for your service. It's uh wonderful to see a community member like you be honored. So congratulations. That's amazing.

Welcome. I'm here for other happy news as well. Um and now I'm through a little tearary. [laughter] That's very inspirational. Um so the Michigan Downtown Association celebrated its 45th year this year. We are an organization of 230 members from across the state. Uh we support our strong downtowns uh downtown development authorities and downtown management organizations and uh we have now I believe this was the eighth annual awards that we offered this year and I'm happy to report that the East Point Downtown Development Authority did win this year uh for 2025 for the summer concert series the best promotion or event um from our entries and from across the state. So congratulations. I do have a proclamation to read. Whereas Michigan downtowns distinguish a community are the drivers of economic development and help to offer a sense of place that contributes significantly significantly to the quality of life of residents. And whereas a downtown is the commercial core of a community that serves as its social and economic center. And whereas the East Point DDA created a greater sense of place and connectivity with the restructuring and promotion of the summer concert series. And whereas this series draws the participation of community members, nonprofits, and independent food trucks. And whereas East Point summer concert series provides a fun, free way for residents and visitors alike to enjoy live music with concerts throughout the summer season. And whereas the summer concert series has become one of East Point's DDA's authorities signature contributions to placemaking and promoting the downtown district as a fun place to enjoy a night out. And whereas downtown events are powerful catalyst for revitalization and the summer concert series embodies the power of a

strong DDA. And whereas the East Point Downtown Development Authority supported the project by providing financial investment, sponsorship drives, promotional materials, and general management. And now, therefore, the Michigan Downtown Association, founded in 1980 and is a statewide nonprofit organization with 230 members and a driving force in the interest and growth of downtowns and communities throughout Michigan. do hereby recognize the efforts of the East Point DDA and proclaim the summer concert series as the recipient of the 2025 MDA best promotion or event. Congratulations. And to represent our small businesses and our downtowns, the MDA created years ago a brick award. So, the bricks and mortars that uh make our communities strong, um our small B businesses and our downtown management organizations. So, um I have hauled this a long way and my gas mileage is going to be much better on the way home, but I will offer this both to you. It really is.

Yeah. Very good. Thank you. And thank you. Thank you.

[laughter]

Such a joke. uh Dr. Early, East Point Community, East Point Community School Board President. I just want to say thank you so much for doing this proclamation for Dan. We are going to really miss him, the caliber of person he is. We're going to miss just his smiling face at every meeting. Our children is going to really miss having him on that corner. And so from I can say from myself and our school board members that we really love you and we're going to miss you.

Hi Gary Meyer in East Point. Uh Dan, I'll miss you. Did a good job all the years. I'll miss uh driving down on your corner of Grove and Stevens, waving at you all the time. And wish you well and safe and good luck. Thank you for all your service. Good evening, U Council Mary Hal Ray for East Point. Happy new year if I didn't get a chance to tell you that. I look forward to a new year of hope, cooperation, unity, compassion, fairness, and justice. And I wanted to um well Dan is leaving but I wanted to make sure I was here to tell him goodbye as well. Uh sweet a person nobody could ever meet because he really is. Um one other thing I know people have had issues with our police department from time to time not wanting to support the things they do or the work that they do. Um, and I won't go into the details, but I want to thank Chief Haynes because today he earned his paycheck from working with me. He earned his paycheck. And I just wanted to acknowledge that because it's not all the time that you can tell someone how grateful you are for the effort they put in to help you accomplish something that means something to you. So, have a good evening everyone. Thank

Thank you. Happy new year and happy centennial. Um, somebody brought the attention that you guys are having meetings on Zoom, city council meetings every other week. I'd like the statute that backs that up. We can't respond now, but if you hang around for a bit, we'll respond to that. Yes, no problem. Thank you. Thank you.

Think somebody get Dan. He forgot his proclamation. Uh Craig Wedki. Uh first of all about Dan. Uh I guess the one thing you could say is for 33 years he always had a smile on his face which really is a great way to go through life. So we'll miss you very much. U speaking of people we're going to miss. U last Saturday we had a funeral for a citizen who gave her heart and soul well into her advanced years. And I don't want to say how old she was because I think the lightning bolt would hit me from the skies. Uh Neinski volunteered for many committees, commissions, uh St. Veronica, AK Homeowners, uh Grashy Cruz, more things than anyone could ever list and and she always wanted to make this city a better place. Thanks. Um, I think those of you who remember now, uh, it's kind of hard to forget her, but um, she always got her point across, but she got her point across in a way where she was never derogatory. She was never calling people out in public, but she made sure work got done. And, um, she had a good run in this in this city, and she will be missed. But I think if if we took an example from Nel what she would do to make this city a better place, I think we'd really have a great city here. Thanks much and happy.

Thank you.

Anyone else wish to hear? [clears throat] Good evening, council. John Silera, Kelly Road. Uh, this gentleman reminds me of St. Veronica's. Mr. Curley, you you you promised me publicly that St. Veronica's is now in its 100 year of service to East Point. That he would get some type of pro proclamation that we just gave to Mr. Xander who definitely deserved it. I don't know how you can get better than a 100redyear service with East Point. Uh if this council doesn't doesn't recognize the contribution of St. Veronica to East Point. That would be a shame and it would be a detriment to you guys. Uh Miss P I don't know how to say your name. Paddle, last meeting, you were you were very outspoken in in your in your amount of pride for the people at Pride are into the Pride thing and how glad they are to East to be in East Point. Well, I understand that you actually gave this council gave a half a million dollars to a rainbow coalition for this for the garden, which in my estimation was worth about $300,000. You put a $200,000 driveway in it, and I think [snorts] doesn't bring a dime to East Point. Uh Mr. Mr. Mayor, last meeting I asked you if we got cut off from any money from the state senate or the state house

and you you didn't say a word about it, which is an indirect way of not telling the truth because now I hear that some money has been cut off for the courtroom. Uh we're in this weird situation where your mother is state senator and is shoving something like 85% of her uh earmarks into East Point. And you also have on the other end the this the folks in the legislature that are bound to determine to cut all that off. So, better come to some kind of reckoning with the money here because it might not last forever. And that's it. Thank you.

Thank you. Anyone else wish to be here?

Good evening. I'm a East Point resident for 25 years. Um, sadly to say I rarely ever came to a council meeting and um I'm concerned about a lot of the ordinance and one in particular is the trash ordinance um where residents can where they able to put their trash in front of their home or in front of your home on trash pickup day. This has been something ongoing with several blocks um in East Point. I've been talking to neighbors and they're very concerned about it. And I was trying to look up an ordinance cuz when we have neighborhood um meetings, I wanted to bring it up and see if there's anything that we can start to um have neighbors have someone to come to other than the neighborhood watch meeting. and everyone at the neighborhood watch meeting can address everything. And if we had like a liaison group that can address some of the problems that um some of the residents have that would be great and I wouldn't have a problem with doing any of that at no cost actually. So just want you all to hear that.

Thank you. Can you state your name for the record? Um Selena Mitchell. Thank you. Not a problem. Thank you. Anyone else wish to be here?

Jennifer Nicholas, East Point resident. Um, thank you very much for um, uh, having the proclamation for Dan Xander. He is the embodiment of public service. Uh, selfless and helpful and such an asset to the community. I know he's been referred to as an ambassador of East Point and so I'm glad that he was recognized and I like many other people will miss seeing him um in the community at the council meetings and I wish him the best. Um I see on the agenda that you are continuing discussions on the gun range. Um, I thought that Chief Haynes put together a very in-depth, wellth thoughtout proposal on um, uh, the gun range, the necessity for it, the reasons why it makes sense to have a gun range here as opposed to having our officers traveling to either other communities or other establishments um, for for training. Um, and I think financially, um, I don't think that the finance director was opposed to it necessarily. It seemed like, um, he he was in support of it also. And I hope that you will seriously consider um, following through with what, um, Chief Haynes is asking for. You know, in addition to all of the reasons that he listed, I kind of feel that it's very competitive. It seems like a lot of cities are um struggling to hire and retain police officers. And I would think that East Point um it would be a selling point to come here not only to have a brand new police station and courtroom, but have a brand new firing range on site. Um I think that that would attract police to our community as opposed to another community. And again, it's you can read in the paper uh every week looking at

different cities that are short on staff or having trouble hiring a police chief um just from retirements, injuries, attrition to other communities. And I think especially with how busy our police force is, it's imperative to make sure that we are fully staffed with the most competent officers um possible. And again, I think this firing range is is very reasonable. They're not asking for an ice cream shop out in the parking lot. This is something that is legitimate and serious. And it's, you know, it's one of those things that again goes back to the foundation of the city. Um, public safety is very important in this city, especially with our crime rate and anything that we can do to support our police and also show

um, you have about 15 seconds. Sorry. Show new police officers that our city does support our police department. Thank you. Thank you. Anyone else? Seeing none, the first hearing of the public is closed. Uh we'll move on to approval of the minutes. Approval of regular meeting minutes from December 16, 2025. Mr. Mayor, I would move that we accept the minutes of the regular meeting December 16th, 2025. Support. Please roll. Council member Curley. Yes. Council member Shadlick. Yes. Council member Scott. Yes. Council member Baker. Yes. Mayor Kleinfeld.

Yes. Right. Item B, uh, approval of the close session meeting minutes from December 16, 2025.

I move that we approve the close session meeting minutes from December 16th, 2025. Support, please call the RO. Council member Shadley, yes. Council member Scott, yes. Council member Baker, yes. Council member Curley, yes. Mayor Kleinfeld, yes. And [clears throat] item C, approval of the special meeting minutes from December 22nd, 2025. Move that we approve the special meeting minutes from December 22nd, 2025. Support, please go roll. Council member Shadlick, yes. Council member Curley, yes. Council member Baker, yes. Mayor Kleinfeld, yes. Council member Scott, yes.

All right. Uh, there are no scheduled hearings. Moving on to unfinished business, which is the discussion on the police court and gun range. Um, did anyone on council want to open up?

Yes. Um there has been a lot of discussion on the gun range uh over the last several months at this council table and tonight we are ready to hopefully approve the motion uh to uh add that to our um bonding project for the building and the range as well. Um, if you notice there, there wasn't a motion in our packet, but I asked before the meeting started and I I I do when a time comes, Mr. Mayor, to if I may read the motion to approve the request. [clears throat]

All right. Um, anyone want to discuss?

I have a couple questions. Ryan, I I realize uh our city manager is brand new, so this may not have actually been something that you were even aware of or, you know, we're working on. Um so I apologize for asking at the table, but it kind of dawned on me. Um while we did receive quite a bit of information, um and it was great. Thank you very much um to our police chief for the uh thorough um paperwork that you had provided us. Um I had a question about uh whether other cities utilize other um departments. So it's like my understanding I think it's Sinclair Shores and I apologize if I'm misspeaking on that one. I think they don't have their own gun range. Is that correct? Do we know that?

I don't think they do. I am afraid I don't know off the top of my head, but I will defer to Chief Haynes. Yes, your honor. Um St. Sinclair Shores currently uses um Mcome um Mcome Community College Gun Range. They also use Mcome County Sheriff's Department and they also um will occasionally use Roseville.

Okay. Um so I guess see that was the other thing is I kind of uh I mean there's a lot of information here too. I I don't know that I'm ready to to move on this immediately, but um I kind of wanted to know those figures too because this is a pretty big price tag here on this um proposed gun range. I'm not saying that I'm against it. I I just um kind of wanted to see all of the information I guess you know like with respect to um you know let's say if we did approve a gun range and then you know other communities could potentially utilize ours um if there's any interest in that um as well as you know I guess I kind of want to know if we reach would reach out to Slair Shores to find out hey how much does it cost them to utilize MCOME you know just just a thought um

I already did that um yeah it It was I believe it was part of the report but it may have been kind of buried in there. Um but I have spoken with Sinclair Shores directly. Um they would be interested in some kind of a sharing agreement because it's much closer to them than going all the way to the county um or going all the way to the college. Um I can tell you that I you know I came from Madison Heights and Madison Heights had a gun range and we refurbished the gun range and the city of Royal Oak did not have the room to build a gun range with their initial building. So, they entered into a contract with Madison Heights while I was there. So, I have experience in that and I have reached out to local departments and I will continue to do so, but it's hard to get anything concrete because we don't know if we're getting a gun range.

Right. Right. So, I know it's all hypothetical at this point.

I I believe we will have missed that. I'm sorry. Um, that was that was primarily my question. U mayor just just to add to this conversation. Um I think we would all agree that u it's a lot safer for our people to be here in our own city to u use the gun range and to qualify or re-qualify if they have to rather than going someplace else uh with inclement weather uh the safety factor that they have to carry their weapons with them when they go out of town to another facilities. So the safety part is extremely important as I can see it uh with a new gun range.

All right, if I may. Um so I I mean from the information we provided it seems like it's a feasible expense. Um uh I still have some concerns about the budget overall because just the courthouse alone and then the radios we've gotten. I just think we should have a broader conversation about down the line as we are planning for all these big expenses that will all kind of hit at once where are we going to tighten our belts because um I think we should prepare for that. Um but we need these we need new facilities so it's not it's inevitable. So um I just want to keep that in mind. Um, regarding the cost and such, um, I mean, it looks like we're heading this direction, but I wanted to sort of explore a couple of options. I know that we had said no to a basement, for example, and I know that our gun range wasn't a basement. Roseville has I I was wondering if the expense of having solid, you know, building it to the specs that it, you know, increased the cost, is that why it was initially in the basement, would it make sense to explore that option? to save money on adding a gun range and maybe space as well for parking.

Yeah, I I don't know if it would I mean that would be an AUW question whether it would save money, but one of the one of the major purposes of moving them to a separate location and not having them in the same building is contamination. um you're you know even though you separate it out and you have a separate ventilation system for the gun range than you do for the rest of the building inevitably powder lead [clears throat] all the things that are part of ammunition will spread through the system so the idea of building it on a separate in a separate building where it's contained instead of being in the general population has been I guess moving forward has been the the trend um to not have it in the basement but I don't I don't know what kind of cost that would And I'm just bringing [clears throat] it up for the first time, so I don't really expect much of an answer.

Oh, sure.

Good evening, Mayor and Council. I We can definitely explore that and see what what that cost would be. I I have a feeling it's probably not going to be much of a cost difference just because of the ventilation that's going to be required um having it in the same building, but that's something we can definitely present. Uh in council, this was uh sort of in the same vein. Um I wanted to see how council felt about uh also doing something like AW's been working on this from the start when we had the discussions started having the design so we knew what we were looking at um before we asked for any funding from the state. I'd like to ask administration to consider like an RFP to see if anyone would have a proposal for a different design or something. I don't want to spend a lot of money. I just when we get a new roof, you normally get three estimates before you pick one. And we're about to spend I think north of $18 million. Um, also I I kind of wanted to consult because I'm I'm nervous about where the numbers are just to kind of get an idea of a more solid idea of how much we're expecting this to cost. that I want to run out of money when we take a bond out. Council,

have any thoughts?

Um, I guess for me, I was comfortable, I mean, I've been comfortable with the idea of moving forward. Um, and I know it's been kind of a a longunning conversation. Um, you know, uh, I'm a little I'm hesitant about trying to, uh, go out and get other designs from other people, uh, because I just because that'll be an added cost. Um, and I know prior to tonight's meeting, um, when Chief Haynes has spoken about this, uh, gun range and, uh, the commitment with other, um, communities that it basically looked like it would pay for itself over time. So, with that in mind, I was comfortable I'm comfortable moving forward with it as presented um, just for that reason alone. But then also like um they were just saying the safety aspect of it and keeping all the lead and all the other contaminants out of the main building. Health and safety is a thing that it's really huge for me. My job is uh has a big focus on health and safety. And I would not want to compromise anybody's well-being um just to save a couple dollars. But then the concern is that the lead and all that exhaust and whatever else I might be leaving out is getting into the ventilation system. Uh I wouldn't feel comfortable with trying to redesign it that in that regard just for the uh the well-being of the uh officers that'll be using it, but it's just my opinion about it. I'm actually comfortable moving forward as is. I think they need it and I think it's justifiable. So I I think what I was more thinking of uh because I I don't disagree. I think we've gotten we've asked for information

and gotten it where it's feasible. Um was more about getting cost estimates from saying we think it would cost you this much to build this kind of building. Um, I think that's where I was coming from, just kind of getting a a broader view cuz we, you know, this has fluctuated a little bit since it was first pitched to us and, you know, I just wanted to see if there was any better design out there. It's a police and courthouse, so it's got to be built solid. Um, I moved to a new building recently, a new courthouse, and I think there are some costs that might have been skipped that shouldn't have been. I think when you have criminals coming in and out and people who are distressed. You know, the walls have to be brick. Uh everything has to be sturdy. It's got to stand the test of time. It's going to get a lot of use. So, I agree with that. Um 100%.

Yeah. And I understand that. Um and I guess the other thing that I look at is, you know, this has kind of been AW has been involved from the beginning of the process. you know, I don't want to go in and just get another cook to add to the to the making of the broth, if you will. But that's that's just my feelings about it, though. But I I do understand where you're coming from, Mr. Mayor, if I may. Sure.

Since this is going to still go out for a pro, excuse [clears throat] me, coming over called a procurement. Um, I'm assuming the gun range would be bid as its own ent as its own project. The cost, right, Ryan? That it would be Well, there's a total cost. It would still be broken down by the main building and then the gun range. So then it would give council the opportunity that if there's a vendor that can do everything for the best value bid, whereas if there's somebody that can do the building, the big building as the best value and someone can do the gun range as the best value, council would have that option.

That's that [clears throat] is correct. Yeah, we would set it up that way. It would be bid as one package, but we would separate the gun range as a separate cost of the bid. Mr. Mayor, um the motion we're going to um vote on tonight says nothing about the what the building's going to look like. It has some cost estimates, but uh tonight we're voting on do we even want one? And knowing AEW and our administration, the cost that they prescribed in here is very fluid. It's not it's not written in ink right now. So, uh I think we should be comfortable in voting for the project and then if the cost can go down fine. Uh we can decide on that as a council and mayor. But um the reasons given by the uh citizens and the council people about why we need it is um is valid. So I would I would hope that uh when you're ready, I can read the motion and we'll see what happens. I agree with that. I just I think I was coming from I was kind of talking down the line. I'd like to maybe consult someone with the plans before we put a shovel in the ground is all. Um but I'm comfortable with the gun range wherever it might be if it was under the building or or next to it. But you know, if we could save space. I just figured I'd ask a question. I have another question that I just thought of and I think it would be with Rand uh with respect to Randy. Um [clears throat] you had sent that memo which was very thorough and I do appreciate you doing that. Um you had given the scenario of the 25-year bond issue and the cost um the an annual estimated bond payment costs that would be for both you know using that scenario with requiring it.

Um that does not include like utilities or any of that other stuff that is strictly bond. Correct. Correct. Okay. I just wanted to clarify that. Thank you. No.

Any other discussion? Would you like to read a motion? Sure. Uh, I would move to approve the addition of the gun range to the new police department and 38th district court project and for the cost to be included in the total budget of the project including bonding. I'll support. Great. Please call the roll. Council member Curley. Yes. Council member Baker. Yes. Mayor Kleinfeld. Yes. Council member Shadlick. Yes. Council member Scott. Yes.

All right. Thank you. Um and we'll move on to reports from administration. Our city manager report, Mr. Mattis. All right. Thank you. The Dan Xander fan club. It runs deep, doesn't it? What a what a showing. That was very cool.

Um just a couple things. Um I wanted to relay that our snow plowing plans um that there is a plan. So, I know we're not thinking about snow on a rainy night, but um just wanted to reiterate that um the the the map of which roads get plowed and when um is available on our website, but all priority one and two roads are plowed after any snow. And then all roads are plowed when there's four or more inches of snow. So, just just so you know, if you have any questions, it will be on the website. And then um just a couple other reminders for council. We're going to we're working on um setting up a tour of all city buildings. So as we begin the budgeting process, we wanted to find some availability that we can get together um and load up in the van and uh check out what we're working with before we get too far into the budgeting process. So um is it best to do that via email? Should I do we want to just draw a poll real quick when we're available in late January, early February? Um I'll I'll send you something or give you a call this week and we'll find some time that works. Is that best?

I'm happy to. I'm looking at my calendar right now. Um I was thinking a Saturday or Sunday because I think that's probably when we would all be available more than Yeah, that's probably the safest uh what safest day. He said a Saturday or a Sunday. I I I I would be in favor of any Saturday, but not Sunday.

Um, so I did speak to Tony Leinsky. Typically, we would rent, I believe, like a small vehicle from Rare. Um, and they just said they would need at least two weeks notice or would prefer that at least. Uh, so I think that really just leaves us with 24th and 31st if we wanted to try to get it done this month.

I'm I'm free. Well, we're looking for the date again. Either January 24th or 31st. Well, I don't care if it's it's probably going to be snowing ground, but it doesn't matter. going to be snowing the ground either. That's a Saturday, right? A Saturday. Yep. I don't care. Either one. I would prefer the 31st. Okay. Does that work? Any objections? Okay. 31st.

A very informal straw poll, but Okay. We'll start working with Tony and Ryer to line up the van and make sure we're we're ready for that. Sounds good. Thank you. And we can't deliberate.

Correct. It's a it's a workshop informal, right? We're just taking a tour. Um, also there's a several training opportunities coming up for elected and appointed officials. So, we'll be sharing those to you, especially newly elected officials that might be of interest. Um, and otherwise, uh, we we are beginning to prepare for the state of the city address on February 2nd. To steal your thunder on that. Um, otherwise I'm very excited for a big 2026 for East Point. So, thank you.

Do you want to address the gentleman's uh during the hearing of the public? He said something about Zoom hearings and he wanted to know the statute. I'm not aware of the council having Zoom hearings every other week.

Good point. Yes. Um, we don't have Zoom meetings. Um, open meetings act currently does not allow for electronic meetings. Um, we do share our meetings via YouTube. There's a live stream. That's a one-way communication though, so you can watch those from some from home. So, anybody who's out there, hello. Uh, but you can't vote via electronic um communication that way. So, um, we do have in place that if that were to change, if the law were to change, then we that option could become available to us in the future, but right now electronic Zoom meetings do not happen for the city of East Point. Cool. Thank you. Any questions? Nope.

All right, we'll move on to our finance director's report. Mr. Blum.

Yes. Good evening, Mayor and Council. Uh, I just have one item. We, uh, received a notice from the attorney general's office related to the opioid settlement monies. um [clears throat] by February 13th, we have to respond with um how much we received by check, by settlement, and what date going back to 2023. I've already got that piece done. Um, and then we have to tell them how much we've spent 2023 to date, which is zero, and if we have any upcoming planned expenditures, which we actually have never had that conversation of how we're going to spend that money. So, the answer to the expenditures would both currently be zero. I don't know if you want to make that a discussion topic on the 20th. Um, I think Rich would have to bring the uh rules of what we can and can't spend it on. Uh, because that part I don't even know. I [clears throat] just received checks and put them in the bank. So,

how much is it? We have received um I got to put my readers up. [laughter] Uh so far we have received $346,7763 and we have spent none of it. Oh, I have lots of suggestions. Well, it's got to be within the guidelines [clears throat] [laughter] and I think most of the approved expenditures are things that we as a city do not do and that's part of the problem. Um, but it's worth having a conversation before a reply is given. Sure. To the uh state. So,

I'm sorry. When do we have to reply? Uh, February 13th. Uh, council, do you want to discuss it at that meeting or Well, I think we should come with ideas once we get what we can spend it on, what we can't. Um, and I'm sure all five of us have some ideas what we'd like to spend it on. And we can be creative, too, right? As long as it's within the rules. Yes. Oh, I always stay within the rules. [laughter] Uh, anything else?

That was all I had. Any questions for Mr. Blum? Move on to our city uh, attorney's report. Mr. Alre.

Thank you. Uh, mayor, members of council, uh, council's in receipt of our monthly status report. It is considerably longer than last month's. And the reason for that is Mr. Meyers back in November provided uh, me with requests to file um, numerous nuisance abatement actions in the uh, county circuit court. Uh these involves properties that are blighted here in the city. Uh some include also garages which were uh subject to fires. Uh the goal is to have all of those properties um uh off the blight list and either the structures completely uh brought up to code or demolished uh by springtime. And that's all I have. Mayor, I'm happy to answer any questions. Thank you. Any questions for Mr. Albbright?

All right. We'll move on to uh new business. Um uh would anyone like to make a motion to receive and file the fiscal year 2025 audit report? So moved. [clears throat] Support. Please call the RO. Council member Baker. Yes. Mayor Kleinfeld. Yes. Council member Chadlick. Yes. Council member Scott. Yes. Council member Curley. Yes. Okay. Um item B, approval of the parking lease with USPS. Would anyone like to make a motion?

All right. I move that we approve the parking lease with the United States Postal Service and authorize the city manager to sign all necessary documents. I was supportive with a couple comments. Sure.

Um, right now we've been charging you the post office $750 per month. Uh the new contract will increase to $945 per month. Um an increase of $9,000 or $11,000 increase from $9,000. Also, we used to give them um a number of five-year contracts. Uh this time, we're going to go with one five-year contract and negotiate a new contract after the first five years. are not going to have three consecutive five years um should this pass. So that's going to increase of an increase of $2340 per year for the five years from what we were charging the post office.

Hey, any other comments? Please call the RO. Council member Baker, yes. Council member Curley, yes. Council member Shadlick, yes. Council member Scott. Yes. Mayor Kleinfeld. Yes. Um item C, approval of [clears throat] a award of uh 2026 park fencing improvements contract. Motion to award the 2026 park fencing contract to Nationwide Construction Group of Richmond, Michigan in the amount of their alternate bid plus a 10% contingency for a total of $39,43610. Support. Great. Any comments?

Yes. Uh just to let the folks know where that $39,000 is going to go. Um we're going to put a a fence around the perimeter of Roxanna Park playground. And so that's going to be pretty nice. Then also we're going to put an 8ft fence um at Kennedy Park separating the u DPW and the park itself and it'll be 8 ft and that's where the money is going to. All right. Please call the RO. Council member Scott, yes. Council member Baker, yes. Council member Curley, Mayor Kleinfeld, yes. Council member Shadlick, yes.

All right. Um, item D, approval of reappointment of uh re uh Rare in East Point. Sorry, Rare. Uh, you want to start over on that? Yeah, [laughter] I would move to approve the reappoint of Randy Blum to the recreation authority of Roseville and East Point with a term to expire on January 1st, 2029. Support it. I did stumble over that. Sorry. Um, please call the role. Council member Shadlick, yes. Council member Scott, yes. Council member Baker, yes. Council member Curley, yes. Mayor Kleinfeld, yes. Um, item E, schedule joint meeting of city council with the planning commission.

Well, if if we had the joint meeting, would would it be on a uh on off Tuesday? Yes. No. Or the proposal is for March 17th. I think that's what at 6 p.m. Yep. Tuesday 17th. It's one of our Tuesdays. It's uh March 17th, which is a regular council Tuesday, but it' be at 6 PM. If we're meeting with the planning commission and meeting at 6:00 p.m. and our meeting starts at 7, good luck. That's not going to happen. Mr.

You've never you've never been to a planning commission meeting apparently. And if they're beautiful, but why can't we do it on an off Tuesday? that we I mean we you know we start these meetings it's probably going to end up starting at eight minutes after six or 10 minutes after six and then everybody's going to be you've got five members here was there seven or eight on the planning seven seven or eight meeting members you're not going to get done in an hour and we have people coming at 7 o'clock for the council meeting [clears throat] um but we're not going to start on time Not just the just the suggestion, Mr. Mayor, if I may. Yes, please. [clears throat]

The suggestion actually was that the consultants for the master plan will be in town. So, the suggestion was for the planning commission to come meet with city council from 6:00 to 6:45. So the planning consultant, the master plan consultants would have an opportunity to present to both the city council and um planning commission the results and the findings as they start to uh summarize everything and move to the final draft of the master plan. So it will be a structured meeting. A structured meeting.

What does that mean? We will have an agenda where the consultants will present and then there will be some questions and then not have not having agenda is even more wild. No, we'll have an agenda. Yes. All right. Well, make the motion and I'll vote no. And to be frank, I mean, if if if there's needed discussion and it goes a few minutes late, I think we'll be okay as long as we start the council meeting immediately following that. But I'll make a motion to schedule the joint city council uh and planning commission meeting for Tuesday, March 17th, 6 p.m. uh prior to the regular city council meeting. Support.

Please call the roll. Mayor Kleinfeld, yes. Council member Shadlick, yes. Council member Scott, yes. Council member Baker, yes. Council member Curley, no. All right. Um payroll and bills. Would anyone like to make a motion? Sure. I got the right sheet here. That's the right one. Fine. Okay. Yeah. I move that we pay the bills in the amount of 1,500 thou 58,42051.

All right. Any questions on that? Please call the roll. Council member Baker. Yes. Council member Curley. Yes. Mayor Kleinfeld. Yes. Council member Shadlick. Yes. Council member Scott. Yes.

All right. Uh and with that, the second hearing of the public is open. Would anyone wish to be heard? Well, since I'm a strong supporter of the police department, I would think that the community garden be turned over to the police department. It'll save you a lot of financing. Nine/10en of an acre there. No building on it. Nothing has to be torn down. you can just build up and foolishly actually the the community garden to me looks like corruption just buying the votes of very small amount of East Point people and uh the opioid settlement should belong to the police department. So there you go, cut your costs. Uh, I would like to make reference to the latest Roseville East Point insider on the firing of the teacher from East Point Community Schools, which says that this gentleman was fired and he was known to be Uh he had records for suspicion of attention sexual encounters of a minor. He had porn on his phone, child porn, which means chief, you have officers in the uh in the school. You've got a teacher walking around with child porn on their phone. So this is not good.

Uh Christine Gibson is a terrible supervisor. She doesn't take stuff seriously. Now we have the state moving in with this new sex ed pol uh policy where they want to transition kindergarteners, begin transitioning kindergarteners. It's a Democratic party thing. Uh, so just be aware that we've had a teacher with porn on their phone walking around the school. We never never did hear from the district whether any children from East Point were in his photos. We nobody wants to investigate anything. They fired him real quick. And by the way, Miss Scott, this has nothing to do with you. But I realize good people can come from a bad system and East Point Schools is a very bad system. And I applaud the police the police department for their for their uh hard work. And yes, you're going to lose officers in the future because you know what?

30 seconds. ICE is offering $50,000 signup fees for officers that join ICE. So, you're going to have competition for police officers soon and the prices are going to go up and we do need a separate facility for the guns, gun training. Thank you. Thank you. Anyone else wish beard?

Hi, Jennifer Nicholas, East Point resident. Thank you for moving forward with the gun range and hopefully um the plans, whatever plans you come up with are in line with what uh Chief Haynes and our police force need. I realize that money is tight everywhere, but um when we're allocating money, I feel that public safety and um you know, foundational issues like that should come first. And if we need to tighten our belt somewhere else, um you know, that's maybe more um entertainment wise, um maybe that's where we might have to buckle down. But I think that our um finance director, Mr. Blum will be able to figure out a way to do all of this. Um, and talking about the uh, planning commission, city council meeting, and TPMA, um, Mr. Curley has a point. I don't know if you watch planning commission meetings but the last couple of meetings where the consultants TPMA have been presenting um they haven't been able to finish their presentation because of questions and interactions with um the planning commissioners. So I I do think you know even though this might be structured um it may take more time if you all are going to have questions or there's going to be interactions with the consultants. It it may very easily run well over 45 minutes or even an hour. Just something to consider. I know that they're only able to be in town certain times or, you know, certain days and that, but um it, you know, it may make more sense to have a longer joint meeting and then I don't know if you're able to move a city council meeting to an off week like you do when people are on vacation or something comes up or there's a holiday. Just something to consider. Thank you.

Um, just once again, congrats to Dan Xander. Uh, we're thankful for the 30 years of service, 30 plus years, 33 I believe it was. And, uh, that's definitely a labor of love. Um, I'm I'm sure he'll find something to do good with his uh newly found free time, but uh we definitely appreciate his hard work and dedication to keeping the kids safe in the community. And then also congrats to the uh DDA for their recognition or for their award. Uh and happy new year to everyone. And that is all I have.

Thank you, Councilman Curley. Um, a lot of wonderful things have been said about Dan and [clears throat] everything you said is absolutely true. I' I've known Dan for many decades and um, you know, it is exciting and a pleasure to be friends with somebody who is so gentle and so lovable and so kind as Dan is. and uh I would hope that he finds something um to do. The second thing is um the community garden. It was mentioned that there's not very many people that use the community garden. I I when you have something like that that's offered to the city, it's not the numbers that count. It's what the people get out of it and the pleasure that they get from planting their own products and to communicate with one another. So, it doesn't matter if there's 30 or if there's 3,000. That doesn't that doesn't matter. And uh as far as pri losing police officers to that organization whose name I'm not going to mention, uh I wonder if they get paid benefits. Do they have a do they have a retirement policy? Um I don't know. I doubt it. Thank you.

Thank you. Uh, Councilwoman Pashadlick,

I'd also like to uh commend Dan Xander and uh wish him well on his retirement. He's he's been an icon in our community for so [clears throat] many years and I have the same sentiment as as everybody else with respect to him. He was such a good cheerleader for our schools and especially like our students and stuff, our athletes. He was at every game and just, you know, constantly a reminder to the kids and the students, you know, to keep up the good work. He even when when the kids were losing I mean I there was a year where my son my son's team on the football team they lost every game didn't matter he still had a smile on his face he still encouraged everybody and he still attended those and rooted on the team you know he was he was always just such a such a um a great beacon of light in our community and he's going to be missed sorely so I I truly uh I'm going to miss him and then um I just wanted to also uh thank um our finance director Randy for um volunteering to be on the rare uh commission. I believe that that's a um a very good thing to have you on there and I appreciate you doing that in addition to your um other duties and thank you for your thorough reports.

And that's all I have. Councilwoman Scott.

Hi. Um I want to echo some of the sentiments about Dan. Dan is a staple in the community. So he will be really missed. when I was uh uh in connecting with the kids when I was a senior in high school. He was our grand marshal for homecoming um because he went to all the football games. There just wasn't a better choice and all the kids love him. Um and uh Dan the man, he's just he will be missed. Um Nell Drazinski was a character. Um if you knew her, she was a tough lady. And uh [clears throat and cough] I think some of the comments that were at the hearing of the public were right. She was never rude or mean, but she let you know what she thought.

Um and uh she did a lot for the community. She ran a homeowners association. She kept a newsletter going for years. Um collected medical equipment and kept it in stock for people that needed it. So uh Nell really did a lot of great things for for the community. So um just wanted to give her a shout out. So happy new year to everyone. And with that, I will entertain a motion to go into close session for attorney client communications. So move. Support. Please call the role. Council member Baker. Yes. Council member Shadlick. Yes. Council member Scott. Yes. Council member Curley. Yes. Mayor Kleinfeld? Yes. Go into close session at 806.

How do you read that? That's I got it. You can actually read that when it's that small. Universities reconvening an open session at 8:36 p.m. Um I believe we might have a motion. Yes. I would move that um Moses Roses were eligible and met the criteria by December 31st, 2025 and they are eligible for retail license. Support. Please call the roll. Council member Shadlick. Yes. Council member Curley. Yes. Council member Scott, can I abstain?