City Commission - Regular Meeting

The following program was produced by CTV Community Television. Stand for the pledge, please. We are three gentlemen from Troop Troop 94 here. Would you guys want to lead us through the pledge, please? 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. Thank you, gentlemen. Welcome everyone. This is Monday, May 18th. If you have any questions, uh we have a couple places where you can do that. If we go to vote on something under new business, before we vote, I'll always give the opportunity to the group to come up and ask us a question or It was an opinion under public comment number 11. There'll be a non-agenda item in tonight items and you'll get 3 minutes there, if you would, please. Um we need to add to new business letter F. new business Um Yeah.

new business is a table item. I think this is separate of that. It's separate from the table, though, so we wouldn't put it under unfinished. We'd come under new. We could think of it either way, but it's it's a new item in a different vehicle, so it would make sense to put it under new business as a new approval, if you'd like. All right. Uh with your consent, gentlemen, I would like to add F under new business considered vehicle purchase, um Silverado 2000 15

15 So moved. Or questions? All in favor, say aye. Aye. Opposed? Okay, that'll be F, vehicle purchase. All right, can I have the roll call, please? Mayor Cedar? Here. Council member Galler? Here. Council member Kufel?

Here. Council member Laporte? Here. Council member Paul? Here. Council member Volz? Here. Council member Westerik? Here. All present. Thank you. Consent agenda A, city council minutes of May 4th, 2026 regular meeting recommendation approve. And then the B, Board of Cemetery Trustee minutes of November 5th, 2025, March 10th, and April 7th, 2026 meetings recommendation receive. Motion to approve A and B as presented. Support. Motion is made, supported. Any questions? All in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed? Move under five here. We have a great group of people here tonight. Chief Ennis, are you out there? So I know you are. Yes. All right. crowd here tonight. So, um I'm fortunate enough to work at a police department where we can host a a citizen citizen academy every year. This is our fourth year of hosting this academy. Um we bring open it up to the public, township, city residents, anyone who wants to join it, come in, we'll open our doors, we'll show you what we're all about. Uh we'll give you some of our training, we'll give you some of our education, and it just kind of puts you in our in our um our position and our our shoes every day to kind of see, you know, what law enforcement deals with every day. Um we wear many hats. We got to make a lot of decisions, a lot of split-second decisions. We got to be council workers, we got to be parents, uh we got to be a good community leaders. So, we just want to bring all these residents in here to kind of show what we do. And every year we hope they have a good opportunity and a good experience with it. And I always think, you know, it's pretty successful. Um and fortunate, I mean, good luck, good thing that a lot of these these citizens academy members, they actually want to join our our our PSVs, which I'm sure you guys know what the PSVs are. They help out with the parades, they give tons of volunteer hours. So, a few of those are going to come over to the PSV's. It's kind of like one of the stepping stones. So, if they go to Citizens Academy, then they can join the PSV. So, it's kind of the a pre-req to it. So, I'm blessed enough that a lot of

them want to jump over to our side and help out with these different city events. I'm sure you guys saw the Clutch Park um reopening Saturday parade. Uh we had a bunch of PSV's lined along the streets blocking the road. So, and those are all just volunteers. They don't want a single thing, don't want any recognition. They just want to help out St. Clair. So, I'm really, you know, really happy that they want to be a part of our community. So, um and just um a few things I got to thank the St. Clair officers. Um our officers are phenomenal. We go out there every day, we do the job, but it's one thing doing the job and it's another thing actually instructing how to do the job. I know how to do the job, but now I got to explain how to do the job. So, um having a Citizens Academy makes us a better officers cuz now we have to give PowerPoints, we got to instruct what we're doing, we got to show them how to do it. So, and and all of our officers feed off of that. So, I give officers different tasks, they step up that role, and they um we do a great job with it. So, also got to thank the the St. Clair County Prosecutor's Office. We bring a prosecutor in um to explain what they do, how charges are pressed, and um Steve Gilliet, one of the assistant prosecutor, comes in and does that. Uh Port Huron PD, we go up to Port Huron, their training where they show us their SRT, they bring in their K9. Um the Sheriff's Office, we have someone come in for the Drug Task Force to kind of go over different drugs we're seeing in this county and how they arrest people and uh how they operate. And then lastly, the Michigan State Police. Uh they come in and bring in their um driving sim- simulator for the participants to join. So, if it wasn't part of all those people, this wouldn't happen. But especially thanks to our officers who really stepped up during this time. So, um I just had a few certificates to go through each member. Um when I call your name, just please come up here. Thomas Wucherns. So, I got you a challenge coin. So, challenge coin just appreciation of what you do and what you do for us. We really appreciate you stepping up. This this program's 11 weeks, so it's a lot it's 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. for 11 weeks, so it's a lot of time of off everyone's

busy schedule, so appreciate it, Thomas. Thank you.

[applause] Tabitha. She here tonight? Nope. Sean Cleland.

[applause] Sarah Sedmak.

[applause] Samantha. [clears throat] [applause]

Rackey. Racklin. [laughter] [applause] Olivia. Mark.

[applause] Lori.

[applause] Jacob.

[applause] Greg Saw him here.

[applause]

Gail [snorts] [applause]

Francy

[applause]

Don Mel, is it Melly? [laughter] [applause] Don Jones

[applause] Dave, are you here? [applause]

Then Aaron, saw him here.

[applause] So that's it. It was a great year. Um I'm really thankful for these people taking time to come on every week and to kind of support us and it's really great that we can have this community event. Not many communities offer this type of um community outreach. So we're really happy to have all these people join and be a part of it and we're glad a lot of them want to join the PSV, so thank you. So they want to break up, we're going to go upstairs for some coffee and cake. So, unless you guys want to stay. [applause]

I'm going to do something real quick. Can I get that too or should I wait? Okay. Dylan Carter

[snorts]

I'll tell you we could use them for traffic control. I think it's so he doesn't get lost in there. All right. So, I'm not sure if the council knew already but we got two great summer cadets this year. Dylan and Carter. Dylan Moses, he resides in St. Clair Township. He graduated from Marysville High School and he's currently enrolled at SC4 studying business but he wants to pursue a law career in law enforcement. That's Dylan and then we got Carter here. Carter lives in Contra Ville and graduated from Marine City High School. He enrolled at SC4 focusing the career in criminal justice with a goal of a a job in law enforcement. So, we're really looking forward to these summer cadets. We haven't had any since 2019 I think was our last so we've been on a 6-7 year hiatus now. So, we're hoping to really get them out in the community. They're instructed to be in the parks, foot patrol on our new e-bikes, Clutch Up Park, Palmer Park and the ball. They're in the bands so they're going to be out there hopefully doing a wonderful job, good community interaction. So, if you see them out there, please stop say hi to them, introduce yourself but they're great young men and hopefully they one day we want to bring bring them on as police officers in our city. So, I thank you again for the support for this program. All right. Thanks guys.

[applause]

Well, Chief when you get when are you going upstairs with the group?

got more more to say, but I'll wait for the parking. Okay. You waiting? Well, no, you are. Go up there. Just come out and Yeah, get them all in here. Uh my my last um topic is just um it's become be kind of a hot topic in our city [clears throat] uh with these e-motorbikes. Um I'm sure we've all seen them do wheelies, driving really fast, recklessly around town. So, I I want the council uh just to kind of be aware that myself and uh Mr. Downey, Mr. Duchaine want to develop develop some type of ordinance to address these issues. Uh we really don't have an e-bike or an e-motor ordi- ordinance. We kind of want to address this, but just so you guys know, um kind of learning the the basics of this, too. But, we the Michigan breaks down uh e-bikes into three categories. And if it's basically has pedals and a battery, it fits in one of those categories. But, what we're seeing is a lot of these e-motorbikes that don't have any pedals. And those are kind of narrowed down to um uh motorcycles or mopeds. So, uh if you have a motorcycle or a moped, you got to have a license, you got to have insurance. So, my officers have I sent an email out the same memo I sent to the council out about my officers making contact with all these youth cuz parents are as they're getting cheaper. And the cheaper they get, we're just throwing our kids on them and just saying go have fun. Um but that we seen that's not the case. They're kind of being reckless. Um I know last Saturday night in the mall, there's kids doing wheelies in the grass when the band's playing. So, that that kind of behavior's unacceptable. So, um I just want the council to know we're going to look at do some type of ordinance to address these issues. Right now, my officers are just educating. Um I'm asking the officers to stop these these these juveniles, uh make contact with them, and also make contact with their parents to educate them so we can address these issues because you honestly should have a driver's license when you're operating these bikes because they're going 45 plus uh on the streets. So, um any questions? I'm wondering if there's some sort of not necessarily a certification but some

sort of process like hunter safety or boater safety that we could do with you know not maybe it's just a city initiative you know for our residents with young kids that attend a class and you get a license that says you've attended it. So, the state's going to come down to that cuz they're going to give the endorsements. So, Okay. I I don't know if we can even do it. Like I mean I think boater safety was like what 13 14 years old? So, yeah you know you get a moped license you got to be 15 years old. Okay. Then once you have your driver's license you can drive a moped but in order to drive a cycle you need that or motorcycle you need that cycle endorsement. Yeah. So, I think that we got to default to the state law with a lot of that stuff. I mean I think that'd be a great idea to do bike safety.

for the e-bikes you know for the younger people cuz they're going to get them at younger ages more frequent. Like we used to have like the bike rodeos but those are just kind of more of a little parade where kids decorate their cars but we don't really go over bike safety. Now like bike safety was a big thing back in the day with registering your bikes with the city and stuff like that. We we really don't do that stuff anymore but yeah if we could bring in someone in to give some education classes but honestly it's up to the parents and it's up to the user of the bike. So, we got to teach our kids you know I see so many kids when I'm driving in town in my personal car when they shoot down Clinton Avenue towards downtown that that nice smooth sidewalk they're just you know going by 10th Street going by 9th Street going by 7th you know 6th and they're just not stopping at those intersections. So, I mean we we got to put some of it on the parents too. We got to teach our kids to be responsible and not just give them this this device and be like well at least they're outside having fun. You know we got to be safe when we're doing it because you know surprisingly a lot of parents don't know what their kids are doing on those bikes and they probably would not approve of it. Yeah Chief I'm glad I'm glad you took this initiative because I'm I mean I want I want kids to have fun but I've seen a lot of enough of them that they're a little reckless. They're just too young they don't know. I mean they're around something that's got some speed to it. Yeah. Yeah. I mean they're going 40 miles an hour plus you know on some of these side streets, which is pretty extreme. It's not like those Power Wheels anymore. These 12-volt batteries that they're pretty high performance.

I mean, they're breaking the speed limit. Yeah, yeah. No, yeah. Yeah, yeah. That's the first thing we can tell them. Yeah, a lot of those e-motor bikes if it's it's not a no longer an e-bike if it's over 750 watts or 1 horsepower. So, those those things are are cranking. So, you know, from what I understand is the state's considering them motorcycles. So, you got to have that endorsement, you got to have insurance. You know, and unfortunately, there there I want kids to have fun, too, but I would say we're having too many kids to be unsafe on them driving reckless, and that's the last thing I want to do is take away the the kids' fun, but we got to address safety first because you know, it takes one, unfortunately, one situation to [clears throat] it go real bad, and I don't want to get to that point. So, we want to get out there really educate the kids and the parents, let them know, um, you know, how they should be operating those devices. Good. Good luck, Chief. So, all right. Yeah, everybody up there, congratulations and thank you. They ran out here so fast I couldn't see anything to you.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, you're good. You have a question? Yeah, that could be a that that Yeah, that's I'll do some research on that tomorrow, but you know, you're right. They they absolutely do haul those things. Um, you know, we got to be mindful that there's a lot of pedestrians and families that use these sidewalks, and unfortunately, no, kids really don't They just want to get A to B as fast as they can. So, um, like I said, a lot of it comes on the parents, some of it comes on the police department, and just uh, community information. So, we want to We don't want to take kids' fun away, but we got to be responsible. And it's not just our community. It's It's every community in the state. You're seeing it pop up in the news where other, you know, municipalities are creating these different laws to kind of contain the stuff. And a lot of them are doing it, you know, you can't do it downtown at all. And in the outskirts, you can kind of do it. So, we just need to tailor to some something to meet our community's standards, how everyone can, you know, benefit from that. Thank you, Chief. Yep, thank you. Good luck. Uh, we have no nothing under number six. We're on number seven, under fourth administration, Mr. Dechaine. We do have a couple of short topics tonight. I can go to the first one. I don't usually talk too much about administrative process procedures, but I am very pleased with the work order system that we've implemented. And I know that you get some reports and haven't had a chance to dig into it too much. But you'll be receiving some additional reports. This is a dashboard based on a work order system that now is replaced our paper system of work orders for repairs, maintenance activities, and trying to I really am having everybody focus all their activities of service into the work order system. This will provide and this is a active dashboard. It doesn't do the same thing when it's not live, so I just fortunately had to turn a picture of it, but it shows the when the work order request was initiated. It then tracks that as

each of the activities responding to the work order are initiated. And then when it's completed, it also then the employee of concludes the work order, puts the results in, and we have a way of monitoring and tabulating all of these. We are at Since we started this in late March, we are at over 350 some work orders by now. And we will have data that talks to the terms of how many hours in the work order, how long it takes to generate it, how long the work was taken to complete, and then be able to track and follow up more efficient or effective ways of doing it. Now, so this is a snapshot of one dashboard. There's other dashboards. I have probably 12 different representations that can break down the activities of the public works maintenance crew, parks employees, summer season, and virtually anything that we want to put into the work order system. So, now what does a work order look like? If I can go to the next item you said It's in the middle where is right here. Um okay, there's another

[snorts]

example of that how we break that down into the number when they're initiated, high priority, low priority, medium priority, and then the number of hours or activities in the materials and equipment [snorts] that it took to complete that. Now, I need to go to that other one. So, what does a work order look like? That is That's another reason I hate electronic presentation of this. This is work order 285. So, work order 285 if I go to the center of this, the begins at the top, and this is generated by a number of the city personnel who enter the data. Down below it, you you bad representation, but you'll see I entered this one because the two forms there are notices of deficiencies from the Department of Transportation regarding railroad crossings. So, we entered that activity or that notice that we received in the mail, and then below it is a listing of all the activities that are part and tied to this. So, now I can go You know, take me to another one here, we hope. It will, huh? Okay. Oh, there we go. Good. So, what we can do also with this is we can If somebody takes and sends us a picture of like a sidewalk broken, a curb line, or some other incident that it can actually go into the work order and picture it. So, when When goes out to the crew, maintenance leader, the crew chief, he actually will have that on a tablet and can see what the picture is representing it. In turn, when he acts on it with the crew, they upload and take pictures of the actual activity, kind of like your delivery services now that take a picture of the a product being delivered to the house. And here we've had a two a couple of pictures taken of the activities as they were completed. So, again,

there is each one of these that were there is a need to act and deficiency and then the crew completes it, uploads it and puts that in the report. At the end of that report then, we have a summary total with pictures of the activity and we can further analyze that thing. So, I'm I'm really pleased with that particular product. We'll be working that a little you know, advancing it as we go and try to tie that into all of the cost efficiency and effectiveness measures that go along with it and also have a complete file. When you tell me, "Well, what happened to those street crossing issues?" We'll be able to bring this we can right now bring this order up electronically, print that off and at the end end of the whole process, it gets electronically filed but for example, there I can sign off on the end of it that the work was completed and the report received in a timely manner and that gets responded back to state. So, let me go back to the regular agenda. The only other note I had is that uh the with the um refocusing on community development activities and inspections, uh we do have a retirement coming of Dee Bowyer, uh building official and inspector and we have uh made the offer and hired a gentleman by the name Nicholas Dortry Dortry as as replacement for building official and inspector will be getting in the next week. Uh he is certified by the state of Michigan in the occupational licensing category. Possesses a art and associate degree and has experience in the construction trades and we welcome him. I will talk to the staff today of the inspection department and we're going to be focusing on becoming a redevelopment

ready community adopting the standards and goals of proper response to initiatives of building permitting and other activities. With this new initiative, we should see our redevelopment ready community status working with the department of economic development hopefully within a few months and I I also like to credit the city clerk for being part of early work on that. So now that we can tie the inspections area together, I think becoming a RRC community uh will certainly be a a a credit to the city and be a marketing tool as we work with agencies like the Michigan Economic Development Corporation who the mayor and I met some representatives with last week and I want to say that one of them and his wife, a professional couple, chose to live in St. Clair and are very pleased to live in St. Clair and that was uh I think a I think we are both very very interested in hearing their the why and certainly welcome them as supportive of the are of the city. So that's the end of my report, Mr. Mayor. Right. Heard anything about mobilization on Cox Road yet? I have not but that actually is on the schedule to be addressed. Mobilization was somewhere the Santos concrete people when they had the pre we had the pre meeting we're talking in terms of around May 18th the week to begin mobilization. So, be looking for the next week or two. Okay. Thank you. All right, Mr. Downey's not here. Any city departments? Yes, just a few things to recognize this weekend's events. Be a tourist in your own town was this Saturday and Sunday this year with a couple different special events. Overall, the weekend is to emphasize the amenities that we have every day here in our community. We're lucky to have a golf course, a harbor,

library, museum, art association. Those special events included the recreate Fletcher Park community day and parade, which was Saturday. Special thank you to Trice Hawkins, our recreation director, the recreation commission for pulling that all together. The city departments that work so hard to in preparation there. St. Clair Police Department, public safety volunteers for helping with the parade. It rained a little bit in the morning, so the day didn't look exactly as planned, but the show must go on and the dedications went through nicely and the the dedication plaques were unveiled. The splash pad is now open for the season. The Be a Tourist in Your Own Town also creates awareness to our stclairontheriver.com website. That website [snorts] encompasses everything that happens in our community. Not only the special events, but the programs offered through the recreation department and other entities in our community. So, please visit stclairontheriver.com for all the events and all the happenings that are going on here. The Memorial Day parade is scheduled for Monday, May 25th at 1:00. The ceremony will immediately follow that. And lastly, a 4th of July will be here before we know it. We are still collecting donations towards the fireworks show. The biggest and best show we hope to put on this year as we celebrate 250 years of our nation. So, please consider donating. You can call me with any questions. Thank you.

[clears throat] Thank you. Good job with those events. They were really well attended and well organized. Any other departments? Do you have school authorities, boards, commissions, committee chairs, council reps, anybody have anything to report? [cough]

No one finished business. Let's go to new business A. Approve boathouse lease transfer request for 1 South 5th Street. Uh yes, council a request is made [clears throat] to transfer the lease of one city-owned boathouse area property along the Pine River. The transfer is a result of a direct sale to a person on the waiting list for boathouse. Um all sale notification procedures as stated in section 70-30 of the city code were followed. The new lessee does meet all the qualifications stated in that ordinance. The recommended motion is to approve the boathouse lease transfer of 1201 South 5th um from M. Markle to Edward Alls. I don't think that's the correct pronunciation of his last name, but

Alls. Alls? Alls.

Yeah. Yep. You're pretty close. Pretty good. I'll make that motion to approve the boathouse lease transfer. I'll second the motion. All right, the motion is made and supported. Any questions? Uh call the roll, please. Gallagher? Yes. Hooper? Yes. Laporte? Yes. Alls? Yes. Alls? Yes. Westrick? Yes. Peters? Yes. Approved. Thank you. Thank you. We approve proposal for professional services wastewater treatment plant AMP and CIP, Mr. DeShane. Thank you, Mr. Mayor, members of the council. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy in connection with the city is attempting to correct deficiencies in our compliance requirements for discharge and wastewater operations, part of which is an update to a wastewater asset management and capital improvement plan. We have also gone through the plant and have determining what capital improvements are required in wastewater before we have a review of our final discharge permit, which in all has has been in place during this review and status. Um we are actively working with them on another subject in stormwater review, uh but this part is necessary in the asset management plan uh requires us to expend through the engineering proposal $28,700. The capital improvement portion of which by the engineering portion would be another $10,000. So, our base cost uh 38,000 if all GIS is placed in it and we do recommend that be done, then the final product would be $48,700 um budgeted uh in the the sanitary or the sewer fund, and uh I do recommend it

because, frankly, we don't have a choice uh to update it or not. So, without violations, uh the plan would go into effect and um we would be contemporary once again with state regulations. So, I recommend the council approve um amending the sewer fund 590 uh to provide for this activity and uh authorize uh AEW to proceed in accordance with their proposal. I'll make the motion. To support. All right, the motion has been made supported. Any questions? All right, call roll, please. Go first. Yes. Report. Yes. Hall? Yes. Boles? Yes. Wester? Yes. Gottler? Yes. Cedar? Yes. Motion carries. Thank you. All right, let's go to see

[clears throat]

uh approve to establish St. Clair municipal sidewalk program and authorize bid process, Mr. Dushay. Uh since my uh appointment, we have been talking about sidewalks. There've been a lot of information and data from council. There has been a review of uh a new staff member was assigned to do a review of all that data prior to it. And with the in uh ability to analyze over 3,000 square feet of sidewalk, I am recommending that the the uh city council initiates its program for a comprehensive uh citywide program using this information from all these sources. Looking at the data that we have on the work orders and that, approximately 37% of the requests for public service are related to sidewalks sidewalks and crossings. So, it is significant and I think council has been concerned about this for some time. Recently, we were able to uh receive some funding, which I admit much of mhm a lot of which has to be shared with other agencies, but that funding reminded me that this is a good time to begin the program and to fund this to uh take care of the sidewalk work that's necessary from uh meeting the new Americans new American and Disabilities Act. It's not so new anymore, but uh new requirements. Uh take care of street installations and things that have upset sidewalk, to do driveway adjustments. Uh in some cases, we'll create new spaces with asphalt removal and change of sidewalks and then curb curbing and repairing of curbs that are attached to the sidewalks and the clearing if you would of sidewalk areas for better maintenance. So with that I recommend that. I move I recommend the council start the St. Clair municipal sidewalk

program and fund such program from a dedicated capital infrastructure account funded to it be established by the superintendent for the 25-26 and 26 fiscal years. And authorize plans and specifications and the documents to be prepared for bidding for the 26 seg- 2026 segment of the program. I make a motion to approve. Support. Yeah. All right. The motion made support questions. Just a couple. This is fantastic. I love to triple you know more into this budget our downtown needs it but so when we get into specifications, engineering, inspection, contingencies for $15,000 is almost 30% of the project cost. Is that more on engineering of changing slopes and approaches to roads and curbs to be modern standardized like sidewalks are sidewalks. I didn't like Right. So flat work and so flat work flat work versus

work flat work 5 by 5 figure it out do the replacement of it but we do have things that have the undulation of some areas of sidewalk is changed due to years of time and process. Some of it needs to be re-engineered cuz it was done probably without meeting a set standard. You know, it was done by eye [clears throat] vision feel and that needs to be done. So I think the first work is going to be heavier in that than as we go later on but you're right the the regular stretches of the 5 by 5s and those not that difficult remove and replace and we're right now we're estimating it's about $9.50 a square remove and replace. Uh that's though not counting for trees or up you know where we have to relocate and do things such as that. It also right now I'm budgeting for that to be inspected too by independent engineering. So that we'll hold people that are you know doing the work accountable and to make sure that we don't miss anything. So I know it's a little high as far as cost goes, but the alternative of of just kind of putting contractors out there, that may be down the road. We might have some sections that once we have specs and guidelines there and they can follow those, what our engineering standards will be in place. But I think right now it's a good question and the answer is uh to initiate something like [clears throat] this, I think it you spend a little money on the administrative aspects of it to ensure quality. Sure. Yeah, I was just wondering where Yeah. Any of these are we widening any walks that you know of to meet some standards or This this not as planned right now to widen. Now I say that because every time [snorts] I I say that there we find something new and then there's an oddball or there's been an amendment or something's been widened for an area or or shrunken Right. in some cases. So I don't want to say for sure it won't be because there may be. Okay. But the idea

is to remain in the standard engineered form. Standard. Thank you. This is great. Any other questions? All right, call the roll, please. Part. Yes. Paul. Yes. Boles. Yes. Westrick. Yes. Ballard. Yes. Dupa. Yes. Peter. Yes. Motion carries. All right, D, set clear Parks and Rec Commission 2000 second millage distribution of funds. Uh Mr. Mayor, members of council, as has been consistent with the uh millage program, the allocation of this we are recommending be based on the parks and recreation director's request to count it for allocated it for cluster park improvements or park improvements as requested. And I endorse her recommendation. The city of St. Clair receiving the amounts on the back of the the agenda report. I'll make a motion to accept the money. Support. The motion has been made supported to accept the money. Any questions? Did you get this? All in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed? All right, let's go to E, consideration of purchase offer 1489 Oakland. Mr. Duchene. Mr. Mayor, members of council, we began the uh the maximization of city assets program with the intent to take the funding from properties that were of no direct public service and turn them into revenues for capital infrastructure and improvements. Uh a proposal we have actually now several proposals. One is being

reviewed for lot split and change and that's with the city attorney and engineering right now to redefine those properties. We will bring those to you soon. But our agent has brought uh 1489 Oakland to us uh for your consideration. And the motion that we have here is again as we promised it's really two-step process for council. First would be to move to authorize the superintendent complete the necessary reviews and provide a final resolution to council to approve the sale. And [clears throat] based on Mr. Emmick's our realtors' negotiation and recommendation, he has forwarded a proposal to you for consideration. I'll make the motion to move this forward. I'll support. All right, the motion is made and supported. Any questions? I drove by the lot just cuz I wanted to see what it was. I didn't realize we had a city park that was that small on the river. It literally has a bench and a waste can on it. On the river, there's it's an unbuildable lot. It's so small. We've been maintaining it for years and having no money on the tax rolls for it. It's at the end of Palmer if you're interested where it's at. So tiny, you wouldn't even know it's there. I'm I think let's get rid of it. I don't see a city need for it. I'm I've I've heard it's used by residents in the third ward though for boat races, 4th of July. Oh. Fishing. Fishing.

Lots of fishing, yeah. Yeah, so and and that's my ward down there and kind of the only access they have anywhere south of the Pine River. And I I really didn't give it too much thought until the calls I got this week um from, you know, people that are close by there. I don't I'm not aware of any major problems that have been reported as far as vandalism or police calls for, you know, yeah, complaints, if you will. Um I'd love to hear uh you know, comments on that from anybody, uh but I'm inclined to reject based on I think what the people in that area want and in my ward. Yeah, I agree with Mr. Gotlieb. It looks like a park. It's got a park bench. It's treated like a park. It may not be zoned a park. But to me, again, as Mr. Gotlieb said, Does that need going corrected then if this does not go through?

That's kind of what I was thinking. I was thinking let's make it a park. for a park. What's What's the zoning?

I I feel like once it's gone, we'll never get it back. Um you know, I may have some We may have some questions, you know, Mr. Downey's away for personal reasons this week, I get, but uh you know, I don't know if there's liability things that I'm have never been made aware of, but um at at worst or best, I would maybe table, but I I really am not interested personally in selling it at this point unless someone really gave me a a good reason other than you know, $50,000 is is nice, but it's really not a changing amount of money that we can never undo that if we sell it. Yeah, once that's gone, it's gone. If we were in dire straits, I'd say grab that 50 grand and run, but maintaining access to that river I think is important to our citizens. And even if it No, it's not a big park. It's their park.

There There are people who go down there and fish. They sit on that bench. They watch the raiders. And I think that's important. So, I I will be voting no, but that's why. Well, claim is 1374 South Riverside. I just live around the corner from there. I was always under the impression that's where the storm water from the storm sewers discharge there. So, there's obviously some pipes underneath that property. That's my understanding. And did I hear somebody say it's zoned parks and rec? It's zoned R1. That It's R1? Mhm. All right, thank you. All right, uh the motion is made and supported. Mr. Quick question for the chief. Chief, are there any complaints down there or I mean, being here 18, 19 years, I didn't know it existed until Annette said it existed.

[laughter] Did she put a bench on it, did you? Uh there's a bench there. Yeah, there was. Yeah, I think Annette told me there was a bench there and I drove down there and she's absolutely right. So, no, we've never had any issues down there. Thank you, too. All right, anybody else? All right, the motion may support let's call the roll, please. Paul? No. Rolls? Convinced by my colleagues, no. Westrick? No. Battler? No. Goufa? No. Laporte? No. Peter? Yeah, no. [laughter]

Motion fails. All right. Let's go to F vehicle purchase. I guess that's you. Uh Mayor and Council, we had tabled a pickup truck couple of purchases of those trucks back on April 6th. Since then, staff has revisited the operational needs and more cost-effective alternatives. And based on that review, uh we are recommending the purchase of one used pickup truck that will adequately support current service demands while significantly reducing the planned expenditures. Uh that's a function. This is a reliable work truck. It will be here in the city assigned to the departments for its regular work. And based on the information provided at this date, uh the value is there for this vehicle for the next 5 years or or greater depending on its type of work. It's not going to be uh moving snow or things of that. It's going to be carrying a lot of materials and critically for our new summer laborer group, uh moving people and uh objects, tools, etc. So, I recommend and request Council consider that motion to authorize the purchase of the 2000 Excuse me, 15 Chevrolet Silverado at a cost of 18,520, to amend the fleet budget by decreasing the amount proposed for fleet pickup truck purchases from 84,000 to 18,520 for fiscal year 25-26 and to make the final purchase approval subject to a vehicle inspection satisfactory to the superintendent. Okay, so uh we're going to get one used pickup truck for $18,520 and I'm expected by Mr. Westrick

full disclosure but I'm warning them assuming and we're if the motion is made to do this we're going to say pending inspection. I'll make that motion. And I I will abstain from the vote because I have relations with multiple parties involved here. I do know a lot about the the vehicle and if anybody has questions about it I'd be super happy to answer and explain anything and give opinions but It's in the parking lot isn't it? It is in the parking lot if anybody wants to see it. Okay, we have a motion made to have a support. Support. All right, Mason vote any questions? Is there a warranty with it? There is not. Well well

[laughter]

And I I trust Mr. Westrick very much. All right, any any other questions before we take this to a vote? All right, let's call the roll please. Pauls? Yes. Westrick? Yes. Sopha? Yes. Goforth? Yes. Hall? Yes. Peter? Yes. Motion carries. Thank you. All right, claims and accounts May 6th and May 13th, 2026, number 10. If there are no questions your honor I make a motion to approve as presented. Support. Questions? All in favor say I. I. Opposed? We will go to number 11, public questions and comments, anybody? 3 minutes, please, on that agenda items items, if you would. Nothing? Uh Phil Langman, 902 Clinton. I'm going to talk a little bit about the bike path again. Have you made any decisions on putting a finish coat on the cement wall you built in front of our three properties yet? Has there been any conversation or thinking about it or talk or anything at all? I'll move on.

talk? I've not heard anything. I'll move on. I went around town and looked at the finished walls, like the walls at the same Clarian, which are pretty elaborate. The mall, Palmer Park, Rotary Park, and even City Hall. They all are finished off nicely in some fashion. Even the concrete work on the bridge has got a white coating on it. It's done a number of years ago, but at least it has a white coating on it. We have none, but anyway, to date we have none. That's what my comment here. The wall in front of our properties on Clinton Avenue looks like it's from the ghetto. When they put pulled the forms off, they patched the holes, smoothed it over a little bit, and walked away. It's on Main Street, St. Clair, with your name on it. Are you comfortable with that? The question is, do you plan on putting some kind of finish on it or not? Yes or no? For the record, the use of the term for putting a coating on a cement wall is called parging. Go on YouTube and take a look at it. There's so many different ways. You can just brush it like you like you would broom a sidewalk and have it color or or whatever just to do some sort of dress up on it. I was with Mr. Kern on the last walk-through July 9th of '24 prior to the reconstruction when he reached that was moving the walls further to the west. When he stated they were going to put up handrails, right? He came right to me and he brought it up. I didn't bring it up. He said they were going to put handrails up on on the walls for 910, 916, 920. He didn't mention my address because we'd already just passed it and so I sent him an email request when also because I can't use the stairs without a handrail due to a hip replacement I had. I have yet to go down those stairs. I tried it once and I'm done doing it again. To date there are no handrails. I was

told at the last council meeting that Mr. Kern attended with me and it's sometime ago now. Well, that handrails were going to be installed cuz I asked him point-blank. I was going to bring it up to member at the council meeting here but he told me he says, "Yes, yeah. Rails are should be should be installed." But he couldn't tell me when. So I just kind of been sitting in the wings waiting. Uh I was told by the contractor who built the deck with two steps to uh on my next-door neighbor's property that the city's own building department told him that handrails were required. Shouldn't the city have to follow the same rules and standards they hold the residents to or is it rules for thee and not for me? Thank you, Phil. Can you wrap it up, please? We're done? Pretty much. Okay. I got more. I can save it till next time.

Okay. Thank you. Not a problem.

Thanks, Phil. Thank you. The The concern is with the wall. Yep. Is there something we can do to look into that? Um even even if it's painting the walls or or whatever. I agree with Mr. Ludman. I think they look like garbage. Mr. Bishop before his departure to Marysville had had that as something that he had spoken about at one of our prior meetings and something that he had he had looked into but I think it just fell to the side as we transition from one superintendent to the other. I think handrails are a necessity especially for Mr. Ludman. I mean if we built that wall we should definitely give him some sort of handrail for accessibility. I'll respond this way. I this gentleman and I have had number of talks and he's been very interesting and forthcoming to discuss. I have checked with AEW and the parties behind their engineering and design and they said there was no plan for handrails and that the steps are correct. Um I said the resident gentleman is not satisfied and you know I is there anything else we can do? They don't recommend installing handrails at this time and as far as the coding goes that that the coding wasn't really planned in that area otherwise. If the council would like me to with a fresh look, I will ask other parties for their interpretation of it if their coding of that or it can be appearance can be improved. Yes. I'll I'll certainly take a look at that. I think that'd be a good idea. I agree. I agree. Thank you. Anybody else? All right, let's go to number 12 then. Uh mayor and council I'm going to turn it over to Mr. Paul, Mr. Garland and I about the Marvel Eye but uh if you happen to make it out to Clucher Park over the weekend what a tremendous event and the park really has been transformed and really looks good and I think it it was going to serve the community well and maybe

attract some younger families even. Uh the cemetery walk yesterday little warm Very interesting though. Little uh um There is some We have a Revolutionary War But what was his rank? Do you remember? I don't remember his rank. Jonathan Barron. Jonathan Barron. I don't remember his rank.

Yeah. Anyway. If they do it next year and I think they will, you might want to think about checking that out. Now, we've got one Mr. Poe who wants to talk about the Marble Eye. Yeah, so we completed the 25th anniversary uh of the Marble Eye. I would say very successfully with near record number of entrants and prizes uh the size of the fish and quality and quantity were as good as we've seen in probably 10 years. Uh we had people from out of state in the upper peninsula. Uh the marina did a fantastic job. Our staff and Dave and and the kids are so They're so professional and and and tons of compliments on them all year. We had Canadians in town from uh on the boats and So we have kudos to the marina, uh the police keeping an eye on us, and the city for letting us continue to do that. We will We will keep it going. It will probably be right around the same date next year. We haven't picked the exact one, but it's usually that second weekend of May. And thank you again for everybody that helped out and and success you know succeeded with us. Good job, you guys. Good job. Uh I want to reiterate what Rick said the fire 4th of July fireworks. We are really trying um elevate this another notch this year because of the 250 uh anniversaries. So if anybody wants to contribute for the fireworks, please contact the city clerk. At your earliest convenience. I got it. Hearing nothing else, Your Honor, I make a motion to adjourn. Support. All in favor, say aye. Aye. Opposed? All right, everybody, have a good night and thank you for coming. Be safe out there.

The preceding program was produced by CTV, Community Television. CTV, Community Television, is supported by the cities of Marine City and St. Clair, East China Township, Cottrellville Township, and the East China School District.