City Council - Regular Meeting

All the city council work session to order. Clerk, please call the role. Council person Vining. Germainey here. Elder here. Still clerk present. So we have um first is public comment. Correct. Oh, I'm sorry. Yes. So, is there uh any comments from those present here this evening? Any comments from the public? Seeing none. Uh the next item, clerk, the next item is under the work session agenda item 5793, MPSD update presentation. Thank you, manager Robinson. Uh presentations this evening?

Yes, your honor. First presentation this evening would be from the Monroe Public Safety Department and Director Tolstead. Good evening, Mayor, Council members. Chad Tolstead, your director of public safety. Um, I appreciate the opportunity to be able to speak in front of you tonight. Um this presentation which you had in your packet tonight is going to cover several areas and during the presentation you have questions need clarification on something uh feel free uh your honor to stop ask questions but I do have uh time in here for for pauses to answer questions but if I happen to blow past them I'm not feel free to raise your hand and I'll uh draw attention to it. So

very good. Thank you.

So uh we're going to what we're going to walk through tonight is some staffing and hiring updates. um the leadership development succession planning, education and professional development, trading readiness and documentation, school safety and our SRO expansion, the DARE program development, community partnerships and outreach, technology and camera projects, and our facility and long-term planning, and then ending with looking ahead. So, as we go through this presentation tonight, you're going to see some uh common themes uh for what we're doing within the public safety department, which is working on our long-term stability, service delivery, and proactive investment into the people into the uh department in of itself. So, we're talking about progress, priorities, and next steps. So, where we're going to start with tonight is our hiring process. and to kind of give you some background on how how our hiring process works, where we came from, and how we work through our hiring process because I know about every other week you get an update from me as you get your city updates as a whole. You get an update from the public safety department of where we're at in hiring process. Uh I just wanted to explain to you how this works. So, previously how we did our hiring process for basic for police and fire worked like this. We received the application. We called you in for an interview. If you met the qualifications for that, we would interview you. If you got a 70% uh or better, we would then place you on a list uh to be hired. That was the extent really of the hiring process. Of course, you would move into a background process. What we did to um really start trying to capture talent and what we felt we were missing was we would the applications would come in. So our standard for firefighters was firefighter, paramedic. It is very difficult these days to find a firefighter paramedic that has completed all that training. So how we started

looking at things we had to change in the way in which we were looking at people in hiring. Not so much hiring for what the skills for what uh they've done in school but hiring the person and looking at how can we train them to meet the kind of need we have here in the city of Monroe. So we still have the application process of course where they where they apply on and then we implemented a phone screening process. We have found the phone screening process internally for the public safety department to be an absolute timesaver to eliminate candidates that aren't quite ready for the public safety department, whether it be for a firefighter or policing. From that, if they pass that process, they move to an oral board process where they sit in a panel in front of our either police officers or firefighters uh and work and then they're asked questions and if they achieve a 70% chance or better, they then move to the next phase which is um the ride along and third rides. So the ride alongs are for police, third rides are for fire. Same things called two different things. and why that process is so important. We felt it necessary, the administration felt it necessary to work with our unions to have they have a say in who we hire and who we don't. So as they do these ride alongs which are required to do two and two third rides, the they are evaluated uh and given impression points by the members of the department which evaluate them. Those points are then assigned to them as well. If they get through that process, they then get to meet with me. Uh, and I also get to assign them some impression points. From that to points are tallied. We add up all their education, which we give assign certain points for education. We assign them certain points for patternatic, firefighting, for policing, are they certified police officer, how long have they been a police officer? All that is added in for a final score to be aggregated to place them on this list. So once on the list, we then move to the hiring process. So the competitiveness that's in the field

right now for both firefighting and policing is is is quite intense. So how do we capture that talent while there is whether where would they wait for us to do the background? How we've done that is through our public safety specialist positions. We currently have two and we're going to hire a third week for a public safety specialist. Two of them are fresh out of the military. They came home. They don't have a job yet, but they're looking for a job with us, but they need to have an income in the meantime while we wrap up their background investigations. So, we hire them as temporary public safety specialists, pay them a living wage, and then capture them to work for the city of Monroe rather than lose them for a different agency. One of them was applied to an outside department outside of Monroe County, but wanted to be here in Monroe. We said, "We want you, we agree, we want you to come and be in Monroe as well. come on board here as a temporary public safety specialist. We'll pay you and then it gives us another chance to take a look at this employee as well. And the temporary status is important because if something in their background comes up where they then they're not a good fit for us, we can end the relationship and ask them to seek employment elsewhere. So once they get through all that processes and the same thing with the firefighters as well, some of the things which we've been doing with them is we started hiring firefighter EMTs which is a much EMT is a lower level than what our standard is as paramedic. The paramedic training is about 14 months. So you imagine why it's so hard to find someone who's completed all that training. So we hire a firefighter EMT. We then put that firefighter EMT through paramedic training one at a time. and that was working with the unions uh through anou that myself and HR drafted together that to hire these people on so we can capture that talent as well. When we opened up that pool to the firefighter EMT, our pool began great. We had great candidates. Uh we also are very encouraging because we have one of our current firefighter paramedics teaching in that school. He's a good representation for the city of Monroe and we've had a lot of applicants come

in that are already enrolled in paramedic school to work for us as well. We also have the opportunity here currently from the state to capture funds because recruitment is so tough. The state is providing financial support for sending officers through the academy and paying part of their wages as well. Sorry, I forgot to click you guys to the first slide. I was going to

I was so used to I was so used to the clerk kind of helping me out and shameless plug for the clerk in there as well. So move on to the education and development. The education development. So once they're hired by us, that education and the development of these of these firefighters and officers doesn't stop there. We continue. We have several firefighters and uh police officers that are uh taking the opportunity for tuition reimbursement. Uh that is of course for college education um credits. We are also looking for working with the uh community college through my relationship with this leadership Monroe that we're able to capture that paramedic training and roll that over into college credits. So police officers and we've been hiring them for many years like this. So a 16week academy the police academy oftent times those officers can come out and complete an associates degree with the credits they receive while in the academy. So that being said, I looked at I talked to the college. Coincidentally, the college is looking to start a paramedic program. It's a state a state-run curriculum. So it wouldn't be different for what's done from these other schools. Firefighters would then be able to apply those credits towards an associates degree while still containing uh I'm sorry, obtaining additional credits. They would have to do that extra work. But we're trying to capture and leverage all those things like we've been doing for police officers for year as years as well. Before we move on to the next part, is there any questions at this point?

Any questions from council? Kelly, I was just trying to get a better understanding of the temporary public safety specialists. So, are they on patrol? Are they Good question. So,

what are their duties? So previously they we had a parking enforcement officer. Since we changed the way we enforce parking, uh we were using kind of a feeder. So we don't need one someone out there every hour, it's every two hours. So we changed the title to a public safety specialist. That role of a public safety specialist is really anything we need them to do in the meantime. It's almost uh it's an enhanced uh we have you know how we have cadetses that perform task. These public safety specialists will perform some similar task. Plus, they'll be doing parking enforcement as well, but they're not patrol officers. They're not sworn officers. We're just cap we're just hold, you know, in a holding pattern until we get to send them over to the academy or firefighters. Thank you. You're welcome, ma'am.

All right. Thank you, your honor. So, moving forward through the training readiness in the documentation. So we have improved our internal tracking and documentation of training across all divisions. That includes fire, EMS, and police. So there's state requirements for each of those licenses. The it's newer for police officers. They're called CPEs, continuing professional education credits. We have I can say we have of course met the minimum standards, but we've exceeded those in all categories. Also the continuing educ also what we've done and we've improved upon for those who were here during the Fitch study last Friday was we've improved upon the way we track and uh have those readily available for us for both police and fire. And why that's so important is not just to know what training we send them to that protect us from liability. We can see what training they have been through what training they haven't been through and if we're lacking training in a certain area. One of the things that we've also implemented and uh brought up is our annual review different than the annual report. Annual review uh takes into account all of our uses of force takes account officer injuries and we review all these things annually which helps us shape what training we want to do for our officers. Some of the training is mandatory. We have to do certain certain training mandated by the state. Other trainings is elective by by the training staff. I can tell you aggressively my fire training staff has looked to improve the amount of training they've received in in a year. So the minimum is 12 which is not a lot of training. We exceeded that by far in 2025. In 2026 my training staff came up with 100 hours for each individual firefighters which is a tremendous amount of training. So much so I said are we sure we can accomplish this goal? He feels confident that he can. The police training is similar in nature. So, we have I received a uh a thorough

booklet of what training is going to look like in 2026. So, no longer are we just going about this and uh I wouldn't say haphazardly is the right word, but we're going about it very strategically and how we're doing the how we're doing and how we're tracking our training. So, through this we're doing that through the strengthening of how we document these things. So, all you know kind of what we've covered in this first slide is how how we're hiring carefully. We are investing in our people and we're emphasizing training and accountability. And next slide is we're planning ahead. So one of the foundations for success and what drives excellence in community service is leadership. It it happens both in the field and behind the desk and put it gets our supervisors ready for uh communications with their fellow firefighters, fellow officers, but not just them, for fellow departments within the city of Moro and our citizens and those they serve. So, how are we promoting this and how are we developing our leadership? Some years ago, uh, Lieutenant Marks, who's the president here today, was tasked with the assignment when he went through staff and command to create a training program for new supervisors. So, we have a 30-day supervisor training program. So, when they come in, we know there's certain things we want them to know. There's there's policies or procedures they should know as a supervisor. We do scenarios with them as well to prepare them for the challenges of supervision. And with that, we also after they become supervisor, we send them to supervisory schools. We've implemented that same program over into the fire. We just implemented over there and done the same things over fire to prepare our new supervisors and command staff for the next steps they're about to take. Once they're in supervision, we continue with their training programs. We look for other opportunities, one of which is the Eastern Michigan School staff and command. But not just that staff and command through EMU, we looking through other schools as well to help build

that. The the ones pictured here were our last two graduate which is Fire Marshall Hudson and Lieutenant Brent Cathy who graduated from the Eastern Michigan School of Staff and Command to develop further. Uh many of you in leadership roles here within the city understand this. To get everybody, every supervisor moving in the same direction is a tough task, right? to receive this all the same training at the same time can be difficult to do. So what we looked at, we found a program uh from Echelon Front written by the uh authors of Extreme Ownership and we did it's almost like for lack of a better term an enhanced book club. But what this book club does is we have monthly meetings. We you read the chapter, you work through your workbook workbook, uh watch the videos in which the chapter is based upon and then we meet monthly, not just police and fire siloed, not just our civilian staff separately. We're all intermingled together. This ensures all 21 of our command staff, myself included, are moving in the same direction, receiving the same training, and preparing ourselves for what comes next. Does anybody have any questions as before we can move on to the next mayor?

Questions from council? I I do have a question because I know that as you said, it's a lot of hours and trying to schedule all those. Um, so I don't know is the do you do this other than the book which I you schedule at some point when you have those sessions but some of the other I'm not sure what they but some of the other training or opportunities are they scheduled time days uh non-scheduled days or is it a combination there?

You're are you are you referring to like the when we send them to schools and uh yes either sometimes they'll be during their shifts and sometimes they won't be during their shifts. uh with shift work as you know like some days you might be on a couple days like I'll use police as an example Monday Tuesday the shifts are on but the class might be three days so they'll be gone Monday Tuesday Wednesday and we account for all those hours in there so sometimes it might be on overtime sometimes it might be just during their regular shifts okay thank you you're welcome all right we'll move into Yes ma'am so where is this all online or do they have to go someplace in person do they go to eastern Uh the last training I refer to the Echelon front or the uh school staff in command.

Staff in command. Okay. The staff in command is uh it's a nine-month program. Uh it's one week a month they go away up to to staff in command. I'm a graduate uh class 30 of that. So one week a month they go up there and it's Monday through Friday. That's their day job, right? So they go up there and they learn about and it's various topics of what they get to learn about throughout there all revolving around leadership. Why that program is so valuable? uh former director Tom Moore went there. Uh we had some other chiefs go there. Chief McCormack kind of set this in place for us. And what's good about all going to the Eastern Michigan mission staff and command even though we will look outside of that at times is it's consistent. We know what kind of product they're giving our officers and it's both for police and fire.

Okay. Thank you. They don't go they don't get to go at the same time that they do have a shared week but Okay.

All right. Thank you, mayor. So the next slide will we'll we'll kind of shift gears a little bit and we'll talk about school safety and the SRO expansion. So again during the bi-weeklys you've been receiving some updates uh as far as what the school resource officers and the Catholic schools but I'll just kind of go back and explain what a school resource officer is, what an SRO is, and how this program has worked within the city of Monroe for a number of years since I started. So we have one full-time school resource officer. that school resource officer is housed in the Monroe Middle School. So during that day, that's what their their day consists of is being inside that school. They teach classes in there. They provide mentorship and they do the day-to-day active activities working with the school administrative staff. When that officer is in that school, they then uh the school invoices, we invoice the school for the officer's time in that school. So it's not we don't invoice them for the full year. Anything related to that officer being in school, we get the invoice to schools for. They then uh pay the city of Monroe for the wages of that officer, whether it be on overtime or during there. That program has been in existence for 25 plus years, probably longer. Last year, the superintendent uh Andy Shaw approached me and wanted to uh increase the amount of SRO's we have within the school district. We were the only uh jurisdiction that I know of that expanded in this capacity. He said we can do one about half. So what does a half look like? So if you have a 10day uh bi-weekly, you know, twoe period, 5 days are in the school, 5 days that officer works on the road. The five days in the school, we invoice to school for those uh for those hours. The other five days are just for the city and row their regular wages. So we have one and a half SRO's currently. So last year we went I went to the Catholic schools say hey the mono public schools is looking to do a a half officer do you want to pick up the

other the other half at that time was not a good fit for them but they then returned to us uh this year and asked hey we are now interested in adding that half SRO we've met with them last week the meeting was very positive they have the agreement in their hands their arch dasis is looking over to send back to us for review for ultimately your your approval to move forward with this, but I I will emphasize this that the city of Monroe should be proud of the officers. We have uh two officers that provide safety and security uh training within the Catholic schools. It's my no doubt in my mind their professionalism, how they go about business within that school. We wouldn't be here if they didn't conduct themselves. So, so it's very encouraging that the this Catholic school approached us and wanted us to be a part of their school in a in a larger capacity. the DARE program. So the half officer, the half SRO that I referred to is housed within the Cantric Middle School. I'm sorry, it's not a middle school, it's just Canra School. My apologies. So Caner School consists of fifth and sixth grade within the city of Monroe. Fifth and sixth grade is the target audience for the DARE program. So us now having an SRO in that school and all the middle public schools fifth and sixth graders are in our jurisdiction, it makes sense that we start conducting the DARE training. So our officer has already been through DARE training as well. Previously all this DARE training was conducted by the sheriff's office. They did a fine job with a fine job with the program. I've already talked with Sheriff Troy Good enough. He understands that this is his house within the city of Monroe. But this is a an excellent partnership in how we relate to the our community in uh making inroads into our schools and what an important role this is as well. Before we move to the next slide which is unrelated to SO and DARE, does anybody have any questions?

Questions? See none. Go ahead.

Thank you, mayor. Community partnerships and outreach. As many of you know, we are uh the public safety department is very active within the community as you can see from the many pictures that are posted there above. Uh some of which is our firefighters are consistently in a community installing smoke detectors. This is a free program offered to our citizens. We also offer CPR training uh throughout the city. So when we first started looking at the CPR training, I was asked, well, you know, shouldn't we be concerned that we are we would overt tax our staff and you know, so many too many people asking us for CPR training. I said, if we get that problem, let me know. So we have been asked a lot to do the CPR training, but my staff has stepped up and is completed. I think last year we did over 200 persons trained within the city of Monroe. They're heading out to central dispatch next week to train their staff as well. We've also partners with uh local I can't think of what the word quantis u for the stuffed animals dogs to give to uh you know our buddies in Apollos to give to victims of those who might have suffered some uh some crime or been u a victim of something. Uh we also have partnered with as you know a couple months ago Men on a mission was in here as well and we continue to partner with the Monroe County Mental Health Authority in the mobile crisis team. Those not familiar with the mobile crisis team is this is what some of the stuff as large society as large was demanding from our police forces. How this process works is if we go to a scene uh police are often called there we deem this is not criminal in nature. There's nobody in in immediate physical danger. we may call the mobile crisis team that comes out uh at that time and deals with them on some of those things that they're more trained to deal with. This has been a great partnership. It's been a great to be on the ground floor

uh myself and many other part of my staff to help develop this program as well as in with the sheriff's office as well. I'll point out so we're building our community relations uh throughout the the throughout the city in many different ways. So, we have some technology and camera project updates as well. So, we are updating the cameras uh at Kins Park. The reason why we're updating those cameras is to get more full coverage of the Kins Park. The city has made a large investment into that area. We're just looking to get some more coverage. We missed some things we wish we would have captured on camera in working with it, who's been a great partner, finance, and then Mark Cochran with the parks and recreation department. We laid out a new plan for better coverage for the cameras that comes to a vote for you tonight as well. We are happy, the public safety department is happy to uh take a lead in that and help the help the city as a whole bring that about. This helps to protect our, you know, from graffiti and other items that might might occur. We're also looking at doing cameras on the riverwalk as well. There's some old plans that it has dug up at one time. There was a plan implemented on that. We would like to bring that forth as well um to get cameras on the Riverwalk. I think that's one of those things that's been talked about for probably before I arrived here within the city of Monroe and the mayor would probably remember. Lastly, on this technology front and kind of continuing with the partnership, you'll see DTE listed up there as well. So, uh some time ago, the new head of security contacted me. We had uh somewhat a meet and greet uh with them as well. They built a new guard shack out there. One of the things they were looking to do out there was put in a license plate readers or what we call flot cameras. I asked them how, you know, how we could be of assistance. We didn't hear anything for a little bit. They've

recently recont as well and say they're interested in funding two LPR cameras uh placed in the city of Monroe. Uh this agreement has been sent back to them as well ultimately for your approval. Uh but this helps protect our critical infrastructure and protect and helps us with partnerships within the city of Monroe. Not just DTE but the Port of Monroes down there and a steel company as well. So this is very encouraging and uh a compliment to my staff into the city of Monroe as well. Any questions on the technology and camera projects?

Kelly, I just wanted to be clear. DTE is going to cover the cost for the license plate readers. Uh two uh two additional ones, not all the ones we currently have, but two additional ones to be placed near their facility. That's the agreement if they that's what they they approached me with they're willing to do. That's the agreement we wrote up and reviewed by Matt Buds. Ultimately, it's back in their hands to be uh author to be uh approved by council. Thank you. Yes, ma'am. Other questions? See none.

Moving on, we'll talk about some transparent and public communication. So, uh monthly uh you guys get a monthly report from us. This is part of those u all the statistics in which we're we're driving the department to to make statistical uh data driven decisions. Uh with that also we also publish that for the um our public as well. Communications does an excellent job of housing those on our website. So, what you get the public also receives as well. Additionally, as you know, many you follow on Facebook, some more than others. We also post many things of crime and uh unfortunate things that may happen in our neighborhoods, but also the good things like public service announcements. Uh the different kind of work we're doing within the city of Monroe. I think the picture that is up there is uh the CPR training that we recently did at the Salvation Army as well. So, continually working on uh clearly communicating with the public and this gives us an opportunity to uh let them know what we want them to know and and relay the messages we want from the public safety department and from the city of Monroe. Oops. Okay. I also want to do a brief update on the facility and long-term planning. So, we've talked about as council uh what what it looks like for a new police station. The bond, as you know, failed a few years ago. The sheriff's office is Sheriff Good Enough is currently working on building an annex. Uh the annex would be next to the current police station, which is 100 East Second Street, which is where we're housed now. So, if you go across the alley, his his idea and his plan is to build something there. His plan is also to build a lot of partnerships, one of which is to move the city of Monroe Police uh into a new facility within that building. That is still he is still working through the processes of that with his county commissioners. There's no other new information I have to provide tonight on that.

Last uh on this part also as well, the CI Monroe County, the county of Monroe has authorized a improved a capital improvement project within our current facility in which we're currently housed. Many of you have uh toured our building and walked through there. That uh CIP project is for the upgrading of the locker rooms, not just for the city side of things, but for the county as well. Uh both Sheriff uh Good Enough and I both have said our female locker rooms are are nearing capacity on both sides of the house there. So, that project has been approved. I've been continual communication with the sheriff as well on that one. So when that project's moved forward, I'll provide additional details. Before we move on from this, did anybody have any questions on uh the police building?

Questions from council? I assume that you said an annex, it's a fix to the current building and expanding the property that's owned by the county. I'm assuming owned by the county. And that's some of the stuff we spoke about was that's what the sheriff referred to as as an annex. Uh but it would be connected in some way, shape or form, but you know the some of the things I know we've talked about uh as uh with council is do it doesn't is do we want to go back to renting from them? Is this something we can buy as a condo? Many different options uh you know faced in front of us the decisions down possibly down the road. Yeah, I'm sure there's logistics and all that to figure out. So thank you.

Yes, sir. And lastly, uh this week or early next week, we will publish our third annual report. Uh this annual report is pretty comprehensive. Uh many of my staff call like a yearbook because it's like almost a review of all the things that we've done in the previous years. All these are housed online as well. You'll be provided a hard copy as well. But this is also what we we we utilize this annual report even though it's you know tongue and cheek called a yearbook. We also utilize this for what what have we accomplished this previous year? What are we still working for? This provides us all that data as well in which we also report uses of force. We report citizen complaints and we it's pretty comprehensive report as well. So, with that, that is all I have for you tonight, but I would invite uh your honor if anybody has any questions or clarification, anything I presented or something I didn't present they would like to know about.

Sure. Thank you. Uh council, any additional questions or thoughts or items that you have? Uh Michelle, the cameras that we're thinking about for the riverw walk, where would they be placed on the bridge? Ideally, we unfortunately we receive a lot of graffiti under the bridges. Uh so we are still working on placement uh where we can get power from how we can get cellular tech you know the cell service down there those cameras as well. So I haven't seen the mockup plans for it but I know uh IT department's been working with my commander police commander in for in terms of placement. What about St. Mary's Park? Any plans for cameras there as well?

Yes. Uh myself and uh director uh Cochran have been uh talking about that as well and there is plans to have cameras in place at the St. Mary's Park. Okay, good. Other questions or comments? I don't appear to see any. Okay. Thank you, your honor. Thank you, councel. Thank you. Thank you, Cler Levoy. regarding the work session. The next item,

the next item would be the uh would be Director Lewis. I'd like to present you some information about uh consideration for the extension of some contractual construction contracts into the 2026 uh year. Evening, honorable mayor and council and clerk treasurer Patrick Lewis, director of engineering and public services, interim director of water and wastewater utilities. Um, mine won't be quite as exciting as director uh Tolsteads is, but I wanted to present you with a few mundane things here as we approach the season where we're going to start uh bringing some bids to you for consideration. So, um, couple couple of projects we had specifically in mind that, uh, we, uh, city manager Robinson said we had time tonight that I could, uh, put in front of you is we've approached our contractors from last year. Uh, we usually do this around this time of year, the ones we have relationships with, and say, "Here's what work we have coming out. Here's what we're going to bid, and here's some contracts that you might be interested in." Um, as we did last year, our concrete paving program uh, reached out to us and said, "Would you be willing to consider an extension?" Um, and I know you've worked with them before. GV Cement was our uh concrete paving contractor last year. Um, they are a responsible bidder. They are a relatively local Brownstown. Um, usually we ask them, okay, what are you what are you looking at for a unit price extension? This time they said, we'd be willing to hold our prices from last year into 2026 if there's any work that the city would like to roll over. Um, I've approached you before and kind of given you some of the pros and cons of that. Um, I will tell you this season seems to be a pretty good one for bids so far. Um, in on tonight's regular agenda, you'll see um, our trail project, the loop trail extension project came in considerably under our estimate. So, um, we do have we perhaps the work is starting to slow down a bit. Um, but there is of course an advantage to working with known contractors that we have a relationship with. Um, give

you a rough idea of what we're looking at for major projects for I'll I'll call them the nuts and bolts. you know, the stuff that's not sexy, uh, your routine streets and utilities projects. Um, we have a number of streets, four of them will be packaging together, which will include water manes and streets within the same area. We do intend to bid that contract and that'll be kind of our signature infrastructure contract this year. Um, largely because we're going to avoid last year's Arbor Avenue problem where we tried splitting up the work to save a little bit of money. Um, sometimes it works and sometimes you have a situation like last year where we had the street sitting there for 3 months waiting for our paving contractors. So, we're not going to repeat that problem this year. Um, but we do have a couple of streets that are, I'll call them, ready to go now that don't have the utility projects on them. Michigan Avenue would be an example of that. Um, roughly an $800,000 project. And then we have a series of smaller concrete patching uh jobs. Frederick's Drive was approved in the CIP. That's uh we're doing about 30% of the surface area and we'll put the whole road in good shape. Um and then another $200,000 worth of I'll call them six or seven smaller areas where we can do 100 or 200 feet of street and the rest of it's in already good shape. Uh in addition to the parking lot at DPS, uh we're doing another extension around the back. So about a million and a quarter of work we'd be looking at that would be ready for award uh very soon. And we uh have again we discussed with GV Cement their willingness to extend that work and we would we would recommend bringing to you in 3 weeks a change order for 2026 work because they've agreed to basically hold their same pricing as last year. Um we would then bid the bulk of the contract with uh the water manes and streets associated with those water main locations and that'll probably be a 4 millionish contract. So that that we're going to entertain public bids uh freshen up the competition on that. So I kind of wanted to get your get your

sense on whether you were open to that before I brought you a formal request at the next meeting uh to extend GV's contract on that smaller package. Um another one that we'll be bringing in front of you which I think is a bit of a no-brainer um because we we keep this will be about the third time that I brought this to council but and I do have a handout if you'd like to see it. Uh we recently got in on Friday afternoon the uh an extension proposal from Ron Noel Lawn Service who does all of our grass mowing for the city. Um they have been our contractor on at least most of the city's acreage since 2014 and uh they again floated the a three-year extension proposal at no additional cost each year is at 0% increase. Uh that's contract when we originally bid it in 2014. There was actually a cycle in 2009 we bid. This would be the second iteration of that where the contracts include an automatic CPI adjustment. So we go February to February and then whatever that is, the percentage change was an increase. Um each time we've reached the end of Ron's contract, he has floated us a proposal to extend um rather than rebidding that work. And in 2019, that proposal was actually a 10% cut for the next year. So he actually gave us a 10% discount and then we went CPI up from there. uh the cycle after that in 2022 he gave us a 5% discount and then we went CPI up from there and again in 2024 he offered us three more years at 0% which he's again offering uh at this point. Bottom line with that all is that we're looking at essentially the same pricing all the way out to 2029 that we had in 2014. So that's a pretty solid value for the city. Um you know it's the certainty of having a known vendor. we haven't had any major service issues. Um, and obviously from a from a staff standpoint, it's much easier to continue to coordinate with uh the vendor that we know and is and is a local vendor. So,

um, again, I would be considering bringing that to you as a formal agenda item in 3 weeks, but I wanted to get your sense of if there were any concerns or or heartache about that before I uh teed that up for you at the next meeting. We have one other smaller contract which is I think of lesser concern. Um, every year we contract for some crack sealing on our asphalt roadways. There's not a lot of biders that like to bid our volume of work because we're only talking about $100,000 worth of work every year. Um, and so we have worked with Highway Maintenance of Romulus and they again, like they've done the last few years, offered to extend their pricing at no increase. So, u, we haven't bid that one in five or six years. So, I know there's obviously a concern at some point about when you need to go back out and freshen those bids up, but when we're looking at looking at a no cost increase with a known vendor, um I'm kind of obligated to bring that in front of you because I think that's that represents a a good stable arrangement for the city unless you have any strong concerns to the contrary. So, I think I'll leave it at that for now and see if there's any concerns or or questions before we uh formalize everything for the next meeting.

Thank you, Patrick. Any questions or comments from council members? Uh Kathy, just out of curiosity, if we said we would like you to go out and do the bid, what kind of work does your department have to put in to getting that ready, evaluating like number of hours? Just curious how much work on our side

for the routine projects. It's not terribly significant. Um you know, most of these were contracts that had been bid before. So, and they're and they're the same type of work. I mean, we have a set of specifications that, you know, I'll tweak those every year. I'll look at those and say, we always laughingly say in the office, we always write our specs chasing last year's problems. In other words, what did we get burned on? What challenges do we have? And try to write a spec that's a little more airtight. Um, but we've gotten pretty good at that. So, I would say uh for some of these routine ones, probably a couple of days worth of effort, but nothing that's like radically concerning on projects like this. So,

it's not zero. It's not zero. No, it's not zero. Um, and you know, and then of course you always run the risk that you that you get a low bidder that's slightly lower, but the, you know, maybe the quality is not there and you're not as, you know, they don't do quite as good work as the as a vendor you're used to. We have, we are in a fairly stable place with the the three that have floated proposals out here that um we think we get pretty good work and we have a good working relationship with them. So, um, you know, there's I can never stand before you and say I'm absolutely convinced this would be the absolute lowest bid you could possibly get. Um, but I know when we're in the pretty close to the low bid range here, and I wouldn't I wouldn't recommend it if I thought we had a a a chance to save significant dollars. And that's why on uh on some of our projects like the water man and streets program, we're going to bid that as a big package because there's enough meat there that contractors can get competitive. So, Thank you.

Good question. Now, Kelly, did you have a question? Yes. The GB uh cement, is that who did our sidewalk? Uh, yes. That and that would be that would be our sidewalk contractor as well. Okay.

Yep. So, it would actually be two contracts with them and they've they've offered to extend pricing on on both. The the sidewalks, they're they're one of the only games in town that I don't want to say likes to do our program, but tolerates our program. It's very difficult to make a lot of money on sidewalks where you're doing two squares here and two squares a block over and two squares on the other side of town and you're constantly changing because our list grows as the year goes on. The more people walk their dogs in the summertime, the more referrals we get and they're not necessarily in any particular order. So, we do have a targeted program area, but it's um you know, we there's there's almost more in the scattered sites that come in on complaints anymore than the target area. So, uh, we do like continuing to work with them on sidewalks because they, uh, they seem to have it down to a science. They're one of the few that can make money on it. So,

thank you. So, how often, this is just an opinion, do we get a contractor and then they subcontract it out because they have too many jobs to do? Does that happen a lot? Uh, it doesn't happen a lot. I I can like with Ron Noel for example, the our lawn service, he does he does subcontract about half the work to Jason Hunter. Um but we've known of that arrangement so we're comfortable with it. It's

well GV is does everything. They they almost never subcontract out anything. Uh they also work alone, so they're not usually going to show up as a sub subcontractor on someone else's project. Whereas um some of the water main teams like Salen Bean for example, if they're the low bidder, they will probably use GM and Suns. That's that's a known subcontractor and they'll and that'll represent on a on a utility and paving job that'll that'll probably be almost a 50/50 split. Um same thing with er Zyler, who's the low bidder tonight on the trail project. They always work with Oglesby Construction on the concrete. And so there are a lot of teams that come out there, but it's pretty rare that somebody gets into a contract and says, "Oh, wait. this is too much work. I got to pitch some to somebody else. That doesn't happen terribly often. Usually because our jobs aren't that big in the in the grand scheme of things. But yeah,

other questions, Andrew.

Yeah. Um with the extensions out into 2026 and we're already here now. Um there's no risk of projects being delayed further in this year and that we get in a situation where we're chasing our tail. There's some economies of scale here that present themselves in terms of the inspection and the bidding that will accelerate these projects to the point where we where we're on we're on time. Again, we're not in any position uh there's no risk at it because we're trying to do a year and a half in in a year a year and a half's worth of work in in one year that we get to the end of the year and we're still not done with what we started with. No, I don't believe there's this year doesn't look like we have that substantial risk and and we've we've been looking carefully at the at the timing of things this year. We're a little behind where I might like to be on the water main and and concrete paving project. Um but we're still planning on getting that bid in April. So, um I I don't believe whether we do or don't uh take advantage of the extension pricing here. I there shouldn't be any any reason that we should fall behind um this year's schedule. We have a couple of projects that we're, you know, well, one in particular that we're deliberately waiting to do till later in the year, and that's the second phase of the St. Mary's Park project, but we'll still be bidding that within the next month or so as well. So, we're we're pretty well on in pretty good shape for all of this year's uh routine projects. The only one that I guess I would say um and I've I've telegraphed this to council through some of the uh bi-weekly updates. Uh Jones Avenue is starting to become problematic from a timing standpoint and I mentioned that in tonight's agenda item. Um and that's simply the federal process has gotten very ownorous. Um and so but that's again that's not one where we're going to be at any type of risk that can that project can happen in 2027 and and not be a particular issue. As long as we get it obligated by July um we'll take advantage of all of our federal funding. So that that may need

to be delayed into 2027, but that doesn't have anything to do with the bid process. That's the fact that the feds basically told us you're moving the road 40 feet. So now you need to do an archaeological dig and engage the tribes and you can't clear shipo until all of that clears and then you can't program it until shipo clears. So it's that critical path keeps getting extended out by them the obstacles that they keep throwing in front of us. But that's really the only project that we would hope to have bid in 26 that we may not get to. Okay. And and that isn't because of contractor capacity. That's because of the other regulatory requirements as a result. It's getting it through the process.

Okay. And if I could have one follow-up question, um the alternative to uh accepting extension pricing, accepting the extension agreement with GV Cement would be to rebid the whole thing. In which case, they probably would be the contractor that wins the bid again because of reasons that you've explained and then we're just subject to whatever the new price of materials is.

That's probably correct. I think if we were to if we were to separate, you know, put the package that we would we would put in front of GV and we would just bid that package, which we are prepared to do right now, um, as opposed to waiting a month, um, we more than likely they would be the low bidder on it because on just concrete work, they're going to they're going to come in low every time just based on where they're located and their efficiency of being able to do both the excavating work, storm installation, and the concrete paving, whereas most contractors will do a subcontractor to do part of that. So we're we're confident that they would be if not the low bidder very close in almost any circumstance that we would bid just that package. So

other questions. So I have one uh Patrick. So I think about we you as we've gone through this and at times we have uh put out the bid at in the interim when those continuations uh uh I'll say get presented as we're talking about tonight in that time frame. Have you been has does does the department get uh calls or inquiries about projects that may not be bid but work that may the city may be doing that they may like to bid on or you know that they say we have this this is what we do and do you have this kind of work? do you enter uh engage in those kind of conversations and you know I'm just thinking the the next that might be the one also it would be a consideration to bring in in some time but not to the expense of some of the things in the conversations that occurred here.

Sure. No, and that's absolutely that's a totally legitimate question. We do um from time to time we have contractors saying, "Hey, do you have anything going out of this type?" Um, I'll tell you those calls have been a lot less frequent the last 10 years than they were um my first 10 years as director, we would have people that would just randomly show up at the counter and want to talk about everything they had and bring me their business card. And you know, we regularly the trail project I was pleased that we got six bids on it. Um, but we haven't we very rarely have been getting five and six bids on most of our jobs um lately. So, it's it's not it's not a lot. You know, some of it is we're in that spot where the the really big contractors aren't terribly interested in bidding our work. Particularly, no one wants to deal with the curbs, the drive approaches, the s, you know, all the little incidentals that come with urban work. That's our challenge most of the time when it comes to asphalt pavers is that there's only a few real statewide big boys, if you will, and our our work is too detailed. They don't want to manage the subs. They want to come in and just pave and go. Um, so but we likewise though our jobs are usually big enough that the I'll call them the little startups. I don't want to say mom and pops, but that's because a couple of our contractors like GV kind of are mom and pops, but there aren't there aren't enough of them that are terribly interested in our jobs because of the bonding, because of the insurance, and in some cases the the responsible bidder ordinance I don't think has really hampered our ability to get biders very much. Um but there's a few that may just not lack the resources to be able to bid. Um so we're we're kind of in that middle ground that makes it a little more challenging. But yes, when when biders come to us and contact us, you know, we tell them these are the projects we have coming out. They'll be posted on Mitten. You know, we want you to want you to engage on them. And uh about half of the time they come in and submit a bid on the next job. And sometimes they don't. But uh we we certainly are wanting to work with

additional contractors uh help broaden that pool a bit.

Thank you. I you know in recent I've seen some that ones we have bid there's new names that we may not get in a regular basis. So you know they're definitely uh looking. I think years past we had it seemed to be more uh contractors that did work that would go out and find the uh subcontractors and there was like a pool and I and I think it's transition to where those that are contracting and using a subcontractor are have a partnership established and they may be you know bringing each other to the table sometimes but at the same time I look I know we have an item on tonight's agenda uh about the our trees and the tree purchase and we have three separate contractors for the entire proposal that's before co uh council because they can provide a third of and at the cost uh and we're able to to work that way and put three uh um I'll say product delivery from a a resource when some and they can't deliver all of it but gives us a chance to look at it all and then compare prices on the ones that may both I recall last year was that way same tree bid for different people, different contractors or um companies and uh the they allowed the uh the choice and for the staff to select the one that was less and yet all of them received uh work with the city.

Yeah. Yeah. And it's nice when we can do that, too. And and with those nurseries, some of that has to do I mean, going moving to that because I know that's an agenda item tonight as well. But with the with the nurseries that we have out there, um you know, sometimes it just boils down to they only have 15 available and we want 12 and there aren't 12 that we really want to buy. You know, we go look at the stock say it's kind of chintzy looking. So, we only get 10 from them. Like the calipers and size and what we're looking for. Yeah. Okay. Other questions from council? Mike,

just a comment. Um, going back to uh I do think the responsible contracting is working. I think part of the problem that we run into here is that um some of these infrastructure projects, they said they're not quite to the size of the big cities and in dealing with contractors. It's there's probably a lot of contractors that fit into this thing. It's just they're not from around here. And trying to get them to mobilize and with gas prices, you're just not going to get them here. And I think that's why we've been successful with the ones we've been using because they are close.

Yeah, I think that's that's a big part, Councilman. I I would agree with that that that you know, we always talk about the down river boys. You know, there's three concrete contractors that we've worked with in the past down river. They're all sort of related to each other, but that's within that's within shouting distance of Monroe. They're willing to do that. But likewise, the same contractor from Brighton isn't going to make the trip. Now, a larger outfit like Fonson, and that is an example of a company that hadn't bid for a while, was like second low on a lot of things, and they did win the St. Mary's Park project in the Battlefield parking lot, and they've worked out very well. So, now we have another, you know, another bidder that keeps uh throwing in bids on our larger jobs. But to your point that that it's the smaller ones that they just can't make the mobilization work and and that. But, but no, I would agree. the responsible bidder uh process hasn't really hampered in my opinion from what I can tell our ability to get anybody in here. Um because it's a it's a reasonable bar. Um and we haven't disqualified a lot of biders on that. So um I don't I don't think that's really scaring them away uh too much on that. There there could be a few on the smaller side that don't bother, but we'll never know. But u I don't I don't think it's been a material problem for us. I think one another part of that is through the responsible bidder is it is some of the companies we had it allowed uh had them to move out a little bit outside their um uh arena or comfort zone to find some others that would come in and do the work with them so they qualify as a whole.

Right. Okay. I don't see any other questions. Thank you, Patrick. Well, then I'll look I'll look to uh formalize those agenda items for the next meeting and you'll have those on the action. So, I appreciate your time and your input as always. Thanks, uh, clerk. I don't see any other items. Correct. There are no other items. Manager Robinson, uh, we still have some time. Any, uh, thoughts or items you want to bring forward?

Actually, there is. And, uh, this is I was kind of hoping we'd have a few minutes here because I'm hoping to get your direction and feedback on this topic. And it is about the charter amendments. There was discussion from several council members during our January 10th um work session where we were establishing our goals and objectives is one of the tasks or one of the things that they were interested in was looking at potential charter amendments and specifically the one that they and they talked about that one and yes we all agree that our charter could use updating just from the basic the the proper pron pronoun usage, proper uh you know the proper designation of certain things. There are some things from basic English that should be updated. But the one topic that came up and when I just recently sent you all an email also asking for your input on items that you would be interested in and and council member Stringham did respond to my email and said that's something that was talked about which was brought up in the work session was the term limits that city council serves. Now, we, as everybody knows, you are all on the exact same 2-year um election schedule, both with the clerk and with the mayor. And yes, that could be problematic uh from from certain perspectives of oh my gosh, if everybody got uh decided not to run or everybody, it would be a brand new everybody, which is, you know, would be kind of difficult for an administration. we we we'd get through it, I'm sure, but it would be a very difficult thing. And I think that there are some strong arguments to look at changing that. But I think we also have to talk and I'm hoping that you'll discuss it amongst

and on our discussion tonight with the the the time that we have is really look at some of the items that would be perplexing because if you're going to have four-year terms is that everybody's going to move to a four-year term and it's the same situation or are we looking at having staggered terms where you would have three council members that would in the next election potentially run for uh a two-year term and three members run for a um a four-year term. And how would you determine who does what? What is the fair practice? What is the fair way? And there is actually a ton of research that would need to be done at any of these suggestions and how is it by who gets the most votes? Is it by who's been on council the longest? Is it by voluntary? Is it by picking straws out of a hat? I mean, we, you know, that's one of those things to where I think for me to be able to do research, if that's something that the council really wants me to work on, I'm going to need some direction on what you're looking for and what your opinions are on this so that I know the right resources to reach out to. I have contacted some members of uh through the MML who is going to look to see who else has gone through this within the last 5 to 10 years. So we could have kind of an example or something. And I've also reached out to another colleague that from a different law firm that I had work on some charter amendments before in a different position. But I'm open I'm all ears open to what your suggestions are when we talk about charter amendments because the clerk was nice enough and I provided that in the email. There are very specific time limits and there are steps when you change a charter that where it has to go to the the attorney general's office has to be signed off by the governor's office and all that before it could be all within specific time periods. So, it's really

important that if this is something we're serious about, we need to let me know now so I can get that work going to where we're ready for either an August or November election. Thank you. So, as we recall back in our work session on January 10th, as manager said, uh you know, the one of the items that came up in discussion was the council term in office of two years and not much more conversation about it. I I know that uh u you know some of you may have had a chance to talk with the mayor or or the manager. I know I I did have uh uh sent an email as a followup but and and about having some conversation. You know if you recall past uh years we had also the uh eligible eligibility for elections in the city and to be city council. Of course that was on a ballot initiative and it was rejected by the voters. So I'm I'm not saying that we do it again. I'm just saying that that's one of the things that I think about when we uh put forward uh a ballot initiative. And I I'm trying to recall if there was other topics that were on council's mind during the work session that we just may not have um um written down as one of the priorities, but something of of a topic. Um the manager is correct. There's a timeline to get this done. We were sent that. Uh I I have a I have a a belief that if we're putting ballot initiatives out, it should be on the November election when the majority of people that do vote. Uh otherwise, we're just trying to find one who get the lesser amount of votes. And the more that you know, whatever we do, I think it's you want to have the best turnout possible. I've thought about this for years and we talked about this uh in past councils as well. And and then I start thinking, what's the pros and cons? And I think there's many ways to look at this uh shifting to a four. I know the manager said, you know, we probably want to get some examples that of of communities

that have shifted to the staggered terms of three and three of the council. Uh some keep the mayor as two, some keep it make it four. I think that's not wouldn't be to my liking. I just think how do you put more in one voting time than the other? or maybe it's just the as is where we stay and or there's always, you know, the four years. But if it's all the same, it doesn't address maybe the issue of a concern. But I'm not saying there's concerns as much as is it something I we're looking for council's input. I've got several things, but I thought I'd wait and see if there's comments from council on this first. Kathy.

So, I I um responded when it was brought up just because when I think about as the the newbie on the on the panel here, I would not want to be the newest person on the group. So, if there was a way to and I know it it's going to be a little painful to get through it, but in the end, if it was staggered, I feel like it would be better for the city because you have that history, you have that knowledge, and it would not be a potential of every single one of us being brand new because I know I wouldn't want to be the only person left and the newest person just a year in. So, that's just my thoughts.

Other thoughts? Andrew,

I um I completely see the uh length of experience argument in in having some institutional knowledge in the board and I think that we do have that and I think that there's a lot of benefit to that having served in that in that capacity. Um, but two-year terms, I think, allow us to be very accountable to the public that we serve. And I think that every election that we have, they can turn around and say, "I hate what the city council is doing to heck with all of them. We're going to have a totally new city council." And the public has that uh ability and authority every single election to turn around and totally change the makeup of the city council. um you know and I think that their ability to make that change is is fundamental to the accountability and the transparency that we hold so dear here on council um and why we think it's it's so important to to ensure that we are being representative of of the public that we're that we're serving. I think two-year terms are a pain in the butt, but they're a pain in the butt for us. I don't think that they're a pain in the butt for the community. I think the the community really appreciates the opportunity that they have to to vote on everyone who's going to stand up and serve them um every every two years. Um so and and I think that there has been a fairly high incumbency rate um on the reelection of the candidates that have served this council. And I don't think that's totally surprising, the fact that the public is reelecting um to serve as people who they've elected to service in the past. I don't think that any of us should be surprised by that. But that I think that trust goes both ways. Um for for the public to have an active decision an uh an active um changemaking component to their decision-making process and being able to determine who represents them and being able to determine if they want uh

the same people and they want that experience which I think are benefits. I don't, you know, there's uh there there are mumblings nowadays that there didn't used to be in the past of, oh, having experience in public service is a bad thing. I don't agree with that at all. People running on the fact that they have never served in public office. I don't see that as a positive thing. You wouldn't want to hire a plumber who's who doesn't have experience being a plumber. And I think the same holds true here. But I think it should be up to the public to make that decision for themselves every two years.

Mike, thank your honor.

I agree with a lot of what Andrew just said and you know, part of it is uh as people that have to run every two years, it's on us. You know, we're the only ones I would think that would have a problem with it. And it does. I won't say it's not something I look forward to is is having to run every two years, but I understand why it is talking about um uh all of us or several of us coming off the board at the same time. Well, that'll be up to the voters, but I don't so much worry about that because I look at the experience and the amount of longevity that we have on this uh council. So, and then I'll say I would have to think more about the staggered um terms. I don't think I would like that. Um, I like the way it is set up now. So,

well, I guess Go ahead, Michelle. I guess I'd be curious to see um the numbers when the county did this because I know that they went from two to four and what the stats were when they did that because that was not that long ago. And maybe we could find out the numbers and what how the public actually feels in the county and go from there. So, um I'm not sure about the stagger thing. I'd have to think about that one, but I'd be interested in those numbers. Sure. Oh, Kelly, go ahead. I would like to see what that would

what that would look like. Staggering terms. I know some communities um go by the highest vote getters uh and things like that, but I'd have to really see some options, I guess, to wrap my brain around it. I I know we talked about the 2-year terms uh being uh a little like as soon as we get into a project, it's time to start running again. But like Andrew said, that's more of um pressure on us as opposed to the voters. But I kind of get what uh Miss Kathy is saying, Councilwoman Stringham is saying. So I I'd want to see what what a staggered turn would look like or what some other communities are doing. in terms of um how they cycle out candidates as far as term limits go.

So, I'll just say a lot of these are conversations that went on for other communities through the um which you talked with during our municipal le municipal league at the conventions or the capcon. You know, those that have have have gone where they just went to four and kept it the same. Uh it seems the majority are staggered because they're trying to it doesn't change the number of elections. you still have an election every two years. So there's no cost uh uh uh impacts there that would be favorable. It's um it was that thought of how it when there was a turnover in a particular community and it and that's the voters's choice and and but some left at the same time. So it it it there were some growing pains there, but does mean people are you hope they're running for election to be served in the city to to serve the city not themselves and they'll learn and grow. So, this has been a conversation that's come up for for a while and I as I thought this through, it's just like how do you if you went staggered terms and this is where I started. How would you pick the three precincts to combine with the other three precincts? And that's where some data and some knowledge you'd have to have. how many registered voters in in each of the precincts and how many people generally vote in each precinct and how do you balance that so you don't have like well one part of our community decide not to vote because it's not their council member I'm not saying that occurs but I kind of think of it as is there um is that occurring we would we wouldn't know that I um I know Bay City is probably the most recent I can think of and that's been a couple elections ago but there's many that have transitioned and you think it's kind of an a convenient in some some sense if you want the change, but then really got there's a lot of details for me for me is what's the what's the impact if you did and so I I would hate to think that we'd get a lower voter turnout if we got that then we're not we're not doing what we should be doing. I agree that the two years sometimes is difficult uh as we

move forward, but this council and and extending back to a previous council or or two. Uh we started looking beyond just the year or two. And I think this council has done a great job of the second year of our two-year term that we're not just waiting for the end coming in November. We meet in January and we say what have we achieved on our goals and objectives and what are now the priorities of this second year of the term that we are going to achieve knowing there's things in work but can we can we push something off the list and make it successful. So I don't think the two years have been detrimental to getting um things achieved. The other part and I is, you know, when we just have one or one or two year budgets, right now we're we're we have two year, threeyear budgets. We we have a two-year forecast after that. We're looking five years out. We we may be here in 5 years. We may not be in the seats, but at least we're leaving a budget behind that. Of course, a new council could could change as it came up for the annual vote, but at least there's a structure in place. So I think we're we're we're operating like we're more than two years presented to us. So maybe if we could do it by then that'd be great. Any questions? Oh, wait. Go ahead.

Just one more comment, your honor. And and so also I'd like to say that I worry about the um interest or involvement of constituents wanting to run uh if there was four-year terms. I can say if you was ask probably the general person when the county commissioner seats are up, they wouldn't know because sometimes I think when four-year terms that longevity, it starts to just kind of be like the norm and and they don't realize when the elections are. I think with a two-year term, everybody knows when they are

and I can see that, you know, we didn't have a lot of opposition to the people on this board because I think they do believe that we do a good job, but I don't think we would have that same interest possibly with a 4-year term. Thank you. Andrew, you have another final comment.

Yeah. Uh short response to a comment that you made that I actually really appreciate and think is really important um when we're talking about multi-year budgets and multi-year plans. And I think that those are very important and a positive thing that we do in the city of having the city of setting the city up to have a long-term strategy in terms of policy and strategic focus at the operational level so that they're you know we're not just planning for next week. Um but I think that there does need to be a level of separation between the operations uh uh that are happening for the staff at city hall who are here for the duration. and they're here for the long term versus the council where there's a little bit more churn. Um, and rightly so. Um, but in the same way, it's it's why I had the opposition to attaching the goals and objectives to the agenda items because I think that the statements and the goals and objectives that are b made by the by the councils that come through on a more temporary basis are a list of political objectives that set for the time that are an aggregation of of the feelings of that council as it comes through and if you get a new council those objectives should rightly change. You know if the public is has decided to take a new track we should not have the operational side of the city of the institution of the city of the policies of of the city be attached to the more temporary agendas of individual councils that that we need to separate those things. So while I think it's good that we have these longer term plans for the institutional side of the city, I think that needs to be separated from the uh from the the more shorter term uh shorter

limit limited in duration uh objectives of individual councils.

Yeah. I think though while we think long term and we have that I think of our goals and objectives and some of the things that we've set you know I guess I I'd like to go back you know 8 years ago and see what some of those goals and objectives are that don't appear today. Uh it's not because everything's 100% achieved. It's just that the priorities change and uh we knew that last year when it came to uh uh with the council here when when housing became a a very um um hard not hard discussion, long discussions and what that looked like and it what it did is it it did push us into looking for some adjustments and the and the staff uh stepping forward and say, "Yeah, this is what we need to do to to get their input of how we readjust uh whether it be zoning, whether it be um um I know reviews and and and council or or staff reviews and and building and and and those type of things. But so I think we set what we think are the priorities um that we pick up whether it's in our conversation seeing other cities Michigan municipal league and hear the you know watching legislators and either agreeing or disagreeing and we have to take steps of how we think we want to um through zoning and through you know um local authority of how we as a council take that understanding of what we're allowed and and really mand mandated to do and how we put those goals and objectives forward. So I think housing is an example that was last year and and flowed through this year and I think it'll continue through this term. It could be something for the next term but maybe it won't be the top priority because we'll hopefully have made some successes as we know that are already going on this year and uh and where last year for instance Mason Run we have another project that's supposed to start this year. we have one we're hopefully going to have come to completion here uh soon in the next few months and and

maybe that's the start that there's some I don't I can't tell you what the next item is going to be for sure but I I'm sometimes like to be surprised I think that's something we've thought of but maybe it does elevate to a higher position while we're in this term so and it's not like telling the operationals you're doing this they're coming to us as well saying that um we um I just the presentation this evening, public safety. There's things I learned today in the public safety presentation on on the on our work session about how we are operating in training. Some of those uh couple topics were were discussed years ago and especially I think about the paramedic standpoint. you had to be a paramedic to become a firefighter. And we recognize that we can um uh continue to have a strong public safety department by training people and making a stronger educational opportunity. So, I think that's that's things that are coming to us from the staff as well of our our inquiry. And I think uh I think that's good. I'm not sure that exactly ties. I just think about how how we what we do in the two years and how things can blend over to the next coming. But then there's always the opportunity to to be fluid and change that when there's a priority item topic that comes forward. Okay, it's 18 after I think we got about 12 minutes. So, thanks for the comments, manager. If you have further, you can uh hopefully the council members will send that. So,

thank you. Um clerk, anything further for you? No. Okay. All right. This time we'll close the work session and see you here in 12 Nice.

Call the city council meeting to order. Clerk, please call the role. Here

clerk here. I'd ask we all please rise for the invitation. Remain standing for the pledge of allegiance. We have faith and hope in each other in our city. We ask for your guidance in the decisions that are made here this evening. We ask you to work for the welfare of this community and all its residents. 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. Clerk, first item, please.

Uh, the first item on the agenda is the approval of the regular agenda. Thank you, Mr. Robinson. Any adjustments to the agenda? Has no adjustments to the agenda? Council, any adjustments to the agenda? If not, a motion for approve the regular agenda. Motion from Motion from Councilman Hater, supported by Councilwoman Stilgrave to approve the regular agenda. Clerk, please call the role. Councing. Yes. Germainey, yes. Stringham, yes. Yes. Yes. Still, yes. Mayor Clark, yes. Next item, please.

The next item is the um approval of the consent agenda. And for item B, the approval of payments should read 1,593,762.33. 1593762.33.

Thank you. Um, are there any items on the consent agenda that council wishes to have pulled for further discussion? Sort of a long agenda this evening. Uh, is there any items on the consent agenda council wishes to have pulled? Seeing none, is there any items on the consent agenda? Those present here this evening wish to have pulled for discussion. Uh, see many people here this evening. So, on the consent agenda, when it's passed, it's passed in one vote. If there's an item that's on the consent agenda that you wish to have a discussion about, it may be the uh a change order, a bid award or any item that's shows on the consent agenda. We later have a council action. Those are taken individually. So I'll ask is there any items on the consent agenda? Those present here this evening wish to have pulled for further discussion.

See none. Uh motion be or Councilman Felder. Yes, your honor. I'd like to make a motion that all items on the consent agenda be accepted, placed on file, recommendations carried out, and resolutions adopted. Motion by Councilman Felders, supported by Councilman Stringham, that all items on the consent agenda be accepted, placed on file, recommendations carried out, and resolutions adopted. Clerk, please call the role. Council Binding, yes. Gerainy, yes. Stringham, yes. Felder, yes. Yes. Still, yes. Mayor Clark,

yes. Next item, please. The next item is under presentations, communications, and public hearings. Item 5794, recognition of 2025 officer of the year and firefighter of the year. Thank you, manager Robinson. Comments or public safety directors or commanders? Yes, your honor. I'd like to call Director Tolstead up to uh briefly introduce our our honored guests and awardees tonight. Thank you.

Thank you, Director Tolstead. Honorable mayor, city council members, clerk Lavoy, Chad Tulsed, your director of public safety. U I have uh some comments here tonight. Uh I'm going to allow the uh the commander Lindsay and Commander Smiley to introduce our officer here and firefighter here, but I have a twominut warm-up and a 30 minute warm-up. Uh I'm going to I'm going to go with the two-minute warm-up since it's going to be a long agenda tonight. So, but I'm grateful for the opportunity to be here in front of council tonight. I think this is about our third or fourth year of doing this in front of council. It's been a nice uh addition to our department to recognize these individuals and the individual awards that they receive, but it also goes to recognize not just them individually, but it represents the hard work and the dedication to the professions as a whole in both the police and firefighters as well. We're proud to have them uh stand out in front of you tonight to represent what the bravest and finest are in the city here. With that, I will uh ask Commander Lindseay to come up and introduce our officer of the year. Thank you, honorable mayor, city council, city manager Robinson, uh clerk Lavoy, Attorney Buds, I know you get left out a lot. I figured I'd catch you on this one. It's my pleasure to introduce the 2025 Police Officer of the Year for the Monroe Public Safety Department. But before I do that, I just wanted to go off on a side note here. We had six officers nominated this year. And of those six officers, multiple of them were nominated by multiple police officers. We normally have one or two that get nominated every year. We had officers that range from two and a half years on the job to 13 years on the job. some being detectives and others being road patrol officers. These officers are all nominated by their peers for doing exemplary work

throughout the year. As the commander that oversees all police operations, this makes me extremely proud of my staff and the hardworking men and women on we have here in this department. But as for tonight, juvenile detective Tyler Kleiner was selected as the officer of the year for 2025. Detective Kleiner's been a member of the department for over seven and a half years. And in his time here, he's worked the road patrol. He's been a manis detective, and he's now currently assigned as the juvenile detective for the in the detective bureau. So, what makes Detective Kleiner so special and stand out amongst his peers? It's his traits and characteristics that he displays day in and day out. The characteristics you wish that you could mold every officer with the day you hire them. Detective Kleiner has consistently displayed strong leadership qualities, a sense of professionalism, a work ethic next to none. He always goes the extra mile, has strong critical thinking skills, and he has a tenacity to fight crime. Last year, Detective Kleiner handled 246 investigations, most of which were crimes involving children. He also handled several adult crimes also. And for those of you who don't understand what investigating crimes against ch children entails, it is by far the most grueling, emotional, and physically challenging job that you can do in this profession. It truly drains you. But let me tell you, besides all that, Detective Kleiner is one of the most focused and determined officers that I've ever worked with. Whether he's investigating crimes against innocent children, hunting down shooting suspects, or frequently catching walleye and deer hunting, Detective Kleiner's demeanor stays even keel, and he always gets the job done. For this reason, it is my pleasure to introduce Detective Tyler Kleiner, your 2025 Police Officer of the Year.

I'm just going to set this here for you. All right. Um, Mayor Clark, members of uh, city council, clerk Lavoy, um, city manager Robinson, and I'm not going to forget you either, attorneys. Uh thank you guys for being here tonight uh to in support of myself and uh firefighter uh Kegress for the firefighter of the year. Um thank you um firefighter Kegress. Um I just got to get this out of the way quick. Uh congratulations to you as well um for firefighter of the year. Uh haven't been able to work with uh you too much on the fire ground being in the detective bureau. Um, but what I can see is never heard a single bad thing about you and you're doing a great job doing training for us there at the station. So, thank you. Keep up the good work. Um, now a little bit about myself. Um, I just want to say I will truly not be who uh I would be today without some of the support people in my life. Um, first off, I'm going to start off with my wife Scout for being supportive of me throughout my career. Um, and especially this past year as a juvenile detective. Uh she currently is not here with us um tonight. She's at home uh doing what she does time in and time out, which is take care of our kids. Um especially a sick kid uh right now for me to be able to be here tonight. Uh so thank you. Uh I also want to say thank you um for my family, my mom, dad, sister uh for making me who I am today and as well as the um officers, bosses throughout my career at MPD. Uh you guys are honestly you guys made me of who I am today. I know uh Commander Lindsay talked about uh some of the some of the things that make me who I am, but I I got those um through working here at the city. So, um

Commander Wall, you are essentially the person that got me uh into into the city here um as a as a police officer. Um some of you might not know this um but I was a police cadet prior to being an officer. Um and he's the one who kind of stuck his neck out for me uh when I was in community college. So, thank you for getting me in here. Uh, it's been a great uh almost 10 years uh actually um this June uh for me here. So, um and I know you talked a little bit about the juvenile detective. That's my job for about the past year. Um and yes, it's probably been the most rewarding and most challenging year um of my career. uh there's the day in and day out of some of the investigations of having to do with, but there's nothing better than being able to put a case like that together and put that individual um away where he belongs. So, um with that being said, um I will continue to make all of you proud and strive to continuously serve the citizens of Monroe uh to the best of my ability the rest of my career. So, thank you.

Thank you so much. Honorable mayor, city council, clerk lab boy, city manager Robinson, and Mr. Buds, Scott Smiley, fire commander, Monroe public safety department. I have the honor tonight of introducing our 2025 firefighter of the year, Lieutenant Cody Kris. Cody is a native to Monroe and up and after graduating from the fire academy, he found his home with us in September of 2022. Cody's been a solid member of this department and currently holds the rank of lieutenant which allows him the opportunity to guide and mentor younger members of this department. Cody is our lead CPR instructor. He and his team have trained city employees and hundreds of citizens in the past couple years. And Cody is also part of the drone response team. Cody was nominated by his peers for his unw unwavering commitment to public safety, exceptional emer and exceptional emergency medical skills. His posit positive daily attitude makes him a pleasure to work with and he is well regarded for for his teamwork, communication, and dedication to continuous training on medical emergencies. Cody brings a wealth of expertise and advanced life support and consistently sets the standard for caring and compassionate care on EMS calls. It is my pleasure to introduce to you firefighter of the year, Lieutenant Cody Cavis. Please do not think badly of him if it's taller. I was born tall.

Honorable mayor, members of city council, clerk Lavoy, city manager Robinson, city attorney butts, good evening. Um, thank you for taking time to recognize public safety here in Monroe City and for allowing me the opportunity to stand before you tonight. It is truly an honor to be recognized as firefighter of the year. First, I want to congratulate Officer of the Year, Detective Kleiner, on their recognition tonight. Awards like this represents dedication, professionalism, and commitment that exists across our entire public safety team, and it's an honor to be recognized alongside of him. I would like to thank this uh Monroe City Fire Department, our leadership, uh my supervisors, and many mentors that have helped shape my career over the past several years. I've been fortunate to work with people not only who taught me the technical side of the job, but also what it truly means to serve the community. Before coming to Monroe, I spent um almost 10 years working in public safety. Those experiences taught me a lot, but the last three years serving this city has been some of the most meaningful of my career. Monroe is my hometown. I was born and raised here. Having the opportunity to serve the community that helped shape me for who I am is something I take very uh great pride in every day. I also want to thank my family, especially my wife Danielle for the support that they give me. Anyone who works in this profession knows that the job comes with long hours, miss holidays, sometime difficult calls that follow you home. The support of family is what allows us to keep showing up and serving every day. This award means a lot to me personally. It's important to say that no firefighter earns something alone. The fire service is built on teamwork. Every call we respond to,

every fire we fight, every life we save, it's all done as a team. The men I work beside every day are some of the most dedicated professionals I have ever met. And this recognition reflects their support as much as anything I have done. One thing I've learned during my time in this profession is that the fire service is consistently evolving. The challenges we face today are different than they were 10 or 20 years ago. Because of that, we have a responsibility to keep improving in how we train, how we take care of each other, and how we serve the public. To me, leadership in the fire service isn't about rank and title. It's about the example we set for the firefighters around us and the standards we hold ourselves to every day. Culture is built in small amounts, in training when no one is watching, in mentoring young firefighters coming into the job, and in always looking for ways to improve how we do things. I'm proud to be part of a department that continues to push forward in that way. Our firefighters care deeply for this community and they take that responsibility seriously. Serving the residents of Monroe is something I never take for granted. When someone calls 911, they're often experiencing one of the worst days of their lives. At that moment, when they are trusting us to show up prepared, professional, and ready to help, that trust is something we work every day to earn and maintain. So, while my name may be attached to this award tonight, I truly it truly represents the dedication of the firefighters standing behind me, the entire department working every day to protect this city. I want to thank the mayor and city council again for recognizing me for the hard work um and for the Monroe City Fire Department and for your continued support of the public safety department. That support helps ensure that we have the resources,

training, and equipment necessary to serve the community effectively and safely. And finally, I want to thank the firefighters and officers here tonight who have come to support this recognition. It means a great deal to have the backing of the people you work beside. I'm proud to serve this department, proud to serve the city of Monroe, and grateful for this honor. Thank you very much.

So, Director Tulsa has some additional comments. I don't know how much I can add uh to what the officer and firefighter you're uh just said. Great job you guys and congratulations. Uh your honor, if any uh if any of you or any council members that like have any comments now, we would certainly invite them while the officer and firefighter is still here.

Sure. I you know director and I were having a conversation just a couple days ago and he says it's interesting we move on to the agenda and everybody not everybody many people leave their families because your opportunity to share that time uh and and congratulate each other. But the council then makes comments at the end of the evening and nobody's here. uh that was here for this this purpose of the recognition. So I I said absolutely. I'd uh offer the council the opportunity to make some comments if they wish to do so this evening. I will tell you that uh I I'm going to start here because earlier this evening at our work session we had a presentation from the uh public safety department and it was it was stressed about the uh the work that's being done and the training that is being um administered internally but also the training that uh firefighters and uh public safety officers are getting uh outside both on uh training for the day-to-day and how we're making sure that all have the skills and training opportunities but also in leadership management and other aspects. Uh uh uh firefighter kegaras is correct things change I from the in both uh police and fire from 10 years ago and things you're learning today uh it's not to say they weren't uh they just may not have been present 10 years ago was the same same items you had to they had to be on top of what the training was. So, my congratulations to to both um uh Lieutenant Kaggaris and Detective Kleiner for their um achievement, but also the fact that you're working as a team as I heard. And I I look around the room and I see all those that had support each other. So, I want to thank all the uh firefighters and public safety officers that are here this evening uh in support of their u friends and comrades. Any other comments from uh council councilwoman Stringham?

I'll just take this opportunity to also say congratulations. It doesn't um excuse me. It doesn't just happen. You work hard and that's why you're nominated. And so um hearing you though discuss that it's part of the team because it is um for this. So my my uh family background I have a lot of EMS, fire, a lot of that kind of stuff. So, I know the sacrifices that all of you go through with these types of shifts and the challenges and the calls that you sometimes take home that you're not allowed to talk about, but they're still there. So, thank you. Very appreciated. Thank you, Councilwoman Germaine.

Thank you. Um, I just want to say that I've seen firsthand both departments working in congruency with each other and I'm very proud of that and I admire all of you for what you do and you're always the first ones there whenever I call I know that. Thank you for all your service. Thank you, your honor. Uh, congratulations to both of you. Um, thank you for your service and you've not only made your departments uh proud, but you've also made your city and your community proud. So, thank you. Counciloman Stillgrieve.

Well, I know firsthand how this went because you were injured on my fire that night two years ago almost. And um you guys are all top notch. Every single one is police fire. Everybody we have and I just want Councilwoman Viney.

Yes. I just want to congratulate you both. Um, I haven't I don't think I've had the opportunity of working with the detective. Um, but congratulations and keep up the good work. Um, Lieutenant Cody, um, he's, um, I've seen him a lot in the community, so I really want to extend my, uh, congratulations and respect uh, towards what you do and how you interact with the public. um in the training and uh some of the other community service that you do. I just want to say that you both have uh very uh men full of integrity and uh Commander Smiley and Director Tolstead. So you have uh some really great uh leadership to look up to. So keep up the good work. Thank you for your service. Councilman Felder,

congratulations both to uh to Lieutenant Keguris and Detective Kleiner. Um I understand that you're giving that congratulations back to to the entire team and I do think that we have two wonderful departments working for the city and I I love to see the spirit of service, but heck, you guys won. So, you know, take a little credit for yourself. Um so to both of you and to the service of the entire department and all you guys working every day uh the the fine men and women that we have representing our city um you know thank thank everyone for your service but gee guys congratulations. I would say my congratulations again and I think about the other officers and firefighters that uh were also nominated uh and you know the the the continuous years of opportunity to see uh members of our departments that come forward and get recognition and I know it is a team. I know it is teamwork because you rely on each other each and every day. I one last thing about the work session um that was earlier that's able to be seen. it is taped. But uh one of the things that stood out was the the uh point that was made is we're bringing new people in and how we manage them through the process and it and they're assigned to officers and firefighters from the first day they arrive and they're not sworn uh uh officers or firefighters. They're there to learn and then it gives us the opportunity gives them the opportunity to see what we do and how professional our departments are. And also at the same time as they move along, we're have the opportunity to evaluate in their the future of that come to the door as uh um certified uh firefighters and officers. So and it's because of your work of all of you in here in this room that uh helped that process. So I I just want to say thanks for that, Director Tolston.

And thank you again, your honor, and city council. Um, very proud of the department, very proud of the uh, Lieutenant Kegress and Detective Kleinert. Uh, I did tell everybody here that they are welcome to stay for the rest of the uh, meeting tonight. Mayor, uh, uh, we are going to, uh, exit to go up to the third floor to get some pictures uh, because we don't want to do it in the hallway, make a bunch of noise because we don't want to close the doors. Clerk Lavoy. So, I appreciate and I appreciate the council's time tonight uh, Mr. Robinson for you guys taking the time tonight to honor us and I appreciate your comments.

Yeah, absolutely. Everybody's welcome to stay and uh but I understand your opportunities with families and friend to uh um share that moment uh collectively is uh completely understood. So, and I know that the the gentleman in the back and ladies that they have duties this evening, that's why they're sitting at the back because they're waiting for the call that may come. So, and we know that uh is often. So, thank you all for your service and thank you director uh Stead and Commander Lindsay and Commander Smiley. Thank you.

Congratulations. Give a second here, clerk, as I find my agenda again. Thank you. Thank you, sir. Thank you. Clearing it out. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Clear it out. Passing the devil eggs.

Clerk. Next item, please. The next item on the agenda is item 5792. We're still under presentations, communications, and public hearings. Citizens Planning Commission 2025 annual report. Uh, Manager Robinson, is that a communication and presentation this evening? Should be a communication to be placed on file

and uh I uh I I appreciate the staff uh recognizing these annual reports that we're to receive uh and to have the 2025 Citizens Planning Commission annual report uh for our review, but also to be accepted here. does not take council action. So just by being on the agenda, it becomes part of the record the clerk will then um see to next item, please. The next item, well actually we did put a motion on now that I'm seeing that now that I'm flipping the count the agenda over. So I guess I would ask Matt Buds if that's

We're looking for that a motion to accept the Citizens Planning Commission 2025 annual report. Yes, Councilwoman Viney, I make uh I move to I move to receive and place on file the 2025 citizens planning commission annual report. Motion by Councilwoman uh Vining, supported by Councilwoman Steelgrave on the citizens planning commission 2025 annual report. Clerk, please call the role. Germaine, yes. Stringham, yes. Selder, yes. Hater. Yes. Still, yes. Mayor Clark, yes. Next item, please.

Next recommendation for Bonnie Weber. Thank you, man Robinson.

Yes, your honor. And um in looking at this at this uh item in the communication section, I believe this is something that we may have to take action on as it is something that the the um le has put forward Miss Bonnie Weber to fill the vacant LEC at large board member position. But according to their interlocal agreement between with us and Frenchtown Township, we have to the council has to approve the person they put forward for the LEC board. So rather than it just being a communication uh to council that that's who they're putting forward, it appears that we do actually have to make a motion to approve Bonnie Miller or Bonnie Bonnie Weber to uh be the person on the to fill the vacant LEC board. Thank you. And this item of course is the filling the atlarge board member position not the one that's coming from one of the government entities but it is the really the uh representative for the communities and councilman her like to make a motion to accept recommendation from transit to appoint Bonnie Weber to the

motion by councilman hater supported by councilman Germanmanian item 5775 lat recommendations for Bonnie Weber clerk please call the role councing Yes. Gerainy, yes. Stringham, yes. Felder, yes. Yes. Still, yes. Mayor Clark, yes. Next item, please. Next item is item 5754, first public hearing on the proposed CDBG 2026 2031 consolidated plan and 26 through 27 annual action plan. Thank you. Um, manager, we have no uh item to start with. I'll just call the public hearing. Just go ahead with the public hearing sir.

This time I'll open the public hearing item 5754 public a hearing on the proposed CDBG 2026 2031 consolidated plan and a 2026 27 annual action plan. Any comments from those present here this evening for this public hearing? Seeing none, I'll close the public hearing. Next item, please. The next item is item 5777. public hearing for PA46 Oprah application for 101 West First Street. And there are no comments on file in the clerk's office.

Thank you. I know this comes on the agenda later, but this time is the public hearing for that. So, at this time, I'll open the public hearing for item 577, public hearing for PA 146 Oprah, obsolete property rehabilitation act application for 101 West Street. Any comments from those present hearing regarding this public hearing? I'll close the public hearing. I guess I should ask also if there's a comment from council on this item. Seeing none, please.

The next item is under council action. It's item 5778, resolution to approve PA 146, obsolete property rehabilitation certificate 101 West Street.

Manager Robinson. Yes, your honor. This is the actual action from the public hearing that we just had and we had as a work session item in our last council meeting. Um, but this is for the uh acceptance of the ops the Oprah uh abatement certificate and redevelopment project at 101 West First Street. Um, as as we all remember uh Mr. Castigleioni um Properties LLC. He took ownership of 101 West first back in October. Uh he has worked really hard uh him and his previous partner had has have split the business and now he is looking originally they had a six-year OPRA on the previous business and now he is looking to extend it to the maximum allowable amount which is a 12-year OPRA. So, it's the remaining six years he's seeking for the wonderful work that he has done and continues to do on his building. As I know in the packet there was uh plenty of pictures and as well as the staff analysis. Uh this is the recommendation to approve this

and this was also went to the economic uh development review committee. Yes. Uh prior to this as well. Any questions from council regarding this project? I do appreciate the photographs that came with this. I mean, it's a significant difference from what uh what it used to be. If there's no questions or comments, Councilwoman Stillg, I'm going to make a motion that city council adopt the attached resolution transferring the Oprah certificate for 101 West 1st to Castic Cleone Properties LLC and extending the certificate for an additional 6 years for expiration date of December 31st, 2032.

Support motion by Councilwoman Stillbury, supported by Councilwoman Stringham. Item item 5775, the resolution to approve uh the absolute uh obsolete property rehabilitation certificate for 101 West First Street. Clerk, please call the role. Councing, yes. Geriney, yes. Stringham, yes. Felder, yes. Yes. Still, yes. Mayor Clark, yes. Next item, please. The next item is item 5734, spring 2026 tree purchase.

Thank you, manager Robinson. This did get uh touched on a little bit in the in the uh work session with director Lewis, but this is for our annual uh tree planting that that we do every year and it consists of 140 total plantings and as you had mentioned in that they are coming from three different vendors for specific uh species and and the quality in order to make sure that we have what our uses and our arborists and and and tree commission weighs in on the type of trees and and what we're doing. And I think it's really important, you know, in the packet that they list uh where these a lot of these trees are going. And many of them, I think you'll notice, are along the Third Street corridor um leading into the Orchard East neighborhood where there was a street project last year that that kind of shrunk the the size of the street and added size to the um to the u area between the sidewalk and the road. And these plantings will be great for replacing. And by the variety, there's definitely a lot of variety. And I don't know how to pronounce the majority of them, but uh some scientist uh knows what they do. So, and then we're asking your approval for the 2026 tree purchase. Before we take a a motion, I'll see if there's any comments from uh council. But one item regarding uh I just want to thank the forestry supervisor as well as our uh tree commission for their work done on this. But you know, I I can't uh have to also mention uh through our uh GIS uh um employees here. You can any uh resident or person can go on to the city's website, look into the tree inventory. You can find out what tree by the by

just hitting the dot in front of your house if it's in the city uh terrace and tell you what kind of tree it is. If you have a tree that's not surviving, you can call in and and ask for a replacement. And you can go to the tree inventory and see what's available, types of trees and which might work and they're not too tall if there's wires or how they grow uh the width of the the sidewalk street. And so, uh those are things that are in place that weren't in the past. And I think it helps um understand why the type of trees we have and the opportunities residents have for input. So with that, looking for a motion regarding the tree purchase. Uh Councilwoman Germaine move that the city council approve an expenditure of up to $11,628 for the purchase of 55 trees from North Branch Nursery. the expenditure of up to $12,0007 for the purchase of 53 trees from Wei Ray I don't want to butcher his name but Wandis nursery and the expenditure of up to $6,570 for the purchase of 32 trees from Elminger Ornamentals for the 2026 spring planting program that up to 32,000s in in total be authorized to include a small contingency that the director of engineer hearing in public services or its designate be authorized to enter into necessary agreements or purchase orders on behalf of the city. That the formal competitive bidding process be waved and that the finance director be authorized to make any budget transfers that are necessary to complete this purchase.

Motion from Councilwoman Germaine, supported by Councilman Felder on item 5734, the spring 2026 tree purchase. Clerk, please call the roll. Yes. Germainey, yes. Stringham, yes. Felder, yes. Yes. Stelgrave, yes. Mayor Clark, yes. Next item, please. The next item on the agenda is item 5765, authorization to purchase and install cameras at Kins Park. Robinson.

Yes, your honor. As as Director Tol said, I had put this item through and working through the IT with the county. This is for the placement of three different cameras. The the procurement and placement of three different cameras, the the Marakei cameras in order to uh to best serve that park uh in in the total amount of $21,625 which includes a $2,000 um contingency. And included in your packet was a map that kind of showed where in the park that that those cameras would be located.

Any comments or questions from councel? If not, a motion beh uh stringham. Sorry.

Sorry. I move to approve authorization for the director of public safety Chad Tolstead to sign the Sentinel agreement for the purchase of cameras and related equipment for installation at KS Park in the amount of $15,74 and authorize a transfer from capital projects fund balance in the amount of $5,660. Additional project costs include CDW-G7 $748, $70048, installation by access alarm $2,300 and ancillary equipment including a network switch $1989 patch panel $21,000 UPS $480.65 and 6U rack $21983. Total project cost including contingency is 21,625.

Motion by Councilwoman String supported by Councilman her on item 5765 authorization to purchase and install cameras at Kins Park. Clerk, please call the role. Yes. Geriney, yes. Stringham, yes. Felder, yes. Yes. Still, yes. Mayor Clark, yes. Next item, please. The next item is item 5761, pine tree replacement.

Man Robinson, an exciting one. Um, as we all know, our uh the tree that we have been using as the tree lighting tree that is actually located on county property uh just west of where we sit right now. Um if I'm sure we've all noticed it's seen its better days and it is and we our arborist um has checked the tree and says yes it is in its final years of decline and you know because that tree has become so meaningful to our c celebratory holiday lights and tree lighting uh that we do and that which has grown in popularity has grown in attendance uh over the last several years. Uh the tree lighting committee, some of them had some great eyes and said, "How about if we replace it?" So, a big we we did quite a bit of research. Our arborist, we found a replacement tree, which is a 24 foot Norway spruce from Greenacres Tree Farm in Waterford, Michigan. And the whole idea is we wanted a tree big enough to where it's you know, it's noticeable, but we wanted it with the best potential survivability rate when you transplant a tree of that size. And I think in working with uh the folks from uh green trees and the expert abilities of our uh DPW forestry department, I think that we have a good possibility for a great tree that could last years and years to come. And granted, it's not 50 feet, it's 24 feet. So, it'll be a little bit of time and a little bit of growing space. And um and I will say that the county has been wonderful and working in partnership with us on this as they are, you know, we helped pick the spot. You'll see the

stake that's out in the middle thing is that where we have to move it because we want to make sure we're not interrupting irrigation lines, electrical lines, gas lines, and all of those things. And we're really excited is this tree comes with a one-year warranty. And this farm actually comes out and does checks three times throughout the year with all sorts of additive type plant-based uh you know the wild chemistry of of of organic chemistry to make sure that this tree survives. So, and we're asking for your approval to procure this and allow us to do the 50% deposit in order for us to set the date.

I'll make an additional comment because manage Robinson is corrected. Not only is it the tree, it's that the company that's coming ensuring that it is uh uh survives coming back through the year and if there and with the uh I'll say the insurance side of that. If it's not, they will replace it um if it does not make it by the fall. Uh we did receive a couple people that had an interest of donating a tree, but then what soil that's coming from may not be equable to the soil which we're placing it. That was one concern. And the other is the fact if it doesn't, they would um survive by the end of the summer. Then we're back where we started from and we have to start over with the cost and that. But we have a company that um uh has um done this before and has provided uh like um uh trees and size. Comments or questions from council or a motion regarding uh this item? Councilman her.

I move that city council approve an expenditure up to 16,500 for the purchase of a 24 ft Norway spruce from Green Acres Tree Farm to replace the current tree being removed. that up to 16,500 in total be authorized to include a small contingency. That the director of engineering and public services or his designate be authorized to enter into any necessary agreements or purchase orders on behalf of the city. That the finance director be authorized to make the budget transfers that are necessary to complete the purchase and that a 50% deposit check be cut to schedule the planting date. for

motion by council hat her supported by councilwoman Steelgraph on item 5761 of pine tree replacement clerk please call the role councing yes Germany yes stringham yes felder yes her yes stillgrave yes mayor clerk yes next item please the next item is 5780 first reading of ordinance 26-03 to amend city code section 22-9 CPC term limits thank Manager Robinson.

Yes, your honor. This is the first reading of the ordinance uh regarding the uh elimination of the term limits for the CPC. Um, it was determined and we we talked about this in a work session last last uh session and the CPC is the only board and commission or authority of the city that has term limits that are actually uh established by an ordinance and we're asking to have that removed from the ordinance um and to make the amendment to the ordinance to where those term limits would not be uh informed. forced through the ordinance.

So, this evening is the uh setting of the um public hearing that'll appear on April 6. Yes. Comments or questions? If none, a motion would be Councilwoman Germaine. Move that the city council place ordinance 26-03, an ordinance to amend section 22-9 of chapter 22, boards, commissions, authorities, and committees of the code of the city of Monroe on the floor for its first reading and schedule the second reading in public hearing for Monday, April 6, 2026 at 7:30 p.m.

Second. Motion by Councilwoman Germaine, support by Counciloman Steelgrave on item 5780, the first reading of ordinance 26-03 to amend city code section 2219, the CPC term limits. Clerk, please call the role. Council person Binding, yes. Germaine, yes. Stringham, yes. Felder, yes. Yes. Still, yes. Mayor Clerk, yes. Ordinance 26-03, Chapter 22, Boards, Commissions, Authorities, and Committees. an ordinance to amend section 22-9 of chapter 22, boards, commissions, authorities, and committees of the code of the city of Monroe. Thank you. Next item, please.

The next item is item 5766, schedule public hearing on the Michigan CDBG disaster recovery grant applications. Man Robinson. Yes, your honor. as I know this item is just to schedule a public hearing, but I think I'd like to ask Director Cochran to come up and explain a little bit because as you go through CDBG, we've seen a lot of CDBG stuff over the last couple agendas and I want to make sure that there are differences between uh the items that that come before you. Mr. Cochran,

mayor, city council, clerk, treasure lavoy, Mark Cochran, assistant city manager and director of economic and community development. Um, so as the city manager indicated, there have been a lot of CDBG acronyms flying around. Um, the city does receive our own allocation of uh, CDBG, community development block grant, federal funds from the US Housing and Urban Development Administration, uh, annually. It's about 450,000. And that's what the public hearing earlier tonight was to, uh, lay out the plan for how we will allocate those dollars. Um but back in 2023 2024 uh the city was part of a presidential natural disaster uh declaration when we experienced severe flooding. And as part of that, um, the HUD, US Housing Urban Development Administration, uh, provided through congressional, uh, funds about $43 million to the state of Michigan through the MEEDC, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, uh, to help with recovery and future resiliency for future natural disasters and to recover from that natural disaster. Uh these funds, the $43 million are only available to be spent in Monroe, Oakland, and Mcome County. So we are one of three out of 83 counties that are eligible to tap into $43 million um as a result of that. So they are being treated as community development block grant dollars and the state. Um we've been a partner at the table with the MEDC since they got these fund these funds. They went through the exact process that we're we started tonight. they had to hold a public hearing uh and develop a plan just like you held a public hearing for tonight um to gather ideas for projects that communities are looking at. Uh we provided some early preliminary discussions or ideas with them as they were developing their

funding priorities and what they've done uh through this year is allocate about $34.8 8 million in new infrastructure improvement dollars and then about $6.5 million that are available for planning projects. These funds because they're disaster recovery. There is no match. Um and so uh but we've met with them about looking what the eligible projects are. Um we are preparing to submit a project for through the infrastructure funding to address the flooding issues that have plagued the Orchard East neighborhood. uh whenever we have high rain events uh to look at uh development of a plan to address that flooding and then also uh move toward implementing uh future corrections necessary. Again, that's to address future flood hazards. And then the other uh part that we're applying for out of the planning dollars, the 6.5 million, um is an application to update the city's comprehensive master plan. We are required uh by the Michigan Planning Enabling Act to update the comprehensive master plan every five years with the planning commission and the public. Uh the last time ours was done was 2017. Um however, we have added different uh plans to it like the Orchard neighborhood plan, the heritage corridor master plan, but it's time to crack it the full thing open um because a lot has changed in Monroe since 2017. Um it is going to be about a $150 to $180,000 project for us to do it fully right with a lot of public engagement. Um and so we've talked with uh the MEEDC about uh the eligibility for that project and as long as we include uh resiliency in the master plan, it will be an eligible project. So, uh, the first step for us to submit that application is for city council to have a public hearing on, uh, the future application, including those two

projects, and that is what you're scheduling this evening or we're asking to schedule this evening. Thanks, Director Cochran. Uh, questions from council, any thoughts? If not, um, this is up to set the next scheduled public hearing. Councilman Stringham. I'll move to schedule the public hearing on proposed CB CDBG-DR grant applications for April 20th, 2026 at 7:30 p.m.

Motion by Councilwoman Stringer, support by Councilwoman Germania on item 5766 scheduled public hearing on the Michigan CDBG disaster recovery grant applications. Clerk, please call the role. Yes. Gerainy, yes. Stringham, yes. Felder, yes. Hater. Yes. Still, yes. Mayor Clark, yes. Next item, please. Next item is item 5753, right-of-way construction procedures for telecommunication providers. Thank you, man Robinson.

Yes, your honor. as we uh had a wonderful presentation by director Lewis at the last uh work session regarding the needs for us to come up with a policy of how to deal with the pime with the telecommunications providers as we are being inundated right now with three separate companies who are through the metros act have have initiated putting in fiber optic cable within our city and Um because of our limitations in our rightways, because of the size and scope and the uh very aged and and uh unique um right away things that currently exist from the public utilities and private uh septic and sewer lines and water leads, etc. that we felt it was really important for us to be able to have a policies that we hold these companies that are applying to have them follow so that when they do uh for example if they are putting underground uh fiber optic into a neighborhood and they and they hit uh a water line that they're they're going to be responsible for for their repairs etc. And I think it was a good presentation that he gave before. Um, do you have anything else you'd like to add on this, Dr. Lewis? And this is actually the procedure that the procedure that was presented to you at the work session and we're looking for your um your permission and your uh uh your support for this tonight.

There's no questions or comments. Um, this is up for council's action. Uh, Councilman her move that the permanent requirements for telecom communications providers be adop adopted and that the director of engineering and public services or his designate reauthorized to make minor adjust amendments to the policy as necessary in the future. Motion by Councilman Harris or Councilman Stillgave on item 5753 rightway construction procedures for telecommunication providers. Clerk please call the role. Yes. Germaine. Yes. Stringham. Yes. Felder. Yes. Yes. Stillgrave. Yes. Mayor Clark. Yes. Next item.

The next item is item 5732. Loop Greenway Trail Extension Contract award. Manager Robinson. Director Lewis speak to this one as he alluded to it at the beginning in our and earlier in his presentation with the uh the loop the good uh note on the bids that we got on this. Director Lewis honorable

council clerk treasurer city manager city attorney Patrick Lewis director of engineering and public services interim director of water and wastewater utilities. Um yes I'm happy to say our first large project bid of the year came back very favorably. We had six biders on this one. Um, we actually had a duke it out for the last two spots here. Uh, er, Zyler excavating was a low bid at 770,000 and change and they beat out salon bean trucking and excavating. It was at 778 and our estimate was around a million dollars. So, um, they're hungry for this type of work and I think this was one of those projects, too, where they looked to put their put their company's name on something that was going to get a lot of favorable press because it is something that's, uh, going to be city's been looking forward to for a long time. Uh, the project, as you may be familiar, is we're still searching for a good name for this trail and we're going to be continuing to work on that. For now, we're kind of calling it, the plans called it the Loop Trail Greenway Extension. Um, and that would be taking off from where the county's project ended at Fifth and Rosler. uh following more or less the old Michigan Southern Railroad line until you get through the uh Spectrum Foods property and then it'll swing kind of northwards towards Front Street. Uh we are obviously continuing to look at ways to enhance that uh bike facility into the downtown um in the future. Uh so we have a couple other components of this award besides just the low bid award. Oh, I should mention too that this was uh a lot of the funding from this came from a spark grant from the DNR. Um that again our economic and community development department just keeps bringing bringing home the uh grant funding here which keeps us keeps the engineering department in business. So we're happy to happy to have that. But uh there's a $900,000 grant that will pay most of the costs. Um obviously there are design costs on this. So there's two other two other components to the award tonight besides just simply the low bid and that is that we are directly purchasing from Pentura which is our kind of our play equipment and other amenity suppliers. Uh they are through a source well which is a statewide poolled uh contract bid. So we usually work directly with them

and we get a savings from that and by purchasing directly from them we can save on the sales tax as well. So uh that's kind of a discreet item that they'll put into the uh into the project. So, we have the base for that exercise equipment um as part of the construction contract and they're going to furnish and install the rest of the equipment itself. So, we do have an award recommendation for Pentura um basically 200,000. It's like 199,000 and change. And then lastly, um I'm I'm asking you to authorize although we're trying our best not to have to use all of it. Um we're still looking at how we are going to staff all of our construction projects this year. We think we're going to be able to be generally okay, but um we are because of Mr. Labau's promotion to the assistant director of uh water and wastewater utilities, we have a vacancy in the project engineer position. So until that's filled, I and Zyler does want to start fairly soon. Uh until that's filled, we may have a little bit of need for some on-site inspections. So we did request the mannequin smith group because they were the designers. We need them for surveying, layout, and some shop drawing review anyway, but we're going to try to keep that number below the 125,000 that we're requesting um by being able to inspect it with some of our own staff as the year goes on. So, really three components to this award. And the nice part about this is that we're because the project bids were under budget and we have the $900,000 spark grant, we have more than adequate funding in the trails uh project that we had set we've been setting aside for a couple of years. So, um, it's fully funded and we're looking forward to this, uh, exciting project.

Excellent. Questions or comments from Mr. Lewis? Councilman Singham? Um, I'm excited about it because I like to get out and um, and use these kind of trails. How do do we have it outlined? Um, and and maybe I just missed it where it goes through the city downtown or is it where does it end? It's going to and I think you you've acted on some property acquisition in the past on this. The end point is going to be basically in front of Beckerum Foods on Front Street. Okay.

So, there'll be a crosswalk that'll cross to the other sidewalk on there. That's where it's going. The off- streetet trail portion is going to end. And I mentioned that we're going to continue to work on connections to the downtown, whether that be on street bike lanes, better marking, better signage. Um, you know, some other options may present themselves in the future. Um, but we're continuing to take bites at this apple and get closer and closer to uh connecting to downtown. But so the the end point on the west will be um Roser Street and Fifth and it'll run along the north side of Fifth Street until it hits that old rail corridor and then it'll run kind of diagonally from there um cutting through across uh Adam Street and then swinging through a north south alignment through Spectrum Foods, the western edge of their property along with that. And I would note that one of the streets that we're doing this year is Adam Street between Fourth and Front. Uh partially designed to complement this project because we don't want to spend a million dollars plus on an overall trail project and have it cross a street that's in terrible shape. So um that was all we we do a lot of oversight and a lot of overthinking of these projects, but that's uh uh we're going to try to tackle that all at once this summer.

Other questions? Not. Um, Councilman Stra,

I'd be glad to make a motion. U move to move that a contract for the City of Monroe Loop Green Whale Trail Greenway Trail Project be awarded to ER Zyler Excavating, Inc. in the amount of $770,688. That a total of $885,000 be encumbered to include a 15% contingency. that the mayor and city clerk treasurer be authorized to execute the contracts on behalf of the city. That a purchase order in the amount of $199,8365 be authorized to Pentura LLC for exercise equipment and related items. That a professional services contract in the amount of $125,000 be including contingencies be authorized to Mannequin Smith Group. that the director of engineering and public services be authorized to execute this agreement on behalf of the city and that the director of finance assistant city manager be authorized to make any necessary transfers.

Motion by council string support by councilman Germany on item 5732 the loop greenway trail extension contract award. Clerk please call the role. Counc Bing, yes. Geriney, yes. Stringham, yes. Felder, yes. Yes. Stilgrave. Yes. Mayor Clark, yes. Thank you. Next item, please. The next item is item 5736. Jones Le Pleasant Le Pleasant's realignment change order to professional services agreement. Robinson, I see Miss Lewis is still here.

I'm still here. And I would like to apologize for the length of all the motions that I seem to give you all the time. we get to a certain point where I just put it in a resolution, but I like the public to be able to see everything we're doing in the motion. So, my apologies. I forget not everybody likes to talk as much as I do. Um, moving on to the next item is the Jones Avenue realignment. This is a change order of the professional services agreement. Now, normally I don't like to bring these to your attention because it means that we've uh underscoped it or missed some things in the in the original scoping of the project, but as as all of you probably remember, um in August of 2024, we had gone out and uh requested a proposal for this project in pursuit of the TAP grant funding that we did eventually get. Um and at the time, we had a full scope of what we believed the project was going to include. And I mentioned it in the work session earlier tonight that um this project is falling behind on schedule through no fault of us and the mannequin Smith team because there just so many more federal requirements than than we're used to I guess to some degree. Um most of the projects we do in the city we are replacing a road in exactly the same spot. So there's some of the federal what they call the NEPA process national environmental policy act that doesn't normally apply to city projects. And we really probably underestimated what that was going to require here. I mentioned that because we're shifting Jones Avenue a bit and we're realigning Jones and the Pleasants, we're changing the footprint that the road is occupying and that triggers a host of other issues which we were not anticipating and that was one of those was tribal coordination which um you know is fair enough point. We we want to coordinate with the tribes that occupied the area at one time. Um, it's usually about a 30-day process, but in conjunction with that, that's followed by an archaeological dig, which involve not only an expenditure of additional time to wait, but also significant expense because there's a prescribed fashion that you have to do

that. And um the costs on that one were pretty substantial, over $30,000 that uh needed to be added to the to the design contract. Um, above and beyond that, we also are looking at property acquisition, which should not be a big problem. We do have a willing partner in Habitat for Humanity because that's the main piece that we need to kind of swing Jones Avenue a little bit into their property. We've also found out unfortunately we have to get a little bit of property acquisition from ITC. So, that's going to involve a little bit more um expenditure of time and process. The other issue with that is that MDOT has made it very clear to us that we are to specifically and strictly follow their process. Um, which is a lot more complicated than approaching Habitat who is more than happy to give us fair market or charge us fair market value for their property. We now have to go through some additional steps that frankly I don't think are necessary, but because they're part of the federal process, they're required. So, I'm coming to you with a $70,000 change order to that design contract to cover those aspects. We would prefer that the Mannequin Smith Group's uh subconsultant handle the property acquisition just so that we make sure that we're not missing anything at this point and we keep one line of uh responsibility. So, um that's what we're looking for here. And as I mentioned uh earlier in the work session, it's looking more and more likely this will be an uh spring 2027 project just because it's becoming highly unlikely that we'll be able to get this programmed until about June or July. So,

thank you. Any questions for uh Director Lewis? I think there's quite a bit of detail to this and in the fact sheet as well as the uh information provided. If not, uh, Councilman her honor, I move that the attached professional service change order proposal for the Jones Avenue reconstruction intersection improvements be awarded to the Mannequin Smith Group in the amount of $70,416 and that a total of 80,000 be in encumbered to provide for a roughly 15% contingency and and that the director of engineering and public services be authorized to execute the agreement on behalf of the city. Motion by Councilman Her supported by Councilwoman Stilgrave on item 5737 the Jones Pleasants realignment change order to professional services agreement clerk please call the role

councing yes Germany yes stringham yes yes her yes yes Mayor Clark yes next item please the next item is 5790 city hall backup generator bid man Robinson

your honor back uh this what we're asking for here is for a backup generator that would back up the generator that we currently have here because it's very important that we have a generator that can secure our our data points and our in our um IT um hardware because we don't want to have failures or interruption or corruption of our data. Um, this project was funded through a pass past a previous uh CIP program through budgets but not fully. So, we're we're looking to have the remaining uh uh the remainder of the project funded for us to procure this backup generator. Questions for manager Robinson? Seeing none, this is an item up for uh approval from council. Councilwoman Stringham.

Move that the mayor and city council approve city hall backup generator bid submitted by Desimma LLC in the amount of 159,526. That a contingency amount in the additional 5-year warranty be approved increasing the total project budget to 196,431. and authorize assistant city manager finance director to amend the budget to allow for an appropriation from the capital project fund balance in the amount of 79,826. Second motion by Councilwoman Stringus for by Councilwoman Gerine on item 5790 the city hall backup generator bid. Any further questions? Cler, please call the role. Congress Bing, yes. Geriney, yes.

Stringham, yes. Felder, yes. Yes. Still, yes. Mayor Clark, yes. Next item. The next item is item 5791, authorization to commence condemnation procedures for 1236 East Elm Avenue.

Man Robinson. Your honor, after we've had uh numerous meetings and and uh updates to council on this issue, we are simply asking this item to give authorization to our city attorney to commence the condemnation procedures for 1236 East Elm as that is the remaining uh structure that uh that that is there for us for the uh River Raisin Heritage Corridor master plan.

Thank you. I know we've had a lot of conversation at work sessions and other sessions regarding this um and the use of the DN uh DNR trust fund grants. Uh it doesn't appear to be um going to um bring this to conclusion and therefore this item is with us. Is there any questions for the administration or city attorney? Make a motion. Councilwoman Geriney move to authorize the city attorney to commence condemnation procedures as prescribed in public act 87 of 1980 and authorize the mayor and clerk treasure to execute the necessary documents on behalf of the city support

motion by councilwoman Germany support by councilwoman Stringham on 5791 the authorization to commence condemnation procedures at uh for 1236 East Elm Avenue final comments. Clerk, please call the role. Council person Binding, yes. Geriney, yes. Stringham, yes. Felder, yes. Yes. Stelgrave, yes. Mayor Clark, yes. Next item, please. Uh, there are no further items this evening. We got through the agenda.

It was rather long. I I appreciate everybody's patience and for those uh not just the council, but those that are here as well. Uh, council comments. Uh, it is March. Councilman Vine, any comments this evening? Well, I had a question that's kind of off agenda um about this um my home program or Michigan home program. Um so, sure.

Okay. So, so the program um say that um we could qualify for the program if we make or have made 50% or more of the following recommended actions. And I know I was able to check off three that I know we already made. Are we already at that threshold? I'm looking at manager Robson or or uh or staff to this was actually one of the presentations that was at the capital conference. I know you received the handout. We want to make sure we pass it along. It's something through the uh Michigan Municipal League and it's supported by SAMCOG and and the um the um Michigan Township Association. Uh but you that you're correct how to qualify that through their program. there's a a criteria list and uh from the work done by our city uh staff and our um trying to address our housing uh we do qualify in that respect. Um I don't have the list in front of me but I don't know if there's additional comments from administration or staff.

I don't have any additional comments on that unless uh director Cochran might have some more on that on that

program. Yep. Good on or good evening. Um, so this program, if the city council recalls, it was about two years ago we received a grant through MISTA through the my neighborhood program uh to examine our zoning code to update our zoning code to allow for more flexibility uh to increase the density and efficiency in housing. And so through the my home program, I know there there is a list and we did accomplish about five of those so far. Um so I can quickly tick off just a few of those. Um we did reduce the residential parking requirement to one space. Um that was the first one. We do allow for accessory dwelling units for long-term housing. Now um that was one of the updates that we made. We do allow for duplexes permitted use in residential areas. not all residential areas, but we did in most residential areas.

Um, and then we also reduce the allowable dwelling unit size. So, the minimum square footage we did reduce, I believe it's 800 square ft now in the new zoning code update. Um, and then we did also reduce the minimum lot size requirements. Um, and we also do we allow for modular as permitted uses already um through the building permit process. So, that's not something that's called out in our zoning code, but we would qualify through the my home program for the updates that city council approved earlier this year. Wonderful. I was just curious, did we I know we've been working towards a lot of those

um things. So, thank you. I appreciate you asking the question here in this in this setting because it was a uh one of the most significant topics at the the Capcon in Lancing last week and of course with House bills that have come out. I think there's nine now that are are are um taking a position of of um I'll say removing some uh local um authority or uh local um abilities to manage the uh your own communities by not going to plan commissions or not going to zoning if it's open and and a developer can have it. the some of those are even more so um I'll say in smaller size and types that are there. So I I would say if if you have an interest, please look into the house bills if you need them. I know we can provide them for you instead of trying to find it yourself. This is a response from the Michigan Municipal League and many uh local officials that I know we received them. We passed them on if somebody wishes to um I guess submit their name with that. But I know at one point it was 1,200. I think it's near se 1,700 now elected officials that have signed on to this as an option versus what was presented to some of the households. I'm not going to get here and debate the house bills and and but I suggest everybody look at it and look at and think of how that worked for us. But those items that um you pointed out, Councilwoman and Mr. Cochran pointed out, we've already taken some of those steps to address that. And yet, we still have challenging finding developers to come in and we've already done what needed to be done in many respects to bring uh uh developers for housing in. And yet, we do have housing projects ongoing. So um not making a a statement uh I'll say but just other than the fact look at all the information that's being

presented and what's uh uh going through the the house uh and as well as what this provides and hopefully we'll come to some uh resolution and conversation uh as our representatives uh in Lancing and also our governmental representatives in uh Lancing to the league and SAMCO. Thank you for the explanation. Thanks for the question. I didn't have anything further on. Okay. Thank Councilwoman Geriney.

Thank you. Um and with those words, thank you. I want to commend the city staff and the DPS because every time I turned around on Friday, there was a tree that was crossing the road and blocking traffic and buses and um it was very challenging and they did a great job keeping up with everything and thank you for that because it made things a lot easier for residents and traffic and buses as well. So, thank you and yeah, commend to everybody that they did a great job. Thank you. Thank you, Councilwoman. Straham,

yes, I have a couple things. Um, I see online that uh Jack's Bicycle Shop was listed as the bike shop of the year. So, congratulations to Scott and the team. I'm glad to have a bike shop here in town. And um last week, not only did I go to Cap Capcom, I also was into the police department. And I want to thank uh Director Tolstead and Lieutenant Marks and the other members of the police department for taking time to give me a tour of the police department. Um I was able to see the recent office updates and also demonstrate the technology how we're using it to keep the public safe, the officers safe, and just integrating all of that. I appreciate the opportunity to see firsthand and look forward to continuing to supporting the efforts to strengthen public safety in our community. So thank you. And lastly, um, speaking of public safety, if you I want to say happy St. Patty's Day tomorrow. And if you, uh, celebrate, please do do so safely so that you don't have to meet some of our officers, maybe.

Thank you, Councilman Felder.

Um, congratulations again to uh, Lieutenant Kegaris and, uh, Detective Kleiner. Congratulations to Bonnie Weber. um who at least we re I guess we'll have to wait till see what Frenchtown does, but we recommended to take the seat on le and I think that it speaks to the regional focus that that board has and certainly Bonnie has had has been involved throughout this community and in her hometown of Dundee and has decades of experience in in uh in public service. So I think it's very worthwhile for us put her in that position. Um, I want to call attention to something that we all received in our packet. Um, there was some SAMCOG data that was presented which shows a labor rate decline of about 30% over the next 25 years that's projected for Monroe County. And I think that we're all aware that the uh the economic data in terms of median income and household income and poverty levels are much worse in the city of Monroe than they are in the rest of the county on average. I I know that housing has been a priority for this council for at least the last two terms and that that's something that we've uh that's a challenge that we've tried to tackle and been very proactive about. But it's not going to matter if we have more homes if the people working in our community are not going to be able to afford to buy them. Um and that is an economic development concern for the city. Though as a municipality, the state has limited our options in terms of other local control prohibitions on local action and local ordinances on these items where we cannot control um relationships between um employees and uh employers in our community. Um so while it's it's our our the actions that we can take are somewhat limited, it remains a concern for us to try and promote um employers

in this area who can pay affordable wages and aim our economic development strategy towards a way that enriches the the people who are living in this community as well. Um because it looks like there's going to be fewer of them into the future and they're going to have to support the entire economy that we all depend upon. So, I hope that that's something that we're paying attention to. And I certainly at at uh Councilwoman Stringham's recommendation do plan on celebrating St. Patrick's Day. As some of you know, my brother's name is Patrick and my three kids have still think that that Patrick's Day is for their uncle. So, so to my brother Patrick, happy uh happy Patrick's Day. We'll be seeing you tomorrow and Wednesday.

That's wonderful. Council her. Yes. I'd like to again um congratulate Detective Kleiner and Lieutenant Kegress and um but I'd also like to congratulate Commander Tolstead. Um I could tell how proud you were of both those gentlemen today and their success is a uh reflection of not only yourself but your commanders and your leadership. So congratulations to you also. Thank you, Councilwoman uh Steelgrave.

I think I'm just going to pass gonna pass. I was looking for something here because I know that uh first I'll give another congratulations to the firefighter and officer of the year. Uh thank the public safety uh department for all their support and new initiatives. Please watch the work session to learn about some of those uh wonderful things they're doing and and the training aspect. And part of that uh uh we just had a u a firefighter that went through the uh paramedic Anel, right? firefighter Anel. Yeah. Is uh and he achieved his uh paramedic status. It really ties to the whole process of how we're recruiting, how we're mentoring, how we're bringing along members within our public safety department. And the other part of that was uh presented today is about our public service officer, how we're in the schools. We're asking to provide more support in the schools and it's not about standing our guard. It's about interaction with the students and and interaction uh with the our community as community service officers. So, I just wanted to say uh that as well. I don't have any other comments for this evening. Uh clerk Lavoy.

Um I think for brevity's sake, I will just offer my congratulations to the officers. I have a um slightly unique position uh being here full-time. I get to see their their interaction and the other um public safety personnel's interaction with the staff and um I really appreciate their kindness and their respect um to civilians um as as um and we're not professionals in that department but they always treat us with great respect and care and I I I just wanted to say that I appreciate that. So that's all your honor. Thank you manager Robinson.

M be brief as well. I just we've congratulated the detective and the firefighter. Uh but I think really what speaks volumes is when you looked in this room from where we sit, how many uh fellow officers and firefighters that they had here out of respect for them and caring for them to show the solidarity of how them together. I I just think that's something to really be proud of and it's something that we've talked about a lot and a culture that's being built in in the public safety department that really is what we all want to see as as a team and I I thank you for the the good work you do. Thank you.

Before I go to the public, there was one other comment. Uh we talked about the um the charter discussion and I appreciate the input from council. Uh, manager Robinson did send us another email that had kind of like a review of the goals and objectives discussion. If you could look at that again, please and forward back any comments you may have. Um, uh, or I I noted some things that, uh, I'll be sending it to, uh, the city manager here, uh, tomorrow. Uh but one thing that came up when looking at all the list of the goals and objectives and how we look at past and where we're going with the future, what those items may be and it came up to this evening again the the part about resiliency and and our focus as we move forward. As I say, there's always things that come up that yeah, we talk about, but we're we're really starting to have a a significant impact. It was one of the council jet items this evening about the grant and that was about resiliency about the disaster mitigation and I think about uh you know our storm water our um and all that we're are already offering from the uh water and wastewater about lead lines and replacements and partnerships with the community how we can u repair uh take care of those things and and not just mitigate that but mitigate items of litigation and I think that that's an item that that I at least have in my notes of something and how we put that in as a strength this year and over the next two years uh and with all we're doing but is there opportunities that we can accelerate some of that so we take care of it and hope that grant funding will help with some of that. So that's my comments for this evening. So comments from those present here this evening. Uh public comment any comments from those present here this evening? If so, just come forward. Please state your name, jurisdiction, or residence in 3 minutes. Comments this evening.

I don't see any, but I see somebody's here in the back. I have not met. I hope to meet before I go. Uh, students by chance? I'm okay. Can you come forward? Excellent. See, there's a good volunteer. because when I see a student and maybe with a parent or student uh are you here for uh um uh uh class organization opportunities or tell us who you are and why you're here?

I'm Sylvia Brockman. I live here in Monroe downtown and I'm here just to kind of watch and learn and my mom had to leave. She has some meetings tonight. She does some real estate but I was able to hear what you have to say and it's very interesting to hear in my community. I've done some government studies recently and I've went to the courthouse and done some things with that and had um talked to some of the judges there. But it's very interesting to see my own community and what it's affecting cuz I you know it does affect me even very interested to hear about the tree cuz that is a big part of my childhood and it's very fun to hear and how that's going to happen too. I cannot imagine even though I know you say 24 ft is small that's that's going to be a big project.

Well, thank you for being here. Yes, of course. Thank you for all you do in our community. I know it's I know it's a lot and it's a big job. Thank you. Have a good evening. We said hello. She knew she had to leave. Okay, I will. Thank you so much.

So, I see a student's here and I hate to make one more comment as we continue this evening, but as uh we've said at previous meetings, it's been in our newsletter. It's on the uh city's website about our sister city. Student applications are currently being accepted. It's between 9th and 12th graders can go to our sister city. It's about a two-eek stay of it plus uh and they live with host families and with the Japanese families and in return our sister city of Hoof Japan sends five students here and the opportunity it's a educational and cultural exchange opportunities. The applications can be found online through the city's website or if anybody has questions, they're welcome to call me or stop me and ask me uh because the end of the month is when the applications are due uh right around the corner because we'll start doing interviews in April. But uh please look at if you have an interest uh of learning more about that uh and you fit and can fill out the application gets a few uh comments and references and the interviews as I said will be in April probably midappril. That's my final comment and we have yet work to do this evening. So I'm looking for uh uh next is um a consideration there for close counciloman Stringham. Um, I move that we enter close session for the purposes of land requisition and review of attorney client privileged correspondence.

Support. Motion by Councilwoman String, supported by Councilman Hater to go into close executive session for the purposes stated. Cler, please call the RO. Council person Bining, yes. Germainey, yes. Stringham, yes. Felder, yes. Stelgrave, Mayor Clark, yes. And thank you.