[0:06] Call to order the regular uh meeting of the Marshall City Council for September

[0:10] 8th, 2026. Uh Madam Clerk, could you please call the role?

[0:14] » Mayor Wolfhersburgger >> here.

[0:15] » Member Cheney Hugget >> here.

[0:17] » Member Gates >> here.

[0:18] » Member Hackworth >> still here.

[0:20] » Member Skiibby >> here.

[0:21] » Member Traver >> here.

[0:23] » And member Underh Hill >> here.

[0:25] » Motion carries. Or we have a quorum, your honor. Jeepers, sorry.

[0:30] Um, I do not see Mr. Cole. So, uh, I will ask council to stand for

[0:37] the pledge of >> allegiance

[0:42] to the flag of the United States of America and to the

[0:48] stands. One nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice

[0:54] for all.

[0:59] Thank you. Uh that brings us to the approval of our agenda. Uh we got a

[1:05] doozy this evening. Um number six is public comment on agenda items. Uh

[1:12] number seven is our consent agenda uh with council minutes city bills

[1:17] special event request for the choose Marshall Christmas tree lighting and

[1:20] special event request for the Christmas parade

[1:23] 10A. We have a public hearing for resolution 2026-30, Oprah certificate

[1:28] approval for 110 South Hamilton Street. Uh we do not have any old business. Uh

[1:34] 12A is a resolution 2026-29 for phone system upgrade contracts. 12B

[1:40] is a contract for TMDL cooperative agreement. 12 C is resolution 2026-28

[1:47] innovation drive dedication. 12 D is easement for the major campus culvert

[1:52] access. 12E is an easement for major campus west access road. 12F is

[1:59] resolution 2026-27 MNRTF grant acceptance. 12G is contract

[2:06] for M uh airport layout plan update project. 12H is a contract for airport

[2:11] layout plan update project engineering. 12 I is contract for M.Hangar hanger

[2:17] roof design project. Uh 12J is contract for hanger roof design project

[2:23] engineering. 12K is schedule public hearing for open district 115 East Green

[2:28] Street. Uh 12 L is special event request for Skeleton Fest. 12M is resolution

[2:35] 2026-31, the Cronin LLC social district request.

[2:40] We do not have any appointments or elections. Item 14 is our public comment

[2:44] on non-aggenda items. 15 is manager and and council of communications and 16 is

[2:51] our adjournment. I would seek a motion on the agenda.

[2:54] » I move that we approve the agenda as presented.

[2:58] » Second motion and support. This is uh voice vote. All in favor, please say I.

[3:03] » I. >> I. All oppose, same sign.

[3:05] » Motion carries. That brings us to public comment on agenda items. Persons

[3:09] addressing city council are required to give their name and address for the

[3:12] record when called upon by the mayor. Members of the public shall be limited

[3:16] to speaking for a maximum of three minutes. Comments shall address agenda

[3:19] item topics only. Public hearing items should be addressed during the public

[3:23] hearing item portion uh item 10 of the meeting agenda. Non-aggenda items shall

[3:29] be addressed during the public comment non-aggenda items item 14 portion of the

[3:33] meeting agenda. Is there anyone wishing to address council this evening on

[3:36] agenda item topics?

[3:41] Yes, sir.

[3:52] Reges Clinger 348 Butler Court in Marshall. I just wanted to address

[3:56] passing resolutions ordinance in general. I believe this city council

[4:00] really wants to get citizen input. They should have a citizens advisory

[4:03] committee to help them put the input from the citizens into any ordinances

[4:08] including for data centers, whatever. That's my only comment. Thank you. Thank

[4:12] you. Anyone else wishing to address council on agenda item topics this

[4:17] evening? Yes, sir.

[4:29] Barry [clears throat] Wayne Adams again, 622 West Green Street.

[4:34] Uh, I'm wondering if you guys are going to pull that little procedural maneuver

[4:40] that you seems to do at every meeting where you do not

[4:48] publicly engage in deliberation or discussion concerning the particular

[4:54] items in the consent agenda. you just notice that there's one there and then

[4:59] you'll just go ahead and uh vote it in lock, stock, and barrel without any

[5:03] [sighs] uh discussion about uh about the issues.

[5:07] And uh one of the things we want to see when we

[5:12] come down here is a uh a discussion and uh

[5:18] exposition of uh your individual positions on uh uh any of these items.

[5:25] And uh it seems like uh uh just like what we saw in the workshop uh you're

[5:32] more concerned about finding ways to get around having to uh engage in

[5:38] responsible decision- making rather than uh taking on what you should be taking

[5:44] on.

[5:47] All right. More stuff about the major campus. the

[5:53] major mistake [clears throat]

[5:58] uh

[6:04] I don't know if you you know is this a matter of

[6:09] acquiescence and acclamation uh but uh

[6:15] that whole megaite campus now is is an environmental abomination

[6:24] and uh you know it's a a mileong denatured

[6:31] sterilized uh

[6:36] insult on the environment uh and

[6:44] hopefully with the Michigan Supreme Court's

[6:49] still pending decision about what's going going to be happening concerning

[6:53] the uh the referendum going all the way back to 2023.

[6:58] There could be a complete upheaval in uh the expectation of uh of what's going

[7:06] on out there. And you know, doesn't matter how much

[7:13] uh selling post-purchase uh reinforcement

[7:18] that we're getting about uh what MA has done to benefit the Marshall area and uh

[7:28] [clears throat] when actually MA didn't do anything but just hand over money

[7:31] that was handed to them. I'll be back.

[7:34] » Thank you, sir. Anyone else wishing to address council? Yes, [applause] ma'am.

[7:43] » Rebecca Sebring, historical marshall.

[7:48] Uh, let's see. Number 12E. Uh, again, major campus. And I agree

[7:53] with Barry. You're not conducting your meetings properly after being to other

[7:57] townships multiple times. I agree. You're not covering things with the

[8:01] people like you're supposed to by law. Um, so the major campus, we're going to

[8:06] go there and do more stuff to it. Well, you know, you bought back a whole bunch

[8:10] of it. Could you please take down that military burm? It'd be cheaper in the

[8:15] future for maintenance, and we could see what was going on. And on top of

[8:18] recently discovering all the six extremely deadly chemicals being blown

[8:24] into the air that are going to be approved that are blowing at town. Um,

[8:28] highly dangerous. And now we've got the water rushing out of the back. All the

[8:32] canoe people have been reporting on how groy it is and it doesn't smell just

[8:37] like sewage. It smells like chemicals and sewage. Um,

[8:41] so you really should think twice when you do stuff anymore, but you're not you

[8:46] don't cover what these expenses are and all kinds of stuff. All the other

[8:50] townships go through things in in immense detail to the point where you're

[8:55] stuck there for three hours. And that's the way all meetings should be when

[8:58] we're talking government meetings need to go on and on. You need to talk them

[9:03] over in detail with the people and uh appointments and elections. I just want

[9:08] to I want to say Ryan Watson for mayor would be great. Uh that would be nice.

[9:15] Um and I really don't think we need to dump more money into the mega site, your

[9:21] major campus, now that we bought back a whole bunch of it. Like seriously, why

[9:26] are they putting in for 31 parcels to be reszoned? There's houses on that. That's

[9:31] on Michigan A 13mi road and 11 mile road in there. If you can hear me out there

[9:38] warning, they're going to be looking at reszoning your area and trying to

[9:43] displace you from your homes again. If we need so many homes in this town, how

[9:48] come you continually shove people out and take their homes away?

[9:54] Thank you. Anyone else wishing to address council on agenda item topics?

[10:01] Seeing none, um >> Oh, sorry.

[10:12] » Good evening, Mayor and City Council. Uh it's a pleasure to be here tonight.

[10:15] Richard Lindseay on behalf of the of Marshall Area Economic Development

[10:19] Alliance. I'm the attorney for the fora. We have on the agenda tonight items 12

[10:24] C, D, and E. And of course, Margarite will do a fantastic job explaining

[10:29] those. I just wanted to say this is beginning the transfer of the remaining

[10:34] assets that MA has constructed using state taxpayer dollars. No local

[10:38] taxpayer dollars. Um on behalf of the city, we'll be transferring to the city.

[10:43] So, all state-of-the-art improvements, all done at no cost to the city of

[10:46] Marshall. Um, all first class um infrastructure uh ready to be

[10:51] transferred over per our agreement. This started uh basically the end of 2022.

[10:56] So, this has been a four-year process to get here. Um, I just want to say it's

[11:00] been extraordinary working with the city staff, um, city manager, um, Perry,

[11:06] again, Margaret, um, Marsha, Gabe Gore, I don't think is here tonight, but all

[11:11] them been extraordinary to work with. I think it's been an extraordinary

[11:14] partnership, um, between the city and MA to get all this work done. This is the

[11:18] largest industrial development project in the state of Michigan. It is now your

[11:23] largest taxpayer, is now your largest employer. Not sure quite there yet, but

[11:28] maybe by the end of the year. Um, this is a a gamechanging investment for the

[11:34] state, for the the um city of Marshall. We're very excited to see it move

[11:38] forward and look forward to adopting and passing these items tonight. Thank you

[11:43] very much. >> Thank you. Anyone else wishing to

[11:45] address council on agenda item topics?

[11:54] » Um, thank you. That moves us to our consent agenda. Um I will address the

[11:58] comments uh from the audience. Um the consent agenda is exactly that. It's an

[12:03] up or down vote. These are items that are essentially um

[12:09] normal and um necessary for the operation of government or special

[12:14] events that happen annually. Um, if any council member chooses or or wants to

[12:21] have additional discussion on any item, uh, they can let that be known and an

[12:25] item will be pulled out to a regular agenda item for for deeper discussion.

[12:29] But the whole point of a consent agenda is yes or no.

[12:37] » Um, so with that consent agenda 7 A, council uh, minutes from our regular

[12:42] session August 17th, 2026. 7B city bills from August 14th, 2026 of $377,26946.

[12:52] Uh purchases from August 19th, 2026 of $16,143.76.

[12:58] Purchases from 8, excuse me, August 21st, 2026 of 1,251,377.88.

[13:06] Uh purchases from August 24th, 2026 of $396,885.95.

[13:12] purchases uh from August 25th, 2026 of $79,64856

[13:19] and then our July our July power purchase of 1,86,6564

[13:26] for a total of 3,27,29825.

[13:31] 7 C is our special event request for the choose Marshall Christmas tree lighting

[13:35] and 7D is our special event request for the Christmas parade 2026. Uh I would

[13:39] seek a motion regarding the consent agenda.

[13:45] Move that we approve the agenda as written.

[13:48] » Support. >> Have a motion in support. And so the

[13:51] roll call vote, please. >> Member Cheney Hugget.

[13:55] » Yes. >> Member Gates.

[13:56] » Yes. >> Member Hecworth.

[13:58] » Yes. >> Member Skiibby.

[13:59] » Yes. >> Member Traver.

[14:01] » Yes. >> Member Underh Hill.

[14:02] » Yes. >> And Mayor Wolersburgger?

[14:04] » Yes. >> Motion carries, your honor.

[14:05] » Thank you. Uh, that brings us to item 10A, our public hearing for resolution

[14:10] 2026-30, Oprah certificate approval for 110 South

[14:14] Hamilton. And Director Strange is back with us.

[14:17] » Mr. Mayor, could I um I'd like to disclose that I have an existing

[14:22] contractual business relationship with the applicant to avoid any actual or

[14:26] perceived conflict of interest. I'm requesting to be recused from

[14:29] participation in the public hearing and from any consideration of the matter.

[14:33] » Okay. Um, do I have a motion to recuse Council Member Traver?

[14:38] » I move that we recuse Councilman Traver. Second.

[14:42] » Have a motion in support. I would assume this a roll call.

[14:48] » I'm sorry. Please don't disrupt the meeting.

[14:54] » Uh, I have a motion in support. All in favor, please say I.

[14:57] » I. I. >> All oppose. Same sign.

[15:00] » Council member Trevor, you are recused from item 10A. Thank you.

[15:05] » Please proceed. >> Good evening. Um, the city has received

[15:09] an application uh for obsolete property rehabilitation exemption uh or OPRA um

[15:15] for 110 South Hamilton Street um last month. Uh public hearing was scheduled

[15:21] for tonight regarding the certificate, the Oprah certificate for this project.

[15:26] The applicant Manurion Properties LLC proposes a comprehensive renovation of

[15:31] the functionally obsolete two-story commercial building. Um the property is

[15:36] in need of improvements to make it a viable facility. Upon completion, the

[15:40] building will be home to the Yardage Club, an indoor golf club bringing new

[15:45] year-round activity, employment, and visitors. Um information was in the

[15:49] packet regarding that project. And um like I said, tonight we are considering

[15:55] um holding the public hearing and then considering the approval of the OPRA

[15:59] certificate. >> Thank you.

[16:02] » Uh with that I will open >> Oh, I'm sorry for it's a six-year Oprah.

[16:06] My apologies. >> Sure. Thank you.

[16:07] » Thank you. >> Uh with that, I will open the uh public

[16:10] hearing for resolution 2026-30, Oprah certificate approval for 110 South

[16:15] Hamilton. Anyone wishing to address council this

[16:18] evening on this uh resolution?

[16:28] Seeing none, I will close the public hearing.

[16:32] Uh that brings us to council uh questions uh discussion.

[16:39] I know we've heard this um a few times now uh from you know with the

[16:44] introduction of the um of the Oprah district and and approval. Um I guess

[16:51] are there any additional questions you want to consider before we um make a

[16:55] motion? I will just say that I've heard from just friends in the area who are

[17:01] very excited for what's coming and um I think from everything I've seen it looks

[17:10] beautiful and I'm very excited for it and yeah I know a lot of people in town

[17:15] who have come to me personally so >> yeah these these activity type

[17:20] businesses are I think what what's been missing you know the the axe throwing

[17:24] the golf you know I I look forward forward to, you know, hopefully some

[17:27] additional uh businesses of this nature coming.

[17:30] » I've got family who drive to do the same thing. So now they can just stay here in

[17:34] Marshall. So >> perfect.

[17:37] » All right. If there's no further questions or discussion, I'll seek a

[17:40] motion regarding 10A. I move we approve resolution 2026-30,

[17:46] a resolution to approve an obsolete property rehabilitation exemption

[17:50] certificate for the project located at 210 South Hamilton and authorize the

[17:53] city manager to sign the necessary documents.

[17:57] » Can we correct address 110 or 210?

[18:01] » 110. >> You want me to start it again like or

[18:04] just amend your handle it? Go ahead. Amend my uh motion to 110 South Hamilton

[18:11] Street. Okay. >> Motion and support. And s roll vote,

[18:15] please. >> Member Gates,

[18:18] » yes. >> Member Hackworth,

[18:19] » yes. >> Member Skiibby,

[18:21] » yes. >> Member Underh Hill,

[18:22] » yes. >> Mayor Wolersburgger,

[18:24] » yes. >> And member Teny Hugget,

[18:26] » yes. >> Motion carries, your honor.

[18:28] » Thank you. Uh, that brings us uh to 12A resolution

[18:33] 2026-29, phone system upgrade contracts. And

[18:37] clerk, you >> good evening. We have had numerous

[18:42] issues with the phones over several years. This has been a project I want to

[18:46] say almost probably since I started eight years ago that's been in the

[18:49] works. Um we have been trying for numerous like I said about eight years

[18:54] to try and figure out the phone project. When most recently when we took over

[18:58] with Calhoun IT, they offered to help us with the project and we have identified

[19:04] an ideal contract that will work and suit our needs um and will actually come

[19:08] in well under budget. So if you've got questions about it, I'm happy to attempt

[19:14] to answer them. >> Under budget's always awesome.

[19:19] » Questions, comments, or discussion? >> Is it still be ran off a VoIP system?

[19:24] It will go to we actually are moving to a VoIP system. We currently don't have a

[19:28] VoIP system but um we are in addition to the project we with the phones we are

[19:35] working on a project as a internet backup so that when we have an issue

[19:39] with the existing backup we're going to go to I believe we're looking at a

[19:43] cellular backup for the internet for the phones.

[19:45] » That's my next question. Thank you. Were there any local companies that or

[19:51] area companies that might have been able to bid?

[19:55] » Not that I am aware of that would meet our needs.

[19:58] » Okay. Thank you. >> Well, is this did this just fall under

[20:02] our existing IT contract with the county or is did are we doing something special

[20:07] with them? >> So, we did have a another company

[20:11] helping us previously. We've had several other local companies that have

[20:14] attempted to help us previously and that's just the project has fallen

[20:17] through. Um and so most recently Calhoun County it just took it they said hey we

[20:23] can help you with this and we said great. [snorts]

[20:26] » Cool. >> So

[20:27] » so the the my deal is is the equipment purchase not not the

[20:31] » it's the equipment purchase it's the contracts for the service provider. It's

[20:36] numerous basically every contract that you will see as part of that. Like I

[20:40] said, the service agreement, the installation, the get implementation,

[20:45] the actual physical hardware is all part of a my contracts.

[20:53] » That sounds great. I know being able to being able to call in during an

[20:56] emergency has been a problem. Um, so I'm thrilled that this is going to be

[21:00] addressed. Any other questions, comments, or

[21:05] discussion? I would seek a motion regarding uh 12A.

[21:12] » I move that we approve resolution 2026-29,

[21:15] a resolution authorizing the city of Marshia phone system upgrade project and

[21:20] its related contracts and authorize the city manager to sign the necessary

[21:23] documents. >> Support motion support. So roll call

[21:27] vote, please. >> Member Skiibby,

[21:29] » yes. >> Member Favor,

[21:32] » yes. >> Member Underh Hill,

[21:34] » yes. Mayor Wolersburgger, >> yes.

[21:37] » Member Cheney Hugget, >> yes.

[21:38] » Member Gates, >> yes.

[21:40] » Member Hackworth, >> yes.

[21:42] » Motion carries, your honor. >> Thank you.

[21:44] » Brings us to 12B, our contract for TMDL Cooperative Agreement and Director

[21:50] Davenport. >> Good evening.

[21:52] » Ready to go. >> Tindle.

[21:54] » Tindle. >> Tindle.

[21:55] » Tim. We're pronouncing the acronym. >> Yeah. Tim.

[21:59] » Okay. Uh as uh city of Marshall, we are a our

[22:05] wastewater treatment plant. We are a discharger to the Kamazoo River, which

[22:10] um it flows west to Lake Michigan. Um in Alagan County, there is Lake Alligan.

[22:18] It's a 1500 acre empoundment on the Kazoo River and um it has a history of

[22:26] hyper your trophic issues meaning it has a lot of nutrients that come to it by

[22:32] way of the Kalamazoo River and causes algae and clarity issues in the water

[22:37] quality of the lake. In 2001 um a tim was created total maximum daily load is

[22:45] what that stands for. It's called Lake Alligan's phosphorus total maximum daily

[22:49] load. Um and it w this timle was created and approved by EPA as part of improving

[22:56] the water quality in Lake Alagan. As a discharger to Kazoo River, we are a

[23:01] participant in this tim group. Um there are 24 participating dischargers. Um all

[23:08] of the participating dischargers are municipalities and industrial users who

[23:13] have a point discharge to the Kamazoo River. meaning they have a single pipe

[23:18] or pipes that discharge from a treatment facility um to the river. Um most of

[23:26] your phosphorus buildup in a river is not from your point dischargers. It's

[23:30] from your non-point dischargers which are um surface flow coming from sheet

[23:35] flow coming from um just general land that that drains to the river by way of

[23:40] natural topography. A lot of uh phosphorus buildup in rivers and lakes

[23:46] is driven by farm and agricultural work. Um however because we are a um a

[23:54] discharger we are a participant in this timle and um we are regulated by the

[23:59] state and so as part of being a discharger we are participating um

[24:05] entity and our group has a renewed um cooperative agreement with Eagle that is

[24:11] for you for approval tonight. That agreement um speaks to how the um

[24:17] participating entities will conduct business and gives us a regulation of um

[24:24] 60 micrograms per liter um of a target growing season phosphorus concentration.

[24:30] So that's a maximum concentration during the grow growing season within our tim

[24:36] area. Um which that relates back to us and gives us a phosphorous limit that we

[24:41] have for our discharge point. that's what we regulate to. Um,

[24:48] all of that said, um, the timle requires us to meet this phosphorus um, loading.

[24:54] Um, and we work as a cooperative to meet it together. Uh, hence the terminology.

[25:00] Um, we also um attend quarterly meetings and meet with the other entities. Uh, we

[25:06] host Kalamazoo River cleanup or um, you know, recreational events to promote

[25:11] river recreation. Um we do um public education. Uh we there's a plan that

[25:17] goes with the um timle that we have to participate in and update and uh

[25:22] completing an annual report on how we're reducing phosphorus in our system. So um

[25:28] all that said, we're asking for approval tonight uh of the cooperative agreement

[25:33] so that we can continue doing all those things that we do as part of it.

[25:38] Are there uh are there any substantial changes um from the original uh 2001

[25:43] agreement? >> Um

[25:48] no. So two so the agreements updated every five years. So there's been

[25:52] iterations since then. Gotcha. >> Um but no, there are no substantial uh

[25:56] changes. Um there's actually some um minor things on how we're requiring um

[26:03] other participants in the agreement to be more active now. So, historically,

[26:08] you have your main um municipalities and and the the larger one or two industries

[26:16] that are in the agreement that do all the brunt of the work. Um, and now we've

[26:20] actually restructured some of the requirements to um ensure that some of

[26:24] the smaller communities, even though they don't have a huge discharge to the

[26:30] to the river, they still are required to to be more active in their

[26:34] participation. So, and that's just by like getting more people to participate

[26:38] in the meetings and be chair and co-chair of the um group.

[26:42] » How does I I'm assuming 24 participating dischargers means you it's all

[26:48] municipalities that are part of this agreement. Is there any sort of

[26:51] agreement like this for the farms? >> Um, no.

[26:58] » Easier to regulate.

[27:02] It's really hard to quantify like from particular property how much actually

[27:08] gets to the river versus how much gets absorbed in in whatever's being grown or

[27:14] whatnot. Now um what we do with uh part of some things that we've learned

[27:24] as part of being part of the timle and also encouraged in partnership is some

[27:28] different farming techniques that have been tested with funding from u timle

[27:34] groups. So, uh, buffer buffering of farm fields that allows, um, nutrients to be

[27:40] absorbed before it hits the water and some different techniques that we're

[27:44] trying to prove to, uh, that the ent entities doing them are trying to prove

[27:48] that we can still maintain our need for um, the maintain the volume we need in

[27:55] farming, right? People need to eat, but also we can do some little things um,

[28:00] that protect the water as well. So there's some interesting research going

[28:03] on, but there's nothing regulating against it.

[28:06] » Okay. Any uh questions, comments, or discussion?

[28:13] » Seeing none, I'd seek a motion on 12B. Thank you, Margaret. [snorts]

[28:16] » I move that we approve the Kel Mazoo River Lake alligan watershed cooperative

[28:20] agreement for the reduction of phosphorus loading between the city of

[28:23] Marshall and Eagle in substantial form and authorize the city manager to sign

[28:27] the necessary documents.

[28:31] Second. Have >> a motion in support. This a voice vote.

[28:34] All in favor, please say I. >> I. All oppose, same sign. Motion

[28:39] carries. Uh that brings us to 12c resolution 2026-28

[28:44] innovation drive dedication and director deport.

[28:47] » Yes. Thank you. Um couple months now uh we uh did opportunity drive dedication

[28:56] and property transfer. This innovation drive is very similar. It's located near

[29:01] Opportunity Drive. Um, and there's a graphic in your packet uh to help you

[29:07] identify exactly where it is. It's on the um northeast corner of the Ford Blue

[29:12] Oval property and it connects Michigan Avenue to their private Ring Road.

[29:18] Innovation Drive is going to be a publicly um dedicated road um as we will

[29:26] operate, maintain and own the road um under our public road um system and

[29:33] receive Act 51 funding for doing so. Uh and we're looking to uh get approval on

[29:42] the ownership transfer tonight, but also the resolution dedicating it as a public

[29:46] road so that when um the property is officially transferred, we can file this

[29:51] with the state and get it on our um in our database as a dedicated road.

[29:58] Right. >> Thank you. Um any questions, comments,

[30:02] or discussion?

[30:07] Seeing none, I'd seek a motion on 12c.

[30:15] I move we approve the innovation drive. Oh, wait. Am I the wrong one? Oh, yeah.

[30:19] I approve uh move we approve the innovation drive property transfer

[30:23] agreement and resolution 2026-28, resolution to dedicate innovation drive

[30:27] as a public street and authorize the city manager to sign necessary

[30:31] documents.

[30:34] Have a motion in support. Mr. Rollco vote, please.

[30:38] » Member Traver, >> yes.

[30:41] » Member Underh Hill, >> yes.

[30:43] » Mayor Wolver, >> yes.

[30:45] » Member Cheney Hugget, >> yes.

[30:46] » Member Gates, >> yes.

[30:48] » Member Hackworth, >> member Skiibby,

[30:50] » yes. >> Motion carries, your honor.

[30:52] » Thank you. Uh, that brings us to 12D, the easement for major campus culvert

[30:58] access. And Director Davenport, one more time. Maybe not one more time. Don't get

[31:04] too excited. Um, in April, you may recall that we talked about um, storm

[31:09] water uh, management at the major campus. And so,

[31:14] uh, in summary, the city is going to be owning and operating maintaining uh, a

[31:21] large amount of storm water infrastructure at the major campus. And

[31:25] that was part of the development of um, the property when um, the project first

[31:32] came to fruition. This is the first of easements related

[31:37] to infrastructure uh for storm water. And this one is our Culver access

[31:41] agreement. Um and it's an easement. So we're not owning this property. We're

[31:47] going to have permission to access our infrastructure across the property. Um

[31:54] as outlined in the documents. Um, particularly this easement is south

[32:00] of the railroad tracks on what will be the county owned property has been

[32:05] called the conservation easement. There are two culverts that go under the

[32:10] railroad tracks that were built as part of storm water infrastructure for the

[32:14] project and we are required to inspect and be able to access said culverts and

[32:21] we need this easement to do that. So, um this is connecting

[32:28] um the discharge end of the culverts uh to 15 mile road and um to the east

[32:36] and then to the west um to another easement that we have prior approval on

[32:42] so that we can traverse that entire area and make sure the culverts are operating

[32:46] correctly prior to water water discharging into the Kamazoo River.

[32:51] Any questions, comments, or discussion?

[32:57] » This is all funded under that. It was the special assessment. Is that

[33:01] accurate? >> Um, well, there's no expense. There's no

[33:05] cost for the easement tonight. >> Expense, but but yes, the Culver

[33:10] operation maintenance will be funded under the special assessment district.

[33:13] Yes. >> I'm just connecting our two points. Is

[33:15] this going to be is this going to be like two track? Is is it going to be

[33:18] improved in any way or >> it's currently twotrack

[33:22] um and um is traversible with a four-wheel drive vehicle

[33:26] uh improved possibly. So um part of a lot of work that went into this easement

[33:32] is um also uh colllocating an easement or or working with the county on what

[33:39] their potential future plans would be for the area for a trail. So, um,

[33:44] possibly it could be improved if that, um, same area is getting improved as

[33:50] part of a trail trail work that the county does.

[33:56] » This is slightly unrelated, but I'm going to ask it anyway. Um, great.

[34:00] » Have there been any um,

[34:05] runoff events since that uh, episode in July 2024?

[34:10] » Um, great question. So, in July of 2024, there was a

[34:16] mammoth rain event where the city of Marshall got approx like six or seven

[34:22] inches of rain. Um, and the system was under construction.

[34:26] Um, at that time, the um system was functioning but wasn't supposed to be

[34:33] discharging water to the Kamazoo River directly. because of the large amount of

[34:37] rain that was received and it was under construction, it ended up discharging

[34:40] water to the Kazoo River and it it put um with that water came silt, so sand

[34:48] from the site. Um that's the event he's talking about. No. Um there have not

[34:53] been any other um violations of the storm water discharge permit um since

[34:59] that event. The w the the culverts do discharge to the Kamazoo River, but the

[35:04] system is functioning to make sure that correctly so that all the silt that

[35:08] needs to stay on the property is staying on property. Clean water is coming down,

[35:15] infiltrating through the basin, discharging through the culverts if it

[35:19] doesn't infiltrate fast enough, and then moving into the Kamasu River. [snorts]

[35:24] » Thank you. Any further questions, comments, or discussion?

[35:30] Seeing none. Um, >> check. Oh, I'm sorry. Do we check the

[35:33] quality of that water periodically that's flowing into the Kazoo River?

[35:38] » So, currently the site is under a soil erosion and soil control permit which is

[35:43] um regulated by the county. The contractor is required to have storm

[35:47] water inspections completed um on a monthly if not weekly basis currently.

[35:53] Um, so that is how the site is regulated or or checked today. When we take

[35:59] ownership of all of the storm water infrastructure, which is not what we're

[36:03] doing tonight, we're just taking the easement. But when we take ownership of

[36:06] all the infrastructure and we're operating it, yes, there will be part of

[36:11] what I'm developing as like an asset management plan are triggers for when

[36:14] things need to be inspected. So certain level storm events um and or at a

[36:19] minimum quarterly uh when infrastructure will be inspected

[36:24] um and water tested honestly for water quality.

[36:27] » Okay. When is when are we expected to take that over

[36:33] » hopefully by the end of the year. >> Okay.

[36:39] » Seeing no further discussion uh I will seek a motion on 12D.

[36:45] I move we approve culvert access location flowage future development

[36:49] existing access easements agreement between the city of Marshall and MA in

[36:53] substantial form and authorize the city manager to sign the necessary documents.

[37:01] » Second a motion in support. This a voice vote. All in favor say I.

[37:06] » I. >> All oppose same sign. Motion carries.

[37:11] Uh and director deport back for the last one. Uh 12E easement for the major

[37:16] campus west access road. >> Yes, thank you. Um this is another

[37:21] access point to Ford Blue Ovals's property from Michigan Avenue. Very

[37:25] similar to Innovation Drive earlier, but this is not a public road. This will be

[37:30] an easement um for the time being. It is a constructed road. It's concrete.

[37:36] functions like a road, but um we're not dedicating it as a public road at this

[37:42] time for reasons related to future development plans and wanting to make um

[37:48] flexibility of future land use um as flexible as possible to increase the

[37:56] flexibility for future land use. Um this is on the west side of the major campus

[38:02] in the northwest about the middle of um the Blue Oval

[38:07] property and um it [clears throat] will be open. There will be no gates. It just

[38:14] will not be a public road. It will be owned, operated, and

[38:17] [snorts and clears throat] maintained um by the city through our special

[38:20] assessment district that we're going to establish.

[38:23] » Okay. Will we will do like snow clearing and

[38:27] things like that on it? >> Correct.

[38:31] » Any other questions, comments, or discussion?

[38:36] » Pretty straightforward. Um, thank you. Uh, that I will seek a motion on item

[38:42] 12E. Move that we approve west access road easement agreement between the city

[38:47] of Marshall and Ma substantial form and authorize the city manager to sign the

[38:51] necessary documents. I

[38:54] » have a motion to support and this is a voice vote. All in favor please say I.

[38:57] » I. All oppose same sign. Motion carries. That brings us to 12F uh resolution

[39:04] 2026-27 M. Are we pronouncing that acronym?

[39:08] MNRTF grant acceptance and director strange.

[39:15] » Good evening again. Um, following a resolution of support way back in March

[39:19] of 2025, uh, the city applied for a trust fund

[39:23] grant for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, that is where you get

[39:26] your MN RTF.

[39:30] um to assist with the cost of constructing or reconstructing a section

[39:34] of the city's river uh riverwalk located between Stewart's Landing and South

[39:38] Marshall Avenue. Um the application defines the sources of matching funds

[39:44] for the project as the grant amount request was $200,000 and the total match

[39:52] from general funds or local district funds uh was $200 or excuse me, I said

[39:58] $200. $200,000. My apologies. Leave left out a couple zeros there. Um and the

[40:05] match uh city match was $200,000 for a total project cost for the estimate at

[40:11] $400,000. So the percentage of match was a 50%

[40:16] match. That generally gives us the the me the best points when we go after

[40:21] trust fund grants. >> Um so we have recently received

[40:24] notification that the funds for our project have been allocated. Um so the

[40:30] state has finally allocated those funds and said that hey you really are getting

[40:35] those monies. Um this resolution is a resolution to accept those funds. Um and

[40:44] to dedicate the funds that were committed at the time of the

[40:48] application. Um once those funds have formally been

[40:51] accepted, we can finish the construction documents and put the project out to

[40:56] bed. Um, and there's more information in

[40:59] there about the Riverwalk project itself. Um, the section that is uh

[41:05] proposed to be completed is uh fairly far east towards Stewart's Landing if

[41:10] you're uh interested in where that section is. U Riverwalk was originally

[41:15] constructed in 1995 and so uh it is uh reached the point in its life where it

[41:20] needs to get replaced and luckily we have these opportunities

[41:24] to get some funding to help. Absolutely. Uh any questions, comments, or

[41:28] discussion? >> Just a quick question. I'm very happy to

[41:32] see these funds come through. I'm just wondering um about how the balance is

[41:35] doing on our special projects fund. Is that holding steady? Where are we at

[41:40] with that? >> It is. I don't have the exact numbers in

[41:44] front of me, but uh we can report that to you. But yeah, we have definitely

[41:48] have available funds for this project. Absolutely. In fact, I think when we bid

[41:51] this project, you know, originally the concept was another chunk of this. I

[41:55] really think we probably should expand the scope and figure out what we need to

[41:59] do all the way from South Marshall to Stewart's Landing and get that price

[42:03] before you to make a decision, but Special Projects funds looking good.

[42:06] Yeah, I think I want to say it's in excess of $7 million right now.

[42:09] » Oh, okay. Great. >> Thank you.

[42:11] » We've been good stewards of that money. I mean by we I mean we um the you know

[42:16] where we've we've pursued these matching grants you know because the fund gives

[42:20] us the the ability to match them. Um so you know years ago having saying we're

[42:26] going to ask for $200,000 and then have to come up with our own would have been

[42:29] a huge challenge. So um no we've we've spent well. So

[42:35] um I will say just uh as a follow on you're fine. um is, you know, the the

[42:41] area that was rebuilt uh a few years ago, you know, was a just looks

[42:45] fantastic and and feels solid, way more solid than than the rest of that

[42:50] Riverwalk in that area. So, this is definitely time, you know, to get this

[42:52] done and uh and and really appreciate your efforts, Marca, to uh uh to make

[42:57] this grant happen. Um if there's no other questions, comments, or mute,

[43:04] » just um I'm really excited to see this

[43:08] happen. My husband Ken who has passed away was one of the original people that

[43:13] con helped construct it. So it holds near and dear to my heart and I'm glad

[43:18] to see we're we're taking care of it and I just know that his legacy is living on

[43:24] so in a small way. >> I did not know that. That's fantastic.

[43:30] I'll just comment too that um we see a lot of grant requests come up

[43:37] here and then I often wonder I wonder if we got that grant and if they're not

[43:41] matching perhaps they don't come back to us but um just it just feels good to

[43:46] hear that one was accepted and we're moving forward on it. So thank you.

[43:50] Still trying to get that bridge one. But [snorts]

[43:54] uh with that, I will seek a motion on 12F. Please,

[44:02] » I move Whoops. I move that we approve resolution

[44:08] 2026-27 a resol a resolution to accept the

[44:14] Michigan natural resources trust grant fund fund grant for Marshall Riverwalk

[44:20] phase 2 and authorize the city manager to sign the necessary documents

[44:25] » support. I have a motion in support and this a

[44:27] roll call vote please. >> Member Underh Hill

[44:30] » yes. >> Mayor Wolfersburgger.

[44:33] » Yes. Member Cheney Hugget, >> yes.

[44:34] » Member Gates, >> yes.

[44:36] » Member Hackworth, >> yes.

[44:37] » Member Skiibby, >> yes.

[44:38] » Member Traver, >> yes.

[44:40] » Motion [clears throat] carries, your honor.

[44:41] » Thank you. >> And that brings us to 12G, contract for

[44:46] MD airport layout plan update project. And Director Strange back with us.

[44:53] » Hello. I have um four contracts actually on the agenda tonight. um and they kind

[45:00] of are work together in pairs. And so the first contract um

[45:06] is for the um

[45:11] I'm sorry, I'm going to get them confused here.

[45:15] Okay, so the first one is actually our contract with MDOT for the layout plan

[45:20] uh for the airport. And we think of the airport layout plan is kind of like a

[45:25] master plan for the airport. So we have a master plan for the city um where we

[45:29] say you know we our what our goals are for the city what could be in the city.

[45:33] Um an airport is required to have a similar type of dedicated plan that says

[45:39] this is the maximum length of runway that would be possible at our site even

[45:43] if that's not what our current length is. Um it gives uh any kind of uh

[45:48] potential um expansion of uh other infrastructure on the site like hangers

[45:54] or um you know other taxi ways or things like that. Um

[46:00] and it also takes into account some of the um adjacent property you know like

[46:05] trees and things in the area. There's a lot of kind of assessing going on. So uh

[46:09] think of it kind of as a master plan for the airport. Um, and it is a requirement

[46:16] by the FAA that we keep that master plan up to date. And so we've kind of reached

[46:20] the cadence. You know, it's time for us to update the our master plan. Um,

[46:26] this first contract with MDOT ties directly to the second contract on the

[46:32] agenda for um engineering related to developing that airport layout plan. So

[46:41] the M do MDOT contract is for the same amount as the uh engineering contract

[46:49] with meat and hunt. Um and because what happens is um basically MDOT pays us to

[46:57] whatever our fees are associated with uh that contract with our con our

[47:02] consultant. So they go hand in hand. Um, if both are

[47:08] approved, there is no cost to the city and there we satisfy the requirement for

[47:13] the FAA to and and begin working towards developing that uh airport layout plan.

[47:22] » Is this um and I realize where it's the other one that actually has the cost

[47:27] associated, but um is this funded through the FAA then? Is that where the

[47:32] or where's the money coming from? I guess if it's not going to cost the city

[47:35] » mrow. >> So yeah, so M. Arero is the one who

[47:40] gives us the funding >> to pay

[47:44] the consultant. >> Okay.

[47:48] » But we have to have a contract with both of them. So we have to have a contract

[47:52] with M. Arero and we have to have a contract with our consultant.

[47:55] » Okay. Uh any questions, comments or discussion on this?

[48:01] Always ask them on the next one. So just at this point there's no plans to make

[48:05] any changes in the near future to the airport. It's just approving

[48:09] » no anything on the >> correct market in the near future.

[48:13] » Yeah, this this was um brought to our MD dot actually is making the request for

[48:20] us to update our plan and so we are they're also bringing the funds to be

[48:26] able to do it.

[48:29] » A funded state mandate. That's nice.

[48:34] Um, I guess any further questions, comments,

[48:38] or discussion.

[48:42] Then I would seek a motion on 12G. We'll circle back. I move we approve M.

[48:50] IJA agreement number 206-0629

[48:55] between the city of Marshall and Michigan Department of Transportation in

[48:59] substantial form and authorize the city manager to sign the necessary documents.

[49:05] » Second have a motion support uh a voice vote.

[49:09] All in favor please say I. >> I oppose. Same sign. Motion carries. And

[49:15] then here's the second part of this contract. uh 12H contract for airport

[49:21] layout plan update project engineering. Is there any further points on this?

[49:27] » And this one is our consultants contract with us. So this is the other part of

[49:33] that that period.

[49:37] » Okay. Uh unless there's further discussion, I'll seek a motion.

[49:43] I move that we approve the agreement for professional consultant services meet

[49:47] and hunt project number 134300-26302.01

[49:54] between the city of Marshall and me and Hunt substantial form and authorize the

[49:58] city manager to sign the necessary documents.

[50:00] » Second. >> Uh I have a motion report and this is a

[50:05] voice vote. >> Okay. Uh all in favor please say I. I I

[50:12] all oppose same sign motion carries and then the second set uh 12 I contract

[50:21] for M do hanger roof design project. >> Yes, thank you.

[50:26] » Um so this is also a pair of contracts. Um but the project in question is um the

[50:34] airport hanger roof the main hanger uh with the curved roof on it um needs a

[50:39] roof replacement and um roof and gutter replacement uh including downspouts if

[50:45] you're interested. Um but it's the curved roof section. Um and it's been in

[50:51] need of for some time. Uh it was actually discussed well over a year ago

[50:56] as in being needed but um couldn't really get that project moving with

[51:02] MDOT. Um, and luckily we because of the because of the delay, they actually had

[51:09] some additional funding that we were able to um kind of take advantage of.

[51:13] And so we have a very similar situation with this project where there is no

[51:17] local match um which is unusual. Um, and so we are able to sign a contract uh

[51:27] with our consultant and sign a contract with MDOT uh for basically to basically

[51:32] pass through those funds um through to our consultant to do that rough hanger

[51:38] project.

[51:42] » Thank you. Uh any questions, comments or discussion?

[51:47] » And sorry just to be clear that's for the design work associated with it. This

[51:50] is not the construction contract. >> Yeah, I'm I'm try I'm So, because this

[51:56] is for the design work, you may not be able to answer this question yet, but uh

[51:59] is um I mean, is the intention to try to retain the historic nature of the of the

[52:05] hanger? I know it's been there a while. >> Yes. So, um you know, there will be some

[52:11] anticipated deck replacements uh in that area, but it's it should not look any

[52:17] different than what is there. I mean, it'll be

[52:20] » newer, nicer, >> newer, you know. Um, they're, you know,

[52:24] they should be like with any other roof replacement, they should be trying to

[52:28] maintain the, you know, similar type flashing details and all that kind of

[52:32] stuff. Gutters and downspouts should be in approximately the same location, all

[52:35] that kind of stuff. >> Will they I mean, do you know if they'll

[52:38] try to incorporate like efficiency standards like double layering the roof,

[52:41] anything like that? um you know I so that is not a heated

[52:48] building you know so um they will have to meet whatever the current energy code

[52:52] requirements are okay >> um but you know a portion of that would

[52:55] not really need to be that well insulated um of course we are just

[53:00] entering into the design contract so all those details would be worked out as

[53:04] part of that process >> right okay your airport board excited

[53:08] about this one Yes, [laughter] >> if they could jump up and down and

[53:13] scream and how they >> That's exciting. Um, okay. Any

[53:19] questions, comments, or discussion?

[53:24] » Seeing none, I seek a motion on 12. I

[53:30] » I move that we approve M. I I JA agreement number 2026-0745

[53:37] between the city of Marshall and Michigan Department of Transportation in

[53:40] substantial form and authorized city manager to sign the necessary documents.

[53:45] » Second. >> I have a motion and support. It's a

[53:49] voice vote. All in favor, please say I. >> I.

[53:51] » I. >> All oppose, same sign. Motion carries.

[53:56] And then like the other one, this is a uh the actual uh project engineering

[54:01] contract is 12J. Um any additional details to provide? No.

[54:06] » No. >> Um unless there's further comments,

[54:10] questions, or discussion, I'd see a motion on 12J.

[54:13] I move we approve agreement for professional consultant services me and

[54:18] Hunt hanger roof project in substantial form between the city of Marshall and me

[54:22] and Hunt and authorize the city manager to sign the necessary documents

[54:27] » support have a motion support also a voice vote

[54:31] all in favor please say I >> I oppose same sign motion carries and

[54:37] then uh 12K we're almost there uh schedule public hearing for Oprah

[54:43] district for 115 East Green.

[54:48] » The last one for me tonight. Um, the city has received an application for an

[54:53] obsolete property rehabilitation exemption. Again, this is another Oprah,

[54:58] but this is for 115 East Green Street. Uh, you may be familiar with the Masonic

[55:04] Temple building on the corner there, right across from kind of kitty corner

[55:08] across from the middle school. Um the applicant uh Dan Saber uh

[55:15] proposes a comprehensive renovation of the of the building to create a mixeduse

[55:19] building to including commercial on the elevated first floor and residential

[55:24] throughout the remainder of the building. Um the property is in need of

[55:28] improvements to make it a viable facility

[55:31] and it has received a variance from the zoning board of appeals to allow

[55:35] residential below commercial. Um, and that's due to its kind of unique nature

[55:40] of having that elevated main floor level. And it has also received site

[55:46] plan approval um, due to the change of use and for the addition of an elevator

[55:51] and dumpster enclosure on the west side of the building.

[55:55] Um, before the OPRA certificate can [clears throat] be considered, an OPRA

[55:58] district must be established, which requires a public hearing. The extents

[56:04] of the proposed district are the property limits and are defined in the

[56:09] provided property description. Um so we are asking tonight to schedule

[56:14] a public hearing for the upcoming meeting uh an upcoming meeting to

[56:18] consider this request for the Oprah um district establishment.

[56:28] Um, not that it's relevant to scheduling a public hearing, but um, this the Oprah

[56:34] law is suns setting at the end of the year unless the legislature takes

[56:38] action. >> That is true and we are trying to get

[56:41] this wrapped up as soon as we can. >> Okay. So, uh, could be our last one we

[56:47] consider. Um, if there's any questions, comments,

[56:52] or discussion, again, we are just scheduling the public hearing for

[56:55] creating the district. >> I would just comment briefly that I've

[57:00] watched with some dismay as that beautiful uh historic old building has

[57:04] kind of gone into disrepair a little bit and uh uh if I were uh wellendowed with

[57:10] cash, I'd have snatched it up myself and try to do something with it. But I'm

[57:13] delighted to see the uh uh the owners uh taking action and that that we can help.

[57:18] It's going to be a a very large investment in our community. Um, but I'm

[57:23] just uh very h happy to help however we can to uh get that beautiful building

[57:28] » back into shape. So, >> it's a big building.

[57:30] » Yes. >> Yeah. I just add it's a substantial

[57:33] investment. I was starting to um lose hope that anything would ever happen to

[57:37] that building and it probably wouldn't without an Oprah. So, um yeah, I just

[57:44] wanted to add that.

[57:48] Unless there's any further questions, comments, or discussion, I'll seek a

[57:51] motion regarding 12K.

[57:56] » I move that we schedule a public hearing for October 5th, 2026 to consider

[58:00] creation of an Oprah district for 115 East Green Street.

[58:04] » Second motion in support is voice. All in favor, please say I.

[58:09] » I. >> All oppose, same sign. Motion carries.

[58:14] and 12 L uh special event request for Skeleton Fest and Kirk Eubank.

[58:19] » That's me. Um the only reason Skeleton Fest is coming to you as a separate item

[58:24] this year as opposed to in your consent agenda is because they were um

[58:28] originally asking for several larger scale displays to be placed in either

[58:34] the fountain circle or different rightways. Um and staff had concerns

[58:40] with some of those larger displays. Um, as far as being able to see sight lines

[58:44] and pedestrians, we have learned that some of those larger displays are not

[58:48] going to be happening anymore. Um, however, we would still request that the

[58:53] application be approved with the contingency that the public safety has

[58:57] the final authority on where displays are for public safety.

[59:04] » Okay. Any questions, comments, or discussion?

[59:09] I'll just uh note this is um I'm really impressed with what this event has

[59:13] become. Um the the first uh the first year it was um a little minimally uh

[59:20] attended um and they have stuck with it and improved it and it has I I think

[59:26] last year uh there were several weekends through late September and early October

[59:30] where our sidewalks were just stuffed with people and that was just fantastic

[59:34] to see. So, um, if there's no further questions, comments, or discussion, I'll

[59:40] see a motion on 12 L.

[59:46] I move we approve the special event request for Skeleton Fest from September

[59:51] 26th to October 31st, 2026 with the contingency that public safety has the

[59:56] final authority on display locations that may impact safety.

[1:00:00] » Second. >> A motion and support. a voice vote. All

[1:00:04] in favor, please say I. >> I.

[1:00:06] » All oppose, same sign. Motion carries. And our last one, uh 12M, resolution

[1:00:14] 2026-31, the Cronin LLC social district request. And clerk Eubank again.

[1:00:20] » So, this is similar to pretty much every other social district that we have ever

[1:00:23] had. Um the Cronin, we approved their uh rehabilitation DDA license, liquor

[1:00:30] license earlier this summer. Um and they are now looking to add a social district

[1:00:35] permit to that. We've not had any issues with the social district since we

[1:00:39] created it. Um what five years ago? Um so if you have any con questions, I'm

[1:00:46] got PD here to help answer it.

[1:00:51] » Any questions, comments, or discussion? >> No, but once again, I have several

[1:00:55] people very excited about this as well >> and I'm included in that one. Yeah, I

[1:01:01] I've I've heard from I've heard from restaurants and and and bars downtown

[1:01:05] that the social district actually is quite um quite popular and and so they

[1:01:10] they definitely all support um having it and keeping it. So, um if there's no

[1:01:16] further uh questions, comments, or discussion, I'll take a motion regarding

[1:01:20] 12M. >> Actually, one question just hit my since

[1:01:23] there's two separate the cocktail lounge and the restaurant side. Are those

[1:01:27] licensed separately, separate entities, or is it all under one umbrella as a

[1:01:32] single operating unit? >> They're applying for it as one license.

[1:01:36] » Okay. >> Or one umbrella for the entire property.

[1:01:40] » Cool. >> I think they must be the same legal

[1:01:42] entity. Yeah. >> Yeah.

[1:01:45] » Right. Right.

[1:01:49] » I would seek a motion. I move that we approve resolution 2026-31

[1:01:53] local government unit approval for social district permit requested by the

[1:01:57] Cronin LLC at 101 West Michigan Avenue. >> Second.

[1:02:04] » Thank you. Have a motion in support. That's a roll call vote, please.

[1:02:07] » Member Cheney Hugget. >> Yes. Member Gates.

[1:02:10] » Yes. >> Member.

[1:02:11] » Yes. >> Member Skiibby?

[1:02:13] » Yes. >> Member Traver?

[1:02:15] » Yes. >> Member Underh Hill?

[1:02:16] » Yes. >> And Mayor Wolfersburgger?

[1:02:18] » Yes. >> Motion carries, your honor. Thank you.

[1:02:21] That brings us to item 14, public comment on non-aggenda items. Persons

[1:02:24] addressing city council are required to give their name and address for the

[1:02:27] record when called upon by the mayor. Members of the public shall be limited

[1:02:31] to speaking for a maximum of two minutes. Comments shall address

[1:02:34] non-aggenda item topics. Public hearing items should have been addressed during

[1:02:38] the public hearing portion item 10 of the meeting agenda. Agenda items should

[1:02:42] have been addressed during the public comments agenda items item six portion

[1:02:45] of the meeting agenda. Is there anyone uh here this evening wishing to address

[1:02:49] council on non-aggenda items? Yes, ma'am.

[1:02:58] » Rebecca Sebring, historic marshall. Okay. To answer your question on the

[1:03:02] farmer thing. Now, I haven't been an active farmer. My family hasn't since

[1:03:06] the 80s. We have a drainage ditch that's dried up most of the year on our

[1:03:11] property, so it doesn't really serve much purpose anymore. Um, but there is a

[1:03:16] dairy farmer down the way that did get in trouble for feces and that excrement

[1:03:21] in going into the river. I don't know exactly how they do that, but I also

[1:03:26] want to bring up um the current industrial mayor Wolfenberger has uh

[1:03:33] bragged about this whole airport thing is to accommodate the solar panel

[1:03:38] people. Just wanted you to all be aware of that. He did speak about it at a

[1:03:42] meeting quite a few months back. Um, and I also want to say that we really need

[1:03:49] citizens oversight on our elections in this town. We do not need any more re

[1:03:55] recounts that come out 2 to one. We need people to step up and we need oversight

[1:04:02] on our elections in Marshall for sure. The corruption is overwhelming. So, we

[1:04:07] really need it. Uh, I also want to say Ryan Watson for mayor of Marshall.

[1:04:13] the he'd be more of a historical type mayor rather than industrial and that

[1:04:17] would suit our town much better than what we're going through right now. We

[1:04:21] have plenty of jobs with the mega site. We don't need any more industry. Data

[1:04:25] center is only going to bring like 20 jobs max in the end. I mean seriously

[1:04:30] and it will drain the aquifers and do you actually keep tabs on all this

[1:04:34] stuff? We've already got a thousand kele young men of fighting age in our town

[1:04:39] thanks to the mega site. It's spewing in toxins into our air and into our water.

[1:04:46] This is a failure if you ask me. Let's vote for Ryan Watson for mayor. Thank

[1:04:52] you. Anyone else wishing to address council this evening? Yes, ma'am.

[1:05:06] Sue Barnes. When I was gathering signatures for the

[1:05:10] initiative to put the pause on the moratorum, public response was

[1:05:14] overwhelmingly against data centers. While asking for signatures and

[1:05:19] discussing data centers and local communication, some typical responses

[1:05:24] were, "Will it do any good?" I don't feel listened to. I agree with you. But

[1:05:32] even a few business owners decide decided to not sign because they had

[1:05:37] customers that had varying opinions and they were afraid of losing businesses.

[1:05:42] We don't want to be divided. I understand what they are saying

[1:05:46] considering what went down in the last few weeks with members of the Save

[1:05:50] Michigan small towns Marshall Group. This committee has been targets of

[1:05:54] insults and most recently slander. Where was our protection as we were

[1:06:00] being bullied and harassed? It is never okay to threaten or intimidate. We are

[1:06:05] not the enemy, but we all do need to do better. Our leaders need to do better.

[1:06:12] Marshall residents deserve better. Steve Irwin has said, "If we save our

[1:06:18] wild places, we will ultimately save ourselves and for Margaret we from

[1:06:24] Margaret me. We won't have a society if we destroy the environment. Thank you.

[1:06:31] » Thank you. Anyone else wishing to address council this evening on

[1:06:34] non-aggenda items? >> Mr. Adams,

[1:06:46] Mary Wayne Adams again, 6.2 West Green Street.

[1:06:49] » [clears throat] >> Uh there have been advances in

[1:06:54] battery technology that have already made the

[1:06:59] various lithium chemistry for

[1:07:04] chemistries for for battery manufacturer as being uh obsolete

[1:07:10] and uh it involves [clears throat] the uh use of uh carbonized hemp stocks

[1:07:18] as a polymer. in the battery. And uh the advantage to

[1:07:24] this uh type of battery is that it has infinite recharging uh cycles.

[1:07:32] uh all lithium batteries uh no matter what variation of of chemistry [snorts]

[1:07:39] uh where lithium is the is the basis of the battery uh it has a uh

[1:07:46] long-term attenuation of its ability to uh to recharge and eventually after

[1:07:54] enough cycles a lithium battery uh cannot be recharged anymore. So uh it

[1:08:01] has already rendered the uh lithium batteries uh to be obsolete.

[1:08:06] Uh if there was a change in the wind over at the mega site where they would

[1:08:13] alter their [clears throat]

[1:08:15] uh processes uh to the uh hemp process. Uh that would

[1:08:22] certainly be a welcome change. There is serious concern about

[1:08:28] what's going to be coming out of that uh battery plant uh particularly with the

[1:08:33] uh recent uh application by Ford and DTE for uh additional uh relaxation of uh

[1:08:42] emission standards and uh from All right.

[1:08:48] » Thank you, sir. Uh anyone else wishing to address council on non-aggenda items?

[1:08:54] Yes, sir.

[1:09:02] » Ryan Watson, 310 North Malbury Street. Tonight, I think we need to talk about

[1:09:08] the false claim death threat against the council a few weeks ago.

[1:09:14] Um, I've read the report. Uh, Detective Hug drove around town, mostly

[1:09:20] countryside, looking to question the suspect.

[1:09:23] she was able to do so. Um, in the report, the sergeant says the

[1:09:29] case is basically closed because the anonymous tipster walked back their

[1:09:35] statements. So, this was not a legit death threat.

[1:09:40] And I know you guys had a lot to say about it and some people pulled back

[1:09:44] their comments after the truth came out. And um I myself here in town, I've had a

[1:09:52] death threat against my life to my face, you know. Um and and nothing was done

[1:09:58] about it. You know, the police sent it to the prosecutor. Prosecutor decided

[1:10:03] that there was nothing there. Um it's a sad state of affairs we have

[1:10:08] to deal with in this town. Not every case, not everything is dealt equally

[1:10:13] here. Injustices happen often here in the

[1:10:18] county and we are told we just have to live

[1:10:21] with it. You know, um I know folks are tired of this false

[1:10:27] paradigm here in Marshall. They want something that's real,

[1:10:33] something that's not candycoated or makeup put on it to make it look better

[1:10:40] than it really is. Um,

[1:10:44] I think we can make some good changes here in town.

[1:10:48] I think uh the future is coming quickly and there's going to be a lot of

[1:10:53] success. So, November 3rd, vote for me. Let's manifest a better future. Let's

[1:10:58] make things equal for folks and let's take care of them and make sure they're

[1:11:02] okay. >> Thank you. Anyone else wishing to

[1:11:05] address council this evening on non-aggenda items? Yes, sir.

[1:11:18] Good evening, city council members, Mayor Wolfberger.

[1:11:21] » Um, I just wanted to say again, Richard Lindseay, Marshall Township. I just

[1:11:25] wanted to thank each and every one of you for what you're doing. You're

[1:11:28] appreciated. You're doing a good job and we do appreciate what you're doing. I

[1:11:33] watch more often on video than I come in here. So, I'm glad to be here live

[1:11:37] tonight because there were some meta items. But when you have an Oprah issue

[1:11:41] with 110 South Hamilton, I didn't know about 115 East Green. I've

[1:11:46] been doing the same thing. I've been watching the building fall down for the

[1:11:49] last five years. That's freaking fantastic, right? And then also the

[1:11:53] Cronin LLC social district. Again, indicative of people investing a lot of

[1:11:57] money in Marshall and they're doing that because you guys are doing the right

[1:12:00] thing. Keep up the good work. So the other thing I want to mention is the

[1:12:05] downtown reconfiguration. So when I was the chair of the ma board a few years

[1:12:10] ago, um Tom Frank and Hans Schuler took me to the hill. If anybody had been to

[1:12:17] the hill, it was to go talk to Tom Frank and hear what Tom Frank's thoughts were

[1:12:20] on the world. Important place to go and listen. They had one concern that they

[1:12:25] raised and that was the traffic. How fast the traffic was moving in downtown

[1:12:28] Marshall. And so we talked to MDOT. We had a guy that was fairly uh influential

[1:12:33] at the state level, Jayce Bulier, the speaker of the house. He said he

[1:12:36] couldn't do anything about it, right? Um Senator Nos, remember that name? He

[1:12:41] couldn't do anything about it. We talked to the assist the actually the city

[1:12:44] manager of Kazoo came over and met with us at Schoers and talked about uh the

[1:12:49] city marshal train to take control of that back from MDOT because it was so

[1:12:52] ridiculous how fast the traffic was moving through there and the trucks

[1:12:56] going through there. And so I I'm not down here all day every day, but I've

[1:13:01] been down here a couple of hours over the last couple days that this this has

[1:13:04] been changed. Not hearing the same things. I'm not seeing the trucks. I

[1:13:09] know you guys didn't do it, but you worked with MDOT to get that done. So

[1:13:14] congratulations. I think you're going to hear a lot more positive about that and

[1:13:18] you can get out of your door without having your door taken off. So thanks,

[1:13:21] guys. >> Thank you, sir.

[1:13:23] » Any other comments on non-aggenda items?

[1:13:29] Yes, ma'am.

[1:13:33] » Just a few things. Laura Valentine, 509 North Drive East.

[1:13:41] Uh

[1:13:44] there's going to be some things revealed on the Republican National Convention. I

[1:13:52] urge everyone to watch because I know that

[1:13:57] Trump's going to speak about something that has something to do with an

[1:14:02] executive order. I know, I've heard it. I've seen it. I've read

[1:14:07] and it's about stopping all projects of construction using Chinese components

[1:14:13] because of national security.

[1:14:20] Data centers use Chinese components. Just be aware of that. If we have any

[1:14:28] any industry come to this town, maybe a

[1:14:33] fiber mill, maybe something that's actually made in America that is good

[1:14:40] for our town historically. We need to have a clean water, heavy

[1:14:47] metals, battery toxins ordinance for Kalamazoo River, air quality ordinance

[1:14:53] for restaurants, hospitals, care centers, schools, residents.

[1:14:58] I don't want to breathe plastic and I don't want to breathe VOCC's. And my mom

[1:15:06] has COPD and I'm already hearing her coughing and

[1:15:13] that's not going to last very long. I know how long that that Please get an

[1:15:19] air ordinance. Please have a sound and low frequency noise ordinance so our

[1:15:24] neurological systems including our eyes and our brains are staying healthy and

[1:15:30] flourishing and thriving. [clears throat] Because what good is an

[1:15:34] industry if you can't live here? >> Thank you. Anyone else wishing to

[1:15:39] address council this evening on non-aggenda items?

[1:15:44] Seeing none, we'll move to uh council communications and member Skiibby.

[1:15:50] Um yeah, thank you for hosting tonight. Um thanks to Director Strange for

[1:15:55] putting the presentation together. look forward at least in the next few months

[1:15:58] I have continue to work on the the data center issue and kind of putting yeah

[1:16:03] rules and things in place. Um I would just you know encourage more you know as

[1:16:07] many work sessions we could have to go through these would be fantastic. Um and

[1:16:10] I know I appreciate having the communications director on and I think

[1:16:13] that's somebody who will be able to take some of this you know really publicly

[1:16:17] interested work and be able to kind of give updates. So, I'm really hoping that

[1:16:20] that person can, you know, continue to update the public on as we make things

[1:16:24] or even sharing what we went through tonight would be great. So, appreciate

[1:16:28] you guys work on that. Um, that's something else and I failed to write it

[1:16:32] down. So, if I think about it, I'll send an email. But, no, that's that's it for

[1:16:36] tonight. Thank you, Gates. Um, there was a parks and wreck meeting

[1:16:41] uh the other day. We talked about the Riverwalk grant and uh potential further

[1:16:46] development at Ketchum Park. Um, that's about all there is to report from that

[1:16:50] meeting. Uh, I do want to mention something that a member of the public

[1:16:53] raised regarding pressure from the state pertaining to data centers. I can't

[1:16:58] speak for anybody else on council, but I personally have not been in contact with

[1:17:02] anyone from the Whitmer administration, any state lawmakers, state uh staff

[1:17:07] members, anybody. Uh, nobody's talked to me about data centers, nor put any

[1:17:11] pressure on me, nor do I feel bullied in any way u around that issue. So, just to

[1:17:18] set everybody's mind to ease on that. >> Thank you, member.

[1:17:24] » I'm excited about fall. Uh, we've got home tours coming up this weekend. Um,

[1:17:29] skeletonfest coming up. Um, lots going on in Marshall and it's always great to

[1:17:34] see everything happening and, um, see people downtown.

[1:17:39] » Thank you. >> And the, uh, road looks great. um had

[1:17:43] had several people who if you know me I spend a lot of time on

[1:17:47] Saturdays having coffee downtown and um my old man group has said that

[1:17:54] they enjoy uh the it's quieter there not not you know a ton of traffic as far as

[1:18:01] loudness cars revving their engines going by so uh they said kudos

[1:18:07] » thank you >> I think I'm becoming an old man because

[1:18:10] I'm one of those people who now appreciate more of silence downtown, but

[1:18:13] working down there has been an issue for years with the noise and the the speed

[1:18:18] of traffic and the trucks racing and revving and and the last couple weeks

[1:18:22] has been extremely pleasant down there. Um, so far from my perspective, it's uh

[1:18:29] it's been a win. So that's all I have. Thank you.

[1:18:32] » Thank you. Member Hill, >> nothing for me. Thank you. member chain.

[1:18:37] » Uh, airport board meets next Monday, so I'll have a report the following Monday.

[1:18:43] So, >> other than that, have a great couple

[1:18:46] weeks. >> Thank you, city manager Perry.

[1:18:49] » Just a reminder that our home tour will be this weekend

[1:18:55] beautiful.

[1:18:59] » Thank you, clerk. Do you think >> um just in addition to the home tour,

[1:19:04] there is the suicide awareness event on September 10th um at the phone.

[1:19:10] » Thank you. >> Yeah. Um yeah, in regards to the road

[1:19:16] reconfiguration, um you know how readily we all get comments um you know when

[1:19:21] when we do something people don't like and the comments on on the road

[1:19:26] reconfiguration have just been overwhelmingly positive. Um the uh I

[1:19:31] know I was downtown um several times this week, but the um uh I think it was

[1:19:36] last Tuesday I came out of a meeting and um I stood on the sidewalk for about

[1:19:42] five minutes and not a single semi went by. I mean, it's just I don't know how

[1:19:46] the semi drivers all get that information, but it's fantastic. Uh it's

[1:19:50] quiet and peaceful and, you know, great for downtown business, great for great

[1:19:54] for pedestrian safety. Um just a a wonderful um a wonderful change and

[1:20:00] update for our downtown. Um yeah, I was going to also mention the uh this is the

[1:20:05] fifth annual Step Out of Darkness uh for suicide uh world suicide prevention day.

[1:20:10] Uh it's a fantastic event that takes place at Brooks Memorial Fountain

[1:20:14] starting at 6:30. Uh and then there's a walk and it is um it's a very moving

[1:20:20] event. Uh lots of uh lots of great involvement from community uh uh

[1:20:25] community groups. Um so I'd encourage everyone to participate. Uh and then

[1:20:29] yeah, the home tour. Uh I'll put a plug in for uh East End Arts Center is on the

[1:20:34] uh um on the tour this year. Uh if you get a chance to go in and and uh see

[1:20:40] that historic building uh in functional use and the the revamp they've done to

[1:20:44] the beautiful uh uh grand ballroom on the third floor. uh highly recommend you

[1:20:50] take that opportunity. Um with that, I will seek a motion.

[1:20:55] » Can I say one more thing? >> Of course.

[1:20:56] » I don't I just want to just publicly I meant to say this earlier, Officer

[1:21:00] Lankard. Um a couple Wednesdays ago, uh the officers handled a situation

[1:21:06] downtown on a Wednesday afternoon. And I just want to uh tell them what a great

[1:21:12] job they did handling that situation. Very professional, very human hum, a lot

[1:21:17] of humanity involved in that situation. But let them know. Thank you.

[1:21:23] Right. With that, I'll seek a motion to adjurnn.

[1:21:29] » So moved. >> Motion to support. All in favor say I.

[1:21:34] » I. >> I. All oppose. Same sign. We are

[1:21:36] journed.

September8, 2026 City Council Meeting

Transcript