[1:59] Mhm.

[3:54] » Mhm.

[4:13] » I'd like to call the Woodhaven City Council meeting of September 1st, 2026

[4:18] to order. I see everybody has risen.

[4:23] » I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the

[4:28] republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and

[4:35] justice for all. >> Mrs. King, please call roll.

[4:40] Mayor Patricia Odette. >> Here.

[4:42] » Mayor Councilman Panex.

[4:45] » Here. >> Councilman Mynard.

[4:47] » Here. >> Councilman Padalewski.

[4:49] » Here. >> Um, before we begin, this is Mr.

[4:53] Padalewski. He is our newest city council member, um, and I'd like to

[4:57] welcome him. He's definitely an outstanding member of the

[5:01] community, and everybody adores him, including me. So, welcome welcome

[5:06] aboard.

[5:10] Next, on not such a good note, um, I'd like to take a moment of silence. We

[5:15] lost two very good people, two excellent people, Mr. Wally Tackett,

[5:20] who worked for the city for 43 years, and passed away.

[5:24] The late Councilman Don Belcher has also, uh, passed away. He had served two

[5:29] terms, and he resigned two weeks before his,

[5:32] uh, resignation. Both have had so much influence into the

[5:36] city of Woodhaven. It breaks my heart. So, with that, let's have a moment of

[5:41] silence.

[5:48] Okay. Under the consent calendar

[5:53] I got to read I got to take a minute.

[5:57] Um Let's have a motion to approve the

[6:01] consent calendar, please. >> So moved.

[6:05] » It's been moved. Is there a second? >> Second.

[6:08] » It's been moved and second, Mrs. Keen. >> Councilman Panek?

[6:12] » Yes. >> Councilman Petalowski?

[6:14] » Yes. >> Mayor Patricia Odette?

[6:17] » Yes. >> Councilman Maynard?

[6:19] » Aye. >> Um mayor presentations, the Wolverine

[6:23] pipeline regarding their public awareness program.

[6:27] Um who would like to present? Just step up and

[6:32] » Podium? >> Wherever you'd like. Podium's good.

[6:35] Wherever you're comfortable, just speak up loud so they can hear you at home.

[6:38] » Good evening. Thank you myself. My name is Brian Wilson from

[6:42] Wolverine Pipeline. You're meeting me here.

[6:46] This is really the audience that we want to speak to.

[6:49] Looks like you have community members, public officials, and also first

[6:53] responders. Those are really besides excavators, the groups that we

[6:57] try to target for public awareness. So, maybe you may not know a lot about

[7:01] Wolverine. We are actually a Michigan-based

[7:04] company. Our corporate office is in

[7:06] Portage, Michigan. And we run refined products, which are

[7:10] gasoline and diesel, from the Chicagoland refineries

[7:14] throughout Indiana, Illinois, and Michigan, but primarily Michigan.

[7:18] And one of our primary delivery points is right here in

[7:21] Watervliet. I'm West Ave across the Ford State Road

[7:25] plant. You may have seen some of the tanks

[7:27] around there. They're bulk tank terminals.

[7:31] The pipelines are crucial to

[7:34] uh the economy of the United States and really the world.

[7:38] Refined products, especially gasoline and diesel, they all fuel us today.

[7:42] Um our company is only about 80 employees, but we do have a big impact

[7:47] on um

[7:49] the state as far as the amount of gallons that

[7:52] our cars use each day through our pipelines. We have 350,000

[7:57] barrels of oil, 15 million gallons per day.

[8:01] So, definitely a large volume.

[8:03] So, that leads me into the safety

[8:06] uh aspect that comes with it. Of course, you know, petroleum is a highly volatile

[8:11] piece or it's volatile in nature. Um we really do rely on the public to

[8:16] help us with safety. We're highly regulated by PHMSA, which

[8:20] is a branch of the Department of Transportation. And

[8:25] we have a lot of things that we go above and beyond with safety with regards to

[8:29] pressure monitoring. We run smart tools through our lines, which can show the

[8:34] most minute crack or fact in inside of the pipeline. The pipes, so we

[8:39] could make repairs. Um

[8:42] so, on our end, we feel confident that we are operating in the most safe,

[8:48] reliable way possible. Uh that brings me to

[8:51] our our largest risk and we can't ignore it. You all may know about it. That's

[8:55] third-party excavation and damage.

[8:58] So, like all pipelines, we are partnered with Miss Utility or 811.

[9:04] Um that's really our biggest resource

[9:07] before any shovel or piece of heavy equipment

[9:11] excavates the ground is to call 811. It's a free resource.

[9:16] Um we come out, mark the line, communicate

[9:20] with whoever's excavating at where we're at. Sometimes we have to be on site.

[9:25] Um so,

[9:26] we do get a lot of help from the public if there's any unauthorized excavations.

[9:31] Um along those lines, too, anything that there's a smell, an odor, something that

[9:36] looks out of out of place, our pipeline markers have our phone

[9:39] numbers. You know, 911 is a good resource, too.

[9:42] They may know the pipeline operators in the area, but

[9:46] we really do rely on you know, everyone in this room to help

[9:50] out with pipeline safety. So,

[9:52] I'm sure you're having a presentation to go through the whole spiel.

[9:56] Thanks again for allowing us to come and speak to us.

[10:00] And lastly, I would like to add, we do have a good neighbor grant program. So,

[10:05] if anyone needs any assistance, um it's a funding for

[10:09] primarily nonprofits or first responders or

[10:12] um anything of that nature. You can reach out to Chelsea, and we can do an

[10:17] application and and we'll take a look at what your needs are, and we'd be

[10:20] happy to help. >> Okay. Thank Thank you.

[10:23] » Thank you very much for your time. >> Thank you.

[10:28] Okay, next on the agenda is to receive and file the resignation

[10:34] letter of the late Councilman Donald Belcher. I'm done.

[10:39] Accept resignation from City Administrator

[10:42] uh Jeff Harris. Is there a motion to accept

[10:46] his resignation? >> So moved.

[10:48] » Is there a second? >> Second.

[10:50] » It's been moved and second. Mrs. Keen. >> Councilman Panek.

[10:53] » Yes. >> Councilman Patalon ski.

[10:55] » Yes. >> Mayor Patricia Odette.

[10:57] » Yes. >> Councilman Meniard.

[10:59] » Hi. >> Uh City Attorney, approve the renewal

[11:03] for the video franchise agreement for the U-verse TV service and DirecTV LLC.

[11:10] Is there a motion to approve that? >> So moved.

[11:14] » I'll second it. Is there anything you want to say? It's the same thing over

[11:18] and over again, correct? >> Yes. As it says, it's customary every

[11:20] two years. This is a requirement and the terms of this agreement are dictated by

[11:24] state statute, known as the Michigan Metro Act.

[11:27] » Long terms. Anyway, with that, uh Mrs. Keen.

[11:31] » Councilman Panek. >> Yes.

[11:33] » Mayor Patricia Odette >> Yes.

[11:35] » Councilman Pedalowski >> Yes.

[11:36] » Councilman Menard >> I

[11:38] » Tim Neighbors, director of public service and water, approve the emergency

[11:42] chipper repair invoice totaling by Bandit totaling $5,195.

[11:49] I'm assuming this has already been paid. >> It has been repaired, yes.

[11:52] » No, repaired and paid or we've not We has been. Okay, so we'll make the motion

[11:56] to approve it. Is there a second? >> Second.

[12:00] » Moved and second, any quest- questions? With none.

[12:04] » Mayor Patricia Odette >> Yes.

[12:06] » Councilman Panek >> Yes.

[12:08] » Councilman Pedalowski >> Yes.

[12:10] » Councilman Menard >> I

[12:12] » Approve the invoice for the emergency water main break by J R J and J. I'm

[12:17] assuming this is also been paid already, $7,411.

[12:21] $11. I'll make the motion, is there a second?

[12:26] » Second. >> Been moved and second, Mrs. Keen.

[12:28] » Mayor Patricia Odette >> Yes.

[12:30] » Councilman Pedalo- I'm sorry. Councilman Panek

[12:33] » Yes. >> Councilman Pedalowski

[12:35] » Yes. >> Councilman Menard

[12:37] » I >> Three, approve the emergency concrete

[12:40] repair invoice from the water main break to Royal Cement for $5,425.

[12:46] Is there a motion? >> So moved.

[12:50] » Second. >> This has also been paid, I'm assuming.

[12:54] » Correct. >> Good job.

[12:55] » Thank you. >> Okay, Mrs. Keen.

[12:57] » Councilman Panek >> Yes.

[12:59] » Councilman Pedalowski >> Yes.

[13:01] » Mayor Patricia Odette >> Yes.

[13:03] » Councilman Menard >> I

[13:04] » Mr. Hennessy, it's good to see you. >> Okay.

[13:07] » Um award the bid for the 2027 major street improvement project.

[13:13] Award the bid to JB Contractors for $1,041,695.

[13:21] Do you know that those things you sent us with all the I I had had get a

[13:25] magnifying glass to read it, But, I I'm assuming they're the low bidder.

[13:29] Um is there a motion to approve?

[13:33] » Mayor, if I could That That does include the low bid uh as

[13:37] part uh just to give a little pretext for

[13:40] the mayor and the public uh as part of our fiscal 20 7-year project capital

[13:45] improvement program we went out for major and local street bids. There were

[13:49] two separate bids. >> Okay.

[13:51] » Uh JB was the JB Contractors was the low bid for um $1,041,695.

[14:00] But, with a contingency and engineering and uh construction engineering costs

[14:05] the total project cost is $1,302,119.

[14:11] » You know, I understand that, Mr. Hennessey. It's just that that's not

[14:14] what they bid. That's what your costs and our costs are. So, their bid was

[14:18] $1,041. Isn't that correct? Okay.

[14:21] » That is correct, Mayor. >> Okay. Just

[14:23] Yeah, right. And then there's the their built-in costs, but that's not their

[14:26] bid. >> So, what the the total project cost is

[14:29] » Correct. >> Exactly, Mayor.

[14:31] » Correct. Okay, so you want me to include that here forward?

[14:34] » like that >> Okay. Okay.

[14:36] Okay, we'll do that. >> Thank you.

[14:38] » Um you already did it, so >> [laughter]

[14:40] » Um is there a motion or did we make this motion?

[14:43] » Motion that we pay this bid for the major street improvement.

[14:45] » Okay. I'll second it. Mrs. Keen?

[14:49] » Councilman Panek? >> Yes.

[14:51] » Mayor Patricia Odette? >> Yes.

[14:53] » Councilman Petolowsky? >> Yes.

[14:55] » Councilman Mynard? >> Aye.

[14:57] » So, that changes the next ones cuz I got to look those up unless you want to talk

[15:00] about those, too, because >> Mayor.

[15:03] » Sure.

[15:06] » Well, how do exactly where are they working at?

[15:11] » On the major roads are Groesbeck primarily

[15:14] through there. Those are roads that are defined by MDOT through Act 51 what are

[15:19] our major roadways through there. And uh those that's what's for this

[15:25] particular project. Which is good if it all and those types

[15:28] of roads. >> Thank you.

[15:30] » Okay, so did we get approval? >> We didn't make a motion or anything yet.

[15:34] » Okay, so did you want to make a motion on that?

[15:38] » We did. >> We did a no for that was the major.

[15:41] » Okay, that's what I'm talking about the major. We're done with that. Okay.

[15:44] For the local street repairs um

[15:49] their bid was $632,525

[15:56] but with the other cost the contingency cost the design and the construction

[16:00] engineering the total came to $787,492.

[16:06] Is that correct? >> That is correct.

[16:07] » Okay, I will do it that way here forward.

[16:10] I'll make the motion is there a second? >> Support.

[16:14] » It's been moved and second with no questions to Mr. Hennessy.

[16:17] Mrs. Keen. >> Mayor Patricia Audette?

[16:20] » Yes. >> Councilman Pennix?

[16:22] » Yes. >> Councilman Patalusky?

[16:24] » Yes. >> Councilman Minyard?

[16:25] » Yes. >> Okay, approve the appointment of Chief

[16:29] of Police Jeffrey Brass as interim Chief I was saying it didn't feel good

[16:33] administrative officer. Do you want me to read that whole

[16:37] resolution or are we good? >> No, that's not required.

[16:40] » It's not required. Okay, then as it is in front of you is

[16:45] there a motion to approve? I made the appointment so

[16:49] is there a second? >> Second.

[16:51] » It's been moved and second. Mrs. Keen. >> Mayor Patricia Audette?

[16:54] » Yes. >> Councilman Pennix?

[16:56] » Yes. >> Councilman Patalusky?

[16:58] » Yes. >> Councilman Minyard?

[16:59] » Yes. >> Appoint under mayor appointment Mayor

[17:03] Patricia Audette appoint Daryl Pennix to the mayor pro temp for the term to end

[17:08] December 1st, 2026.

[17:13] I'll make the motion is Is second? >> Second.

[17:17] » Mrs. King. >> Mayor Patricia Odette.

[17:20] » Yes. >> Councilman Petalaski.

[17:22] » Yes. >> Councilman Pennix.

[17:23] » Yes. >> And Councilman Maynard.

[17:26] » I. >> Uh city council comments. Oh, public

[17:30] appearances. Would anybody like to appear?

[17:34] Um okay. Mr. Banter first and then That's okay, Mr. Banter. Go first and

[17:39] then Councilman Duderstadt will It should be.

[17:48] » It was a month ago that I came in and had concerns about e-bikes in the

[17:52] street. Uh I saw the posting on Facebook which

[17:56] explained what was going to happen. I also saw

[18:00] a vast majority of people that are very concerned about e-bikes on the streets.

[18:06] And my question is, one of my questions is, what has been done

[18:11] in in that month period since we last talked?

[18:16] » Uh we did we actually started prior to the time we talked, but we started

[18:19] initiative at the police department. We were having our officers go out. We're

[18:22] making contact with not only violators, but pretty much anybody we find on the

[18:27] e-bikes. We're stopping them, we're educating them. If we have an issue, if

[18:30] there's a violation present if it's an adult, cuz believe it or not

[18:33] there's a lot of adults that ride these as well. Um we have conversations,

[18:37] educational conversations. If it's a juvenile, we'll actually take them back

[18:40] to the house and we've had multiple conversations with parents specific to

[18:44] the laws, rules, putting helmets on. Uh and I'll commend our officers. We've had

[18:49] numerous numerous contacts throughout the month. So, we're going to continue

[18:53] to educate our residents um in keeping with that

[18:57] education, enforcement, legislation. You know.

[19:01] » But there was also a statement in the Facebook posting where you were going to

[19:06] increase the police patrolling.

[19:10] » Yes. Yes, we have increased our >> Okay, I'm going to I'm going to make a

[19:14] I'm going to make a statement you're not going to agree with.

[19:17] But since that time I have seen and I'm out on the

[19:21] outside quite a bit one patrol car and the patrol lights up.

[19:26] » Okay. Well, I can assure you there's been more

[19:29] than one. >> Okay.

[19:30] » I can assure you. Yes, and like I said the

[19:33] the documentation we have and the officer's done a great job making

[19:36] numerous contacts, numerous stops. They're out there, I assure you.

[19:40] » Thank you, Mr. Belcher. Councilman, um I still call you councilman, so

[19:44] Duderstadt, would you like to step up? How many terms did you serve?

[19:49] » Two. >> Two.

[19:54] » My name is Dan Duderstadt and I know a lot of you in this room and I'm

[19:59] so proud to to be here in front of you today and

[20:04] um grateful for the opportunity that God gave me to

[20:08] serve with you here on the city council when I was on

[20:11] the city council, the police reserves and

[20:14] planning commission for so many years. We raised our three kids here for 20

[20:18] years and we were saddened to leave, but I I left

[20:22] for North Carolina 8 years ago and returned since then

[20:27] and we live in Monroe, but I always call Wood Haven my home.

[20:31] » And you took your dogs with you. >> Yes, we did.

[20:35] And uh and lost a couple.

[20:38] » I know. I've watched it. >> since then. Yes.

[20:41] I'm so honored to see Tim up here on the city council. I've known you for years

[20:45] and I know you'll do a great job in that position and Roger also.

[20:51] I knew Ed Ford. >> Oh, you did?

[20:53] » I didn't realize that. You know, you two remind me of each other a lot.

[20:58] » [laughter] >> And I'm so saddened to hear of Don

[21:01] Belcher's passing and also Randy Odette's uh passing who were selfless

[21:06] [snorts] servants to this city >> a tough couple months.

[21:09] » for many years and

[21:12] Wally as well. Uh so many years that he's served our

[21:16] community. We were with him. >> Yes.

[21:20] And I just like to say hello to everybody. I'm you know, back in the

[21:24] neighborhood and everything. I'm so proud of what you're doing and what you

[21:27] have done here in the city. I love uh this community and it'll forever be my

[21:32] home. I want to give uh

[21:36] my heartfelt appreciation to Patty for her service to the community and

[21:41] I see you're leaving and uh there's new leadership uh inbound

[21:45] and want to wish uh Jan

[21:48] the best in her run for mayor as well uh my good friend Preston.

[21:54] Uh I know either one of you will serve the city

[21:57] well in that capacity.

[22:01] Thank you for your selfless commitment to serving our community here in

[22:05] Woodhaven. I'm so grateful.

[22:08] And especially to our police and fire who uh are continuing to show

[22:15] that this is a place to live and work and uh grow your families

[22:22] make memories. >> Thank you, councilman.

[22:25] » Thank you all for what you do and what you continue to do.

[22:31] » Thank you. Anybody else? Please.

[22:41] » Hi everyone. My name's Bridget Huff. Um I have lived in Woodhaven for about a

[22:45] year now. Big fan so far. Um I just wanted to say because I have

[22:50] had extensive conversations with um city clerk about it and you know, other

[22:55] people on the board as well. Uh I'm concerned about the current

[22:58] election coming up for city council and the fact that there's so much confusion

[23:02] with the this term now with JC stepping down, you know, I think it's a real

[23:07] testament that the news has been here every time I've come to a city council

[23:10] meeting. Everyone's pretty confused with how things are shaking out and who needs

[23:14] to do what to run or be on the ballot or even vote properly. Um so, I would just

[23:19] really like to urge the council and the clerk to please do what they can to make

[23:23] the public aware, whether that's, you know, public social media posts, a

[23:27] flyer, adding it to any kind of circulars. Um people just aren't aware

[23:31] that there's a 2-year and a 4-year, and now this partial, but it's still not a

[23:35] full board, and there's just so much going on that I think is extremely

[23:39] unusual to begin with. I've worked several elections. I've personally never

[23:43] seen a situation like this. So, I know a lot of people, you know, even in

[23:47] knocking doors or talking to other residents, they couldn't tell you what's

[23:50] going on right now or what needs to come next or what to expect, and absentee

[23:54] ballots are going out soon, so people really need to be made aware. Um I

[23:58] appreciate that when JC stepped down, I'm sorry, I don't know how to pronounce

[24:01] his last name. I'm not trying to be disrespectful.

[24:03] » It's okay. We know who you're talking about.

[24:05] » When he stepped down, I know he got a lot of um you know, praise and

[24:08] appreciation for wanting people to be able to vote and really have a say. So,

[24:12] it seems like it kind of kneecaps that if people still don't have the

[24:15] information that they need to be able to really vote um in an educated way and

[24:19] have a say. So, that's my concern. And I would also ask that maybe the

[24:23] council would consider having a flexible date or time for these meetings because

[24:28] I've seen it happen a few times that if people can't be here at this exact like

[24:32] 5:00, um I've also have a lot of friends who are moms working who like they'd

[24:36] like to be here, but they work till 5:00 or you know, so maybe if there was like

[24:39] a contingency for any kind of emergency so that there could be quorum.

[24:43] Um I know I personally would like to be more involved, and that would make it a

[24:46] lot easier, too. >> Thank you.

[24:49] » Thank you. >> Thank you.

[24:51] » Um city council comments.

[24:58] Skunks. >> Mhm.

[25:00] » No, okay. >> But but I would would like to say

[25:03] to the uh police chief, there's an excellent uh Facebook uh follow-up you

[25:08] had on the e-bikes and scooters. Uh I think that was earlier or late last

[25:12] week. Had actual numbers in there and such. I thought that was a pretty good

[25:16] deal. That's all I have, mayor.

[25:24] » I'm sorry, we were having a side conversation.

[25:27] Um Mr. Padlusky.

[25:30] » Uh Dan, thank you for your your very kind words. And And again, I'm just

[25:34] really excited to be here. Um I've uh lived in the community for 18

[25:39] years. I've been an um administrator for 21 years. And

[25:42] I live here. I love this community. I love the city. I love the people who

[25:45] work here. And I'm glad to do my part to see if I can uh help move continue uh

[25:49] what makes what even so great. And And again, I appreciate Mayor O'Dea. And I

[25:54] want to make sure she sees her out on a very positive note.

[25:58] » Thank you. >> Two things.

[26:01] I agree with Bridget, these meetings can be a little bit later.

[26:06] » So, I was always against these meetings at 5:00 as we all know, if we really

[26:10] want to get into this. >> Well, you can be against it. I'm for it.

[26:13] I think >> I like the meetings like at 6:00 myself.

[26:17] » And the other thing is the uh e-bikes.

[26:20] I come nearly uh hitting a child. He come out of the dark.

[26:26] I was just getting ready to cross the sidewalk from the parking lot.

[26:29] He come out of the dark. If I hadn't stopped real quick, I would

[26:34] have hit him. He didn't even slow down.

[26:37] » Oh, it's an issue. It's going to get worse before it gets better.

[26:40] » So, what's the toughest stand I guess what Mr. Bancher's trying to ask, what

[26:44] actually can be done? What What can we do as a city? Cuz I see

[26:48] other cities are taking steps. >> Yeah, several cities. I know Grosse

[26:51] Pointe Heights, the Grosse Point, Berkley has just put one into effect an

[26:56] ordinance. Um there's a lot of mixes with the

[26:59] language. There's some issues cuz it does disallow adults to ride their

[27:03] e-bikes through the park, which I know a lot of adults have e-bikes.

[27:07] So, it kind of limits who can do it. Um our first step was to educate, quite

[27:11] honestly, to educate the people, reference a law, um

[27:15] and said get get with everybody can on the on the street level and and let them

[27:19] know what they need to be doing. Yes, the

[27:21] next step is obviously going to be enforcement and legislation. It's It's

[27:25] how it works. I wish the state would catch up, to be honest with you.

[27:28] With legislation. >> Okay.

[27:31] Thank you. Anything else?

[27:35] Nope. We're good. With that, I adjourn the meeting at 5:25.

[27:40] Get out of here.

Woodhaven City Council Meeting

Transcript