City Council Meeting

COUNCIL 05-18-26 – 051 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF THE CITY OF GROSSE POINTE WOODS HELD ON MONDAY, MAY 18, 2026, IN THE COUNCIL-COURTROOM OF THE ROBERT E. NOVITKE MUNICIPAL CENTER, 20025 MACK PLAZA DR., GROSSE POINTE WOODS, MICHIGAN. The meeting was called to order at 7:04 p.m. by Mayor Bryant. PRESENT: Mayor Bryant Council Members: Brown, Gafa, Granger, Koester, McConaghy, Motschall ABSENT: None Also Present: City Manager Como City Attorney Walling City Treasurer/Comptroller Schmidt City Clerk Antolin City Planner Mangan Council, Administration, and the audience Pledged Allegiance to the U.S. Flag. The following Commission members were in attendance:  Catherine Dumke, Senior Citizens’ Commission  David Bryk, Historical Commission Motion by Gafa, seconded by Brown, that all items on tonight's agenda be received, placed on file, and taken in order of appearance. Motion carried by the following vote: Yes: Brown, Bryant, Gafa, Granger, Koester, McConaghy, Motschall No: None Absent: None Motion by Granger, seconded by Brown, that all items (6A-6H) on the consent agenda be approved as presented. A. Appointment(s) 1. Beautification Advisory Commission (Mayor) a) Biographical Sketch - Nina Randazzo - Term to Expire: 12/31/28 b) Biographical Sketch - Rachel Trimble - Term to Expire: 12/31/26 1  COUNCIL 05-18-26 – 052 B. Approval of Minutes 1. Council 05/04/26 C. Items Received and Placed on File 1. Historical Commission Minutes 03/12/26 2. Senior Citizens' Commission Minutes 01/20/26 with Recommendation* *This recommendation was addressed at the 02/23/26 Council meeting. D. Monthly Financial Report 1. April 2026 E. Bids/Proposals/Contracts 1. Midwest Insurance Company - Excess Workers Compensation Coverage a) Memo 05/18/26 - Treasurer/Comptroller Schmidt b) Renewal Quote 04/30/26 - Midwest Insurance Company F. Proclamation(s) 1. National Military Appreciation Month (May) G. Resolution(s) 1. Resolution Adopting Utility Billing Rates for Fiscal Year 2026-2027 a) Proposed Resolution b) Table 1: GPW Existing and Proposed Water & Sewer Rate Comparison c) Finance Committee Minutes Excerpt 04/13/26 H. Claims and Accounts 1. Anderson, Eckstein & Westrick, Inc. (AEW) - City Engineers a) Vernier Rd. & Mack Ave. Intersection Improvement - Invoice No. 165055 - Proj. No. 0160-0455 - 04/28/26 - $2,382.28. b) Doyle Ct. & Lee Ct. Water Main Replacement - Proj. No. 0160-0497 - Payment Invoice No. 1 - Fontana Construction, Inc. - 04/29/26 - $42,300.00. c) 2025 Sewer Rehabilitation by Full Length CIPP Lining - Proj. No. 0160-0495 - Payment Invoice No. 4 - Insituform Technologies USA, LLC - 04/29/26 - $44,418.26. 2. Hallahan & Associates, P.C. - Professional Services - Invoice No. 23962 - April 2026 - 05/01/26 - $21.13. 3. Tomlinson & McGrail, PLLC - Legal Billing - Invoice No. 398 - April 2026 - 05/01/26 - $2,015.00. 2  COUNCIL 05-18-26 – 053 Motion carried by the following vote: Yes: Brown, Bryant, Gafa, Granger, Koester, McConaghy, Motschall No: None Absent: None Mayor Bryant and City Council read aloud the proclamation regarding National Military Appreciation Month (May). The City Council recessed the Regular City Council Meeting and convened as a Zoning Board of Appeals at 7:08 p.m. Upon conclusion of the Zoning Board of Appeals meeting, the City Council reconvened at 7:21 p.m. THE MEETING WAS THEREUPON OPENED AT 7:21 P.M. FOR A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE FY 2026-2027 PROPOSED BUDGET. Motion by Granger, seconded by Koester, that for purposes of the public hearing the following items be received and placed on file: 1) Memo 05/18/26 - City Manager Como - Treasurer/Comptroller Schmidt 2) Proposed 2026-2027 Budget Summary 3) Proposed Resolution 4) 2026 Tax Rate Request L-4029 Form 5) Affidavit of Legal Publication 6) Committee-of-the-Whole Sitting as Finance Committee Excerpt 04/20/26 Motion carried by the following vote: Yes: Brown, Bryant, Gafa, Granger, Koester, McConaghy, Motschall No: None Absent: None The Chair asked if anyone from the audience wished to speak in favor of the proposed FY 2026- 2027 Budget. No one wished to be heard. The Chair asked if anyone from the audience wished to speak in opposition to the proposed FY 2026-2027 Budget. No one wished to be heard. 3  COUNCIL 05-18-26 – 054 Motion by Granger, seconded by Gafa, that the public hearing be closed at 7:22 p.m. PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. Motion by McConaghy, seconded by Granger, that the Council concur with the recommendation of the Committee-of-the-Whole sitting as a Finance Committee at their meeting held on April 20, 2026, and adopt the FY 2026-2027 Budget as presented, adopt the Budget and Appropriation Resolution; and authorize the Mayor and the City Clerk to sign the 2026 Tax Rate Request Form L- 4029. Members of City Council thanked Administration and staff for the great work done on the budget and commented on their value to the city. Motion carried by the following vote: Yes: Brown, Bryant, Gafa, Granger, Koester, McConaghy, Motschall No: None Absent: None Under New Business, the following individuals were heard:  Councilmember Granger commended Director of Public Works Kowalski and the DPW staff for the flowers on Mack Avenue, Vernier Road, and the parks. She stated that it gave a welcome feeling of home.  City Manager Como complimented the GP Chamber of Commerce and their “Community Impact Day,” sponsored by the city, and thanked all the volunteers who planted flowers around the municipal complex. The GP Chamber of Commerce was appreciative of the city’s support of the event.  A motion was made to receive and place on file documents received prior to the meeting. Motion by Motschall, seconded by Granger, that the City Council receive and place on file the letters to city officials regarding: 1) Open Air Business Conducted from Backyard (05/18/26) 2) Proposed New GPW Zoning Ordinance (05/18/26) Motion carried by the following vote: Yes: Brown, Bryant, Gafa, Granger, Koester, McConaghy, Motschall No: None Absent: None Under Public Comment, no one wished to be heard. 4  COUNCIL 05-18-26 – 055 Motion by Motschall, seconded by Koester, to adjourn tonight’s meeting at 7:27 p.m. PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. Respectfully submitted, _______________________ _______________________ Paul P. Antolin Arthur W. Bryant City Clerk Mayor 5