City Council Meeting

COUNCIL 06-15-26 – 064 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF THE CITY OF GROSSE POINTE WOODS HELD ON MONDAY, JUNE 15, 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: Gafa, Granger, Koester, McConaghy, Motschall ABSENT: Brown Also Present: City Manager Como City Attorney Walling City Treasurer/Comptroller Schmidt Director of Public Safety Kosanke Director or Public Services Kowalski Director of Parks and Recreation Gafa City Clerk Confidential Assistant Miotto Motion by Motschall, seconded by McConaghy that Councilmember Brown be excused from tonight’s meeting. Motion carried by the following vote: Yes: Bryant, Gafa, Granger, Koester, McConaghy, Motschall No: None Absent: Brown Council, Administration, and the audience Pledged Allegiance to the U.S. Flag led by our Arbor Day Poster winners. The following Commission members were in attendance:  Catherine Dumke, Senior Citizens’ Commission  Amanda York, Citizens’ Recreation Commission  Maria Galbo, Tree Commission  Mary Ellen Meyering, Tree Commission  Kate Colborn, Tree Commission  Randy Rennpage, Tree Commission  Paul Lechner, Tree Commission 1  COUNCIL 06-15-26 – 065 Motion by Gafa, seconded by McConaghy, 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: Bryant, Gafa, Granger, Koester, McConaghy, Motschall No: None Absent: Brown Motion by Granger, seconded by Koester, that all items (6A-6F) on the consent agenda be approved as presented except item 6D9, requested to be removed for discussion by Mayor Bryant. A. Approval of Minutes 1. Council 06/01/26 2. Committee-of-the-Whole 06/01/26 with Recommendation* *Recommendation being addressed under item 6D9 on tonight’s agenda. B. Items Received and Placed on File 1. Historical Commission Minutes 04/09/26 C. Monthly Financial Report 1. May 2026 D. Bids/Proposals/Contracts 1. Fiscal Year End 2025-2026 Budget Amendments a) Memo 06/03/26 - Treasurer/Comptroller Schmidt-City Manager Como b) List of Accounts and Budget Amendment Amounts 2. Commit Fund Balance for Construction Projects and Equipment Purchases a) Memo 06/15/26 - Treasurer/Comptroller Schmidt b) FYE 2025-2026 Fund Balance Commitments 3. Vendors with Expenses Over $20,000 a) Memo 06/05/26 - Treasurer/Comptroller Schmidt b) FY 2026-2027 Open Purchase Orders over $20,000 4. Unpaid Invoices a) Memo 06/15/26 - Treasurer/Comptroller Schmidt b) Summer 2026 Roll To Tax Invoices (Landscaping) Final Copy 5. Recommendation - Tree Removal Contract for 2026/2027 a) Memo 06/09/26 - Director of Public Services Kowalski b) Proposed Tree Removal Contract c) Bid Documents d) Certificate of Insurance 2  COUNCIL 06-15-26 – 066 6. Recommendation - Mack and Vernier Intersection Gateway Improvement a) Memo 06/09/26 - Director of Public Services Kowalski b) Images of Center Island/Gateway c) Bid Package Summary - Stucky Vitale Architects d) MDOT Quote e) Estimate #23566 01/04/26 - Tocco Mannino f) Contract/Proposal 05/01/26 - Phillips Sign & Lighting 7. Recommendation - Trucking Services a) Memo 06/09/26 - Director of Public Services Kowalski b) Email 06/09/26 - Grosso Trucking & Supply Co. c) Certificate of Insurance d) Proposed Agreement 8. Participation in PFAS Settlement Program – DuPont and 3M a) Memo 06/11/26 – City Manager Como b) Proposed GLWA Member Partner Contract c) Proposed Resolution 9. Recommendation - Pavilion at Ghesquiere Park (Removed from the Consent Agenda for Discussion) a) Memo 06/11/26 – Director of Parks and Recreation Gafa b) Committee-of-the-Whole Minutes Excerpt 06/01/26 c) Quote #PQ000665 - 06/11/26 – 16’ x 24’ Pavilion with Specifications d) Quote #PQ000666 - 06/11/26 – 20’ x 24’ Pavilion with Specifications E. Proclamation(s) 1. Juneteenth National Independence Day (June 19) F. Claims and Accounts 1. Anderson, Eckstein & Westrick, Inc. (AEW) - City Engineers a) Vernier & Mack Ave. Intersection Improvement - Invoice No. 165754 - Proj. No. 0160-0455 - 06/08/26 - $2,653.27. b) 2025 Miscellaneous Concrete Program - Invoice No. 165757 - Proj. No. 0160-0493 - 06/08/26 - $6,706.01. c) 2025-2026 General Engineering - Invoice No. 165758 - Proj. No. 0160-0498 - 06/08/26 - $2,310.00. d) 2025-2026 GIS Maintenance - Invoice No. 165759 - Proj. No. 0160- 0499 - 06/08/26 - $1,310.18. e) Lee Ct. Doyle Ct. & Thorntree Water Mains - Invoice No. 165849 - Proj. No. 0160-0497 - 06/08/26 - $17,538.64. f) 2025 Concrete Pavement Repair Program - Proj. No. 0160-0493 - Payment Invoice No. 03 - Mattioli Cement Co., LLC - 05/28/26 - $77,249.40. 2. Hallahan & Associates, P.C. - Professional Services - Invoice No. 24132 - May 2026 - 06/02/26 - $2,239.56. 3  COUNCIL 06-15-26 – 067 3. Tomlinson & McGrail, PLLC - Legal Billing - Invoice No. 419 - May 2026 - 06/01/26 - $1,472.50. Motion carried by the following vote: Yes: Bryant, Gafa, Granger, Koester, McConaghy, Motschall No: None Absent: Brown Mayor Bryant and City Council read aloud the proclamation regarding Juneteenth National Independence Day (June 19). On behalf of the Tree Commission, Mr. Lechner introduced the winners of the Arbor Day Poster Contest, with the theme “Healthy trees, healthy people, healthy woods” as follows:  Our Lady Star of the Sea – Josie R.  University Liggett School – Hugh H.  Monteith Elementary School – Ruby N.  Ferry Elementary School – Jack C. (unable to attend)  Mason Elementary School – Mabel H. (unable to attend) The winners received t-shirts saying “It’s always a good day to plant a tree” and the Arbor Foundation planted a tree for each t-shirt purchased. Kate Colborn presented the winners with commemorative coins, a tradition started by her late husband, Ted Colborn: quarters that depict a young person planting a tree. Winners’ names will be placed on the poster contest plaque in each of their respective schools. Paul Lechner provided an overview of the city receiving the Tree City USA award, for the 48th year. Mr. Lechner and his fellow Tree Commission members presented the Tree City USA flag to the Mayor and City Council. Mayor Bryant introduced Item 6D9 (Recommendation - Pavilion at Ghesquiere Park) that had been removed from the consent agenda for discussion. Motion by Motschall, seconded by Koester, that the City Council vote to approve a new pavilion at Ghesquiere Park; the largest size, which is 20’ x 24’. Councilmember McConaghy suggested it be named the Arthur W. Bryant pavilion. Mayor Bryant expressed opposition to this suggestion. Amanda York, member of the GPW Foundation (who is providing up to $35K for the project) informed Council that their fundraising efforts include the naming rights, so Councilmember McConaghy withdrew his recommendation. 4  COUNCIL 06-15-26 – 068 Motion carried by the following vote: Yes: Bryant, Gafa, Granger, Koester, McConaghy, Motschall No: None Absent: Brown Under New Business, the following individuals were heard:  Councilmember Granger congratulated K. Michelle Moran, reporter for the C&G Grosse Pointe Times, on her recent first place awards from both the Michigan Press Association’s Better Newspaper Contest and the Society of Professional Journalists- Detroit Chapter’s Excellence in Journalism Awards.  City Manager Como requested a 45-day extension on the June 30 expiration on the updated agreement between Grosse Pointe Shores and Grosse Pointe Woods Consolidated Dispatch/Lock Up Services which is currently being actively negotiated. Motion by McConaghy, seconded by Gafa, to grant the 45-day extension. Motion carried by the following vote: Yes: Bryant, Gafa, Granger, Koester, McConaghy, Motschall No: None Absent: Brown Under Public Comment, the following individuals were heard:  Dominik Forir, 1780 Huntington Blvd., asked for Council support of a proposal to expand and strengthen public transportation in Wayne County. Motion by Motschall, seconded by Koester, to adjourn tonight’s meeting at 7:33 p.m. PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. Respectfully submitted, _______________________ _______________________ Gretchen Miotto Arthur W. Bryant Confidential Assistant to City Clerk Mayor 5