Rescheduled City Council Meeting

COUNCIL 02-23-26 – 019 MINUTES OF THE RESCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF THE CITY OF GROSSE POINTE WOODS HELD ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 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 7:31 p.m. by Mayor Bryant. PRESENT: Mayor Bryant Council Members: Brown, Granger, Koester, McConaghy, Motschall ABSENT: Gafa Also Present: City Manager Como City Attorney Walling City Treasurer/Comptroller Schmidt City Clerk Antolin Director of Public Services Kowalski City Planner Mangan Motion by Motschall, seconded by Brown, that Councilmember Gafa be excused from tonight’s meeting. Motion carried by the following vote: Yes: Brown, Bryant, Granger, Koester, McConaghy, Motschall No: None Absent: Gafa Council, Administration, and the audience Pledged Allegiance to the U.S. Flag. The following Commission members were in attendance:  Catherine Dumke, Senior Citizens’ Commission  Donna O’Keefe, Planning Commission Motion by Granger, seconded by Koester, that all items on tonight's agenda be received, placed on file, and taken in order of appearance. 1  COUNCIL 02-23-26 – 020 Motion carried by the following vote: Yes: Brown, Bryant, Granger, Koester, McConaghy, Motschall No: None Absent: Gafa Motion by McConaghy, seconded by Brown, that all items (6A-6E) on the consent agenda be approved as presented, except item D2 which has been removed from the consent agenda for discussion. A. Approval of Minutes 1. Council 02/02/26 2. Zoning Board of Appeals 02/02/26 B. Items Received and Placed on File 1. Beautification Advisory Commission Minutes 01/14/26 2. Citizens' Recreation Commission Minutes 01/13/26, 12/09/25 with recommendation* *This recommendation is regarding budget approval for FY 2026-2027 in the amount of $18,500.00. 3. Judicial Liaison Committee Minutes 02/05/24 4. Senior Citizens' Commission Minutes 11/18/25, 01/20/26 Minutes Excerpt with recommendation* *This recommendation is regarding budget approval for FY 2026-2027 in the amount of $3,500.00. C. Monthly Financial Report 1. January 2026 D. Bids/Proposals/Contracts 1. Commercial Cross Connection Control Program a) Memo 01/22/26 - Director of Public Services Kowalski b) Proposed HydroCorp Service Agreement 01/15/26 2. 2026 Fee Schedule Updates – (Removed from Consent Agenda for Discussion) a) Memo 02/18/26 - City Clerk Antolin b) Proposed 2026 Fee Schedule with Updates 2  COUNCIL 02-23-26 – 021 3. Additional Water Main and Sewer Repairs and Water Service Line Replacements a) Memo 02/17/26 - Director of Public Services Kowalski E. Claims and Accounts 1. Anderson, Eckstein & Westrick, Inc. (AEW) - City Engineers a) 2025 Sewer Rehabilitation by Full Length CIPP Lining - Proj. No. 0160-0495 - Payment Invoice No. 02 - Insituform Technologies USA, LLC - 02/03/26 - $66,104.58. b) Wedgewood Road Resurfacing - Proj. No. 0160-0496 - Payment Invoice No. 02 - Al's Asphalt Paving Co. - 02/05/26 - $112,422.12. 2. McKenna - Building Services - Invoice No. 21849-118 - January 2026 - 02/17/26 - $43,726.35. 3. Rosati, Schultz, Joppich & Amtsbuechler, P.C. - Legal Services - Invoice No. 1085145 - January 2026 - 02/11/26 - $9,096.30. 4. Tomlinson & McGrail, PLLC - Legal Billing - Invoice No. 367 - January 2026 - 02/01/26 - $3,208.50. 5. WCA Assessing - Assessing Services - Invoice No. 021726 - March 2026 - 02/17/26 - $7,911.08. Motion carried by the following vote: Yes: Brown, Bryant, Granger, Koester, McConaghy, Motschall No: None Absent: Gafa Motion by Granger, seconded by Koester, that the City Council remove item D2 (2026 Fee Schedule Updates) from the consent agenda for discussion and approve as presented. Councilmember Granger received confirmation from Administration that the fee schedule was thoroughly reviewed by each department and the fees were appropriate and comparable to the other local communities. Motion carried by the following vote: Yes: Brown, Bryant, Granger, Koester, McConaghy, Motschall No: None Absent: Gafa 3  COUNCIL 02-23-26 – 022 A presentation of the expansion of the Mary Ellen Stempfle University Center and enhanced programs of the Wayne County Community College District (WCCCD) was provided by Roy Edmonds, Trustee of District 1, and Denis Karic, Provost of Mary Ellen Stempfle University Center. Proposed renderings of the Center were presented with anticipation of completion in April 2027. THE MEETING WAS THEREUPON OPENED AT 7:48 P.M. FOR A PUBLIC HEARING TO HEAR THE APPLICATION OF STUCKY VITALE ARCHITECTS ON BEHALF OF ASSUMPTION GREEK CHURCH, WHICH IS REQUESTING A SPECIAL LAND USE FOR 21800 MARTER ROAD, TO CONSTRUCT A 42,075 SQUARE FOOT MULTI-USE FACILITY AND APPROVAL OF THE SITE PLAN PRESENTED. City Planner Mangan provided an overview of the special land use request. Councilmember Koester inquired about the reasoning of the additional eight evergreens recommended by the Planning Commission. City Planner Mangan stated that the purpose of the additional trees was to improve the façade throughout the year. Councilmember Granger addressed the stormwater run-off from the property. Mike Blanek, of Stucky Vitale Architects and representing the petitioner, stated that the City of St. Clair Shores handled all the necessary infrastructure requirements and were approved. Mr. Blanek also confirmed that the additional trees requested will provided additional screening for the houses facing the Milk River. Motion by McConaghy, seconded by Koester, that for purposes of the public hearing the following items be received and placed on file: 1) Planning Commission Minutes Excerpt 01/27/26 2) Special Land Use Review 01/13/26 - City Planner Smith 3) Site Plan Review 01/13/26 - City Planner Smith 4) Special Land Use and Site Plan Application 01/13/26 5) Site Plans - Stucky Vitale Architects 6) Affidavit of Property Owners Notified - Address List - Parcel Map 7) Affidavit of Legal Publication Motion carried by the following vote: Yes: Brown, Bryant, Granger, Koester, McConaghy, Motschall No: None Absent: Gafa 4  COUNCIL 02-23-26 – 023 The Chair asked if anyone from the audience wished to speak in favor of the proposed request. The following individual was heard:  Mike Blanek, Stucky Vitale Architects, Represented the Petitioner The Chair asked if anyone from the audience wished to speak in opposition to the proposed request. No one wished to be heard. Motion by Granger, seconded by Koester, that the public hearing be closed at 7:56 p.m. PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. Motion by McConaghy, seconded by Brown, that the City Council concur with the City Planner’s recommendation as presented on their Special Land Use Review, dated January 13, 2026, to approve the Special Land Use request for 21800 Marter Road; and approve the site plan as presented on their Site Plan Review, dated January 13, 2026 as recommended by the Planning Commission. Motion carried by the following vote: Yes: Brown, Bryant, Granger, Koester, McConaghy, Motschall No: None Absent: Gafa THE MEETING WAS THEREUPON OPENED AT 7:57 P.M. FOR A PUBLIC HEARING TO HEAR THE APPLICATION OF CAILIN CAMPBELL, 611 SHOREHAM ROAD, GROSSE POINTE WOODS, WHO IS REQUESTING TO INSTALL A 6-FOOT TALL, WOODEN FENCE WITHIN THE FRONT YARD OF THEIR HOME TO REPLACE THE EXISTING FENCE. Motion by Granger, seconded by Brown, that for purposes of the public hearing the following items be received and placed on file: 1) Fence Exception Review 02/13/26 - City Planner Smith 2) Application for Public Hearing - Fence Approval 01/22/26 3) Application for Fence Permit with Drawing - 2/04/25 4) Affidavit of Property Owners Notified - Address List - Parcel Map 5) Affidavit of Legal Publication 5  COUNCIL 02-23-26 – 024 Motion carried by the following vote: Yes: Brown, Bryant, Granger, Koester, McConaghy, Motschall No: None Absent: Gafa City Planner Mangan provided an overview of the fence exception request. The Chair asked if anyone from the audience wished to speak in favor of the proposed request. The following individual was heard:  Lynne Campbell, 27 Oxford Rd, GP Shores, and Next-Door Neighbor The Chair asked if anyone from the audience wished to speak in opposition to the proposed request. No one wished to be heard. Motion by Granger, seconded by Koester, that the public hearing be closed at 8:02 p.m. PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. Motion by Granger, seconded by Brown, that the City Council concur with the City Planner’s recommendation and approve the proposed fence installation request for 611 Shoreham Road as presented on the Fence Exception Review dated, February 13, 2026. Motion carried by the following vote: Yes: Brown, Bryant, Granger, Koester, McConaghy, Motschall No: None Absent: Gafa THE MEETING WAS THEREUPON OPENED AT 8:03 P.M. FOR A PUBLIC HEARING TO HEAR THE APPLICATION OF CLEVELAND THURBER IV, 809 FAIRFORD ROAD, GROSSE POINTE WOODS, WHO IS REQUESTING TO INSTALL AND REPAIR PORTIONS OF A 4-FOOT TALL, ORNAMENTAL ALUMINUM FENCE WITHIN THE FRONT AND SIDE YARDS OF THEIR HOME TO REPLACE THE EXISTING FENCE ALONG WILLIAM COURT. Motion by Granger, seconded by Brown, that for purposes of the public hearing the following items be received and placed on file: 6  COUNCIL 02-23-26 – 025 1) Fence Exception Review 02/13/26 - City Planner Smith 2) Application for Public Hearing - Fence Approval 01/26/26 3) Application for Fence Permit 01/08/26 with map and photo 4) Affidavit of Property Owners Notified - Address List - Parcel Map 5) Affidavit of Legal Publication Motion carried by the following vote: Yes: Brown, Bryant, Granger, Koester, McConaghy, Motschall No: None Absent: Gafa City Planner Mangan provided an overview of the fence exception request. The Chair asked if anyone from the audience wished to speak in favor of the proposed request. The following individual was heard:  Catherine Dumke, Resident The Chair asked if anyone from the audience wished to speak in opposition to the proposed request. No one wished to be heard. Motion by Granger, seconded by Brown, that the public hearing be closed at 8:04 p.m. PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. Motion by Koester, seconded by McConaghy, that the City Council concur with the City Planner’s recommendation and approve the proposed fence installation request for 809 Fairford Road as presented on the Fence Exception Review dated, February 13, 2026. Motion carried by the following vote: Yes: Brown, Bryant, Granger, Koester, McConaghy, Motschall No: None Absent: Gafa Mayor Bryant accepted the resignation of Laura Gaskin from the Community Tree Commission with regret, and directed appropriate thanks and recognition be sent to Ms. Gaskin. 7  COUNCIL 02-23-26 – 026 Under New Business, the following individuals were heard:  Councilmember Granger received communications from Michigan Municipal League (MML) and SEMCOG asking for a letter of support in opposition to bills at the Michigan Legislature which would remove local control over zoning issues. A press conference will be held tomorrow morning at the SEMCOG headquarters in Detroit.  Mayor Bryant and City Council congratulated Zach Werenski and the Men’s USA Hockey Team for winning the Olympic Gold Medal. Under Public Comment, no one wished to be heard. Motion by Motschall, seconded by Koester, to adjourn tonight’s meeting at 8:08 p.m. PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. Respectfully submitted, _______________________ _______________________ Paul P. Antolin Arthur W. Bryant City Clerk Mayor 8