City Council

CITY OF LINDEN CITY COUNCIL MEETING MONDAY, JANUARY 26, 2026 AT 6:30 P.M. LOCATION: LOOSE SENIOR CENTER, 707 NORTH BRIDGE STREET, LINDEN, MI 48451 CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Mayor Elizabeth Armstrong. The meeting was held at The Loose Senior Center located at 707 North Bridge Street, Linden, Michigan 48451. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all present. A Moment of Silence was observed for our fallen firefighters and first responders. City Council Present: Mayor Elizabeth Armstrong, Mayor Pro tem Jerry Link, Brad Dick, Tom Hicks, Pam Howd, Denise Miller Absent: Brenda Simons Others Present: Ellen Glass, City Manager; Scott Sutter, Chief of Police; Brian Will, Fire Chief; Don Grice, Director of Public Works; Kristyn Kanyak, City Clerk; Mike Gildner, City Attorney a. Excuse Absent Member(s) Armstrong excused Simons. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS (A) Annual Firefighter Awards, Presented By: Fire Chief Will Fire Chief Will explained annual awards, recognitions and presented awards to: CJ Ross for 15 Years of Service; Roger Card for 40 Years of Service; John Miller, Firefighter of the Year recipient and Anthony Card, Chief’s Award recipient. PUBLIC HEARINGS None. CORRESPONDENCE Armstrong acknowledged receipt of an email from a resident. PUBLIC COMMENT Cheryl Lopez, candidate for 67th District Court Judge, introduced herself, discussed her community involvement, shared her professional experience and reasons for running. Public comment thanked resident and Sutter for help received; commented on another trespass instance and requested update and reasoning. Lina Stamos, candidate for 67th District Court Judge, provided an introduction, shared professional experience and community/initiatives involvement. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES JANUARY 26, 2026 Page 1 of 4 Link requested addition of an item to the agenda, referenced previous discussion on status of open grants. Motion by Link, second by Miller to add to the agenda an update for residents on status of open grants applied for. Motion carried 6-0. CONSENT AGENDA (A) City Council Meeting Minutes from November 10, 2025 (B) 2026 Boards and Commissions Appointments (C) Financial Reports Motion by Howd, second by Hicks Simons to approve the consent agenda. Roll call. Motion carried 6-0. AYES: Dick, Miller, Hicks, Link, Amstrong, Howd NAYS: None ABSENT: Simons UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. NEW BUSINESS (A) F.A.C.T. Consortium Cost Allocation for PEG Funding Applications Glass reviewed the topic. There was no public comment was received. Discussion with Glass and Council regarding: cost breakdown in the packet and reviewed overall PEG Fund balance, decreasing funds and reasoning; the fund balance and what funds can be used for; cable franchise fees; funds used for Council Chambers years ago; and no current franchise agreement with Surf for capturing funds. Motion by Howd, second by Miller to approve PEG funding applications to a total amount to $11,828.68. Roll call. Motion carried 6-0. AYES: Armstrong, Link, Howd, Dick, Miller, Hicks NAYS: None ABSENT: Simons (B) Resolution No. 01-26 MDOT Resolution and Contract Approval Glass reviewed topic and purpose of resolution and agreement, referenced corrected language. No public comment was received. No questions were received from Councilors. Motion by Miller, second by Howd to accept Resolution No. 01-26 MDOT Resolution and Contract Approval. Roll call. Motion carried 6-0. AYES: Link, Hicks, Armstrong, Miller, Howd, Dick NAYS: None ABSENT: Simons (C) Grants Link explained reasoning for addition of agenda item; requested information about open grants, grants applied for with approval or denial and reason. There was no public comment received. Councilors shared thoughts to show residents efforts; discussed and agreed, CITY COUNCIL MINUTES JANUARY 26, 2026 Page 2 of 4 referenced MDOT grant just approved tonight. Motion by Armstrong, second by Howd that we have the grants that have been applied for the last five years to Council by the work session so that we can look at them. Motion carried 6-0. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT Glass provided a verbal update on the following items: • Grant update: provided information to Mueller’s Office for potential water funding • Attended Michigan Municipal Executive (MME) Conference • Fire Dept. recruitment efforts with neighboring jurisdictions • Chamber Forecast Breakfast tomorrow • Confirmed no franchise fee agreement in place with Surf Internet Grice provided an update on the mill project and presented on foundation issues/damage uncovered and proposed underpinning solution. There was no public comment received. Councilors commented on the condition of the building; having to pay for what we want; thanked the workers; brief discussion with Grice regarding this solution; coffer dam status and project details. CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT None. DEPARTMENT REPORTS Armstrong thanked the Departments for their reports which included reports from the Police Department, Code Enforcement, Fire Department and Senior Services Department. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REPORTS Hicks commented on Clio training and shared experience, poor weather conditions and thanked. Also commented on being the Historic District Commission Co-chair and shared comments about their last meeting. Howd provided an update from Metro Alliance meeting on pathways and connections; commented on Clio training and weather conditions that evening; shared comment on Rev. Donald Neuville’s passing. Miller commented on current pathway project and using alternative route; a lot of good things the DDA is doing and recent project and initiatives; Small Cities experiences, Clio training; and Pastor Neuville’s passing. Dick shared update on CDBG Allocation meeting funds coming to Loose Center. Link commented on training; thanked Grice for the salt, and will have Planning Commission update at later date. Armstrong commented on Chamber Forecast Breakfast and details; Pastor Neuville’s family in thoughts and prayers; thanked Mueller and his staff for recent contact for funding opportunity; thanked DPW, staff and First Responders. CLOSED SESSION Kanyak requested purpose be cited for closed session. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES JANUARY 26, 2026 Page 3 of 4 Motion by Howd, second by Miller to enter into closed session to discuss Attorney consultation regarding pending litigation (Rice v Linden/Schuyler)/trial/settlement strategy as discussing same would have a detrimental financial effect on the litigation or settlement position of the City pursuant to MCL 15.268(e). Roll call. Motion carried 6-0. AYES: Miller, Howd, Dick, Link, Hicks, Armstrong NAYS: None ABSENT: Simons Motion by Miller, second by Howd to return to open session. Roll call. Motion carried 6-0. AYES: Dick, Miller, Link, Armstrong, Howd, Hicks NAYS: None ABSENT: Simons ADJOURNMENT Motion by Miller, second by Hicks to adjourn. The meeting was adjourned by Mayor Armstrong at 7:48 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, ________________________________________ Approved: ________________ Kristyn Kanyak, City Clerk CITY COUNCIL MINUTES JANUARY 26, 2026 Page 4 of 4